Writer: Jeremy Adams
Art: Diego Olortegui
Colors: Luis Guerrero
Letters: Steve Wands
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: October 17th, 2023
Judy Garrick (AKA The Boom), the daughter Jay and Joan Garrick were mystically forced to forget, is back after the events of Stargirl: The Lost Children, and Jay and Joan are desperately trying to make up for lost time with her in Jay Garrick: The Flash #1. Like last week’s Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #1, this issue is another fantastic debut issue of a miniseries spotlighting a Justice Society member.
If you’re interested in this comic, series, related trades, or any of the others mentioned, then simply click on the title/link to snag a copy through Amazon as you read the Jay Garrick: The Flash #1 Review
The Story
After a brief flashback to 1963, in a fun but ultimately heart-breaking scene where Judy and Jay Garrick battle crime together in Keystone City, Jay Garrick: The Flash #1 jumps to the present. I was a bit disappointed by this. I was hoping we would see more of Jay and Judy in the 60’s, with Jay in his prime, struggling to keep a rein on the impulsive Judy as they race around classic Keystone City.
But the disappointment faded fast as I read through the issue. There’s something very sweet with how Jay and Joan welcome her back with joy and love. Even though they’re old enough to be her grandparents now, she’s their daughter and they’ll do anything to make up the lost time with her. Jay is written wonderfully throughout. He was always very old-fashioned and here he’s very much so. He reminds me of Ward Cleaver from “Leave it to Beaver”, always even-tempered and loving to Joan, with a virtual arsenal of corny dad jokes.
Judy is written equally well. Having been removed from the timeline in 1963 and now returning in 2023, she’s shocked by how technology and the world has changed in 60 years. Not only is she reeling from the advancements, she’s also feeling a huge sense of loss over losing out on all the years of being part of the Flash extended family (which now consists of at least 13 speedsters). You really feel for her as she tries to process everything.
Judy’s a great character and she has a unique personality. In the army of speedsters currently running around Earth-Prime, she’s got her own individual voice and identity. Like Marvel’s Steve Rogers, Judy has to adjust to a remarkably changed world and it’s going to be fun watching her adjust to modern times while interacting with Jay and Joan.
We inevitably get to see Judy in action again and there’s a great twist ending to the issue involving another character that Jay was forced to forget, a very malevolent character.
The Art
Diego Olortegui’s art on Jay Garrick: The Flash #1 delivers the speed. The scenes with Jay and Judy running do a great job of conveying the speed they’re moving. The age difference in Jay and Joan is clearly defined as the book jumps from 1963 to 2023 and Judy’s emotions of loss and despair come through in every panel she’s in.
Luis Guerrero’s colors are vibrant and the perfect brightness and intensity for a Flash comic.
Final Thoughts
Jay Garrick: The Flash #1 kicks off the miniseries with a wonderful combination of character moments and action. The family moments between Jay, Joan and Judy (say that three times fast!) are sweet and touching, and it will be fun watching Judy get adjusted to 2023 in future issues. Recommended.