Impulse: Reckless Youth

Impulse

by Mark Waid

The teenage grandson of the Flash, Impulse was born and raised in a "video game" virtual environment in the 30th century. But when the rash teenager was transported back to the 20th century, his entire life changed.

This humorous book profiles Impulse's earliest adventures in rural Alabama under the tutelage of elder speedster Max Mercury. Oblivious to the concept of actions having consequences, the reckless youth must come to terms with both his incredible powers and the absurd situations that their use can result in, all the while trying to cope with the innate insanity of high school.

The Flash #92-94 and Impulse #1-6

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Dc Comics, Superheroes, Comic Book, Young Adult, Fiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1995

About the author

Mark Waid is an American comic book writer widely known for shaping modern superhero storytelling through influential runs on major characters at both DC Comics and Marvel Comics. Raised in Alabama, he developed an early fascination with comic books, particularly classic stories featuring the Legion of Super-Heroes, whose imaginative scope and sense of legacy would later inform his own writing. He first entered the comics industry during the mid 1980s as an editor and writer for the fan magazine Amazing Heroes, before publishing his first professional comic story in Action Comics. Soon afterward he joined DC Comics as an editor, contributing to numerous titles and helping shape projects across the company. After leaving editorial work to focus on writing, Waid gained widespread recognition with his long run on The Flash, where he expanded the mythology of the character and co-created the youthful speedster Impulse. His reputation grew further with the celebrated graphic novel Kingdom Come, created with artist Alex Ross, which imagined a future DC Universe shaped by generational conflict among superheroes. Over the years he has written many prominent series, including Captain America, Fantastic Four, Daredevil, and Superman: Birthright, bringing a balance of optimism, character depth, and respect for comic book history to each project. Waid has also collaborated with notable artists and writers on major ensemble titles such as Justice League and Avengers, while contributing ideas that helped clarify complex continuity within shared superhero universes. Beyond mainstream superhero work, he has supported creator owned projects and experimental publishing models, including the acclaimed series Irredeemable and Incorruptible, which explored moral ambiguity within the superhero genre. He later took on editorial leadership roles at Boom Studios, guiding creative direction while continuing to write extensively. In subsequent years he expanded his involvement in publishing and digital storytelling, helping launch online comics initiatives and advocating for new distribution methods for creators. His work has earned numerous industry awards, including Eisner and Harvey honors, reflecting both critical acclaim and enduring popularity among readers. Throughout his career Waid has remained a passionate student of comic book history, drawing on decades of storytelling tradition while continually encouraging innovation within the medium. His influence extends across generations of readers and creators, and his stories continue to shape the evolving language of superhero comics around the world today through enduring characters imaginative narratives and thoughtful reinventions of familiar myths within popular culture and modern graphic storytelling traditions.

Reviews

[Mizuki · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. I'm not a fan of the artwork, but the style and the coloring is pretty much agreeable......I mean, the artwork really isn't so hard on the eyes, unlike some other comics from the same time period.

Even when I think the backstory of how Bart Allen/Impluse (grandson of Barry Allen and Iris West, for some twist and turn of the speed force and other stuff) was born and then came back from the 30th century sounds like a lot of mumbo jumbo to me, still the hyperactive Bart who is learning how to control his power is quite a lovely character. Plus his interaction with his mentor/guardian Max Mercury, the elderly Zen Master of Speed, is really funny to watch too.

Plus, the stories are good too! I especially like the last story.

PS: I also like how this origin story (?) of Impulse can connect with the Young Justice (1998) run.

Review for Young Justice book one: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Review: Young Justice book 2 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Batman: Under the Red Hood review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I greatly enjoy graphic novels. However, I don't quite have the same love for superhero comics. I think it has something to do with the formatting and illustrative qualities. Like, a lot of the time it's hard for me to keep things straight, especially when there's a lot of action going on. I feel the same way about manga. That all being said, I really liked this one. I'm a fan of Mark Waid's Irredeemable series, so that may have something to do with it. The illustrations and dialogue weren't difficult to follow (and what I mean by that is I could keep everything separate and clear, and it wasn't visual/mental overload). I'm not as familiar with The Flash his history/future/etc. It was intriguing. Well done!

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Man, I remember LOVING IMPULSE back in the day. Pulling this book down to reread for the first time in ... thirty? years - I guess humor changes. Tastes evolve. I found it structurally engaging and well crafted. Ramos's art is great. But I never felt any investment in anything or anybody. No real heart, right. And I never even smirked this time around.

[Thedefarted · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant art, fun story. 90s nostalgia.

[H. Givens · Rating 4 out of 5]

I might've given this a 3 for "liked it but not extraordinary," but actually it avoids all the boring teen stuff I was expecting and does a good version of a sidekick story. I originally had doubts about insisting Impulse go to public middle school, but I actually see that he does need to learn how to associate with humans and that it's helping him rather than being stupid. And MAX MERCURY IS THE BEST. Expectation: Adults being stupid and causing all the teenager's problems. Reality: AWESOME DUDE taking care of Bart, pushing him, but understanding him and not pushing too far, letting him use his powers and be a superhero but not get too far afield. The same from the principal of the school, who doesn't know about his powers, but still encourages him to push and be himself while also obeying rules and turning in assignments. Fantastic!

[Nicolas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh. I got this because I've been catching up on Flash. This was divided into two parts. The first half was the origin of Bart Allen from the Flash comics. The second half was the start of the Impulse solo series that takes place much later. I really enjoyed the Flash part, but the Impulse solo series was a little flat. It felt like a ripoff Robin story. Not great. Plus there's no middle. Apparently Flash training Impulse and subsequently taking him to stay with Max Mercury happens in some issues that weren't included in this set. I hate when they do that. If you are following Flash, it's worth borrowing a copy to read the first part, but you can easily skip the Impulse solo section.

[Drew Perron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Impulse is one of the best and most fun superheroes of all time! This isn't the best and most fun collection of all time - the first half is a necessarily-incomplete chunk of the Flash storyline where Impulse was introduced, while the second is his solo series finding its footing - but it is very good and lots of fun. Recommended if you like superhero slice-of-life and enthusiastic dogooders.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best way to introduce Impulse. He grew up without a guardian, just plugged into a virtual reality. I read this to learn of the "beginnings" of Impulse, because I had no idea how he originally got started when he went from future to present.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't help but love this book. Impulse, as a character, is the kind of fun that comic books are supposed to be. Personally, I'd like DC to convert this whole series to digital so I could read and reread at will.

[Printable Tire]

After I got over the sort of gross artwork, this had its sitcomic charm... interesting from an early 90's teen drama standpoint.

[Daniel Sepúlveda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Que buen comic, al fin veo la introducción de Bart Allen!
Me gusto la historia aunque aun tengo mucho que aprender de Flash.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun!

[Dan Chandel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Impulse reminds me of Goten.

[Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here we get a good look at the beginnings of the quintessential 90s speedster, Impulse. His backstory is insane and his reasons for staying the present were moreso. All that said, Mark Waid was able to make him likeable. Bart Allen wasn't for everyone, and I get that, but he grows on you. Maybe because I grew up in the 90s. The better parts of this collection were from the Flash series because Impulse's own book lacked any real danger. The best part has to be the throwback art from Mike Wieringo, Carlos Pacheco, and Humberto Ramos. All three would go onto huge careers. Overall, a good piece of nostalgia that's a little light on the drama.