Review – Absolute Flash #5: Heating Up
Ray: The Absolute line continues to have an unparalleled creative record, as just about every issue is phenomenal. That's definitely the case for this issue, as Wally West faces his largest-scale threat ever – but it may not be a villain at all. Last issue saw the runaway teenager still struggling to master his powers as he finds a surprise haven – a mission and foster home run by Ralph and Sue Dibny. He even finds a friend and maybe something more in Linda Park, another kid calling the place home. But it's not long before things go sideways – a mysterious creature is lurking in the sewers under the mission, burning everything it touches. Wally encounters it, and soon realizes it's not a monster at all – it's Mick Rory, one of the Rogues, and he wasn't thought to have survived the experiment. But he did – if you can call what he's turned into surviving. Fireproof. Via DC Comics.
AL Kaplan guest-stars on art for the second issue, and their depiction of Heat Wave is terrifying – this is the most radical reinvention of a villain yet, and he's been turned into something more akin to Plasmus. But this isn't a rampaging beast driven by hate – it's pretty clear that what's left of Mick Rory is terrified and in pain. But the only person who understands that at first is Grodd – and the little fan-favorite monkey does his best to get it across before one of the combatants does something they can't take back. The issue also has some great segments for the rest of the Rogues, as Dr. Thawne continues her shady plans and Rudy West makes a bold decision to try to save his son. But in the middle of all this, Wally discovers exactly how much his powers can do – and potentially loses the only safe haven he has. This is one of the best takes on Wally West I've read in a very long time.
To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.
GeekDad received this comic for review purposes. Liked it? Take a second to support GeekDad and GeekMom on Patreon!
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