After a hiatus, we are finally back to where we left Wally West. After learning The Rogues were more than what they seemed, Wally was offered an opportunity that might change everything: to join The Rogues. In our main universe, The Rogues have always been in the morally gray area of things, but here, they’re leaning more towards the good side than you’d expect. After helping Wally save Grodd in Absolute Flash #7, The Rogues are continuing their good streak and seem to be willing to help Wally storm the castle that is Fort Fox, help save Rudy West, and take down Elenore Thawne. Wow. Maybe Wally isn’t all alone after all. In this fast-paced issue, we see the beginning of Wally’s first team take shape, as well as his first betrayal. But how does it compare to its arguably lackluster preceding issue? Is it able to pick up the pace?
DC
I’ll be honest, this was the first time I’ve had to go back not one but two issues to understand what was going on. Having the Barry Allen interlude issue last month could not have been worse for the series’ pacing, as its jarring interruption made it hard to remember where things had last left off with Wally. Particularly considering we also just did an origin issue for The Rogues this August (which was far more appropriately placed than the last issue), having an interruption last month completely threw off the title’s momentum and some readers may be scratching their heads to remember why it is The Rogues and Wally are teaming up in the first place or why Rudy West was captured. Luckliy, this issue is able to recover within the first third of itself and becomes another exciting chapter in Wally’s life. Lemire does a very good job opening the door to a deeper understanding of Wally’s powers in this issue, and it’s delivered during a very important part of the story that helps translate Wally’s confusion over his powers into general confusion before the action starts kicking into third gear. As a result, Lemire utilizes this opportunity to show how, despite Wally still being rather green as a speedster, his ability to adapt quickly to situations is already a lifesaving skill of his. Through this moment, the confusing start to this issue pales in comparison to the excitement and intrigue in the second half of the book.
DC
Altogether, Absolute Flash #9 is a refreshing issue that picks up some momentum the series was missing lately. Seeing Wally and The Rogues team up is a blast and the drama that unfolds makes for a more thrilling story with higher stakes. Something this title and other Absolute titles have done a great job at is ensuring our main characters don’t get too comfortable with their situation. This issue does a great job staying true to that, with Wally simultaneously getting more used to working with others and being blind sighted in several different ways almost simultaneously. As a result, the threat posed to him feels real and genuinely dangerous, which helps to reinforce the idea that despite how much readers might think they know, there’s likely more than we expected that Lemire is hiding from us to deliver an intricately planned science fiction action-adventure story.
Nick Robles finally returns to the title and his art style fits this issue’s more emotionally-driven approach perfectly. Both Wally and the Rogues have vastly different fighting styles and personalities as all these characters interact with one another, and Robles captures them all. Additionally seeing the fiery and vibrant colors of Adriano Lucas reinforces Robles’ swift and detailed line work, helping electrify the issue as it pivots this arc into a seemingly science-fiction direction. Altogether, Absolute Flash #9 is an engaging story through its animated and expressive artwork.
Absolute Flash #9 is a strong step in the right direction. I was beginning to worry the series would fall behind other Absolute titles given its continuous issues focusing away from our protagonist. However, it seems this is likely to pay off in spades, as all the threads Jeff Lemire was building towards are interweaving in an exciting way.
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