Mark Waid is back in the driver’s seat, co-writing with Christopher Cantwell, and teamed up with artist Vasco Georgiev for The Flash #26, and it hits the ground running. This issue, “Impulse Control, Part I”, is a high-stakes, action-packed chapter that immediately hooks into the massive DC K.O. event. But don’t worry, even if you’re not up to date on all the cosmic craziness, this comic does a great job of using a world-ending threat to dig into some really excellent character drama within the Flash family.
The issue actually starts small, with Wally West, the current Fastest Man Alive, in a pretty classic Flash scenario: chasing down the villain Alchemist, who’s trying to ransom a satellite network. This opening sequence is gold because Wally’s inner thoughts are so relatable. While he’s moving at light speed, he’s worrying about the exact velocity needed not to eject himself off the planet: he’s genuinely worried about turning into Wile E. Coyote! It perfectly showcases how Wally has grown into a mature, thoughtful, and even cautious hero.
But things go from a standard villain fight to a universal crisis in a heartbeat. The Justice League Watchtower quickly reveals the terrifying truth: existence itself is falling apart, “re-forming… into Omega. Into Darkseid.” Time Trapper and World Forger pop in to explain the desperate, last-ditch plan: a tournament to select a King Omega, the only champion powerful enough to take on Darkseid and save reality by claiming the Heart of Apokolips.
The tension that explodes here is what makes the issue so good. Wally is understandably reluctant. The last thing he wants is to fight his friends. But then there’s Bart Allen, A.K.A. Impulse, who is, well, Impulse.
Bart is exactly as he should be: brash, overconfident, and totally reckless. Growing up in the 31st century, he’s spent his life overriding the difficulty settings on all his combat simulators, so he equates this world-ending crisis to a mere VR sim. He’s eager to use the time-slowing efforts of Time Trapper and World Forger to jump into the past and take down Darkseid: a plan he casually dismisses as “no problem.”
True to his name, Bart doesn’t even wait for a debate. He vibrates right through the Watchtower bulkhead and into the Time Stream, which is the issue’s dramatic turning point. Wally tries to catch him, but we’re immediately hit with a chaotic, confusing moment where everyone instantly forgets who Bart is! It’s a classic “sigh… Impulse” moment, proving he’s still the resident agent of chaos and a bad influence (he was taking a Justice League jet out for a joyride earlier, for crying out loud!).
The art by Vasco Georgiev and colors by Matt Herms totally sell the escalating dread. The opening chase is pure kinetic flow, but when Bart dives into the Time Stream, the visuals transform. Wally sees glimpses of his own past, but the energy is frantically building.
The climax? Wally catches up to Bart, only for them to find Darkseid waiting for them in the slowed-down past. Darkseid, proclaiming himself as everything (Past, Present, and Future), is drawn with a terrifying, overpowering menace. The final pages are a masterclass in psychological horror. Buddy Beaudoin’s lettering nails the chaotic energy, particularly with the frantic sound effects of the speedsters and the booming captions of Darkseid’s power.
The Flash #26 is a strong, fast-paced read. While the DC K.O. tie-in might leave you slightly unsure of the overall point (especially since the main DC All-In special seems to have set the beginning in stone), you won’t care while you’re reading this. It uses the major cosmic event as a catalyst for genuine, compelling character drama, perfectly showcasing the stark difference between Wally’s measured experience and Bart’s reckless impulsiveness.
It’s a fun read that leaves the Flash family (and the entire universe) in a truly dire, uncertain place. The question now is: can Wally save his impulsive cousin, or has Bart just doomed them all?
Review: ‘The Flash’ #26 – The Fastest Family in Trouble
The Flash #26 is a strong, fast-paced read. While the DC K.O. tie-in might leave you slightly unsure of the overall point (especially since the main DC All-In special seems to have set the beginning in stone), you won’t care while you’re reading this. It uses the major cosmic event as a catalyst for genuine, compelling character drama, perfectly showcasing the stark difference between Wally’s measured experience and Bart’s reckless impulsiveness.
