Issue #2 of Absolute Flash picks up right after the explosive debut, with Wally West still reeling from the lab accident that killed Barry Allen and gave him unstable speed powers. Now he’s on the run from the Rogues—a deadly, government-backed team sent by his father—and barely keeping it together as his grip on time and himself starts to slip.
Absolute Flash #2 is a dizzying, anxiety-drenched episode of a comic that feels less like a superhero story and more like a sci-fi survival thriller. Wally West is front and center again, but don’t expect him to be slinging witty one-liners or doing heroic poses. This kid is spiraling. The Rogues (Captain Cold, Boomerang, Golden Glider, and the Trickster) are on his heels, and Wally is scrambling through caves, deserts, and straight into past timelines, trying to stay alive. The issue juggles flashbacks to Barry Allen’s doomed experiment, Wally’s fractured childhood, and terrifying glimpses of what might be his future. All while a not-so-subtle monkey with an open brain—yes, Grodd—lurks as the next big threat.
Credit: DC Comics
Reading this issue feels like sprinting through a nightmare where every corner leads to another panic attack. That’s a compliment. Jeff Lemire leans hard into the emotional chaos Wally’s trapped in. You really feel his fear. It’s not just that the Rogues are scary (they are), or that he’s afraid of his powers (he is), but it’s that Wally doesn’t know when he is anymore. His time jumps are erratic and unkind. One moment he’s watching Barry alive again, another moment he’s back in the wreckage of the lab, then he’s face-to-face with his dad, then poof—back to dodging laser boomerangs. It’s wild, but never confusing.
That’s where Nick Robles and Adriano Lucas’s art hits full throttle. The panels don’t just show speed—they feel like speed. The movement, the swirling energy, the flashes of red lightning, the electric anxiety all crackle off the page. Especially when Wally’s mental collapses and the panel layout starts to break apart, as if the comic’s structure is panicking alongside him. The Trickster even feels more horror movie villain than prankster, and there’s a real sense of danger when he traps Wally in a weird yo-yo ball prison.
Honestly, this series is less about “The Flash” and more about a boy running from himself, his dad, and a future that may turn him into a monster. There’s even a tease of two possible Wallys: one who becomes a hero, and one who’s just lightning and rage. It’s haunting, and yeah, that got me hyped.
Credit: DC Comics
As far as second issues go, this one hits the mark. It ramps up the tension, deepens the mystery around Project Olympus and Wally’s powers, and pushes the characters forward while keeping the emotional stakes front and center. If you’re coming for typical superhero antics, maybe look elsewhere. But if you want a sharp, smart, heart-racing story that dares to mess with one of DC’s most hopeful heroes? This one hits hard.
That said, it’s not perfect. A lot is happening, and some of the Rogues still feel underdeveloped. Captain Cold and Boomerang are doing their thing, but Golden Glider and Trickster have a little more vibe than substance. They are cool but not quite memorable yet. Hopefully, they get more layers soon.
Absolute Flash #2 is a raw, visually electric ride through trauma, time, and terror. Wally West is a mess—and that’s exactly what makes this issue so good. If this is where Lemire and Robles are just getting started, I’m strapped in.
‘Absolute Flash’ #2 Review: Hunted Through Time!
Absolute Flash #2 is a raw, visually electric ride through trauma, time, and terror. Wally West is a mess—and that’s exactly what makes this issue so good. If this is where Lemire and Robles are just getting started, I’m strapped in.
