The Flash: Season Zero #1 Review

Written by: Andrew Kreisberg, Brooke Eikmeier and Katherine Walczak
Art by: Phil Hester
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: September 9, 2014

Speed It Up

Okay, I confess.  I've seen the Flash Pilot.  I'm a huge fan and after seeing the two episodes of Arrow featuring Barry, I couldn't wait. Spoiler alert, it's really good.  However, after reading this issue, I was left wondering if this comic was made for those who have seen everything out there or someone coming into the story cold.  I guess I'll settle right in the middle of the debate, because while readers get a detailed recounting of The Flash's TV origin, it's the stuff outside of the television side of the story I liked the most.



This book is a bit of an enigma.  Coming into it, I thought it might concentrate on Barry's Mom', her death and the years afterwards where Barry was obsessed with finding her killer.  I had visions of stories following his joining the Central City police department and maybe the beginnings of him joining the West family.  I mean, it is called "Season Zero" right?  Instead we get a pretty by the book copy of the TV Pilot.  Strange.  I'm not saying it's bad because it isn't.  It's just an odd choice.

It's not all by-the-numbers, however.  There is a point where Barry runs into a pretty fun looking villain and that's where the book shines this week.  It also looks to be the direction of the story going forward, so I'm happy about that.  Yes, it looks like certain things (Iris dating Eddie) from the show will still be featured, but at least we still get some real feeling comic book stuff.

In the end, not much happens this issue.  It's a setup lifted straight from the pilot and that alone makes me wonder why this book exists other than the cash grab it is.

Phil Hester must have a business card that says "If you have a digital book, I've got a pencil" because he seems to be popping up in a bunch of them.  His art has a Batman Animated Universe feel to it that really matches the fun of The Flash.

Bits and Pieces:

The Flash Season Zero #1 is an okay book that unfortunately will feel redundant by those who've seen the source material.  Since it's targeted at the television audience, I'm surprised with the story they picked to tell.  It's pretty much the pilot episode of the flash until the introduction of the villain.  I would tell fans of the show and/or the comic are probably best to have a wait-and-see attitude with this one because as it stands, I can't recommend it.

5.5/10