The Flash #14: Dino-Land Vacation

The Flash family is on vacation, but can they really escape work? The Flash #14 is the start of an all-new speedy story as the Wests take a family vacation to the unreal world of Skartaris. The dinosaur-inhabited Skartaris is experiencing unusual weather events, and there’s only one Flash rogue who can be responsible. Written by Simon Spurrier with art by Vasco Georgiev and colors by Matt Herms, this new story is the energy boost this series needed. Full of fun, jokes, and family time, this is the perfect start to a new story.

I’m glad that the creative team for this series has stayed the same because they are still producing a high-quality comic. Allowing Si Spurrier to continue his story and have the characters process the changes to the Flash family was a wise idea. I think Spurrier handles the change in mantle from Barry to Wally really well and the on-page debrief the two have about Barry losing his powers feels grounded and cathartic. The Flash family dynamic has always been interesting and seeing the switch in power come to Wally is exciting. I also think this new arc seems far less complicated than the last arc, so it’s a good jumping-on point for new readers. Spurrier loves his weird sci-fi arcs, which may be controversial, but I’m interested in seeing the Flash family in a new arena.  He also managed to characterize Wally perfectly here, and seeing Wally in this family-man role feels appropriate. Overall, this was a shift the series needed and I am excited to see where the story goes, especially with the cliffhanger ending.

The art in this issue is workable. I am, admittedly, not a fan of the more cartoonish style in comics, but I think Vasco Georgiev’s works perfectly for a Flash comic. The close-up shots of Wally and Linda are stunning, but some of the body proportions in full-body shots are not my style. Still, I think Georgiev and Herms manage to capture the whimsy and charm of Flash comics and bring life to these characters. The new Flash costume is a fantastic design and looks really cool on the page. I appreciate the homages to Barry, and even in the cartoony style, it looks awesome. This creative team is producing something new and exciting, and I hope this energy stays consistent in the story.