The Flash #30: A Crisis of Faith

The Flash #30 concludes the tie-in arc to the greater DC KO event, showcasing the culmination of Impulse’s quest to correct past mistakes while Wally endeavors to prevent further complications. As is common with tie-ins, The Flash #30’s conclusion to this arc demonstrates that the story holds limited significance in the overall context of the event. This is not to imply that the narrative lacks quality; however, its impact on the event itself and the broader DC universe is negligible. Ultimately, this issue serves as an engaging Flash arc, incorporating significant elements from the DC KO event to enhance its storytelling.

At the outset of this arc, Bart was determined to stop Darkseid in the past to prevent future events connected to DC KO. After approximately two issues, this quest proved fruitless, leading Bart and Wally on a race through time to prevent Darkseid and his Legion from seizing the Speed Force. This storyline reaches its climax here, with Bart’s mission bringing him to Crisis on Infinite Earths, where he aims to prevent his grandfather, Barry Allen, from vanishing into the Speed Force. Concurrently, Wally confronts the Legion of Darkseid, while Max Mercury seeks a wildcard ally for assistance. This arc has evolved significantly from its inception, but in a positive direction. The return of long-time Flash writer Mark Waid to the series has been a welcome surprise, and this arc demonstrates his intent to infuse it with extensive Flash lore and knowledge. For many Flash fans, this type of storytelling is precisely what DC should focus on for this character, especially following the previous creative team’s contentious run.

As a devoted fan of DC Comics and the Flash, many may question why Bart’s objective has shifted. Bart’s history as Impulse introduced him in the 1990s, often portraying him as an unwilling and frustrating sidekick to Wally after he assumed the Flash mantle. In this context, Bart’s decision to travel back in time to save his grandfather makes sense; however, over thirty years have passed, during which Barry has returned to life and shared numerous story arcs with Bart. Consequently, why does Bart suddenly feel compelled to save Barry? If he knows Barry will return later, this appears to be an odd choice. Interestingly, Waid seems to acknowledge this peculiarity, as Darkseid himself comments on it. Ultimately, Darkseid supports Bart replacing Barry during Crisis on Infinite Earths, as it simplifies his plan to control the Speed Force by substituting it with his own.

As far as conclusions go, this issue delivers a dense and action-packed finale. Beyond Wally and Bart’s narratives, the inclusion of Max Mercury and his enigmatic ally adds an unexpected element. As previously mentioned, the issue concludes with a clear indication that it has not impacted the DC KO event. Thus, at the very least, this story arc serves as an enjoyable transition between creative teams, providing Flash fans with engaging content while Ryan North and Gavin Guidry prepare the next saga for these characters.