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The Flash (2023)
The Flash, Vol. 1: Strange Attractor
Wally West has never been quicker, more fulfilled, more heroic! And yet...something is off.
Very off. His evolving understanding of his powers has opened Wally to new avenues of sci-fi adventure, and attuned his senses to strange new ideas.
Something whispers from the dark vibrations beyond the Speed Force, and as Wally experiments with creative new approaches to his powers he encounters new realms, mysterious allies and mind-shattering terrors.
Very off. His evolving understanding of his powers has opened Wally to new avenues of sci-fi adventure, and attuned his senses to strange new ideas.
Something whispers from the dark vibrations beyond the Speed Force, and as Wally experiments with creative new approaches to his powers he encounters new realms, mysterious allies and mind-shattering terrors.
200 pages, Paperback
First published July 9, 2024
23 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
November 8, 2024
An interesting reboot of the title. I like the art. The story seems to be excessively drawn out. The bleak storyline seems a bit out of place for a character who, to me, should be much more bright and vibrant. Why does DC have to make everything so dark and melancholy? I miss fun adventures with inspiring heroes.
March 31, 2025
What caught my eye here in this high profile title revamp was the art.
Very dynamic panels made it very interesting to the eye and it just seemed unusual and great!.
The story wavered a little split between The Flash Story and Titans Beast World...and maybe could have been a little more focused.
Very dynamic panels made it very interesting to the eye and it just seemed unusual and great!.
The story wavered a little split between The Flash Story and Titans Beast World...and maybe could have been a little more focused.
January 15, 2025
2.33 stars
April 25, 2024
"WHAT LIES DEEPER THAN TIME OR SPACE....
IS ТНЕ SWEET ILLUSION OF NOW."
The Flash Vol. 1: Strange Attractor.
By Simon Spurrier.
This run has great potential. Initially, I was not drawn in while reading the first and third issues, but the last three issues of this volume have me hooked. This volume has high potential to be great run, or at least that's what I think as of now.
The storytelling is excellent, blending higher concepts with the presence of the entire Flash family. Each character has a well-defined role. Spurrier's work on this run is impressive. After Adam's run on Flash, I did not expect a significant change in direction, but I was pleasantly surprised. I loved Adam's run, but this one takes a more serious approach to storytelling. It explores higher concepts and brings back the old crew.
I'm very excited to see how things play out on this one.
With new days come new stories, and this one certainly delivers. There is family drama, kids gaining new powers, and Wally experiencing glitches in his new abilities. The mystery of secrets and clashes of pride add to the intrigue.
Wally is struggling with a difficult issue that he is unable discuss with others fully. Is he responsible for the destruction of time? Is his existence the cause of its demise? What will the "stillness" bring? Who are the archangels? These unanswered questions keep the reader guessing about what will happen next.
The art is fantastic, with vibrant and colorful illustrations that perfectly match Wally's personality.
8.5/10
IS ТНЕ SWEET ILLUSION OF NOW."
The Flash Vol. 1: Strange Attractor.
By Simon Spurrier.
This run has great potential. Initially, I was not drawn in while reading the first and third issues, but the last three issues of this volume have me hooked. This volume has high potential to be great run, or at least that's what I think as of now.
The storytelling is excellent, blending higher concepts with the presence of the entire Flash family. Each character has a well-defined role. Spurrier's work on this run is impressive. After Adam's run on Flash, I did not expect a significant change in direction, but I was pleasantly surprised. I loved Adam's run, but this one takes a more serious approach to storytelling. It explores higher concepts and brings back the old crew.
I'm very excited to see how things play out on this one.
With new days come new stories, and this one certainly delivers. There is family drama, kids gaining new powers, and Wally experiencing glitches in his new abilities. The mystery of secrets and clashes of pride add to the intrigue.
Wally is struggling with a difficult issue that he is unable discuss with others fully. Is he responsible for the destruction of time? Is his existence the cause of its demise? What will the "stillness" bring? Who are the archangels? These unanswered questions keep the reader guessing about what will happen next.
The art is fantastic, with vibrant and colorful illustrations that perfectly match Wally's personality.
8.5/10
December 20, 2024
2,5*
I like the plot idea, the events and the characters, but for God's sake it's wordy and over-complicated for nothing!
Spurrier is trying to do Morrison, but in a boring way. Really boring. And it's a real shame, because if he'd written more legibly, without trying at all costs to be clever with obtuse dialogue and incomprehensible pseudo-concepts, it would have been 4* with flying colours.
I've read/heard a lot of criticism about Mike Deodato's drawing and I find it harsh. It's probably not his best work but it's nothing to be ashamed of and I think he's made a real effort to slip into a title where he didn't seem the most suitable choice.
I really like Spurrier normally and I really hope the sequel will be more digestible.
PS: The Beast World issue is useless and sucks like you wouldn’t believe.
I like the plot idea, the events and the characters, but for God's sake it's wordy and over-complicated for nothing!
Spurrier is trying to do Morrison, but in a boring way. Really boring. And it's a real shame, because if he'd written more legibly, without trying at all costs to be clever with obtuse dialogue and incomprehensible pseudo-concepts, it would have been 4* with flying colours.
I've read/heard a lot of criticism about Mike Deodato's drawing and I find it harsh. It's probably not his best work but it's nothing to be ashamed of and I think he's made a real effort to slip into a title where he didn't seem the most suitable choice.
I really like Spurrier normally and I really hope the sequel will be more digestible.
PS: The Beast World issue is useless and sucks like you wouldn’t believe.
October 9, 2024
For me... this is not the direction I'd take this character. I found most of this to be a little confusing and convoluted. The idea that Wally West is "poisoning" the Speed Force, without much explanation as to why, is a cool idea, but attributing it to a "strange attractor" that not even Mr Terrific can fathom feels weird. AND representatives from the Still Force made an appearance... but again, I'm not sure why.
The end of the Volume, when the "poisoning" is revealed, gives us a look at what is next: looks like a team of villains has Wally in their sights, The Corona Contrarium, The Crown of Thawnes; and whenever Reverse-Flash is involved, you know the action is about to heat up.
Not sure where this is headed, so I'm not fully recommending it, but, definitely try it for yourself. Quite a few people are enjoying it.
The end of the Volume, when the "poisoning" is revealed, gives us a look at what is next: looks like a team of villains has Wally in their sights, The Corona Contrarium, The Crown of Thawnes; and whenever Reverse-Flash is involved, you know the action is about to heat up.
Not sure where this is headed, so I'm not fully recommending it, but, definitely try it for yourself. Quite a few people are enjoying it.
September 1, 2024
Deodato Jr.'s art is next level. Si Spurrier's writing is enjoyable and it is nice to be back to Wally. But the story is dense and frankly boring. Lots of crazy action. But the plot and story are such a convoluted mess that it feels like 4th wall breaking when Wally screams out, "what in the absolute screaming hell is going on?"
December 3, 2024
A directionless path forward, Flash goes super cosmic horror and not for the better. I think Flash honestly needs a fresh new feel, make it grounded again, and have fun with the character. The last couple of runs been kind of aimless, and this one is just a bunch of cosmos mobo jumbo that's never fun to read.
Read
September 13, 2024Taking a character as bright and breezy as the Flash, and turning his series into a horror comic, sounds like a piss-take of the thinking which has made DC such a trial over the past decade-plus. But when you think about it...this is a character with powers derived from a cosmic force he doesn't fully understand, and which more than many long-running (sorry) heroes' abilities, frequently reveal new facets. He lives an uncanny life amidst people who seem like statues. Flashes were the first superheroes to go multiversal – and what else might be lurking unseen at other vibrational frequencies? Hell, he even has a foe who can turn a mirror into a prison, or a weapon. This is all ripe for unsettling treatment. And in Spurrier, this run (sorry again) has a writer who's a master at picking scabs, and can even deploy the purpleness of early Vertigo ("It rebuilds itself like rot in reverse. Like magnets made of meat.") without everything getting too silly. On art, Deodato suits the tone of alienation and fragmentation, though perhaps nails the interpersonal stresses (Wally's wife Linda, realising how much of her superspeed family's life she's missing; Barry bristling at having returned the mantle to Wally, who in turn fears he's not living up to it) more consistently than the formalist/cosmic horror material. Other imperfections include the obligatory crossover interruption (everyone is turning into animals for some reason?), being a little too gnomic at times (even while lampshading that), and a cast yet more crowded with secondary speedsters than the last time I read a Flash book. Notwithstanding which, it's that rare beast, a modern DC series where I'm genuinely keen to read more.
November 9, 2024
Do you like your Flash stories super weird? Packed with meat blobs, shifting frequencies, homonculi, oblique teases of odd things, spiny math and time tentacles? Then do I have the book for you!
Boy oh boy, was this confusing. Convoluted, also. The saving grace is the character work, but the weird, busy art full of blobs and bolts and spines and globs and all sorts of stuff was all a bit much. I still have no idea what the hell is happening. Maybe a future book will explain it? It’s all a bit much for me.
Boy oh boy, was this confusing. Convoluted, also. The saving grace is the character work, but the weird, busy art full of blobs and bolts and spines and globs and all sorts of stuff was all a bit much. I still have no idea what the hell is happening. Maybe a future book will explain it? It’s all a bit much for me.
October 2, 2024
Overly needlessly confusing, the teen titans issue makes little to no sense in context of this story and it seems like the writer just wanted to punish Wally in favour of Barry. The art was decent overall so that’s a plus and for what it’s worth, Wally seems as confused as I was reading this.
I honestly don’t know what to make of this.
I honestly don’t know what to make of this.
October 23, 2024
The new cosmic-horror twist Spurrier brings to the Speed Force offers a fresh take on the material. Combine that with Deodato’s psychedelic art and layouts, and it’s a pretty good read through.
May 10, 2025
Чесно кажучи, я не надто багато читав саме тих коміксів, де головним героєм є Воллі Вест, а не Баррі Ален. Хоча мені більше до вподоби саме Баррі, як Флеш. Але хотілося, щоб ця тривалка була для мене хорошим шансом надолужити історії із Воллі. Але перша арка більше спантеличила.
Все починається з того, що Воллі, як ніколи, щасливий, має немовля, сповнений сил і героїзму… але щось не так. Його нові експерименти з силами виводять його на контакт з дивними вібраційними просторами, метафізичними загрозами та навіть потенційним знищенням часу. Проте замість драйву й емоційної глибини ми маємо історію, яка водночас хоче бути жахами, науковою фантастикою та драмою — і губиться в цьому амбіційному міксі.
Саймон Спарріер піднімає концепції про природу Сили Швидкості та її темні антиподи, але надто часто вдається до надмірної абстракції і загадковості, які замість зацікавлення викликають плутанину. Ідеї з Силою Швидкості цікаві, але викладені не завжди прозоро, з надлишком псевдонаукової термінології. Водночас, персонажі виглядають чужими самі собі: Воллі — відчужений і егоцентричний, Лінда — холодна і непробивна. Хоча щодо Лінди я може не правий, адже вона сама залишилася із немовлям, поки Воллі займається своїми супергеройськими і дослідницькими справами. За всіма признаками у неї післяпологова депресія. Та попри драматизм ситуації, подання Лінди настільки сухе й уривчасте, що співпереживання їй майже не виникає.
Втім, візуально цей том хороший. Хоча мені не завжди до вподоби роботи Майка Деодато молодшого, але тут, своєю щільною композицією й геометричною структурністю, його малюнок пасує до історії.
У підсумку, «Дивний атрактор» — це цікава, але погана спроба переосмислити Воллі Веста як героя великого масштабу. Ідеї цікаві, візуал — захопливий, але і��торія поки що не чіпляє. Можливо, далі буде краще, але як старт — це радше експеримент, ніж щось дійсно варте уваги.
October 13, 2025
we must kill wally west
July 14, 2024
I haven’t read a Flash comic i enjoyed this much since Geoff John’s run about 20 years back.
December 31, 2024
After Jeremy Adams' unabashedly hopeful and big-hearted (if shallow) run, I'm not surprised that Si Spurrier's followup has been as contentious as it has been. It's a much more ambitious and darker take on the character, filled to the brim with both crazy sci-fi concepts - so yes, lots of technobabble - and sometimes quite moody character drama. And yup, as someone who clearly has his roots in '90s Vertigo comics (he's even pals with Alan Moore, apparently), Spurrier tends to be wordier than most modern comics writers.
I was surprised, then, just how much I enjoyed this opening volume, which contains six issues of the regular series plus a spotty Beast World tie-in. It definitely has its weaknesses, in that its overarching plot does move a bit slow for a Flash book and between the strained relationship between Wally and Barry, the angst of Jai West and Linda's post-partum depression, it can be a bit too mopey for its own good. But what works about it, really, really works.
The Flash is a title tailor-made for crazy sci-fi concepts - and in terms of the Speed Force, some pseudo-mysticism - and Spurrier delivers that in spades. But where it delivers most, is Spurrier's incredibly on-target characterization of Wally West that feels truer to Mark Waid's definitive take on the character than any writer since.
Adams did a terrific job capturing the happy go-lucky side of Wally, but to do so he kind of had to smooth over the character's many edges that made him so compelling in the first place. His was obviously a course correction over the extremely mopey, un-self-assured version of the character that had been around since Heroes in Crisis, maybe even Flash: Rebirth.
But what makes Wally West such an interesting character are the contrasts to his personality. Brash, yet sometimes (emphasis on sometimes) insecure. Happy and easy going, yet sometimes short-tempered and hot-headed. A loving family man and great friend who sometimes hides crucial parts of his life from those closest to him because he doesn't want to burden them. Smart yet sometimes thoughtless. Unabashedly a good guy and hero, who can, at times, be a bit of a jerk.
And Spurrier captures all of this absolutely beautifully, acknowledging Wally's evolution over the years but also not shying away from his flaws. His characterization of Wally is so utterly on the money (aside for the weird thing where people - and even he himself - call him "Wal") that no matter how much of a stretch this sort of "cosmic horror" is for a Flash comic, it absolutely feels like a Flash comic.
Spurrier's characterization of the other characters is slightly more variable but he also has great takes on Iris, Max Mercury and most especially, on young Irey West. Adams made me like Wally's kids, but Spurrier takes them even further as their own individual characters.
As for the art, I was very wary of the choice of Deodato, as what I've seen previously did not seem to be a great fit for the Flash, but he more than proved me wrong with his absolutely beautiful, dynamic and expressive work here. I do bump on how... toothy he draws his characters (or is that upper-lip-less) but his work is otherwise excellent. And I'm really quite bummed that it looks like he is mostly done with the book after this.
For the Beast World tie-in, incidentally, I was somewhat less impressed with the fill in artists, but Scott Koblish, who draws Spurrier's framing sequence, is a wonderful old-school Flash artist whose pencils I wish I saw more of and who would have made a perfect, if very different, replacement for Deodato.
Of course, considering that this particular story arc runs 13 issues, which will wrap up with the second trade, I believe, I am only reviewing half a story. But at this point, while I understand why some might hate this, I'm very much enjoying this weightier, more character-driven run on my favourite superhero, and can't wait to see where it goes next.
I was surprised, then, just how much I enjoyed this opening volume, which contains six issues of the regular series plus a spotty Beast World tie-in. It definitely has its weaknesses, in that its overarching plot does move a bit slow for a Flash book and between the strained relationship between Wally and Barry, the angst of Jai West and Linda's post-partum depression, it can be a bit too mopey for its own good. But what works about it, really, really works.
The Flash is a title tailor-made for crazy sci-fi concepts - and in terms of the Speed Force, some pseudo-mysticism - and Spurrier delivers that in spades. But where it delivers most, is Spurrier's incredibly on-target characterization of Wally West that feels truer to Mark Waid's definitive take on the character than any writer since.
Adams did a terrific job capturing the happy go-lucky side of Wally, but to do so he kind of had to smooth over the character's many edges that made him so compelling in the first place. His was obviously a course correction over the extremely mopey, un-self-assured version of the character that had been around since Heroes in Crisis, maybe even Flash: Rebirth.
But what makes Wally West such an interesting character are the contrasts to his personality. Brash, yet sometimes (emphasis on sometimes) insecure. Happy and easy going, yet sometimes short-tempered and hot-headed. A loving family man and great friend who sometimes hides crucial parts of his life from those closest to him because he doesn't want to burden them. Smart yet sometimes thoughtless. Unabashedly a good guy and hero, who can, at times, be a bit of a jerk.
And Spurrier captures all of this absolutely beautifully, acknowledging Wally's evolution over the years but also not shying away from his flaws. His characterization of Wally is so utterly on the money (aside for the weird thing where people - and even he himself - call him "Wal") that no matter how much of a stretch this sort of "cosmic horror" is for a Flash comic, it absolutely feels like a Flash comic.
Spurrier's characterization of the other characters is slightly more variable but he also has great takes on Iris, Max Mercury and most especially, on young Irey West. Adams made me like Wally's kids, but Spurrier takes them even further as their own individual characters.
As for the art, I was very wary of the choice of Deodato, as what I've seen previously did not seem to be a great fit for the Flash, but he more than proved me wrong with his absolutely beautiful, dynamic and expressive work here. I do bump on how... toothy he draws his characters (or is that upper-lip-less) but his work is otherwise excellent. And I'm really quite bummed that it looks like he is mostly done with the book after this.
For the Beast World tie-in, incidentally, I was somewhat less impressed with the fill in artists, but Scott Koblish, who draws Spurrier's framing sequence, is a wonderful old-school Flash artist whose pencils I wish I saw more of and who would have made a perfect, if very different, replacement for Deodato.
Of course, considering that this particular story arc runs 13 issues, which will wrap up with the second trade, I believe, I am only reviewing half a story. But at this point, while I understand why some might hate this, I'm very much enjoying this weightier, more character-driven run on my favourite superhero, and can't wait to see where it goes next.
October 3, 2024
... This sucks. SUCKS. I hate it. This is EXACTLY the wrong approach to take with this character and this concept.
The Silver-Age Flash was created as a science-fantasy superhero. Barry's adventures, and a good deal of Wally's, were about using a knowledge of science to overcome incredible threats and break through new boundaries. There was a wonderment involved... an implicit understanding that gaining knowledge of how the world worked was a GOOD thing, an EMPOWERING thing.
Spurrier's approach is exactly the opposite of this. He laser-focuses on the ambiguous nature of one of the most boring facets of Flash lore-- the Speed Force-- and uses it as a springboard for a Lovecraftian horror story about the terrors of the unknowable forces at work in our world. Thus far, it's a story about the dangers of meddling with forces and realms beyond your comprehension... which, uh, kinda frames ignorance as virtue, dunnit? And exploration as dangerous and bad? It's a REALLY bad match for the Flash.
Also, Spurrier's grasp of Wally's character and the dynamic with his family is TERRIBLE. Wally is a dismissive and inconsiderate @$$hole to Linda, repeatedly, in the very first few pages, and a big part of his storyline seems to be a desire to get AWAY from his family... And it's not just him! Suddenly, this loving, close-knit family unit is loaded with secrecy, angst, and bitter resentment. The whole BOOK has a coldness and an emotional detatchment that makes NO SENSE for these characters. It's deeply unpleasant.
So screw this. This is transparently a half-assed attempt to give DC its own Immortal Hulk, and it doesn't work at all because they picked the exact wrong character to try it with. I won't be coming back for volume two.
The Silver-Age Flash was created as a science-fantasy superhero. Barry's adventures, and a good deal of Wally's, were about using a knowledge of science to overcome incredible threats and break through new boundaries. There was a wonderment involved... an implicit understanding that gaining knowledge of how the world worked was a GOOD thing, an EMPOWERING thing.
Spurrier's approach is exactly the opposite of this. He laser-focuses on the ambiguous nature of one of the most boring facets of Flash lore-- the Speed Force-- and uses it as a springboard for a Lovecraftian horror story about the terrors of the unknowable forces at work in our world. Thus far, it's a story about the dangers of meddling with forces and realms beyond your comprehension... which, uh, kinda frames ignorance as virtue, dunnit? And exploration as dangerous and bad? It's a REALLY bad match for the Flash.
Also, Spurrier's grasp of Wally's character and the dynamic with his family is TERRIBLE. Wally is a dismissive and inconsiderate @$$hole to Linda, repeatedly, in the very first few pages, and a big part of his storyline seems to be a desire to get AWAY from his family... And it's not just him! Suddenly, this loving, close-knit family unit is loaded with secrecy, angst, and bitter resentment. The whole BOOK has a coldness and an emotional detatchment that makes NO SENSE for these characters. It's deeply unpleasant.
So screw this. This is transparently a half-assed attempt to give DC its own Immortal Hulk, and it doesn't work at all because they picked the exact wrong character to try it with. I won't be coming back for volume two.
Read
September 18, 2024I didn't like this as much as I wanted to. I'm a Spurrier fan, and when I heard that his Flash run was going to explore the cosmic horror of the speed force, I was intrigued. Even though the Flash (no matter which version) is usually an upbeat and fun hero, I hoped Spurrier could successfully mix buoyancy with horror. The biggest problem for me is all the science gobbledygook. I get it, this is superhero comics, where you have to suspend disbelief for "science" explanations. But there's so much of it here and I'm sorry, my eyes glossed over all those "spooky speed force stuff" passages. They made this a chore to get through. Spurrier's trademark punchy narration is here, and Deodato's art looks great. I'm just not sold on this type of Flash comic yet. Also, the Beast World issue between issues 3 and 4 is a jarring interruption, and not even very good on its own.
August 31, 2024
When it comes to The Flash, the super-fast superhero who has had a couple of TV shows under his belt as well as his own movie, the default version of the hero that most would refer to is Barry Allen, introduced as the Flash of the Silver Age. Obviously, through the Flash's comics history, there have been multiple characters that have donned the persona from Jay Garrick to Wally West, the latter of which was my personal favourite, since he was the Flash from the 2000s Justice League cartoon.
Despite the presence of numerous speedsters, Simon Spurrier and Mike Deddato Jr.'s The Flash run centres on Wally West, who has to balance his duties as a hero, working for his new boss Mr Terrific and to be a family man including fathering his two children, each with their own superpowers. Something whispers from the dark vibrations beyond the Speed Force, and as Wally experiments with creative new approaches to his powers he encounters new realms, mysterious allies and mind-shattering terrors.
Considering the light-hearted nature of the Flash, whose super-speed reflects a sense of freedom in a similar vein to Spider-Man web-slinging through city buildings, numerous creators have explored the vast potential of his simple power. From time-travelling to dimensional hopping, the Flash is a character that can play within strong sci-fi concepts, something that writer Simon Spurrier revels in here.
Tonally, this is a very different Flash story altogether compared to others, feeling more like an old Vertigo comic from the nineties. Whilst Wally is your main hero that has to juggle a lot with both his professional and personal lives, the book itself is also juggling with a lot of other things, such as exploring some internal conflict that each of Wally's family members is going through, including his wife Linda. All six issues are quite the dense read, especially when it comes to the central conflict which juggles Gorilla Grodd and the crazy new beings that Wally comes across. However, amidst the density, when the book literally slows down and focuses on characters are just talking, often out of an emotional situation, the book has enough of a heart to keep you engaged.
The one thing that will leave the biggest impression on readers is the incredible artwork by Mike Deddato Jr.. Considering the density of Spurrier's scripts, Deddato contributes in the most visual way. Nearly every page, the panelling is wild, ranging from the large panels that showcase the spectacle to the small panels that are placed on the edge of a page. What could've been claustrophobic if problematic if how to visualise the Flash's abilities, and yet you still get the sense of movement, largely through the lightning out of the character's super-speed. That said, I'm not personally a fan of the Flash having white slits for eyes.
Although you have Titans: Beast World Tour: Central City #1, which has the numerous speedsters reacting to some crossover event that is happening elsewhere, it serves somewhat as a distraction to the main narrative. If anything, this new approach towards The Flash is less about superheroism and more about surreal horror that is not far off from Lovecraft. But because this first volume is juggling a lot of elements, which might benefit more from re-reading, you just wish that the story would slow down. That said, I'm curious where Simon Spurrier will take Wally West in this new era, especially with a new artist taking over.
Despite the presence of numerous speedsters, Simon Spurrier and Mike Deddato Jr.'s The Flash run centres on Wally West, who has to balance his duties as a hero, working for his new boss Mr Terrific and to be a family man including fathering his two children, each with their own superpowers. Something whispers from the dark vibrations beyond the Speed Force, and as Wally experiments with creative new approaches to his powers he encounters new realms, mysterious allies and mind-shattering terrors.
Considering the light-hearted nature of the Flash, whose super-speed reflects a sense of freedom in a similar vein to Spider-Man web-slinging through city buildings, numerous creators have explored the vast potential of his simple power. From time-travelling to dimensional hopping, the Flash is a character that can play within strong sci-fi concepts, something that writer Simon Spurrier revels in here.
Tonally, this is a very different Flash story altogether compared to others, feeling more like an old Vertigo comic from the nineties. Whilst Wally is your main hero that has to juggle a lot with both his professional and personal lives, the book itself is also juggling with a lot of other things, such as exploring some internal conflict that each of Wally's family members is going through, including his wife Linda. All six issues are quite the dense read, especially when it comes to the central conflict which juggles Gorilla Grodd and the crazy new beings that Wally comes across. However, amidst the density, when the book literally slows down and focuses on characters are just talking, often out of an emotional situation, the book has enough of a heart to keep you engaged.
The one thing that will leave the biggest impression on readers is the incredible artwork by Mike Deddato Jr.. Considering the density of Spurrier's scripts, Deddato contributes in the most visual way. Nearly every page, the panelling is wild, ranging from the large panels that showcase the spectacle to the small panels that are placed on the edge of a page. What could've been claustrophobic if problematic if how to visualise the Flash's abilities, and yet you still get the sense of movement, largely through the lightning out of the character's super-speed. That said, I'm not personally a fan of the Flash having white slits for eyes.
Although you have Titans: Beast World Tour: Central City #1, which has the numerous speedsters reacting to some crossover event that is happening elsewhere, it serves somewhat as a distraction to the main narrative. If anything, this new approach towards The Flash is less about superheroism and more about surreal horror that is not far off from Lovecraft. But because this first volume is juggling a lot of elements, which might benefit more from re-reading, you just wish that the story would slow down. That said, I'm curious where Simon Spurrier will take Wally West in this new era, especially with a new artist taking over.
July 19, 2024
4.5 stars
Really great; I love seeing what Spurrier does with a big name superhero title. Here he runs with an imaginatively high concept sci-fi premise (Wally’s connection to the Speed Force is getting weird and transdimensional, with hints that he’s somehow unknowingly doing harm) and then uses it as a metaphor for something universal with relatable emotional stakes (Wally is overwhelmed by trying to make multiple pieces of his personal and professional life his number one priority, to the point that part of him wants to escape to a place where time stands still).
This comic clarified and accentuated something I love about Spurrier’s best work: like a great impressionist, he makes it look easy to appear familiar with an intimidating range of technical or obscure knowledge related to a given story, such that he can casually work in slang-y references to real-life occult esoterica if he’s writing Hellblazer, or similarly handle upper-level concepts from multidimensional physics or string theory if he’s writing about the Flash. The benefit to that style of writing isn’t Spurrier getting to show off how widely-and-well-read he might be, but that he gives characters dialogue that reflects the quirky specificity of their deep interests and experience, which distinctly frames how they interpret the world.
It’s easy for that approach to be done badly and read like meaningless puffery from a pretentious poser who just spent a few minutes on Wikipedia, but Spurrier writes it with the confidently relaxed delivery of a great con man, assuring you his characters know what they’re talking about, and dropping enough contextual hints that you get the gist too, even though you’re not sure exactly what Fresnel diffraction or atomic mirrors are.
Aside from all that, I also love the irreverent humor Spurrier tends to use in everything he writes, and how he mixes up the tone so it doesn’t become same-y across different books. The last book of his I read delivered wit with a smirking, cynical tone, but in these issues Wally’s playfulness is the opposite of that, all optimism and hope and earnestness. It’s a refreshing change and a joy to read.
“What can one truly know of the world? Only that one’s perception of it exists somewhere between the senses and the mind. The rest has no place in a gallery of truth. Measurement and memory and movement. All that is untrustworthy is peeled back, until all that remains…is the sweet illusion of now.”
“‘Why do the statues change when I look away?’
‘Mm. The present is an imagined convenience. It cannot persist when you cease to observe it. This is reality at its slowest vibration. This is the universe as it exists in the abstraction of your mind.’”
“How do you tell your hero you’re breaking under the weight of their legacy?”
Really great; I love seeing what Spurrier does with a big name superhero title. Here he runs with an imaginatively high concept sci-fi premise (Wally’s connection to the Speed Force is getting weird and transdimensional, with hints that he’s somehow unknowingly doing harm) and then uses it as a metaphor for something universal with relatable emotional stakes (Wally is overwhelmed by trying to make multiple pieces of his personal and professional life his number one priority, to the point that part of him wants to escape to a place where time stands still).
This comic clarified and accentuated something I love about Spurrier’s best work: like a great impressionist, he makes it look easy to appear familiar with an intimidating range of technical or obscure knowledge related to a given story, such that he can casually work in slang-y references to real-life occult esoterica if he’s writing Hellblazer, or similarly handle upper-level concepts from multidimensional physics or string theory if he’s writing about the Flash. The benefit to that style of writing isn’t Spurrier getting to show off how widely-and-well-read he might be, but that he gives characters dialogue that reflects the quirky specificity of their deep interests and experience, which distinctly frames how they interpret the world.
It’s easy for that approach to be done badly and read like meaningless puffery from a pretentious poser who just spent a few minutes on Wikipedia, but Spurrier writes it with the confidently relaxed delivery of a great con man, assuring you his characters know what they’re talking about, and dropping enough contextual hints that you get the gist too, even though you’re not sure exactly what Fresnel diffraction or atomic mirrors are.
Aside from all that, I also love the irreverent humor Spurrier tends to use in everything he writes, and how he mixes up the tone so it doesn’t become same-y across different books. The last book of his I read delivered wit with a smirking, cynical tone, but in these issues Wally’s playfulness is the opposite of that, all optimism and hope and earnestness. It’s a refreshing change and a joy to read.
“What can one truly know of the world? Only that one’s perception of it exists somewhere between the senses and the mind. The rest has no place in a gallery of truth. Measurement and memory and movement. All that is untrustworthy is peeled back, until all that remains…is the sweet illusion of now.”
“‘Why do the statues change when I look away?’
‘Mm. The present is an imagined convenience. It cannot persist when you cease to observe it. This is reality at its slowest vibration. This is the universe as it exists in the abstraction of your mind.’”
“How do you tell your hero you’re breaking under the weight of their legacy?”
February 8, 2025
My experience of the Flash tends to be limited to his appearances in team books, and I never seem to have caught a run at the right time to jump in. He's one of those characters that seems fun and I'm intrigued by, but have never taken a crack at. I'm fully aware that Si Spurrier's work here is a very unique take on the Speed Force and not indicative of the Flash in general, which I assume is typically a more light-hearted read involving lots of action and a focus on legacy and family. In my mind Flash is a character that has that untapped potential to be DC's Spider-man equivalent. This iteration, is something more akin to the works of Grant Morrison or Jonathan Hickman, I get the sense it is divisive, but I'm digging it so far!
This is a psychedelic, cosmic horror take on the Flash. Imagine that by relying on bending time and space and evoking change through the Speed Force so often, things go wrong and transport the speedsters to this esoteric dimension with little explanation or framework for understanding how you got there or how to get out. The Speed Force itself is an unpredictable, dangerous cosmic... force. It's not something for us to comprehend. Then we have these beings called the Arc Angles and other challenging sci-fi things like the Source Wall, The Deep Change, Stillness etc. In a sense Spurrier is just telling the story he wants to write and doing it through the medium of Flash, so for long-term fans, their mileage may vary, but wow.
My only caution would be that because the book relies so heavily on wall-of-text exposition, the panelling can belabour the reading experience at times and kill some of the momentum or intrigue.
Let's see where this one goes...
This is a psychedelic, cosmic horror take on the Flash. Imagine that by relying on bending time and space and evoking change through the Speed Force so often, things go wrong and transport the speedsters to this esoteric dimension with little explanation or framework for understanding how you got there or how to get out. The Speed Force itself is an unpredictable, dangerous cosmic... force. It's not something for us to comprehend. Then we have these beings called the Arc Angles and other challenging sci-fi things like the Source Wall, The Deep Change, Stillness etc. In a sense Spurrier is just telling the story he wants to write and doing it through the medium of Flash, so for long-term fans, their mileage may vary, but wow.
My only caution would be that because the book relies so heavily on wall-of-text exposition, the panelling can belabour the reading experience at times and kill some of the momentum or intrigue.
Let's see where this one goes...
December 13, 2024
I've read a thin smattering of Flash books here and there, so I'm by no means well versed in his backstory. Simply the fact that there are multiple speedsters in this volume caught me a bit off guard at first. I guess it's a bit like Superman's super family at this point?
In any case, Strange Attractor focuses on Wally West (not Barry Allen, though he shows up) and his family and their ongoing struggles with, well, being a family of superpowered people. The down-to-earth elements of the story are lovely, especially in the two issues narrated by Wally's kids. There's loads of heart and humor here.
There's also loads of metaphysical stuff, which mostly sailed over my head, but not always in a bad way. I mean, I understand the concept of the Speed Force, but Strange Attractor jumps right into stuff beyond the Speed Force, stuff that's often a throwback to previous series/events of which I have no knowledge.
Yet, the story thrummed along pleasantly, mostly thanks to that heart and humor. Wally was often just as confused by events as me. And the stakes certainly felt real, even as I didn't quite understand them. Mike Deodato's extra-slick, often incoherent art didn't necessarily help the sense-making process, but it was still better than the Beast World issue that was disappointingly slotted into the middle of the volume.
Anyway, Strange Attractor lived up to its title, unexpectedly and powerfully pulling me into this Flash title. Looking forward to the next volume!
In any case, Strange Attractor focuses on Wally West (not Barry Allen, though he shows up) and his family and their ongoing struggles with, well, being a family of superpowered people. The down-to-earth elements of the story are lovely, especially in the two issues narrated by Wally's kids. There's loads of heart and humor here.
There's also loads of metaphysical stuff, which mostly sailed over my head, but not always in a bad way. I mean, I understand the concept of the Speed Force, but Strange Attractor jumps right into stuff beyond the Speed Force, stuff that's often a throwback to previous series/events of which I have no knowledge.
Yet, the story thrummed along pleasantly, mostly thanks to that heart and humor. Wally was often just as confused by events as me. And the stakes certainly felt real, even as I didn't quite understand them. Mike Deodato's extra-slick, often incoherent art didn't necessarily help the sense-making process, but it was still better than the Beast World issue that was disappointingly slotted into the middle of the volume.
Anyway, Strange Attractor lived up to its title, unexpectedly and powerfully pulling me into this Flash title. Looking forward to the next volume!
August 22, 2024
Another relaunch, another new writer... and another new take on the Flash. Not something that's left field for the character, to be sure, but the weird off-kilter nature of the story isn't like much we've had recently. The basis of it is that the Speed Force is behaving strangely, affecting the powers of speedsters, and, in particular, giving Wally the ability to shift into bizarre psychedelic realms just outside our own reality. This gives the opportunity for battles against surreal, non-Euclidian foes, but that isn't really the main point of the story.
Instead, it ties in surprisingly well with what's gone before, following on from threads in the previous volume. Wally's family have a key role, but the children aren't overplayed in the way that they were in the last set of stories, useful at times but not saving the world without the adults' help. Both they and Linda are well-written, their insecurities mirroring the feeling of dislocation Wally experiences as the weirdness piles on. It's a more introspective Wally West than we're used to, perhaps, and some readers will find it slow or just too plain bizarre to be relatable or engaging. But, while the cliffhanger at the end hints at rather less than the story leading up to it has promised, I found this an interesting read, combining a high-concept storyline with strong characters.
Instead, it ties in surprisingly well with what's gone before, following on from threads in the previous volume. Wally's family have a key role, but the children aren't overplayed in the way that they were in the last set of stories, useful at times but not saving the world without the adults' help. Both they and Linda are well-written, their insecurities mirroring the feeling of dislocation Wally experiences as the weirdness piles on. It's a more introspective Wally West than we're used to, perhaps, and some readers will find it slow or just too plain bizarre to be relatable or engaging. But, while the cliffhanger at the end hints at rather less than the story leading up to it has promised, I found this an interesting read, combining a high-concept storyline with strong characters.
June 19, 2024
Could be higher...
Could be lower...
Definitely something different happening in the Flash family.
We've already gone through the 'Flash War' and the introduction of the Sage, Strength, and Still Forces...
Now, we're seeing a page (at least it feels like it) from Grant Morrison's style and seeing through the levels of reality in ...the Speed Force? It feels very Cthulian(?) and creeped out. The Speed Force is already otherworldly (if you ask Max Mercury) and this just gives it a new level of 'creep'.
I'm still on the fence with this. Wally's family is being written REALLY weird. The kids went from being precocious tweeners to angsty young adults in about a handful of issues. EVERYBODY seems not quite...right? Is it the writing of Spurrier or are they trying to tonally shift everything in the book?
Don't know. Don't ....quite....like it. Still love 'The Flash', but this may take some serious adjusting to.
------
Bonus: Of COURSE Agent Pilgrim(?) is another time traveller...and i'd guess family member
Bonus Bonus: Grodd is also...just...wrong in this. What is happening??
Could be lower...
Definitely something different happening in the Flash family.
We've already gone through the 'Flash War' and the introduction of the Sage, Strength, and Still Forces...
Now, we're seeing a page (at least it feels like it) from Grant Morrison's style and seeing through the levels of reality in ...the Speed Force? It feels very Cthulian(?) and creeped out. The Speed Force is already otherworldly (if you ask Max Mercury) and this just gives it a new level of 'creep'.
I'm still on the fence with this. Wally's family is being written REALLY weird. The kids went from being precocious tweeners to angsty young adults in about a handful of issues. EVERYBODY seems not quite...right? Is it the writing of Spurrier or are they trying to tonally shift everything in the book?
Don't know. Don't ....quite....like it. Still love 'The Flash', but this may take some serious adjusting to.
------
Bonus: Of COURSE Agent Pilgrim(?) is another time traveller...and i'd guess family member
Bonus Bonus: Grodd is also...just...wrong in this. What is happening??
July 5, 2024
I'm a big fan of Simon Spurrier's work, but this volume of the Flash was an odd one for sure. Spurrier's high concept story is clever, but I think it's got a few too many moving parts - there's a lot going on with a lot of characters, and it means that when reveals happen, you're flipping back to remember who or what that impacts.
I do like that he's still keeping all the characters from the previous run involved, from Barry and Iris to Wally and the kids and beyond, and there's classic Rogues as well as new foes - but again, maybe just a little too much for its own good.
I also enjoy the fact that the Beast World one-shot is collected here - writers who make events work for them instead of the other way around make me happy, so the fact that it kinda needs to be here or you miss something really important is neat.
Also a notch in the not-so-great column - Mike Deodato's art just doesn't do it for me anymore. It looks kinda stiff these days, and the colouring's not my favourite either. At the risk of sounding like a Fandom Old, I prefer his older stuff.
Okay, and probably better on a re-read, but overstuffed, perhaps to its detriment.
I do like that he's still keeping all the characters from the previous run involved, from Barry and Iris to Wally and the kids and beyond, and there's classic Rogues as well as new foes - but again, maybe just a little too much for its own good.
I also enjoy the fact that the Beast World one-shot is collected here - writers who make events work for them instead of the other way around make me happy, so the fact that it kinda needs to be here or you miss something really important is neat.
Also a notch in the not-so-great column - Mike Deodato's art just doesn't do it for me anymore. It looks kinda stiff these days, and the colouring's not my favourite either. At the risk of sounding like a Fandom Old, I prefer his older stuff.
Okay, and probably better on a re-read, but overstuffed, perhaps to its detriment.
March 2, 2024
I really want to like this run, the creative team definitely loved classic runs like Geoff John’s’ run with Wally as the flash. Unfortunately it doesn’t seem like they’re read much of the recent stuff.
If Spurrier did then he may have been less inclined to do another “undiscovered” powers/speed force arc. It’s been done to death since the new 52 and honestly it’s just lazy writing.
What separates this “still force” to that whole range of different forces Snyder introduced in his justice league run way back when? Or the slow force thing that Williamson introduced??
I feel like we are back in the 90s where authors are trying to make new characters so that that issue will be worth more money for collectors. Instead this time it’s new characters and or new intellectual property that can be translated to movie or video game scripts.
The art is great, and I love the status quo of Wally working with Mr terrific, I want to see more of that. Just please have the humility to let previously established continuity be and make your mark somehow else.
If Spurrier did then he may have been less inclined to do another “undiscovered” powers/speed force arc. It’s been done to death since the new 52 and honestly it’s just lazy writing.
What separates this “still force” to that whole range of different forces Snyder introduced in his justice league run way back when? Or the slow force thing that Williamson introduced??
I feel like we are back in the 90s where authors are trying to make new characters so that that issue will be worth more money for collectors. Instead this time it’s new characters and or new intellectual property that can be translated to movie or video game scripts.
The art is great, and I love the status quo of Wally working with Mr terrific, I want to see more of that. Just please have the humility to let previously established continuity be and make your mark somehow else.
September 21, 2024
I enjoyed this. I can see why long term fans aren't so happy about this book, but I wasn't reading the previous popular run.
What I admire about this take on the character is the dark mix of Sci-Fi and horror which is a sharp contrast to what I've read previously. It demonstrates how these archetypal heroes are surprisingly flexible, although this probably explains their longevity (just look at how Batman can work from any angle).
The art team (including colourist) deserves a lot of credit for this transformation as Deodato does an excellent job of not only creating this darker atmosphere but uses really interesting panel layouts - it often feels like reading off shattered glass.
A lot of resistance to this new run was based on the fear the family aspect of the comic would disappear. I don't see this at all, the family and extended flash characters are all present here.
I'm interested to see where this new take on the character goes as it has the potential to have similar vibes to swamp thing and animal man horror/Sci-Fi runs. Let's see if it can reach this potential.
What I admire about this take on the character is the dark mix of Sci-Fi and horror which is a sharp contrast to what I've read previously. It demonstrates how these archetypal heroes are surprisingly flexible, although this probably explains their longevity (just look at how Batman can work from any angle).
The art team (including colourist) deserves a lot of credit for this transformation as Deodato does an excellent job of not only creating this darker atmosphere but uses really interesting panel layouts - it often feels like reading off shattered glass.
A lot of resistance to this new run was based on the fear the family aspect of the comic would disappear. I don't see this at all, the family and extended flash characters are all present here.
I'm interested to see where this new take on the character goes as it has the potential to have similar vibes to swamp thing and animal man horror/Sci-Fi runs. Let's see if it can reach this potential.
August 23, 2025
My favorite Flash story is Flashpoint. Everything else I've read pales by Geoff Johns in comparison. So I like this run because it's so different--because I'm more of a Batman (who is kind of sad) than a Flash fan (who is normally happy).
In this run Spurrier is slowly building a towards something...not sure what yet, but I like the build up.
I like the hints that something is up between Wally and his wife. I like that Wally's son doesn't feel good enough. I love that Wally is paying a personal price (with his family) for being a super hero. It all feels much more human to me than other Flash stories I've read.
I really don't care about his rogues gallery. I'm into his inner turmoil. I also enjoy that his ultimate enemy is being still, which is a recurring motif.
Last but not least, I love the paneling. The art reminds me of old school Vertigo. I like it.
Maybe this deserves a 4 instead of a 3, but I'm just not sure what it is building up to. I enjoy it but don't trust it yet.
In this run Spurrier is slowly building a towards something...not sure what yet, but I like the build up.
I like the hints that something is up between Wally and his wife. I like that Wally's son doesn't feel good enough. I love that Wally is paying a personal price (with his family) for being a super hero. It all feels much more human to me than other Flash stories I've read.
I really don't care about his rogues gallery. I'm into his inner turmoil. I also enjoy that his ultimate enemy is being still, which is a recurring motif.
Last but not least, I love the paneling. The art reminds me of old school Vertigo. I like it.
Maybe this deserves a 4 instead of a 3, but I'm just not sure what it is building up to. I enjoy it but don't trust it yet.
January 21, 2025
E se Johnathan Hickman e Warren Ellis scrivessero Flash? Ecco la risposta a questa domanda.
In certi punti verboso e con la voglia (e l'intenzione) di risultare complesso e complicato, ma - di contro - con la voglia di aggiungere qualcosa di nuovo alla mitologia di Flash. Non il compitino scopiazzino di Joshua Williamson di ricalcare l'andazzo della serie tv. Qui c'è la stessa voglia che aveva Mark Waid di spaccare con un personaggio che la DC non vuole far correre abbastanza come Batman e Superman. Ora bisogna solo aspettare e vedere se:
A) Diventerà un delirio cosmico senza nè capo nè coda,
oppure
B) Aggiungerà qualcosa di forte al mythos di Wally West
Sul versante disegni, non so quanto Mike Deodato sia la scelta giusta. In certi casi è troppo plastico, ma per il momento vedo una ritrovata voglia dal disegnatore di andare oltre i suoi limiti e crede che una storia del genere gli stia dando il giusto slancio.
In certi punti verboso e con la voglia (e l'intenzione) di risultare complesso e complicato, ma - di contro - con la voglia di aggiungere qualcosa di nuovo alla mitologia di Flash. Non il compitino scopiazzino di Joshua Williamson di ricalcare l'andazzo della serie tv. Qui c'è la stessa voglia che aveva Mark Waid di spaccare con un personaggio che la DC non vuole far correre abbastanza come Batman e Superman. Ora bisogna solo aspettare e vedere se:
A) Diventerà un delirio cosmico senza nè capo nè coda,
oppure
B) Aggiungerà qualcosa di forte al mythos di Wally West
Sul versante disegni, non so quanto Mike Deodato sia la scelta giusta. In certi casi è troppo plastico, ma per il momento vedo una ritrovata voglia dal disegnatore di andare oltre i suoi limiti e crede che una storia del genere gli stia dando il giusto slancio.
February 17, 2024
I have never written a review on here before but I felt compelled to at least warn people not to waste their time with this. This is one of the weakest story arcs for any title I've read in quite a while. I am just an confused as Wally as to what is going on, and definitely much more bored. I powered through hoping it would get better, but it never did. Mike Deodato Jr's art is pretty good, but the story is flat out awful. Also, does ANYBODY care about any Flash/Flash adjacent characters besides Wally and Barry and maybe Jay Garrick? I know I don't. I absolutely don't want or need to know what's going on with the various Flash kids, they are boring as can be. Not every single hero needs to have a retinue of similar heroes around them. Just because the Bat-Family works, that in no way means every hero has to have something similar.
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