Flash: Rebirth #1 Review

Flash: Rebirth #1
Lightning Strikes Twice

Written by: Geoff Johns
Art by: Ethan Van Sciver
Letters by: Rob Leigh
Colors by: Alex Sinclair

This is a Flash story, but the first issue is slow. Its sole purpose is set-up and where this story is going remains to be seen. I still haven’t figured out why Barry Allen is back and he’s asking himself the same question throughout this book.

Everything starts with a couple of murders, by someone or something who claims to have brought Barry back from the Speed Force. From there we cut to several different events that are meant to welcome the famous speedster back to the land of the living. Both Jay and Wally take the opportunity to pontificate on how much Barry meant to them and how happy they are that he’s back. All this feels too retrospective, especially since there are only five issues to this “rebirth,” I was hoping for a bit more forward momentum.

My favorite moments come when Barry and Hal meet at the Flash Museum. It really defines Barry’s character and his motives. It was a real turn and completely unexpected. Earlier pages painted this as more happy-go-lucky story, but Barry is anything but. Instead, he’s focused and determined. He doesn’t care about parties or parades. He comes across as a bit cold, but I feel like this gives him a chance to grow throughout the series rather than stay stagnant.

Towards the end of the book two kids find the Black Flash apparently dead in the middle of a field. This probably raised the biggest questions for me. Is the Speed Force really knocking off Speedsters? Is Barry’s new lease on life connected to this killing spree?

Johns has written some memorable Flash stories before and this one reflects his understanding of the characters, not just as heroes but as a family. Right now though, Barry seems to be rejecting that family so it will be interesting to see how that comes into play later.

Looking ahead at further solicitations though it seems there will be yet another Superman/Flash race. These exhibitions seem to happen like clockwork and only serve to slow down whatever story is actually happening. It’s too early to complain with due fairness but I don’t really see the point yet.

In terms of this issue though the set-up is unclear at best. The mystery comes too late in the book and where it’s going is anyone’s guess, but I remain ever hopeful and confident in its outcome.

Van Sciver handles the interiors on the book and as usual provides some stunning visuals. I especially enjoyed the not-so-subtle nod to “The Brave and the Bold.” I can only imagine his art will continue to impress as the action ramps up in further issues. Van Sciver is one of my favorite artists so I’m glad he’s working on this book. I do wonder though what it would have looked like if Scott Kolins had handled the artwork instead. Regardless though, each panel features fantastic character work and use of space. For instance, you really feel the size and scope of the parade and the intensity of the book’s final chase.

A solid first issue, but it definitely lacks a real hook to bring anyone back for another issue and uses too much of its time looking back rather than forward. It also caters exclusively to Flash fans with constant references and nods to the past on almost every page. Despite its slow pace the book remains a real treat though and I have every confidence that the payoff will be well worth the journey.
B-