The universe of DC comics, and in particular the Flash, is multifaceted and intricate. The multitude of issues, reissues, offshoots and individual series can drive the unprepared reader crazy. And if you add here also the television, as well as the cinematic universe, then you can finally get lost and no longer be found. The history of one character can be rewritten many times, but one way or another, next to the name of the main "speedster" Barry Allen, the beautiful Iris West is always mentioned.
Comics
The first mention of this character dates back to 1956. For the first time, Iris West was known as a reporter for the Picture News newspaper from Central City and part-time Barry Allen's girlfriend, who at first did not even suspect that she was dating the Flash. The secret was revealed only after the wedding on the wedding night, and it soon became clear that her nephew Wally West is also a city hero - Kid Flash. The further fate of the heroinetruly fantastic.
The twists and turns of the plot
Comic book Iris West was killed, she turned out to be an alien from the future, was reborn, returned to the past, reunited with Barry, gave birth to the Tornado Twins, returned to the past again, took care of her nephew Wally, fought with villains, experienced the death of her husband and his return and so on and so forth. When the comic was restarted in 2011, the heroine was made in love with Barry, but without reciprocity. And in the alternate spin-off miniseries Flashpoint, she didn't know Allen, but defeated Captain Cold in revenge for Wally West's death.
Animation and "Iris West 2"
This popular female character was featured in Young Justice, a two-season animated series. Her appearance was episodic, but with significant references to the original story. Iris became the main character already in the full-length animated film "Justice League: The New Barrier".
Few other than true comic book fans know that there was another Iris West, another speedster named Kid Flash (yes, the number two appears in both versions of the name). She was the daughter of Wally and the great-niece of the same Iris, her adventures are also described in the Flash comic book series.
First time on TV
In the early 90s, the story of the great speedster was decided to be transferred to the blue screen by releasing the series of the same name. At that time, special effects were still clearly not enough, and the show did not receive much popularity. But inof this interpretation also appeared the unforgettable Iris West. Actress Paula Marshall embodied Barry Allen's girlfriend in the series, but not a canonical reporter, but a computer graphics artist. However, in this version, the matter never came to marriage. Although there was an offer, the girl did not agree to it, leaving for France. Well, the Flash erased the treacherous lover from his life.
New Look: African American Beauty
To a wider audience, Iris West, whose photo is in the article, is known as the heroine of the now very popular series of the DC television universe on The CW youth channel. Most people know her as a beautiful African American, which, of course, is not canon, but the modern world of show business dictates its terms. She played the new serial version of the Flash's girlfriend Candice Patton. At the moment, the role of the reporter girl Barry is the most significant in the filmography of the American actress, where there are mainly secondary and episodic roles in more or less well-known television projects.
Biography of Iris West in the series, as expected, has undergone significant changes compared to the comics. Actually, not only her. The writers of the show take only the basis from the comics, adapting and changing it at their discretion. Fans of the original story can praise or scold the series, but the main storyline is preserved here - Iris is a reporter (though she started with a blog about a superhero in a red suit) and a friend of Barry Allen, who grew up with her in the house of her father, Detective Joe West. light baby feelingturned into something more, and already in the third season, the Flash proposed to his beloved. The vicissitudes of the plot are such that while the wedding is technically impossible due to the presence of the groom in the Speed Force. How the relationship between the characters will develop further is still unknown. But in addition to journalism and establishing a personal life, Iris is actively involved in the work of the Flash team, helping to fight supervillains. Kid Flash Wally West is her brother in this universe.
On the big screen
It would be strange if the Flash didn't appear in the DC Extended Universe. The company did not combine the series and films, so they do not even touch each other, as separate stories about the same heroes. You could say they are parallel universes. The Flash himself has already appeared in the movie "Batman v Superman" and is a full-fledged hero of the upcoming "Justice League". The first appearance of his girlfriend Miss West is also expected there. A separate story with these two characters, tentatively titled "Flashpoint", should not be expected until 2018-2019, as it is still at the planning and scripting stage. What this story will be and how the characters will be written, one can only guess.
But something else is interesting: in order not to differ too dramatically from the already popular and popular TV version, the actors for the main roles (Barry Allen and Iris West) in the film were chosen quite similar to the series (well, or just coincidentally). The Flash will be played by Ezra Miller, and his favorite journalist alsoAfrican American Kiersey Clemons. It is clear that fans will oppose these two actresses and the character that united them in each of the versions. But Patton's Iris has already won millions of hearts around the world. Will the new West succeed? And will it outshine its TV version? Time will tell.
