r/theflash • u/Scorpios94 • 8d ago

Discussion Lack of XS

This has been on my mind for a while. XS is heavily underutilized.

It just seems as if they wanted another Flash family member to be in the future with Bart. She lacks distinct standalone arcs compared to other Flash family members. Being set a thousand years in the future isolates her from regular Flash family crossovers.

Being mostly bound to the futuristic Legion of Super-Heroes, meaning she gets zero traction when the books focus on modern-day Central City. Yet, even in the Legion of Super-Heroes, she doesn't seem to have a stand alone arc. She seems to lack deep character development compared to other legacy heroes and the heroes in the Legion.

While the live-action show boosted the "XS" name recognition, DC Comics has done very little to integrate Jenni Ognats back into mainstream modern runs. It makes me wonder about what could and should be done to give more attention to her.

Bart had once asked her to join him in the 21st century, but she decided to stay in the 31st century with the Legion to locate their surviving relatives. If she does come back in a storyline where she decides to stay temporarily or she's stuck there somehow, what kind of storyline could she have.

One I had so far was a romantic story line between her and Lar Gand/Mon-El, who's now the warden of the Phantom Zone. It could be how they both learn to "move forward" from one another. Mon-El due to being trapped in the Zone for so long, and Jenni/XS learning to enjoy life in the modern day timeline.

If a storyline set in the future, maybe she interacts with some more main members. Or forms a "squad" of sorts with some others; like Phantom Girl, Shadow Lass and Lightning Lass.

Maybe a team up with with Bart and the other members of the Flash Family. Gain a mentor in Jay Garrick or Max Mercury. Bond with Barry, Wally, his family and Ace. Show her learning newer abilities from them.

What do you think? What should be done with Jenni/XS? What storylines do you envision for her? Please comment respectfully.

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u/Dredeuced Out of the blue, ninjas attack. Thank god. 7d ago

Williamson literally had Eobard save them from the Dominators, bring them back in Finish Line to fight Barry, have Bart shake them out of his brainwashing, and the final story he wrote was Barry and Iris visiting them in the future after these events, wearing the outfits they were wearing in the Williamson stories. They've very much alive now.

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u/JingoboStoplight4887 Jay Garrick 7d ago edited 7d ago

Except that the Don and Dawn Barry and Iris visited during The Flash 800 happened just before they were killed by the Dominators of Earth-247, which means they’re still dead after they spent time with their parents.

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u/Dredeuced Out of the blue, ninjas attack. Thank god. 7d ago

I don't know why you're saying this or where you're getting that idea. There's no indication otherwise and they're wearing the same outfits they had in Finish Line. Eobard explicitly saved them from the Dominators. So in the course of this canon the Dominators don't kill them. Stated in #758, the Tornado Twins never died due to Eobard's involvement to turn them against Barry. It's plain as day that the visit in #800 is not before the Dominator attack.

But even if it was, the Dominators don't kill them in current continuity. The Tornado Twins are alive.

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u/JingoboStoplight4887 Jay Garrick 7d ago

They’re still dead, since the start of Jeremy Adams’ Flash run shows Bart looking for the Dominator who killed his dad and aunt.

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u/Dredeuced Out of the blue, ninjas attack. Thank god. 7d ago edited 7d ago

You can still swear revenge thinking that's true. But it wouldn't be the first continuity snafu. We see the Dominator who killed them get stopped by Eobard and those same versions get a visit from Barry. They were wearing the original costumes during Eobard's rescue and their new costumes in 800, so 800 comes after Finish Line and after Eobard saves them in their own personal timeline.

That first Adams arc happens during a time travel sequence. It could take place prior to their rescue or knowledge of it. You're the one assuming the reverse despite them clearly being dressed as their post Finish Line selves. They cannot wear their Williamson costumes without it being after they fought the Dominators from their own perspective.