The Absolute Universe is presenting some of the best storylines DC has to offer – at least that’s true for ABSOLUTE FLASH. Familiar names, sure, but there is absolutely (see what I did there?) NOTHING else you can count on. That brings us to Wally West and his struggle to understand just what in the world is happening to him. Is he a hero? A monster? An innocent caught in the crossfire of fate? A murderer? What we DO know is that this is a gripping storyline that is more than worth a second and third look. Wanna know more? Follow us after the jump!

SPOILERS AHEAD!

Before we get to the review – a quick note from me. I’ve been away for a bit, due in part to a brief hospital stay. I apologize for not posting sooner – thankfully, I’m doing much better now and should be back on track. Again, my apologies for not posting sooner.

Wally is on the run. A task force of what we would call Rogues in the main DC Universe are hunting for Wally to take him to Fort Fox. That is NOT where Wally needs to be. They have already captured Mick Rory and Ronnie Raymond, and it sounds like neither one of them may have survived the stay.

Wally is scared and out of control. He’s outrunning the people we would normally call Captain Cold, Captain Boomerang, and Golden Glider, along with a very strange version of Trickster. They manage to catch him for a moment…but only for a moment. Wally starts once again to run, as fast as he can go.

And the more he runs, the stranger the world around him gets. He finds himself in several different times simultaneously. He’s with his dad and Barry Allen back in Barry’s lab, and at the same time, he’s three years old at home with his still-living mother.

Eventually, Wally sees a vision of the future. Rather, he sees two potential futures. One is heroic. The other is apocalyptic. And both potential futures appear to be due to him. What will happen next? Will Wally even have a choice in which future comes to pass? We’ll have to wait for next issue to learn more.

NOTES:

• The real fun of the Absolute Universe is simply how VERY different everything is turning out to be. No, this is not a Wally West that you’ve ever seen before. And yet, THIS Wally West is a compelling character all on his own. No “lightning rod” to ground his life. No mentor to guide his development. He’s having to find his way in the midst of serious forces that are out to get him. I’m in – kudos to Jeff Lemire for an amazing story!
• The artwork is wild – in the best way possible. Nick Robles (pencils/inks), Adriano Lucas (colors), and Tom Napolitano (letters) are nailing this! Simply fantastic!

SUMMARY:

Just two issues in and I’m on board for the full ride. I’m truly excited for this version of THE FLASH, and I’ll give this issue a 9/10. Of course, that’s just my opinion – what do YOU think? Leave your comments below!

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