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THE FLASH #181
"Fallout"
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 |
Johns, Kolins and Hazlewood have delivered another winner in their already impressive run on the Flash with this issue. There are several story threads going on here, from the slow build-up of the Rogues threat to the introduction of another new villain to developments in supporting cast and other subplots, but the book never feels crowded. Heck, they even manage to throw in a bit of a Christmas story at the same time. If you're not reading Flash, it's time to start, and this issue is a good one
to start with, because I doubt anyone wouldn't be anxious to see what's coming
next after reading this issue, complete with shocker ending.
Johns is proving himself the
master of the slow build, with storylines being teased far in advance and
playing out down the road. This is an impressive skill, and generally writers
who attempt it either blow their stories out too quickly or forget to tie them
up, leaving them running endlessly. Johns, however, has impeccable pacing, and
the timing of Fallout's origin, coinciding with Christmas and other family
reunions, was perfect. Also building at just the right pace are the story of
Linda's potential stalker, the Rogues' grand plan for Keystone and the corrupt
Warden Wolfe and his plans.
However, for all the plot
action going on, there's still plenty of time for characterization here. Morillo
and Flash get some terrific dialogue between them, giving us insight into what
kind of man Wally West is, and I really enjoyed seeing the softer side of tough
cop Chyre as well. In addition, the return of Iris Allen, complete with a
plausible explanation for why her "future knowledge" isn't so dangerous at all,
is a wonderful treat for fans, and another worthy addition to the supporting
cast.
The atmosphere of this book is
one of snow and cold, and it comes through on every page thanks to beautiful
effects by Kolins, Hazlewood & Sinclair. Their work on Fallout was also
terrific, giving his radiation a poisonous look that made him appear far more
dangerous than simply using explosions and fisticuffs would have. This book has
a look unlike any other, but it's grounded in storytelling fundamentals and
spectacular work on character expressions.
While the issue is full of
heart-warming moments, it also has more than a few dark edges to it. Not the
least of that is the ending, which made my jaw drop. Even more impressive was
the other shoe dropping, as Johns reveals an aspect of new Rogue Plunder that
suddenly makes him a whole lot more interesting, and a whole lot more dangerous
to the Flash as well.
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