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The Flash (1987) (Old Editions) #3
The Flash: Terminal Velocity
In FLASH: TERMINAL VELOCITY, the Flash must confront his own humanity and future as he tries to save the life of the woman that he loves and thwart the devious plot of a maniacal madman. After learning that the Speed Force, the source of his powers, is slowly augmenting his abilities while pulling him into another plane of existence, the scarlet speedster must find a way to escape his vision of his impending death. But when he is caught in a no-win situation, the fastest man alive sacrifices himself to stop the super-villain Kobra from taking over Keystone City by pushing his powers to the limit and selflessly disappearing into the Speed Force forever.
186 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1995
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439 people want to read
About the author
Mark Waid
3,181 books1,271 followersMark Waid (born March 21, 1962 in Hueytown, Alabama) is an American comic book writer. He is best known for his eight-year run as writer of the DC Comics' title The Flash, as well as his scripting of the limited series Kingdom Come and Superman: Birthright, and his work on Marvel Comics' Captain America.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
February 23, 2021
Introduced the speed force, origins of max mercury and setup Wally west run going forward. Great read.
November 19, 2019
Que Mark Waid é um dos maiores escritores que já passaram pelas histórias do Flash, isso é inegável. Também é inegável que ele escreveu arcos marcantes para Wally West durante sua estadia de quase uma década com o personagem. Três destes arcos marcantes foram trazidos pela Eaglemoss na coleção de Graphic Novels da DC Comics que ela tem trazido para o Brasil: O Retorno de Barry Allen, Nascido para Correr e este, Velocidade Terminal, que é interligado com a megassaga dos anos 1990, Zero Hora. Contudo, dos três arcos, na minha humilde opinião, o arco que aqui se apresenta é o mais fraquinho de todos. Ele lida com a descoberta da força de aceleração que interliga todos os velocistas do Universo DC Comics e coloca Wally West em uma luta ara evitar que sua noiva, Linda Park, acabe vítima de um atentado do Kobra. Apesar de destacar personagens como Johnny e Jesse Quick, o arco é um tanto bobinho. O destaque maior mesmo é a origem do velocista Max Mercúrio, bastante interessante e diferente, principalmente em se falando de velocistas que costumam arrebentar a barreira do tempo e do espaço. Um bom arco, mas aquém da fase de Mark Waid no Flash.
May 29, 2022
Only started reading this for Bart, but honestly, it was an amazing story with an amazing cast of characters and quite a boring villain but in the way that didn't make me care any less about the story. I think the great thing about this book was that while /technically/ the main villain was Kobra, all of the narrative tension came from the inner struggles of the characters rather than the actual fight against evil.
Wally tapped into this superspeed, this barrier towards greatness, and saw the future. And it terrified him. We see him fuck up all of his relationships to try and avoid the worst (and for once, the worst actually doesn't happen), and he sacrifices himself in the process.
Bart's training arc is adorable and Bart's entire relationship with Wally is very interesting to read. Wally hates Bart because Bart is exactly like him, and that scares him. He ends up being incredibly cruel to this kid that looks up to him and probably breaking their relationship to an extent from which I don't think it will ever recover.
Max Mercury is amazing to read about and I love him, the way he's a narrative device with legs, always talking about the bigger picture (and while Wally sees the future and he's paranoid, Max sees it and he's sure), and poor Jesse gets played so hard and for what? She just likes speedsters. She wrote her masters thesis on it. Fuck you Wally for making her believe you wanted her to be the next Flash.
Something something legacies insert here. Barry Allen and Wally and Bart but also on a larger scale, Max and Jesse. Living in shadows and being like the other or being better or worse. 10/10
Wally tapped into this superspeed, this barrier towards greatness, and saw the future. And it terrified him. We see him fuck up all of his relationships to try and avoid the worst (and for once, the worst actually doesn't happen), and he sacrifices himself in the process.
Bart's training arc is adorable and Bart's entire relationship with Wally is very interesting to read. Wally hates Bart because Bart is exactly like him, and that scares him. He ends up being incredibly cruel to this kid that looks up to him and probably breaking their relationship to an extent from which I don't think it will ever recover.
Max Mercury is amazing to read about and I love him, the way he's a narrative device with legs, always talking about the bigger picture (and while Wally sees the future and he's paranoid, Max sees it and he's sure), and poor Jesse gets played so hard and for what? She just likes speedsters. She wrote her masters thesis on it. Fuck you Wally for making her believe you wanted her to be the next Flash.
Something something legacies insert here. Barry Allen and Wally and Bart but also on a larger scale, Max and Jesse. Living in shadows and being like the other or being better or worse. 10/10
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2020
Max Mercury is the man
March 22, 2014
Mark Waid is a very good writer, yet Flash books have a tendency to (mostly) be a little ridiculous. However, this is not too bad, as it introduced the Speed Force, which we see a lot more from this point forward in the Flash world. It's also cool to see some of the other speedsters, though, it does take away from it when there's always a bunch of them around. The bad guy here is a laughable creation, and in hindsight I'm sure Waid isn't big on 'Kobra' and his minions. I was interested in the Wally West story, and yet, it still feels like he was playing catch up with Barry Allen. This does make him a little more serious character, and I'm sure at the time, it was a big book. However, if you like the Flash, this is a good story, including a lot of speedster history, but there's also some terribly corny stuff as well, that hasn't dated well 20 yrs later (but not much does, so maybe I cut some slack).
Either way you can tell Waid was a talented guy destined for more.
Either way you can tell Waid was a talented guy destined for more.
July 25, 2011
You know, I don't think I liked this too much. I like the concept of the Speed Force, but it felt a little forced in this early entry. Nice to see the cameos by the Justice League, but overall this was not one of my favorites. I think my problem is with Wally West. He's an odd character. Not as well developed as Barry Allen and I'm just not interested in the Linda Park aspects. It feels a little melodramatic. Anyway, I'm sure the series improves, but I found this lacking.
February 25, 2016
As much as I loved them finally showing us the speed force, I'd have liked a better villain. Kobra felt like someone put in to give Wally something to punch. Bart is still an ass in this series and Linda really needs to relax. (what is it about relationships that makes the non powered SO so paranoid?!)
May 9, 2016
Favorite Flash Story ever! Even better than "the return of Barry Allen", or COIE.
May 12, 2017
Relatively old school Flash written by Mark Waid is always a treat. Here, he crafts an interesting tale of power and sacrifice. Almost all writers who tackle the Flash get bogged down by science, and Waid is no exception, but he does so in such an earnest way that it doesn't seem like he's a high school physics teacher. I love the cast of characters he uses and almost all are used well, especially Linda. Her plight here is being echoed in the current tv series some 20+ years later. Amazing. I wish Kobra's plan and hierarchy were sorted out more clearly and the opening chapter's shocker stayed longer but this was very well written. The art by Larrocca and Pacheco shows why they'd both go on to be superstars. Fantastic work!
July 6, 2017
Great story featuring Kobra (who wants to destroy keystone city and other major cities around the world) as the main villain, and all the speedsters fighting against him. Great introduction to the speed force also! It felt like Wally took a big step up in this arc, I'm looking forward to reading on!
September 12, 2025
Great writing from one of the major comic gods. Mark Waid ALWAYS writes a good arc. Always.
August 23, 2019
Flash tells everyone that he is gonna die, then the real person who's gonna die is Linda, some generic baddies try to destroy Keystone city, the Flash apparently dies because he burns out but after ten minutes or so he remerges unscathed from the spirit zone rendering completely useless the Speed family - Jesse Quick in particular - that was supposed to take the mantle of the Flash...and put it on Bart Allen. Why I have the slight feeling that this is just a re-hash of The Return of Barry Allen with more characters thrown in for no real reason to do so and a wonkier writing? Not really that impressive IMHO. Nice to see the introduction of the Speed Force, however.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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April 23, 2013You read this review in full here: http://www.trashmutant.com/back-issue...
The New 52 sees Francis Manapul and Brian Buccelato take on "The Flash" in what is, in my opinion (my correct opinion!!!), one of the best comics produced by either of the Big Two comicbook publishers in recent years. So with my obvious new found love of The Flash, I went searching for older stories. What I found was Mark Waid and Salvador Larroca’s "Terminal Velocity".
Published in issues #95 to 100 of Flash, in 1995, Terminal Velocity follows Wally West as he comes back from the future, tries to train a new Flash (at the time, known as Impulse), takes on Kobra and tries to deal with some new information gained while travelling through time.
He’s also joined by several other speedsters: Max Mercury, Johnny Quick, Jessie Quick and Jay Garrick.
This new information has to be kept secret from the rest of his group and his loving girlfriend, Linda. For some reason, knowing things that could help save them is dangerous or something...
Realism is not something I expected or wanted and it’s not something I got. What I did get was over the top science-y stuff and melodrama.
Mark Waid seems to have a knack for that melodrama, too. Several times while reading it, I wondered if Waid was putting some of it in on purpose.
For example, there was a scene where Impulse acted without thinking, causing the Kobra facility they were investigating to explode. While saving Impulse, Flash berates him and shouts “And who pays the price for that failure, punk? You? No! Me!” and runs off into the distance shouting “meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!” That’s so dramatic it stops being dramatic and becomes funny.
Drama!
But Waid’s writing on the whole is pretty good. The guy knows what he’s doing, and he’s obviously a fan of these larger than life superheroes and their ridiculous stories.
He still suffers from the same problems every writer seemed to have in the 90s, though. Over use of dialogue was the big one. I get that the “science” behind the plot and character backgrounds takes a lot of time and words to deal with but... There are a lot of word balloons in this, for a guy who’s supposed to go REALLY freaking fast.
The story is pretty well paced despite this, though. It spans from issues #95 to #100 and manages to avoid skipping anything. There’s a lot of talking, there’s some action and there’s character development for pretty much everybody. And it all climaxes nicely in the 100 th issue, where we’re treated to some crazy action, still more talking and Superman with long hair.
Also, this is the first time I’ve enjoyed Salvador Larroca’s art. As it is now, I’ve always thought it looks kind of like everyone’s covered in grease. The characters he draws have a wet, greasy shine to them.
Maybe it’s the colour. Maybe he intentionally oils everyone up. Maybe there’s a giant oil conspiracy going on in the comic book industry and I’ve just discovered Marvel’s next big event... The Fantastic Oiling!!! Uncanny Grease!!! Attack of the shiny!!!
Rugged Flash for the ladies...
...and dreamy Linda, for the fellas.
Here, though, there’s no oil. It’s just good old fashioned 90s art. Everyone has been working out too much and there’s a lot of colour. It’s nice! Granted, it all looked the same in the '90s but still.
It’s kind of disappointing seeing the generic 90s look on Flash, after seeing Manapul’s very cool, slick version, but it doesn’t take anything away from what is a well told story with decent art.
So, I’m pretty happy knowing that there’s a whole butt load of back issues of The Flash to explore that might be on par with the current series. And I hear this isn’t even Waid’s best work on Flash. So, you crazy readers you, I’ll be spending a week in lovely Keystone City. Don’t cry! Don’t commit mass suicide in grief! I’ll be back here Wednesday!
The New 52 sees Francis Manapul and Brian Buccelato take on "The Flash" in what is, in my opinion (my correct opinion!!!), one of the best comics produced by either of the Big Two comicbook publishers in recent years. So with my obvious new found love of The Flash, I went searching for older stories. What I found was Mark Waid and Salvador Larroca’s "Terminal Velocity".
Published in issues #95 to 100 of Flash, in 1995, Terminal Velocity follows Wally West as he comes back from the future, tries to train a new Flash (at the time, known as Impulse), takes on Kobra and tries to deal with some new information gained while travelling through time.
He’s also joined by several other speedsters: Max Mercury, Johnny Quick, Jessie Quick and Jay Garrick.
This new information has to be kept secret from the rest of his group and his loving girlfriend, Linda. For some reason, knowing things that could help save them is dangerous or something...
Realism is not something I expected or wanted and it’s not something I got. What I did get was over the top science-y stuff and melodrama.
Mark Waid seems to have a knack for that melodrama, too. Several times while reading it, I wondered if Waid was putting some of it in on purpose.
For example, there was a scene where Impulse acted without thinking, causing the Kobra facility they were investigating to explode. While saving Impulse, Flash berates him and shouts “And who pays the price for that failure, punk? You? No! Me!” and runs off into the distance shouting “meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!” That’s so dramatic it stops being dramatic and becomes funny.
Drama!
But Waid’s writing on the whole is pretty good. The guy knows what he’s doing, and he’s obviously a fan of these larger than life superheroes and their ridiculous stories.
He still suffers from the same problems every writer seemed to have in the 90s, though. Over use of dialogue was the big one. I get that the “science” behind the plot and character backgrounds takes a lot of time and words to deal with but... There are a lot of word balloons in this, for a guy who’s supposed to go REALLY freaking fast.
The story is pretty well paced despite this, though. It spans from issues #95 to #100 and manages to avoid skipping anything. There’s a lot of talking, there’s some action and there’s character development for pretty much everybody. And it all climaxes nicely in the 100 th issue, where we’re treated to some crazy action, still more talking and Superman with long hair.
Also, this is the first time I’ve enjoyed Salvador Larroca’s art. As it is now, I’ve always thought it looks kind of like everyone’s covered in grease. The characters he draws have a wet, greasy shine to them.
Maybe it’s the colour. Maybe he intentionally oils everyone up. Maybe there’s a giant oil conspiracy going on in the comic book industry and I’ve just discovered Marvel’s next big event... The Fantastic Oiling!!! Uncanny Grease!!! Attack of the shiny!!!
Rugged Flash for the ladies...
...and dreamy Linda, for the fellas.
Here, though, there’s no oil. It’s just good old fashioned 90s art. Everyone has been working out too much and there’s a lot of colour. It’s nice! Granted, it all looked the same in the '90s but still.
It’s kind of disappointing seeing the generic 90s look on Flash, after seeing Manapul’s very cool, slick version, but it doesn’t take anything away from what is a well told story with decent art.
So, I’m pretty happy knowing that there’s a whole butt load of back issues of The Flash to explore that might be on par with the current series. And I hear this isn’t even Waid’s best work on Flash. So, you crazy readers you, I’ll be spending a week in lovely Keystone City. Don’t cry! Don’t commit mass suicide in grief! I’ll be back here Wednesday!
August 14, 2023
Possibly the best comic I’ve ever read. Waid expertly writes a story about love. About trust between partners, both in life and in crime fighting. The only real drawback is that the villain is weak. But the story is so flawless it doesn’t matter.
In this book we see the introduction of many elements now synonymous with The Flash such as the speed force and The Flash Family. Making it a staple for anyone who wants to pick up reading The Flash. Really you should just read Mark Waid’s entire Flash run in the 90s.
In this book we see the introduction of many elements now synonymous with The Flash such as the speed force and The Flash Family. Making it a staple for anyone who wants to pick up reading The Flash. Really you should just read Mark Waid’s entire Flash run in the 90s.
November 12, 2014
For me, there was absolutely nothing not to like about this storyline collection. This, in many ways, was the moment in time when Wally West went from one time side kick honoring the legacy of his namesake (The then deceased Barry Allen/Flash) to surpassing him in ability.
The story, in a brief summary, involves a super villain terrorist named Kobra (no ... not that one. And, in truth, "Cobra" with a "K" did come first) and his legion of followers have weaponized a device that can manipulate faultlines and cause catastrophic earthquakes anywhere on Earth in a matter of seconds.
Into the mix - besides Flash himself - is a teen speedster named Impulse (the original Flash's grandson) Jay Garrick (the original Flash who operated in the 40's who has aged very little due to a variety of circumstances) Johnny Quick (a speedster from the 40's like Jay Garrick), Jesse Quick (Johnny's daughter) and Max Mercury (A sort of time traveling speedster from the 1600's that serves as the Obi Wan Kenobi of the group) who have to pull together as a team in order to defeat Kobra.
Lives are lost or changed and sacrifices are made but best of all the action is rapid and the twists never seem to let up(It's also worth noting that you don't need to know what happened before to enjoy the overall story).
The story, in a brief summary, involves a super villain terrorist named Kobra (no ... not that one. And, in truth, "Cobra" with a "K" did come first) and his legion of followers have weaponized a device that can manipulate faultlines and cause catastrophic earthquakes anywhere on Earth in a matter of seconds.
Into the mix - besides Flash himself - is a teen speedster named Impulse (the original Flash's grandson) Jay Garrick (the original Flash who operated in the 40's who has aged very little due to a variety of circumstances) Johnny Quick (a speedster from the 40's like Jay Garrick), Jesse Quick (Johnny's daughter) and Max Mercury (A sort of time traveling speedster from the 1600's that serves as the Obi Wan Kenobi of the group) who have to pull together as a team in order to defeat Kobra.
Lives are lost or changed and sacrifices are made but best of all the action is rapid and the twists never seem to let up(It's also worth noting that you don't need to know what happened before to enjoy the overall story).
April 17, 2016
In the aftermath of DC's Zero Hour crossover, Mark Waid used this arc to establish a new standard for Flash stories. Wally West finds himself drawn to a mysterious force - a Speed Force - which is connected to all speedster superheroes. Unfortunately, he also has a vision of impending doom, forcing him to try and convince the newly-arrived Impulse to step up to the plate as his successor.
The story is exciting and fast-paced, as you'd expect of a Flash tale, although the villainous threat of Kobra almost feels like an afterthought here (and Waid basically admits as such in the afterword). Terminal Velocity is really about Wally and Linda Park's relationship, and Wally's connection to his fellow speedsters. We also get some good background on the previously mysterious Max Mercury, as well as solid character moments for Impulse (who had more of an attitude at this point) and Jesse Quick (one of my favorite members of the Flash supporting cast). While this may not be Waid's greatest Flash story, it's certainly one of the most iconic and important, and definitely good stuff. (A-)
The story is exciting and fast-paced, as you'd expect of a Flash tale, although the villainous threat of Kobra almost feels like an afterthought here (and Waid basically admits as such in the afterword). Terminal Velocity is really about Wally and Linda Park's relationship, and Wally's connection to his fellow speedsters. We also get some good background on the previously mysterious Max Mercury, as well as solid character moments for Impulse (who had more of an attitude at this point) and Jesse Quick (one of my favorite members of the Flash supporting cast). While this may not be Waid's greatest Flash story, it's certainly one of the most iconic and important, and definitely good stuff. (A-)
July 17, 2011
Terminal Velocity was a seminal storyline for The Flash, because Waid managed to create a crazy heaven for speedsters that also gives them the fuel to run their long races. But it's maybe more impressive for its ridiculous romanticism and cataclysmic artwork towards the end of the book.
Wally West's relationship with Linda Park is a big part of Waid's focus here, as Wally tries to prevent a future he's seen somehow involving both of them. The solution he comes up with is corny when you describe it to others, but coming back from heaven for your sweetheart still retains an epic power, probably because neither character plays the victim throughout the story, and because Waid's romanticism never gets in the way of the problem at hand. Thus, Wally's return to earth reads as an affirmation of his efforts to avert the future, as opposed to a deus ex machina needed to keep the book running. For Linda fans, this is a particularly strong book, primaily because she narrates the last issue and responds to Wally's disappearance into heaven by kicking a little ass!
Wally West's relationship with Linda Park is a big part of Waid's focus here, as Wally tries to prevent a future he's seen somehow involving both of them. The solution he comes up with is corny when you describe it to others, but coming back from heaven for your sweetheart still retains an epic power, probably because neither character plays the victim throughout the story, and because Waid's romanticism never gets in the way of the problem at hand. Thus, Wally's return to earth reads as an affirmation of his efforts to avert the future, as opposed to a deus ex machina needed to keep the book running. For Linda fans, this is a particularly strong book, primaily because she narrates the last issue and responds to Wally's disappearance into heaven by kicking a little ass!
October 11, 2015
Wow. Mark Waid writes flash like nobody's business. I don't know if it's better than "Return of Barry Allen" because I love the mystery surrounding "Barry's" return and the epic finale with Zoom, but this is definitely the best Wally West story I've read thus far. The backstory of Max and how it ties into Wally's fate is just golden. It's also comparable to ROBA's extended issue finale being the centennial issue. Cool cameos of batman, hawkman, green lantern, steel, and superman! The conclusion definitely leaves you thirsty for more of Waid's epic run. Excited to continue with Dead Heat!
December 15, 2014
So many Flashes and Flash-like knockoffs. How many people have super speed through the Speed Force alone in the DCU? Kind of weird. Was not expecting the lame Kobra G.I. Joe name stealing Serpent Society ripoff as the big villains here either. Kind of a let down that goes towards explaining why the comic industry started suffering so much in the mid 1990's. Much better Flash stuff out there to sink your teeth in and enjoy even if this introduces one of the longest running concepts (the Speed Force) in the character's mythos.
September 22, 2010
Well this is the second comic book I have ever read yet the first Flash I have read. I will admit I loved the story. The afterword was really enlightening and brought the whole story together just in case you didn't realize what Flash Terminal Velocity was about.
Flash Terminal Velocity is about true love and how you can over come certain things when you have true love. I just loved that about this story.
Flash Terminal Velocity is about true love and how you can over come certain things when you have true love. I just loved that about this story.
July 15, 2010
An action-packed, didn't-put-down kind of thing. Impulse was annoying and the supervillain was a little cut and dry and the last issue felt a little emotionally rushed (glimpses of Altered States), but all in all this story fulfills the criteria of a fun and engaging comic book read.
August 27, 2015
This is an example of what made Mark Waid's run on the Flash so amazing; great superhero story lines, but anchored by the love between Wally and Linda. The heart in these stories is always what I remember. Superheroes at their finest.
August 5, 2016
When a glimpse of the future make Wally confront his own mortality, He must decide which is more important. His future, or the future of his loved ones. Waid changes the entire Flash Mythos and adds new facets to the character and his supporting cast
October 8, 2012
They should make a film of this comic book
May 3, 2013
Stu handed this to me saying that the ending always made him tear up. It made me tear up too. Really enjoyed it.
July 27, 2015
this one starts good but the end is kind of hokey.
July 25, 2014
Not enough variety of powers, too many Flashes.
April 10, 2017
I think Kobra ruined everything. His panels pains me. Anyhow, great intro for speed force! I think Impulse is my favorite speedster!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews