FLASH (WALLY WEST) / IMPULSE: RUNS IN THE FAMILY (DC Comics)

Written by Mark Waid & Martin Pasko.

Art by Humberto Ramos; Oscar Jimenez; Nick Gnazzo; Wayne Faucher; José Marzán Jr.; Brad Vancata; Mark Stegbauer; Tom McCraw; Chris Eliopoulos; Gaspar Saladino; Kevin Cunnigham; & Philip Felix.

Collection Cover Art by Humberto Ramos; Wayne Faucher; & Tom McCraw.

SUMMARY:

In 2021, in homage to Bart Allen (aka Impulse/Kid Flash/Flash), DC Comics released this 376-page trade paperback consisting of Impulse # 1-12 and The Flash (Wally West) # 108-111 from 1995-1996.  Specifically, cousins Wally & Bart’s six-part “Dead Heat” crossover is reprinted in its entirety.  Bart’s debut and subsequent appearances in Wally West’s Flash title setting up his spin-off series, however, aren’t included. 

Having recently arrived, Barry Allen’s rambunctious 30^th Century grandson, Bart, has been sent to live with his new mentor, Max Mercury, in secluded Manchester, Alabama.  Under an enigmatic Max’s tutelage, Bart impatiently begins to hone his superhuman speed (and to keep his accelerated aging in check).  As Max is fully aware, raising a hyper-active teenager isn’t easy.  From acclimating to the mid-90’s grind of rural middle school to gleefully taking down local super-villains, the 13-to-14-year old Bart earns his moniker of ‘Impulse.’ 

Meanwhile, Max’s subsequent abduction by the nefarious Savitar sets up a Speed Force showdown vs. Wally West’s Flash and his temporarily powerless associates: Bart, the original Flash: Jay Garrick, father and daughter: Johnny Quick & Jesse Quick, & Bart’s visiting 30^th Century teenage cousin, XS. 

To thwart Savitar, it appears that Max & Johnny may hold the edge against their old foe, even if the ultimate cost of victory is severe.  “Dead Heat” guest stars also include Linda Park, Bart’s grandmother – Iris West, and a cameo from John Fox’s Flash. 

Come the poignant finish line of “Runs in the Family,” Bart becomes acutely aware of how alone he is ten centuries away from his prior life.

REVIEW:

Even nearly thirty years later, Bart & Max’s appealing surrogate family dynamic is still a treat to read – i.e. how Max slyly commends young Bart for devising a partial strategy in lieu of his protégé’s usual no-plan at all.  Aside from one unbleeped profanity, this collection benefits from Mark Waid’s kid-friendly scripting and the art squad’s generally solid visuals.  In particular, this creative team makes Impulse’s adventures a fun ride for all fans while keeping its youthful target audience’s brand of humor in mind.

Bart’s regularly obnoxious yet good-hearted character, in other words, doesn’t always come off as The Flash’s dubious answer to Scrappy-Doo — thankfully. Still, such easy reads (one of which is a well-constructed P.S.A. re: telltale signs of child abuse) prevail over the convoluted and often blah “Dead Heat” saga.  For fans of Bart Allen, Flash/Impulse: Runs in the Family is a welcome time machine revisiting this legacy character’s arguably best incarnation.   

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Full-page replicas of the original covers are included.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                7 Stars