THE FLASH #242

Fast Money, Part Five:  A Day In The Life

September 2008

Written by Tom Peyer

Pencils by Freddie E. Williams II

Inks by Freddie E. Williams II

Cover by Freddie E. Williams II

Synopsis

At home, Linda has trouble accepting the rapid aging of her daughter, Iris.  As she tries to find a way to fix it, Wally suddenly leaves with no explanation.  What he can’t tell her is that Gorilla Grodd’s hypnotic suggestion has now taken hold, forcing Wally to do his bidding.  The Flash rushes to the side of Edwar Martinez, the one who gave Spin is power, and Nzame, the one who helped Grodd heal.  Martinez, is beyond healing, but in his final moments, he spreads compassion for the Flash throughout the citizens of Keystone.  With Nzame, Flash returns home, picks up his family, and the runs to Gorilla City.  There, Flash asks their leader Nnamdi if Nzame could be used to heal Iris.  When they try, however, Iris dies.  Then Grodd appears and tells them they will join her. 

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

This story arc has been a mixed bag so far, with the Spin sections being less interesting that what is going with the West family and Iris’ aging.  Having said that, I think it is no surprise that this issue is a mixed bag as well.  The issue opens well with Linda’s reaction to Iris and then Wally mysteriously running away, but then the middle section with Edwar and the Exposition of Doom to explain Edwar and why he can do what he does drags the story down.  Spin had been defeated in the previous issue, so I am not sure if Edwar’s story offers anything more to that plot line.  At the very least, I suppose, the “compassion” ending helps to undo the bad feelings of Keystone City towards the scarlet speedster, which is either a good thing or bad thing, depending on how you feel about it.  Once that part of the issue is pushed out of the way, the rest of the issue gains speed (ha!) until the finale, which nicely sets up the finale to this story arc.  The ending to this issue sets up enough possibilities to the ending that I am curious to see how this wraps up.

I like the way Wally and Linda react to Iris’ aging.  They are both scared and horrified, but also realize that there is little they can do to help.  I like the way Wally tries to keep a brave face as things continue to go badly.  He knows that Iris’ won’t last much longer but he doesn’t want her to deal with that possibility, so he tries to keep an upbeat attitude.  In some ways, many parents of sick, terminal children go through the same emotions.  I realize it is tough to make that connection to a super hero comic, but the thought passed my mind. 

I am a realist and I doubt that Iris died; it happens too fast (ha!) and without much warning.  Yet at the same time I’ve got to wonder if DC understands what the twins mean to the fans of the Flash, some of whom intensely dislike the kids or even understand how difficult it would be to write a book with hero who has children.  It is possible the twins will morph into new/different characters that will not burden Wally with kids, yet keep them (or just one) around so that if writer wanted to use them, they could.  I think it would be cool to have Iris pick up the mantle of Kid Flash (which could happen if Jai decides to sacrifice himself) as had been seen in Kingdom Come. 

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