| Iris West-Allen | |
|---|---|
 Iris West-Allen inThe Flash vol.5 #70 (May 2019). Art byHoward Porter. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Showcase #4 (October 1956) |
| Created by | Robert Kanigher Carmine Infantino |
| In-story information | |
| Full name | Iris Ann West-Allen |
| Team affiliations | Galaxy Broadcasting System Central City Picture News |
| Supporting character of | The Flash |
Iris Ann West-Allen is a fictional character, asupporting character appearing inAmerican comic books published byDC Comics. She has been the main love interest and later wife ofBarry Allen, thealter ego of theSilver Age version of the superheroThe Flash, and the aunt and grandmother, respectively, of the Modern Age variations of the charactersWally West andBart Allen.[1]
On television, she has appeared in various adaptations in other media; the character has been portrayed byPaula Marshall in the1990 CBS television series and byCandice Patton in the2014 The CW television series along with appearances in otherArrowverse shows. In theDC Extended Universe feature films, she was portrayed byKiersey Clemons inZack Snyder's Justice League (2021) andThe Flash (2023).
Created byRobert Kanigher andCarmine Infantino,[2] the character made her first appearance inShowcase #4 (October 1956).
Iris West works as a reporter forPicture News, based inCentral City, and is the fiancée ofBarry Allen, who is secretly the Flash. Prior to Barry becoming the Flash, Iris often chides Barry for his frequently being late due to his repeatedly being lost in thought at work as a forensic scientist, a tendency which continues even after he becomes a superhero. When Iris and Barry marry, Iris learns that, not only is Barry the Flash, but her nephew,Wally West, isKid Flash. She is not told by Barry, but discovers her husband's secret on their wedding night when Barry talks in his sleep.[3][4] She reveals this to him on their first wedding anniversary.[5][6] During this time, the couple discovers that Iris was born in the 30th century.
After years as a prominent presence in the Flash's life and in Central City, Iris is killed byProfessor Zoom during a costume party.[7][8] Iris' biological parents, the Russells, send her infant future self to the past, where she is adopted by Ira West. Iris' death causes atemporal paradox that is resolved after the Russells place her consciousness into a new body.[9]
Barry and Iris spend a month in the 30th century, during which Iris gives birth to the Tornado Twins, Don and Dawn Allen. Don marries the descendant of Professor Zoom, Meloni Thawne, hoping to end the feud between the two families. They have a son,Bart, whose powers manifest at an early age and cause him to age at an accelerated rate. Dawn marries Jeven Ognats of Aarok and has a daughter,Jenni. Jenni inherits her father'sSpeed Force abilities and joins theLegion of Super-Heroes as XS. Don and Dawn die saving Earth from an invasion by theDominators.[10]
InFinal Crisis: Rogues' Revenge, Iris has moved to her old home in Central City where she is seen looking over photographs of Barry, when his disembodied voice calls out to her.[11] Iris later joins a resistance againstDarkseid along withBlack Lightning,Green Arrow, andLinda Park.[12] Soon after, Iris is corrupted by theAnti-Life Equation, but Barry breaks its hold over her by enveloping her in the Speed Force.[13]
In September 2011,The New 52 continuity reboot, Iris and Barry are acquaintances rather than lovers.[14] DuringDC Rebirth, when Iris andAce West are attacked by Eobard Thawne, Iris receives glimpses of her pre-Flashpoint life with Barry and begins to remember their past together.[15]
An alternate universe variant of Iris West appears inDC: The New Frontier. This version is engaged to Barry Allen. Iris later deduces Barry's secret identity, but does not reveal her knowledge until she convinces Barry to come out of retirement.
An alternate universe variant of Iris West, amalgamated withRoxanne Simpson, appears in theAmalgam Comics one-shotSpeed Demon.[16]
An alternate universe variant of Iris West appears in theFlashpoint event. This version is unmarried and in a relationship with John, her co-worker at theCentral City Citizen.[17]
| The Flash Family |
| ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supporting characters | |||||||||||
| Enemies |
| ||||||||||
| Publications |
| ||||||||||
| Storylines |
| ||||||||||
| Locations |
| ||||||||||
| In other media |
| ||||||||||
