Flash #10
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Felipe Watanabe
Colorist: Chris Sotomayor
Cover: Carmine Di Giandomenico
This issue begins a new arc which means new challenges for our speedsters but also that age old problem of teenagers not doing what adults tell them to. In this case, Kid Flash is trying to prove himself to his mentor but you can’t do that while ditching school and failing classes. But Wally’s actions are also bringing back some stinging doubts in Barry about his own mentoring techniques.
Williamson starts things off by bringing back a classic DC villain with a power set that isn’t based on the Speed Force. Even though I enjoyed the previous arcs it’ll be nice to get a break from so many speedsters. He also introduces us to the aspiring Rogue, Paper Cut. Sure he may sound like a lame villain but he’s got a suprise that shows some huge cracks in Wally’s crime fighting abilities. From here Williamson continues to explore the Wally/Flash dynamic and how tense it is between the two. Part of it is due to the fact that Barry is keeping his identity a secret from him. Depending on how you feel about that decision might skew your opinion of their argument but I appreciate a little old school secret identity keeping. Also, if you’ve been wanting more Kid Flash then know that Williamson over delivers in that area for the better.
Watanabe is handling the visuals here along with Oclair Albert on inks and Sotomayor handling the colors. They deliver a solid issue that keeps in sync with the narrative and pops when it’s supposed to. They’re a big reason why Paper Cut doesn’t come off as lame as his name may sound. The action sequences are fun and there’s a scene of Wally searching the city that’s similar to something from the Flash television show. For some reason I found the Prologue to be one of the strongest few pages. Could be because the tone is entirely different from the rest of the issue and the art reflects and enhances that. The only area where the art falls flat for me were the Wally and Chunk sequences. Especially after the good looking action scenes and seeing the tension build up during the Flash/Kid Flash argument.
Overall, this is a solid issue that is setting up what looks to be a turning point for Kid Flash and I’m definitely here for that. Now is a good time to be a Flash fan and Williamson continues to keep this latest series a title that’s worth the cover price and just plain fun.
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