Who is Savitar?
The new monster speedster on The Flash continues to conceal his identity, taunting Barry Allen (Grant Gustin). Fans are, of course, sharing theories as to who’s underneath Savitar’s Megatron-style armor, and some of the show’s stars like are deflecting clues to the person underneath. But as always, DC comics serve as a guide for fans, and one of the prevailing theories, that Savitar is a future Barry Allen, is backed up by the Future Flash, commonly known as the Blue Flash.
One of the prevailing Flash theories about Savitar’s true identity is that he’s another Barry Allen from the future. Season 3 of The Flash has explored several threads surrounding time travel, such as the consequence of Flashpoint and an ominous message from Barry Allen 40 years from the present which he sent to Rip Hunter (in Legends of Tomorrow). Now, there’s Savitar, who has repeatedly told Allen and S.T.A.R. Labs: “I am the future, Flash.”
While Savitar could simply be saying that he “is the future, Flash,” he could also be revealing himself. He could actually be saying he is “the Future … Flash.” That’s a real character.
The Future/Blue Flash, in DC's 'The Flash' comics.
In a multi-authored story from Robert Venditti, Van Jensen, Brett Booth, Norm Rapmund, and Ron Frenz, the “Out of Time” and “The End of the Road” arcs from 2014 follows a Barry Allen from 20 years in the future who is blaming himself for the death of Wally West. To undo the pain, this “Future Flash” begins killing all of his enemy Rogues to build up speed and return to the moment Wally West died.
There are a lot of similarities between the so-called “Blue Flash” arcs and the current Season 3 storyline with Savitar. The obsession with the future, consequences of interfering with fixed events, and Barry Allen struggling over the dilemma of killing his enemies — this was what the two-part “Gorilla City” episodes were all about — strongly echo the Blue Flash storyline.
Even physically, Savitar bears a strong resemblance to Blue Flash; both have sharp blue lines shining underneath jagged armor. And the character Savitar from comics looks nothing like the “speed god” on the show. Created by Mark Waid during his acclaimed ‘90s run on The Flash, Savitar looked like the wrestler known as the Undertaker at a rave and nothing like the Cybertron beast he looks on The CW.
For now, Savitar’s true face remains hidden behind that scary electric blue and steel mask. He’ll be revealed soon enough in the near future. And if there’s anything The Flash is telling viewers, it’s to not mess with the timeline.
The Flash airs Tuesdays on The CW at 8 p.m. EST.
