Absolute Flash #13 is published by DC Comics under the Absolute line and is written by Jeff Lemire, with art by Haining, colors by Adriano Lucas, and lettering by Tom Napolitano.
How Did We Get Here? Bridging issue #12 to issue #13
When *Absolute Flash* issue #12 ended a couple of weeks ago, I wasn’t really sure what to think. We saw a lot of setup storylines conclude, core characters depart, and the future for Wally West was quite uncertain. I had my problems with the series up to that point, having largely felt that the pacing could be quite poor, thus ruining my entertainment of the series. However, I think issue #12 largely finished on a high, with its conclusion truly feeling like it served to set up what Absolute Flash ACTUALLY should be. Gorilla Grodd reunited with his father and wrote off humanity. The Rogues flew off into the unknown, now serving nobody, and Wally’s dad sacrificed himself to imprison Eobard Thawne in Still Point. So, where do we go from here?
Well, I think for many, their anxieties can be put to rest, as I believe issue #13 is a promising start to a new era of Absolute Flash. One of my big criticisms of the first twelve issues of Absolute Flash is that I felt like the series was at its best when it focused on Wally’s character and his growing pains as both a new hero discovering superpowers cast upon him and as a youth finding his way in a scary, big, bad world. However, along the way, the superhero antics, as well as the big action set pieces, replaced all the previous charm, which I don’t think the series excelled at nearly as well. Thankfully, issue #13 brings back a quieter and more character-driven tone with its writing and story, choosing to focus on Wally recovering from the events of the past twelve issues, and budding a new friendship with fellow youth Linda, with whom he chooses to share the secret of his powers.
Although Wally hasn’t found serenity yet, as government agents are still on the lookout for him, and a certain somebody has made their long-awaited return, much to my shock as I read.
Reviewing Issue #13
As I stated, issue #13 is a much more stripped-back issue, which I really appreciated as I started to find reading Absolute Flash a little bit exhausting with its poor pacing, in which fights and conflicts seemed to drag on for issues. I also don't think the series has really done superhero drama particularly well up to this point, with Wally's reluctant hero persona getting quite tiring even a couple of issues into the series. So, issue #13, feeling like more of a checkpoint for the series, feels welcome.
I really enjoyed the ride of just following two teenagers befriending each other as well as sharing a secret, which reminded me of a lot of media I love, such as Stand By Me. I feel like this is the arena in which Jeff Lemire’s writing really shines, as a lot of the dialogue feels much more genuine and heartfelt. In contrast, I got the sense that they were phoning in the superhero drama a lot, and it was not the story they really wanted to tell at all, as much of it just felt so generic. The way Wally and Linda interacted with each other was very sweet and charming, making this feel very well-earned after all the heartbreak that Wally has gone through up to this point.
A Welcome Breather
The way the comic reminds us how Wally got here and how his drive is to get his father was very well done in my opinion, with it not overshadowing this issue too much, but being there to remind the reader what the reason to carry on reading is. It lets this new story just breathe, trusting the reader will work out what’s going on and put the pieces together themselves. Not every issue needs to be all go; we do need some time to catch our breath with the protagonist and reflect on how we got here
I also really liked how this issue served as a bridge to the future of the series, with the ending being genuinely shocking to me as Absolute Mirror Master makes his long-awaited return. This proved some of my previously stated theories wrong, as I believed that due to his powers and his past appearance, he would work more as a greater villain for the Absolute Universe rather than a villain contained in Absolute Flash’s corner of the universe. I still think Absolute Mirror Master can serve as a greater big bad, but I am also very happy that the writers remember he is ultimately a Flash villain.
I'm looking forward to seeing how Wally and Mirror Master's first interaction goes, and certainly hope the conflict is much more interesting than it has been with the Rogues, as well as with Elenore Thawne. With it being much more stripped down, with Wally and Linda trapped in the mirror dimension, I am hopeful that the comic deals with the writing in a much more interesting way, not having to juggle as many elements this time around.
Talking About The Art
Issue #13 brings a new artist to the series, with Taiwanese creator Haining making their debut for Absolute Flash and replacing Nick Robles. I loved Haining’s contributions to the series, with their art really capturing the young adult tone I have yearned for many times. The way Wally and Linda are depicted is very cute and reminds me a lot of old comic book series like The Runaway with its visual style, and it really helps the series stand out to me. Much like how I partly love Absolute Martian Manhunter for its pop art-inspired look that helps set the tone of the series, I also really love this young adult-inspired art and what it does for this series.
I don’t think we really get to see a lot of artist Haining’s true skill yet with issue #13 because, as I have stated, it is a much more stripped-down story largely focusing on two characters. However, in the last couple of pages, I found Mirror Master and the mirror dimension equally both super creepy and promising for the future of the series.
The Final Verdict
In conclusion, Absolute Flash #13 sets up a brand new era for Wally West with a promising start, choosing to spend its time focusing on youth, self-healing, and friendship—all aspects Jeff Lemire has proven he excels at.
Absolute Flash #13 tells the story of Wally West and his newfound friend Linda in a more stripped-back story that sets aside its superhero storytelling to find out who the characters we love are, yet also makes time to please those who are here for The Flash with a long-awaited return of a major villain at the end.