Wally West has never been quicker, more fulfilled, more heroic. His loving family is around him. And yet something is off. Very off. His evolving understanding of his powers has opened Wally to new avenues of sci-fi adventure and attuned his senses to strange new ideas. Something whispers from the dark vibrations beyond the Speed Force, and as Wally experiments with creative new approaches to his powers he encounters new realms, mysterious allies, and mind-shattering terrors. The Flash #1 kicks off a new volume and new creative team and is a solid jumping on point for new readers.

Written by Si Spurrier, The Flash #1 has Wally west somewhat settled. He’s attempted to balance his life as a superhero and husband and father. No longer the sidekick, the comic feels like Wally standing on his own attempting to find his place and get everything in line. At work, he’s helping with scientific discoveries that seem to due with the Speed Force, though the specifics never quite explained. At home, he has a wife and kids with the frustrations that come with that. It’s those small moments that stand out in Spurrier’s writing. While the superheroics are interesting, it’s Wally and Linda Park-West’s relationship that stands out.

Spurrier teases the ups and downs in that relationship. Linda’s previously having powers. Her having to deal with a family who experience things so differently than her. While their lives move at mach speeds, she’s left sitting on a couch feeding a newborn. As a father still learning, it’s a segment and focus that stands out to me. For mothers who read it, I’m sure their connection and experiences will be much different. But, the domestic focus stands out and a domestic focus that plays to the frustrations that can come with life and the roles we have within the family.

Overall, Spurrier delivers a comic whose tone isn’t quite the playful Flash of the past. Instead there’s a bit edgier of a style that feels much more like a mix of sci-fi and horror. Some of that is due to Mike Deodato Jr.’s art which stands out. Deodato is joined by Trish Mulvihill on color and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou on lettering and the result is amazing. Gone is the motion we’ve seen with other artists and instead there’s a use of panels that creates a whirlwind feel. The page layout captures the hectic nature of Wally’s life and presents the Flash’s unique speed in an interesting way. It’s stunning visually.

I’m not sure if I’m totally sold on The Flash #1 but it’s a very entertaining start that feels like a new beginning. There’s a vibe like we’re walking into an expansion of The Flash’s world, much like the growth Green Lantern saw many years ago. No matter, the art alone is more than enough to check out the issue.

Story: Si Spurrier Art: Mike Deodato Jr.
Color: Trish Mulvihill Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Story: 8.0 Art: 10 Overall: 8.75 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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