The Rogues are trying to open up the original Mirror Master's "In Case of Flash, Break Glass" weapon that will unleash the mirror lords upon the world! In addition, the Renegades try to arrest Flash for murder! Top, from the 25th century, and The Flash team up to stop this from happening.
The Good
Francis Manapul and Geoff Johns make an amazing team! Now that the obvious is out of the way, there's a lot more great things in this book to talk about. There's a ton of stuff happening in this storyline, yet Johns does a great way of recapping what happened in the last issue without it seeming out of place. I'm sure if you read this in trade, it will be much more noticeable though. There's a huge Brightest Day tie-in in this issue, so the "Brightest Day" label on the front actually means something. Obviously, it all deals with what Captain Boomerang is supposed to be doing. This issue ends with exactly what you've been waiting for, the glass gets broken. Yes, I know it's a spoiler, but come on, you knew it was going to happen. At the same time, it seems Flash may be disposed during the release of the Mirror Lords. This has been one of the most entertaining story lines I've read in a long time. It's a solid, fun read, and although there aren't any shockers in this book, you don't need them.
The Bad
It bugs me a bit that only Top, from the Renegades, sees the value in Flash and believes he may be innocent of murdering Mirror Monarch. Everyone in the Renegades knows Flash is a hero, but only Top is willing to step up and take a chance at figuring out how to stop the series of events that is about to unfold? Minor annoyances.
The Verdict 4.5/5
I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a Flash book, or any comic for that matter, this much. It's not a thought-provoking story that's going to reshape the world, but does it need to be? This story does what many Flash stories, over the past 5 years, have failed to do: Entertain the reader. I highly recommend this series.
Um actually.. it will "reshape" the world... its going to connect to Flashpoint... sooo.... yeah... it will change the world.... But yeah, i agree. Great issue. Best issue yet. Cant wait for the next issue to come out...
I had the same concerns with The Top in the last issue and thought he lacked the necessary professionalism but with this issue it seems like that concern can be put aside because...
[SPOILERS (ed: tried use the widget but it's behavior is wonky)] The Top is the traitor who killed Mirror Monarch, his story about the Mirror Lords was a lie, and now he's after Iris (or at least her evidence)... which explains why he was so unprofessional in issue #4... although, not why Flash would naively believe him necessarily. [EndSPOILERS]
As an issue I'm pretty happy. This is the right balance of action, storytelling, and very Silver Age Barry wackiness without being too over the top... it doesn't necessarily need Barry (over Wally) to tell this story, but at least it's different from Johns earlier run at the book (even if not so different from Waid's version).
The main thing I didn't like was the somewhat random Brightest Day stuff which took me out of the story a bit... and I'm someone who is at least marginally following it. On one hand, it finally justifies that ever-present banner on top... on the other, I really could do without the banner entirely. I'm just imagining rereading my issues years from now and always seeing those banners even on issue #1... or letting someone read the trade and having them be utterly confused by the Brightest Day tangent mid-story.
This is all going to come down to the conclusion of this storyline for me. If it tells a single solid story I can start encouraging newbies (to the Flash) to get into this launch, because despite enjoying this story thus far (and having serious problems with the last half-decade of Flash including Rebirth on) it needs a well executed complete story for me to point to and say, "See, this is The Flash!" without reservation.
Okay, I get that inferiorego is trying to keep from revealing spoilers, but the fact that he completely ignores the fact that his one complaint is actually addressed and explained in the book is more than a little tacky.
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