Without the mentor…without the family…without the Speed Force, what’s left is the Absolute Scarlet Speedster! Absolute Flash #1 introduces the Absolute Universe’s version of the classic character delivering an unexpected new take.
Written by Jeff Lemire, Absolute Flash #1 is an intriguing debut. Focused on Wally West, the comic jumps around a bit as we get teases of his origin and introduced to the initial key players.
In Lemire’s take, Wally West is the son of a career military officer who has been assigned to a base where experiments are taking place to do… something. Wally is alone and a bit adrift when he is taken under the wing of Barry Allen. From there, we get glimpses of Wally on the run and being pursued by familiar individuals.
Like other Absolute titles, Absolute Flash #1 has a darker tone than its main DC Universe counterpart. And like other Absolute titles, the comic is in a world of its own, which like other Absolute titles, is its major negative. This comic though has a military tone we’ve seen in Absolute Superman, making it have a connection at least in that sort of way.
The art by Nick Robles is great. With color by Adriano Lucas and lettering by Tom Napolitano, the comic takes the motion we’ve see in other Flash comics and instead creates a more choppy and chaotic sense of things. Wally is struggling with what’s going on with what we assume are his version of “Flash powers” creating a rough ride that’s more flashes of confusion than the speed of flow we’ve seen in other art.
Absolute Flash #1 is a solid debut introducing another interesting addition to the Absolute Universe. While that world still feels disconnected and not a cohesive universe, the parts are still interesting. Absolute Flash is packed full of familiar characters and concepts with slight twists and a narrative style that creates a mystery that should hook readers.
Story: Jeff Lemire Art: Nick Robles
Color: Adriano Lucas Letterer: Tom Napolitano
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
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