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Iris West

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the television character, see Iris West-Allen (Arrowverse).
Iris West-Allen
Iris West-Allen in The Flash vol.5 #70 (May 2019).
Art by Howard Porter.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceShowcase #4 (October 1956)
Created byRobert Kanigher
Carmine Infantino
In-story information
Full nameIris Ann West-Allen
Team affiliationsGalaxy Broadcasting System
Central City Picture News
Supporting character ofThe Flash

Iris Ann West-Allen is a fictional character, a supporting character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. She has been the main love interest and later wife of Barry Allen, the alter ego of the Silver Age version of the superhero The Flash, and the aunt and grandmother, respectively, of the Modern Age variations of the characters Wally West and Bart Allen.[1]

On television, she has appeared in various adaptations in other media; the character has been portrayed by Paula Marshall in the 1990 CBS television series and by Candice Patton in the 2014 The CW television series along with appearances in other Arrowverse shows. In the DC Extended Universe feature films, she was portrayed by Kiersey Clemons in Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021) and The Flash (2023).

Publication history

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Created by Robert Kanigher and Carmine Infantino,[2] the character made her first appearance in Showcase #4 (October 1956).

Fictional character biography

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Iris West works as a reporter for Picture News, based in Central City, and is the fiancée of Barry Allen, who is secretly the Flash. Prior to Barry becoming the Flash, Iris often chides Barry for his frequently being late due to his repeatedly being lost in thought at work as a forensic scientist, a tendency which continues even after he becomes a superhero. When Iris and Barry marry, Iris learns that, not only is Barry the Flash, but her nephew, Wally West, is Kid Flash. She is not told by Barry, but discovers her husband's secret on their wedding night when Barry talks in his sleep.[3][4] She reveals this to him on their first wedding anniversary.[5][6] During this time, the couple discovers that Iris was born in the 30th century.

After years as a prominent presence in the Flash's life and in Central City, Iris is killed by Professor Zoom during a costume party.[7][8] Iris' biological parents, the Russells, send her infant future self to the past, where she is adopted by Ira West. Iris' death causes a temporal paradox that is resolved after the Russells place her consciousness into a new body.[9]

Barry and Iris spend a month in the 30th century, during which Iris gives birth to the Tornado Twins, Don and Dawn Allen. Don marries the descendant of Professor Zoom, Meloni Thawne, hoping to end the feud between the two families. They have a son, Bart, whose powers manifest at an early age and cause him to age at an accelerated rate. Dawn marries Jeven Ognats of Aarok and has a daughter, Jenni. Jenni inherits her father's Speed Force abilities and joins the Legion of Super-Heroes as XS. Don and Dawn die saving Earth from an invasion by the Dominators.[10]

One Year Later

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Main articles: One Year Later and Final Crisis

In Final Crisis: Rogues' Revenge, Iris has moved to her old home in Central City where she is seen looking over photographs of Barry, when his disembodied voice calls out to her.[11] Iris later joins a resistance against Darkseid along with Black Lightning, Green Arrow, and Linda Park.[12] Soon after, Iris is corrupted by the Anti-Life Equation, but Barry breaks its hold over her by enveloping her in the Speed Force.[13]

The New 52

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In September 2011, The New 52 continuity reboot, Iris and Barry are acquaintances rather than lovers.[14] During DC Rebirth, when Iris and Ace West are attacked by Eobard Thawne, Iris receives glimpses of her pre-Flashpoint life with Barry and begins to remember their past together.[15]

Other versions

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The New Frontier

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An alternate universe variant of Iris West appears in DC: The New Frontier. This version is engaged to Barry Allen. Iris later deduces Barry's secret identity, but does not reveal her knowledge until she convinces Barry to come out of retirement.

Amalgam Comics

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An alternate universe variant of Iris West, amalgamated with Roxanne Simpson, appears in the Amalgam Comics one-shot Speed Demon.[16]

Flashpoint

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An alternate universe variant of Iris West appears in the Flashpoint event. This version is unmarried and in a relationship with John, her co-worker at the Central City Citizen.[17]

In other media

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Television

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Film

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DC Extended Universe

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Miscellaneous

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References

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  1. ^ Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Korte, Steve; Manning, Matt; Wiacek, Win; Wilson, Sven (2016). The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe. DK Publishing. p. 326. ISBN 978-1-4654-5357-0.
  2. ^ Greenberger, Robert (2008), "Iris Allen", in Dougall, Alastair (ed.), The DC Comics Encyclopedia, London: Dorling Kindersley, p. 10, ISBN 978-0-7566-4119-1
  3. ^ The Flash #165 (November 1966)
  4. ^ Wells, John (2014). American Comic Book Chronicles: 1965–1969. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 120. ISBN 978-1605490557.
  5. ^ The Flash #174 (November 1967)
  6. ^ Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Manning, Matthew K.; McAvennie, Michael; Wallace, Daniel (2019). DC Comics Year By Year: A Visual Chronicle. DK Publishing. p. 113. ISBN 978-1-4654-8578-6.
  7. ^ The Flash #275 (July 1979)
  8. ^ Jimenez, Phil (2008), "The Flash", in Dougall, Alastair (ed.), The DC Comics Encyclopedia, New York: Dorling Kindersley, pp. 124–127, ISBN 978-0-7566-4119-1, OCLC 213309017
  9. ^ The Flash #350 (October 1985)
  10. ^ Legion of Super-Heroes (vol. 4) #17 (April 1991)
  11. ^ DC Universe #0 (June 2008)
  12. ^ Final Crisis #2 (August 2008)
  13. ^ Final Crisis #4 (November 2008)
  14. ^ The Flash (vol. 4) #1 (November 2011)
  15. ^ The Flash (vol. 5) #52 (October 2018)
  16. ^ Speed Demon #1 (April 1996)
  17. ^ Flashpoint #1 (June 2011)
  18. ^ a b c d "Iris West Voices (Flash)". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on November 11, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  19. ^ Burlingame, Russ (November 10, 2017). "Crisis on Earth-X Arrowverse Crossover Description Released". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  20. ^ Harvey, James (December 5, 2023). "Justice League: Crisis On Infinite Earths, Part One Arrives January 2024, Press Details". The World's Finest. Archived from the original on December 5, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  21. ^ Laman, Lisa (May 6, 2022). "Why George Miller's Justice League Never Happened". Collider. Archived from the original on May 6, 2022.
  22. ^ "Justin Krol". Twitter.
  23. ^ Kroll, Justin (July 25, 2016). "'The Flash' Movie: Kiersey Clemons to Star as Iris West". Variety. Archived from the original on July 26, 2016.
  24. ^ The Flash: Stop Motion by Mark Schultz ISBN 0-7434-1713-5
  25. ^ Injustice: Gods Among Us Year Five #27 (June 2016)
  26. ^ Injustice: Gods Among Us Year Five #28 (June 2016)
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