THE FLASH #233

The Wild Wests, Part Three:  Fleeting Lives

December 2007

Written by Mark Waid

Pencils by Freddie E. Williams II

Inks by Freddie E. Williams II

Cover by Doug Braithwaite

Synopsis

Wally West (aka The Flash) has been attacked by alien creatures looking for revenge against air-breathing creatures that invaded their homeland.  Now, they are intent to dehydrate the human race, starting with Wally.  However, Wally’s twin children, Jai and Iris, come to their father’s rescue as Iris takes her father to water while Jai distracts the creatures.  In the meantime, Wally’s wife calls the Justice League for help.  They are able to round up the aliens and save the city, although the leader escapes.  Later, the Justice League confronts Wally about letting his children put on costumes and get in the middle of danger.  Wally tells them that with his kids’ accelerated growth they have no idea how long they might live, so he wants them to live all-out for whatever time they have left.  The Justice League understands and accepts Wally’s explanation. 

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

“I’m getting lectured on child safety from a man who’s gone through FOUR ROBINS?”

This was an odd issue.  Obviously, Waid was intent on examining the role of his children as new costumed heroes and felt the scene with the Justice League was important.  And I agree.  Yet, in an effort to get to that scene, Waid cut short the battle with the aliens, even so much as putting in the proverbial “mustache twist” as the bad guy slinks away to fight another day.  Really, with two issues of building up the aliens and the threat, Waid dispenses with them so quickly (but not definitively), it is a little disappointing.  Some of it may be due to the fact that with the back-up feature, there was really only 16 pages (15 if you discount the credit page) to tell the story.  With a loss of six pages, something had to give. 

Luckily, the last half of the issue makes up for the abruptness of the first half.  The conversation with the Justice League was about as good as it could be, especially when you realize how many kids are actually in costume.  On the one hand it seems hypocritical for the League to question Wally about his kids because of the proliferation of sidekicks, but on the other hand, I like the fact that they are concerned for their friend and his family.  I thought the league’s concern was legitimate (I suppose a lot of it has to do with their young ages since most sidekicks are in their teens), but more importantly I thought that Wally’s explanation was heart felt and his reasons clear.  The league’s support for Wally and his family is important to the book.  Waid is not backing away from the familial approach for this title and I like the new direction.  Now, only, if he can write more effective villains for the family to fight. 

Last issue I mentioned that the credit page, featuring a recap of the characters and the story to date, appeared in a very odd place in the book.  This issue, the credit page is at least in a better place (on page 2), although I still think it should be on the inside back cover. 

“The Fast Life”

Written by Mark Waid and John Rogers

Art by Doug Braithwaite

Synopsis

In the midst of an invasion on Planet Savorth, Gorflack activates an energy cannon that transports Jay Garrick to their planet.  Jay decides to help, first by defeating the invaders, and then giving them the ability to fight for themselves.  After the war has been won, Jay returns home. 

Review

It may have been because the story dealt with Jay Garrick, who was the Flash during World War II, but I had this feeling that the people of Savorth represented France or perhaps Poland while the invaders were obviously Nazis.  I am not sure Waid meant for this type of reading of his work, but that is what I got out of it.  Well, actually, I got more than that because it was a great story showing Jay at his best as an inspirational leader and a teacher, a role he occupies in the JSA.  This is some good stuff and I can’t wait to see more. 

From what I understand, these four part back-ups tell the story of the planet Savorth and its relationship to all of the Flashes.  This is important because Savorth, I believe, is the place where Wally went for a year after disappearing during the last Crisis. 

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