The Flash #37 Review

Written by: Robert Venditti and Van Jensen
Art by: Brett Booth
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: December 24, 2014

The Land that Time Kind of Captured and Won't Let Escape

So much has happened in the Flash since Robert Venditti, Van Jensen and Brett Booth have taken this book over.  Wally West, Future Flash, a tear in the Speed Force, Futures End...they have been busy and I have been one happy camper.  Instead of just staying with the status quo, they have shaken things up with Barry's world and Barry himself.  This current arc is a prime example. Barry is struggling in the savage land inside the Speed Force battling ancient warriors on dinosaurs while his future self is taking his place while he murders bad guys and tries to make sexy time with his girlfriend.  Sounds awesome, huh?



This month's issue opens in the Speed Force with Barry getting his bearings thanks to his new friend, Selkirk.  It seems people throughout time have been trapped in the Speed Force and none have ever escaped.  Barry wants to be the first, but unfortunately he doesn't have his powers.  Selkirk says he can help with that as well.  Meanwhile, his future self has been busy.

In the Present, Iris West has broken a story about the dead bodies left over from the Crime Syndicate attack.  Basically, they've been jammed in refrigerated trailers instead of identified and buried.  Pretty disgusting, if you ask me.  Also, a major issue to the love ones of said bodies and a hot button controversy.  After a heartless rant by Director Singh, Barry (future version) volunteers for the bag 'em and tag 'em job that no one in their right mind would get near.  He couldn't possibly know something we don't, huh?  While this is going on, the guy Barry murdered last issue shows up in the morgue.

The one thing I can't wrap my head around is why Future Barry is such a dick.  Most people who go back in time want to make money, fix relationships, you know, good things.  This Barry wants to murder people, increase his workload and make his girlfriend cry.

Back in the Speed Force, our Barry finds out quickly that everything isn't all endless sunshine and F-Troop style living.  Selkirk's village is under attack by a pretty awesome tribal army that must have been a ball for Brett Booth to draw.  After Barry helps save the day. Selkirk promises to help get his powers back.  If you ask me, it seems like one of those "it's going to get worse before it gets better" kind of processes.

Back in the present, Future Barry tries to make things better with Patty (why does this seem creepier than it should?) and we are introduced to a new villain that looks awesome, but left me a bit confused.  I'm not really sure why we need a new villain with how packed this book already is and why does this guy hate cell phones so much?

This was a hard issue for me to place a number score on.  While I enjoyed everything in it, it was a bridge issue with a whole lot of setup.  I'm still confused with what Future Barry's real motive is.  One minute he is murdering guys to prevent them from doing bad things, then he is making Iris cry, then he is wining and dining her.  Make up your mind, Future Barry.   It's funny, I'm sure most people's issue is with the whole savage Speed Force, but I love it.  Add in a couple of famous people from history and I will be on Cloud Nine.  May I suggest Sir Richard Francis Burton for starters?

One of the best things about this issue is that Brett Booth does it all.  Everything looks fantastic and it feels like he was put on this Earth to illustrate the land that time forgot inside the Speed Force.

Bits and Pieces:

It's a credit to the creative team that an issue so heavy on setup still had me this engaged.  The mystery of the savage Speed Force and the true motivation of Future Barry are still far from being revealed and now a new villain has entered the fray.  Venditti and Jensen are juggling a bunch of cool ideas and Brett booth is making it all look great.  I just hope we get some answers sometime soon.

8.0/10