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The
Flash
Blitz:The Final Race
200/SEP/2003
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Geoff Johns
Pencils: Scott Kolins
Inks: Doug Hazlewood
Colors: James Sinclair
Letters: Ken Lopez
Price: $3.50 US/R16.00 SA
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Over the past few issues The Flash has had to deal with his biggest
adversary yet, Zoom: The Reverse Flash. What startling
conclusions will come in this final issue of the arc? What has writer
Geoff Johns got in mind for the 200th issue? And will The Flash
ever be the same again?
After taking on the combined speed force of both Jay Garrick and
Impulse and still not being fast enough to combat Zoom, what can
Wally West do to slow him down? Will he have to kill his friend
in order to stop the threat on his family? He’s already lost
his twin unborn children to Zoom, is he prepared to kill in order
to stop losing everything?
Geoff Johns [JSA, Hawkman, Teen Titans]
and Scott Kolins [Avengers] have
been building up their version of The Flash over the past months
for a story such as this. With a great plot which twists and turns
with each chapter and pulse pounding action packed art to match,
this is the coup de grace for Flash fans. It’s issue #200
and Johns and Kolins hold no punches.
The story in this issue is top notch and not only does the conflict
between Zoom and The Flash come to a satisfying conclusion but the
entire world that Johns has helped to mold over the past months
changes in a way many of you would never expect. It’s this
cliffhanger which makes this book such a rewarding close
to the story arc and indeed the startlingly brilliant run that Johns
and Kolins have had on the book. It’s not just another
good guy beats bad guy finish, the actions in previous months have
consequences and choices have to be made in this issue which will
have a cost in the future for The Flash and those he loves.
Artistically this is a sad day for this book as Scott Kolins finishes
his run on the comic and opens it up for Alberto Dose to take over.
Kolins does go out with a bang however and this issue has everything
in it. A huge fight spanning the globe between the two fastest men
alive with some of the best artwork of Kolins’ run. From
heart wrenching moments of love and sorrow between husband and wife
to a stunning conclusion in which Green Lantern guest stars, the
artwork is of the utmost quality. A special mention must
be given to the great wraparound cover that this issue sports. It’s
easily one of the best pieces that Kolins has produced for his run
on the series and is a special treat for this bumper issue.
The final two pages are drawn by Alberto Dose and we get a short
preview of what is to come in the next issue. His art style is nice
enough, somewhat Eduardo Risso like in technique, but a definite
departure from the vibrant and funky visuals of Kolins.
The team of Johns & Kollins bring a spellbinding conclusion
to the Blitz arc and although it’s sad to say goodbye
to Kolins’ kinetic artwork, Johns has left such a great hook
at the end of this 200th issue that I’m in for the next issue
no matter what the art ends up looking like.
Score 10/10
Reviewed By:Iain Duncan
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Comic Reviews
