The Flash #33 Review

Skip It

Written by: Joshua Williamson
Art by: Howard Porter, Hi-Fi and Steve Wands
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: October 25, 2017

I haven't been the biggest fan of the Flash book in a while, but last issue actually promised to be a turning point as a couple of new things have come into play...Barry working in Iron Heights, training with Wally and finally learning that Mena was alive.  Pretty crazy stuff, there.  However, it's all put on hold to give readers the start of another tie-in to Metal, this one called, "Bats Out of Hell".  I'll go with it even though Meatloaf is never going to be my idea of METAL.  So, is this something both Metal and Flash fans can enjoy?  Let's find out...


The issue starts with some Metal recap and if you've been keeping up with things, you are not going to get anything new in the first five pages or so.  The problem is, however, that if you haven't been reading Metal, there isn't enough here to catch you up fully.  My suggestion...if you think what you get here is interesting, stop right then and there and head off and at least get caught up.

After Superman heads off to save Batman in the Dark Multiverse, I was hoping we'd see some interesting and important stuff with Barry, Steel and the rest of the characters, but it's pretty much a roll call of characters and more catchup, until Cyborg shows up.  Maybe "shows up" is an exaggeration, but just seeing him trying to contact the rest of the Justice League is cool.

Before you know it, everyone but Barry and Steel are sucked up in Boom Tube Vacuums and the Murder Machine and the Devastator make a big appearance.  We get the usual back and forth until the biggest thing that happens in the issue...which I won't spoil!  Sorry, I'm not Eric Shea throwing around spoilers like candy!  I will tell you that it's huge for Batman and Superman in the future of this story.

The issue continues with Barry running of to Central City to be with Iris and Wally, but falls into the Darkness instead. The same thing seems to have happened to each of the Justice League members (we don't know what happened to the Nth Metal companions) and each ends up in a dark Batcave  based on their specific Dark Knight.  The issue ends with Barry, Hal, Arthur and Diana fighting their Dark Knight counterparts with the Batman who Laughs...well, he's laughing it up in the middle of the page.  Way to typecast yourself, buddy!

Okay, I guess I have to look at this issue from two sets of eyes.  For anyone reading Metal, you do get a little bit of information and a huge development, but I am 100% sure it will be addressed in the main series as well.  So, buy this if you are a competitionist.  If you aren't reading Metal and just want your Flash story, avoid this issue and come back in two weeks for your regularly scheduled program.

As for the art, I am a big fan of Howard Porter and love when him and Hi-Fi get together for an issue.  If you liked the look of Porter's Button issues with Williamson, you will like this as well.  If you don't like Porter's art (what's wrong with you?), nothing here will change your mind.

Bits and Pieces:

This issue starts the Bats Out of Hell story and it's not a great Metal tie-in issue and even less of a Flash issue.  I would avoid this either way as the one or two big moments here are bound to be recapped in the main book or resolved by the end of this crossover and the this book will get back to it's own story in two weeks.

5.0/10