Written by Danny Bilson & Paul De Meo
Art by Ron Adrian; Art Thibert; Rob Lea; Alex Lei; Pat Brosseau; Richard Horie; & Tanya Horie
Cover Art by Daniel Acuña
SUMMARY:
Published by DC Comics for February 2007, this standard-length issue is entitled “SpeedQuest, Part One: Angel City.” No-showing a Flash Museum honor, 20-year old Bart Allen discreetly moves to Hollywood for a fresh start. However, he soon tangles with the nefarious magician, Abra Kadabra, during his latest heist. In Las Vegas, Bart’s demented blond clone from the future, Inertia, is engineering a lethal trap targeting the new Flash, with help from Deathstroke and new villain Mota. Taken captive, the bait is Bart’s estranged girlfriend, Valerie.
Note: The writing team helped create the 1990 Flash live-action TV series starring John Wesley Shipp.
REVIEW:
Though Inertia’s wonky scheming is a bit hard to follow, this issue is otherwise entertaining. Its best story element is pitting Bart’s Flash vs. a reliably sinister Abra Kadabra. Ironically enough, Bart’s humble maturity is slowly becoming an endearing element of this series, though he remains somewhat self-involved. Including another high-octane cover image, this issue’s visuals are definitely an asset. Giving this new Flash a chance, The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive # 7 is well worth perusing.
On an odd note, if one goes by the cover, the Flash looks like Wally West rather than Bart. It’s a suspicion only, but it seems that DC is pulling a bait-and-switch re: which Flash this series belongs to.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
DC Universe Art Director Mark Chiarello pens a “DC Nation” column. It includes thumbnail cover reveals for 52 # 33; Spirit # 1; and The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive # 8.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars
