The Flash: One-Minute War Special #1 Review -

Writer: Jeremy Adams

Art: Fernando Pasarin, Matt Ryan, Rebecca Nalty, Lisandro Estherren, Patricio Delpeche, George Kambadais, Jason Paz, Matt Herms, Rob Leigh, and Serg Acuña

Publisher: DC Comics

Price: $5.99

Release Date: January 31st, 2023

A lot can happen in 60 seconds…as the Flash event “One-Minute War” rages on, writer Jeremy Adams gives you further insights into the alien speedster race that has invaded Central City, and how the Flash Family fights back! Let’s dive in and check out The Flash: One-Minute War Special #1 right now!

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THE DISPATCH

If you wanted the backstory of the Fraction, you’ve come to the right place. And might I add, just in the nick of time. It’s exceptionally difficult to feel connected to a story if you know very little about the villains at large. It’s hard to be invested in something you know nothing about. So, these last two issues of the Flash have been… a bit lacking and honestly not up to snuff for Adams. The Flash: One-Minute War Special #1 was just what the doctor ordered to fill in those gaps and help rejuvenate this event.

Spoiler Alert (but kind of not really a Spoiler Alert since it was partially assumed): The Fraction found a way to connect to the Speed Force. Where Barry’s was more of an accident, the Fraction succeeded in multiple attempts with their technological advancements. However, everything comes with a cost to which you’ll have to read The Flash: One-Minute War Special #1 to find out exactly what that is.

Now, one of the best aspects of The Flash: One-Minute War Special #1 isn’t just that readers get a solid background of the Fraction. It’s also the narration and militant personality of the head Pioneer/ Conqueror. To think that the destruction of these worlds is a sense of mercy is completely warped and came across kind of like the personality of the MCU Thanos mixed with the comic version of the character just the same. What you’ll discover is that Vel Anthro does all of this for a twisted love for the Empress just like the comic version of Thanos use to do what he did for the “Mistress” of Death. It’s an interesting backstory that seemed to work well within the story.

Nevertheless, readers will get some extra stories sprinkled into The Flash: One-Minute War Special #1. I mean, it wouldn’t be a special without a bunch of other small vignettes now, would it? So, fans will get a small story about Avery to see where she’s at in all of this. And let me tell you, it was probably the weakest story of the bunch. Readers will be thrown right into a battle that makes no sense to merely skip right out of the story quicker than it began. However, there is a Flash villain in the next story that was introduced by Joshua Willaimson in his run. This character just seems a bit too sadistic compared to how he was. I’d love more of a backstory that maybe Adams can flush out in later stories. Nevertheless, I just didn’t think this Flash villain was so… murderous nor have we seen him much lately. Later, we jump into a future story that drops some subtle hints about Jai, and the “gender reveal” of Wally’s new kid. Additionally, we see who will take over the role of the Flash in the future and it’s a perfect fit! Further, we get a mini love story as well as a futuristic look at the Fraction which will appear to be a mainstay in the Flash Universe.

ART

One of the biggest takeaways for me was the artistic choices in this special. I simply haven’t been digging the new art team led by Roger Cruz. We get Fernando Pasarin leading the charge with the first story and ending with some amazing futuristic designs and coloring in the final story. Readers, the art says it all in a comic. The idea and story may be sound but if the illustrations don’t fit or work with the story, it just falls flat. And maybe that’s been part of the problem to date with this One-Minute War. However, let me tell you, that was totally different this week with a plethora of talented artists in this book. I hope that Fernando Pasarin can pick up the duties from here on out. I think he’s a good fit for the Flash book right now and blends well with Adams’ storytelling.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The Flash: One-Minute War Special #1 helps introduce the Fraction and gives fans more of a background as to who they are, what they want, and where they come from. Truthfully, the very first story was by far the best followed by the dinner party freeze frame and the return of a Willaimson villain. Overall, fans will discover that The Flash: One-Minute War Special #1 provides some much-needed pizzazz to an event that seemed to be missing a purpose and point. If you were on the fringe of this event, hopefully, The Flash: One-Minute War Special #1 will rejuvenate you a bit more. Let’s just hope Adams rolls the success of this issue into the remaining Flash issues left in this event and possibly piggybacks off some of the flair and excitement these artists gave him and carries them into the series going forward. If you have any questions on the review or are ever interested in tackling a comic review of your own, feel free to email me directly at dispatchdcu@gmail.com. Let me know what you think, have a great week, and God Bless!