The most recent Justice League animated movie stars the Scarlett Speedster—The Flash against his most formidable foe, Reverse-Flash (Professor Zoom). Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox (July 30, 2013 release date) is an adaptation of the Flashpoint graphic novel from 2011, the precursor to The New 52 reboot of the DC Universe. Barry Allen awakes powerless to find his world is different and there is a disturbance in the Speed Force. He seeks the help of an unfamiliar Batman to right the world. The question remains—is this movie the end of story adaptations for the old continuity? Signs are pointing to yes, as the sequel of sorts, a post-New 52 tale, Justice League: War has already been announced.

The Flash/Barry Allen (voiced by Justin Chambers) certainly has what it takes to star in his own animated feature. He’s even had a two-season archive of a ’90s live action show with an art-deco backdrop of Central City (complete with DC Animation favorite Mark Hamill appearing as Flash rogueThe Trickster). The Flashpoint Paradox sets up a key Barry Allen life event as the ‘Butterfly Effect,’ or as seen in 2009′s Star Trek, the nadir of a divergent timeline. Based on Geoff Johns’ (DC Entertainment’s Chief Creative Officer) book of the same name, Flashpoint splits when Barry uses the speed force to go back in time to save his mother from a senseless murder after a break-in.

Confused? That’s OK. Flashpoint was set up from the company’s initiative to reset all of the DC heroes, and also rejuvenate the characters with familiar but new origins in The New 52.

In order to start fresh, they opted for this Reverse-Flash vs. Flash story, creating The New 52 continuity from quantum strings and vague memories from Barry Allen of the way things used to be.

The real meat of the story is in the divergent timeline, as Barry wakes up drooling on his desk at Central City Police Department, warned by his computer that the end is nigh. He runs outside to see his very much alive mother, with whom he has dinner plans with. Reverse-Flash Eobard Thawne is responsible somehow for traveling back from his time in the 25th century to create this new world.

Flash - Barry Allen from Flashpoint Paradox

The Flashpoint universe has some familiar faces, but they act very differently here.

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