DC demanded that Wally West be bi-racial

If you were wondering if it was a conscience decision by writer Robert Venditti, or an idea by DC to promote diversity, wonder no longer.

Speaking with IGN, Venditti had this to say:

"When the New 52 started, the entire universe was reset. Fans get upset because, understandably, fans have an emotional connection to these characters, but this is also a new Barry Allen, a new Iris West -- every character in this universe is a new character. Those old versions, they're still alive, they're still there, the books that they're in still exist. I still have those books on my shelf, so I can go revisit and re-read those books. But if we're introducing new characters and completely new versions of characters, it would be strange to not introduce some radical changes. Ultimately, what we hope is that people will respond to this version of Wally West the same way that people responded to the Wally West of the previous DC Universe, which is investing in a character and following his journey and really becoming more interested in what he's all about, what drives him," Jensen said.

Venditti added that they "wouldn't have much interest in reintroducing the same characters with the same origins all over again," saying that "the challenge of something like the New 52 and introducing new characters is to try to tell new stories and get people engaged on an equal level with those new stories."

The idea of making Wally bi-racial originated with DC Comics, who asked Venditti and Jensen to make it a part of their Flash story.

"DC said they wanted us to re-introduce Wally West and they wanted him to be bi-racial, and I thought that was great," Venditti said. "I'm all for diversity and those kinds of things. It was a story that didn't derail us with what we wanted to do. Adding Wally into the series really expanded what we thought the series was going to be and has led us to take some really cool, very character-focused turns that really gave us a look not just at Wally but also Barry. Some of the most fun I've had so far is those scenes where Wally and Barry are playing off each other."

http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/04/24/writers-robert-venditti-and-van-jensen-address-controversial-new-52-wally-west-in-the-flash-30

Meh, I never doubted that this was an editorial mandate.

It's because he runs fast. Hollywood is racist dawg.

I figured so as well, but it's still surprising to just straight up here it from the mouth of the writer.

-___-

Darn you DC! Make NEW characters with different ethnic backgrounds, don't change the entire structure of an already well established character. *Sigh* Do what Marvel is doing!!

Well, the writers do want the fanbase to like them so this is pretty much the creators washing their hands in this change. Of course I am actually divided if this is a good move from the creators or a bad move but maybe I am overthinking it.

Compared to the rest of the bunch, you're under-thinking it. I'm torn as well...

ehh, Flame On?

Another character changed for the sake of "diversity" - what a bunch of bs.

Good, diversity is a good enough reason to change a character.

The fact that these comments followed each other by 1 minute made me laugh beyond belief.

You know, sometimes it isn't...now hear me out before you reject my thought. Wally isn't a side-character he has been around for decades, so it is logical that this character has build a huge fanbase around him. His fan-base identifies with him and with so few relatable things comic characters have, appearance is a huge factor. Especially on a character like Wally who is ginger, ask yourself how many ginger superheroes you know? 3?4? Now ask yourself is it really needed for DC to alienate said fanbase just to add some diversity (which is more of an insult rather than a good move btw), instead they could just bring another character to fill that role and everyone would be happy! I mean look at Miles Morales, the new Ms. Marvel (her name is so difficult!), new characters that instantly became fan favorites without insulting anyone.

.....why not just.....never mind. This is stupid imo

was this ever really a question?

Does his skin color matter? Is he now less likable? Plus, the fastest man alive is white? I can believe men can fly, but I can only suspend my belief so far. =D

Introduce new diverse characters instead of changing old ones. That would be much better.

I would have rather the DC editors create a new bi-racial Flash rather than reintroduce a well-known character as one. Sort of like what Marvel did with Miles Morales and Kamala Khan. However, as long as his personality remains intact, I'll get used to it.....I think...

While Marvel is busy making new and interesting characters...DC is doing this.

His new name will be LeWally West!

Literally, there is no reason to change his race, besides pandering to hardcore Social Justice Warriors.

Dont care.

His race doesnt make him what he is and isnt what the fans should focus on.

I'm so done with DC. This is completely ridiculous.

@squalleon: Miles Morales took a significantly long time to develop and some people still hate him. Not to mention that he was introduced by an A-list creator with a lot of fan following and he exists in a universe were he matters. Ask yourself how many people would have read his book if Ultimate Peter was still alive. People say that they want new characters, but they don't because they keep on clamoring for the old characters to be more important. Look at how many people still get angry at the mere suggestion that John Stewart should be a GL in the cinematic universe. Wally is already important, and him being black gives more chance for a black character to have longevity and appeal. He doesn't have to be different in character to who he was, and there have been many character's that change in the NEw 52 in bigger ways without causing this level of uproar. It get's ridiculous, have you seen the change.org petition? Come on!

I don't get it, if he's still a wise mouth speedster, why is the fact that he's tanned and with curly hair make him a different character? He's just bi-racial now.

His race is pretty much irrelevant to me....IDC

• Agreed but most people accepted him because he has his own man. And to be fair, he started out exactly like Peter, he took a while to develop on his own man. With Wally I don't see the same happening.
• That doesn't say much...Plus Venditti is the bomb currently with his X-O Manowar and Green Lantern. I don't like this decision no matter who supports it.
• Nobody and it is understandable but that was a different case, Miles was being brought as a protagonist not as a supporting character, I don't see how that is a good argument for you since Wally is gonna be build from the ground up(essentially being a new character not only in appearance) with only the name being the same, they could just skip the name since it means nothing anymore.
• They just lost all of Wally's fanbase(deal with it), I don't see how that guarranties longevity.
• I haven't even clicked the link because I think it is rediculous.

I feel that sometimes we don't see the older fan's view. Suddently their universe was rebooted, their characters who identified with them changed dramatically(appearance plays a huge role in visual mediums like comics) and the company they supported for so much time trades them for short-term fans. I mean they have the right to be angry. And the fact that they are forcing diversity so fast doesn't allow the reader time to adapt.

LOLWUT?

IDK, I think DC is doing a really good job of making new characters, just look at all the work Lemire has done on Equinox

I don't agree with this, change is inevitable. A lot of characters were changed in COIE too, and post-crisis fans hold that in high regard. DC isn't forcing diversity fast, it should have changed a long time ago. I understand that people get attached to their favorite characters but Wally hasn't even debuted, how can people justifiably complain that he has changed dramatically. Was him being white and red-haired the only thing they cared about? If so then I suppose they have the right to not buy the comic, I just think that's a ludicrous reason to like a character.

so stupid if they had created a new flash this wouldnt be a problem but no they had to change an established character all so they could create hype

@captainmarvel4ever: And I applaud them for that, this I do not.

QFT

Oh I don't agree with this either, I just wanted to show that they are putting in the effort to make new characters.

New 52 people shouldn't treat these characters the same. I don't consider them the same as past incarnation. Those exist in the old universe.

I'm biracial, and I agree.

Ah mistakes were made.

I just don't get this comic community. First off having him be bi-racial doesn't drastically change what the character is about so I am lost as to why the sky is falling.

Then there is the constant cycle of crying. 'Fans' (I hesitate to even use that name) constantly complain about publishers recycling the same stories and same angles, then when the company changes their approach up they hate it and demand the old stuff they have been reading for 50 years back.

Lastly to the people who want the 'Marvel method' to be applied everywhere. Remember the sales of new 52 Blue Beetle?? New character placed in a role of potential prominence and the book sold like garbage. If you want DC to do moves like this BUY THE BOOKS! Otherwise there are only 2 options. Either things change for existing characters and people cry about it and want everything to stay the same OR nothing new is ever done and no diversity is brought into the industry and DC specifically are called rigid and racist.

At this point I don't know who DC is even making books for besides me. They should just close up shop and give Marvel a monopoly on the superhero genre basically. Maybe then this community will be happy.

Hehe. Clearly. Lol

You're deluded if you think the only way to bring a new approach to a character is to change their skin color and ethnicity.

well who didn't know that? i mean it was obvious it was editorial and i see nothing wrong. From the new 52 started i keep telling fans its clear these are not the same characters and never will be just get used to it. If you want the old DC just pick up the old DC books.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Lol Adawale West.

People will honestly whine about anything. I don't see the huge deal since I'm black but even so, if he's mixed but still the same personality, etc. Nothing has changed at all.

@ultron345: I should point out that the New 52 Blue Beetle was far from new. He had his own solo back in 2006 that lasted just a bit longer.

@jonsmith: KRRRRRIIIIIIIIIILLLLLLLLIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@squalleon: you summed up my feelings too

Of course. I think it was kinda obvious IMO. First making GL gay now turning Wally black. DC just wants to add diversity for PC. It is annoying.

Whatever, I am not buying Flash so as long as Wally stays out of my comics I am buying, I am fine. Of course I think Wally is not born yet or a kid anyways (how many years was it in the future again?), so it doesn't matter.

I agree with this. I'm fine with him being Bi-racial, but I do want him to have red hair :( The red hair sort of reflected his personality to me, and it's become tied to the character IMO.

@dratini1331: But red hair isn't natural for African ethnicities. He'd have to dye it, and that would most likely look weird.

If it doesn't change anything what was the point aside from a hamfisted attempt at diversity? If it doesn't make the story better then it serves no purpose. This move serves no purpose but to add more color. You want to know how to add different types of characters? It takes 2 ounces of brain power. Feature the new. Character in an already prominent book, develop the character. Fans WILL respond and be vocal about things they like. Cultivate that characters mythology in the already established book. If things go well give the character a mini series. If the sales are good give them a more prominent role in the already prominent book, and then, after you have gotten people to love the character, give them a solo. But do not just out another 2.99 book on the shelf and expect me to pick it up. The books are too expensive for that.