Flash, The: Dead Heat

The Flash (1987) (Old Editions) #4

by Mark Waid

With the help of Golden Age Flash Jay Garrick, Johnny Quick, Jessie Quick, XS, Max Mercury and Impulse, the Flash takes on an army of super-speedsters. By Mark Waid, Humberto Ramos and others.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Dc Comics, Superheroes, Graphic Novels Comics, Comic Book, Science Fiction

144 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2000

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

[Alex E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wally continues to understand and develop his new abilities while trying to uncover the leader of a new cult of ... what can be described as "speed ninjas". Add to that Wallys continuing inability to handle the more mature parts of his relationship, and you got yourself some good Mark Waid comic writing.

While this volume wasn't as momentous as the previous ones, its still really fun. And I really enjoy how Wally has to come terms with and understand his new powers. The fact that he is scared to push the limit of them is very humanizing. And then to have the leader of the cult be, essentially, his exact opposite where he wants to do nothing but push the limits, then it creates great conflict.

The art as always, compliments the story really well. The way the speed force is drawn and the way that the new powers are shown is great.

I'm really enjoying Mark Waid's run on this. Definitely recommended for anyone that likes the Flash or Mark Waid.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, this has everything I love about the 90s Flash. The extended Flash community, faux metaphysics, character exploration and development, plus a pulpy villain!

Flash, much like Star Wars, seems to be at its best when its characters grow to meet a challenge and there is some sort of pop philosophy behind it.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

After discovering heaven and surpassing his mentor, what else can Wally West do?

Why, become a stronger leader of men, a leader of speedsters -- of course!

In Dead Heat, a ridiculous cult leader tries to do away with all speedsters, causing Wally once again to make the ultimate sacrifice, but this time showcasing maturity in realizing he has to do what he can to protect his family, as opposed to simply himself. A much more tactically aware man appears here, as Waid continues his maturation of Wally by stacking his leadership skills against a cult leader who abuses and uses his followers for their speed abilities. Wally allows all the other speedsters here to be at their best here, as Waid's mediation on human potential and grit begins to involve the entire cast.

The story is crazy as only comic books can be crazy, and the last page is a gut-puncher that will force you to buy the next volume without too much anger. And the artwork overall here is energetic, and even though styles changes from issue to issue, the frenetic pace of the story really sells the changes.

Another bonus is a sweet issue involving Bart, Wally's ... uh. Well, he's related and from the future. Bart loses his powers and his mentor at the same time, and watching a super-fast teenager slow down is really poignant, as you'll see.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Waid's Flash is always a treat and its evident here. He introduces Savitar into Wally's world. In my memory Savitar wasn't a very good character but I was impressed. I liked the idea of his speed guru character much more than Max Mercury. The author does a great job of including the other speedsters to deal with the crisis. The art by Oscar Jimenez was fantastic. Humberto Ramos' chapters on Impulse show how far he has come as an artist. Pretty rough. Overall, a really fun Flash tale.

[Raymond Paquette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story. I enjoyed the story of a man better than Wally winning. Too bad he comes back in the future.

[machado · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*

[Anatole Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A siper-speedster named “Anatole” is killed on the fifth page.
As the only other Anatole in comics was in Krazy Kat in the 30s, i was very sad. Still enjoyed the rest pf the book, but still…

[Bryson Kopf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Waid's run on the Flash has been so heavily hyped before I read it (how did I miss it when I was younger?), that I think that my expectations were a tad high. This is solid superhero fare, with Wally (Flash #3) facing off against a speedster who runs a speed cult. Waid at this time was really interested with the speed force, and Savitar is another character that plugs into its mythology. I did enjoy that this volume ends on a tasty cliffhanger, and Waid nails the characterizations of Wally and his relationship with Linda as usual.

[Victor Orozco · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much of a fan of Flash comics, particularly with Wally West in it but this was a nice time killer. My favorite Flash is Barry Allen but it does help knowing more about the other Speedsters because you get an understanding of the Speed Force.

C+

[Nicolas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this. I found the speed force to be an interesting concept and it was cool to have all the speedsters together for an epic story. I still miss Barry Allen.

[Eddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Has my best in heroic cliffhangers ..."They just got better,let's go to work."

[Brandt · Rating 3 out of 5]

is there a Mark Waid Flash story arc that doesn't involve the Speed Force?

[Marcello Tarot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vai, Jesse (Quick)!!

[Dan Chandel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another 5 star for Mark Waid. Man is he great! Savitar is savage! Those super knowledge about speed force! Looovvveeee it.