[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Howard Porter
Reviewed By: Derek McNeil
Summary
“FLASH WAR” part two! Barry Allen and Wally West are brought to the future to stand trial for the murder of Eobard Thawne, but a terrible truth is uncovered when they reach the court—and Wally West is confronted with something he never even realized he lost.
Positives
Since the “Flash War” was first announced, I doubted that Williamson could produce a reasonable justification for Barry and Wally to go to war against each other. When last issue showed a flash-forward of an enraged Wally threatening Barry, I couldn’t see how this could actually come to pass.
Now that the story has caught up with that moment, I have to admit that I fully can believe how Williamson brought these two speedsters to this conflict. So what was it that could turn Wally against Barry? It’s Wally’s children, Jai and Irey.
One thing I have been wondering about with every little peek of pre-Flashpoint continuity or hints shown in the future Flash Museum, is why there has been no mention of Wally and Linda’s children. Recent events in Flash and Titans have even gone so far as hint that Wally’s future in the current timeline might not be with Linda, cutting off the future that includes them.
But Hunter Zolomon restores Wally’s memories of his children, and promises to help Wally save them. But Zoom’s plan calls for Wally to “enter the Speed Force and break it just enough to save Irey and Jai.”
However, Barry doesn’t trust Zoom and suspects that it is a trap, and that Wally might cause another Flashpoint, while Wally feels that saving his children is worth any risk.
So, with the time stream falling apart at the seams, Wally speeds off to enter the Speed Force, and Barry races to catch up and stop him.
I don’t know if it’s intentional, but it seems fitting that this issue should come out just days before Father’s Day, as it is both Barry and Wally’s paternal feelings that are bringing them into conflict.
Although Barry is not Wally’s actual father, their relationship has been almost a father-son, and Barry feels the need to prevent his protégé from repeating his own mistakes. And Wally is willing to risk everything to save his own children.
Negatives
I love this story arc and this issue in particular, but I will be severely disappointed if it doesn’t end with Irey and Jai returning to the DC Universe. For them to be dangled in front of us like this and then be taken away again would be unforgivable. Also, I still want to see Irey get her chance to shine as the new Impulse. I noticed that across from the twins’ costumes is an Impulse costume – hmmm….
Verdict
This is a huge summer for DC with weddings and relaunches, but in my opinion the real excitement is happening in the pages of The Flash as Wally and Barry fight that could save Wally’s family or destroy the Speed Force and unravel time itself. “Flash War” is a story you don’t want to miss.
