FLASH #24

[ PRESSURE PURCHASE ] 

Out of the following three people, who do you suppose is the odd one out? Would it be: (A) Brian Buccellato. (B) Francis Manapul. Or (C) The Fastest Man Alive. Why yes, that is correct, dear reader. The answer is 'C'! Because he's the only one whose had his own comic book Published by DC Comics, sometime in October, 2013.

Using GENERAL terms, answer the following 4 questions about this LAST PART of 'In Reverse'.

• WHAT'S THE MAIN THRUST OF THIS TALE: Powerless, time displaced, and with blood dripping from his nose, Barry (The Flash) Allen has to find a way of stopping Daniel (The Reverse Flash) West from killing is own father, and rectify the strange comings and goings currently happening within the Speed Force. 
• ARE THE MAIN OBJECTIVES ACHIEVED: Well, let's just say, sh* happens, OK? Apart from that -- nah -- I'm not telling you anything, pal. I might spoil the surprise.
• ANYTHING ELSE HAPPEN: Yes. Quite a few things actually. Elias gets a slap. Patty gets a dance. And Daniel gets a good talking to by his older sister.
• HOW DOES THIS STORY END: With Barry taking it upon himself to absolve a fallen relative.

All in all, what is the most memorable SENTENCE OR CONVERSATION spoken in this issue?

As much as I loved Barry's 'Flashdance' reference, what I loved even more, was what he said to Daniel during their confrontation...

'I get that your Dad must have been pretty awful to you and Iris when you were kids, but as hard as it is, we have to deal with all the bad things that've happened to us. That's what makes us stronger. We have to move forward with our lives'.

Wow! Some pretty powerful stuff, right readers? I couldn't have put it any better myself.

What are the BEST bits about this issue?

(+) If I'm going to be completely honest with you, folks, I'm currently stuck for words filling out this section. Not because this issue was bad. No. Not at all. But rather, because there were so many good bits in this book, I don't really know how to start praising it. I mean, should I eulogize the ever consistent and great artwork displayed? Should I explain to you that this concluding chapter concluded in such a heartfelt manner, it's left me feeling numb inside? Or should I just say, pick up this series because it blooming amazing! So blooming in fact, it has taken all of the blue out of my f*cking words. Ops! Well maybe not that one. 

(+) OK. So now that I've got that off of my chest -- yeah -- I'm feeling much better now. Better enough for me to state that I loved reading this story. You see, on a conceptual level, this final chapter had a pretty nifty way of balancing out both the resolution and continuation components, without making the whole thing come across as a disposable commodity in any way shape or form.

(+) In most of the movies I watch, there's always a moment where I say to myself 'Get in there'. In this issue, it was when Flash slapped Elias in the face, POW! Thank God for that. He defiantly deserved a good knocking from our hero.

(+) Even though I didn't really understand all of that malarkey Barry was saying about the Speed Force, I did like the fact that he didn't really understand it either. To me, its traits like these that make Barry such a great character to follow. It humanizes him. And makes him into the super chap we all know and love. 

What are the WORST bits about this issue?

(-) The only slight gripe I have about this adventure was how the initial dilemma was wrapped up so quickly, it left the rest of the subsequent narrative to deal with its longer-running aftermath. Not that this was a bad-bad thing of course. Just something worth mentioning.

Choose TWO CHARACTERS out of this comic book, and then compare them to WELL KNOWN WOMEN.

NATALIE PORTMAN AS IRIS WEST. Alright. I know she doesn't have abusive parents. But then again, from my point of view both Nat and Iris are faultless people, because they've done the best with what life has dealt them.

PARIS HILTON AS DANIEL WEST: Yet, in contrast to this point, you can't say the same thing about Paris Hilton, can you?

What QUOTE would be appropriate to sum-up this story?

'Has this world been so kind to you that you should leave with regret? There are better things ahead than any we leave behind' -- C. S. Lewis

What SONG, THEME-TUNE, or MELODY, would complement this tale, as well as add and extra dimension to it by default?

'MOTHER' BY JOHN LENNON:  Now if you take this song and replace John with Daniel, and John's Mum with Daniels Dad, I'm sure you'll understand why I've chosen to compare it to this great tale.

Of course, I'm not trying to imply that John's Mum abused him at all. No way. What I'm trying to say is that the duality of parenthood can be somewhat arduous on the child.

ANYTHING Else?

Now normally this is the part of my review where I come up with something stupid, just so you can leave my site with a spring in your step, and a smile on your face. This time though, I'd like to do something different. And that is to surmise how Daniel turned out the way he did, whilst Iris turned out the way she did.

Admittedly, I'm referring to the fact they both had the same abusive father, plus how they coped with this since they were children.

So, without sounding like a total ass, I'd guess that Iris coped better with this, mainly because she was able to focus her energies, get her life back on track, whilst delving into a career path that supplemented her need to see right win out.

Daniel on the other hand couldn't find a work-related outlet. He used his bad upbringing as an excuse of sorts. One that propelled him down a long and dusky road where he ended up becoming a monster like his father. 

Ironic, isn't it? How never the twain did meet in this instance! I just hope that none of you out there will have to cope with the same pressures Iris and Daniel have. Please take care of yourselves. And use the examples seen in this amazing comic book to help others.

Nuff said.