>>111910674Well, it was a universe relaunch. Two Zooms (Thawne and Zolomon) were mixed into one (N52 Eobard had Zolomon's "father was a serial killer" backstory). The arc itself introduced Thawne as if he was meeting Barry for the first time, all their personal history was removed.
This is why one of the first events in Rebirth was Thawne regaining his pre-Flashpoint memories, powers and uniform, and going back to tormenting Barry. His backstory was rewritten yet again retroactively (now he wore yellow not as a "Reverse", like originally, but to copy Wally West's yellow suit, wanting to be Barry's partner himself). He was made even more fanboyish by becoming the curator of the Flash Museum in the future and saying he torments the Flash "Because that's the only time you'd spend time with me ;_;"
Basically, Geoff Johns's concept of a spurned fanboy stuck with both writers and viewers. The idea of such a powerful person being so hilariously petty and goalless seems endearing to people.
But personally, I prefer the late Bronze Age version, where he had the same desire to torment Barry, but was motivated by all the previous losses, rather than some perceived indignity or desire for twisted friendship.
