The Flash #21

Reverse Part 2

Francis Manapul Co-Writer and Artist
Brian Buccellato Co-Writer and Colorist
Carlos M. Mangual Letterer
Manapul & Buccellato Cover
Harvey Richards Assoc. Editor
Wil Moss Editor
Brian Cunningham Senior Editor

Our cover curiously shows the Flash holding Kid Flash by his throat and preparing to punch him. Not only is this completely against Barry's personality, but nothing remotely like this happens in the issue. And there's no "deadly secret of Kid Flash" for that matter, either. Still, though, this is a beautiful cover. Despite being a bland background, the blue colors make the characters pop effectively. And Kid Flash looks fantastic. Manapul is one of my all-time favorite artists, and I love how he always makes sure to give Kid Flash long, flowing hair.

Our story picks up in the middle of a murder mystery the Flash is investigating. Two people connected to the Speed Force have been killed so far, and all Barry Allen knows about the killer is that he also is connected to the Speed Force and wears an emblem like Barry's. Naturally, this makes Barry's only lead Kid Flash — a teenager Barry has oddly avoided until now, despite the fact that Barry is at least a little irked that Kid Flash took his name without permission. Regardless, Barry knows enough about the Teen Titans to believe Kid Flash isn't the killer, but when he bolted upon being confronted, that led Barry to suspect Kid Flash is hiding something. So he chases after the teen on a bizarre race around the world. We pick up in Haukadalur Valley, Iceland.

Kid Flash says this is awkward, and I also think it's awkward that he's running. We don't know exactly what Barry said to spook him, but I do remember Kid Flash wishing he had reached out to the Flash to help him with his powers in the early issues of Teen Titans. And now he doesn't want to have anything to do with the Flash? Whatever his logic, Kid Flash decides to head to the Louvre in Paris, hoping to slow down the Flash by tearing pieces of art off the walls.

When that didn't work, Kid Flash went to the Grand Erg Oriental in Northern Algeria to whip up a sandstorm around the Flash. This does buy Kid Flash enough time to slip away to Bangalore, India, hastily disguise himself with a blanket, grab some masala dosa to eat, and call Red Robin. Kid Flash calls Tim by his name, which is odd, considering how it's been such a strong point of contention in the Teen Titans series that Red Robin has refused to share his secret identity with his teammates. Anyway, Tim rationally tells Kid Flash to find out what the Flash wants. Kid Flash admits he heard Barry mention something about a murder, but he suspects he just wants his name back. And despite Tim's advice, Kid Flash vows to knock out the Flash next time he sees him.

The Flash caught up with Kid Flash right as he was saying that last bit, and he quickly grabs Kid Flash's wrists before he has a chance to strike. But as soon as Flash touches him, a bolt of energy blasts off from them, knocking down everything nearby and rising up into outer space. And, just like Vibe, Flash saw glimpses of Kid Flash's past. Realizing Kid Flash is from the future, Flash says he doesn't belong here, which only makes Kid Flash angrier.

As the Flash chases Kid Flash through Banaue, Philippines, Sydney, Australia, Taranaki, New Zealand, and Viti Levu, Fiji, he realizes that Kid Flash is actually not connected to the Speed Force, but something alien. This enable Barry to officially rule out Kid Flash as the killer, but he wishes they could just sit and talk things out. He even calls Kid Flash "impulsive," making me weep for the loss of the original Bart Allen.

Kid Flash is determined to outrun Barry, and over the Pacific Ocean, he pushes himself a little too hard. He runs fast enough to reach escape velocity and begins floating up into the sky. Barry says that this happened to him once before, but his overly detailed, scientific explanation does little to calm Kid Flash down. Barry jumps up, catches Kid Flash, and vibrates his mass until the laws of gravity kick back in and the two speedsters crash hard on the water and bounce over to the shore of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Flash tells Kid Flash he should start wearing armor if he plans on running that fast, but Kid Flash blames Barry for making him reach that speed. He finally asks Barry why he was chasing him, and Flash explains all about the Speed Force killer and how he now knows Kid Flash is neither the murderer nor a target because of the unique and mysterious source of his speed. Kid Flash defensively refuses to answer any of Barry's questions and only halfheartedly apologizes for using the name Kid Flash. Barry speculates that Kid Flash might be his descendant from the future, but Kid Flash finds this gross. He starts to explain who gave him his name, but quickly stops himself, deciding to continue stonewalling the Flash.

Barry continues to offer help, and he even tries to tell Kid Flash his real name, but Kid Flash refuses to hear it. He says he doesn't need the Flash's help, since he has friends of his own, who conveniently show up at that moment in a jet I didn't know they had. Barry says that whether they like it or not, they are connected, and he promises to sit down and talk to him as soon as he takes care of the Speed Force killer. Kid Flash boards the jet, saying, "Whatever. See you around ... loser." Spoiler alert: They will not see each other ever again.




I loved this issue when I reviewed it back in 2013. But that was on my New 52 Flash blog, and I was reading it purely as a Flash story. This was one fun step of Barry's investigation and the promise of an actual relationship between Flash and Kid Flash. But now, in 2019, I know such a relationship will never materialize. And as a Kid Flash story, I'm upset by all the little inconsistencies in this story and the Teen Titans series. Granted, that series is full of inconsistencies on its own, so I can't really fault Manapul and Buccellato for not knowing what was going on in that book.

But any complaints with the story are made up with the beautiful art. Every page was simply gorgeous. After spending so much time in the Teen Titans, I almost forgot what a good comic book could look like. Manapul and Buccellato knew how to take advantage of the medium, especially with the story's title hidden in the artwork in each issue. I will give them a slight ding for forgetting about the Teen Titans logo on Kid Flash's shoulder, but otherwise, this is the best the New 52 Kid Flash has ever looked.

And since this is from one of my favorite comic book runs of all time, I actually own the physical copy of the issue, which means we can look at all the ads.

Your enemies will define you. Batman: Arkham Origins.

20% off DC comics at Midtown Comics.

It's not the end of the world. It's the beginning. Before Watchmen.

The epic event that will destroy the world's greatest heroes! Trinity War.

Batman: The Dark Knight Volume 2: Cycle of Violence.

Injustice: Gods Among Us.

The Flash Volume 2: Rogues Revolution.

Talon Volume 1: Scourge of the Owls.

You don't need x-ray vision to see how you can help. We Can Be Heroes.

Channel 52 talks about the Reverse-Flash (before Barry even figured out that's who the Speed Force killer was) and the upcoming fight between the Justice League and the Justice League of America.

DC Comics All Access talks about the upcoming Trinity of Sin: Pandora series.

New enemies. New allies. Falling Skies.

Continue the excitement. Man of Steel merchandise at Walmart.

Next time, we'll return to Teen Titans #21.