The Flash #23 | Writers: Brian Buccellato & Francis Manapul | Artist: Francis Manapul | Colorist: Brian Buccellato |Publisher: DC Comics Price: $2.99 | From my column @ Forces of Geek.com
One of the trademarks of this series is the pacing of the story. So much happens in what appears to be so little time, that when you reach the end, you find yourself saying, “That was fast”.
This is very fitting for a Flash comic book and it speaks to the talents of Brian Buccellato and Francis Manapul because they’ve pull it off so well for twenty three issues.
The battle between Flash and Reverse Flash serves as a high octane ride and the reveal of Reverse Flash’s identity spirals everything into chaos.
There were several different ways anticipated this going and the path they chose just blew my mind and instantly produces a plethora of questions that I’m dying to have answered.
My only grip with the series, and it’s a small one, is Dr. Elias. His character is something that easily gets lost in the shuffle because he poses no real threat to The Flash and his reason for hating him doesn’t provide that emotional hook that sells you on his conviction.
In this issue, he tries to subdue the Flash with a speed force extractor gun, which sounds like something that could be Kryptonite to the Flash.
However, the Reverse Flash is so hell bent on his objective that any other element of danger seems moot. This doesn’t take away from the story in any way, shape, or form, but it is something to examine considering what the big reveal means for the series going forward.
Grade: B+
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