Warning: Spoilers ahead for The Flash #787!DC Comics' latest issue of The Flash is the perfect antidote to the problem of superhero event fatigue. For the past several months, the Flash has been caught up in Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths, one of the biggest events in recent DC history and the culmination of the publisher’s plans since Infinite Frontier. However, in The Flash #787 both he and the readers get a moment to breathe. The issue is on sale now in print and digital.
Today’s superhero comics can appear to be a constant stream of mega events and crossovers, each of them promising colossal ramifications. This mentality can trace its roots back to the mid-1980s, when Flash has been front and center of Dark Crisis, and his last few issues have been tie-ins, but the most recent shows the beauty of one-off stories. It is written by Jeremy Adams, illustrated by Fernando Pasarin, inked by Matt Ryan, colored by Jeromy Cox and lettered by Rob Leigh.
The story, titled “Time to Shine,” follows the Flash (Wally West) on what should be a day off that he can spend relaxing with his family, who fought beside him during the Dark Crisis. However, extraterrestrial wrestlers from across the multiverse descend on Central City, laying waste to it as they battle for the belt. The Flash races downtown to try and bring order, only to find himself declared the winner of the match! This attracts the attention of Wrestling Across the Multiverse (WAM)’s reigning champion: Omega Bam Bam. The Flash and Bam Bam throw down, but the Flash quickly learns that Bam Bam and the WAM intend no real harm and that they will clean up all the damage they caused. The Flash, now realizing that WAM is harmless, gets in on the fun, while his family cheers him on at home. At the end of the story, WAM is good to their word, and the Flash returns home to his loving family.
The Flash Makes the Case for One-Off Stories
Despite not tying into any major event or storyline, this issue of The Flash is one of the most entertaining in recent memory, and beautifully makes the case for one-off stories–that is, stories that are over in one issue and have no real lasting ramifications. “Time to Shine” is the perfect example, telling a fun, light-hearted story. These types of stories are crucial to any serialized fictional character, as they allow both the reader/viewer and the main characters time to relax. Not every issue needs to tie in to that month’s biggest events and not every story needs to have dire ramifications to be compelling, and “Time to Shine” proves this.
Looking to the future, both publishers have major events in the works, such as Lazarus Planet at DC and Fall of X at Marvel, and no doubt more are on the drawing board. Fans looking for a fun antidote for event fatigue should look to “Time to Shine,” in The Flash #787.
