Flash #40 Review

Written by: Joshua Williamson
Art by: Carmine Di Giandomenico, Ivan Plascencia, and Steve Wands
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: February 14, 2018

I have really been enjoying this Flash series as of late.  It's been a ton of fun and even though I wish Joshua Williamson would put some of the past villains to bed already, the upcoming Flash Wars looks like so much fun!  Speaking of that, am I the only one who thought it was starting as soon as this issue?  I know I am a dummy, but it seemed that way to me.  Instead, however, we get a continuation of the arc that started weeks ago and was interrupted by the Annual that set up the Flash War.  Crazy!  Still, getting back to Grodd (again, I thought he was just going to be in the Flash War story!) is never a bad thing and it looks like that's whats going on here.  So, does the fun continue?  Let's find out...

The issue opens with some big demands by Grodd, but Barry figures out he is dying and Grodd verifies that and explains that's why he wants the Speed Force for his own. After a little Raijin origin talk, the lightning god attacks, but Kid Flash and Avery are on the scene.  After helping, though, Barry tells the kids to skedaddle.  I still think it's odd that Barry doesn't question Avery about not giving up the Speed Force, but I guess that ship has sailed at this point.

After the kids have gone, Grodd takes off the gloves and starts throwing shade at who he says is the real Barry Allen, the one he doesn't want anyone to see.  What sounded like an interesting setup to possibly see Barry's internet history only leads to Grodd telling everyone a bunch of things that even a fitly casual Barry Allen would know.  It just continues this whole "without the Speed Force you are not very interesting" thing that seems to really get under Barry's skin.

This does all lead to Barry's worst nightmare, though, as Meena helps rip Barry's connection to the Speed Force from him and all he got as a going away gift is Grodd spitting in his face!  Seriously, just imagine how disgusting it would be to have a gorilla spit in your face!  You know, as opposed to anything else doing it!

The issue ends with Wally (version 1.0) returning just in time to save Barry from a nasty fall, but also being told that he has a new job description and a much needed full-time job now that the Titans have disbanded.

I know it sounds like a setup, but this was a really quick moving issue of the Flash.  I enjoyed what we got, there just isn't that much of it.  Of course, having Barry lose his connection to the Speed Force is huge, but after seeing him deal with the Negative Speed Force recently kind of makes this seem a little bit been there, done that.  Plus, Grodd isn't totally fleshed out here and really feels like a means to an end at this part of the story.  I love Grodd and he can and should be so much more and I'm hoping that is going to be the case moving forward.  Still, I am looking forward to seeing how long this new status quo stays (my guess, not very long) and I love getting Wally in this book by any means necessary.

Bits and Pieces:

This is a very fast read that is a bit thin on overall story, but it has a very big moment that might lead to some interesting things coming up.  I liked the art a lot and if you are a fan of Wally West (either of them actually), you might want to pay attention to this book even before the Flash War begins.

6.5/10