REVIEW: ‘The Flash,’ Issue #798

The Flash #798 is published by DC Comics, written by Jeremy Adams, art by Fernando Pasarin, Oclair Albert, and Will Robson, colors by Matt Herms, and letters by Rob Leigh. Just after Wally’s son is born, he and Mr Terrific develop a time-travelling ship that may have to be used when someone has plans for the newborn.

This issue signals an important moment in Flash history as it adds another member to the West family. I felt it was a little strange for there not to be a process or more attention given to the labour, given how much of Adams’ run has been centred around the pregnancy. But the plot within the issue itself is fantastic, with a brilliant structure. It opens with the reveal of Wade (the baby), then uses a sci-fi mission with Mr Terrific to distract from that.

The sense of adventure is high, with the anticipation of a time-travel story ahead. But then a ghost from a previous comic appears to bring it back home. There is now a vulnerability in the comic, and how that is exploited is shocking and huge. It doesn’t detract from the sci-fi side to the plot, in fact, it enhances it. A sense of urgency is added. The Flash #798 brings back a lot of the pieces from previous issues that could have been seen as filler or throwaway, proving that every issue is important to this series. 

Family has always been important to Wally, and whilst the other children have been part of the superhero antics for a while now, I don’t think they could have been considered in danger. But in this issue, the intensity of the moment and the character involved makes the whole situation fraught and suspenseful. It’s so rare to witness the actual birth of a character in comics like this, so the future of the new West is entirely open and available for early imprinting. The characters elsewhere are also superbly written, embracing exposition and lore but also being emotional and heavy when needed. 

The art is marvellous, with the team balancing the scale well. There are times when moments need to be awe-inspiring. The invention that Wally has helped to create is huge and impressive. There is an explosion that is phenomenally executed, with the devastation it causes immaculately detailed. Then there are some brilliant costumes and designs for characters old and new, with some adaptations due to time travel. But the book can also be soft and intimate, getting the most out of reactions. Aside from the explosion, the comic is light on fight scenes. But it is the world-building and technological fun that keeps the book exciting.

The colors bring so much to the energy of the book. The vibrancy and richness of the costumes and the superpowers are invigorating. It is always warm and positive. The lettering is very easy to follow, important in a book with a lot of dialogue.

The Flash #798 is a book of new lives and new horizons. The birth of a child in a fictional world can be significant in many ways, even more so when they are the child of a superhero. The baby becomes a target, a plot device, but also the very beginning of a new legacy hero. Adams may have sped up the delivery, but it’s understandable why he would want to, because now the story can move forward in incredibly dramatic ways. And it’s doing so with a joyful time travel romp that uses all of the run’s loose threads, hinting that they will all be wrapped up soon.

The Flash #798 is available now wherever comics are sold.