Absolute Flash #1 Review
Speedster Origins
Average teen Wally West is bored out of his mind. His new home on a secure military base doesn’t offer him much except for his constant friction with his father, Colonel West. Barry Allen makes an appearance, but this is not the same Barry, and this is not Central City. In Absolute Flash #1, Wally’s journey into the speed force takes a dark twist that horrifies him. The only solution he can think of is to run to hold on to the realization that something bad has happened. He blames himself more and more, but what he doesn’t comprehend is a fantastical, yet unearthly phenomenon is transpiring. His speed awakens in a bizarre and alarming process unseen before. The beginning of a new speedster starts here.
Written by Jeff Lemire (Animal Man, Jonah Hex, Rai), Absolute Flash #1 pilots an interesting new take on the origin of a new speedster in the DC Comics Multiverse. While readers get a sense of nostalgia throughout the comic book with little easter eggs tossed in the panels now and then this alternate version of the Flash character offers promise of something bold. Lemire did not hold any punches as he knew what the catalyst would be to set this world apart from any other Flash story. Admittedly, placing Wally as the focal point within this story branches away from the typical spotlight on Barry which serves as a refreshing charm. The pacing at which Lemire allows the story to flow feels like an animated movie unfolding in the comic book. Furthermore, this version of the Rogues Gallery in this comic book is by far the coolest-looking group than the ones readers are familiar with in other books. Rooting for villains doesn’t sound good but just seeing them in action brings out a level of intrigue.
Speaking of intrigue, Nick Robles’s (Legion of X, Nightwing, Once & Future) interior artwork is strikingly exemplary. The sheer attention to detail in each panel depicts the passion Robles contributed to making this comic book unique. The cover art of Absolute Flash #1 is captivating. It draws a potential reader in with its’ familiar speedster pose, but it also builds a curiosity as to who the main character will be. At first glance, it looks like a younger Barry unlike fans have seen before, but in the turning pages, it is revealed that it’s Wally instead. The character design of Wally adds a new flair as he sports a mullet in this story. As comic book fans have seen over the years, there was another hero who decided a mullet was in style and he was Kryptonian.
Comparatively, Adriano Lucas (Birds of Prey, Duke, Power Girl) knows how to make a comic book explode with excitement. His coloring expertise brings out the vivid world in which Wally lives. The cool thing about Lucas’s coloring work in this comic book is the in-your-face methodology that makes it so enthralling to read. It’s the coloring that puts the story and overall progression of events into motion. Everything that happens to Wally in Absolute Flash #1 is met with remarkable palettes of color that define a specific moment in respective panels. Lucas gives top-notch coloring work as it’s evident that the comic book doesn’t let up with each page turn. His superb addition to making this comic book was an excellent choice.
Similarly, Tom Napolitano (Green Arrow, Superb, Red Sonja) does wonderful work on lettering. The respective spacing for dialogue doesn’t feel cluttered when two or more characters are talking at the same time. What’s impressive about Napolitano’s work is how he’s able to use captions that emboss Wally’s experience. It’s almost as if the reader is inside the mind of Wally and readers get an idea of what’s going through his mind. At the same time, readers can understand that this isn’t the same Wally from other books and that this version has a bizarre alteration.
Overall, Absolute Flash #1 is a great book to read alongside the other Absolute comic books. Since this is the beginning of young Wally’s journey into a new version of the speed force, it’s best to say that readers should be reading this one as well. It’s moving on a path that’s unpredictable and worth getting on board with. Be sure to check this comic book out at your local comic book store or online where books are sold. Let’s see what kind of Speedster is together.
Comic Detail
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Nick Robles
Colorist: Adriano Lucas
Letterer: Tom Napolitano
Cover Artist: Nick Robles
Editor: Andrew Marino
Publisher: DC Comics
Release Date: March 19th, 2025
Rating: 5/5
About the Author
Howard Smith Howard is a passionate collector and avid reader of comics who resides in the city of Washington, D.C. His love for all things pop culture extends beyond the pages of comics, as he attends popular culture conventions both locally and out of state. Whether he’s searching for rare comic finds or engaging in video games, or reading manga he manifests an opportunity to celebrate his fandom. Follow along as he explores the worlds of superheroes, sci-fi, and beyond, always with a keen eye for adventure and a deep appreciation for the art of storytelling.
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