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FLASH #176
"Birth Right Part 2: The Rain Maker"
Recommended (8/10)
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DC Comics
Writer: Geoff Johns
Pencils: Scott Kolins
Inks: Doug Hazlewood
Colors:
James Sinclair & Digital Chameleon
Letters: Gaspar
Editor: Joey Cavalieri
Price: $2.25 US/$3.75 CAN |
After the bomb dropped with
last issue's cliffhanger, I found this issue to be a little bit predictable in
comparison, but still a solid read by creators at the top of their game. Johns
is showing skill at long-time planning, and while that can lead to overlong
plots, so far the slow development of the Rogues and hints at someone behind
them have me thoroughly intrigued, and the artwork by Kolins continues to be
top-notch as well. There's a good balance here between the personal aspects of
Wally's life, including the possible addition of a new family member, and the
super-hero aspects, with a confrontation between Flash and Weather Wizard, and
I'm really enjoying the chemistry on this book right now.
I have to admit, I found the idea of the
Wizard's goals for acquiring his son a bit dull. In keeping with his
personality, to be sure, but a bit too sinister for my taste. I was rather
hoping that we'd see another side of the character through his interaction with
a son, although the way he chose to interact does leave Wally and Linda with an
interesting question.
One thing I enjoy about the book under
Johns's pen is that he makes it feel different than the Waid/Augustyn run that
has gone before for so many years, without losing what made that run charming.
Case in point, his choice of first-person narration, whether it's from Linda or
Wally, gets us into the characters' heads so we can read their emotions and
thoughts, and that helps considerably in humanizing them despite their unusual
circumstances. I'm also enjoying the use of Wally's powers in different ways,
including a spectacular sequence this issue where he escapes a tornado.
Of course, much of the credit for that
sequence, and indeed for my appreciation of the book, belongs to the art team as
much as the writer. Kolins has done an incredible job of establishing the new,
more industrial Keystone City, but beyond background designs and mood, he also
does some fantastic action sequences, with the Weather Wizard's chaotic weather
patterns displayed as enormous and powerful, and Wally's actions in the face of
such strength truly heroic.
Email Randy Lander comments about this review. |
