High Noon
Written By: Joshua Williamson, Howard Porter
Art By: Howard Porter, Hi-Fi
Letters By: Steve Wands
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: September 22, 2020
*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*
The Flash has finally come down to this. This is the culmination of 4 years of Joshua Williamson’s run with the character. So before we tackle this final issue, let’s just say a few words about the run in general. Williamson’s run has really been a series of ups and downs. There have been some tremendous ups and some horrendous downs. However, when I think back on this series, I can honestly say that I overall enjoyed it. Yes, there are some really bad stories, some boring tie-ins, and some stories that wasted potential. I think a lot of us will remember the beginning of this story and the introduction to Godspeed and when we reach the final issues, where that very story has been brought back, it’s also something that we can’t wait to read more of. The beginning and end of this book are amazing and there are some really good stories in between. Sure there are issues with it, but ultimately I enjoyed Williamson’s run and I think we will look back on it fondly, even if the time has come for a change. So, let’s jump into this final issue and see where things take us.
Our issue begins with the classic Barry Allen inner monologue about his role as the Flash as we see a scene of the lightning striking Barry which causes him to become The Flash. We immediately cut to the present where Barry is running after Eobard in the Speed Force. Eobard wants to go back to the 25th century to find new ways to torture Barry but he also suggests that they could just chase after each other in the Speed Force for the rest of time. Barry eventually gets his hands on Eobard who taunts him to kill him once again but Barry refuses and lets him go. Eobard continues to spout his hate for Barry, but instead of returning his hate, Barry instead removes his mask and tells Eobard that he forgives him. Barry figures that his hate for Eobard is what is keeping him from moving forward. Eobard rejects this and rushes toward Barry but just as he reaches him, Barry vibrates. Eobard feels as though something is different and Barry reveals that he brought the Speed Force inside of him and used it in order to ground Eobard. He is no longer a paradox in the world and thus, he slowly disappears.
We cut to the 25th Century in the Flash Museum and we see that Eobard is a curator for the museum and we see him leading a tour of kids through the museum. We see that Reverse-Flash has been given a place in the museum as well and his name has been removed from the plaque. He is still recognized as a villain but being such a big figure in the history of the Flash has earned him a place in the museum. One of the kids sees another person at the museum and remarks how he likes his costume. As the kids walk away to move on to the next part of the tour, it is revealed that it’s none other than Barry himself who is visiting to check on Eobard. Flash then races around the timeline in order to fix everything that Eobard messed with and things seem to be back to normal. However, there is one thing that Barry is unsure of. There was a murder that he was investigating before Eobard interrupted and he wants to get back to it.
When he is scoping out the house a woman questions him and he plays it off smoothly. The two talk and it is revealed that the woman is the one who was murdered. She’s now fine in this timeline and as their conversation comes to an end, it is revealed that she is the ancestor of Eobard Thawne. We cut to Barry having a barbeque with the Flash Family and everyone seems to be having a good time together but eventually Barry’s phone rings and he must leave in order to fight with the Justice League. We see some scenes of a possible threat but they are never expanded upon in this book. Just before he leaves Barry has a conversation with someone and it is revealed that he is talking to his mother who exists only as a memory now. We get a final scene of Barry running through the city and a final page with the Flash in all his glory. This is where the issue leaves us.
Well, we’ve come to the end and it’s a pretty basic one. I’ve been really enjoying this final story in Williamson’s run and this final issue brings everything to end. However, this final issue doesn’t really reach the same heights as the previous issues. I want to be clear that I do not think this is bad at all. I just think it’s very safe. We have the final confrontation which ends pretty quickly and with a simple “I forgive you” from our hero. It’s not completely simple as we also see Eobard become grounded and no longer exist as a paradox. Aside from that we see some nice scenes of things going back to normal and we even get a small celebration for the Family, but at the same time, Barry gets a call to return to the fight and so his job is never done. It’s pretty much what you expect from a final issue in a creator’s run. It stops on a high note and it’s a feel good ending. Nothing wrong with that but it certainly isn’t original. However, I’m not gonna hate on this book for giving me a happy ending that is a little bit cookie-cutter.
Bits and Pieces:
Flash ends rather simply with a satisfying ending that you would see at the end of any writer’s run with any character. A hopeful and triumphant end for this story and while I do give it a little flack for not doing something a little more original, the book is ultimately brought to a nice conclusion that I enjoy. Overall, I think I will remember Williamson’s run with the book fondly, even though there were some serious down moments along the way.
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