The Flash #773 is published by DC Comics. Written by Jeremy Adams with art by Will Conrad. Alex Sinclair is the colourist and Steve Wands is the letterer.
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Wally West is back and trying to reset his life. His first new mission is to find a job. Starting at a mechanic’s workshop, Wally is approached by Mr. Terrific, who grants him a freeing job at his own company. Terrific gives him the opportunity to come and go as he pleases, allowing him to be the Flash without interference. His first day is interrupted by an emergency call for a fire at a cancer hospital. Heat Wave is back, and with a damning cancer diagnosis, more dangerous than ever.
In this issue, the battle between The Flash and Heat Wave is short-lived. Stuck in a collapsing building, Wally chooses saving lives over a head-to-head with Mick Rory. With the arsonist in the wind, Wally returns to his job, already late on his first day. But Heat Wave is not finished with his infernos, and this one may lead to even more disaster.
The second half of this Heat Wave story is brilliant and a step up from the first. The first issue has a lot to set up and achieve whilst Adams could stretch his legs with this issue. There is a misdirection with how the reader may have seen the conflict between the two enemies going, which creates a surprise from the very first page. But the set-piece is interesting and exciting. The pace slows down during the second act of The Flash #773, paving the way for exposition and more quiet moments of Wally at his new job. And the ending is beautiful and poignant and unexpected. Something refreshing about this comic is that it feels like a classic Flash issue. It contains moments of downtime, adventure, and the most important aspect of a Flash story: heart.
That heart comes from the main character. The first issue of the arc struggled to really bring Wally’s personality forward due to how much was being constructed around him. But he is fantastic inside this comic. He has compassion towards everyone and a brightness to his presence. This is so refreshing in a world full of darkness and brooding. On the other side of the issue, Heat Wave is also superbly written by Adams. His story is heartbreaking and meaningful. What is special about members of the Rogue’s Gallery is that the readers grow to care about them even when they are villains. The dialogue in the last part of the comic is full of drama and emotion, encapsulating the pain that Rory is feeling.
The art is fantastic. There are two action sequences in The Flash #773 and both are varied in their choreography and setting. The first is claustrophobic and confusing, which Conrad does an excellent job of portraying. We enter in the middle of the action, and the motion that is suggested is exhilarating. The second is much different, with more open space and spectacle. The fight is riveting to read and features some exceptional set pieces. But that is not only where the art is stunning. Conrad is brilliant at facial expressions and body language. So much is evident just from physical cues. Heat Wave’s anguish and pain seem to radiate from his body like the warmth from the fire he spreads.
The colours are phenomenal. The energy of the issue is captured by Sinclair. The vibrancy of Flash’s costume makes him the most striking aspect of every panel he is in. There is incredible blending between shades in the sky and in the flames that Heat Wave creates, leading to sensational imagery.
The lettering is very well done. The text is always easy to read and whilst there is a lot of dialogue, Wands positioning of the balloons means that they are rarely cumbersome or obstructing the action.
The Flash #773 brings the speedster back to his best. There is resurgent energy inside this issue that is infectious from the very first page. The first half of this comic, featuring Wally living his life and being himself, plants a beaming smile on the face of the reader. But there are some sadder moments towards the end that are poignant and just as powerful as the positive side to the book. The art creates a visual delight and exciting selection of action as Wally’s new life looks set to be in good hands.
The Flash #773 is available where comics are sold.
The Flash #773
TL;DR
The Flash #773 brings the speedster back to his best. There is resurgent energy inside this issue that is infectious from the very first page. The first half of this comic, featuring Wally living his life and being himself, plants a beaming smile on the face of the reader. But there are some sadder moments towards the end that are poignant and just as powerful as the positive side to the book. The art creates a visual delight and exciting selection of action as Wally’s new life looks set to be in good hands.
