Book Review: The Flash Vol. 5: Negative

The Flash Vol. 5: Negative by Joshua Williamson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This book collects Issues 28-32 of the DC Rebirth run of the Flash along with an excerpt from DC's Holiday Issue.

Once again, Barry's life continues its downward spiral now that Barry's girlfriend Iris left him once learning he'd been hiding the truth about being the Flash from here. Now, he possesses the power of the negative Speed Force which is more dangerous and harder control even while his work life falls apart.

The first two issues in the book focus more on Barry's personal collapse with fights more incidental, in the third and fourth issues, he solves a mystery of missing evidence that leads him to a new rogue named Bloodwork, and then the final issue sets up his new status quo.

Overall thoughts, the art on the first two issues is painful to look at. It reminds me of one of those grungy too hip for its own cook indie comics. It's just unpleasant. The rest of the art is okay, though not spectacular. The story is too dark for the Flash, Josh Williamson should keep mind that he isn't writing Batman. The Flash has historically been a book full of amazing feats and colorful sci-fi. That said, the story does take a few turns that indicate that Barry may be going in a more positive direction even though so much is messed up.

The little Holiday special comic was a bit hokey and cheesy but with all the depression in the Flash book, we could use a little hokiness in this book.

***I received a free digital copy from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review***



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