The Flash #23.2: Reverse Flash Review

The Flash #23.2 takes a step back from the title's current events to explore the origin story of one of the title character's most interesting villains to date: Reverse Flash. While writers Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato have worked with artist Scott Hepburn to create a book as visually stunning as any in the series, the issue is more of an extended explanatory monologue than anything else.

The shocking reveal of the Reverse Flash's identity -- Daniel West -- left us speechless, but we've thus far been missing an explanation for how he came to be and why he did what he did. All of that is handed to us in a neat single-issue-sized bite. One can't help but feel that Daniel is talking at us, rather than to us, as he gives us a play-by-play of his traumatic childhood, the events of which led him down the road to ruin. His transformation into the Flash's villainous counterpart is neatly detailed, but the story lacks the energy and spontaneity we've come to expect from Manapul and Buccellato's run thus far.

Continue reading…

via IGN All http://feeds.ign.com/~r/ign/all/~3/NhCnjS94LIM/the-flash-232-reverse-flash-review