The Flash 25
Francis Manapul, Brian Buccellato, Chris Sprouse
Zero Year Crossover
Spoiler alert! You have been warned!
This title has been struggling since the reboot of the DC Universe. Partially because of the creative team, but mostly because of its main character. I’ll admit it. I’m a bit biased, being a Wally West fan. To me, he simply is the Flash. Barry Allen is, has always been, and will always be very… Boring. So Francis Manapul (though a great artist) co-writing with Brian Buccellato was not only a bad pairing, but perhaps an already uphill battle. Add to that the fact that in over two years of storytelling, absolutely nothing has happened, and you have a recipe for disaster. If it weren’t for the recent announcement that artist Patrick Zircher would be taking over the penciling duties after this issue, I’d be dropping the book. But let’s face it: Patch’s artwork might be enough to save this book.
The Zero Year issue was going to be my last. But I have to admit, it wasn’t the worst issue to tie into the crossover event. Nor was it the worst issue of the main sereis. The plot was simple, but worked because it embraced its simplicity. And the artwork was good, as it usually is. Flashback to no powers Flash, making him (somehow) even more boring than usual. But Iris West is well written, something that cannot be said for Lois Lane post-Flashpoint. She makes Barry almost likable. But the biggest highlight of the issue was the young Harvey Bullock, good cop bad cop Gotham cop gray area speech at the end. And, to be completely honest, that kiss at the end was pretty neat. All in all, it was a well-done issue with a boring main character. I’ll be interested to see where Zircher takes the Flash when he comes on board.
Overall, a pretty decent issue. Would have been an okay “final issue” for some, which is never a good option for a comic company to present. But I’m interested in seeing what this creative team does when they take over Detective Comics and give a new character who’s actually likable a try. I’m hoping for the best. As it stands, I’ll be giving this issue a few more issues to save itself. After all, I’ve already given it over two years. What’s the worst that can happen? They bring back Wally? Oh, man… Now I’m mad again!
My Rating: 3/5
