The Flash #28 Review

Written by: Brian Buccellato
Art by: Patrick Zircher
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: February 26. 2014

Dead Man's Party

The Flash gets possessed and finds out he still doesn't know who killed his Mother.  An ancient evil is on the loose and Barry and Deadman are on the case.  Records are missing, a pick axe is stolen and people are dying.  Will the Flash figure it out in time?

Brian Buccellato is heading off to Detective Comics and it seems he is using his final issues of Flash as preparation. Recently, Barry has been more CSI and less running fast and it's been awesome.  Last issue had Barry grave robbing for DNA and that's where this issue begins.  He has opened a big can of evil spirit whoop ass and unfortunately, this spirit has a history.

Much to Barry's chagrin, this history doesn't involve the murder of his Mother.  He is no closer to finding his Mother's killer and freeing his Father, but he has unleashed an evil serial killer spirit intent on taking out one of the most prominent families in Central City.  

It's up to Barry to figure out the when and where the next murder will take place, but at least he has a partner.  Deadman.  Crockett and Tubbs, Turner and Hooch, Riggs and Murtaugh and now Allen and Brand.  Awesome.  Seriously, when I first heard of the pairing I thought it was nonsense, but after reading this issue I want more.  If only Deadman could say "I'm getting too Dead for this",,,on second thought, that would have sucked.

Brian Buccellato is making his final issues so much fun.  It is a different fun than the New 52 Flash we got used to, but it's fun nonetheless.  If this is what Detective Comics is going to be like then Batman fans are in for a treat. Buccellato is showing that The Flash is just at home with mystery and crime scene work as his is running all over the place chasing people through the Speedforce.  I hope Venditti and Jensen are paying attention.

My only complaint is that the issue had a bit of a pacing problem.  It never gets to the point of dragging, but the middle section was slower than what I expect from the Flash, no pun intended.

Patrick Zircher is nailing The Flash.  I mentioned last issue looked great even without the Manapul style splash pages.  So what does Zircher do?  Hits the reader with some awesome splash pages.  I'd be remiss if I didn't also mention colorist Matt Hollingsworth.  His colors make Zircher's art pop off the page. Kudos to both.

Bits and Pieces:

The Flash #28 is a really good issue that has Barry teaming with Deadman in search of a serial killer.  If that sounds cool it's because it is.  Brian Buccellato gives us more CSI than Speedforce and it's a welcome change and great ending to his run.  Patrick Zircher's art is great and really fits the story and the character.  Highly recommended.

9.0/10