“The Flash #24” by Marc Alan Fishman – Snarky Synopsis | @MDWorld
November 3, 2013 Marc Fishman 0 Comments
Art and Story by Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato.
It’s tempting to be overly witty with this review. I mean seriously. The book is ‘The Flash’, and he’s all about speed, right? In an effort to keep ya’ll on yer’ toes, I give you the fastest review of a book I can write. Ready? Get Set…
Flash24IsPrettyDecentIGuess. TheArtworkIsBrilliant. TheWritingTriesHardToKeepPace. ItDoesn’t. BarryAllenIsStillBoringAsAllGe
Whew!
OK, let’s activate our Reverse Flash powers, and rewind a bit, shall we? “Flash #24” concludes a two year run of the adventures of one Barry Allen. Obviously, as I’ve not followed every step of the journey, reading the conclusion to the current arc carried less weight to me as a reader versus an actual fan of the book. That being said? It’s pretty easy to sum up what has been transpiring. David West, Iris’ brother, became a Reverse Flash through some deus ex machina. He used the powers for evil; stealing speed force from several speedsters (including not only Barry, but a speed-force-twinged Iris herself!), and going back in time in order to murder his abusive father. Barry is there for the confrontation, and due to his own deus ex machina ala the speed force… he’s able to save the day. Whoops! Did you see that? We just tripped over a gaping hole, kiddos.
Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato’s script even makes light of the terrible solution to obviously writing themselves into a corner. The fact that not one panel after defeating the Reverse Flash, Barry exclaims in his thought-box “I wish I could say I fully understand how I did this.” It’s mind-boggling that this passes for acceptable writing. Look, I’m all for having a character not understand the true nature of a given super-power. But as presented, Flash literally just holds out his hand, grabs the Reverse Flash, looks like he’s in pain, and then runs back to the future. Problem solved. I guess. Hell, so does he.
Suffice to say, having come in on this issue cold, it’s hard to connect with some of the emotional moments throughout the issue. That being said? There’s a handful of them that still hit home well enough. Barry reaches catharsis about his cold-case-blues. His father may be serving prison time for a murder he didn’t commit… but sonny boy is done running from the past. He’ll solve that case eventually, but he’ll no longer obsess over it. Given that Buccellato and Manapul start the issue with a monologue on power and its use… this was assuredly a case of well crafted thoughts finally giving some closure to a two-year issue-to-issue wound. The dialogue gets the job done, and on several occasions, is almost snappy. Consider that the nicest thing I could say about the actual quality of the words on the page.
Artistically? A whole ‘nother ballgame. Manapul and Buccellato’s Flash is by far one of the most original and pretty books on the shelf. Each page is a master course in story-telling, composition, and color balance. Even the damned glow-effects are perfectly placed. From the Spirit-inspired title-card double-page splash, to no fewer than 4 other splash pages peppered throughout, the book is nothing if not gorgeous. And while there’s still plenty of spit and polish around the periphery of the panels, Manapul’s sketchy-style and animated figures are at the summit of every page. If the dialogue could be a sharp as the words ? You’d have a never-miss book on the shelf. Instead, you get plenty of flash… not so much substance. Natch.
As many folks know, I loathe Barry Allen. He’s cardboard incarnate. With zippy running powers. I should note of course, that I didn’t grow up with Barry as myFlash. In fact I was pretty ambivalent towards the character really until I discovered Geoff Johns’ run. His Wally West was a true blue collar cape. Barry may have the cool CSI job… but under the crimson cowl, he becomes yet-another-determined-do-
Ultimately, Flash #24 is a solid conclusion to a new Reverse Flash for the modern era. David West is a million times better than the John’s penned Eobard Thawne; if only because he doesn’t seem to be determined to be a super-dick. Barry’s moment of clarity comes well earned, even if the way he got there was phoned in. Because of the jaw-droopingly beautiful art, the book comes recommended. With the ‘Zero Year’ gimmick shortly on its way, I wish I could say this would be a book to look out for. Be that is it may… run away folks. Run away.