Writer: Simon Spurrier
Art: Ramon Perez, Vasco Georgiev, Matt Herms, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $4.99
Reviewed by: Anonymous
Release Date: June 25th, 2024
As the Arc Angles bring the Crown of Thawnes into The Gallery, Wally West has to pull himself together to face some old Rogues. Amanda Waller’s Task Force raids Terrifictech, and brings some shocking backup to keep any speedsters in line!
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 Flash #10 Review.
THE DISPATCH
The Flash #10 by Simon Spurrier marks a significant shift for the Flash mythos. Spurrier throws Barry Allen headfirst into a world saturated with Speed Force energy, a stark contrast to the more grounded stories of recent issues. This bold new direction presents both exciting possibilities and narrative challenges.
Spurrier’s vision is undeniably imaginative and oftentimes confusing. Central City takes on a dreamlike quality, with buildings warped by the sheer velocity of the Speed Force. Ramon Perez’s art beautifully translates this surreal world, with energetic lines and distorted perspectives that capture the breakneck pace of Barry’s reality.
The issue introduces a new threat: Green Arrow, plus some weird, monstrous entities fueled by negative emotions within the Speed Force. The origin and motivations of these beings remain shrouded in mystery, but their presence promises a thrilling conflict that will probably delve deep into the lore of the Speed Force.
Despite the fantastical elements, Spurrier tries not to lose sight of Barry’s core humanity. We see him grapple with the emotional toll of his powers and the strain it puts on his relationships in past issues, but not so much in this edition. This introspective approach by Spurrier attempts to add depth to the narrative but only develops more confusion reminding me as to why I took a hiatus from this series a while back.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This issue is a deliberate slow burn, focusing on world-building and character introspection while attempting to connect this series to the upcoming Absolute Power Event. While some readers might miss the fast-paced action sequences Flash is known for, the issue lays the groundwork for a complex and potentially groundbreaking storyline. Notice the keyword “potential”. However, The Flash #10 feels like a turning point for the series. Spurrier’s bold ideas and Perez’s dynamic art create a visually stunning and thought-provoking new direction. Whether this new status quo resonates with long-time Flash fans remains to be seen, but one thing’s for certain: The Flash is no longer just the fastest man alive, he’s also navigating a universe governed by the very essence of speed itself. What this means for the character and this story is still up for grabs. Nevertheless, the confusing elements still remain in the series causing this reviewer to take another step back from the series for a bit longer.
I don’t see a new direction, this seems to be just another chapter in a dizzyingly confusing storyline, made all the murkier by the imposition of Absolute Power nonsense. I didn’t even realise it was meant to be Barry fighting the robot, as opposed to Wally. And all that technobabble. Worst issue of the series.