Flashpoint: Kid Flash Lost #1

June 23, 2011

Title: Kid Flash Lost Part One

Writer: Sterling Gates
Pencils: Oliver Nome
Inks: Trevor Scott
Colorist: Brian Buccellato
Letterer: Dezi Sienty
Cover: Francis Manapul
Editor: Joey Cavalieri       
Publisher: DC Comics

With the timeline of the DC Universe irrevocably altered, Kid Flash (himself a time anomaly) wakes up in a 31^st century far different from the one in which he was born. He and Hot Pursuit – and not the same Hot Pursuit he met in the 21^st century – are cut off from the Speed Force, fleeing the conquering forces of Brainiac, and in danger of having their own timelines changed irrevocably.

This is one of the better Flashpoint miniseries to date. Bart Allen is an exciting character to begin with, but this issue really puts him in a tough spot. He’s cut off from his friends, from his powers, from everything. This incarnation of Hot Pursuit raises a lot of questions as well, and the danger that they face together could serve to bond them in interesting ways. It makes you wonder if this Hot Pursuit, as opposed to the other one, will find a place in the new DC Universe come September.

Oliver Nome is a good artist, and I particularly like his version of Hot Pursuit. The devastated landscape of the 31^st century looks good too, and even raises questions about how the dots can be connected from the present-day Flashpoint world to the world Bart is trapped in. Having Francis Manapul on covers is a treat any way you slice it. It’s a strong issue that looks at the crossover from a totally different angle than any of the other tie-ins.

Rating: 8/10