Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Howard Porter; Livesay; Pat Brosseau; & James Sinclair
Cover Art by Howard Porter; Livesay; & James Sinclair
SUMMARY:
Entitled “Rogue War, Chapter 5,” DC Comics released this issue for September 2005. In Keystone City, Wally West, Jay Garrick, and Bart Allen are outmatched facing the tag-team of Hunter Zolomon’s Zoom and the time-traveling, original Reverse Flash (aka Professor Zoom): Eobard Thawne. Another potential wildcard would be Flash’s Rogues, as how they might take advantage of this situation. With the Pied Piper and Ashley Zolomon as witnesses, an abrupt time distortion has evidently restored the present-day Linda’s pregnancy to full labor.
Abducting a battered Wally into a repetitive time loop, via the Cosmic Treadmill, the two Zooms force the Flash into his worst horror: Specifically, he is made to witness over and over again his wife Linda’s tragic miscarriage caused by Zolomon. Only a miracle can help a defeated Wally now: will it arrive in time?
Note: “Rogue War” concludes in Issue # 225.
REVIEW:
Though its time-traveling element is nebulous, Geoff Johns’ scripting is still relatively well-played. The caveat is predictably reducing Linda Park-West to a damsel-in-distress plot twist. As compensation, Johns ensures that a certain last-minute cameo makes obtaining Issue # 225 practically a given for Flash fans. Up to the task is this art squad supplying consistently terrific visuals. Readers, however, may have minor trouble distinguishing Zolomon from Thawne due to their near-identical costumes. Note: Bart Allen’s Kid Flash also has a similar yellow-and-red color scheme.
Though some plot points should have been presented more clearly, The Flash # 224 is a prelude to pivotal changes impacting Wally & Linda’s future.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
The “DC in Demand” column includes cover reveals for Catwoman # 45; Green Lantern Corps: Recharge # 1; Wonder Woman # 215; and JLA: Classified # 10.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars
