The Flash is one of the noblest heroes in DC Comics, but when his deadliest enemy learns the real truth it could spell the end for the Scarlet Speedster. In order for Paradox to destroy the fastest man alive, he'll need to destroy everything that he loves.
Barry Allen has had a long history as a speedster, fighting numerous rogues, and forging powerful friendships. Flash's career was not free of danger however, as Barry would die heroically during the Crisis on Infinite Earth story-line, and not return to life until 2008's Final Crisis event. Flash would also be responsible for damaging the timeline over the years, most prominently during the Flashpoint story-line. Still, despite the countless mistakes and tragedies in his life, The Flash would continue to be loved by many. However, one new villain would despise The Flash because of his countless mistakes: Paradox.
Paradox, the latest villain in the Flash's famous Rouges gallery, has a personal vendetta against the hero. Paradox was originally a scientist who studied multiverse theory and alternate timelines. After being struck by lightning, Paradox became aware of the greater multiverse, connecting with it. During a fight early on in Flash's career, Paradox was trapped in an alternate dimension where he became aware of the damage that Flash had caused to the timeline over the years. In Paradox's view, The Flash was doing more harm than good, and with his expanded powers, he decided to permanently end the hero, once and for all. By harnessing "Crisis Energy," energy created when time changes, Paradox would slowly become stronger and, by removing The Flash from time forever, Paradox would become as powerful as a God. Barry, growing desperate, decided to team-up with the Reverse-Flash, the villain having defeated Paradox in the 25th century. Paradox, on the other hand, having made a reluctant ally with speedster Godspeed, traveled to various timelines in an effort to destroy as many Flashes as he could.
In Flash #754, Paradox made his journey through different timelines, murdering The Flash at various points in the hero's career. However, Paradox came to realize that The Flash was always regarded as a hero to many, even in death. In fact, as more Flash's died, including those murdered by Paradox, the multiverse and various timelines would still hold the hero in high regard. This led Paradox to the conclusion that death was an important part of the Flash legacy, but it also led him to a greater truth. In order to remove the Flash's influence from the timelines and multiverse altogether, Paradox would have to not only completely destroy The Flash, but also everyone that he loves. Paradox then decides to implement this plan by absorbing as much crisis energy as possible, giving him complete control to remove the Flash's influence forever.
Paradox holds the key to destroying the Flash and his legacy, and though the odds are against him, Barry does have one solution to this conundrum. Reverse-Flash, though he has stopped Paradox before via his "lightning rod" weapon, realizes that the only way to stop Paradox permanently is to kill him. This puts Barry in a dilemma, as the hero refuses to kill his enemies and would prefer to find an alternate means of stopping his enemies. However, with Paradox discovering the means to remove the Flash from all timelines, via removing his loved ones (including Iris, Kid Flash, Bart Allen, etc.), Barry seemingly has no choice but to permanently end Paradox in order to save all that he loves.
The ramifications of time travel are rarely discussed in comics books, with characters like Barry Allen facing little consequences (all things considered) for his actions in creating the Flashpoint universe. Paradox as a villain is interesting, in that his motives stem from Flash committing damage as a result of all of his time-traveling adventures. While a potential problem, or paradox, could arise from permanently erasing The Flash from various points in DC History, Paradox seems committed to the idea that Barry Allen being removed from the timeline will fix the timeline itself. Though all seems bleak, there's no doubt that The Flash will find a way out of his current situation, but given Paradoxes growing strength, he will have to find a solution, and fast.
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