The Flash: Season Zero #3 Review

Written by: Andrew Kreisberg, Brooke Eikmeier and Katherine Walczak
Art by: Phil Hester
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: October 6, 2014

Not So Blissful

I haven't been too keen on this book since it started.  It's not that it's horrible, it just doesn't have the "feel" of the television show. From how Barry looks to the characterizations of almost everyone involved, this book has a huge disconnect from what I've seen from the Flash (and his appearances on Arrow).   I still can't gauge when this book takes place, either.  "Season Zero" seems to suggest it happens before the pilot, but it obviously doesn't.  Oh well, this issue continues the Freak Show story and my problems with the book continue and I may even have a few more now that I've read it.



The issue opens up with Barry, Eddie, Iris and Detective West face-to-face with the big cats from last issue.  Barry goes into "Flash Mode" to save everyone, but his inner monologue makes him seem like a real ass.  After doing the hero thing (kind of), it's off to Tech Village to stop a monkey invasion.  Remember, this is a TV Tie-in, so when Barry solves the problem with bananas and a King Kong viewing, I have to cry foul.  This is what I meant by disconnect.  If I wanted this type of story, I could take my pick of so many...and so many that are better.

Things get a little better when we meet up with the villain.  She is creepy (especially if you hate snakes) and is downright ruthless.  She also name drops the big bad and he makes so much sense to this story.  In the end, we see that she isn't joking.  Eikmeier and Walczak are slowly showing us what this story is all about and I actually like the nuts and bolts of it.  The main villain is a great 90's shoutout and I would love to see him in the television show.

However, I wish I liked the main characters more.  Barry comes off as a jealous jerk, Eddie is just a douche bag, plain and simple and I don't even like Detective West much.  Everyone involved better start working overtime to get this book in order and fast.

Phil Hester's art is pretty good.  I wish Barry didn't look 45, but everything else is up to par.  Hester seems to be more interested in the looks of the villains because that's where he shines.

Bits and Pieces:

While I'm starting to enjoy the story thanks to the villains, I'm really not enjoying the main characters at all.  It's hard to recommend a Flash book when you don't like Barry Allen and I like the side characters less.  Also, there is still a huge disconnect between what's in this book and what I see on my television screen and unfortunately, that seems to go against what this book is about.  Hopefully, things will improve, but until you can leave this series alone.

5.0/10