| “ | If I learned one thing being a cop, it's that you can't just protect the people you think are good. You have to protect everyone. That's what heroes do. I know that. Do you? A hero is not just in the name, Barry, or in a red suit. It's the choices we make that decide who and what we become. |
” |
— Joe West to Barry Allen[src]
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Joseph "Joe" West is a former police captain of the Central City Police Department. West is also the ex-husband of the late Francine West and the father of Iris, Wally and Jenna West.
After the death of Nora Allen and the arrest of Henry Allen, West adopted the orphaned Barry Allen and raised him as his own. They then developed a strong bond and worked together for the CCPD. Allen later gained powers and became the vigilante known as The Flash, with West being one of the very few people knowing his secret.
Biography[edit | hide | hide all]
Early Life[edit | hide]
Joseph "Joe" West was born on September 9, 1968, in Central City.
At some point, West had a daughter whom he named Iris with Francine West. Unbeknownst to West, they also had a son named Wally, who was hidden from West for decades.
Reunions[edit | hide]
Taking Care of Barry Allen[edit | hide]
In 2000, West's old friend Henry Allen was wrongfully accused of his wife's murder. Allen was later incarcerated, while his son Barry was placed under West's care.[19]
West and Thawne[edit | hide]
After Fred Chyre's death, Eddie Thawne was assigned to replace Chyre as West's partner. Due to his grief for the death of his best friend, West did not enjoy Thawne's company. However, Thawne and Iris began dating, disappointing both West and Allen.[4]
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Meeting His Son[edit | hide]
In 2015, West finally met his son Wally, whom he never knew existed. However, Wally kept on getting caught in trouble and West attempted to build a relationship with him. Wally disliked the idea and West switched to giving him some space, which he disliked as he felt abandoned. Eventually, they became close and had a strong father-son relationship.[20]
Reflections and Lies[edit | hide]
Fighting Joseph Carver[edit | hide]
In 2020, West discovered a mole in the department and started to investigate with David Singh, not knowing he was the mole. Later, they fought against Sunshine, who was sent to acquire the prismatic refractor during the transfer to A.R.G.U.S. As West and Singh got overwhelmed by Sunshine, Allen arrived and West tossed the refractor to him. Eventually, Allen locked Sunshine in his lab with no curtains, taking away her powers and arresting her.[21]
A week later, West was nearly assassinated by Rag Doll in his own car but was able to escape from it seconds before its explosion. Singh and the rest of Team Flash arrives and suggested witness protection. West refused and returned to the precinct. As West offers Sunshine an early parole, Rag Doll jumped out of a box and attacked them. West fired at him, but Rag Doll deflected the bullets back at him. Allen arrived and tried to save West, though was unable to do so as the Speed Force's death caused him to temporarily lose his speed. West was slightly injured, but survived the bullet wounds. They later returned to S.T.A.R. Labs and argued about West's safety. West remained at the facility, but was frustrated and went to Joseph Carver. Eventually, West tried to threaten Carver with the plan backfiring as the latter deleted the audio and sent Rag Doll to attack Cecile Horton.[22]
As West went to rescue Horton, he activated a pressure bomb and attempted to deactivate it according to Nash Wells' instructions. Since the instructions did not apply to the altered bomb, West pushed Horton away and took her place. Allen sped Horton away and returned to an already escaped West. West later admitted he should go into witness protection.[22]
Return[edit | hide]
After Eva McCulloch succeeded in her plan, West was allowed to return to Central City and rejoined the team.[23]
Four weeks after his return from witness protection, West and Horton worked together on gathering information regarding Rosa Dillon's connection to Black Hole. He was then informed by Team Flash that Allen does not have enough speed to prevent a plane crash.[24]
Later, West attended the opening of the Hall of Fallen Allies in S.T.A.R. Labs and talked to Allen about grief.[25]
Truth, Liberty, Justice[edit | hide]
Time Pocket[edit | hide]
Trial of "Killer Frost"[edit | hide]
| “ | I admit, under oath, that Frost hasn't always been on the right side of the law. But I can also say that she has put her life on the line countless times to save others. Frost has fought alongside Earth's greatest heroes to save the world, which means that she's saved every person in this room including those who want to lock her up for being who she was. Not for who she is today. And, Your Honor...I don't understand how this court can force Frost to take that cure without sacrificing what it stands for: Justice. | ” |
— Captain West's statement[src]
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When Kristen Kramer arrived in Central City, West realized her grudge against Metahumans and quit the police department following Frost's trial.
Unforgiving Storm Ravages[edit | hide]
Investigation of Kristen Kramer[edit | hide]
Working Together[edit | hide]
Ambushed in Midway City[edit | hide]
The Godspeed Imperative[edit | hide]
Leveled Up[edit | hide]
Heroic Choices[edit | hide]
New Year, New Trouble[edit | hide]
Reminiscing Henry Allen[edit | hide]
Something Beyond Death[edit | hide]
Survival Instinct[edit | hide]
Reckless Actions[edit | hide]
Memories in the Snow[edit | hide]
Massacre[edit | hide]
Apparitions[edit | hide]
A Way to Mourn[edit | hide]
New Life[edit | hide]
Suspicious Rescue[edit | hide]
Struggling to Retire[edit | hide]
The Final Run[edit | hide]
Uncertain About the Future[edit | hide]
Choices[edit | hide]
A Safe Environment[edit | hide]
Leaving Central City[edit | hide]
Believe in the Impossible[edit | hide]
Alternate Versions[edit | hide]
Reverse Flashpoint[edit | hide]
Powers and Abilities[edit | hide]
Powers[edit | hide]
Former Powers[edit | hide]
- Connection to the Negative Speed Force: In 2000, West came across a blue crystal containing a fragment of the Negative Speed Force. After coming into contact with the crystal, West became the vessel for the sentient Force of Nature and gained superhuman abilities for a brief amount of time.[6]
- Accelerated Healing Factor/Superhuman Durability: Despite taking lightning bolt strikes from Barry Allen, West did not show any visible injuries.[6]
- Electrokinesis: Reacting with Barry Allen's Speed Force lightning, West's body generated blue lightning bolts to protect the crystal.[6]
- Energy Blasts: West had the ability to create and shoot blue energy blasts from the crystals attached to his hand.[6]
Abilities[edit | hide]
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- Hand-to-Hand Combat: West is trained to be a skiled combatant, capable of defending himself from other criminals.[1]
- Investigation: As a long-time police officer, West became a skilled detective and often use his experiencing to speed up the completion of his cases.[1]
- Leadership: West was proven to have strong leadership and was promoted to captain.[7]
- Marksmanship: Trained in the police academy, West has proven to be an expert in firearms.[1][4]
Equipment[edit | hide]
Current Equipment[edit | hide]
- Cold Gun: West wielded the Cold Gun to temporary stunt Deathstorm.[27]
- Time Stone: West is gifted the Time Stone by Damien Darhk.[28]
Former Equipment[edit | hide]
- BOOT: West wielded the BOOT against Peek-a-Boo when he led the Anti-Metahuman Task Force.[29]
- Cobalt-97: In 2000, West came across a blue crystal containing a fragment of the Negative Speed Force. After coming into contact with the crystal, West became the vessel for the sentient Force of Nature for a brief amount of time.[6]
Appearances[edit | hide]
Notes[edit | hide]
- West's favorite singers are Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, Johnny Hartman and Ella Fitzgerald.[30]
- After his wife left him, West considers himself as a widower instead of a divorced man, which made him keep his wedding ring.[31]
- As mentioned in Running to Stand Still, Joe West has been working in the CCPD with David Singh prior to 2005.
- His time in the police department was also mentioned to have at least started before 2000 as a beat cop and was promoted to detective later on.
- Additionally, the two busted a drug-related case and celebrated in a steak house where Joe sensed something is wrong with his daughter causing him to leave early to the hospital.
Gallery[edit | hide]
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Joe West
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West in the Time Pocket
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Officer Joe West
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Negative Joe West
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Promotional Images[edit | hide]
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Joe West
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Joe West
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"The Future Favors the Fast"
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"Run with Team Flash!"
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"The Final Run"
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References[edit | hide]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Pilot (The Flash: 2014)
- ↑ The Curious Case of Bartholomew Allen
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Armageddon, Part 2
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Impulsive Excessive Disorder
- ↑ Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Three
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 A New World, Part 1: Reunions
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Legacy (The Flash)
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Fastest Man Alive
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Flash of Two Worlds
- ↑ Heart of the Matter, Part 2
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 The Man in the Yellow Suit
- ↑ Luck Be a Lady
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Running to Stand Still
- ↑ Enemy at the Gates
- ↑ A New World, Part 4: Finale
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 We Are The Flash
- ↑ Crisis on Earth-X, Part 4
- ↑ P.O.W.
- ↑ The Fire Next Time
- ↑ Timeless
- ↑ The Exorcism of Nash Wells
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 So Long and Goodnight
- ↑ Success Is Assured
- ↑ All's Wells That Ends Wells
- ↑ The Speed of Thought
- ↑ Lose Yourself
- ↑ Death Falls
- ↑ Armageddon, Part 5
- ↑ The Flash Reborn
- ↑ Armageddon, Part 3
- ↑ Family of Rogues
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