THE FLASH:  REBIRTH #3

Rearview Mirrors

August 2009

Written by Geoff Johns

Pencils by Ethan Van Sciver

Inks by Ethan Van Sciver

Covers by Ethan Van Sciver

Synopsis

In New York City, Liberty Belle catches of glimpse of her father, Johnny Quick, imploring Barry Allen not hurt his daughter.  In Iowa, Barry Allen is locked in a stasis field to keep Barry from burning through the speed force and killing himself.  Jay and Wally have come up with a plan that will keep him alive, but he will no longer be the fastest man alive.  Bart Allen arrives looking for Max Mercury, who is still lost in the speed force.  Then, Hal Jordan brings Iris to speak to Barry.  Suddenly, Barry’s condition worsens and he tells everyone to get away.  Jordan attempts to fly the stasis chamber away.  Barry convinces Jordan to let him loose.  Barry then starts running.  Superman catches up to him briefly, but Barry simply outraces him.  Barry runs, reliving his life backwards.  As long as he remembers Iris he will be okay, but he soon forgets her.  He then encounters Max Mercury and Johnny Quick, who succumb to the speed force.  Then Barry learns who has put his life into reverse:  Professor Zoom.

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

“As long as I remember Iris, I’ll be okay. As long as I remember Iris. As long as I remember…what’s her name?”

Right at the top I want to say this was a good issue.  I say this because the next couple of paragraphs seems like I am complaining a little too much.  For me I think it is the case that I want Johns and Van Sciver to hit the grand slam (or touchdown) with this mini-series, but instead we are getting the solo home run (or field goal).  You really shouldn’t complain, points on the board, but I just think there is so much potential and the creators are falling slightly off the mark.  Johns and Van Sciver are cranking this thing on all cylinders and their craftsmanship shines through on every page.  I love the art and Johns is putting Barry through some interesting plot twists, especially with his relationship with the speed force.  You can tell these are talented people and that they are trying to create something special.  It is just sad that they seem to be failing.  Having said that, it is still damn good mini-series and easily one of the better issues this month, but there is still that nagging feeling….

Ultimately, I think what it comes down to is the mini-series has yet to actually emotionally engage me or pull me into the story, in the way that some big event comics have done over the years.  There are a variety of different reasons, I think, but at the core of the problem is the cipher that is Barry Allen.  Johns is trying his best to inject life (hell, personality) into Barry, but the answer (creating angst with his parents) doesn’t seem to be working.  Actually, I think it has had the opposite effect, alienating hard core fans who know Barry’s history has been changed while getting mocked by new fans who can sense the origin doesn’t feel quite right.  I am beginning to think that Johns would’ve been better served to tell the story of Barry’s time between the Crisis and now, rather than going back to his childhood.  The most intriguing aspect of the story is Barry’s apathy about his return, yet Johns has barely touched upon these events. 

The cliffhanger left me cold.  Part of the reason is that Professor Zoom is the quintessential Flash villain, so it seems almost obligatory that if bring back the hero, you must bring the arch-villain.  But I think it mostly because I recall vividly Johns’ run with Wally and his Zoom and I really, really like those stories and that character.  And this feels like a retread of those stories.  Given the fact that this “rebirth” feels like a retread of another “rebirth” (Green Lantern) and you get the feeling that Johns is waltzing along on his style and (sorry for the pun) flash rather than substance.  To me, the meat of the story is Barry’s uncertainty about his return, his ambivalence about returning from the dead.  The moment he talks to Iris should’ve been longer, more emotional, evocative, but it gets short shrifted (is that a word?) because Johns felt the need to get Barry running. 

I think my favorite part was when Superman reminded Flash that he had beaten him a few races. Barry tells him, “that was for charity,” and then proceeds to leave the Man of Steel choking on his dust.  Brilliant moment that leaves no argument who is the fastest man alive.  

What is it with Iris and bow ties? 

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