This is one of the most fun issues of THE FLASH I’ve read in a while – and given the current volume by Ryan North, that’s really saying something. There are definite hints of the Wally West we’ve seen in the JLU cartoons (and that’s a very good thing). But beneath all of that, there is a more serious notion that I think we’ll continue to see develop over the coming issues. Can a hero really save everyone, all the time? This old fan who has been reading THE FLASH for over 60 years is absolutely enjoying this storyline – so let’s talk about it. Wanna know more? Follow us after the jump!
SPOILERS AHEAD!
There is a great vignette at the start of this issue between Flash and Heat Wave. Mick Rory has found what he believes to be an honest way to get rich. He’s found an old shipwreck filled with gold, and he’s been turning the water around the shipwreck to steam to get to the riches. Sounds good, right?
Not so fast…Wally finds a law book called, “The Complete Beginners Guide to the Surprisingly Complicated Laws of Marine Salvage” (I love that title!), and it tells a disappointing tale to Mick. If this were a modern ship, Mick would have it made. But, because it’s a “historically significant ship”, salvage laws don’t apply. He can’t keep the gold. Heat Wave is SO mad that he attacks Flash…but…
Flash shows the same care for Heat Wave that he gave in that now-famous JLU clip with Trickster. He convinces Mick to report the finding and sell his story instead of breaking the law (any more than he already has).
That plays into the main story arc – the thing that threw off Wally’s weather prediction last issue was that huge steam cloud from Heat Wave’s “excavation” of the shipwreck. So…simple solution, just run around MORE and get even MORE data! That will make Wally’s “Flashes of Insight” even more accurate!
And, it seems to work! Wally gathers as much information as he can, and the Speed Force fills in the rest. He demonstrates this for Linda as he foils a bank robbery by yet another Rogue, using a Rube Goldberg approach to stopping the crime (if you don’t know about Rube Goldberg, please Google it, you’ll be glad you did). And, Wally is absolutely enjoying himself like a kid in a candy shop while he’s doing this.
The bottom line is that nothing (and I mean NOTHING) bad has happened in Central City since Wally started this new approach! What to do next? Wally has that planned as well – but you’ll have to come back next issue for more.
SUMMARY:
– This is the best of Wally West. He’s fun-loving. He’s mastering even more of the Speed Force than any speedster before him. And with all that, he shows compassion for even his enemies…and he’s grounded by his love for Linda and the kids. This is the Wally we know and love – and it’s so great to see him this way in the pages of THE FLASH. Ryan North is telling some wonderful tales – and this issue gets a 9/10 for the result. Of course, that’s just my opinion – what do YOU think? Leave your comments below!
