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This week Joshua Williamson and Scott Kolins begin their “The Greatest Trick of All” story arc in The Flash. It’s unclear what the trick might be, but if everyone is happy and there is no crime going on in Central City there must be some kind of trick going on. Right? Regardless if it is good or bad Barry must race to figure it out!
So what’s it about?
The official summary reads:
The Flash is running himself ragged trying to learn about the new forces, but all it’s done is tear his life apart. Now that he’s back from his Force Quest and home in Central City, he finds that the city was just fine without him, better even! His home is crime-free, and it doesn’t need the Flash anymore! But where has Commander Cold gone? Barry races to find him and hopefully figure out what’s happened while he was away!
Why does this matter?
Joshua Williamson has been writing great Flash comics for over 3 years now and that’s not letting up any time soon. He’s also added interesting new lore into the character via new forces that have really mixed things up. The Trickster was one of the first characters infused with a force against his will. Based on this issue he didn’t react well to that.
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
This guy is mental!
Credit: DC Comics
This is a great jumping on point for new readers. Williamson captures Flash’s current state of mind and what is going on with the character as a whole very well in the first few pages of captions. It’s told while he takes out a cult which is quite colorful and creative. This leads to the usual requirement of locking up the bad guys in prison, but things are definitely weird in Central City. Williamson and Kolins reveal unnerving happiness permeating everyone that is unexplainable. You’d think super happy prison guards and police officers would be a good thing, but things go from bad to worse by the end of the issue with a creepy interaction that leaves Barry dumbfounded.
There are hints to keep the reader highly aware and looking for clues. One might wager a guess at what is going on, but there’s just enough missing to make you want so much more. The next issue can’t come fast enough.
The art by Kolins with colors by Luis Guerrero and letters by Steve Wands is quite good. It’s detailed, but not hyper-realistic. There’s a unique indie feel to the book that suits the extraordinarily weird characters surrounding Flash. Flash looks great zipping around and the use of translucent yellow makes his movement in an apartment scene supernatural and cool. It’s nice to see how many crowd scenes there are and how much detail Kolins puts into them. That enhances the believability of every moment.
Great double page spread.
Credit: DC Comics
It can’t be perfect, can it?
Not much that I can see!
Is it good?
A close to perfect opening issue of the arc with action, a kick-ass mystery, and plenty of originality.
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