Written by Mark Waid.
Art by Mike Wieringo; José Marzan, Jr.; Gaspar Saladino; & Gina Going.
Cover Art by Mike Wieringo & José Marzan, Jr.
SUMMARY:
Entitled “Flashing Back,” DC Comics released this issue for October 1994. After his enigmatic disappearance in Zero Hour: Crisis in Time # 4, Wally West (without his costume) finds himself uncontrollably pushed backwards in time. Having glimpsed his recent present-day victory over Team Turmoil, Wally ponders the mystery of why Max Mercury would be observing him in action as the Flash.
Wally’s journey next takes him to his origin as Kid Flash before finally depositing him in his hometown of Blue Valley, Nebraska. Realizing that he has stumbled upon a West family reunion from at least a decade before, Wally hopes to resolve a lingering childhood mystery. Who was the stranger that would inspire a lonely young Wally to keep his hopes up and hint his dreams will someday come true?
Coming full circle, Wally is left with new questions to resolve as the ‘Fastest Man Alive.’
Note: Despite his appearance on the cover, Bart Allen’s Impulse doesn’t appear in the story.
REVIEW:
It’s an instance where wonderfully good intentions surpass an average story. Apart from soft-landing Wally’s time-traveling road trip without explanation, writer Mark Waid sports this welcome what-if scenario: “what hindsight advice would you offer your impressionable younger self, if given the chance?”
No matter the time-worn clichés involved, it is still a great question to play out. Supported with the art squad’s very likable visuals, The Flash # 0 is a kid-friendly treat for Wally West fans.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
There is a two-page “Speed Reading” letters-and-answers column.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6½ Stars
