The Flash #8 Review

Innocent as Charged

Written by: Joshua Williamson
Art by: Carmine Di Giandomenico, Ivan Plascencia and Steve Wands
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: October 12, 2016

I can't say that I am a huge fan of the Flash anymore.  It's not that Joshua Williamson's run has been bad, it just kind of meh to me.  Yep...meh.  It all comes down to this whole Godspeed thing.  I didn't like the cat-and-mouse that Williamson gave us early on and have been even less impressed now that we know that August is our villain.  I know it was supposed to be a big reveal, but again...meh.  I know how good a writer Williamson can be so I keep holding out hope that things will change for the better.  Is this when that all begins?  Let's find out...


The issue starts with a flashback of Barry and August continuing the arguments that we've gotten since the Rebirth issue...the difference between justice and revenge and whether great responsibility should come with great power.  It's here again to show us that Barry realizes how naive he was just as his entire life is crashing down.  Yep, he even thinks that he should have seen August was Godspeed from a mile away.

Like we saw at the end of last issue, Godspeed is heading to Iron heights to clean house of all of Barry's Rogues Gallery.  That might seem okay to me and you, but Barry is better than us...that's what makes him a hero.  The problem is, how can he stop him when Godspeed is faster than the Flash?

Well, it all comes down to Barry using his noggin and throwing a Speed Force hail mary that seems to work until August splits in two and starts a plan of his own.  Thankfully, that plan never materializes as Wally shows up and kicks total ass!  Now the odds are even, it's time for Barry to put August down for good.

We then get more of the "magic" of the Speed Force and how to steal it from another Speedster.  It now involves two Speedsters taking the Speed Force from their target and stopping together.  That's it...stopping together.  Go figure.  The best thing of all this is that Wally gets his Kid Flash costume from the Speed Force and it looks awesome.

Unfortunately, Godspeed isn't on empty and he is up and running again...until Barry chokes him out and takes him to Iron Heights.  When Barry visits him later, it's odd to see they are still friends and August seems to be looking out for Barry a bit.  He also gives us some revisionist history when it comes to Godspeed's true intentions and also a possible setup for an unlikely villain.  Then we get two huge knowledge bombs.  One pertains to August and the other to Barry and the Speed Force in general.  The first is huge, but the other involves the Black Hole, but is left a mystery for later.

The issue continues with Wally telling Iris about his powers, but better yet, that she is his hero.  It is easily the best part of the issue and solidifies my love for this Wally West.  That's the reason I also loved the ending of the issue as we finally see Barry training Wally.  I can't tell you how long I've been waiting for this!

The issue also ends with a Field of Dreams moment while Barry continues showing Wally the ropes and while it was really corny, I liked it all the same.  I'm not sure if this is a bit of closure or the start of something bigger, but I'd like it either way.

This was another okay issue, but only because I didn't really like the Godspeed stuff, but loved the Wally West stuff. It kind of ended up even steven in the end.  After all the setup, the Godspeed story ended with a whimper and I could care less if we ever see August again.  I wish we'd see a lot more Wally, but he is heading off to the Teen Titans so I'm not sure if we will get much more at all.  I think this whole arc was disappointing and hope the next one gets things back on track as I'm afraid people may start looking for the exit.

I've loved Carmine Di Giandomenico's art every time he's done an issue...until this one.  It looked more rushed than usual and while I loved the big page with Wally in his new costume, there were plenty others that didn't wow me at all.

Bits and Pieces:

The Godspeed arc closed with a whimper and after all the setup, I felt a little cheated and a little disappointed.  Everything is left open to return to later, but right now I am just glad to move on.  If you've been waiting for Wally to step up his game (like me) than you will get enough here to justify the purchase.  Other than that, this whole series has been to much "meh" for my tastes.

6.5/10