Wally West’s Speed Force odyssey is growing increasingly chaotic – not only is Wally being thrown through time, now, but across the omniverse, trying to help the Speed Force expel something from within itself. Wally might not be able to keep up for much longer, but his biggest problem? He’s found himself right in the middle of the Legion of Doom – and they’re not going to be too happy if they find they’ve got a hero in their midst. The Flash #771 is written by Jeremy Adams, art by Kevin Maguire, Howard Porter, Berat Pekmezci, Bryan Hitch, Max Raynor, Scott Kolins, Tom Derenick, Fernando Pesarin, Oclair Albert and Brandon Peterson (whew). Colored by Michael Atiyeh, and lettered by Steve Wands.
Don’t let that cover confuse you, this issue of The Flash is the most cheerfully chaotic one of the current run so far! As promised at the end of last issue, Wally West has found himself trapped in the animated universe that the old 70s Superfriends series is set in. To my great relief, there’s no hint of darkening this universe, and its silliness is embraced as wholeheartedly as it ought to be.
All those in favor, say “Evil!”
The Superfriends universe isn’t the only thing we get to enjoy, however. As this arc races towards its conclusion, we get a rapid tour of speedsters past, present, and alternate – and one heartwarming, shining glimpse of a future Wally West can still have.
I love the Legion of Doom, especially this version. Low stakes evil, just puns, pride and pettiness. These are villains who take joy in their work, who celebrate a job evilly done. Wally West’s appearance in the Reverse-Flash’s body also comes with the accompanying chaotic Speed Force energy infesting someone random closeby – in this case, Superman, leading the Legion to believe that the Reverse-Flash has laid Superman low. Thing is, killing Superman is Lex Luthor’s gig, and it’s not long before the petulant Luthor has the entire Legion squabbling amongst themselves while Wally slips away to try and fix the situation.
Kevin Maguire’s art evokes the Superfriends era perfectly, capturing a delightful number of grumpy grimaces, hands thrown up in villainous triumph, and in one particularly memorable panel, a look of pure hatred from Lex Luthor’s eyes that could not sum up Luthor more perfectly.
Back in the present, Barry Allen, Oliver Queen and Michael Hold finally manage to work out a clue as to what’s happening to Wally – the Speed Force apparently is having some form of indigestion, and until it’s gotten whatever it’s trying to get rid of out of its system, Wally’s just going to be yanked around from speedster to speedster, trying to mitigate the damage.
I’m not saying I understand the science, but I don’t need to to enjoy the montage that follows. Max Mercury, Johnny Quick, even a page of Barry Allen himself – Wally’s consciousness bounces from one speedster after another, art changing hands with every new point of view Wally’s given, until, finally, he lands in the future, opposite the one person who actually knows what’s going on – his daughter. Shoutout to Michael Atiyeh’s color work, here – he is able to adapt to a number of different styles, and does so brilliantly.
A Flash Family Face-to-Face
Having been told of this meeting as a child, Irey’s well-prepared to give Wally a moment of respite after all the madness he’s been through. I love the art here. It’s cleaner, more modern, expressive and gentle – but with energy a’plenty in later moments. While the series has been fun, it’s been sorely missing a moment like this – a chance for readers to slow down, and get to know who Wally is a little bit. Between the heartwarming conversation between the Wests, and the strange, mystifying but gorgeous Speed Force cosmos she drags him to, this scene is a series highlight, and makes me very hopeful for the issues ahead.
I’ve found this series bumpy going, but I appreciate what it’s trying to do. The New 52 and its aftermath has not done well by Wally West, and DC’s various live-action properties haven’t exactly been helpful. A new series, with an all new Flash who might be completely unfamiliar to many readers, whose own recent history has been…convoluted, to say the least? That’s not easy, and I’m growing to admire the choice to just throw both Wally and the readers into the deep end of chaos. Celebrate all that’s come before, before speeding ahead into something new. This book has stumbled, but it’s never stopped running, and that feels appropriate for the title.
Next up, however, is The Flash annual – and we return to one of the most controversial moments in Wally West’s publishing history – Heroes in Crisis. Is this a story that’s best left forgotten, or is a revisit and reconciliation necessary before Wally can truly move on as the one true Flash? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure – The Flash is on thin ice, here.
