Reviewer: Mathan Erhardt
Story Title: Into The Fast Lane
Written by: Geoff Johns
Penciled by: Scott Kolins
Inked by: Doug Hazelwood
Lettered by: Ken Lopez
Colored by: James Sinclair
Editor: Joey Cavaleri
Publisher: DC Comics
Let me just say that I am a diehard Flash fan. Flash #1 was the first #1 I ever bought. I remember it cost a whopping $.75 (let us mourn the death of the cent symbol as it can’t be found on a keyboard.) I remember when Wally hit the lottery. I remember when Wally learned Dim Mak. I remember when Wally was (shudder) the Porcupine Man. Messner Loebs and Waid have always been my two favorite Flash writers. Now I can add Johns to that list.
Spoilers!
Flash #199 begins with The Flash’s pregnant wife Linda in the clutches of Zoom. Impulse tries to save her, but is easily beaten by the ruthless Zoom. Then Wally and the original Flash, Jay Garrick, show up to deal with the ruthless Zoom. Then Zoom takes Linda and taunts Wally with her. Wally comes up with a plan, but the ruthless Zoom thwarts his plan. While being thwarted, Wally comments how Zoom is moving pretty fast for someone not using the Speed Force (hint.) And finally, the ruthless Zoom hits Linda with the old sonic boom and leaves Wally to pick up the pieces.
We get to hear gossip around Keystone courtesy of an interlude with the Flash’s cop friends Morillo and Chyre. Wally rushes Linda to the hospital and the ruthless Zoom (wait for it) meets him there. So Wally “borrows†Impulse and Jay’s speed, but alas the ruthless Zoom is still to fast. While beating Wally senseless, the ruthless Zoom reveals his identity, much to Wally’s surprise. The ruthless Zoom (almost there) then tells Wally that he has just returned from the hospital with news about Linda. She suffered a miscarriage. The ruthless Zoom explains, “I’m teaching you how to be a better hero Wally. Lesson one is over. Time for lesson two.†Ruthless.
End Spoilers
Johns has me looking forward to the Flash like I haven’t in years. I can’t wait to read every issue. This storyline has been building since Flash Secret Files #3. Talk about your master plotter. Johns greatest gift is his adoration for Wally West. I really believe Zoom’s motivation. He really believes he’s doing the right thing. I’m pretty sure I know how Zoom’s powers work, but I can’t explain the sonic booms. Gee I guess I’ll have to buy the next issue.
The art is some of the best I’ve seen on the book in awhile. The depiction of Zoom’s powers is dead on with my theories. And he looks very fanatical. The colors are also perfect, especially when Zoom and Wally are going at it. The lettering conveys Zoom’s speech so that we can understand how difficult it is to understand him. Just look at that last page perfection. Sadly, next issue will be Kolins’ last. He will be missed.
Buy this book. Don’t wait for the trade to come out. You must own this issue.
