Retro Review

Here are my picks for the seven best issues or arcs of Geoff Johns’ run on The Flash. These stories are the perfect Flash stories, making best use of his speed, his heroic character, and his supporting cast. Most are from the period when Scott Kolins and Doug Hazelwood were doing the art (#170-200, with some exceptions), illustrating the fastest man alive with a flair that’s been missing in recent issues. The issues after #207 are still strong stories, but many are too strongly tied to the Identity Crisis event to recommend to a first-time reader. These are my favorite Flash stories; what are yours?

7. #220-225: “Rogue War” (art and covers by Howard Porter and Livesay) B

An action-packed story with great cliffhangers and dialog, this sees the two factions of the Flash’s Rogues Gallery clash with the city and the Flash trapped in the middle. The story references Identity Crisis without being too caught up in its events, so it won’t prove confusing to readers unfamiliar with that limited series, but it is not ideal for readers new to The Flash, as it references many earlier arcs. Geoff Johns bows out at the end of this story, so it wraps up many plot lines, and gives a lot of the characters the resolutions they deserve. The only flaw is the elements of time travel, which are slightly confusing and weaken the emotional impact of one part of the story.

6. #197-200: “Blitz” (art by Scott Kolins and Doug Hazelwood, covers by Scott Kolins) B+

Can the Flash defeat someone who’s faster than him? What makes someone a hero? And how much will the Flash sacrifice for the people he loves and defends? This arc introduces Zoom, a modern twist on the Reverse Flash, and is one of the best illustrations of why Wally West was one of the brightest DC stars at the time. The emotional punch of #199 is powerful, and the super-human speed fights are brilliantly illustrated. The ending is controversial, a love-it-or-hate-it moment, but it doesn’t weaken the earlier highs, and is not the cop-out or retcon some claim.

5. #180: “Peek-a-Boo” (art by Scott Kolins and Doug Hazelwood, cover by Brian Bolland) B+

This issue has a new villain with a solid motivation, and some excellent use of the Flash’s powers. The story isn’t of major consequence in the overall arc of this part of Geoff Johns’ run, but it delivers action and questions what it means to be a hero.

4. #178: “Caged” (art by Scott Kolins and Doug Hazelwood, cover by Brian Bolland) A

Gorilla Grodd always seemed like a ridiculous villain: a highly intelligent, telepathic gorilla with plans for world conquest seems like an idea from the silliest of silver age comics, but Geoff Johns and Scott Kolins make you believe that Grodd is one of the worst menaces ever, an untameable, uncageable wild animal. An action-packed story that also takes the time to fill in more of the background on Keystone and Central cities and adds to two of the major sub-plots of Johns’ early run, this is a great example of why this was the best period for fans of the Flash.

3. #175, 176: “Birthright” (art by Scott Kolins and Doug Hazelwood, cover by Brian Bolland) A

The Weather Wizard is back in Keystone, after a baby who is either his son or the Flash’s. One of the most powerful villains in the Flash’s Rogues Gallery finally reaches his potential, presenting the Flash with one of the toughest fights ever, and threatening everyone the Flash knows. An excellent super-hero story with an emotional heart. 

2. #182: “Absolute Zero” (art by Scott Kolins and David Panosian, cover by Brian Bolland) A+

The first and best of the Rogue spotlight issues, #182 stars Captain Cold. Detailing his origin in flashback and telling the story of his revenge on the man who killed his sister, it’s an analysis of what makes someone turn to crime, and what keeps them on that path. Few titles take the time to make their villains this complex and interesting.

1. #188: “Crossfire Part 5″ (art by Scott Kolins, Doug Hazelwood and David Panosian, covers by Brian Bolland) A+ 

Using every major Rogue and every important supporting character and setting the action in both Keystone and Central cities, this is the perfect Flash tale. The stakes are high, the choices are tough, and the Flash really has to think about who he can rely on and what the extent of his powers are. The surprises keep coming, from the third page of the first issue right up to the last page of the finale, this is a story that will keep you hooked.

It would be nice to say that all five years of Geoff Johns’ run on The Flash were as good as these 7 stories, but it had its low points too. There was one arc in particular that dragged on, with unsuitable art and a meandering story that took six issues to say very little. If you’re going to read some Geoff Johns’ issues of The Flash, make sure they aren’t among these ones.

#201-206: “Ignition” (art and covers by Alberto Dose, with assists on #205 & 206 from Howard Porter and Livesay) D

The world has forgotten that Wally West is the Flash, and the hero has not been seen in months. Wally West himself is now working as a mechanic for the Keystone Police Dept, also having forgotten who he was and what he can still do. In a 6-issue story that could have been told in 2, Wally has to rediscover himself and solve a murder mystery. Honestly, it’s very difficult to care about any of these issues: we know how it’s all going to end, and getting there isn’t much fun. There are long monologs telling us things we already know about Wally’s career, character and powers, and the solution to the mystery is telegraphed from part 2. There are some pieces of dialog between Wally and an out-of-costume Captain Cold that have that spark, but that’s not enough to save the issues from plodding. Alberto Dose is a skilled artist, but he’s completely misplaced on the Flash, with no sense of dynamic action to any of the sequences. Unless you’re a completist, skip these six issues.

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