By Cat Wyatt

Whenever I see an annual issue, I always assume that the creators are setting up for a major event in a series (or two). The Flash Annual is no exception to this, which just further affirms that belief for me. From the title (Who Remembers Wally West) it’s pretty clear that this is going to be a Wally heavy issue, though likely the other Flash’s will be making their appearances as well (especially since they are setting up for a major event).

This issue starts in the 25th century (remember, this is where the Flash museum exists, and most of the information about the multiple Flash’s is well known). The museum is a mess, and a bunch of investigators are checking things out. Apparently, technology has hit the point where they can detect trace amounts of a body and positively identify who it was. Which considering there was no actual body left in this case is pretty damn convenient. The dead guy? None other than Eobard Thwane himself (if you’ve been following the Flash series, this will come as no surprise, as we’ve known this for a while actually).

Unfortunately for Iris, apparently a crime committed in the future does not in fact stay in the future. Or at least that’s the impression I got. Authorities are not pleased that she traveled into the future and killed a man. It doesn’t much matter how she got there (or how willing or not she was to go), or what that guy had done previously. It’s still pretty frowned upon, apparently…which considering how many Flash’s there are, and how badly they can mess up the time stream, I sort of get it.

Meanwhile back in present day, Barry Allen and Wally West (the kid one that is, not the original Wally West – confusing, no?) are fighting a pretty lame looking villain named Tornado-Man (pretty lame name too, now that I think about it). With the other Wally West joining the fight, mister lame Tornado-Man didn’t stand a chance. I almost feel bad for him, but not really.

Followers of the series are aware of Wally West (the original one, that is) having so much trouble fitting back into the life he has. Mostly because his memories are pretty messed up, and the only life he feels like he really has it the Flash life, which is no way to live. Everyone needs balance in their life, even, perhaps especially, superheroes.

Wally is having a lot of trouble adapting, and the other Wally and Barry are trying to be supportive and help him out, but it seems like every attempt they make just makes him feel even more alone. I think this may be one of those problems where he needs to take some time for himself and sort things out.

Or you know, not. He could just go seek out another friend, one who doesn’t remember him, and see if he can activate her memories of him (which occurs via touch, remember). Wally went for option B, and sought out long lost friend Frances Kane (AKA Magenta, and her abilities are pretty much what you would guess them to be). Naturally she doesn’t remember him…at first, but once she starts remembering him…and they touch, it all comes back.

Everything, including the fact that she had become a villain (something Wally didn’t remember). A huge chunk of her blames Wally for her becoming a villain in the first place (for pushing her to use and experiment with her powers, etc), and all of her blames him for making her a villain again. She was clearly happier not remembering him or all of this. She was happier not remembering the bad parts.

The wonderful thing about Wally is he has a way of forcing you to see the bright side of things, which in this case also includes seeing the happy memories. I don’t think things will ever be normal again for Frances, and I wouldn’t blame her for holding a grudge (even an itty bitty one), but I think the experience taught Wally something important.

He keeps seeking for insight and balance externally, when he really needs to be making way for himself. He’s so stuck in the past he’s lost that he can’t move forward. I’m not really sure what to suggest to go about making a change, but clearly a change is needed. I do think getting his own place was a great start (and bonus: he got Bruce Wayne to unknowingly pay for it – hilarious). It’s a start at least.

This whole issue was a prelude to the upcoming Flash War. Yeah, you read that right. I think we can safely assume it won’t be any of our favorite Flash’s fighting each other, but that does mean that Wally, Wally, and Barry must be teaming up against someone. There are a few hints at the end for who it’ll be, but I have a feeling it’s going to get pretty big by the end.

As far as preludes and setups go this wasn’t too bad. There was a lot of rehashing of older events, but I know not everybody is up to date, so that’s probably for the best. When Flash’s collide against their antagonists it usually gets pretty intense, so I’m looking forward to seeing what happens. Hopefully they don’t go and break time or anything.

For the most part I loved the artwork for this issue. They’ve followed the establish art style for the Flash comics, and continued to make the two red Flash suits clear (one being Wally the elder and Barry), which is greatly appreciated. Sometimes the outfits have me wondering – how can a suit that’s so tight that it shows every muscle and bend be flexible enough to allow for all the fighting they do? Mostly this criticism is directed at Tornado-Man; the dude was oddly ripped (even though all he did was fly inside a mini-twister).

Score: 4/5

The Flash Annual #1
DC Comics