The Flash #795 is the solid, somewhat exciting, penultimate issue of the One-Minute War arc, which has flirted with greatness but will likely be forgotten.
SPOILERS AHEAD for The Flash #795!
The Flash Family has been taking Ls in all directions since the outset of this arc and this issue starts with Barry Allen enacting a plan to solve the problem by, what else, running really fast. Running really fast has worked very well for him since 1956 – it’s good brand messaging, as no one is paying to see The Flash walk briskly towards his problems, and he’s even promising to run so fast this time that he goes back in time to stop this entire story from ever happening. I say “go for it, Barry”, but we don’t love The Flash for his speed.
We like The Flash because he runs really fast. We like the time travel stuff, the sci-fi pseudoscience, the multiverse, and the machinations all of these principles enable for the plot, but we love The Flash because of how he grows in the face of this absurdity. Unfortunately, The Flash is doing none of that here in this arc.
DC Comics
Since the One-Minute War started, this new evil faction, The Fraction, has successfully weaponized the speed force to invade the earth, wrecked Central and Keystone city, have begun to harvest the core of the planet as their empire runs on alternative energy, and Iris is dead. All of this happened in hypertime and over the course of seconds (as the name of the arc suggests) and yeah, Iris is dead. She’s shown about to propose to Barry at dinner and then some rubble falls on her. Barry is rather upset about it, does express passing regret about not cherishing her more, but kind of just says “OK, I’ll turn back time in a bit.” The story is as flippant as I am sarcastic about the whole thing.
Yes, no matter the cataclysm, the gravity, or the stakes, superhero comic books will always revert to the status quo, but the meaning and merit of their stories has always been measured by growth and realization of their characters. Unfortunately, very little of that has been found in this arc.
There is, of course, some good here. The one-minute, hypertime concept is very fun and allows the plot to be dramatic and bold while easily explaining why other powers within the DC Universe aren’t making appearances. The Fraction has a great character designs, frightening motivations and modus operandi, and can readily be used in future stories. Bart and Wally’s interactions as Impulse and Kid-Flash have been fun. And Irey has come into her own as a hero with some fun moments with her brother, but it’s really not enough to ask the audience to read seven issues and a special that includes a full-scale invasion with important character deaths only to say, “Ugh, let’s reverse it.”
The issue is immaculate from a technical standpoint, however. Writer Jeremy Adams crafts a potent script that alternates seamlessly between present actions and the flashbacks that inform them which is an impressive feat. Adams’ prose becomes motion thanks to the expert penciling of Roger Cruz, George Kambadais, and Fernando Pasarin, and inks from Wellington Dias, George Hambadais, and Oclair Albert who create vibrant, electric, and enthralling action scenes. The issue, in isolate, was a seamless and exciting read that I’d recommend to anyone looking for a snapshot of the type of adventure we expect from The Flash title.
The Flash #795 ultimately plays out like a solid action movie with all the brim and bluster that implies and is fun as a standalone issue, however, is trapped within an arc is devoid of character moments that make the ride worthwhile. The One-Minute War will be remembered for its strong concept and frightening menace, but for falling short of having any worthwhile consequence.
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