Does Barry No Longer Generate the Speed Force?

[xBarryxAllenx]

One of our forum members, savitar, made an excellent comment on another thread. So good, in fact, that I thought it deserved another thread entirely. Here's the quote:

Jan 22, 2012 21:36:00 GMT -5 Savitar said:

If you read the tiny origin blurb on the title page(s), it no longer says that 'with every step, Barry generates a speed force', like it did during the last volume. Now it simply says that Barry has ties to it.

So with this storyline, is it possible they are dumping Johns' retcon that Barry creates the Speed Force? That the speed force is going back to being just an dimensional energy source for speedsters?

Savitar has a point - if you look at the preview for #5 (and possibly earlier issues...now I need to go back and look) it states, "Struck by a bolt of lightning and doused in chemicals, Central City's Police Scientist Barry Allen was transformed into the fastest man alive. Tapping into the energy field called the Speed Force, he applies a tenacious sense of justice to protect and serve the world as The Flash!"

It is an interesting thought - maybe Barry no longer generates the Speed Force. Of course, there was no mention of a Speed Force during Barry's original run, having been written into continuity during Wally's action as The Flash. I'm not sure how this would affect the DCnU overall, but it is most interesting. Great catch, savitar!

The change in script had to be intentional - but how could this play into The Flash's new storyline? So, what are YOUR thoughts?

[dillonmania]

I wouldn't be surprised -- a lot of previous continuity is being tossed, so why not this? (for the record, I'd be quite happy if it was ditched).

[xBarryxAllenx]

I agree - the idea that the second Flash generates the speed force (and yes I know he's now the first Flash on E-1, but still...) was a little too Barry-centric even for me. I do like the concept of the Speed Force in general, though...so we'll see if this takes us anywhere over the next few issues.

[dillonmania]

Honestly, the concept seemed to be little more than fuel (pun intended) for resentment from fans of the other Flashes, so I won't miss it. But then again, fans of other Flashes are justifiably annoyed by their absence from Earth-1 anyway, so it probably won't help much.

Man, Earth-1 and Earth-2 already -- so much for streamlining the new DCU and making it more understandable for newcomers.

[jonqcitizen]

I think the vagueness is on purpose, and that they probably have "ditched" the "My name's Barry and I AM the Speed Force".....which is probably a good thing. I love Geoff Johns' writing, but I was "iffy" on Barry "creating" the Speed Force.

It allows for creators (both Manapul/Buccellato & any future ones) to explore The Flash Universe for themselves rather than be "locked" into some story arc. This is; from my understanding, the entire point of the "New 52".....and I'm enjoying it! Manapul & Buccellato have stuck to the basic attributes & origin of The Flash, while exploring some different things along the way and introducing some ideas that may be put into use in the future. It's very cool and fun to debate!