THE FLASH:  REBIRTH #1

Lightning Strikes Twice

June 2009

Written by Geoff Johns

Pencils by Ethan Van Sciver

Inks by Ethan Van Sciver

Cover by Ethan Van Sciver

Synopsis

In Central City, scientists in the police department are examining evidence when they are suddenly attacked and killed by someone with a staff that has a tip in the shape of a lightning bolt.  Then the killer grabs a bunch of chemicals and uses the staff as a lightning rod.  The lightning hits him and chemicals spill all over him.  Meanwhile, the news of the return of Barry Allen (aka Flash) spreads around the world.  Elsewhere, the Justice Society with Jay Garrick, the Titans with Wally West, and the Teen Titans with Bart Allen, prepare to welcome Barry back.  In Central City, Barry’s wife Iris receives a call from the police.  They need Barry’s help.  Elsewhere, Hal Jordan finds Barry Allen at the Brave and Bold museum.  Barry feels the pull of the Speed Force, pulling him in.  He is not sure why he is back.  Hal tells him that whatever the reason he should enjoy it.  Barry can’t.  He feels time will run out on him.  Every second matters.  In Iowa, two kids find the burnt body of the Black Flash.  Meanwhile, Barry dons his suit and runs, recalling the day his mother died.  Suddenly, Savitar appears in the Speed Force.  Just as Barry catches him, Savitar dies, causing havoc with the Speed Force and all of the speedsters.

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

I’ll get this out of the way right off the bat:  Lightning doesn’t strike twice.  Johns is attempting to resurrect the character of Barry Allen in much the same way he resurrected Hal Jordan in Green Lantern Rebirth.  The Flash’s mini-series has only just begun so it may be too early to tell, but based on this issue, the second attempt from Johns lacks the thrilling dynamics that Jordan’s story had.  It is a competent issue that shows expert craftsmanship from both Johns and Van Sciver, but it lacks pop and sizzle that would get me excited to read more.  No, let me rephrase that.  I am curious to read more and I want to see what Johns will do with Barry, but I can wait until next month.  And for a BIG story like this, the story should be exciting that you can’t wait. 

I think there are two problems with this issue.  The first is that the actual resurrection occurred in Final Crisis, so Johns has to start the story with Barry already back in the DC universe.  For Jordan, Johns was able to set the plot, the characters, and the story in motion before actually committing to Jordan’s return.  And Johns tries that here as well, with the numerous scenes of the various super teams ruminating on what Barry means to them.  But with Barry already back, it doesn’t work that well and comes across as forced.  We know he’s back, now let’s get to his story.  Ultimately, I think the issue suffers because Barry is not in it.  Barry Allen has returned to the DC universe.  Yes, the story should be about him but it should also feature him.  The best scenes are the ones, strangely enough, are the ones with Barry.  I liked the moment where Barry realizes the world has changed and realizes that it has finally gotten to a speed that suits him.  And I liked the conversation with Hal.  The best part though is the ending in which Johns finally introduces conflict in the form of the Speed Force breaking down for some reason.

The strangest scene is the one with showing Iris alone.  If you’ve been dead for as long as Barry, why would you be at a museum?  Wouldn’t you be at home with the woman you love?  What makes it worse is that Barry talks about time and how he needs to make the most of it.  So why not spend time with her?  It just feels strange to me. 

The oddest scene occurs with Bart Allen and the Teen Titans.  Bart returned to the DC universe in Johns’ Legion of Three Worlds, which unfortunately has not been completed at the time this issue was released.  Yes, he returned in that mini-series, but due to the lateness of the book, we haven’t learned what he is doing after his return.  It looks as if Bart is going to remain in the future (so I guess DC doesn’t have to worry about conflicting Kid Flashes).  No matter what, it was weird seeing him there. 

Someone who knows more about the Flash might know better than me:  is the scene with Barry returning home to find his mother dead part of his history or is this just retcon?  I know that Barry was portrayed as someone who was consistently late everywhere he went, which I guess was supposed to be amusing for someone who runs faster than light.  But this particular story?  It doesn’t feel right (perhaps because it feels like Zoom’s origin?).  My own perception of Barry (and your mileage may vary) is that he is straight laced, black-and-white type of guy.  He is the one person who would feel that by gaining powers he had the moral obligation to do good with it.  If this is a true retcon, then Barry is no different than say Batman in that he is trying to battle evil because of the evil done to his parents. 

I do know enough about Barry’s past that his description of himself as a “detective” is incorrect.  He was a forensic scientist for the police, an early precursor to Gil Grissom and the gang at CSI (Crime Scene Investigations) before such things became commonplace.  Although to be fair, what we see on CSI is not real, but Barry is close to CSI than to, say, Charlie Crews. 

When did Linda become a reporter again?  Wasn’t she supposed to stay at home and watch the twins?  Speaking of the twins, they look awfully young in this issue. 

Finally, I guess this story takes place in the nebulous time between the end of Final Crisis and the beginning of Battle for the Cowl.  This based on Robin still appearing with the Teen Titans and Nightwing with the Titans. 

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