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FLASH #177
"Event Horizon"
Highly Recommended (10/10)
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DC Comics
Writer: Geoff Johns
Pencils: Scott Kolins
Inks: Doug Hazlewood
Colors: James Sinclair & Digital Chameleon
Letters: Gaspar Saladino
Editor: Joey Cavalieri
Price: $2.25 US/$3.75 CAN |
This is the beginning of a new story arc, hinted at in the recent Flash: Iron Heights one-shot, and it contains a group of villains that any Flash fan
will enjoy. As usual, though, Johns and Kolins are telling the story in a way
that is new, with the villains starting off small and working from a plan, and
this issue the plan happens to include a supporting character from the
Messner-Loebs era, one that I've missed and was glad to see again. This issue
has it all, a nifty pseudo-science idea, some great action and problem-solving,
nice moments of characterization and gorgeous art, and as a bonus, it's a good
jumping-on point for new readers.
I honestly didn't expect to see Chunk or
his fiancée again, and I was pleased to see them (as well as a couple of other
familiar faces from the Messner-Loebs run) reappear in this issue. I certainly
didn't expect Chunk to play the role he did, but it was a clever way to
introduce the Rogues and their plan without giving Flash a hint as to what's
going on. I also enjoyed that the plot was based on a scientific principle and a
problem that needed solving, rather than just a villain who needed hitting.
Johns is telling stories that involve the heroes doing more than simply beating
up on a villain (or dealing with their psychological issues) and whether it's
stopping a plague from spreading or preventing a black hole from swallowing the
city, I'm glad to see the Flash being put into roles where he can use his mind
as well as his powers.
There's a danger in using older characters who haven't appeared in a while, especially ones with strange powers and origins. Sometimes, new readers will find it impossible to follow what's going on, or feel like they're out of the loop. Johns introduces Chunk and Connie right off the bat and we get their relationship and his powers, and the explanation needed for his origins comes in a quick, unobtrusive explanation from Flash to a couple of cops. Every bit of information needed for the story is in the story, and while fans of the older Flash run
will get a kick out of seeing favorite characters again, you don't need to know
the history of Chunk or Connie or the others to enjoy the book.
Then there's the artwork, which is always a
treat. Kolins does phenomenal background work, and I loved his take on Central
City at night. But what really impressed me was his take on the black hole
swallowing the city up. His work here is just as impressive as the work on the
natural disasters that the Weather Wizard was causing in the last arc, with
destruction everywhere and a feeling that the source isn't really localized or
easy to stop. In addition, the coloring effects are terrific, using blurring to
indicate speed or the shifting light caused by the black hole.
Every arc from this creative team has been a good one, and with a cast of new and classic villains, a mysterious master villain and intelligent plotting, this one is shaping up to be the best yet. If you haven't been checking out Flash, you owe it to
yourself to try it... it's probably the best straight super-hero book DC is
publishing right now.
Email Randy Lander comments about this review. |
