Flash: the Fastest Man Alive # 2
This Review Was Submitted by Knightwingbk
Writers: Danny Bilson & Paul Demeo
Artist: Ken Lashley
Well... It’s better than number one, but not a whole lot better. The narration pages are still present, but not from ever flash that has ever been. In this issue we get four origin pages for Bart Allen's story past to present. We also get 3 pages about Bart Allen told from Wally's point of view. Where is Wally anyway? In between that we have Bart still denying his role as the Flash, he is the reluctant Flash. Bart wants a normal life but can't because of his connection with the speed force. Other than that not a whole lot happens. Bart dons the Flash costume at the end of the issue, and I'm still not thrilled about him being Flash. I simply don't care, and that is where the writing has failed. The writing should be making me care about Bart and the Flash but because they gave Bart this bad teenage - "I don't care" attitude, it has made me have the same attitude about this book. I'll give it one more issue for it to hook more for the end of the arc, after that I'm done.
The art in this issue is better than the last. We are down to two inkers, whereas last issue we had four, and gives the book a more consistent feel. Ken Lashley's art is good, but his faces in this book look really round. It’s like reading a book filled with balloon people. His Flash splash page at the end is great, but the rest of the book just fails in comparison. Lashley needs more tights in this book, rather than talking heads to really show off his strengths. I liked his 52 issue better than these two issues of Flash put together art wise. D+
I thought this was a marked improvement from the first issue. The artwork is a lot better and the writing finally seems to be finding its footing. I think if your expecting the DCU to treat the character of the Flash properly, you might be waiting awhile. I could go on about how the Flash is the bastard child of the DCU but, I'll hold off on that discussion.