Flash #24 Review

Time Bandits

Written by: Joshua Williamson
Art by: Carmine Di Giandomenico, Pop Mhan, Ivan Plascencia, Hi-Fi and Tom Napolitano
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 14, 2017

Okay, so what is going on with Reverse Flash?  Is it really him?  Is he dead?  Is he alive?  Who am I talking to and why is it only in questions?  So, what are Kid Flash and Reverse Flash up to?  Is Iris okay?  Will Hal and Barry head off into the future?  Enough questions, let's find out...


The issue opens in the 25th Century and while we see the Flash Museum again, it really seems that we are hearing Reverse Flash give the narration.  It's all about the Speed Force...the regular and the negative flavors.

When we head back to "now" and see Flash and Hal Jordan still fighting off Multiplex, I realized I only care about Reverse Flash and what he might be doing to Wally and Iris.  I know that other reviewers seemed to lose their minds over the Hal/Barry teamup last issue, I am not other reviewers...I am so much dumber, but also not impressed with this nonsense.

We do get to Reverse Flash and it's pretty cool seeing him being the bad guy he is.  He just taunts Wally and then easily ruins him.  Kid Flash is really hurt, but I wonder how much Eobard's words are going to hurt him later.

We then start going back and forth between Barry/Hal/Multiplex and Wally/Iris/Eobard and while Flash worries about telling Iris his identity (just do it dude) while defeating Denton, Reverse Flash puts down Wally and grabs Iris.

I really liked the bit next where Flash talks to his old buddy, Hal, but why isn't he running off to make sure Iris is okay?  Again, though, I loved the interaction between Hal and Barry and I was upset when Hal flew off into space.  I thought he was going to stay longer.  Damn!

Barry finally decides to check on Wally and Iris (but takes his time) and all is not well.  Wally is a complete mess and Eobard has taken Iris for a little trip...back to the future!  That's cool enough, but what goes on there is pretty huge in a multiversal/timeline way.  I am still confused with the big picture, but I'm interested in seeing it work it's way out.

This issue felt big even as it felt small.  I'm not sure that makes sense, but the things hinted at in this issue were bigger than the actual action going on...at least where Hal and Barry are concerned.  It's all about Reverse Flash and the mystery of the what and how of him being alive.

I loved the art from both Carmine Di Giandomenico and Pop Mhan.  Pop does a great job of giving us art that is close enough to Carmine's so there are no jarring transitions.  I am a big fan of both.  By the way, DC needs to get Pop on more books stat!

Bits and Pieces:

Joshua Williamson gives readers an issue that hints at some major stuff going down, but also one with a pacing problem.  I wanted more Reverse Flash and less Barry Allen, but at least he wasn't as much of a sad sack as he's been recently.  I loved the combined art of Carmine Di Giandomenico and Pop Mhan and I am really looking forward to seeing this story from here on out.

7.5/10