REVIEW: ‘The Flash’ Issue 26

The Flash Issue 26 is published by DC Comics. Written by Mark Waid and Christopher Cantwell, art by Vasco Georgiev, colors by Matt Herms and letters by Buddy Beaudoin.

This issue is part of the DC K.O. event. Wally struggles to keep control of Impulse as Darkseid is just around the corner. The Flash Issue 26 revisits much of what’s already happened, but from a speedster’s point of view. For The Flash and his family, there’s a different idea of how the world and time work. The world is fragile and full of consequences, but it can also seem like a piece of cake.

The first chapter of The Flash Issue 26 sets up the idea that having superspeed requires awareness of everything you do. The slight change in direction or velocity can change the entire world, especially when moving through time. And when time is so fractured and collapsing, it can feel even easier for the speedsters to fall into the problem themselves.

The plot then jumps to the meeting on the Justice League Watchtower. Here, Wally struggles to keep hold of Impulse, and a fast-paced action story begins. It’s surprising how quickly The Flash Issue 26 transitions into action, lunging into a parst. The book turns terrifying and dangerous as Bart faces a villain he has no business trying to fight. It’s violent and ruthless, becoming a frantic panic and a desperate struggle to escape. But as said before, there are consequences.

The characters are fascinating because of the fantastic contrast between Wally and Barry. Wally is the fastest and often considered the leader of the Flash Family. He’s responsible and brave, calculating every decision he makes. He’s as experienced as it gets.

Meanwhile, Impulse is cocky, headstrong, and willing to take on the world. He’s also brave but foolish. He has less appreciation of what happens when he makes a decision and an overexaggerated idea of his power. He is willing to take on anyone, but that guts gets him in trouble. The narration is superb, exploring the ramifications of every step. It’s brazen and startling.

Another interesting aspect of The Flash Issue 26 is that the main character brilliantly shifts. The narration moves from Wally to Barry on the same page, and Impulse becomes the focal figure. The smooth transition becomes crucial to how the rest of the issue unfolds.

Georgiev returns to art on this series and excels once again. His art style is spectacularly precise, which is important when the sense of speed in The Flash Issue 26 is presented on multiple scales. Wally’s look of determination highlights his concentration, while the trail he leaves behind depicts his journey. It is the micro movements that make all the difference when moving at such an incredible speed.

When the story moves to the Watchtower, Georgiev illustrates many more members of the Flash Family and the Justice League. Each of the designs is phenomenal. Compared to everyone else, Impulse is tiny and slight. This is taken to extremes when he tries challenging one of the universe’s most dangerous villains. He looks fragile and childlike, a small kitten held in a bear’s paw.

The colors are magnificent. The red of the Flash is the most vibrant tone in the comic, standing out even in the darkest moments. It’s also interesting that Wally and Bart are the only speedsters who wear red in this issue, because it makes it easier to pick them out in the crowd. Beaudoin follows on from Otsmane-Elhaou on lettering and can match the creativity. There is terrific energy to the fonts and the shapes of the word balloons.

The Flash Issue 26 stops the speedsters from getting above their station. Those connected to the Speed Force have an association with time that can make it seem so easy to solve any of these world-ending issues. The older family members know what happens when you meddle with time, but the youngsters have a temptation.

Waid and Cantwell are the perfect writers. Not only are they among the architects of DC K.O., but Waid has extensive experience writing the Flash. This allows The Flash Issue 26 to run along the fabric of this fractured reality with writers who know the peril around every corner.

The Flash Issue 26 is available where comics are sold.