Absolute Flash (2025-) #4

Absolute Flash (2025-) #4

by Jeff Lemire, A.L. Kaplan (Artist), Nick Robles (Artist)

Wally’s on the run and looking for any safe space to hide out. He findshimself in Central City and meets a kindly man who offers him a place tocrash at the youth mission. But is anyone truly safe when the fastest kidalive comes to their city?

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

Kindle Edition

Published June 18, 2025

About the author

Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name

Jeff Lemire is a New York Times bestselling and award winning author, and creator of the acclaimed graphic novels Sweet Tooth, Essex County, The Underwater Welder, Trillium, Plutona, Black Hammer, Descender, Royal City, and Gideon Falls. His upcoming projects include a host of series and original graphic novels, including the fantasy series Ascender with Dustin Nguyen.

Reviews

[hater ★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

oh i love wally

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Getting better with each issue.



Wally and Grodd are on the run and end up at a homeless shelter for kids. This gives us our first introduction to Linda, and that was (not gonna lie) a bit of a squeee moment for me.



Wally's father is continuing to search for him but discovers that the people he works for might be interested in Wally for reasons other than altruism. We still don't know exactly what happened the day Barry died and Wally got his powers, though.
We also get the first pick at some of the other characters Flash may be running (ha. ha.) into in the future.



Recommended for Flash Fans.

[Brooke (B for Books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two worlds.
Am I hero or am I monster?

A really nice depiction of an anxious and insecure teen boy, setting up for a strong coming of age Flash story. He’s lost his mom and his father is kind of scary. Dad is involved in the scientific research committee that wants to experiment on Flash. He’s always running, always on the move. He has a pathological desire to avoid and run away, but soon he must confront these fears and harness his power for good. If only he knew how endearing he is with his red mullet and freckles!

[Zoey · Rating 4 out of 5]

All the experiments are slowly being drawn together.

[MrGlassWontBreak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wally spoke with another teenager for the first time in the series, a girl named Linda.

They name-dropped LAZARUS Corp from the Absolute Superman run in this issue—finally some continuity.

Apparently, a bunch of other dangerous experiments got out on the night of the accident that gave Wally his powers. Who else “Absolutely” saw that one coming?

[Frodo · Rating 3 out of 5]

sigue sen convencerme

cambiaron o logo de goodreads, a ver cando actualizan esta aplicación de merda

[Machiavelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some nice ties to the larger Absolute Universe make this worth following, but the pace stays on the slow side. As someone who’s never read Flash solo before—only seen him in the shows, movies, and Justice League comics—parts of this feel like they’re just not landing for me yet. Maybe it does for readers with more depth of knowledge of him?

To me so far putting this on similar footing as Mr Terrific… which I stopped buying hard copy. Not sad I waited in this for digital… Those two are a level below Martian Manhunter… which I’m also confused by… and below the top tier of Batman Superman and Green Lantern.

What about you?

[Michael Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally, at long last, an Absolute book has made a direct reference to the larger world established in one of its sibling titles. Hopefully this leads to bit more connectivity to establish the shared world of the Absolute Universe. Otherwise, another solid issue with a hell of a banger for the last page to tee up the next issue. Nicely done!

[James DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Introducing so many characters, including Linda, Wally's wife in the regular universe. Loving the world building here, and can't wait for more.

[Raymond Paquette · Rating 5 out of 5]

We meet Linda and Ralph and Heat Wave. I’m liking this version a lot. The regular Flash has so much history behind him that it’s hard to introduce something new. With this book anything is possible, including a melty menace.

[Colin Post · Rating 4 out of 5]

A.L. Kaplan’s art is so magical - I realized that it reminds me of Colleen Doran, so…pretty good. I love the subtle tie-ins to the bigger Absolute Universe with references to the Omega Men and Lazarus Corp. The whole editorial team is knocking it out of the park.

[Mia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was good on characterization but slow on pace.

[Luca Mendes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok I am interested

[Paxton Holley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another 3.5 stars.

Getting better. I like the reimagining of the Rogues. Especially Grodd. Linda Park showed up in this issue.

[GB · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

the writing is a little cliché? it’s not doing much for me in this issue

[John Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neat world building this issue. Also, I could be mistaken, but I think this issue introduced this universe's Elongated Man, which is cool!

[Cybernex007 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This issue is so educating and filled with so much thrill for the future…now I can’t say that as much for Wally’s memories. He is the first to admit that he has a problem with thoughts taking over his head, which is why his mom taught him some tricks to calm down. But that’s a bit hard to think of when your dreams are plagued by her funeral and the death of Barry Allen. Otherwise we find Wally on the run this issue, even more than before as now he is joined by Grodd! Unfortunately a psychic green monkey can draw a lot of attention in the neighborhood of Iron Heights, so no matter how badly grodd wants to be free…he has to stay hidden for a bit longer. But in super exciting news, Wally’s travel’s (past the central city electronic store and “omega men” graffiti) brought him to a food line where he met none other than Ralph Dibney!! He approached Wally not for serial killer reasons, but because he runs his own food shelter with his wife Sue!! HELL YES! Legit making me tear up a bit, I love seeing the normal heroes still be great people in this world and seeing that Ralph and Sue still found each other in this world makes me even more emotional. Wally was of course suspicious and on guard, but the ringing endorsement from a girl named Linda, who Wally seems quite stunned by, seems to have changed Wally’s tune about showing up for a meal and bed. Hmmmm…could her last name be…Park?

Meanwhile, it seems the rogues are just hanging around doing much of nothing, lol. Seems Wally left behind an odd speed force dust cloud that they stay trying to investigate. Trickster believed they saw a doorway within it, but when they tried to reach out and touch it…it quickly disappeared. Leaving Wally’s dad even more pissed off than before that they have not been able to handle this situation. This led his Dad back to Barry’s lab to try and figure out what he was doing and what happened to Wally. There he is found by Dr. Elenore Thawne! OH SHOOT, I thought the dude with the man bun was Thawne, but maybe he was talking to her the entire time?! OH SHOOT, gender swapped reverse flash, 100%!! Calling it now! It really doesn’t seem that she likes Colonel West digging around Barry’s lab, turns out they have a contract with Lazarus corp and Allen was their point man. But Colonel West isn’t letting up, where are all of these weapons coming from? So Thawne decides to pull back the current a bit. Turns out Barry was brilliant and was exploring things that lay outside their original mission statement, so she can’t say for certain what he was doing. But what they do know is that Wally is a miracle and he is their miracle. His dad isn’t hearing any of this, he wants Wally found and whatever was done to him undone. But it turns out they are already tracking him…through Grodd!! But it also turns out Wally was not the only thing to escape, more of their experiments are in the wild and the ape is leading Wally right to them?! WHAT?! In the room with all of the escaped containment units we can see four distinct code names. Projects Heatwave, Wizard, firestorm, and XXXXX. Obviously we know who three of those are…but what’s the fourth? Who’s unaccounted for? Firestorm is a bit of a unique pull by itself, but who could be so secret to have their project name stripped?

Wally ended up going to the Dibney mission, there he was joined for food by Linda. It’s the usual exchange of, we know we are both running from something but we really don’t want to talk about it. Linda ended up giving her food to Wally, because she saw how fast he scarfed it down, and then bid him a-due. Back in his bed for the night Wally was once again greeted by Ralph and given the ground rules: no drugs, no fights, and help with the dishes…which all sound good to Wally. But what doesn’t sound good is Wallt going to check his Bag…only to realize that Grodd has jumped out the window and is running for it! Wallt chases after him and follows him down into a very hot sewer system. Grodd only continues to say that it’s very hot…only for Wallt to round the corner and find a metering magma creature standing in their way!! If that’s heatwave…then I would hate to see the others! But omg, Thawne was right…Grodd is leading Wally to the escaped specimens?! Why?! Do they want Wally’s help in containing them before they can hurt anyone?!

[RubiGiráldez RubiGiráldez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seguimos con el pobre Wally tratando de ser un prófugo adolescente con ese Grodd en inicio más amigable de lo esperado en el continuo del Multiverso DC. Sus perseguidores, ese "comando Rogue" a órdenes de su padre, líder de la base militar donde Barry Allen realizaba un experimento en conjunto con cierto personaje con apellido clave en la historia de enemistades de Flash. Van revelando un trasfondo algo más intrincado de lo mostrado en su presentación, al punto de empezar a conectar con alguna otra cabecera de la Trinidad Absolute.

Jeff Lemire parece que va a disfrutar unos cuantos números más de esta situación pre-Flash heroíco con la perspectiva juvenil marginal y traumática. El padre de Wally también empieza a hacer vislumbrar un fondo más cariñoso de lo que busca asumir con su personalidad de masculinidad más agresiva y tóxica. Dinámica paternofilial que Lemire ha ido dominando en sus incursiones indies y que apetece ver hasta dónde desarrolla aquí. Pero sí que tras lo que se adelantaba en el número anterior, esto se siente como un más que forzado traspiés en el ritmo de la historia frente a cabeceras más encumbradas a su potencial del Universo Absolute.

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

It feels like we're into the story proper now, after a three-part prologue of sorts. This issue introduced a whole lot of new interpretations of classic characters. I'm interested in seeing how much we get from them down the line. The main draw is still Wally's journey, though. A homeless, disaffected youth with a pet telepathic green monkey is certainly a new take on The Flash, and this issue is the first to really hook me in. Huge props for also not forcing an obligatory action sequence! A rarity in superhero comics these days.

[Alexis Moreno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Issue i love, don’t like the dad. he reminds me of typical man that has issues with feeling small and week an takes it out on others so he doesn’t have to feel this sentiment. Yes, he has and should feel sad and scared his son is missing but he’s clearly making those feelings everyone else problem. Wally is just scared and trying to understand what’s going on. I hope the relationship between him and Grodd keeps developing and i want to read more about Wally.

[Jedi · Rating 5 out of 5]

wally west is for us with anxiety i see you!!!! he's also very formal and calls everyone 'sir'. obviously his military father instills this in him. he initially calls barry 'dr. allen' even when he said he can call him barry. he only refers to him as barry when he makes the decision to be free :((


also is grodd betraying him???? 😭😭

[Chris Loan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linda?? Ralph?! Thawne?!? And Heat Wave!

Wally is still running with Grodd in this forth issue of this new title. I think this might be my second favorite absolute title behind Batman. I just love the characterization of Wally and all the characters here. The art is stellar! No complaints!

[Micah Glus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starting to think Grodd might not be on Wally's side, or he doesn't know he's being used. Either way they're building to something exciting.

[Roland Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This continues to be one of the best books of 2025

[Scratch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice to see Ralph and Sue, even if it is an alternate reality. You know, I think the mainstream Ralph and Sue need to be given a prominent role in a JLA title or something, stat.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

pretty cool I guess

heatwave at the end was cool

I wonder what reverse flash will look like

[Alex Fyffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Jeff te cuenta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Los nuevos aliados y ese detalle del gato de Schrodinger me parece genial. Muchas ganas de seguir, lástima que es mensual.

[Richard A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am getting into this book now and enjoying the fresh new look.

[Powerman61 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Absolute Flash issues keep getting better.
Great artwork, and the storyline keeps improving.
The characters that have been added has made the story ever more exceptional.