Bart Allen inherited super-speed from his grandfather Barry Allen's (Flash II) side of the family, but his hyper-accelerated metabolism resulted in an accelerated growth rate. To retard Bart's grown and maintain his sanity, 30th Century scientists placed him in a virtual reality that kept pace with his own pace of time. When it became clear their efforts were not helping, Bart's grandmother Iris West took him to the 20th Century to consult her nephew Wally West (Flash III).
Unlike the 30th Century scientists, West knew from experience the intricacies of super-speed. He forced the young speedster into an extreme burst of speed that shocked his system and normalized his growth rate.
After a life threatening encounter with the Speed Force, West had Max Mercury become Bart's guardian and trainer. Because of his childhood living in a virtual reality, Bart had no concept of danger and rarely thinks ahead, acting completely on... Impulse.
After learning his idol Wally West had little faith in his maturity coupled with a traumatic physical altercation with the assassin Deathstroke, Bart decided it was time to grow up and utilize his abilities to their full potential as Kid Flash.
It was with his mentor Wally West that Kid Flash challenged an insane Superboy of Earth-Prime, attempting to trap the former hero from an alternate dimension within the Speed Force. When Kid Flash returned he was older and the Speed Force was apparently destroyed - but in truth he had absorbed the mysterious force accelerating him into the mantle of the Flash.
Current Form:
Kid Flash II
Identities:
Impulse
The Flash IV
Kid Flash II (Black Lantern)
