The Flash: Race Against Time!

The Flash (1987) (Old Editions) #5

by Mark Waid, 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

168 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2001

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

[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!