DC Comics reviews for 6/28/17

The Flash #25

For The Flash’s special oversized milestone issue, Joshua Williamson explores the reason for the Reverse Flash’s hatred of Barry Allen.

Essentially this issue is a slight origin retcon. For the big build up, Thawne’s motive seems a little weak even with Williamson’s efforts to convey the depths of his delusion.

Williamson rolled out the issue smartly, playing up Thawne’s advanced speed, which forces Barry to stay alert while Thawne gleefully goes into villain monologue mode.

Thanks to Williamson’s story set up, the use of three artists isn’t all that distracting.

Carmine Di Giandomenico handles most of the framing while Neil Googe and Ryan Sook tackle the two major flashback sequences. Sook gives Di Giandomenico a serious run in the standout art competition. Googe’s work fits the idyllic flashback sequence nicely.

Still, for an extra sized issue I was hoping for a little more substance. Williamson didn’t seem to take full advantage of the extra pages giving it a somewhat stretched out feel. I got the sense Williamson was eager to get to the final few pages for that sucker punch cliffhanger. That fallout solidly has me hooked for next issue, even if I wanted more from this one.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10