The Flash #36 Review

A new start.

It’s an intriguing idea of a grittier Flash taking over the present day – with all his knowledge of the future, it’ll help him in so many ways, but he has already been corrupted with the blood on his hands – and that isn’t going to dry anytime sooner.

And with the Flash losing his powers temporarily in the tv show, now we have the comic book Flash going the same route – albeit with larger consequences.

Vendetti and Van Jensen parallel the future Flash’s actions well – as he is shown to be caring and helpful just like the one we know, but flashes of his damaged state come out near the end of the issue.

Two artists take over for this issue, with Booth doing the ‘Trapped in Speed Force’ parts and Coelho with the ‘New Day for a new Barry’ arc. Both have their issues, but overall it’s a good looking comic book, with inker Rapmund being a good collaborator.

SPOILERS FOLLOW………….

The present day Barry is trapped in the Speed Force and almost killed by a twenty fourth century drone – but a cloaked figure named Selkirk, who seems to have been a speedster as well, saves him.

Even as Barry tries to cope with losing his speed and his doppelganger back home, he is introduced to a colony of people lost in the Speed Force.

In the present, the older Barry has changed to resemble his younger self, with his computer throwing some really convenient pseudo-science to enable the deceit of him being able to pass as a twenty years younger Barry Allen.

The first thing he does is meet up with Patty (who seems to be dead in his timeline) and it’s an enjoyable interaction through the sinister status quo taints it. This is a Barry who knows how much time can take, and is about to make up for it.

His interactions with Wally and Iris finally feel progressive and not hostile – especially when he promises to find Wally’s mother, and gives Iris something that may make her career soar to new heights.

In-between, through some slip-ups, we see that Barry would one day have a good rapport with his currently at-odds captain Singh (and apparently coffee costs 50 bucks in the future!), and he has a ‘correction’ to make.

That is when his true nature comes out, as he blows a hole in a hacker who would go on to kill people without being indicted – leading to Barry leaving the force and apparently killing him. But now, he can make sure that never happens.

I like that Vendetti takes a slow burn to show us the frailties of this Flash. There are some heartwarming scenes here taken in isolation, but carry guilt and regret if you look at the big picture. And this Flash is a murderer. Full stop.

It’ll be interesting to see this play out, and the Speed Force segment can help us in understanding the dynamics of this New 52 variation of one of Flash’s more famous elements.

SPOILERS END……………

In all, an enjoyable story with the main segment having the big focus – and using Future Flash is a sensible manner by balancing his attributes, making you a little torn on how to place him. Wally feels like an actual person, ironically with the wrong Barry with him.

The Speed Force segment was a little too short, but intriguing.

The artwork on the other hand was average. Too many of the characters were distorted, with both artists suffering lapses.

So, I give it 8.0 out of 10.

+Some nice character interactions

+Balanced character work for the main ‘antagonist’ i.e. Future Barry

+Wally used well

-Artwork inconsistent

-Speed Force segment too short

-A little too convenient setup for the 'Barry Allen' change-up