Comic Review – “The Flash: Rebirth #2”

Barry Allen is back, but he’s not back exactly as he used to be.

General Information

Title: The Flash: Rebirth #2

Author: Geoff Johns

Illustrator(s): Ethan van Sciver (art) and Alex Sinclair (inks)

Cover Date: July 2009

Cover Price: $2.99 US

Premise

Barry is trying to figure out what happened to Savitar, and he learns about the feedback that was delivered to other speedsters, as well as the cover story to explain how he came back from the dead.

High Point

The look on Wally’s face that introduces the last page. The last page itself is also great, revealing that most preconceptions about this series were just dead wrong.

Low Point

“There’s been no sign of [a spoilery character] since…” followed by an event that used a different character, unless I missed something big in between.

The Scores

This is an original take on a character returning from the dead. I think this is the first time when the returning character struggled but others didn’t. I give it 5 out of 6.

The artwork is picking up. Van Sciver had moments that seemed a bit awkward in the first issue, as though he wasn’t quite sure how to draw Barry standing still, but that’s not a problem this issue. I give it 5 out of 6.

The story is working really well. It’s doing a nice job of setting up multiple mysteries which may or may not be related. There’s a perfectly acceptable way to explain to the general DC population why Barry Allen is back, and there are a couple of moments that I definitely didn’t see coming. I give it 5 out of 6.

The characterization is well done. We understand where Hal is coming from, and we get a great look at what’s going on with Barry on the inside. I give it 5 out of 6.

The emotional response is decent for most of the issue, and then picks up considerably with the last page and a half. I give it 5 out of 6.

The flow is smooth, keeping pace with the lead character. I give it 5 out of 6.

Overall, it’s a great second issue, and does a nice job of digging the hook deeper for the rest of the five issue series. I give it 5 out of 6.

In total, The Flash: Rebirth #2 receives 35 out of 42.

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