There are some upside-down and backward things happening in this issue. We start with a look in the 25th Century at the Flash Museum, where they celebrate The Flash’s best friend and ally…and it’s not who you think. That being said, we do have a visit from one of Barry’s true best friends, and the return of…well, you’ll need to follow us after the jump for more!
SPOILERS AHEAD
That “best friend”, that “ally” noted in the Flash Museum was none other than Eobard Thawne! Really? Really! That’s just the start of the rabbit hole we are falling down in this story. Let’s move to present day, and Barry’s examination at S.T.A.R. Labs of Thawne’s body. He’s dead…but then again Thawne has died twice before (once at Barry’s own hands in the Silver Age, and once due to Thomas Wayne’s intervention in FLASHPOINT). Will history repeat itself? Hang tight, we’ll come back to that…
Meanwhile, Barry has forgotten his own birthday – and arrives late (again) for what turned out to be a surprise party. He does have a lot on his mind, though. He still can’t get “man with the tin helmet” out of his thoughts. He knows Wally is mad at him for continuing to lie to Iris. He’s afraid of pushing her away. And, he’s most afraid of what would happen if Thawne came back to life.
Enter a good friend – Hal Jordan! It’s great to see this iconic friendship celebrated once again in the pages of THE FLASH. But, the visit is a short one due to the intrusion of Multiplex. Hal and Barry get to work as Green Lantern and Flash (love the double-wide splash page), while Wally takes Iris to what he thinks is safety.
I’m saying “what he thinks is safety” because they run into…
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…
…
…
…
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a very-much-alive Eobard Thawne!
NOTES: Joshua Williamson launches us into what should be a thrilling arc – the pacing was excellent, and the reveal of the living Thawne in that last page, even though it’s foreshadowed heavily (and plainly discussed in the previews), it was handled in a way that should still put chills down your spine. The casual intro for such a horrific villain is definitely the best way to go when you want to put a fright into someone. The artwork was excellent throughout, but there were two special highlights for me. One was that double-page splash of Flash and GL that should immediately be turned into a poster. The other was that last single page of Thawne – his pose and that evil smile just creeped me out…which is exactly what it was meant to do. Thanks to Carmine Di Giandomenico (and to the colors by Ivan Plascencia) for some amazing work. I’ll give this one a 9/10 – what do YOU think? Leave your comments below!
Just…how is he alive again?
That’s what I’d like to know! Hopefully that will be revealed in a future issue of this arc.
Really enjoyed this issue. My guess is Doctor Manhattan is somehow bring Thawne back or Thawne himself is manipulating the timeline.