The Flash #65
Cody White
Recap
Batman and Flash face off against a rampaging Gotham Girl until the Super Venom overwhelms her system, causing her to collapse in front of the two heroes. While Iris directs her rage towards Barry and Bruce, the pair attempt and succeed in reviving a lost, scared Gotham Girl.
The two return to the Batcave where the tension and conflict between them boils to a breaking point filled with misdirected blame and cheap shots before the two part ways. Returning home, Flash finds a letter from Iris that explains why she is leaving for the time being. The epilogue heralds the upcoming "Year of the Villain" event.
Review
I have given this story-arc a rough time, as has my Batman colleague, and rightfully so, although the arc is devoid of value. The central premise of what it takes to be a hero and the necessary isolationist result makes for an interesting talking point, as does the notion of others inspired/caught up in the wake of the superhero moment. Unfortunately, the need to tie up loose ends, connect to Heroes in Crisis and other elements of the story seemed to cripple the narrative flow in that nothing was covered in a meaningful way and instead resulted in a rushed, chaotic, and somewhat contrived crossover.
The art on this issue was electric (no pun intended) although the scripting of two highly rational characters devolving into cheap shots at each other nearly undermined it. Still, Sandoval, Tarragona, and Morey make an excellent team– credit where credit is due.
Final Thoughts
"The Price" concludes with little more than a whisper in The Flash #65. You'll now be returned to your regular scheduled programming.
The Flash #65: The Price of Our Mistakes
- Writing - 5/105/10
- Storyline - 3/103/10
- Art - 9/109/10
- Color - 9/109/10
- Cover Art - 4/104/10
