There are a lot of comics out there, but some stand out head and shoulders above the pack. With ‘Don’t Miss This,’ we want to spotlight those series we think need to be on your pull list. DC has just refreshed creative teams for titles like “The Flash” amidst The Dawn of DC publishing initiative. Creators Si Spurrier and Mike Deodato craft a horror-influenced direction for protagonist Wally West that still places a strong emphasis on his family relationships. Let’s discover why readers can’t afford to miss a page of Wally’s newest series in our ‘Don’t Miss This’ for “The Flash.”
Who’s this by?
DC’s newest “The Flash” comic is written by Si Spurrier. At this point, Spurrier has a long history of telling great stories at both Marvel and DC. Spurrier is even credited way back in 2013 with a DC Comic Book entitled “Time Warp” with artist Michael Dowling. Recently, Spurrier was able to craft a strong Batman tie-in story with “Dark Crisis: Worlds Without A Justice League” #1 utilizing incredible art from Ryan Sook. “John Constantine, Hellblazer” is another strong DC Comic Book title featuring art from Aaron Campbell. Spurrier and Deodato’s story in “The Flash” #800 was an exciting, chaotic preview of their new run.
Artist Mike Deodato Jr. also has a massive history with both Marvel and DC Comics. Deodato was even able to spearhead the art on a recent Marvel Comics event with “Infinity Wars” from author Gerry Duggan. Deodato was able to lend interior art on a recent favorite Marvel Comic book of mine being “Astonishing X-Men” #2 written by Charles Soule. With “The Flash” being such an important character to the current state of DC Comics, it’s exciting to see the publisher utilize Deodato’s imaginative layouts for “The Flash.”
What’s it all about?
DC’s latest series for Wally compounds so many disparate for the hero. Wally is currently dealing with problems related his Speed Force abilities. Wally continues to battle DC threats like The Uncoiled and The Stillness. In addition, the new run of “The Flash” has continued to explore ancillary Flash heroes like Max Mercury and Impulse. Plus, Spurrier doesn’t shy away from Wally’s massive family. Wally’s wife Linda is trying to adjust to losing her speed powers. Wally’s children, Irey and Jai are even fighting villains of their own. The problem with The Speed Force is seemingly set to unite this massive supporting cast of characters.
What makes it so great?
The sole aspect that makes DC’s latest “The Flash” series is great is the insane pacing from Deodato and Spurrier. During the introduction story in “The Flash” #800 it’s staggering to see Deodato and Spurrier introduce the comic book with a quaint scene between Linda and Wally. The endless captions and countless panels on the page perfectly setup all the wild ways that Flash reacts to his environment across the run.
“The Flash” #1 shows off the true scope of the series by opening with a scene establishing Max Mercury and Impulse’s relationship with each other. Deodato’s opening panels showing Max getting ready to run carries such a beautiful sense of movement through oddly positioned panel borders. Max’s vision of a specter within the Speed Force is captured with a haunting hue from Deodato and color artist Trish Mulvihill. Deodato’s layouts expand the scope of the next sequence vividly. There’s a massive image of Wally smiling as he tries to save innocent bystanders in the background. Deodato and Mulvihill once again capture ghostly hues to show Wally in motion. There are so many odd panel borders within “The Flash” that serves to make me focus more on the movements happening in the overall series.
Spurrier’s depiction of the family setting in the opening issue was one of the strongest moments of “The Flash” so far. Within just a few pages Spurrier is able to characterize Linda, Irey and Jai with close detail. Linda gets a massive character arc focusing on her lost powers in an intriguing way throughout the first issue. Michael Holt’s presence has also brought an unconventional sense of levity to the “The Flash.” The third chapter of DC’s “The Flash” advances the relationship with Max and Wally with care. Wally confronts Max with his Speed Force issues only to find that Bart Allen, Impulse might be involved with his troubles. Spurrier does a great job carefully pacing “The Flash” and not giving readers too much information.
Continued below
Deodato’s layouts and introduction of the powered up Folded Man lent some mind-bending page layouts and comic book scenarios for “The Flash.” Spurrier and Deodato seemingly push the limit of what is possible on the page by crumbling up Gorilla Grodd’s page real estate. The brief interlude with The Folded Man also illustrated how ambitious “The Flash” is. Wally can get swept at any moment within “The Flash” as soon one of his numerous villains calls for it. Finally, the statues within The Gallery also bring an unconventional element of art to the page with ominous, still poses for characters. There’s a wonderful sequence with Wally crying showing his face cut out in odd shape while he looks at the statues. The final panel draped in negative space within “The Flash” #3 wonderfully evokes a surprising element of tragedy on the page. The pacing of Wally’s latest series does not let up.
How can you read it?
“The Flash” is an ongoing series published monthly by DC Comics. The first collected volume of the series is on-sale 7/9 called “The Flash Vol. 1: Strange Attractor.” Whatever you do, don’t miss the tense character interactions with Wally’s massive cast of friends and family in the ongoing “The Flash” comic book!
