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
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I’ve managed to forget the Dr Manhattan powers… I think it was in a special.
This really is so much more my cup of tea, heck, even the lettering has calmed down.
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This looks fun!!! Just some of the samplw pages you show made me smile. May have to give it a go. Thanks for the review! – Brian
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You’re very welcome, thank you for all the comments, hearing everyone’s opinions makes my day.
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I wish I liked North and Wally more…
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‘I wish I had a million dollars. Hot Dog!’
Ach, you can’t like everything.
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Thank goodness the (almost) classic costume is back. The one with the black bits was horrible.
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Too right. It’s not like there was even an in-story reason, it just showed up in 14, didn’t it?
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I loved, loved, loved this issue! It’s bright, colorful, and bursting with hope. And the Rogues Yard Sale? That could be a story all by itself.
DC does seem to have a recent predilection for adding/changing powers of characters with Superman and Aquaman being other examples. I’m hoping Wally’s precognitive visions will only last for a short while until the after effects of KO dissipate. North and Guidry are off to a great start and it looks as if this may be yet another great run of The Flash.
Super Captain
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I’d love a Rogues’ Special, the Yard Sale could be the focus, and it could end with the return of the traditional Golden Glider, she’s been rubbish since the New 52.
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Personally, I don’t like the Rogues as a permanent group. Each was a legitimate threat solo but are taken down easily as a group? Why have none of them realized this and refused to team up any longer?
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Seconded, but a little swap meet or whatever wouldn’t require them to be looking at one another as a group.
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LOVE THIS BOOK! It’s the Flash I’ve been missing for several years now! And returning to Wally’s proper costume is just icing on the cake.
I doubt these precognitive flashes will last long — given the story title is “Flashes of Insight,” my guess is they’re connected somehow to whatever’s going on behind the scenes, and will disappear when the story ends.
As for “You did good,” I think you’re fighting a losing battle there, Mart. It’s become a part of American English, and there’s really no shaking it off.
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I wonder who the mystery figure is. Vandal Savage?
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Considering Wally has the best connection to the Seed Force (even though Barry is the epicenter) and it transcends time the flashes should just be another thing he’s always been able to do but neve tried.
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I love the other adverts in the newspaper panel…
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Aren’t they great, it’s good when creators go the extra mile to give us a little bit more.
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