A Flash Fan Borrowing Problems from the Future

I have a geek conundrum… and Cisco Ramon isn’t here to help me.

The Flash is one of my favorite superheroes. Seriously, the first comic book I ever bought with my own money was a Wally West The Flash comic. Then, in 2013 my husband gave me a kitten as a wedding gift and I named him Flash Justice, in honor of Barry Allen and the Justice League.

Barry Allen is an amazing character and I am head over scarlet sneakers in love with Grant Gustin’s portrayal of him… as a fan, I couldn’t have picked a better guy to play Barry. Grant is everything I could have wished for.

… and therein lies the problem. Grant Gustin is not playing Barry Allen/The Flash in the upcoming DC film; Justice League. Instead, the Scarlet Speedster will be played by Ezra Miller.

I really want to geek-out about Justice League, but I’m worried about falling into a “Flash fandom” that doesn’t involve Grant. Is there room in my heart for two Barry Allen actors at the same time?

And before all my fellow geeks start debating and commenting; I’m very aware that the cinematic universe and TV series can be considered different parts of the multiverse… You don’t need to go all “Harrison Wells Earth 2” on me and explain it… and I understand alternate timelines; I’m a Star Trek fan, for Spock’s sake.

I also respect why Zack Snider wanted to go in a different direction with the cinematic version of Barry Allen; commitment to a particular multiverse concept, the obvious difficulty of TV/film crossovers, plot holes, blah, blah, blah… That’s not my point… or should I say my “Flashpoint”? ha ha.

Seriously though, my point is that I’m having a Flash fandom crisis… If I love Ezra Miller’s Barry Allen that doesn’t mean that I love Grant Gustin’s any less. Right?

… and don’t even get me started on John Wesley Shipp; an actor who gets to play Barry Allen in his own show from 1990 to 1991, then play Barry Allen’s father and Jay Garrick in the current series. He’s simply too cool.

But, moving forward… I’ve seen multiple Justice League trailers, Ezra Miller’s cameos in Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad, as well as ComicCon panel discussions… and it’s obvious that Ezra’s Barry is going to be great… But different, and that doesn’t make my conundrum any easier…

I will, undoubtedly, see Justice League in theaters multiple times. Gal Gadot is absolutely flawless as Wonder Woman, and I am beyond excited to see Jason Momoa as Aquaman. So ticket sales need not fear my repeated purchase and attendance.

I’m simply geek ranting out loud, and much like Barry Allen I’m “Borrowing Problems from the Future”….  I’m sure this post has been more confusing than the alternate timelines crated by Grant Gustin… BUT, if the Arrowverse can create space for a multitude of Harrison Wells versions then I’m sure I can create space in my heart for another Barry Allen.

I could wear one of my Grant Gustin The Flash t-shirts to the Justice League premiere… but I think I’ll fall completely into the cinematic universe, just like Harleen Quinzel falling into a vat of Ace Chemicals.

Sincerely, Me

P.S. Grant Gustin likes my favorite Broadway Musical; Dear Evan Hansen… and that makes me feel super cool. I love a good crossover! Now I’m gonna go watch the musical episode of The Flash, it just seems appropriate…