One word to describe what DC
Comics was missing with the New 52 was hope and with this relaunch opportunity you
can feel they understood what they have been lacking for the past 5 years.
Written by Geoff Johns this 89-page special has one objective and that’s to
bring DC back to its essence and it easily achieves that while setting up great
questions and storylines to come. This is an excellent entry point for you or
anyone you know who you want to jump into DC’s comic universe on an issue to issue
basis.
*** some major spoilers below ***
Picking up with the lost (red
head) Wally West the one that was retconned out of existence for the new 52 and
along with that many relationships, memories and importantly TIME was lost
estimated 10 years and here Wally tries to contact his friends and family to
find out who and why?
Wally reaching out to Batman gave
off a similar vibe to Barry Allen on Flashpoint Paradox to asking Thomas Wayne
to assist him in restoring the timeline. Batman in his cave discussing with
Alfred the identities of multiple Jokers as he found out recently sets up an
amazing arc in his upcoming Rebirth titles but in these pages he emphasizes the
letter Barry returned with and gave to Bruce as a key to how everything was
manipulated. Here Wally also alludes to another being the one fully
manipulating the timeline after the events of Flashpoint were corrected before completing
his message Wally was sucked back into a time-vortex.
For those who aren’t familiar with
the original Wally West its fine as this comic still provides his backstory to
who he is, groups he’s been a part of such as the Teen Titans and provides
clarity to why so many characters’ care for him. As Wally continues in his journey
to be reached this comic sets up numerous plots for the upcoming DC Rebirth
titles from Blue Beetle, Green Arrow & Black Canary, Wonder Woman and several
other bi-monthly comics that will be enticing to pick up the first week in
June.
Touching on the art briefly all
the new designs for the Rebirth relaunch are for the most part all fresh. Some
that stand out are definitely Batman with the gold trim around his bat symbol
on his chest. Wonder Woman takes after her DC Extended Universe counterpart Gal
Gadot’s Wonder Woman costume and Jessica Cruz, the first female of the Green
Lantern Corps that will be sharing a title with Simon Baz one of the newer
Green Lantern members being showcased by DC.
The Verdict:
Without spoiling the ending of the book this gives an emotional payoff of Wally’s journey to retake his place in the DC Universe while leaving the readers in a state of suspense as to what the future holds for the characters in this universe and who has been behind the altering of the universe and timelines. This book accomplishes exactly what its purpose was and to offer hope into the comics again but not without alluding to the conflict that will be underway with despair, love and apathy, faith and disbelief. This is an essential read for all established comic book fans and the perfect entry point for interested readers (plus for $2.99 you can't really beat this value at all).
Written by: Stephen F
