Iris West-Allen

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Iris works as a reporter for Picture News in Central City. Before Barry became the Flash, she often chided him for being late due to his tendency to get lost in thought as a forensic scientist. In The Flash #165 (1966), Iris discovered Barry's secret identity when she found his Flash costume, not on their wedding night. It is later established that Iris was born in the 30th century and was originally adopted by Ira West after her biological parents, the Russells, sent her infant future self to the past long before her death by Professor Zoom at a costume party. This event caused a temporal paradox resolved when her consciousness was placed into a new body. During a month spent in the 30th century, Iris gave birth to the Tornado Twins, Don and Dawn Allen. Don married Meloni Thawne, descendant of Professor Zoom, while Dawn married Jeven Ognats of Aarok. Their children include Bart, who ages rapidly due to early power manifestation, and Jenni, who joins the Legion of Super-Heroes as XS. Tragically, Don and Dawn were killed saving Earth from a Dominator invasion.

In Their Own Story

In the Final Crisis: Rogues' Revenge storyline, Iris moved back to her old Central City home, looking over photographs of Barry until his disembodied voice called out. She joined a resistance against Darkseid alongside Black Lightning, Green Arrow, and Linda Park. During this conflict, she was corrupted by the Anti-Life Equation but was saved when Barry enveloped her in the Speed Force. In The New 52 reboot starting September 2011, Iris and Barry were merely acquaintances rather than lovers. However, during DC Rebirth, after being attacked by Eobard Thawne alongside Ace West, Iris began to remember their pre-Flashpoint life together.

Reader's Guide

Iris first appeared in Showcase #4 (October 1956), created by Robert Kanigher and Carmine Infantino. In the DC Extended Universe, Kiersey Clemons was originally cast for Justice League with scenes cut; these were restored in Zack Snyder's Justice League where Barry saves her from a traffic accident. She reprised the role in The Flash (2023). On television, Candice Patton portrays an African-American version of Iris, a trait adopted by other portrayals since. Her Earth-2 counterpart is a detective. In Young Justice, voiced by Nicole Dubuc, she works for Galaxy Broadcasting System. Zoe Kazan was cast to play Iris in the cancelled film Justice League: Mortal.

Did You Know?

• Iris was born in the 30th century before being sent to the past as an infant by her biological parents, the Russells, long before her death at a costume party.
• She discovered Barry Allen's secret identity in The Flash #165 (1966) when she found his costume, not on their wedding night.
• Her death at a costume party caused a temporal paradox that required placing her consciousness into a new body.
• In The New 52 continuity reboot (September 2011), Iris and Barry were acquaintances rather than lovers until DC Rebirth restored their memories.
• Iris gave birth to the Tornado Twins, Don and Dawn Allen, while spending a month in the 30th century.