History Lesson
Written by: Joshua Williamson
Art by: Scott Kolins, Luis Guerrero, and Steve Wands
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: May 9, 2018
“THE ROAD TO FLASH WAR!” Wally West is overwhelmed by fragments from his past! With his protégé’s psyche falling apart, Barry Allen races around the DCU calling in every favor possible to save his shattered family. Meanwhile, Hunter Zolomon’s sinister machinations tip over the first domino in what might prove to be the end of everything for The Flash!
The Flash War is almost upon us and Joshua Williamson uses this prelude to get us caught up with the major players as well as deal with Wally's memory problems he picked up during last issues cliffhanger. I have been telling everyone that I can't wait for Flash War for a while now, but this memory thing has me really intrigued.
We start the issue catching up everyone on who and what Hunter Zoloman is and about. It's pretty cool even if it involves Eobard Thawne. I am so sick of him popping up again and again after each grizzly death. Luckily for me, this is a flashback from "times forgotten".
We then get to the good stuff as we see that Barry has brought out some big guns to try to help out Wally. Zatanna (well, it says it's her...more on that later), Martian Manhunter, Jessica Cruz...none of them seem to be able to help out. As an aside, I love seeing Barry going these other routes! It's cool enough but also shows his desperation to help his buddy.
We finally get to see Wally as he is being looked at by Cyborg and Silas, but the tests aren't revealing much. What is, however, is how Wally sees Cyborg. This is the start of showing that Wally thoughts, memories and perceptions are crisscrossing through realities and timelines. As far as this whole Rebirth thing goes, this is a huge thing.
After Wally runs off for...Wally time, Barry heads off to the Batcave to ask Bruce to help, but the Dark Knight is not there. I don't really understand this part as it just seems to be here to wink wink a bit at the current Batman/Booster Gold story. I hate that story so much so any mention of it throws me into a tantrum (I'm like that!), but besides that, we really get nothing.
Back in the future, Hunter tries to convince Eobard to slow his role a bit, but Reverse Flash don't have time for that. If you've been reading Flash as far back as the Button, you can guess how that song ends and Hunter is left to his own devices...and anger...and more anger.
Meanwhile, Barry figures out where Wally would go, but even that is a bit of a false memory and Williamson does a good job showing a very upset and frustrated Wally. If you are a fan of his, you will shake your head yes at everything Wally is upset about. It's was a bit meta listing all the things that have gone wrong for the guy whose return was supposed to bring the hope and joy back in Rebirth. The issue ends with some in and out of time shenanigans with the Flash Museum, Barry and Wally running off some steam and Hunter preparing to start his war.
As far as preludes go, this was pretty good. Do I know what the Flash War is about? Nope. I had a few ideas, but they don't really jive with this prelude. I am still pumped for it though and the stuff with Wally's memories really, really intrigues me.
The art is a mixed bag. Most of the issue looks good and will mesh well with Howard Porter's upcoming art. Then there is Zatanna...and Alfred...and Martian Manhunter to a lesser degree. Zatanna is the worst and if her name wasn't mentioned, I would have been hard-pressed to guess who it was.
Bits and Pieces:
Next up is the Flash War and I can't wait. I can't say this prelude pumped me up more, but it didn't ruin my enthusiasm. Plus, we get some intriguing things going on with Wally that I can't wait for Williamson to develop more. The art was up and down, but in the end, this is a decent issue of The Flash.
6.5/10
Can't wait for more but Few things:
ReplyDelete1. Barry I don't care if you can fix it, YOU DON'T PUNCH AND BREAK SOMEONE'S MONITOR ESPECIALLY A FRIEND'S.
2. Apparently speedsters love to punch monitors because Hunter did same thing at the end.
3. That Booster Gold/ Batman reference made no sense! Should have just said he is out with Selena or something for the wedding. If they want to say "hey we are taking place during same time as Batman's story." Okay cool but his story takes place in a different timeline, in BatmanPoint
Everything in the cave made no sense!!! I'm guessing it leads to what comes after Flash War since Tom king tweeted something about it
DeleteWhat's the point of meta listing and fixing zilch. I'm getting impatient with getting back all of the old good stuff but I'm right when I say by complicating the over-complicated we drift further away into Nowheresville. Jay Garrick teaser checked, Wally-Linda teaser checked, Pre-flashpoint teaser checked - Cassandra and Stephanie remembered even Firestorm reverted to an elemental; leaves the Hawks and Martian in question-, JSA teaser checked, LoSH teaser checked, Bart Allen teaser checked and still empty-handed.
DeleteWeird story, a normal thing when Williamson is writing. I'm sooo pumped for more Wally and less Barry although I'm afraid they might spoil Wally's personality. Scott Kolins is a good artist not making you wanna binge on him and the Dan Panosian cover is ridiculous. For realz Wally doing the stripper contortion while suffering a headbuzz? Hell no and to top it with a bad redo of his new suit? Brett Booth gets a lot of heat for his art at least he did Wally justice.
ReplyDeleteSpeed force speed force speed force speed force..... this comic is stuck on repeat. It's not that speed force is referenced every 0.0001 of picosecond rather the banality of its usage. Mark Waid like a magician knew of ways to keep you interested and on your toes always in a positive light. Barry is a Debbie Downer which has affected speed force drastically.
ReplyDelete