THE FLASH #241

Fast Money, Part Four:  Flash Mob

August 2008

Written by Tom Peyer

Pencils by Freddie E. Williams II

Inks by Freddie E. Williams II

Cover by Freddie E. Williams II

Synopsis

The Spin has summoned Gorilla Grodd to Keystone City to spread terror and destroy the Flash.  Grodd, however, is not amused to be taken away from his home. He captures the Flashes and then demands to know the source of Spin’s power.  Elsewhere, Jai and Iris are able to free themselves from the clutches of Brothers Think and Drive after a bolt of lightning hit Iris, freeing her and giving her speed, but also aging her.  Meanwhile, Spin has lost control and terror has seized Keystone City.  The citizens have gone to the Flash Museum and start a fire.  The Flash is able to free himself and rejoins his children.  Together they head over to the museum.  As Jai and Iris deal with the fire, Wally makes the agonizing decision to save Inertia’s life.  Just as they get free, however, a lightning bolt hits Iris; she ages again.

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

Wow, did this issue take a right turn into a completely different territory.  From the madness of Grodd and Spin to the out-of-control citizens at the museum, the tone of story turns on a dime from all-out action to become quietly reflective as Wally debates what to with Inertia.  The shift in tone is swift as it is dramatic and it very well may have sunk the issue.  However, it works because it seems like Peyer is less interested in Spin than in the children.  Last issue saw the focus change from Wally to the kids and, in a sense, that is still true here since Wally’s monologue is about the kids and his relationship with them.  Moreover, Grodd is gone and Spin has been captured; loose ends have been tied up and all we are left with his Iris and her growth spurt.  Frankly, the change in story focus is probably a good thing since the early Spin issues were not that great.  It should be interesting to see where this all leads.. 

Based on what is happening, you could get the feeling that DC is leaning towards removing the kids from the Flash mythos, perhaps using them as part of the Flash sacrifice during Final Crisis.  Or finding a way to remove one of the kids (such as Jai sacrificing his life to spare Iris from growing up further) so that there could be a Kid Flash to Wally’s Flash. 

I must admit that I like the way Grodd deals with Spin.  He demands to know how Spin gets his power and when Spin tries to provide details, Grodd just swats it away and doesn’t care.  I am less than enthused with the “favors” that Grodd planted in Wally and Jay; it strikes me as a weak attempt by Peyer to get around the fact that Grodd has the Flashes at his mercy and should really kill them.  But since we know that can’t happen (or at least wouldn’t happen without a Crisis or major promotional effort), then there needs to be an “out,” if you will. 

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