The Flash by Mark Waid, Book Five

The Flash by Mark Waid

by Mark Waid, Oscar Jiménez (Artist), Anthony Castrillo (Artist)

In 1990 Mark Waid’s legendary writing career began when he scripted his first issue of The Flash. Waid continued to work on Wally West for nearly a decade, building a world that would keep the character running for years after Waid’s departure to other titles. Under Waid’s keen pen, Wally West gained a new depth of character that changed The Flash for good.

 In this next graphic novel chapter, the ruthless Savitar attempts to take control of the Speed Force, an indefinable energy field that is the source of all speedsters’ powers. Learning that every one of his allies, including Impulse and Jesse Quick, has lost their speed, the Flash rushes to take on this new menace. But when the Scarlet Speedster confronts Savitar, he learns that his enemy has diligently studied the Speed Force and can use it in ways that the Flash never dreamed of. Up against a foe who is more than his equal, the Flash’s only chance of victory now lies in the desperate self-sacrifice of one of his dearest friends.

 This fifth volume of The Flash by Mark Waid collects The Flash #106-118 and Impulse #10-11.

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

364 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 1996

About the author

Mark Waid (born March 21, 1962 in Hueytown, Alabama) is an American comic book writer. He is best known for his eight-year run as writer of the DC Comics' title The Flash, as well as his scripting of the limited series Kingdom Come and Superman: Birthright, and his work on Marvel Comics' Captain America.

Reviews

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are two big arcs here, the first being Dead Heat. Savitar is introduced as the self-proclaimed God of Motion. He's a speed force guru who has started his own cult complete with speed ninjas. Savitar's a bad ass that introduces some new speed powers to Wally. Then in Race Against Time, Wally is trapped in the far future bouncing back in time with each issue. Waid brings back some things from the very beginning of his Flash run, namely John Fox , the Flash of the 27th century who appeared in Waid's first Flash comic, The Flash Special. He also returns Wally to the future from the last time he fought Abra Kadabra. I like how Waid always brings his writing full circle. Oscar Jimenez is on the majority of the art and he draws a great Flash.

[Subham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wally faces off against Magenta and this time she is even crazier, then a team up with Shazam to fight Shadow thief now augmented by Neron and its a fun face off but the main story is "Dead heat" vs Savitar and the threat this God of motion represents and how it challenges the flash family and Max and Wally in particular and a sacrifice of their own and revelations of the speed force! Its so fascinating seeing the origin of the villain and the tie in to flash legacy and how it affects Wally and challenges him even further and the focus on Linda and Iris was awesome and in particular the ending and what it all brings! "Dead heat" is one of the most intense flash stories and is kinda like a film and I freaking love it! 9/10 to that!

And then finally when Flash gets lost in the future and he has to make his way backwards in time to reach Linda in the "Race against Time" story line and we see John Fox, Flash of 27th century come back here and how it affects the present time-line so like multiple flash stories here. First Wally as he bounces from 64th century and is worshipped there, then 3th century where he meets the Tornado twins (Barry's children) and 27th century then and finally in the present and how there John and Linda have to prevent an ice age and stop Abra Kadabra and Dr Polaris and how Wally and John together save the day and also the fate of Linda decided here.. An epic story which has thrills all the way and shows why she is his Lightning rod and I just love the romance here!

Plus finally one consistent artist in Jiemenez and I love it, he makes every page thrilling and exciting for sure! A must read volume and it gets epic by the second!

[James DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

More impressive growth for Wally as he makes some HUGE choices and deals with a rocky situation with his gf. I liked all the jumping back and forth in time this time around, new characters introduced were likeable if not flawed, and the art is getting better and better.

Glad I still have plenty of more to read on this great run.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark Waid's Flash run is such a delight. I've read Savitar's debut before and really enjoyed it and now its collected with the follow-up arc. Waid's obvious affection for Wally West and his entire supporting cast is on full display as this book is filled with tons of speedsters yet never seems repetitive. The antagonists are excellently portrayed, especially Savitar. Wally and Linda's relationship is put to the test again and its a joy read. The book deals with a ton of time travel and the thinking behind the science of it is a stretch but doesn't take away from the story. The art holds up tremendously well. Overall, a delight.

[Tom Ewing · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the weakest of the Waid volumes so far, but still firmly within the range of dependable quality he brings: no big surprises but no absolute turkeys either. It’s mostly the weakest because the main story, Dead Heat, is the worst of Waid’s big sagas to this point. But it’s an inevitable one - once he’d introduced the Speed Force, and redefined super-speedsters as people who tap into it, and shown us characters who’ve known about it for longer than Wally West, the question is bound to arise: what if one of those characters was a bad guy?

Enter Savitar, the “god of motion”, a guy from an undefined Middle Eastern country with big hair and an army of ninjas. Savitar is not one of Waid’s best ideas: his vaguely orientalist cult leader schtick comes across as a riff on Kobra, which wouldn’t be so much of a problem if Kobra hadn’t been in the comic six months ago. The six parts of Dead Heat are a moderately diverting slugfest, with the best moments given to sister title Impulse, where the ever impetuous Bart Allen has to adjust to life at normal speed. These are also the best artistic moments, with the book’s genuinely solid work happily interrupted by the charming, animation-influenced Humberto Ramos.

At the end of Dead Heat Wally is bounced through time, and fortunately the second six parter here, Race Against Time, works a lot better. Wally’s place is taken by a future Flash, who wants to emulate him, a situation made more complicated by the fact that he isn’t very good at it and his decision to put the moves on Wally’s girlfriend Linda. The storyline gets to touch on all the themes Waid likes to explore most - being in a predecessor’s shadow; personal growth; and trust and balance in relationships. It doesn’t necessarily add much new to those themes but it’s a lot more engaging than a ninja fightfest.

[Peter Derk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wally West is kind of an asshole. So is this other superhero guy. I like that. I like these comics where superheroes are assholes. Not like "The Boys" level of assholes where they're supercriminals or whatever, just where they're regular people emotionally and have understandable emotional motivations, the big difference being they have the superpowers that allow them to act out their motivations on a different level. I want to be a superhero, so I steal some equipment, time travel, and so on.

It feels more real to me, like what would happen if real people had superpowers. Because no amount of running fast makes Wally West a good boyfriend.

[Kris Ritchie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's interesting how many of Wally's storylines were given to CWtv's Barry Allen version of the Flash.

THe first arc we have introduces Savitar, the so-called god of speed. While the show went a really crazy route with it, the comic incarnation has more of a cult leader vibe.

After this, we get a Flash lost in the future story with Linda working a case with the Future FLash, who may just have some secrets of his own.

Also, I teared up when Wally uses his new speed force abilities to 'thaw' out Linda. It was a great scene.

[Joni · Rating 3 out of 5]

El tomo más flojo al momento, un par de números unitarios intrascendentes y dos sagas de seis números que se hacen largas. El dibujo no ayuda, el titular, Oscar Jimenez resume lo peor de los noventas. Los números de Impulse dibujados por Humberto Ramos, por el contrario, es un buen representante de aquella época con al menos un estilo más limpio y ese detalle de hacer pies gigantes con una perspectiva algo deforme pero bien controlada.
También destaca la presencia de la Flash Family como punto nostálgico.

[Marcelo Soares · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, o Flash que vale.
Mark Waid.
Wally West.
Promoção.
Não tem como dar errado.
Esse encadernado contém basicamente duas histórias: Dead Heat e Race Against Time.
Na primeira, todos os velocistas da DC - até o Korreio Kapitalista - aparecem para enfrentar Savitar, o deus da velocidade. Essa é uma daquelas história sobre a mitologia da Força da Aceleração, quem é o Savitar, de onde ele veio, por que ele tem uma birra com o Max? Tudo é razoavelmente explicado, mas parece um pouco corrido.
Na segunda, o Wally está perdido no tempo, e cada edição é sobre o Wally em algum futuro que ele já visitou; enquanto isso em Central City, o John Fox - o Flash do século 27 - apareceu e na maior cara-de-pau quer dar uns pegas na Linda. Sério, não dá pra confiar em ninguém hoje em dia. Como já foi estabelecido, a Linda é a grande conexão do Wally, é o porquê dele voltar sempre, mas, quando aparece um moreno, alto, sensual, com braceletes do futuro, essa conexão dá uma tremida. Claro, é o momento perfeito para o Kadabra e o Dr Polaris iniciarem um plano maligno sobre uma nova era do gelo - ainda não é a Noite Final, gente, calma - baseado nas anotações sobre o futuro da Tia Íris.
Gente pra cacete, né?
O que mais se destaca nessa função toda é uma das mais raras habilidades de um escritor; fechar a história. O Mark Waid, aos poucos, vai pegando todos os personagens que ele apresentou e vai contando mais um pedaço da história; o livro da Tia Íris, o Flash do futuro que apareceu 3 ou 4 encadernados atrás, a família Quick, tudo vai se enrolando e se envolvendo para uma história que, em última análise, é sobre o legado de um herói.
Por mais que a DC ou a Marvel substituam, eventualmente, seus heróis; Batman, Superman, Mulher Maravilha, Capitão América, Homem de Ferro, Wolverine; nunca mais houve a certeza de que o novo Flash é o Wally West e ele veio para ser um grande herói.
Tá, depois a vaquinha do Wally foi pro brejo e, pelo visto, nunca mais vai voltar, mas não dá pra ganhar todas.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, I love Wally West Flash. There's just something about him that's so darn relatable and engaging. The first main story arc (with Savitar) was actually kind of "meh" to me. While I enjoyed reading this arc that really made the "speed force" a concrete part of the canon, there was something about it that just didn't grab me. HOWEVER... the second main story arc, with Wally lost in time because a future Speedster is messing with Linda being his "lighting rod" guiding him home (aka, he's flirting with her and making her doubt that Wally's alive)--that was a story that had me HOOKED. I love Wally and Linda. They're both flawed, but both ultimately brave in their own ways. They can be stubborn, but ultimately loving and caring. Their relationship feels completely REAL. They struggle, but their faith in each other pulls them through. And seeing Linda refuse to give up on Wally--at that moment, I was like, "OH! You can't stop their love! So back off!"... and then Wally finally crashes back to the present... but then Linda gets frozen... GAH! Can you tell I was excited during that story? Of course, there was a happy ending, and even the future speedster, though of course wrong, was not really a villain--he just didn't really know how to be a hero. The end result was an interesting story with some surprising complexities, plus a jaunt all throughout time--with a cameo from Barry's children, the Tornado Twins! (Oh... and added bonus in this volume... Shazam appearance in one of the first stories.)

[Christian Oliverio · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume is making me realize the Speed Force isn't as cool as people make it out to be. #conservationofkungfuimeanspeed

We get two fun fillers, one where Flash has to deal with his crazy ex again, only to have Linda save the day like the champ she is. Next we get a prologue/tie-in into Underworld Unleashed (I review that mixed bag under it), but thankfully the editor actually tells us where we can get the rest of the story. Once you take your break into the 90s glory of that cross-over, we hop back in for the main story: Speedsters! Speedsters everywhere!

Our first of the two speed fests involves Savitar, the "god of speed" and an army of ninja he distributes his speed across, literally enacting the conservation of kungfu. Max Mercury is stellar as always. Unfortunately, ever since the Speed Force has been introduced, it seems like the speed feats are not nearly as impressive, especially in this story. They run, there is some lightning, and that's about it. Savitar can heal himself and throw stuff, which was pretty cool, but otherwise the action was pretty lack luster. Luckily, Max Mercury, Impulse (surprisingly), and Wally all had good character arcs here. Good characters, but terrible action. Dang ninjas making things cheesy.

Luckily, things get amazing in the immediate follow-up story: Race Against Time. John Fox, the Flash of the future comes to the present to replace Wally for a bit. Meanwhile, Wally is desperately trying to get back to the present after being lost in the Speed Force. Without going into spoilers: Y'all the character work is SOOOOO good. Wally is great, John is great, Lynda... well, she gets better. The finale was pretty good too, as we finally get some cool speed feats when Wally returns and totally outclasses John.

In short, fun filler, a meh story that suffers from terribly written death-cult ninjas, then a great Flash story that could be use worthy movie adaptation.

[Brian Rogers · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book in two parts really, the first half being the interesting if feeling rushed Saviatar plot and the back half being yet another "Wally's not home but bouncing through time so we can meet anyone else who ever had super speed" plot. The first half is fine - it's a bit weird because it's the culmination of several character arcs that aren't the books titular hero and it feels like so much has or is happening off stage that I'd rather it have been foreshadowed with more subplots over the previous issues. As it is the villain comes out of nowhere... but also has a long complicated history and circle of acolytes. That's just always something that irks me

The second half is... eh. I mean, it's not bad, it's just that the time travel, Wally's great destiny, 30th century vs. 20th century vs. 64th century war that Waid loves to play with it more lore and plot than it is character and growth. YMMV

[José Ignacio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wally and Linda are the best comic book relationship

This book is such an awesome complement to Book Four, dealing with the aftermath of Terminal Velocity and Wally's newfound godhood, the main focus here is Wally's and Linda's relationship, their troubles communicating and the usual ups and downs that come with the kind of life Wally has.

The main two attractions here are the crossover storyline Dead Heat (where those Impulse issues come in) and the 6-parter Race Against Time, and they’re both statements as to why Wally is such a dope character.

But aside from that there’s also a couple standalone stories here that help reinforce the relationship between Wally and Linda in such fun and small ways that they just elevate the book even more.

Overall, Waid's still got it and still highly enjoyable.

[Nate]

After two standalone issues, Waid delivers a six-part, all-speedsters-on-deck throwdown with Speed Force despot, Savitar. Then Wally gets thrown into the 64th century and has to work his way back to the present where Linda and John Fox are trying to stop Abra Kadabra and Doctor Polaris from freezing over Central City. This might be Waid’s most epic Flash storyline yet, which also makes it one of the best. It’s great writing and great action through and through. I admire how Waid brings characters and plot elements full circle, like Abra Kadabra and Iris’ book. He has great command over his storytelling, always keeping one eye on the finish line.

I still don’t love Wally and Linda’s whirlwind relationship, but it does create some good dramatic moments, I guess.

[Harry · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Dead heat" : A great story that features all the members of the Flash family. Also Savitar as a villain is better written than Cobra, thus this arc is better than "Terminal Velocity".

"Race against time" : A douchebag future Flash arrives from the future only to hit on Wally's girlfriend and complicate things further even if he is supposedly a good guy. At least his suit is awesome and the fact that he was used as a character again after the Flash Special gives me reason to believe that this story might not be his last. I would love to see an appearance of John Fox on the current Flash title (2016) or any future title because you can never have enough speedsters.

[Alexpaps1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely incredible artwork, as well as some super fun cartoony Impulse artwork
Two fantastic arcs, with Dead Heat being flat out awesome, and yet again, an arc revolving around Wally and Linda’s love
The John Fox stuff is very action packed and even though I don’t think Linda was taken in the best direction even though it ends up good, it was odd
Still liked it though
This volume was top to bottom awesome

[Демьян Саченко · Rating 5 out of 5]

Waid continues to impress. Others, not so much.

A lot of this volume crosses over with Impulse vol. 1, but the remaining two arcs are definitely worth it. The art remains to be very... 90s, but still manages to stay on the good side of mediocre. Not that the digital color restoration helps it...

This series continues to showcase why Mark Waid is the best in the business. Even with all the art troubles, the story is stellar — and still it is only the beginning.

[Gus Casals · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad collection, but hardly the best of the bunch. It's actual missteps are mainly due to the times of original publication. It suffers from "enventitis": in barely a year and a half of stories there are two multi-part sagas and at some point it feels like too much. Solid work by Waid in characterization and very fine art from Oscar Jiménez.

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

DC Editors: So Mark, we really loved your story where everyone thought the Flash was dead. Got any more ideas like that?
Mark Waid: Yeah, I have an idea exactly like that.
Editors: You want to do another "Is Wally Dead?" storyline within a year of your last one.
Mark Waid: Yep!
Editors: I love it!
Me: Me too!

[Jonathan Crites · Rating 4 out of 5]

The long read through of the 90s Flash books continues. This was a really strong collection of two excellent storylines - Dead Heat and Race Against Time. Waid is really showing his strength by dovetailing these stories together. Good stuff.

[Zachary King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put it down!

[Your_Average_Magical_Girls_Fan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Savitar is just one hell of a creepy m**********r complete with creepy treatment of the soviet female speedster...

[Rory Toohey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not sure how much more of this I can take.

[Brent Corey · Rating 4 out of 5]

You got evil speedster. You got time travel shenanigans. You got all the extended members of the Flash Family you could want. Peak Mark Waid Flash here.