THE FLASH #32 (DC COMICS)
Kids and their viral crazes.
Wally West is experiencing this first hand. Someone is trying to have the Flash save those who’s intentionally putting themselves in harms way. This is wearing down the fastest man Alive. Searching for answers has been difficult. It’ about to get much worse as an old Rogue might be the deciding factor in cracking the case!
THE FLASH #32 by Ryan North, Gavin Guidry, Adriano Lucas & Buddy Beaudoin ushers in an incredible new creative team taking the reins of the Scarlet Speedster’s adventures.
Let’s take a closer look at what is unfolding now.
THE FLASH #32 by Ryan North, Gavin Guidry, Adriano Lucas & Buddy Beaudoin (DC Comics)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
North is pushing West into a breaking point in this latest chapter. Having to go non-stop to stop people from harming themselves is running him down. The writing shows how his patience is running extremely thin. It also exposes the feeling of safety the public has towards super heroes. North shows how eliminating the fear in normal citizens causes high risks taken. This puts Wally at an uncomfortable crossroads. Events carry on in this fashion until one character returns to “join the crowd”.
Readers watch as Captain Cold makes his way back into Flash’s life. His unexpected jump proves to have more behind it than a “viral clip.” The writing shows the fine line Cold walks when it comes to Central City. It makes for an awkward pairing to start exposing the truth. Their dialogue is classic in presentation. Even after more stunts are attempted with one massive failure, hope is slow to trickle in. Only when Cold comes back does there appear something to start working. Events end with a solid parting dilemma which can only add to this deeper-rooted question of hero ethics.
READ LAST ISSUE’S REVIEW HERE!
Guidry and Lucas show the blind faith of the youth as they keep trying to go viral. Flash’s reactions echo the frustration with current events. It carries over to the family moments with the West household. The panels are about as “normal” as things get with this issue. There are plenty of fun interactions with Wally and the family discussing events right up to him trying to sleep. Once events ramp up again, the mood shifts and becomes colder.
A fantastic two-page spread shows Cold’s dramatic entrance. It isn’t a perfect save but it gets the job done. Their face-off is a mixture of heated and honest. Since the pair know each other so well, it gives the proposal from Cold more weight. Readers watch as the repercussions of the viral movement have one costly failure. This weights heavy on Wally. A near full shot ushers him into the closing segment. There’s a sense of fear taking over as Cold’s reaction to what they discover shifts the mood. It sets up the final panels with much excitement an uncertainty behind them. A very safe landing spot to close with.
FINAL GRADE: 8.7
The power of social media might be too much for Wally West to overcome in this thought provoking chapter. North poses the challenges of public safety vs reality with an excellent script. Guidry and Lucas puts the pressure on Wally with strong visuals. This current run is all Flash, No Brakes!
Let me know your thoughts on The Flash #32 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
