Even if the plot doesn’t move forward that much, The Flash has so much going on you would never notice.
What They Say:
The Fastest Man Alive learns he can make his brain function even faster than before–but as much as it helps him, it also comes with a steep price. Plus: the mystery behind Barry Allen’s friend Manuel Lago deepens as Barry investigates his kidnapping at the hands of Mob Rule!
The Review:
The first issue of the new Flash was excellent in not just re-introducing the character and setting up his storyline in the New 52 but also in mixing elements of crime drama and superhero. The second issue takes a step back from that angle and explores more possibilities of Barry’s powers and makes him even more power broken.
After encountering the clone hoard of his friend Miguel and losing track of them in order to ensure Iris’ safety, Barry goes about trying to uncover the truth about Miguel’s past. Mostly, him searching for Miguel’s past means having Iris do most of the foundation leg work and Barry doing follow ups because he can travel the country in no time flat. Where the second issue of the Flash really wins though is after his visit to Dr. Elias. Dr. Elias is working with The Flash to help understand and improve his abilities. In these scenes a theory called ‘augmented cognition’ is introduced and basically involves Barry being able to tap into the speed force not only to increase his body’s speed but also to increase the speed of his brain.
This is a very interesting theory and I love the possibilities of where this can take future story-lines. The only issue some people might have is that it makes the Flash completely power broken. That is because, as seen in the few pages where Barry actually starts thinking faster, somehow this augmented cognition is allowing Barry to see the future. In the main scene involving this it is perfectly understandable to have Barry think so fast that he can see all possible outcomes deriving from any particular event. However, the events in which Barry is working through the outcomes haven’t happened yet. How exactly he is able to do that isn’t explained and while cool…makes him crazy powerful.
The bulk of the issue consists of Barry following up on Iris’ information and a number of flashbacks and side events involving the main storyline. The way all these elements mesh together is what is making The Flash a winner as a series. Due to the nature of the character, the pace is extremely fast. So fast that even when events aren’t happening quickly you, as a reader, are so caught up in the story and art that you continue reading at a Flash’s pace. It makes the book go by too quickly but creates a fantastic atmosphere in which to get lost in. With the quick pace, the interesting characters and plot elements, matched with a terrific cliffhanger, you will wish the Flash’s time travel ability would get re-introduced just so next month’s issue could get here quicker!
In Summary:
I really don’t understand the New 52’s overall dynamic. I don’t know whether it is because these series have better writers or if it’s because they are lesser known/beloved characters and therefore have more freedom to explore story possibilities but…all the mid-lower tier superheros have the best comics out of the whole relaunch. The top tier DC characters don’t have bad comics per se but there is just something really special in both the writing and art styles of the lesser loved series. The Flash is up at the top in my opinion; right next to Aquaman and the various Green Lantern series. The storytelling, character development, and plain and simple quality in both the story, action, fun, and excitement is bar none. There is no quality drop off in the second issue of the Flash and because of the new elements/possibilities it introduces, it is even more enjoyable than the first and sets up a relatively standard plot that can go in numerous directions because of the various elements introduced in Barry’s character that it is exciting and promising with no signs of letting up.
Grade: A
Readers Rating: [ratings]
