Absolute Flash continues to rage on with Wally West consumed in fear. This state of anxiety is derived from how he’s been slowly consumed with the fear of what he’s done. Barry Allen is dead, and it’s all Wally’s fault. Sadly, this part might be true. And as a result, one of DC’s first sidekicks is, and never will be, a sidekick. He’s all alone. And The Rogues are after him because of Wally’s dear old Dad. Is it because he’s Colonel West is worried about where his son went, or is it something else? I, for one, think it’s something else. Not to mention the shocking, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it name drop in the first few pages. With issue #3, the halfway mark in the series’ first arc, things become a bit clearer. Because first and foremost, for this Absolute Flash to survive on his own, maybe he needs a sidekick. This sounds like a lot, and in a way it is, but trust me, it’s worth it.
DC
So far, Wally has been nothing short of alone and terrified. And this has worked really well to show how daunting his powers are without anyone to learn from. This works quite well to put into perspective how serious the powers of a speedster are. However, this issue takes a pause from the emphasis on his powers and their impact and instead focuses on what the future may look like for Wally as he slowly adjusts to his life changes. Thus, the tonal shift from the last two issues focuses on slowly building Wally’s new support system in this scary world. So, who is it that Wally can turn to when the walls seem to be closing in on him? Well, Gorilla Grodd of course! But that should be no surprise given the cover of this issue. No, this isn’t the Gorilla Grodd we’re used to; this fella is much more like a curious guy named George. Anyway, the point in this issue seems to be a focus on how Wally will have to accept the changes to his life if he ever wants to move forward and survive. While he isn’t the hero we know yet, the issue ends in an uplifting note that surely helps to show readers that he’s on his way to becoming something spectacular.
DC
Nick Robles and Adriano Lucas have been quite the dynamic duo in this series thus far, and that trend continues here. Robels continues to add emotion and urgency to the story through swift movement and detailed line work to illustrate pages full of action, heart, and friendship. As a result, the story almost has three different tones to encapsulate the varying emotions in the book. This is where Lucas really shines by delivering sharp highlights in moments that matter most. One of the best examples of this is when we see Wally alone, sleeping somewhere safe and out of sight, until he meets a new ally. This moment stuck out for a few reasons – while there’s the obvious note of a sliver of light shining in the darkness as a door opens, the other implication is that someone we may not consider to be a friend to Wally has now in fact become a subtle symbol of hope. This small and somber moment goes a long way to reinforce how Absolute Flash is likely taking a turn into somewhere brighter and better than the world our hero-to-be has known.
So, is Absolute Flash #3 as good as the prior two issues? Yes, but it’s very different. This issue has a unique and optimistic tone that feels like the beginning of a new era for Wally West. While the threats he may face still loom over him, this issue works wonders to show that, despite all of that, things aren’t as bleak as they might seem. If the Absolute Universe is intended to be the inverse of the world we know – one far more dark and gritty – then it’s possible that Absolute Flash will be the symbol of hope for this world. While I’m not too sure what the tone of the other books could be described as, it’s only fitting that this one is that of freedom and hope. Altogether, this issue is a heartfelt one that ends on a very satisfying note that should leave readers excited to see what happens next.
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