You are now leaving Bedrock! The Great Gazoo is on his way home to the stars, while Fred and company leave the Church of Gerald, and Mr. Slate leaves behind being a jerk- at least for a little while. Say good-bye to Pebbles, Bowling Ball, Philip the turtle, Fred and Barney, and the whole cast in this final issue!

Some times we can’t have nice things. That’s how I feel about The Flintstones which wraps up its run and does so in a emotional way that feels like a solid end chapter to what is some of the smartest writing in comics today.

Writer Mark Russell has delivered some of the best social and political commentary anywere in his twelve issues and here he wraps up that run focused on whether science and religion can live side by side. For twelve issues the series at times has felt a little sarccastic and on the down side of things, but here we get an issue that’s weirdly positive and hopefully.

Russell nails the ending with an issue that’s bookended with thoughts from Gazoo about humanity and its likelihood for survival and ability to flourish. The words spoken are truly an observation about today’s world and ends in a way that gives a glimmer of a smiler and wink. That includes giving us a satisfying conclusion to the animal appliances in what feels like an almost revolutionary statement in this issue.

Artist Steve Pugh along with colorist Chris Chuckry deliver the usual solid art that has grown on me over the twelve issues. This isn’t the traditional style, but the team has constantly given us art that forces you to disect every inch of the page to catch all of the jokes that drive as much of the story as the words themselves. Just solid work.

This had to end eventually and twelve issues feels too short in many ways. Hopefully we get more Russell soon because I know this usual satisfied my craving for smart commentary through comics. Some of the smartest writing anywhere wraps up that way and shows off why it’s exactly that.

Story: Mark Russell Art: Steve Pugh
Main Cover: Yanick Paquette, Nathan Fairbairn
Variant Covers: Rick Leonardi, Scott Hana, Steve Buccellato
Color: Chris Chuckry Letters: Dave Sharpe
Story: 9.0 Art: 8.45 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review