Flash (1987 series)

Talk about a crazy relaunch--as "jumping-on points" go, this one's a doozy. After an aborted attempt to place Bart Allen as the new Flash after Infinite Crisis, the powers-that-be at DC utilized writer Marc Guggenheim (who deserved far better) as a hatchet man to off Bart and (surprise!) cancel the 13-issue series.

Then along comes Mark Waid, a veritable knight in red spandex armor, who sweeps up the mess that was Bart Allen's stint as the Scarlet Speedster in a one-shot, and then returns to the title and character that arguably made him a fanboy phenomenon.

Waid jumps on board as fan expectations have just instantly gone from basement-level low to shockingly high within moments, thanks solely to his presence. Which is all by way of saying that his first issues have a lot to live up to...

...and they actually live up to most of it. It's tough and confusing to follow in spots, simply because the situation Waid presents us with is lousy with twisty continuity tricks from the past couple years. Wally West is back on our earth in our time, with his wife Linda and his two kids, both of whom grew up in an accelerated fashion on an alien planet and have superpowers of their own. There's an otherworldly machine involved, and a mystery surrounding a ferryboat crash, and none of it matters much in the end, because Waid shines again where he always shines--sharp dialogue and light pacing. This comic MOVES.

The whole enterprise is aided and abetted by artist Daniel Acuna, whose saturated, detailed style suits the book well at the moment--it's a bit too refined perhaps for a speedy superhero comic, but there's a depth to the visuals that really draws you in.

With Waid taking on editorial duties full-time for indie publisher BOOM Studios, it remains to be seen whether his latest run on The Flash will rival his original run or sputter out far too soon. For as long as he's on board, it's sure to be a good read.