The Flash: One Minute War Special #1: Past, Present, and Future

This special issue is split up into four parts. In the first part, Jeremy Adams and Fernando Pasarin explore the history of the Fraction, revealing why they are invading earth and how they use the speed force. The second two parts, drawn by Serg Acuna Lisandro Estherren respectively, take place in the current time, showing different parts of the world outside of the Flash family and how other heroes and villains are responding to the Fraction’s invasion. The fourth and final part takes us into the future in a segment drawn by George Kambadais. This segment features Wally’s kids grown up as superheroes fighting the Fraction who have returned to earth years after the current storyline.

This issue is a breath of fresh air, to say the least. We are two issues into the One Minute War, and things are starting to ramp up. The Fraction’s history initially seemed generic but quickly became threatening and horrific. The most striking part of this segment is when Vel Anthro first receives the speed force powers and accidentally kills a scientist. This serves as a reminder about the horror that can come with having powers like this, and it’s sold mainly by Pasarin’s art. Vel’s face is full of awe but also fear. It will be interesting to see if these elements are explored in the future of this event, but either way, it’s relieving to know the Fraction is more than one-dimensional.

The second two parts could be better parts of the issue. The first part focuses on Avery Ho, the speedster of China. This part really doesn’t add to the story at all. She goes through the same experience the other speedsters had in the first two issues of this event. I’m not sure what Adams is setting up here, but all we know now is that Ho will likely tie into this story in some way later. The third part is similar in that it also doesn’t push the story forward. This part acts as a thriller-style film where the Fraction’s soldiers are murdered one by one until the killer is revealed to be Godspeed. Once again, this doesn’t push the story forward other than throwing another character into the mix. Overall, the impact these two segments will have on the event’s future has yet to be seen, but for now, there’s just a lot of setup. That’s not to say that these parts are inherently wrong; they just aren’t as great as the others.

The fourth and final part is by far the best of the issue. In almost a Hickman fashion, Adams reminds us that the future characters are part of something much more important than we know. The last time Adams had us in this time period, most of the focus was on Wally’s daughter. This time the focus is on Jai, who has mastered his powers. This part also features the return of a fan-favorite character, the Gold Beetle. This part, beyond anything else, is just so much fun. This mix of superheroes, family, and romance has made Adams’ run on The Flash so much fun thus far. Future Jai, Iris, and Gold Beetle are destined to show up later in this run to help bring this thing back full circle, and I cannot wait.