To say that I’m really enjoying Jeremy Adams’ run on THE FLASH would be the understatement of the year. This issue is one more reason why. Combine the best of Wally West’s personality with just a touch of Silver Age fun…then bring it all into the present with a bang, and you get what we’re seeing here. This sets up an existential threat from a classic Justice League villain, promising more great stories to come. Wanna know more? Follow us after the jump!

SPOILERS AHEAD!

That mysterious glaive has landed smack in the middle of Central City, and it seems no one can move it. Even Superman can’t pick it up, and that seems to leave him more than a little on the cranky side. In fact, everyone getting near this glaive is getting angry, except for one person. That’s Wally West, and we’ll get back to why in a little bit. For now, just know that this glaive is calling out to the worst in everyone. And, it’s calling out all sorts of villains and Rogues as well. Just check out the splash page for a most interesting group of enemies trying to get to this glaive.

The Flash fends them off in classic Wally West style, and it’s SO much fun to see. In the end, though, a new character appears known as Starbreaker. This bad guy is finally able to lift the glaive, and he’s ready to take over the world, nay, the universe! Except for one thing.

This glaive has a secret.

The secret is…Eclipso!

Yes, the classic villain who first appeared in HOUSE OF SECRETS #61 in 1963 is back once again. Just one question, though…why did everyone respond to that call to anger except Wally West? Even Supes was affected by the glaive, but not Wally. Why?

If you want the redemption of Wally West to be complete, here’s the final piece. Wally is no longer burdened by all the terrible situations the DCU has left him in for the past few years. He’s become…content, and he’s let go of the guilt and anger that scarred his stories for too long. I don’t think he’s quite the “Zen Master of Speed” like Max Mercury yet, but he’s certainly closer than he was for the past few years. And, that’s a very good thing.

Eclipso flies off, but we will see him again, and soon. That’s where we leave off for now.

NOTES:

• There were moments, especially when “Starbreaker” arrived, that I was wondering about the breathless, over-the-top villain dialogue. It was almost straight out of the Silver Age (not that I’m complaining, I’m a child of the Silver Age myself). But as it turns out, that was the perfect setup to take this blowhard of a bad guy and turn him into the latest iteration of one of the baddest villains to ever show up in the DCU. Can’t wait to see what happens with Eclipso.
• THIS is Wally West at his best. We get to see the absolute FUN Wally brings to being the Fastest Man Alive. What more can I say?
• Loved the artwork! It can be a challenge for some artists to handle such a large number of characters in one issue, particularly when including iconic heroes seen in other books like Supes. This was spotless – everything was on target, thanks to a great art team. That’s kudos to Fernando Pasarin (pencils), Matt Ryan (inks), Jeromy Cox (colors), and Steve Wands (letters).

SUMMARY:

This is another excellent issue from the mind of Jeremy Adams – and it’s a definite 10/10 for me. Of course, that’s just my opinion. What do YOU think? Leave your comments below!

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