The Flash #2 – Si Spurrier, Writer; Mike Deodato Jr, Artist; Trish Mulvihill, Colorist
Ray – 8.5/10
Ray: The first issue of this new run was one of the oddest starts to a series I can remember out of DC in some time, wasting no time plunging Wally into a strange world of cosmic horror lurking in the speed force. This second issue pulls back a little on that, making Spurrier’s tone for the run a bit clearer and giving us a perspective of the Flash’s powers we’ve never really seen before. When we last left off, a young man using the Speed Force incorrectly was killed horribly and a nightmarish creature emerged from the zone to threaten Wally right in the middle of a key battle with Gorilla Grodd and his gorilla minions. But before he can figure out what’s going on, he finds himself send into a whole new realm, one where time stands still, and he encounters a strange group of ancient alien beings known as the Stillness. This segment is distinctly Kirby-esque, and it raises a very interesting question about the Speed Force.
Namely, the fact that Wally’s runs are incredibly powerful—but so are his stops. He spends much of the issue developing new techniques, eventually using the movement of the earth and solar system to allow him to get a drop on his villains. It feels like every new run sometimes adds a new wrinkle to the power set, but this one feels a bit different. The issue is much less dark than the previous one, almost to the point of feeling like a correction. Many of the subplots involving Wally’s supporting cast barely appear here, but we do find out that something isn’t quite right with Barry, either—he may be stepping away from the Flash role and seems to be troubled. There’s no question the craft in this run is top-notch, but it still feels like it’s trying to find its footing and the right tone. I don’t know how this is going to do at continuing the stories Jeremy Adams set up, but it definitely wants to do something interesting.
To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.
GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
