Pick of the Week – The Flash #200 – 07.30.2003

Story by Geoff Johns
Art by Scott Kolins
Inks by Doug Hazlewood
Colors by James Sinclair
Letters by Ken Lopez

Published by DC Comics / $3.50

There’s something about The Flash that has struck a nerve with me. I don’t really know what it is. Something about the history of Barry Allen and his role within the DC Universe. Something about the everyman quality of Wally West over the past few years. Something about being able to run really fast, considering that’s the thing I could never do, much to my soccer coach’s lament. But whatever it is, I’ve been reading this book for the better part of the past decade and rarely have I been disappointed.

One of the things I love about comics is the “run.” You know what I mean, Byrne/Claremont on Uncanny X-Men, Lee/Ditko on The Amazing Spider-Man, Grant Morrison on JLA… the list goes on and on. Basically the idea of one writer and (hopefully) one artist for an extended period of time, more than just an arc or two. It seems like its really rare these days, which I can’t understand since when it happens, it just makes a book so much better. The Flash has been lucky enough to host the current run of Geoff Johns on pencils and Scott Kolins on pencils. I’ve praised issues from this run before and for good reason.

With this huge 200th issue, Johns and Kolins have woven a story of legendary portions for the history of The Flash. By creating a modern version of the classic rogue, Zoom, Johns has really brought a culmination to his character study of The Flash via his Rogues Gallery. The feeling of vengeance and evilness that Zoom was to Barry Allen is brought about again and thrown at Wally West with more repercussions than I really expected.

Any issue of The Flash that includes all of the speed gifted characters, Barry Allen (back via the Cosmic Treadmill) and Hal Jordan in his classic Green Lantern costume makes for a classic issue in my book. Throw in a huge change in direction for Wally West, and you have a landmark issue of The Flash.

I won’t ruin any of the specific story details, but rather leave you with this: if you enjoy a good superhero comic book, then pick up this issue. Even you don’t know anything about The Flash. It’s totally worth the read. If you know anything about The Flash and his mythos, then even more so, pick this up!

It’s funny to think that it was Mark Waid’s run on The Flash that got me into the book, and its Geoff Johns run that I’ll remember.

Did you read The Flash #200?
Add a comment and tell everyone what you think about this week’s comics!