Spoilers for The Flash #26 and DC K.O. ahead!
Mark Waid is writing The Flash again!! Yes! So, naturally, this was something I needed to share my thoughts on. Mark Waid, who’s having quite a comeback the last few years, is arguably most famous for writing the seminal Flash run starring Wally West in the 1990s. With Simon Spurrier’s time on the title over, the title takes a moment to crossover with the line-wide DC K.O. event. Here, Waid is teaming up with writer Christopher Cantwell and artist Vasco Georgiev on this issue to deliver the thing we’ve all been waiting for: Impulsepoint! Think Flashpoint, but actually good. With the stakes higher than ever, Bart Allen decides to go back in time and change things. But Wally can’t let his cousin go on this dangerous mission, which may be unsanctioned, all by himself! Okay so, since time travel didn’t work the first time, will it work this time?
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The real enjoyment from this issue is that it’s finally a tie-in arc that feels worthwhile. I am no fan of tie-ins – they often feel like a cash grab, they can be a disruption on the pacing of a series, and they can be confusing for readers who don’t often read other titles impacted by events. But none of that seems to be the case here. Instead, the issue quickly explains the situation across the DC Universe and narrows in on the role the Flash Family will play in the event. Since the ending of DC K.O. is months away, it’s unclear how long The Flash will operate as a tie-in to the greater story occurring. However, this issue is a blast to read regardless of this fact.
Rather than focusing on the implications that the event may have on characters like Wally, our extraordinary protagonist for the title, the story quickly starts spending time on the pros and cons to how time manipulation has impacted the DC Universe. It’s honestly a funny reflection on how DC Comics has attempted to recover from the reception the New 52 had received that also suggests to readers that Impulsepoint might not be the salvation that our heroes are looking for. After all, do YOU want to watch your favorite characters start from scratch again? Well, neither do they! As a result, this story functions as a reflection on mistakes of the past and utilizes the unfathomable speed of Bart Allen’s brain to further the anxiety of what implications another line-wide reboot could cause. And on top of that, our heroes face a threat who is truly unexpected. *cough*DarkseidIs*cough*. As a result, this is a fun issue with huge stakes that, regardless of the repercussions, will be a memorable story for the characters.
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Artist Vasco Georgiev and colorist Matt Herms deliver a vibrant issue that’s sharp colors and expressive line work turns this issue into something as enjoyable as a Saturday morning cartoon. Georgiev’s line work feels electric, and turns a story full of high stakes, ongoing drama, and two speedsters into something that’s near impossible to put down. With a book including not one but two of the fastest speedsters alive, I’ve noted in other books that I think line work is possibly the most important feature of comics featuring speedsters as it helps the reader keep up with the pacing of the story through the lens of these characters.
While the line work does a great job embracing the sci-fi nature of the Speed Force, it also helps to differentiate how serious Wally takes this threat in contrast to Bart. A notable example of this is when Wally is traveling through to the past, as this moment works to be the primary tone shift from the issue’s lighthearted nature into something more serious, and we’re able to really experience how things are ramping up. Moments like these help to showcase how the years of experience Wally’s gained has turned him into a seasoned veteran among heroes in contrast to Bart, who despite his length of time as a hero, still has a lot to learn. Additionally, Herms’ colors are overall able to reinforce the rising tension as the threat Wally and Bart prepare to face off against builds to a head. While some flashbacks are colored with a dryer tone, the palette used overall is a great plus to the story. Altogether, this is a great story with beautiful visuals.
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The Flash #26 is a very fun read that is a perfect example of how a tie-in can be successfully handled Despite this being a crossover event, it feels like Waid never left the title of The Flash. The dynamic between Wally and Bart feels as seamless as ever, with Wally taking a stricter parental role toward Bart. Small things like this give the book a nostalgic feel for the whimsical nature that The Flash title is used to having which I feel the title has been missing for a while. Since it’s indistinguishable how much sway Waid and Cantwell had over the book’s direction, that’s really all I’ll say to specifically praise Waid, since that would be an unfair simplification of how this creative team collaborated. That said, the story itself is very captivating and offers a reasonable solution to the threat Darkside now poses for the DC Universe. Clearly, Waid and Cantwell put a lot of thought into delivering an interesting concept that parallels the reboots constant use of reboots DC Comics is known for. While it’s unclear how big the ramifications of this story will be, it’s certainly a must-read for Flash fans!
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