The Flash #49 Review

I'd Rather Be Fishing

Written by: Robert Venditti and Van Jensen
Art by: Philippe Briones, Guy Major and Pat Brosseau
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: February 27, 2016

I have been a huge fan of the Flash during the new 52 and the DC You and I'm going out on a limb to say that I will be a fan during Rebirth and after.  I am a Flash junkie and their is only one cure for that and it's not Cobra or more cowbell.  I'm also a fan of the Rogues so by default, I am a fan of this story arc.  Having the Rogues on the right side of the law and hunting down the Flash is crazy, whack, funky and I'm enjoying the ride.  Throw in a Wally West that appears to be getting a little more Speed Force powered and it looks like things are about to become even crazier.  Does this issue continue the good time?  Let's find out...



The issue opens with a little man in the shadows dealing with the Trickster.  It may be a mystery as to who it is, but he is crystal clear what he wants to do and that is to take down the Flash.  Boy, he's going to have to take a number and get in line and these days, that's a pretty long line.

We then head off to CCPD Special Task Force HQ where Barry Allen is arguing with Captain Cold and getting dangerously close to showing he is either the Flash himself or his biggest fan.  After Frye backs up Barry, he questions why it's taking too long for him to get answers from the Flash's blood sample.  We all know why, but Barry wants time so he can talk to his own expert which of course is his dad.  As he heads off, he bumps into Trickster who is getting on the Rogues bad side due to his tardiness.  Wait until they figure out why he was late!

We then check in with Wally West who made it to school after his hand vibrating incident last issue and we see that his little problem hasn't gone away.  He's in the bathroom and I'm sure there is a joke somewhere here, but when he hears his name called in class and suddenly gets there in a "flash", it's no laughing matter.  Why?  Because the Speed Force drones are activated.

While this is going on, Barry has a talk with his dad and after reminding the reader that he was wrongly imprisoned, agrees to help Barry destroy evidence.  Way to stay on the straight and narrow, Henry.

Back at school, the Rogues show up and break through a wall.  Seriously?  They couldn't use the front door?  I have kids and know that this sort of thing wouldn't fly nowadays.  Just to drop off a kid's book you need two forms of identification, a background check and a urine sample.  What were the Rogues thinking?  Well, they were thinking that the Flash was there, but we know he isn't...at least for a couple seconds because when Barry hears what's going down, he runs off to join them.

I guess "join" isn't the right word because he wants to fight them and fight them he does...even though he tried to take the battle outside the school.  The Rogues attack Flash and while there are bound to be lawsuits galore, they aren't very successful...until Trickster steps up and uses a little bait and switch attack and the issue ends with the Flash in a fistful of trouble.

This issue was a setup issue and while we get Wally showing some legit Speed Force power and the Rogues capturing Flash, it felt like it was just getting us to where we need to be for the big #50 issue. I am really interested in how this book will transition into Rebirth and really want to see this Wally become a full fledged speedster.  Maybe next issue?

Philippe Briones wasn't supposed to be here today and while his name isn't even on the cover (that is so messed up!), he does a bang up job.  I really like his Rogues, especially Mirror Master and Weather Wizard and while he is just a one and done fill in, he shows he can handle this book and it's characters with ease.  I would not mind him on the Flash come Rebirth.

Bits and Pieces:

This issue is a whole lot of setup getting us to the big #50 issue coming up next.  The story and art are both good, but the overall feeling I got from this issue was "wait until you see what comes next".  While that will definitely  get a return visit from me, it didn't leave me with the best taste in my mouth for this particular issue.  If you are a sucker for the Flash (like me), you will surely enjoy this issue.  If you have been waiting for something different, you might as well wait a little bit longer.

6.9/10