THE FLASH #4
After his return in Final Crisis and his reintroduction in Flash Rebirth, Geoff Johns begins the new era of Flash by returning Barry Allen back into the role of as a forensic scientist for the Central City Police Department. After his death in Crisis of Infinite Earths, Barry Allen’s absence is explained by being in witness protection. His first case arrives in the form of a dead body: Mirror Master.
However before Barry can uncover what has happened another disturbance arrives from the 25th century. The Renegades have arrived and they are the Reverse Flash Task Force. Senior member Commander Cold attempts to arrest the Flash for the murder of their fellow officer Mirror Monarch, who was found however mistakenly identified as the present Mirror Master. Using the Trixster’s Time Scope they have witnessed that the Flash will murder Mirror Monarch in 84 days.
The Flash escapes the Renegades and they return back to their era to regroup. The body of Mirror Monarch is examined at the lab and blood is found matching the DNA of Barry Allen. Without missing a beat Geoff Johns wrote the only way out of that scene with the shortest time possible.
The Renegades return and we get insight that they know that Barry Allen is the Flash. They are also are aware of Iris Allen who may have committed a crime in the near future that could result in the Flash murdering Mirror Monarch. The Renegades catch up with the Flash and arrest him however the surprise appearance of Captain Boomerang knocks all of them off guard.
The Renegades and Captain Boomerang faces off and one of the reverse rogues decide to break protocol and tell the Flash why he kills the Mirror Monarch. Upon learning this revelation Barry has a choice to prevent everything from happening and it is to attack the Rogues before they attack him first. However just before he decides the Rogues makes an entrance to face off against their future wannabes.
Artist Francis Manapul captures Flash at his finest by letting us see his world through his eyes. Geoff Johns brings a mystery to a close and sets up the tension for the next to issues. Really enjoying his run on the Flash and I was hesitant of him bringing Barry Allen back from his sacrifice in Crisis on Infinite Earths. However seeing how stories are erupting from his mind is worth bringing the character back to his roots.
RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5
