Jeff Lemire and Travis Moore’s Absolute Flash #7 is a fantastic finale to the “Trials of the Flash” storyline, delivering both emotional depth and some epic displays of power. In this issue, Wally West is starving, and his attempts to get a meal land him in a heap of trouble. Now, the Rogues are closing in. Can he outrun them, or will this be the end of the line for the Scarlet Speedster?
The comic throws you right into the chaos, both literally and emotionally. Wally West and his unlikely companion, Grodd, are caught in a torrential storm in Kindtown, Missouri. Grodd, terrified of the thunder, is trying to find “home,” while Wally reminds him they no longer have one. This simple exchange sets a personal, desperate tone for everything that follows. Wally’s determination to protect his friend is the driving force of this entire issue.
The duo’s quest for food leads to a moment of moral conflict for Wally. He tries to barter for supplies at a convenience store but is quickly shut down by a heartless clerk. Desperate and starving, Wally makes a split-second decision to take the food, promising to pay the clerk back. It’s a moment of technical shoplifting, but it’s a powerful showcase of Wally’s immense care for Grodd, even if he has to resort to stealing.
The next thing Wally knows, it’s light out, and he’s being apprehended by the police. Just as they’re about to lock him away forever, a surprising twist arrives: Captain Cold, Lisa, and the rest of the Rogues blast their way in, rescuing Wally. Why, you might ask? Because Captain Cold wants to offer Wally a deal: help them find Grodd, who mysteriously went missing during the chaos, and he’ll free Wally.
The climax is a visual masterpiece. As the Rogues’ vehicle can’t handle the intense storm, they decide to cut their losses and retreat. But Wally refuses to abandon Grodd, declaring, “I’m going to save my only friend!” In a stunning moment, Wally stops running from the lightning and lets it inside him, absorbing the storm’s energy to gain a new level of power. He easily defeats the “Storm Man,” or as I’ll call him Absolute Weather Wizard, in a breathtaking display of his newfound abilities.
Lemire’s writing in Absolute Flash #7 really shines because he balances a simple, human story with all the superhero craziness. The whole thing is grounded in the friendship between Wally West and Grodd. You feel for Wally because his goal isn’t some grand mission; it’s just to get his scared friend food and shelter. The dialogue is both touching and believable as Lemire excels at getting to the heart of things, especially in the more low moments. And Travis G. Moore’s art perfectly matches that feeling, bringing to life both the frantic storm and Wally’s powerful transformation.
However, the issue isn’t flawless. Some unexplained moments might leave you scratching your head. For example, Wally’s sudden decision to accept the Rogues’ offer after they’ve been chasing him for six issues feels pretty strange. Still, the story is intriguing, and it seems likely we’ll get some answers in the next issue.
‘Absolute Flash’ #7 Review: Delivers a Daring Escape and a New Path
Absolute Flash #7 is a fantastic conclusion that not only resolves the immediate conflict but also opens a compelling new chapter for the character.
