Many villains in the DC Universe have significant reasons to fight superheroes, but Reverse-Flash has become a villain for one tragic reason.

Heroes and villains always have reasons for their fighting, including the Reverse-Flash and the Flash. The battles generally start from a difference of ideology or worldview; the Joker wants to prove a point, and Lex Luthor wants to show humanity doesn't need Superman. But Reverse-Flash'sreason for fighting Barry Allen is truly personal and heartbreaking.

Reverse-Flash and Barry Allen's rivalry has been in comics for over 50 years at this point. Eobard Thawne is one of Barry's absolute worst enemies, and they've had to fight time and time again. Eobard has done just about everything he can to try and ruin Barry's life, from killing Barry's mother and his wife, brutalizing Barry's sidekicks, and just plain attacking Barry any chance he gets in the meantime. These attacks have led Barry to come to the not-unreasonable conclusion that Eobard must hate Barry with every fiber of his being. But it turns out the real reason Eobard is constantly fighting Barry is much sadder.

The Flash Believes the Reverse-Flash Hates Him

Readers can see the heartbreaking reason why the Reverse-Flash tortures Barry Allen in 2017's The Flash #27 by Joshua Williamson, Paul Pelletier, Howard Porter, Andrew Hennessy, Hi-Fi, and Steve Wands. In this storyline, Eobard has attacked all of Flash's closest allies and kidnaped Iris West, Flash's current girlfriend, bringing her to the future. Eobard forces a confrontation with the Fastest Man Alive and finally reveals the origin of Reverse-Flash's obsession with Barry Allen. Eobard explains that he intended to become Barry's sidekick and to help him fight crime. When he realized he wasn't special to Barry at all, he decided to ruin Barry's life instead. But, while Eobard claims this is his reasoning, Barry eventually forces the true heartbreaking reason out of him.

After Eobard threatens Iris' life, an enraged Barry Allen finally confronts Eobard about why he's been torturing Barry all these years. Eobard simply states it's because these battles are the only way he could get Barry to spend time with him. Eobard's origin is that of a Flash fanboy: he openly admits that reading about the Flash's adventures helped him deal with the dark times in his life. Eobard once wanted nothing more than to meet his hero and spend time with him, but when Eobard learned he was destined to become Barry's greatest foe, he realized he'd only ever spend time with Flash if it was as foes — never as Eobard and Barry.

The Reverse-Flash Could Have Been a Flash Sidekick

Eobard Thawne was once inspired by Barry Allen to become a hero. But, because of his own twisted morals and obsessive issues, Eobard couldn't ever be anything other than the worst villain Flash has ever seen. Unfortunately for Barry, the two are still spending a truly disastrous amount of time together — and that seems good enough for the Reverse-Flash.

Check out The Flash #27, available now from DC Comics!