The Flash, one of the most iconic superheroes in the DC Universe, has an incredible gift: the ability to move faster than the speed of light, allowing him to travel through time. While this power has allowed Barry Allen to right wrongs, save lives, and stop villains in their tracks, it has also led to some of his most devastating mistakes. Time travel is a dangerous force, and no matter how well-intentioned Barry’s actions are, altering the past has profound consequences on the future.
Time travel has been central to Barry’s adventures, but it has also been the source of some of his greatest regrets. Whether accidentally or with good intentions, his attempts to change events for the better have often resulted in reality being irreparably altered, creating new problems that only The Flash can try to undo. In this list, we’ll examine the top 10 most devastating time travel mistakes made by The Flash, moments that showcase the catastrophic consequences of tampering with time.
#10: The Speed Force Storm (The Flash #45, 2010)
In The Flash #45, Barry Allen’s connection to the Speed Force is disrupted, leading to a cataclysmic event known as the Speed Force Storm. This event occurs after Barry inadvertently alters the timeline, causing the Speed Force to spiral out of control. The storm begins to tear apart the fabric of reality, creating dangerous distortions in the world around him.
Barry’s attempt to fix a mistake he made during one of his time-traveling escapades ultimately backfires when the Speed Force becomes unstable. Not only does this storm threaten the safety of the entire planet, but it also results in the creation of multiple new speedsters, some of whom end up being villains. This unintended consequence of his time travel mistake turns Barry’s greatest asset—the Speed Force—into a weapon of mass destruction, highlighting how even the smallest alteration in time can spiral into disastrous events.
#9: Flashpoint and the Death of Reverse-Flash (Flashpoint #1, 2011)
Flashpoint is arguably one of Barry Allen’s most well-known and devastating time travel mistakes. In this storyline, Barry goes back in time to prevent his mother’s death, but this action results in a drastically altered timeline where the world is on the brink of collapse. In this new reality, Barry never became The Flash, the Justice League never formed, and a brutal war between Aquaman and Wonder Woman devastates the planet.
The consequences of this altered timeline lead to disastrous outcomes, including the death of Reverse-Flash. By trying to correct one mistake, Barry sets off a chain of events that not only affects his own life but the fate of the entire world. Flashpoint is one of the most significant examples of how Barry’s actions in the past can irreparably destroy the future, leading to the creation of a new universe, the New 52, which had lasting consequences for the DC Universe as a whole.
#8: The Reverse-Flash’s Manipulation of the Timeline (The Flash #123, 1961)
In one of Barry Allen’s earliest encounters with time travel, the Reverse-Flash uses his powers to manipulate the timeline, altering the course of history. In The Flash #123, the Reverse-Flash takes Barry back in time and uses his influence to create a version of events where Barry loses his powers.
This event is one of the first examples of how Barry’s time travel abilities can be manipulated by others. The Reverse-Flash not only changes Barry’s timeline but also attempts to alter his entire existence. The consequences of this time travel mistake are far-reaching, as Barry must race to undo the damage caused by the Reverse-Flash’s manipulation. This mistake highlights the vulnerability that comes with time travel: even the smallest changes can have massive consequences, and Barry’s enemies are just as capable of exploiting time travel as he is.
#7: The Death of Wally West (The Flash #751, 2020)
In The Flash #751, Barry’s attempt to stop a dangerous crisis results in a tragic outcome: the death of Wally West, his former sidekick and fellow speedster. Barry’s time travel mistake causes a temporal rift that leads to Wally’s untimely death, a moment that causes Barry immense guilt and regret.
The death of Wally West is a direct result of Barry’s time traveling, as his actions destabilize the timeline in ways he could not anticipate. This tragic event serves as a stark reminder that Barry’s power comes with consequences, and his desire to protect his loved ones can sometimes lead to the destruction of those he holds most dear. The loss of Wally marks a low point in Barry’s life, as he must confront the emotional consequences of his actions, which can never be fully undone.
#6: Crisis on Infinite Earths and the Destruction of the Multiverse (Crisis on Infinite Earths #1, 1985)
In Crisis on Infinite Earths, Barry Allen is faced with the collapse of the multiverse, and while the event primarily focuses on the heroes of the DC Universe, it is Barry’s time travel actions that contribute significantly to the destruction of countless worlds. In his attempt to stop the Anti-Monitor, Barry is forced to travel through time, ultimately leading to the moment when he sacrifices his life to save the multiverse.
The impact of this time travel mistake is immense. Not only does Barry sacrifice himself, but his actions lead to the reshaping of the entire multiverse. His death during the Crisis marks the end of the Silver Age of DC Comics and sets the stage for the creation of a new continuity. This event is a turning point not only for Barry but for the entire DC Universe, as it marks a dramatic shift in the timeline and the beginning of a new era.
#5: The Death of Iris West (The Flash #275, 1979)
In The Flash #275, one of Barry Allen’s most heartbreaking time travel mistakes occurs when he inadvertently causes the death of his beloved wife, Iris West. Barry attempts to use time travel to undo the tragedies of his past, but in doing so, he creates an alternate timeline in which Iris dies at the hands of his enemies.
This moment is particularly devastating because Barry’s attempt to fix one mistake only causes more heartache. His guilt over not being able to protect Iris leads to some of his most emotional struggles. The death of Iris represents the personal cost of time travel for Barry, as it shows that even his best intentions can have disastrous consequences. He is forced to confront the harsh reality that not every mistake can be undone.
#4: The End of the Speed Force (The Flash #123, 2010)
In The Flash #123 (2010), Barry Allen faces the horrifying consequences of a time travel mistake: the potential destruction of the Speed Force itself. While trying to stop a catastrophe caused by his own past, Barry inadvertently alters the Speed Force’s stability, putting the very foundation of his powers in jeopardy.
The Speed Force is the source of all speedsters’ abilities, and the thought of it disappearing would mean the end of everything Barry has known. In his desperate bid to correct his mistake, Barry must once again race against time, battling both the forces of the universe and his own internal struggles. This moment is significant because it showcases how Barry’s actions, even with the best of intentions, can have cosmic consequences. The potential destruction of the Speed Force represents the ultimate consequence of Barry’s time travel mistakes, threatening not just his life but the entire speedster legacy.
#3: The Return of Reverse-Flash (The Flash #1, 2016)
In The Flash #1 (2016), Reverse-Flash returns and sets off a chain of events that leads to the creation of the “Rebirth” timeline. Barry’s attempt to fix his past by erasing his mistakes opens the door for Reverse-Flash to manipulate time for his own gain. This battle becomes a pivotal moment in Barry’s life, as Reverse-Flash uses his knowledge of time to alter reality in ways that even Barry cannot fully comprehend.
Reverse-Flash’s return is devastating because it shows how Barry’s actions continue to affect the timeline in unpredictable ways. His attempt to fix things ends up creating new problems, and Reverse-Flash exploits these mistakes, leading to further chaos. This event forces Barry to confront the idea that he can never truly undo the past—he can only move forward and try to make things right in the present.
#2: Flashpoint and the Rebirth of the DC Universe (Flashpoint #1, 2011)
The Flashpoint event is one of the most devastating and far-reaching time travel mistakes in The Flash’s history. Barry Allen wakes up in an alternate reality where his mother is alive, but the world is on the brink of destruction due to a war between Aquaman’s Atlantis and Wonder Woman’s Amazons. The timeline has been altered because Barry went back in time to save his mother from being murdered, creating a butterfly effect that leads to a shattered world.
The consequences of Barry’s time travel mistake are far-reaching. The death of the Flashpoint version of Barry himself and the destruction of the timeline lead to the creation of the New 52 universe, completely altering the DC continuity. Flashpoint’s consequences affect not only Barry’s world but the entire fabric of the DC Universe, making this one of his most catastrophic time travel errors. The event forces Barry to make the ultimate sacrifice to restore the timeline, but even then, the ramifications are permanent.
#1: The Death of Reverse-Flash (The Flash #324, 1983)
One of the most iconic and heartbreaking moments in the history of The Flash is when Barry Allen kills his greatest enemy, Reverse-Flash, during a heated battle. While the fight itself is personal, the mistake that Barry makes is profound: in his anger and desperation, he unleashes his full strength and kills Reverse-Flash.
This moment has huge emotional consequences for Barry, as he becomes consumed by guilt. The act of killing Reverse-Flash marks a turning point in Barry’s life, where he loses his way and questions his ability to be the hero Gotham needs. This event forces Barry to reckon with the consequences of his power, both in terms of time travel and his actions as a hero. It becomes a haunting reminder that even the greatest of heroes can make devastating mistakes when their emotions cloud their judgment.
Time travel is one of The Flash’s most powerful tools, but as these moments show, it is also one of his greatest burdens. From altering the past to saving loved ones, each of these devastating mistakes showcases the cost of tampering with time. The Flash’s struggles with time travel remind us that even the fastest man alive cannot outrun the consequences of his actions. Through these stories, we see the true weight of responsibility that comes with the ability to change time—and the tragedy that often follows.
