The Reverse Flash has been jailed, Henry Allen is now a free man, and the world is going to turn right back to normal, right? Let’s take a moment to praise…no, make that ARREST The Flash! Yes, the Flash’s troubles are far from over, as the Mayor has ordered the CCPD to set up a task force to take down the Scarlet Speedster. Joining that task force? None other than the Rogues! Before we say anything spoilery, let’s skip past the jump…
SOME SPOILERS AHEAD
Barry’s two “dads” are of two minds on this one. Henry Allen knows his son is the Flash, and that the Flash is a hero. Captain Frye, however, does NOT know who the Flash really is, and wants to bring him in. It’s that same argument we hear from time to time…would all these extra-human and metahuman threats be drawn to the city if it weren’t for our “hero”, and what responsibility does a vigilante have when the damage is so great? No time to debate that now, because the Rogues are already on the job!
Working with Captain Frye and the Rogues? Why, great CSI scientist…Barry Allen! Yep, Barry has been recruited to find and bring himself in! There are now drones all over Central City, looking for the next outburst of super-speed…and someone mysterious is helping draw the Flash out! Just a note – I loved the “Safety First – We have worked 104 days without…” sign at the chemical plant just before everything goes haywire. Barry saves everyone from this first “experiment” to find the Rogues and Frye waiting for him. Of course the Flash can get away…this time, but Frye now has evidence that can prove the identity of Flash…so “We need this processed yesterday. Someone call Barry Allen.” As to our mysterious behind the scenes? Go back and count your Rogues and you’ll find that someone is not able to join the rest of the group…for a reason…
Somewhere in the middle of all of this is a very important foreshadowing regarding Wally…just check it out!
New Flash artist Jesus Merino handles both the pencils and inks, with Guy Major on colors. It’s a different look, with slightly softer lines. The costume looks more like fabric than armor, and we see a return to the white circle with the lightning bolt, which honestly I missed (it had been red for a while to match up with Season 1 of the TV show, and I’m guessing that since Season 2 of the show went to the classic symbol we see the change here). So far, so good, though I’m looking forward to scenes that require a wider range of emotions (other than anger) before passing a final judgment. I think my favorite Flash pose was the last one in the issue, with a pretty classic running look.
SUMMARY: This arc will likely not have the same emotional impact as the fight with Professor Zoom, but it is off to a good start…and any arc featuring the Rogues is a welcome thing to this reviewer. Robert Venditti and Van Jensen have some potentially big things ahead for Barry…and Wally…before this arc is through. The look has changed just a bit with the new art team, but this arc is off to a reasonably good start from both a story and artwork perspective. Worth checking out – and commenting below with YOUR take on this new FLASH arc!
I still don’t get it!
Darryl Frye learned Barry’s secret at the end of Gorilla Warfare! How does he not know it now? So far I’ve really enjoyed this run of the Flash but this new development has really beeen grating on me since the beginning of the Professor Zoom Arc
I still don’t get it!
Darryl Frye learned Barry’s secret at the end of Gorilla Warfare! How does he not know it now? So far I’ve really enjoyed this run of the Flash but this new development has really beeen grating on me since the beginning of the Professor Zoom Arc
uhh sorry bout the double post I don’t know why that happened
I went back and looked at the end of Gorilla Warfare. Unless I missed something, Frye didn’t learn Barry’s identity, but he did know that Barry lied about being trapped in the Speed Force along with Iris and co. He trusted that Barry had a good reason for doing so and didn’t push it further.
Speaking of Frye – was his connection to the cover-up of Nora Allen’s real murderer touched upon? In #28 (I think) Frye and Henry Allen have a talk about how Barry must never learn the truth, or something along those lines.
Is this forshadowing more foreshadowy than the last forshadow? It’d be nice to see a direction for the new Wally West apart from “he might be interesting some day, promise!”
that just reminds me of the First Episode of Highlander
Connor: (About Richie) What about the boy? He’ll need watching…
Duncan: I know….I will.