Jay Garrick: The Flash #6 – Jeremy Adams, Writer; Diego Olortegui, Artist; Luis Guerrero, Colorist
Ray – 9/10
Ray: There’s been a slight delay for this final issue—maybe linked to the delays in the main JSA book?—but veteran Flash writer Jeremy Adams is on hand to bring Jay and Judy Garrick’s story to a satisfying close. When we last left off, old nemesis Doctor Elemental had made his move, and Judy had been captured and turned into a human conduit. Elemental is seeking to duplicate the experiment he performed on Jay all these years ago on a global scale—potentially killing 90% of humanity but creating a remaining race of super-humans. But he didn’t count on just how far Jay will go to get his daughter back—and the first half of the issue is Jay racing and battering his way through every obstacle the mad scientist throws at him. This is a great illustration of what sets Jay apart from the other Flashes. While Barry and Wally are Speed Force masters, Jay is a humble soldier—and he knows how to wield speed as a weapon.
It doesn’t get cooler and more classic comic-book than a Flash fighting robot sharks, but when Jay finds Elemental and Judy, he’s forced with a much more personal challenge. There are some interesting retcons in this issue about Elemental’s plan, similar to the way Tim Sheridan worked in some new twists to Alan Scott’s origin in that series. It all leads to an explosive finish, and one that will likely play out in Adams’ future work (which he’s been teasing online for weeks now!). But he wisely makes the decision to ground the last few pages in some very personal content, as Jay, Joan, and Judy get some quiet moments and the Flash family reunites. This has been one of the best Jay Garrick stories I can remember reading, and the first time he’s been at the heart of a story in a long time. Even after he’s left the main title, Adams continues to be the best Flash writer since Williamson’s heyday.
To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.
GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
