After the mega reveal of Godspeed at the end of issue #6, Joshua Williamson goes full speed ahead with no sense of stopping.
Godspeed is surprisingly an interesting character and antagonist. As Barry and Godspeed face off, Godspeed one-ups him at every twist and turn, countering Barry and injuring him during their heated battle. Godspeed makes clear to Barry about his motivations and his sense of justice, showcasing that Barry isn’t willing to do what needs to be done to protect the citizens of Central City. Things escalate to a point where barry is forced to withdraw from the battle and form a strategic plan to take down Godspeed once and for all. Knowing that he is too slow, he is forced to make a choice that may cost the lives of the other new found speedsters that were struck by the lightning storm that gave them their abilities.
I like that this series hasn’t been boring or slow at any point throughout this arc. It’s well paced, and it manages to stay on task to the story and situations at hand, keeping the reader invested in Barry and his new found situations. Although Godspeed may seem like another Reverse Flash/Zoom type, his motives are different. Godspeed is actually trying to do good but in the most extreme way possible, causing collateral damage, stealing the speed of others and most of all killing criminals in a vicious fashion. The fact that he vibrates two thugs own bodies into their walls and then punches another thug at high speed to the point where they’re dismembered beyond recognition is as cool as it is brutal. Godspeed actually reminds me of Marvel’s anti-hero the Punisher, in terms of dishing out his own brand of justice that involves murdering criminals in grisly ways.
Barry and Godspeed’s argument in some ways remind me of Garth Ennis’s and Steve Dillon’s Punisher story where Daredevil and Punisher argue about each other’s methods of justice. It even reminds me of Superman’s argument against the Elite in What’s so Funny About Truth Justice and the American Way, where it’s a question of moral. Although the argument in the Flash is nowhere near the level of impact as those two stories, it does it’s job in solidifying the ideologies between both Protagonist and Antagonist in this book. I’d hope to see a huge fight between The Flash, both Wally’s (pre-Flashpoint and post New 52), face off against Godspeed and Reverse Flash down the line. Maybe I’m asking for too much, But one can only imagine how cool that fight would be ,especially if drawn by Carmine di Giandomenico.
The writing has been consistent and fun with Joshua Williamson at the reigns. He seem’s to know where he’s taking this arc, and I hope he will be able to bring this arc into a satisfying conclusion when the arc reaches its course. I hope this isn’t the last time we see Godspeed as well after this arc is said and done, because there is some potential to see him and what he may do down the road to the Flash family. Carmine di Giandomenico is awesome in this issue and his pencils still continue to amaze the eye in its stylized execution.
There is a good sense of flow from one page to another, and although I never thought about it, there is a nice Peter Chung quality to his art style that really displays the athleticism and movement of each of the characters , especially in this issue. The colors and inks continue to serve it’s purpose in this book and its current arc. I hope to see more strong arcs after this one concludes sometime soon. It’s a fun series and I suggest that if you’re a fan of the Flash or a fan of the CW show looking for a way to get into the comics, I highly suggest going back to the beginning of this arc (6 issues thus far) while the story is still going. It is a good jumping on point for readers who want to get familiar with the Flash and his world, while also having fun reading a cool story that’s as fun as it is engaging. Pick it up.
Newsdesk