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What Is The 'Wally West' Meme? The 'Wally West Pose' And Edits About The 'Flash' Character 'Soloing' Everyone Explained
Wally West, from DC Comics' The Flash series, is the focus of a new set of memes on TikTok. The trend of fan edits centers on West's iconic pose and the idea that he could "solo" anybody in fiction.
Although it's popping off this month, many TikTokers on so-called "ComicTok" have alleged that the Wally West memes date back to at least 2021. But the new posts do have their own flair, often seen in photo slideshows on the app in which the silhouette of West's floating, aura-farming pose is secretly shown in the details.
So, where did the Wally West memes come from? What's the "Wally West Pose" and what does "soloing" mean? Let's explain.
Who Is 'Wally West?'
Wally West is a character in the Flash comic book series, who is the third superhero to take on the role of the Flash, following "speedsters" Jay Garrick and Barry Allen. West is regarded as the fastest and strongest Flash by many fans of the series.
Before that, Wally West was known as Kid Flash and was a member of the Teen Titans alongside Robin and other characters.
What's The 'Wally West Pose' And Where Did It Come From?
Wally West has an iconic pose in which he's seen floating in the air with his arms stretched open wide and his chest puffed out. His eyes are also closed, as if he's relishing the moment.
The pose comes from a page in the issue Flash Forward #5, which was published in January 2020.
When Did The 'Wally West' Memes Start On TikTok?
According to diehard Wally West fans online, memes about the character's strength date back to 2020 and 2021, but finding said memes is difficult. Perhaps the original TikTok sound was deleted or the trend's main perpetrator has since been banned. Whatever the case, they're hard to find.
Regardless, many Flash fans have shared memes recently that joke about the supposed 2021 trend. "POV," read one meme, which was highlighted in a late 2024 TikTok, "You hear this song playing while your favorite fictional character is competing with Wally West back in 2020."
What Does 'Wally West Soloing' Mean?
"Soloing," or to "solo," is a slang term used in powerscaling debates, which means to face someone in a one vs. one battle and win.
So, when someone talks about Wally West "soloing" their favorite character, it means that West ran through them, literally, with his speed and strength.
The myriad of memes that hype up Wally West is evidence that a lot of comic book fans agree that the speedster is one of (if not the most) super of all superhumans.
What Are Some More 'Wally West' Memes?
Wally West's pose has become a symbol of his strength in the memes about the character. People are honoring its "aura" by redrawing it or showing themselves replicating it in reenactments with high accuracy.
The trend is also spreading across social media to sites like Twitter / X and Reddit, just to name a few.
The pose has become so well-known that people are seeing it everywhere, like they're experiencing minor psychosis. They're seeing it in shadows or in famous memes, like Dwyane Wade under LeBron James' dunk.
For the full history of Wally West memes, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's entry for even more information.