Comic Review: The Flash #20 (DC Comics)

The Flash has dealt with a lot of foes ever since the lightning storm that gave everyone the powers of the speed force.

Since then The Flash aka Barry Allen has investigated and cured most of the people affected by the storm.  New evil organizations and foes have risen challenging the Flash. One organization that’s given The Flash trouble is a group called The Black Hole. The Flash has foiled their plots time and again, but Is Barry ready to face one agent of the Black Hole that proves to be his greatest challenge? Who is this agent? None other than Iris West. What is she doing with the Black Hole? And what is Barry willing to stop her by any means? What is the Black Hole really planning? And what will it mean for The Flash?

Joshua Williamson continues to find new ways to make this title an enjoyable read that is easy to jump in. Williamson displays good set up and resolves to this issue that really feels tight and consistent with the narrative story that he weaves throughout the issue. What’s great about this issue is it is more centered on Iris West and her investigative skills as a journalist. Williamson displays how Iris utilizes those skills when she is in association with The Black Hole. What makes this issue even better is that one doesn’t necessarily need to read any prior issues to read this one. It’s easy to jump right in to get an idea of what’s happening currently, while briefly touching on what happens prior without losing the reader.

Neil Googe does a great job with the art helping make the book have a lively, fun aesthetic that makes it pleasing to read. In its own way it has it’s own unique animated graphic quality that could make for a great animation since the artwork flows similarly to that. The biggest take away from Googe’s art is the way he illustrates industrial backgrounds. They’re very well illustrated, constructed and crisp. That’s something to admire with comic book illustrators that make it the cherry on top of the comic book aesthetic cake. Ivan Plascencia’s colors are solid and really provide an extra pop to Googe’s pencil’s making it much more kinetic. Steve Wand’s lettering is also good. This was a good issue that reads like a standalone issue while also reading as an ongoing storyline. Definitely recommended as a book to jump into if someone is a beginner and wants to get into reading The Flash. It’s also a recommended pick up for anyone who has been enjoying what Williamson has been crafting with his run. Sure, it’s not mindblowing, groundbreaking but it’s definitely a fun ride that is worth the read.