The Flash #48

DC Comics

Writer:  Joshua Williamson

Artist: Howard Porter

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

After teasing for months (even years if you count since Rebirth started), “Flash War” kicks off properly with The Flash #48, and it finally explains why Barry & Wally are fighting in the first place.

The issue begins with Wally at the Keystone City Athletic Club, training his speedster children Iris & Jai. Yes, those two children who were erased from existence by that pesky Doctor Manhattan. But here they are talking, laughing and running with their dad.

This is promptly followed by a shot of Wally stood in the destroyed Flash museum looking at their costumes. As always, Howard Porter’s art is phenomenal and a perfect fit for the Flash. He brings dynamism to movement and actions, but his facial expressions are brilliant too, with the aforementioned shot of Wally being particularly emotional.

Before long, Zoom makes an appearance talking about Wally knowing that something was missing from his life after being trapped in the speed force. His distress over having lost two children he didn’t know existed before quickly gets the better of Wally, and he socks Zolomon straight in the jaw. This immediately brings back his memories of his nemesis, and Zoom claims to have lost his speed, and simply wants to help his friend ‘return everything that was lost’.

Family Matters

My biggest worry with Flash War was that it would be too simple to pick sides and the turmoil on the reader’s side would be lost (looking at you Civil War II). Instead, we easily see both Wally & Barry’s reasons, and they’re both so understandable that I honestly don’t know where I stand yet. Zoom claims that Wally’s children are trapped in the Speed Force just like he was, but in order to free them he must break the speed force. Not exactly a small task.

On Barry’s part, his concerns are Wally getting trapped in the Speed Force again, or even worse breaking the entirety of creation just like he did with FlashPoint. Zoom’s involvement only complicates matters, and it’s plain to see just how much it affects Barry to have to stop his best friend. He’s ‘been down this path before’ and we’ve seen how that turns out.

And yet, seeing Wally’s overwhelming need to reunite his family is more than understandable, how do you argue with a man who wants his family back more than anything? My experience watching the Taken movies tells me that you don’t. The last few pages of this comic in particular feature some of the most heart-breaking expressions that I’ve ever seen in comics. We’re treated to flashbacks of Barry & Wally’s time together, and we see Wally’s resolve only increase as he then races off to save his family and maybe destroy all of reality.

I cannot wait for The Flash #49, I have nothing but faith that Joshua Williamson will keep up the momentum he’s created in this issue (pun not intended) and have us readers constantly second-guess themselves, just like Barry & perhaps Wally too.

Side note: I’ve specifically not mentioned a particular part of this comic as it was quite a surprise for me and I’d rather keep it that way for other readers too.