Our hero, Wally West, finds himself on an unexpected mission with the Justice League. It’s not the garden variety JL, though, it’s offshoot Justice League Dark, the specialist magic unit who hang out in the Hall of Justice basement. Right now, though, they’re on the home planet of member Amethyst, the Gemworld. And one of the natives is very restless.
Meanwhile, on Earth, Wally’s wife Linda has seen kids Jai and Irey off to their new school.
Justice League Dark are on the trail of the demon god Eclipso, whose recent excursion to Earth was ruined by Wally. Now he knows that his ridiculously overpowered associates are on the case, the Flash sees an opportunity – to leave.
As it turns out, Wally is very much needed…
Flash #777 is another terrific issue, focusing not just on the latest adventure of our good-natured speedster, but throwing in a gaggle of guest stars to boot. It’s great to see the League’s mystical members in a focused story, rather than a 47-parter in which undefined magic is constantly moving the goalposts. Given writer Jeremy Adams’ track record on this series to date, I’ve no doubt this current tale will wrap up in an issue or two, and satisfyingly at that.
Best of all, Wally shares the pages with his kids. Irey had a spotlight a few issues ago, and now Jai takes control of the narrative – well, at least the Earth-set moments – via his diary… sorry, Action Log. Once upon a time Jai had super-powers, but he lost them. He’s not jealous of Irey, who retains her Speed Force connection, though, finding his joy in observing the world with a wry eye.
As for Irey, she’s falling under the influence of the very naughty Maxine Baker – and if you recognise the name, you just know ‘this thing with her animals’ is going to lead to trouble.
The superheroics are loads of fun, but it’s Adams’ character moments I love the most, such as Linda noting Jai’s similarity to Wally but not to herself. On a (dis)similar note, well done Maxine for being probably the first person in the entire DCU to express shock that the not-at-all-alike Irey and Jai are even fraternal twins – call it ‘twincredulity’.
Fernando Pasarin and Matt Ryan once more produce stellar work – crystal clear compositions, sharply finished. Just look at that portrait of Jai back there, a whole character captured in a single panel. The otherworldly scenes are a delight too, who doesn’t love a giant worm thingie? And all those JLD folk, perfectly presented as they strive to solve the mystery of Eclipso. And then there’s a looming menace on the final page, who I suspect is one of my all-time favourite monsters, any day of the week.
Jeromy Cox provides a kaleidoscope of colour, filling Gemworld with intense fairytale hues while Earth is toned for reality. There’s an obvious contrast, but not one so stark it’s like we have two books. And Rob Leigh’s letters are as beautifully precise as ever.
Despite the cover copy, Eclipso doesn’t ‘enter’ this issue, he’s off-panel, though very much a presence. Anyway, Brandon Peterson’s cover is loads of fun, with plenty of sinister purple courtesy of colourist Michael Atiyeh.
The Flash is enjoying something of a golden era right now, and I doubt even Eclipso has enough darkness to snuff it out.
Too Dangerous For a Girl 2 
This was a delightful issue. Man, I love that Wally and the family are back. If Jeremy Adams wants to continue to weave bits and pieces of various DC properties together into his stories, I’m all for it. JLDark this story… Animal Man most likely on the horizon… any of the Titans could drop in… yes yes yes. This is how I like my comics. Fun story. Lots of character moments (which might even be masquerading as *subplots”!).
And the art! These artists are gold! Keep them around as long as they want. Longer, even!
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And so says all of me! This could be a classic run.
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Cool
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Enough years have passed since Wolfman then Baron’s Wally saw print that I can actually enjoy a Flash series that doesn’t have Barry. My only quibble is Wally is written as way too much of a dufus. Yes, he’s still a great mechanic and has learned a lot working beside Barry and other more educated heroes but he has absolutely no gravitas. I didn’t like a tortured Flash when Barry was warped to be that and I don’t want that with Wally. I just want him to be less of a total dumbf@ck,
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I certainly understand the sentiment, Smilin’ Wally could be dialled down a tad, but after all the rubbish we’ve had to read about him, I’m enjoying the lack of misery.
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Oh, I can’t agree more. As much as I disliked Wally as a character for years, I never had the animus towards him that Didio did. He was one of the last characters that should have been besmirched by Heroes In Crisis. ‘Course, King’s bizarre plotting style hurt too. Does anyone else come up with plots then forced characters dictated by editorial to fit them? I can’t believe the same man edited both HIC and Mister Miracle to be honest.
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