Letters to The Flash #32

[HoM]

Please Rate This Issue!

[HoM]

From the very opening of this issue, I knew we were in for a treat. Kevin, you’ve got a brilliant handle on all the villains of The Flash mythos, be them Rogues or otherwise, and this very interesting creation of yours, this version of Professor Zoom, the Reverse Flash, is simply amazing. I mean, his single-mindedness of vision was astonishing, but after we’ve seen glimpses of his humanity, it’s simply stunning to see this former hero fall even deeper into the downward spiral of villainy. After this issue, there is simply no way back for Eobard Thawne… or is there?

And on the villain tangent, the Rogues versus Rogues scenes were simply beautiful, with each “villain” getting his moment in the spotlight, and I have to say, I still love Captain Cold! He’s treated with such reverence nowadays, and you can see why, and the moral code the Rogues stand for is one you can’t help but respect. This is what makes them different from other villains, and that’s why, I think, they’re so popular in the DCU!proper. Bravo, Kevin, well written.

Grodd Vs Barry was a heart pounding battle, and I loved how Barry stopped him, with sheer super speed dtermination, that mantra drumming into his head again and again as he faced this behemoth of destruction, until he stood victorious, but the price? Too high. The reflection on the destruction wrought was very sad, but these things happen, and I’m glad to see a hero actually acknowledge what happens when this stuff goes down.

Jay Garrick… I’m glad he got out of his predicament, but at what cost? Wally will be ok, we hope, and we have to follow him into this months issue of Teen Titans, but the fact Garrick now owes a Rogue… it’s a bit disconcerting, isn’t it? It is nice, I admit, to see someone living by their own code, instead of being beholden to someone elses, and Alchemy was always an interesting villain in the DCU!proper. Poor Jay though, putting himself out there, lying like that, only to be treated like crap. Nevermind!

Max Mercury & Johnny Quick versus the Savitars was a scene that took my breath away. Seriously, there was one line that made me just laugh, and I shared it with you as I was editing: “One last run?” Johnny spat, barely intelligible through his cracked jaw. “One final race before the end?” That’s the kind of line I would have loved to write, and it was a wonder to behold.

Zoom’s lessons were harsh, and we were expecting something, and whilst it was a bit of a cop-out from your previous statement at the end of the last issue, the death was a brutal, inescapable thing, and seeing Barry reaching… reaching… reaching… to save him, was awful. I mean, we could feel his pain, his struggling, and the fact he failed… God, like a kick in the crotch, I have to say!

The return of you-know-who and his subsequent defeat was great, glad to see that story-thread tied up, and the beat down of you-know-who-else was brilliant. I think I love Captain Cold. Every single scene he is in just reads as perfection, and like I say every month, I’m always concerned this book will just become The Flash Rogues. Bring it on, I say!

And I now hate the Trickster. Luckily he’s a fictional character else I’d really be pissed. We were expecting it since part one, but to finally see it, and to have the footage interplayed with the death scenes… again, crikey, brilliantly done. I wish I’d stuck around on The Flash for longer myself so I could have written such a thing! Great work.

Barry Allen is one hell of a hero. We know this. He’s affiliated with a brighter kind of story telling (until the issues before CoIE, I guess!) and to see him put through so much is a pain to read, but we have to keep reading, because we have to see him succeed! Because we know he’ll never give in! You’ve captured the spirit of the character perfectly, Kevin, I say it every month, and I’m going to say this again too: You’re fast becoming one of the best writers on the site, up there with Brian, Susan, Don and Dave, and I hold you in very high regard (and I can’t wait to read your stuff, though I’m still waiting on New Gods, *cough*). It’s always a pleasure to work with you, and LEGACY OF THE LIGHTNING is going to come to an awesome finale, I can feel it, next time round.

Five Stars, natch!

[danielsummers]

*slow clap*

Holy. Crap.

That was amazing. From the very beginning to the last word, I was on the edge of my seat. A super-sized issue, filled to the brim with amazing things to talk about! The tension was palpable from the get-go...opening with us back in the hospital was much appreciated, as I love the Rouges, and watching them smack down the youngins was refreshing.

Barry pushing through the Grodd mental manipulations and handing out a much-needed beatdown was refreshing. Like Charlie, I love the idea that the Flash Family is indebted to Doc Alchemy, and having your blood turned into water? Sweet death (wish I'da thought of that...).

The Savitar's got what they deserved, and I really like you kind of clearing the board of speetsters by killing off the Lady. Now, Savitar has a bigger grudge with Barry and co. Well done. And I stifled a cheer when Cold finally took care of the Top, and saved the kid. (Did you rename Heatwave Mike on purpose?) My favorite line of the story belonged to Cold..."Ma'am." Classic.

Great creative choice interspersing the reveal of Barry's ID and the death/disappearance of Mr. Allen and Iris, respectively. It played really well, and count me as someone who can't WAIT for the Annual.

5 Stars doesn't do it enough justice, but it's all I've got!

[thundever]

Great story, brilliant interactions, I hope Bart and Cassie are going to be okay, I am glad that the Captain Cold wouldn't let anyone hurt a little baby. Are the other Speedsters safe now that The Lady died? I am very glad that Barry, Wally, Jay, Max and Johnny are still alive.

[impulseallen]

I...am speechless.

THAT was an amazing Flash story.

Wow. That was just...yikes. I can't believe Barry didn't make it. Then having his identity revealed...holy...bravo Kevin. That was incredible.

Highlights for me were the Rogue fight. I was so looking forward to that since last issue and it did not dissapoint. Awesome. Loved Cap. Boomerang in a blade fight with Murmer. That was sweet. Johnny and Max's defeat of the two Savitars was great. I didn't think those old guys could think up a way to beat them that was so cool. And of course the death scene that ran at the same time as the idenitity revealing scene...whoah. That was absolutely epic. I was like praying that Barry could get there in time. But no...and his whole world has just cracked apart...I CANNOT WAIT TILL THE NEXT ISSUE!!!

GREAT WORK!

[Merai]

Jan 29, 2009 15:53:42 GMT -5 HoM said:

From the very opening of this issue, I knew we were in for a treat. Kevin, you’ve got a brilliant handle on all the villains of The Flash mythos, be them Rogues or otherwise, and this very interesting creation of yours, this version of Professor Zoom, the Reverse Flash, is simply amazing. I mean, his single-mindedness of vision was astonishing, but after we’ve seen glimpses of his humanity, it’s simply stunning to see this former hero fall even deeper into the downward spiral of villainy. After this issue, there is simply no way back for Eobard Thawne… or is there?

An excellent question you pose at the end, and one which will recieve a definitive answer. But suffice to say that while these last installments have been crowded and he's been a behind-the-scenes player so far, Thawne has a HUGE role in the finale, which is pretty much one giant- epic- confrontation.

And on the villain tangent, the Rogues versus Rogues scenes were simply beautiful, with each “villain” getting his moment in the spotlight, and I have to say, I still love Captain Cold! He’s treated with such reverence nowadays, and you can see why, and the moral code the Rogues stand for is one you can’t help but respect. This is what makes them different from other villains, and that’s why, I think, they’re so popular in the DCU!proper.

What can I say, I love my Rogues. I knew from the start of my run that Captain Cold was going to kill the Top, but when it finally played out and I needed Kadabra taken off the board, I decided he deserved that role as well. The spotlight could have shone on another Rogue, but theyv'e been off the table for all intents and purposes for quite a while now and I figured Cold was the most deserving of all! But yes, as you say, the Rogues have that moral code which sets them apart from other villains in the DCU- something the Newer Rogues most certainly don't have.

Grodd Vs Barry was a heart pounding battle, and I loved how Barry stopped him, with sheer super speed dtermination, that mantra drumming into his head again and again as he faced this behemoth of destruction, until he stood victorious, but the price? Too high. The reflection on the destruction wrought was very sad, but these things happen, and I’m glad to see a hero actually acknowledge what happens when this stuff goes down.

Legacy of the Lightning is all about loss and change, and the heavy casualties inflicted by Grodd's barbaric assault are important both in showing the power and terror that Grodd can create, and also in influencing events which will be glimpsed in The Flash #33. But really, I think there was no force on Earth that could have come between Barry Allen and seeing his new child for the first time- as poor old Grodd found out.

Jay Garrick… I’m glad he got out of his predicament, but at what cost? Wally will be ok, we hope, and we have to follow him into this months issue of Teen Titans, but the fact Garrick now owes a Rogue… it’s a bit disconcerting, isn’t it? It is nice, I admit, to see someone living by their own code, instead of being beholden to someone elses, and Alchemy was always an interesting villain in the DCU!proper. Poor Jay though, putting himself out there, lying like that, only to be treated like crap. Nevermind!

I was worried that this scene might read a little cheap since Jay didn't get out of the situation due to his own skill, but I hoped that the fact that he was the only one might lessen that to some degree. The Flash Family owing a Rogue- and particularly one as enigmatic as Alchemy- a favour is not something which bodes well for them, and Jay knows that as much as we do...

Max Mercury & Johnny Quick versus the Savitars was a scene that took my breath away. Seriously, there was one line that made me just laugh, and I shared it with you as I was editing: “One last run?” Johnny spat, barely intelligible through his cracked jaw. “One final race before the end?” That’s the kind of line I would have loved to write, and it was a wonder to behold.

Well, I can only say thanks for such kind words, Charlie. That was probably the last scene written actually (I don't write in chronological order) and I'm happy it came out as well as it did. Johnny and Max are huge players in this book and have been since I came on, so I wanted to give them their own moment to shine.

Zoom’s lessons were harsh, and we were expecting something, and whilst it was a bit of a cop-out from your previous statement at the end of the last issue, the death was a brutal, inescapable thing, and seeing Barry reaching… reaching… reaching… to save him, was awful. I mean, we could feel his pain, his struggling, and the fact he failed… God, like a kick in the crotch, I have to say!

I can see how you'd think Barry's dad's death is a cop-out, but it will have massive ramifications to come. I'm not someone who generally believes in deaths unless they advance the storyline and the death provides more potential for stories than that character could have alive. Barry's dad is rarely used and limited in the ways he can eb used, but his death will be important indeed- for reasons which any readers who have read my entire run thus far may be able to guess at, and which will play a part next issue! Whether or not Iris or Carrie advance the story more in life than death is debateable.... and I guess we'll find out after the Annual!

The return of you-know-who and his subsequent defeat was great, glad to see that story-thread tied up, and the beat down of you-know-who-else was brilliant. I think I love Captain Cold. Every single scene he is in just reads as perfection, and like I say every month, I’m always concerned this book will just become The Flash Rogues. Bring it on, I say!

Lord knows it's hard enough NOT doing that without being encouraged, dammit! Plenty of the Rogues to be seen in the months to come- with the immediate fallout of this dealt with and some pretty big consequences for the Rogues coming in Legacy's aftermath in The Flash #33. The Top was a big loose end from, I believe, Seb's run, and it was one of many plot threads I wanted to give a definitive ending to with 'Legacy of the Lightning'. Whether or not the Top is dead is of course more ambiguous than Kadabra's rather more definitive fate, so we'll see what lies ahead!

And I now hate the Trickster. Luckily he’s a fictional character else I’d really be pissed. We were expecting it since part one, but to finally see it, and to have the footage interplayed with the death scenes… again, crikey, brilliantly done. I wish I’d stuck around on The Flash for longer myself so I could have written such a thing! Great work.

Yes, the Trickster got his revenge in the end. I loved the idea that it was this crazy, buffoonish character- now totally alone- who ultimately did what no-one else had been able to- or willing to. And whatever happens in the next issue, Barry's unmasking is a huge alteration which will change his status quo for a long, long time. Of course, how exactly Warden Wolfe feels about losing his trump card is another matter.... and one that will be found out in- you guessed it!- The Flash #33.

Barry Allen is one hell of a hero. We know this. He’s affiliated with a brighter kind of story telling (until the issues before CoIE, I guess!) and to see him put through so much is a pain to read, but we have to keep reading, because we have to see him succeed! Because we know he’ll never give in! You’ve captured the spirit of the character perfectly, Kevin, I say it every month, and I’m going to say this again too: You’re fast becoming one of the best writers on the site, up there with Brian, Susan, Don and Dave, and I hold you in very high regard (and I can’t wait to read your stuff, though I’m still waiting on New Gods, *cough*). It’s always a pleasure to work with you, and LEGACY OF THE LIGHTNING is going to come to an awesome finale, I can feel it, next time round.

I'm not sure I can possibly match up to that VERY high praise, Charlie... all I can say is thank you, and I hope I live up to that confidence you place in me! I'll be honest- if I had my way, I'm not sure I'd ever leave these characters I love so much, but, well, there's a Green Lantern writer out there who would snap my spine like a twig if I didn't.

That was amazing. From the very beginning to the last word, I was on the edge of my seat. A super-sized issue, filled to the brim with amazing things to talk about! The tension was palpable from the get-go...opening with us back in the hospital was much appreciated, as I love the Rouges, and watching them smack down the youngins was refreshing.

As to the super-sizing, it was originally going to be normal-sized but... well, I didn't want to split it upand I couldn't trim it down more, so that's what we got. The Annual is DOUBLE sized, so the entire story will be the equivalent of five and a half issues by the end. And yes, while the Thawne scene was needed first for a bit of set-up and contextualisation, I knew that it was only fair to plunge back into the hospital straight away after that to pay off on last issue's cliffhanger!

Barry pushing through the Grodd mental manipulations and handing out a much-needed beatdown was refreshing. Like Charlie, I love the idea that the Flash Family is indebted to Doc Alchemy, and having your blood turned into water? Sweet death (wish I'da thought of that...).

Also a death that very nearly didn't happen as I weighed out the consequences of killing Doctor Spectro, but in the end, Alchemy has NO scruples, and the idea of him simply disabling Spectro simply seemed false. As well as wrapping up all the old plot threads, I wanted to be caeful to set up new ones- and the Alchemy debt is one of many new plot threads being added to the book over the course of the first few months of 2009.

The Savitar's got what they deserved, and I really like you kind of clearing the board of speetsters by killing off the Lady. Now, Savitar has a bigger grudge with Barry and co. Well done.

Yup, that was the exact intention- Lady Savitar didn't add a whole lot, and by killing her, Savitar gains a helluva lot more motivation! PLUS it has the added bonus of giving him further grudge not just with the Flashes in general but Max and Johnny in particular.

And I stifled a cheer when Cold finally took care of the Top, and saved the kid. (Did you rename Heatwave Mike on purpose?) My favorite line of the story belonged to Cold..."Ma'am." Classic.

I admit I really enjoyed writing every scene with Cold in it, especially that line. As for renaming Heatwave- yes, I always felt that 'Mike' would be a far better name than 'Mick' and so seized the chance to retcon this vitally important detail.

Alternatively, I goofed.

One of these is true, but as to which? Who knows, really?

Great creative choice interspersing the reveal of Barry's ID and the death/disappearance of Mr. Allen and Iris, respectively. It played really well, and count me as someone who can't WAIT for the Annual.

While I knew that those scenes were happening right from... issue 24 in the case of the unmasking, and before the story began for the others, the idea to intersperse them only came whn it came time to write them, and it's one of the few creative decisions I can say I am totally happy with and very glad I did.

5 Stars doesn't do it enough justice, but it's all I've got!

Your feedback is always welcome, Dan.

Particularly when it's as GLOWING and generous as this! Thank you, as always!

Great story, brilliant interactions, I hope Bart and Cassie are going to be okay,

Thanks for your comments! While Bart seems out of danger for now, Cassie is very much not.... I hope she's going to be okay too, but I'm not sure Eobard Thawne thinks the same way.

I am glad that the Captain Cold wouldn't let anyone hurt a little baby.

Cold doesn't have THAT many morals, but even he finds killing babies abhorrent. Well, that's my take on Cold anyway!

Are the other Speedsters safe now that The Lady died? I am very glad that Barry, Wally, Jay, Max and Johnny are still alive.

All I will say is this- the tagline said "Speedsters will die." Lady Savitar is only one speedster. Of course, it wouldn't be the first tagline to be misleading, and the difference isn't much... guess there's only one way to find out!

I...am speechless.

THAT was an amazing Flash story.

Wow. That was just...yikes. I can't believe Barry didn't make it. Then having his identity revealed...holy...bravo Kevin. That was incredible.

I really appreciate such effusive praise, Pat! It makes enduring Charlie's brutal editorship all worth it! And yes, the ending of this issue will effect Barry Allen for...well, barring another writer deciding to do some retconning, for pretty much the entirety of the Flash to come. I said right from the start there would be a Flash pre-LotL and a Flash post-LotL and the unmasking is a major reason for that!

Highlights for me were the Rogue fight. I was so looking forward to that since last issue and it did not dissapoint. Awesome. Loved Cap. Boomerang in a blade fight with Murmer. That was sweet. Johnny and Max's defeat of the two Savitars was great. I didn't think those old guys could think up a way to beat them that was so cool. And of course the death scene that ran at the same time as the idenitity revealing scene...whoah. That was absolutely epic. I was like praying that Barry could get there in time. But no...and his whole world has just cracked apart...I CANNOT WAIT TILL THE NEXT ISSUE!!!

Again, thank you for your high praise! Barry's world has cracked apart indeed.... and the shattered pieces are about to be blown to Hell! See you for the Annual- and trust me, you do not want to miss this one!

[arcalian]

Body count is high.

And Eobard just made a very very bad mistake....and he of all people should know better.

[starlord]

I'm... I'm... I'm stunned. AMAZING!!! I don't know where to begin with this. But the revelation... this is going to impact nearly everything in the DC2 Universe! Poor Barry...

Really, there wasn't a missed step in this. It's sad to see so many cool villains get completely wiped out, but I love the Rogue's defending the child. The absolute best moment of this truly epic story!

Five real large stars!!!

[Mr Clown]

......Wow

Totally called it when I said The Top was going to have a pretty major impact though lol. Everything about this run (No pun intended of course) has been amazing. The cast, the pacing, everything! The body count is interesting, a pretty large number of villains were taken out and yet, the one that's going to have the largest impact isn't even a villain.

Again you show an excellent talent at handling such a large cast and again the end result is some of the best writing I've seen on the site.

But waitta kill The Top... jerk

[David]

I am SO disappointed.... that I didn't read this issue sooner! I won't make that mistake with the next issue, as I can hardly wait to get my hands on the conclusion of this story.

My mind is reeling from all that happened in this pivotal installment. I cheered for the Rogues, thrilled to Max and Johnny, worried with Barry, and mourned for his loss(es?)...

There is a lot of exciting stuff happening on the DC2, but this has got to be the hottest title on the site right now. This story is taking me back to the last 50+ issues of Cary Bates' run on the Flash just prior to COIE, and his death, so there is this overweening sense of doom and destiny!

Five stars--- though I have to say the "Crack " (you know the one I mean) was needlessly (and distractingly) centerized, and what happened to the cover ?

[HoM]

Feb 5, 2009 9:48:43 GMT -5 David said:

Five stars--- though I have to say the "Crack " (you know the one I mean) was needlessly (and distractingly) centerized, and what happened to the cover ?

That was my call with the formatting, so apologies to those who didn't appreciate it. And the cover is coming, real life is getting in the way of that unfortunately, but it'll be worth the wait, I'm sure.

[Susan Hillwig]

Jeeez, I had no idea how this was going to end. The possibility of damn-near everybody dying seemed high, but that actually didn't happen. Yes, we lost Lady Savitar, Barry's dad, the Top, and Kadabra, but I was figuring on triple that by the way things were going.

Great job all around. I was honestly glosssing over the Rogues vs Rogues stuff (wasn't appealing to me) but Cold vs Kadabra made up for it. And now Iris and the baby are missing?!? Aaagh, it never ends!

[Merai]

Feb 2, 2009 21:43:03 GMT -5 arcalian said:

Body count is high.

It's not over yet! But yes, there had to be real stakes here- with real consequences, for all involved.

And Eobard just made a very very bad mistake....and he of all people should know better.

Eobard is gambling that the pain he feels for the loss of everything he ever loved FAR outweighs what Barry could feel for the loss of his father- and even the kidnapping of his wife and child. A gap he's intent on closing... as to whether or not he made a mistake, and how Barry will react.... that's what the Annual is for!

I'm... I'm... I'm stunned. AMAZING!!! I don't know where to begin with this. But the revelation... this is going to impact nearly everything in the DC2 Universe! Poor Barry...

The effects of this issue (And the entire storyline) will be felt as the year goes on not only keenly here in Barry's home book, but spiralling out to Justice League and the Teen Titans. No hyperbole, this IS the end of the Flash as we knew him- when the dust settles by the end of the Annual and issue 33's epilogue, you will have a clear view of a very, very different status quo for the Fastest Man Alive.

Really, there wasn't a missed step in this. It's sad to see so many cool villains get completely wiped out, but I love the Rogue's defending the child. The absolute best moment of this truly epic story!

I agree a lot of cool villains did die, but hey, there are 'out's in there and if a writer really wants to bring them back, then it's not impossible! But for this story, for this wrap-up of plot threads dating back to The Flash #0, it wasd important that there be reprucussions. As for the Rogues defending the child- it's one of the moments I had in my head from the second I concieved the story, and I couldn't be happier with how it played out. As ever, thanks for your comments!

Totally called it when I said The Top was going to have a pretty major impact though lol.

Yup, that you did! The Top was a big loose end of a threat who's been running around for a dozen or so issues now, and one I was eager to resolve with a bang!

Everything about this run (No pun intended of course) has been amazing. The cast, the pacing, everything! The body count is interesting, a pretty large number of villains were taken out and yet, the one that's going to have the largest impact isn't even a villain.

Wow, thanks for your kind words! And you're absolutely right, Barry's father's death will have a huge impact on our hero in the months to come- and not just on Barry, but on the least likely person! How's that for a tease?

Again you show an excellent talent at handling such a large cast and again the end result is some of the best writing I've seen on the site.

Well I'm not sure I can agree with that given the quality of writing on this site, but I appreciate your words greatly! At this rate my head's going to be too swollen to fit in the door!

But waitta kill The Top... jerk

Honestly, I felt the Top had lived out his use on the site. He's a cool villain, but he's been sane, he's been mad, he couldn't rejoin the Rogues again after what had happened and honestly, no matter what way I rationalised it, once he found Cold, it was one or the other who would have to go. And no-one messes with Cold! That said, if a future writer disagrees with me, Top's death is left (Unlike Kadabra's) ambiguously as he is only frozen, and it never specifies that he's been frozen right the way through- Barry has, after all, been covered with a sheet of ice and lived many times! But that's up to others than I to decide.

I am SO disappointed.... that I didn't read this issue sooner! I won't make that mistake with the next issue, as I can hardly wait to get my hands on the conclusion of this story.

Yeesh, you had me worried for a second there, Dave!

My mind is reeling from all that happened in this pivotal installment. I cheered for the Rogues, thrilled to Max and Johnny, worried with Barry, and mourned for his loss(es?)...

As you have so rightly identified, Barry's losses may not be over yet! The Rogues are back and here to stay for the remainder of my tenure on the book, and I took great delight in giving Max and Johnny their first joint ass-kicking scene. Because Johnny Quick and Max Mercury are unique in being supporting cast members who are full of more potential (Largely untapped) than most headline characters!

There is a lot of exciting stuff happening on the DC2, but this has got to be the hottest title on the site right now. This story is taking me back to the last 50+ issues of Cary Bates' run on the Flash just prior to COIE, and his death, so there is this overweening sense of doom and destiny!

Wow, that's.... very, very, VERY high praise indeed. Thank you, Dave, that's.... sheesh! Talk about setting expectations high for the finale!

Jeeez, I had no idea how this was going to end. The possibility of damn-near everybody dying seemed high, but that actually didn't happen. Yes, we lost Lady Savitar, Barry's dad, the Top, and Kadabra, but I was figuring on triple that by the way things were going.

The decision to only kill those characters while leaving Jay, Wally, Johnny and Max all alive and well (I'm saying nothing about Iris, Carrie, Barry or Bart yet!) was a particularly deliberate one on my part. I realise that many people probably expected at least one of them to die and some may be disappointed that they didn't, but I honestly think that it would have been a huge mistake. All four of them are full of deep, deep story potential and any storytelling gain of their deaths is NOTHING compared to the potential they all have alive. Plus, I wanted to write a story which was big and meaningful without destroying core concepts and storytelling potential in order to pass itself off as big and meaningful!

Not that I was going to lose out on speculation and publicity by saying so BEFORE this issue.

The question now is, then, whether or not Iris or Barry or Carrie (our SECOND Flash baby...) or Bart have more storytelling potential alive... or not. And that's an answer which is coming- you got it- in the Annual!

Great job all around. I was honestly glosssing over the Rogues vs Rogues stuff (wasn't appealing to me) but Cold vs Kadabra made up for it. And now Iris and the baby are missing?!? Aaagh, it never ends!

Sorry the Rogues stuff didn't grip you, but I'm glad you enjoyed the Kadabra scene! And yup, Iris and the baby are gone- the where and the why and the result to come next issue.

Thanks so much to EVERYONE- the feedback for this arc has been OVERWHELMING, both in terms of the volume of responses and the strength of that response. It's truly heartening as a writer to see so many people really enjoying the book! And I have NO doubt in my mind that the cover Doc's cooked up will be as spectacular as the last two- even if this story goes down as a letdown after the Annual, I know the cover art certainly won't!

Of course, it wouldn't be me without a bit of shameless publicity. So I hope that after this issue, if you've been reading this story- if you've been GLANCING at this story... if you've ever looked at an issue of The Flash in the DC2 in your life- you'll be with us as the story comes to it's CATACLYSMIC conclusion in the final battle between Barry Allen and his nemesis Eobard Thawne with everything he loves as the prize! And after this issue, you know there is NO going back!

Miss The Flash Annual #2 at your peril!