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Flash #224 - Rogue War
Written by Geoff Johns; Art and cover by Howard Porter and Livesay

Review by Chuck Moore on 8/3/05

You know, if you are writing about comics today, the name Geoff Johns should be littered across what you write the same way spaces are used within the English language. I don't know how you can talk about comics in 2005 without referencing the impact Johns has had on the medium. This man is, in my opinion, a master at the craft, an outstanding storyteller and a near instant legend (but don't tell him we said so). In this reader's eye, his influence can be felt across the super-hero side of the comic medium and he's honestly raising the bar for what fans expect in terms of character depth, writer creativity and genera reinvention. His recent appointment at DC as Editor of Continuity will only strengthen the companies stories.

That and... well... he also happens to be writing many of the books I'm really into these days so I was primed to like Flash #224.

In issue #224, Johns is working his way toward the conclusion of Rogue War which has been quite the lightning-laden ride. It seems rare these days (though thankfully not as rare as in years past) that a comic arc involving only a single title can achieve that larger than life feeling usually reserved for summer comic events (ala House of M, Infinite Crisis, etc). Rogue War gives you that feeling of being swept away in a huge, pivotal moment for a series while remaining a fun romp where all the best villains get to come out to play. It has that almost desperate feeling of "what's going to happen next" as you turn the pages but, amazingly enough, only involves the single title. What a concept... excitement without endless crossovers... Love it!

Flash is, quite simply, a comic written well enough to stand on it's own two feet and I thank Mr. Johns for pulling it off and pulling it off well. This story is a head turner, the art is outstanding and the title has caught the attention of even traditional non-Flash readers. Issue #223 placed 34th overall based on sales estimates for June from Diamond indexes and publisher title data. That is no small feat considering we're in the heart of the summer comic event season.

Here, in Rogue War, we have the very best comic elements present. You have legacy (a resource DC has quite a bit to play upon), a sense of family (those near and dear to or even directly tapping into the speed force are legion) and a gallery of colorful foes that have only gotten richer since Johns took over the title. I see this strength shine through in issues where the Rogues are the focus and Flash is all but absent. The dept to which we get to understand the villains and their motives is a treat and utterly shines in Rogue War.

In this issue there are plot twists which are almost answered... Who's Bart's real mom? Digger was dropped where/when? What happened to Linda while talking to Piper? Time travel instant replay (ouch)? That said, the biggest fast ball knocked out of the park is a jaw dropped finale unveiled on the last page, last panel. I won't spoil it for you dear reader, but I will say that this ending left me wishing the days away to get to issue #225. That, for me, answers anything I need to know about Flash #224.

Long story short, don't wait... don't pass go... don't collect $500... Get your tail into a comic store, find the back issues if you need them and read. It's why we love comics and this story is a classic.

Official word from DC

THE FLASH #224
Written by Geoff Johns; Art and cover by Howard Porter and Livesay

Do not miss the unbelievable penultimate chapter of the 6-part "Rogue War," guest-starring Jay Garrick and Kid Flash! The Flash is torn through time as the War takes an unexpected twist, and Wally relives his life through Zoom's twisted eyes. Plus, the Rogues are approached by a new ally.

DC Universe | 32pg. | Color | $2.25 US

On Sale July 27, 2005

Wieringo's opinion about Bart Allen as Kid Flash

“I would LOVE to work with Mark on a speedster character again. ESPECIALLY now that IMPULSE has become KID FLASH. KID FLASH was always a favorite character of mine as a kid– and the idea that a character Mark and I created (IMPULSE) would be the new KID FLASH would make me very excited to work with Mark again on that character. I don’t know if Bart will eventually become the new FLASH… but if he does, I’m sure he’ll be ready for it. He’ll more than likely have growing pains in that role, as anyone would… but he’ll be ready, I think. He’s got speed and heroism in his genes….!”

Source: http://www.zonanegativa.com/?p=1627

I tried to restart my interest in the Flash with Issue #231, when Mark Waid took over, but it seemed like Wally's kids too over the book, and I wasn't interested in those characters at all.

I tried to restart my interest in the Flash with Issue #231, when Mark Waid took over, but it seemed like Wally's kids too over the book, and I wasn't interested in those characters at all.

The title never really recovered after Geoff Johns left the series. For me, my interest was always more focused on the Rogue's Gallery than the Flash. He had great villains and Johns understood how to highlight them. Been following news of the Salvation Run series?

The title never really recovered after Geoff Johns left the series. For me, my interest was always more focused on the Rogue's Gallery than the Flash. He had great villains and Johns understood how to highlight them. Been following news of the Salvation Run series?

Yeah, but I really find it hard to believe the Suicide Squad people would get away with throwing all the villains on a far away planet. Superman, Mr. Boy Scout/Civil Rights champion would notice right away. Batman might not care that much, but tons of other heroes would.

And what about any ALLEGED supervillains who may or may not be guilty? Are they also being picked up in the sweep and shoved onto this world? Wouldn't taking away the whole due process part of the justice system be condemning them to die if they really ARE innocent?

On the other hand, it was funny seeing the Joker beating Psimon to death with a rock because Psimon wanted to turn the hot villain chicks into baby factories to populate the planet.

Good news about Flash: Rebirth. I can't wait to have Barry back. It seems like the whole JLA will end up getting this treatment, which is all to the good.

I think the book needs geoff back and thats thankfully what we are getting. We need the flash to be a strong flagship title again. And whats even better is that it seems that we now have at least 5 of the JLA in solo titles.

Flash: Secret Files and Origins isn't too bad, but is way overpriced like all of these things.

We get a lackluster story about how Barry really isn't over Thawne's murdering his mother, which is about the stupidest retcon in Barry's story for a while.

Then a story about the Rogue's which is fairly chilling.

The Secret files aren't bad, either, even though Johnny quick is left out yet again. What is DC's problem with that guy?

Flash: Secret Files and Origins isn't too bad, but is way overpriced like all of these things.

We get a lackluster story about how Barry really isn't over Thawne's murdering his mother, which is about the stupidest retcon in Barry's story for a while.

Then a story about the Rogue's which is fairly chilling.

The Secret files aren't bad, either, even though Johnny quick is left out yet again. What is DC's problem with that guy?

I was hoping for another story about the importance of the Bow Tie!

The Flash #1 starts Barry off on his new life in Central City. The police science lab is in shambles. A corpse dressed like Mirror Master is found. Barry investigates.

He doesn't like what he finds.

Not a bad first issue.

I hear good things about the first issue. I can't wait to read it!

But I have a question Glen. You said Thawne killing Barry's mother is a stupid retcon, and I was wondering why you feel that way. I mean in terms of making sense, speedsters are the only people in the DCU (other than that idiot in the blue and yellow and a couple of flukes) that have free reign through the time stream. So being a villain, and hating Barry something fierce, wouldn't it make a sick sort of sense that he'd go back and screw with his life as much as possible? I mean the guy came back in time to kill Barry originally so...why wouldn't he take that even further?

Anyway, just curious as to your thoughts there.

I thought the idea of Thawne killing Barry's mother was sick and twisted, yet a rather brilliant idea. I can't afford to get this yet, so I'll have to wait and get it at a later time. I do want to read Flash #1 and to be honest I am really enjoy the recent Flash related books.

It's stupid because it is evident the only reason it happened was to make the hero "flawed" and somehow more relatable to us common folk. The very thought itself is stupid, because how many people have their father framed for the murder of their mother? It's like how movies make the protagonists alcoholics or whathaveyou to make them more "human" even though it has absolutely no bearing on the character or his actions.

Second, it seems likely that the only reason it happened is to follow the template set by Green Lantern: Rebirth and is therefore derivative.

It's stupid because it is evident the only reason it happened was to make the hero "flawed" and somehow more relatable to us common folk. The very thought itself is stupid, because how many people have their father framed for the murder of their mother? It's like how movies make the protagonists alcoholics or whathaveyou to make them more "human" even though it has absolutely no bearing on the character or his actions.

Second, it seems likely that the only reason it happened is to follow the template set by Green Lantern: Rebirth and is therefore derivative.

Hmm. Well I see what you're saying about it being a bit formulaic...but when you consider the other DCU heroes...it doesn't seem out of round. In fact I think it's a nice contrast to someone like..say Batman, whose parents were killed by some random guy on the street. But that's just me. IMO Barry badly NEEDED something to make him more relatable. I mean come on for years his whole shtick was being the fastest man alive that could never get anywhere on time as his alter ego. That got thin really quick. He needed some new life. So if they're gonna bring him back and make him more interesting than Wally...they had to do something. They've already killed Iris like...twice at least. So that's out.

Not sure how his story is derivative of Hal's tho. Hal's dad died in a plane crash. If you mean the format...they're both ultimately derivative of Batman Year one in terms of a reintro type retcon of their basic history. That one worked really well and Rebirth did alright for what it was...I can at least give this one the benefit of the doubt. I'm the last person in the world who thought bringing Barry back was a good idea...but since he's back I figure why not enjoy it.

Well, I guess the framing of his father for the murder of his mother makes Barry more relatable...If you're an Oprah fan.

I gotta say, I did not care much for issue no. 1. It lacked the big confrontation between the Rouges and Allen that I was hoping for. We will see where it goes I guess. It also crapped on Wally a little. www.exploringthemultiverse.com

Flash #2 has the confrontation between Flash and the rogues, and the rogues get skunked. Barry does some CSI stuff, and is revealed to be the primary suspect in the murder of this mirror master doppelganger.

Seems like the book is finally going somewhere.

The Flash #3 continues his struggles against the Rogues. Captain Boomerang manifests the superpower to form bomerangs out of the air. Really?

Not bad, but not memorable, either.

Wieringo's opinion about Bart Allen as Kid Flash

“I would LOVE to work with Mark on a speedster character again. ESPECIALLY now that IMPULSE has become KID FLASH. KID FLASH was always a favorite character of mine as a kid– and the idea that a character Mark and I created (IMPULSE) would be the new KID FLASH would make me very excited to work with Mark again on that character. I don’t know if Bart will eventually become the new FLASH… but if he does, I’m sure he’ll be ready for it. He’ll more than likely have growing pains in that role, as anyone would… but he’ll be ready, I think. He’s got speed and heroism in his genes….!”

Source: http://www.zonanegativa.com/?p=1627

Quite sad that he never got the chance.

In the Flash #4, things finally start to gel. Captain Boomerang is fighting the rogues, and the Flash is fighting both of them. The future Top tells Barry the future.

Pretty good stuff. I always liked The Top, and The golden glider for that matter. I really think it was a mistake to kill tham. I don't seem to have the love so many do for the reverse Flash thugh. I think the whole evil twin things leads to lazy storytelling.