Behind the cheery cover from new series artist Gavin Guidry we have the most straightforward issue of Flash for years… and possibly the best. Incoming writer Ryan North eschews all the recent metaphysical falderal for a back-to-basics story that’s a great jumping-on point for readers new and lapsed.
After a fun dinner scene introducing Wally, wife Linda, twins Jai and Irey, and baby Wade we hear a little of our hero’s philosophy.
Coming across an old foe in a bit of a pickle, Wally uses his connection to the Speed Force to suit up.
The Flash uses a classic super-speed trick to make the twister vanish and is suggesting Tar Pit just goes home as he hadn’t intended to cause trouble, when an image pops into his mind.
He finds the girl and saves her, but is perplexed that the details aren’t quite as he saw them, and more bamboozled when she seems unperturbed by almost plunging to her death and asks for a selfie. It turns out she’d thrown herself off the edifice purely to attract the Flash’s attention.
And she’s not alone, as Linda’s newspaper demonstrates.
What’s going on? All is soon revealed and it’s nuts, and all too likely in our social-media blackened world; there is, though, more going on than we’re shown, so bring on next issue.
North dials down the hard science from his fabulous Fantastic Four run without losing the freshness of his voice and keeps the warm family feeling. The dialogue feels natural and gags such as the newspaper small ads are a hoot. Guidry – currently shining in Justice Society – gives the book the clean look I prefer, with clear storytelling and expressive characters.
And Hallelujah, the black and red uniform monstrosity that’s been hurting eyes everywhere for the last couple of years is gone!
What’s more, letterer Buddy Beaudoin and colourist Adriano Lucas do their bit to keep the energy up.
I’m dubious about Wally having prophetic, slightly off-kilter visions, presumably a result of Superman disseminating Alpha Energy in DC KO #5. It reminds me of that weird ‘seeing round corners’ ability Barry Allen had at the start of the New 52. Wally has enough in the way of skills.
The only thing I didn’t like was one character saying ‘You did good’. OK, they could mean someone actually did do good, but we know they didn’t, so it’s just rotten grammar.
That doesn’t take away from the fact this is a terrific blast of comic book joy that should have you grinning from beginning to end.
Too Dangerous For a Girl 2 
I like North so I’m looking forward to giving this a go, while I initially liked the idea of Spurrier’s run, the execution wasn’t what I wanted, and while I probably would have enjoyed some Bart, my self-imposed no crossovers rule precluded that. I have to say I have the same feeling as you when it comes to characters getting extra powers they don’t need, especially as they keep giving Wally extra ones what happened with the weird clone power thing? or when he had Dr Manhattan powers?, but with North at least I suspect that he’ll resolve it without dragging it out.
Stu
LikeLike