Writer(s): Mark Waid & John Rogers
Artist(s): Freddie Williams II & Doug Braithwaite
Publisher: DC Comics
Wally West, his wife Linda, and their two children disappeared during Infinite Crisis. Kid Flash a.k.a. Bart Allen’s age accelerated Flash. 13 issues later, Bart Allen was killed by one of the best Rogues Galleries in all of comics. In the pages of Justice Society of America and Justice League of America, Wally West, Linda, and their two children were brought back to New Earth. The children were significantly older and Linda was a genius in the field of speed. Since this return, Mark Waid has returned to pen The Flash which also returns to the numbering before the 13 issues where Bart was the Flash. Mark Waid has done a great job over two issues trying to explain where Wally and his family had been, and how the powers of Wally’s children work. He has also done an excellent job exploring the family dynamic of DC’s version of the Fantastic Four. Of course, there are still a great deal of questions. Rumors still circulate surrounding Barry Allen, as this week’s Countdown Presents: The Flash featured reprints of classic stories featuring Barry Allen vs. the Rogues. Interesting as that may be, Mark Waid adds a very compelling element to the new era and direction of the Flash with this issue. After reading this issue, I can honestly say I have not been this excited about The Flash since Geoff Johns’ run.
Simply put, there’s a great story and character developments at work here. Waid not only wraps up the angle involving the water dwelling aliens, but he also plants seeds for future storylines to come. While this issue shows the inevitable overcoming of the marine aliens by the West family, it also shows the family work as one coherent and structured group. It’s a different take on the “superhero family” dynamic than say, Fantastic Four, mostly because there are two children involved. While Linda may lack super-powers, she does possess a greater knowledge of the speed force than anyone in the multiverse that is not a speedster. Introducing this simple character trait has really done wonders for a fresh look into their relationship.
I am also very intrigued by the revelation of Wally’s new weakness. He has to stay hydrated in order to maintain not only his physical and metahuman abilities, but also his mental and emotional state. The way that artist Freddie Williams II makes Wally look thin and weak at moments of dehydration really adds an extra dimension to the character. If Waid plays up this new aspect of Wally’s character, it could make for some very interesting encounters in the future with the Rogues. What this new weakness also does is open the door for new super-villains beyond these water aliens. Wally’s powers seem to be stable and his connection to the speed force strong, but there’s definitely fresh territory to explore with the character. With that in mind, all I ask is that the whole “every crisis needs a dead Flash and a new Flash” be dropped for Final Crisis and DC stick with what is shaping up to be something very interesting with Wally.
The real highlight of this issue comes when Wally confronts the Justice League. After Linda calls them in to help out with the water aliens, they try and lead an intervention in regards to the children. Not only does Waid further develop the whole dehydration angle as Wally is on the brink of losing his temper, but there is also a startling revelation. The JLA disapproves of the way Wally and Linda let their children, whom are under 10, go out and do battle with super-villains. It’s a fair stance but Wally’s shining moment comes when he completely owns Batman about going through four Robins. However, the revelation as to why Wally and Linda allow their kids to do what they do is heartbreaking. I had a feeling there was something wrong with the children and Waid lays out exactly why they aged so quickly and the hardships they face in the future. It’s a very touching moment and you can’t help but really feel for Wally and Linda, but things should get fairly interesting as one of the kids overhears the conversation.
Freddie Williams II’s artwork is very well done. I do like Daniel Acuna’s work, but Williams does a great job with this issue. Linda looked a little anatomically awkward throughout the story, but for the most part Williams II did nice job with the action and the superpowers involved. What was a real highlight was that out of six panels, Batman was only close-up in one of them. I love it when an artist creates the classic “lurking” Batman, and Williams does a great job keeping Batman in the background, even when he’s speaking.
There are such great story dynamics introduced by Waid that I am super-excited about the direction of this series. This is the best issue since the relaunch/continuation and things are looking bright. I hope Waid further develops the plot points introduced and I really hope DC runs with what they’ve got at the moment. Wally has matured a great deal over the years and this issue really spotlights that fact.
Also featured in this issue is a very nice back-up story starring Jay Garrick. I assume that it is set during the Golden Age and it features Jay Garrick trying to save an alien race from extinction. It’s a well told story that compliments the main story in this issue and the artwork is also fantastic. Very nicely done, I would like to see more of this type of thing, so long as it does not hinder the main feature.
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