There have been some excellent Flash one-shot tales of late, including the fantastic Flash Annual featuring Laura West’s incredible sci-fi romance novel. Today, Jeremy Adams continues his run of bonkers ideas by introducing a multiversal wrestling federation. Add it to the pile of wild ideas that work splendidly to get your entertainment itch on.
In the latest issue, taking place after Dark Crisis, Wally West is just trying to get some sleep. His kids wake him up, and he’s dragged into preparing breakfast and watching some kids’ TV. Only the kids programming switches quickly on to Wrestling Across the Multiverse, or WAM, and what appears to be a wild WWE-style show turns out to be actual aliens fighting in the streets! It takes a logical mind of Laura to reveal that to Wally, who quickly zips downtown to see what’s up.
Adams and artist Fernando Pasarin introduce a bunch of wild alien wrestlers with costumes and fun names. All in all, the idea of a multiversal wrestling federation popping up in random places is a great one and suits the DC Comics universe since they only show up when doomsday is near. Might as well have some fun smashing things if it’s all going to blow up anyway, right? The most intriguing wrestler is Omega-Bam-Man, who is a little like Hulk Hogan in his demeanor and positivity, brother. His dialogue is over the top and super fun.
More flames, please.
Credit: DC Comics
In general, this issue is super over the top and fun, almost making it feel not like a Flash book in some respects. Who would have thought The Flash, a super fast guy, would throw down wrestling moves in the streets? Throw in the fact that WAM operates in a way so that nobody gets hurt, and it’s a raucous good time. It’s not often you get new characters introduced, let alone a new organization that could pop up again sometime soon. It also makes for a wild idea in the DC Comics universe which is typically darker in tone.
The story is certainly a departure from an ongoing narrative, although the family aspect is alive and well. Wally, his kids, and even his wife briefly all bond over WAM, and it’s fun to see. In many ways, Adams’ depiction of the family is endearing, and indeed it’s something families reading comics together can gravitate towards.
Art by Pasarin with inks by Matt Ryan is top-tier in detailed superhero art style. Every crack in the rubble, window in the skyscrapers towering over the characters, and ripped muscle is rendered in high detail. Omega-Bam-Man’s design is relatively straightforward–he’s a purple humanoid with a Jheri curl–but from the way he points at Flash to his big laugh, he’s a ton of fun. At opportune times the story cuts away to Lobo and other characters watching from some far-out planet adding to the general TV-goer fun vibe of it all.
The Flash #787 is a great comic to add to your buy pile, even if you haven’t been keeping up with The Flash. Adams continues to show the Flash-family unit as a wholesome one your whole family can relate to while offering big sci-fi ideas that are over the top and fun. DC Comics can often feel overly dark and depressing, but Adams continues to show Flash’s optimistic and bright side and the DC Comics universe.
Don’t miss our interview with Jeremy Adams about this issue.
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