The Flash: Race Against Time!

The Flash (1987) (Old Editions) #5

by Brian Augustyn, Mark Waid

As Wally West spirals through time fighting evil and trying to return to the present, he is replaced by time-traveler John Fox, who seeks to take both Wally's role as the Flash and his girlfriend, Linda Park.

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

158 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2001

About the author

Augustyn got his start in the industry in 1986 as an editor for Tru Studios' Trollords. He then edited Syphons and Speed Racer for NOW Comics in 1987. In 1988, he joined DC, starting out as a co-editor on Action Comics during its period as a weekly title.
During the late 1980s and early 1990s Augustyn was an editor for DC Comics, where he edited The Flash, Justice League and the Impact Comics line of titles.

Augustyn was recognized for his work in the industry with the Wizard Fan Award for Favorite Editor in 1994.
He served as the managing editor of Visionary Comics Studio.
As editor of The Flash beginning in 1989, Augustyn brought in Mark Waid as writer in 1992, which led to an acclaimed eight-year run. Under Augustyn's stewardship, the Flash was brought out from the shadow of his predecessors and increased his powers dramatically. Other Augustyn-Waid editor-writer partnerships included The Comet (DC/Impact, 1992) and Impulse (DC, 1995–1996).

Augustyn currently works as story editor for publisher Red Giant Entertainment and their Giant-Size Comics line of free print comic book titles which debuted on May 3, 2014 as part of Free Comic Book Day.[

Reviews

[Robert Reiner · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s a scene at the end of the book where current Flash and Flash from the future are being chased by ultra fast ultra intelligent robots from the future. These things seem unstoppable. Suddenly Flash from the future has a bright idea...he starts splashing water at the robots at supersonic speed...




...let me repeat....


Indestructible robots created in the future...our hero’s bright idea is to splash water at it.


This wasn’t a bad story. I was into it. Might have given it four stars. Until that scene.

You should read though if you really love Flash. If you just are looking for a good Flash collection in general I would pass on this one and find something better.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book uses parallel stories to show Wally fighting his way through the timestream to return to his girlfriend Linda. Meanwhile, a Flash from the future has taken his place, and hopes to take Wally's place in Linda's heart, as the two investigate a series of weird happenings around Keystone.

This book might make the least sense of all of Waid's run on the title, and Linda's moping about Wally gets to be a bit much, but John Fox, the intervening Flash is a marvel of characterization. One minute, Waid has me sympathetic to his humble sets towards Wally's greatness; the next, he makes me hate the guy for making a move on Wally's girl. Ultimately, this character is the reason to pick up this book, to see how heroes can be born in wild moments, just as easily as they can be broken when divided on what they stand for.

[Alex E · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the events of the last volume, the fash from the future, Johnny Thunder tries to fill in for Wally as Wally is lost in the future trying to make his way back.

I enjoyed this volume, its fun in a very comic book way. It's classic Flash where he is lost in time/speedforce/etc.. and trying to make his way back home. It also has that nice relationship with Linda where she "grounds" him and ultimately allows him to return home. ...just in time to see things going to hell as Johnny Thunder isn't a tenth of the hero that the Flash is.

To be fair, two of Flash's deadliest Rouges - Polaris and Abra Kadabra, team up to do some city wide damage, so its no wonder why Thunder wasn't up to the task. However, teamed up with the Flash, they win out at the end.

Again, a fun volume with some cool action. Not really anything ground breaking or deep, but a solid good volume.

[Rockito · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story-arc is like an epilogue of the, let's call it, "Speed-Force" saga, which started back and in "Terminal Velocity" with Wally's discovery of the Speed-Force and Linda starting to get worried about Wally's secrets and powers. It's not as thrilling as the previous sagas but it's a pretty good clousure on the whole thing.
John Fox, a new Flash called from the future appears in the present time as Wally goes from century to century trying to get back to Linda, meanwhile, we discover the reason while John went back in time and why Wally can't return.
The villains are kind of weak here, they are barely in the story, John Fox is a pretty stale character, and there are a few things that feel a little shoehorned or under-developed like an "Anti-racist" message involving aliens, but the point of the story is Wally racing back to Linda, so it's ok.
Overall, is a pretty good read for us Flash fans.

[Bryson Kopf · Rating 3 out of 5]

This follows up directly from Dead Heat trade, with Wally stranded in the future, while a Flash from the future, John Fox is stuck in the present. The parallel stories are well done by Waid; Wally's strengths as the Flash are thrown into sharp relief with Fox, who is more self assured, but not as skilled. It is also fun seeing Wally get to mess around in the future, a setting that the Flash is always comfortable to be in. Again, Waid is smart to end the arc on a big emotional moment for Wally and Linda, which keeps all the action-craziness grounded.

[Nicolas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fine. Wally was out for the bulk of the book and I didn't find Fox to be a particularly interesting replacement.

[Dan Chandel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I consider this as an Epilogue to Terminal Velocity aaand it's great. I almost hated Wally with his.actions toward Johnny fox. But ahhh great read!