Flash #23

The Flash #23 gives us an exciting new arc and a great follow up to "The Button." Read Full Review

If you haven't been reading The Flash, now is a GREAT time to start. Joshua Williamson is building something here, the Rebirth origin of The Reverse-Flash! And something tells me it will be a Scarlett Speedster story for the ages. On your marks, get set, GO read this book! Read Full Review

A strong issue that sets up Flash's inner turmoil and looks great doing it in a well plotted team up issue. Read Full Review

The Color of Fear gets off to a great start. Jordan's cameo should hopefully keep things lighter than the Batman team-up and a little fun is exactly what this title needs right now. Read Full Review

Williamson provides the very best issue of this series yet, as he teases us with the presence of Reverse-Flash in a creepy and brilliant way. It's nice to have Di Giandomenico back on the book since his artwork is always sublime, and I'm so pumped for this summer's big arc. Read Full Review

This series never feels entirely right unless Joshua Williamson and Carmine Di Giandomenico are both in the driver's seat. That reunion helps start this new story arc off on the right note. Read Full Review

Really tense plotting that gives the reader insight into the fears of the hero. A story that moves well and a cliffhanger that it worth the read. The art is frenetic and awesome to look at. Read Full Review

I'd give the issue higher marks if not for the slight overdose on the soap opera aspect (a problem for the TV show, too) and a disturbing fantasy sequence. But I'm really happy to see Hal and Barry working together again - it's long overdue. Read Full Review

As a prelude to ‘Running Scared', The Flash #23 was a solid catch-up and an even better transition into the next big problem. Probably the worst case scenario for The Flash and those close to him, but this feels like the next step towards finding out just what the heck is going on in Rebirth. Read Full Review

The Flash continues to be one of my favourite titles, especially with the increased drama as Barry balances keeping Iris safe by hiding his secret life against his desire to be open and honest with her. Also, I will be eager to see how Wally fares in his first solo encounter against the Reverse-Flash, who is one of Barry's deadliest villains. Read Full Review

Most impressive, however, is the way in which Williamson has been able to bring each of Barrys problems to bear whilst sustaining cohesive, complementary narratives. And given the mouth-watering opening hook, its clear the foundations have been laid for another hugely enjoyable romp with the Scarlet Speedster. The big question is whether or not he can emerge from this period of adversity with his optimism intact. Read Full Review

Carmine Di Giandomenicos work continues to remind of the art of Carmine Infantino with the elongated figures whose muscles are well defined and almost sculpted. I wonder if he has trained with Carmine Senior. Of course, his take on the Flash is more modern yet still pleasing. Read Full Review

I dare not spoil the plot or the ending of this issue. Suffice it to say, if the rest of The Color of Fear matches The Flash #23 in quality, this may be one of the best Flash comics ever. Read Full Review

Joshua Williamson starts his post Button story by giving us a very distracted Barry and a very Big Bad that should be dead.  It all sets up a mystery in the future as Barry's present is falling apart.  The story and art were good and I can recommend this to anyone whether they liked the Button story or not. Read Full Review

The wake of crossovers can either sink or buoy a title and thankfully The Flash #23 is more the latter than the former. Though still operating through a thick cloud of guilt, Joshua Williamson’s Flash at least has some real context now and this will only help the title going forward. Ivan Plascencia and Carmine Di Giandomenico also navigate the waves of the post-”Button” surf well, culminating in a solid return to the core story for “Rebirth’s” Team Flash. Read Full Review

The biggest problem with the issue is that the cliffhanger ending undoes some of the impact of the previous issue. On page and screen, there's been an overreliance on speedster villains for the last few years, and the spectacular end(s) to one of them in "The Button" gets seemingly reversed (get it?) in a single panel. It's why the Joker has recently been kept out of the comic books for a year or so at a time. Even so, this is a solid issue that hits the ground running and rarely lets up. Read Full Review

A serviceable start to an arc with some good art, still hampered by the problems the series has had since inception. Read Full Review

None of us could've imagined the cop-out that The Flash #23 delivers. If anything, this issue cheapens everything that happened in "The Button." Read Full Review

A disappointing TwistThe end is just too predictable. It's the big reveal that is supposed to make our jaws hit the flaw. If anything the most the final reveal could get is a meh. Flash 23 sets us up for what could be a good story. Although it is nowhere near the brilliance of The Button. The big reveal for the next issue promises a good old-fashioned hero and villain clash. However, most readers will likely have predicted it which dims the impact of the final splash page. I feel like a parent the way I'm going on about this ending. I'm not angry, just disappointed. Read Full Review

mrDovydas

May 31, 2017

Love how this immediately follows the events of The Button. Great interaction between the characters as well, and seeing Reverse Flash is always a pleasure.

Kitaru

Jun 06, 2017

I have really enjoyed The Flash so far, but this was the first start to a story that I found just okay. I like crossovers and I am a fan of the Reverse Flash, but this felt just mediocre to me. I hope that it continues to strengthen in story, but for now I will be cautious with this story.

Spock's Brain

Jun 06, 2017

I dropped "The Flash" after about 10 issues, frustrated by the inconsistencies in having various artists. But I picked it up for "The Button" and, seeing Di Giandomenico was back on for this issue, decided to stick. It's pretty good. I really enjoyed the opening sequence with the hall of Flashes, which was pretty cool. It slows down a bit as Barry remains lost in thought about recent events, but picks up and builds to an exciting ending that ensures I'm staying on board. I don't like Williamson's writing for DC quite as much as I did "Nailbiter," but when he and Di GIandomenico are together, it's hard to miss. I'm sticking with it.

Jack's Yattering

Jun 14, 2017

SCORE: 7.2