The Flash #24

The Flash #24 is the fifth part of the "Reverse" story arc in the New 52 run of The Flash and the closing chapter of Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato's tenure on the series. Barry Allen has already discovered that the "Speed Force killer" hunting speedsters is none other than Daniel West, brother of his friend Iris West; Daniel gained his powers after colliding with the Speed Force battery, and by drawing on the Speed Force and life of other speedsters he can flow backward in time. Stealing Barry's Speed Force to replenish his own, he drags Barry into the timestream to fulfill a long-held obsession: killing the father who abused and abandoned them in childhood. Barry reaches him before the tragedy and persuades Daniel that altering the past will only leave deeper wounds for himself and his loved ones. Young Daniel and Iris are present; the little girl's cry of "monster" shakes Daniel's resolve. In the end Barry absorbs Daniel's remaining Speed Force and carries them both back to the starting point of the timeline, restoring time to its proper course. Back in the present, Barry dances with Patty at her parents' anniversary party and publicly declares the "Speed Force killer" finished; he draws a line with Dr. Elias. At Iron Heights Prison, Iris visits her brother and declares that the brother she truly knew died long ago. Yet Barry, who should be at peace, lies awake all night: he has finally confirmed that he can change the past and bring his mother back, but he knows it would cost another person's life.