Flash

• Title: The Flash #28
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Brian Buccellato
• Artist: Patrick Zircher

After unintentionally releasing a spirit of vengeance and murder from his prison, the Flash teams up with Deadman to fight the Keystone Killer who plans on returning to his murderous ways by hunting down the surviving descendants of his original victims.

Offering no closure for Barry as the Fastest Man Alive learns the vengeful spirit had no hand in his mother’s death, the odd ghost story does allow for an unique team-up of heroes we normally wouldn’t see together. And although I like my Boston Brand a little more whimsical, the character is put to good use here (even if it feels like the storyline is being unnecessarily drawn out for one more month).

The issue’s backstory (without an ounce of subtlety) continues to suggest that the man Barry knows as his father isn’t who he thinks he is (in more ways than one). Patrick Zircher’s art is okay but doesn’t do much to add any flair to the storyline. For fans.

[DC, $2.99]

• Title: The Flash #27
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Brian Buccellato
• Artist: Patrick Zircher

Writer Brian Buccellato delves into the Flash‘s past with the discovery of grave filled with the victims of the city’s serial killer from two decades ago. Barry does a little investigating on his own and discovers the timeline and the man’s choice of victim point to what he believes may be the real killer behind his mother’s murder (which his father is still serving a jail sentence for).

First, although I’m still missing those beautiful splash pages from Francis Manapul, I want to thank artist Patrick Zircher for the minimalist approach to the New 52 version of our hero’s costume by only filling in the yellow piping when the Flash is in action. I can actual enjoy looking at the character again!

I don’t need Barry Allen needs a dark origin story help round him out as a character, but the issue does a good job of showcasing the drive that was born in him years ago. Although the reactions his captain and his father make me wonder if the comic is going to make his father ultimately responsible for the murder, I’m still holding out hope for Professor Zoom. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]