Comic Review: The Flash (2016-) #759

The Flash #759

DC Comics 

Writer: Joshua Williamson

Artists: Rafa Sandoval, Scott Kollins

I’ve gone back and forth on Williamson’s Flash over the years, dropping in and out at different points as my interest in it waxes and wanes. I never have a bad time with it, but it sometimes feels long in the tooth or simply “fine”. There have been flashes of greatness throughout, like Flash War and Year One, but it remains unclear if the final arc will be held in that same regard. It’s a solid issue that’s not without problems. 

I’m of two minds on this story. On one hand, the arch-nemesis posing as the hero is an idea that feels overdone and not overly interesting. On the other, if you’re going to go for it, go for it. Thawne makes zero effort to actually act like Barry or fool anyone, he just runs around and behaves like a psychopath and is immediately outed as an impostor. I fail to see why the plot went in this direction if it wasn’t going to lead to anything of substance. Thawne possesses Barry, Thawne runs around as The Flash for a few minutes, then is immediately discovered. Not super interesting, but perhaps Williamson deserves credit for not stretching out a concept that’s without legs. This, of course, begs the question of if it was wise to go there in the first place, but I digress.

The real meat of this issue comes in the form of the reuniting of multiple characters who have been separated for far too long. I don’t want to spoil the specific characters involved, but just know that if you’re a long-time Flash fan, this issue pays off seeds planted long ago and is sufficiently satisfying. As much as I take issue with the main plot, I got enough out of these reunions that I ultimately left the issue with a smile on my face. I’m not hard to please, just have old friends hug and I’m content. 

The Flash #759 features two artists I really like. Rafa Sandoval, who is a more recent addition to the rotation, and Scott Kollins, a classic and important Flash creator. Both of them do great work with the pages they’re given, with Sandoval illustrating the real-world bits and Kollins on the speed force scenes. My only quibble with this is that the two styles really don’t mesh very well. Sandoval has a more standard superhero-style, while Kollins’ is more rough and unique. Both strong in their own right, but the issue would be better served by a consistent artistic vision. Sandoval especially sells Thawne being in Barry’s body. He looks like Barry, but by his body language and mannerisms, it’s never in question that something isn’t right with him. 

The Flash #759 begins the countdown to the end of a long run. It’s had it’s ups and downs, but the consistently strong art and respect for the history has made it an overall enjoyable run. This issue in particular is somewhat rough around the edges, but it has a strong core that outshines it’s more technical flaws. This is a good book, but I hope to see the rest of the arc pull out all the stops and end the series on a higher note than this issue implies.