Review: The Flash #42

Barry Allen“s obsession with regaining his speed comes to a crescendo in The Flash #42 (DC Comics). Part Four of the Perfect Storm storyline finds Grood trying to set a trap for the former fastest man alive, while Wally West works his tail off to try to avert a crisis that can potentially put all of Central City at risk. Will Barry make an unholy alliance, or will Wally be able to get to him in time?

I“m very satisfied with the storyline from writer Joshua Williamson. This all seems to be leading to an all-out Flash family battle, which I“m very anxiously awaiting with the patience of a three-year-old child. The Flash family has been so close for so long, it“s interesting to see what“s happening to them. Since returning from the Speed Force in Rebirth, Wally West has been one of the most interesting characters in the DC universe. Now, in this issue, he is also showing a level-headed logical thinking which is normally reserved for Barry. Since his mentor Barry was stripped of his speed, his obsession with finding a way to get it back, so he can stop Grood, has clouded his judgement. Maybe it“s because the big gorilla has captured and hidden Iris, or maybe it“s because Barry really just wants his speed back, but there is in no way he is performing up to his own high standards.

Perfect Storm has been as close to a perfect Flash storyline as you“ll find. In addition to the solid writing, Dan Panosian and Hi-Fi do a bang-up job in the art department. I particularly want to give major kudos to Hi-Fi for the coloring in this issue. They always provide solid work, but in this latest offering, the artwork really popped off the page for me.

With the cliffhanger in this issue, if you“re really a fan of The Flash, you will find yourself counting the days until the next issue. There is a storm brewing for sure. It“s a lightning storm, and we are yet to learn which direction it“s winds will blow. Issue 42 was not the answer to all our questions, but it is a great set up to what is on tap in the coming weeks. Let the games begin comic fans.

[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]

(W) Robert Venditti, Van Jensen (A/CA) Brett Booth, Norm Rapmund

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Bryan Spaulding

In his free time, other than reading comic books, Bryan enjoys listening to his ever growing record collection and driving his 27 year old roadster named Mingo.