DC Comics reviews 4/4/23 – Batman #134, The Flash #796
The Flash #796
Reading the final chapter of One Minute War did absolutely nothing to make me think DC isn’t making a terrible mistake moving Jeremy Adams off the book. He’s been immeasurably consistent as a writer who truly loved Wally West and his expanded supporting cast in a way that was obvious in every issue. Adams has a few more issues left in his run, but the work he did in this issue was masterful in firmly making things right for Wally West continuing the lengthy rehabilitation the character needed following Heroes in Crisis.
Gold Beetle, a truly fantastic next gen addition to the Flash mythos, explains to Wally why all the heroes he killed during Heroes in Crisis are still alive. Resurrections are common in comics and these deaths needed to be wiped off the board months ago. Just fixing that egregious editorial decision was more than enough to make Adams’ Flash run legendary.
The Fraction might have come off like a generic alien invasion force, but it was more about the Flash Family coming together as a unit to save the planet…with a tiny assist from Superman and a brief aid from the fallen heroes.
It doesn’t hurt the issue at all to have semi-regular artist Fernando Pasarin contribute more than a pair of pages this issue either. Pasarin is joined by OMW main contributor Roger Cruz and George Kambadais. Kambadais’ style is highly exaggerated and doesn’t quite fit the big event arc look that’s ideal for the finale. Cruz’ art is also less detailed, but he’s largely defined this series and it wouldn’t have been right for him to not contribute to the finale.
The color work by Luis Guerrero, Matt Herms and Pete Pantazis is spectacular continually providing a warm, inviting palette that fits beautifully with this story.
Adams’ Flash run gets its big signature story arc and it ends on a very emotional note with a pair of characters getting an overdue quality moment together. This could have been the farewell issue of Adams’ run, but it’s satisfying to know he’s not done yet making these memorable Flash moments.
Rating: 9.5 out of 10