Flash Forward #3: Yea Royyy!!!

Although we were promised the story of Wally West’s redemption, hinting at a book full of heart and introspection as Wally comes back around and recovers from his treatment at the hands of Tom King, instead Flash Forward is something else entirely (up to this point). Wally does a small amount of looking inward but this book is less psycho-analysis and more popcorn action/thriller. In fact, it reminds me quite a bit of the 2007 series of “Search for Ray Palmer” one-shots spinning out of Countdown. And that’s not a bad thing in the least. Gallivanting about the Multiverse is one of my favorite DC Comics tropes, in fact. Tempus Fuginaut steps into the role of “Bob” the Monitor here as he tries to “reignite the flame within a hero” by simply giving him a grand purpose and sending him to various Earths at risk of Dark Multiverse invasion (or something like that; the plot is seemingly secondary to the travels).

Booth, Rapmund, and Guerrero team up to provide many a great action sequence and cameos from across the Multiverse, helping to lend to the quick pacing of the issue (and series overall). In the sense of action/thriller, the creative team is absolutely aces. There is the small issue of action/thriller not being necessarily what is needed right now for the character of Wally West but regardless, this series works on most technical levels. There is an incredibly “90s” feel to this book both in art and direction of narrative which may turn off some readers but excite others. Most readers will probably be somewhere in the middle, though. It’s an enjoyable read but not particularly likely to leaving a lasting imprint.