Review: THE FLASH #773
[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer: Jeremy Adams
Artist: Will Conrad
Colours: Alex Sinclair
Letters: Steve Wands
Reviewed By: Derek McNeil
Summary
The Flash #773: On the loose and bent on destruction, Heatwave’s return couldn’t come at a worse time for Wally West. Now that the onetime Kid Flash has retaken the mantle of the Fastest Man Alive, he’s also taken a new job at Mr. Terrific’s Holt Industries. But all of that gets put on the back burner, when the Flash must outrace the flames of one of his greatest foes and figure out why the once-reformed rogue has gone bad again.
Positives
In The Flash #773, we see Wally on his first day on the job at Holt Industries. Despite the fact that he’s half an hour late, and has to dash off to deal with Heatwave, he manages to impress his new co-workers.
Last issue, Wally seemed doubtful that he was qualified for the job, despite Mister Terrific’s assurances. But Wally’s first action in the job proves him right. He is able to solve a problem due to having done “something similar with a treadmill”. This of course, refers to the Flash’s Cosmic Treadmill. He also manages to apply the fix to their device for them. Clearly, Wally has the knowledge and experience to be an engineer, even if he doesn’t have the formal accreditation.
There is a short interlude that shows a pair of Sinestro Corps members unsuccessfully attempting to stop and retrieve the mysterious object hurtling through space. They state that it’s headed towards Sector 2814. This is little more than a tease, but an intriguing one. Also, one of the Sinestro Corps is former Green Lantern Jessica Cruz. This is a nice cameo, but it would be great if she featured in the upcoming storyline about this mysterious object.
Positives Cont.
Wally is able to defeat Heatwave rather easily, but his true victory comes in the aftermath of their fight. Wally simply talks to the villain about his reasons for returning to his criminal ways. And upon learning about Mick Rory’s cancer diagnosis, offers to help. Wally isn’t content to just stop the villain, but extends compassion to him, despite his crimes. In this scene, Jeremy Adams demonstrates that Wally is a true hero. This is why Wally is help up as a symbol of hope in the DCU.
So Wally manages to stop, as well as comfort the villain. He manages to make a good impression on his new co-workers. And he ends his day spending quality time with his family. After all the grief Wally has been put through in recent years. It’s great to see things going great for Wally for a change.
Adams seems to be taking a very different approach with Wally than Joshua Williamson did with Barry. Williamson progressively made things worse and worse for Barry, so that he could triumphantly come rebounding back to greatness. But Wally’s already been taken as low as possible by Heroes In Crisis. So, Adams gets to start off with Wally at a high point. Undoubtedly, there will be rough patches ahead, but I hope that Adams will continue to keep this optimistic tone in the title over the long run.
Will Conrad has got to be one of the best Flash artists ever. His depiction of the Flash costume is absolutely gorgeous. And he captures Wally’s super-speed beautifully. I especially loved the splash page showing Wally creating waterspout. And his backgrounds are crisp and complex.
Negatives
Absolutely none. The Flash #773 is an absolutely perfect issue.
Verdict
With The Flash #773, Jeremy Adams continues to demonstrate that he’s the man best suited to bringing us the adventures of Wally West. His run on The Flash is shaping up to be an all-time classic.
