Is this Hell? (Flash #55 Comic Review)

Flash #55 Review
Faster Than Thought Part 1
Written by: Joshua Williamson
Penciled by: Scott Kolins
Colored by: Luis Guerrero
Lettered by: Steve Wands
Cover: Dana Mora
Variant Cover: Howard Porter & Tomeu Morey
So we begin a continuation of Barry Allen, the fastest man in Central City and formerly strongest man alive, trying to figure out the new forces that are plaguing his city.
Previously on The Flash…
Some spoilers for The Flash #54
Barry and Trickster get a taste of the Strength Force and battle it out within Iron Heights. Ultimately, Barry uses his powers of science and figures out how to use the Strength force in ways that our young Rogue cannot. This leads to what appears to be his death but the final panels reveal that not only is he alive but so is the original Trickster, James Jesse.

Not to be confused by a boom tube…
My Take
This issue worked for me. There isn’t as much fluidity from the previous issue but it might be good to move on and revisit the Trickster situation later. I think that I am getting used to not knowing what the hell is going on because I don’t understand the Sage Force (so far) and I’m okay with it. I’m more interested in the great introductory pages with Justice League Dark and the non-super powered happy hour. It’s nice sometimes for characters to be people and not just these otherworldly heroes. Fundamentally, I liked issues when Clark and Lois are home eating dinner and I also liked when the X-Men used to play sports on the front lawn of the mansion. So when Iris, Barry and some of his coworkers go out for happy hour, I like the banter. And I loved that Cold is a bartender at the bar, that’s a nice touch. I am however upset that Barry still hasn’t asked his real name as Iris suggested. I feel that this is a plot point that will be a big reveal later. The art is solid and gives me an old school feeling. I especially think Kolins is really shining at the more monstrous figures that show up. Particularly the panel with the Flash in the mirror, potentially will give me nightmares. That is actually a good thing.
Review
72%
Summary Barry is coming to terms with the weirdness of his city given the infusion of the many forces. It only gets weirder as the Sage Force wreaks a little bit of havoc. Barry is still not addressing his personal issues head on with Iris but he will have to partner with Detective Burns to face Heatwave. There’s some fun, there’s some fighting, and there’s some flames. Enjoy!