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The Flash: Rebirth #1 - ...Doomed To Repeat It...

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Where does Barry go from here?

Interweaving the events of DC Rebirth, Barry Allen is the Flash and deals with Wally West entering current Universe. What does this mean for the upcoming series and how does Batman plan into all of this?

Much like many of the other Rebirth titles, longtime readers may find so much of this issue to feel like a recap. However, unlike many other Rebirth titles, it feels like we're getting to see a different and extended version of the book that kicked all of this off. We're getting an extended scene between Barry and Wally, after Barry pulled Wally into the universe.

In addition, there's a bit more of Batman and Barry. Joshua Williamson gives the reader a bit more characterization. We're getting internal dialogue, struggle, and placed inside the head of Barry. He feels less like a hero and more like a human, and that's what sets this book apart. In addition, there's also a wonderful scene between Wally and Barry, which brings an emotional element to the book.

Carmine Di Giandomenic's art, with Ivan Plascencia on colors, can be a little tough to take in at first. Carmine's art is pretty stylized, but by the end of the issue, readers will finally understand the flow of his art and how it incorporates into the whole issue. It's a tad jarring at first, but stick with it.

There's also Plascencia on colors (one of my personal favorites, mainly when working with Riley Rossmo). Plascencia keeps everything pretty grounded; however, when Barry and Wally are in costume, there is a real dynamic pop to these characters which looks great. More than anything else, he does an amazing job with coloring the lighting here.

If you've been reading these Rebirth titles, then you probably know the name of the game by now. It's all about getting new readers and creating books that anyone could pick off the street and enjoy. That's the same thing with The Flash. Yes, longtime readers may find this issue a tad boring, but this issue is much better at giving longtime readers something to enjoy than some of the other titles. It doesn't give too much away for the upcoming series, which is both good and bad, so what we're left with is a solid issue that stands on its own.