REVIEW: ‘The Flash,’ Issue #767

The Flash #767 is published by DC Comics. Written by Andy Lanning and Ron Marz. Art by Clayton Henry. The colourist is Marcelo Maiolo. Letters by Steve Wands. There is a flashback sequence that contains art by Marco Santucci, colours by Arif Prianto, and letters by Troy Peteri. This issue is the second part of the Endless Winter crossover. Employees from Stagg Industries were excavating at the crate where the Fortress of Solitude. The scientist breached the earth below, freeing the Frost King and his army of beasts made of pure ice. After the Justice League got involved, the Frost King unleashed his immense power, plunging the entire planet into a freezing snowstorm.

The Flash #767 follows the Flash as he runs around the world at super-speed, assessing the damage done to the globe from the ice. As the League battle the creatures plaguing various locations, The Flash gives a rundown of the danger the cold will do to the average person. His own speed and body being worn down by the sub-zero temperatures, Flash is ordered to travel to Kahndaq, home of the volatile and dangerous Black Adam…

As with most Flash comics, this issue moves at a high tempo as Barry Allen strains to be everywhere at once. His ability to traverse the world faster than anyone else makes him the best character to give a rundown on the situation at hand. The snow has reached every part of Earth and its citizens are at a huge risk of freezing solid in their entirety. Flash’s visit to Kahndaq splits the comic into parts and allows the plot to slow down briefly, giving both the protagonist and reader to have a breather.

There aren’t many twists within the comic, as the crossover is only starting, but there is a mystery starting to deepen. Black Adam is involved in the history of this crossover and it will be interesting to find out how. Lanning and Marz are brilliant at writing Flash and what he stands for. Barry Allen is built to keep on running even when he wants to fall down. The cold is slowing him down and wearing him out, but that will not stop him from staying on his feet.

Flash’s desire to make sure everyone he knows is okay is admirable and part of the reasons why he is one of the best heroes around. He has his objective to travel to Kahndaq after Black Adam poses a potential risk, but he is also desperate to check up on Iris, his girlfriend. Add to that the fact that no one has heard from Aquaman makes him a man with multiple destinations on his mind. Flash’s struggles to balance his life as the Scarlet Speedster and Barry Allen was a theme that was started in the first issue of the crossover, and it is good that both writers are proceeding with it as opposed to just utilising it as a feature within one comic.

The other character that makes a large appearance is Black Adam. At the beginning of the comic, Adam is exploding in rage at the National Assembly in New York from briefly removing him from his protection of his kingdom. His role as an important leader and powerhouse within the DC Universe are evident within just one scene he appears in. This twinned with his own machinations clearly being formulated will make him on the defining characters of the event.

The dialogue in the issue features fantastic scripting from Lanning and Marx, between both Barry and Iris and Flash and Black Adam. Black Adam is generous and honourable towards the speedster, their conversation filled with respect for each other. The scene between the two highlights that it is crucial Black Adam is happy to consider heroes as allies to an extent. But he will always consider himself to be the most powerful being in the room and Kahndaq the most important topic on his mind. When Barry is able to have a small portion of time with Iris, it is clear that they have a deep and touching connection. The dialogue is realistic and genuine before returning the characters to the matter at hand.

Henry’s art is fantastic. He uses thick line weights for the outlines of the characters, resulting in them looking very striking. The clean lines make the facial expressions on people’s faces wonderfully emotive. Flash’s deep concern for those he loves is represented when he is told he is not to go looking for Aquaman, then a fierce determination as he focuses on his task. Black Adam has a fury etched in the creases of his face, but towards the end of the issue, smug smirks and grins start to emerge. Black Adam is big, imposing, and muscular, designed around strength and power. In contrast, every part of The Flash is built for speed.

The colours in the Scarlet Speedster’s suit is stunning in The Flash #767. The red and yellow costume is made vibrant by Maiolo and lovely to look at. The lightning of both superhumans has the appearance of glowing sometimes. The outside of the city of Kahndaq is encased in the cool blue and white that the rest of the planet is trapped in. But inside it is filled with light which makes the costumes both Flash and Black Adam wear seem to shine. Even though the page, the interior of the castle feels warm due to the atmosphere the colours implies. And in this event, warm is safe. 

The lettering by Wands is easy to read and follow. The words themselves have a lot of space within the balloons and don’t look cramped. The SFX are inventive as they blend into the colours of the page. At times the reader may even have to look harder to spot them.

It should be mentioned that there is a flashback scene, featuring Black Adam, Swamp thing, and a couple of other ancient characters within DC. Santucci, Prianto, and Peteri make it a magnificent looking sequence that carries on the mystery started from the end of the first issue of the crossover.

The Flash #767 is part of a larger event but feels small and intimate. While there are guest stars and cameos, it is centered around just one character in the Flash. His heroism and determination bring a smile to the reader’s face as they read it. Black Adam as the other major part of the comic is fantastically written, unpredictable in what he will do next. The brilliant interactions and action is brought to life through terrific lines and colours. With the Flash moving further into the crossover at full speed, so are we.

The Flash #767 is available where comics are sold.