Absolute Flash #18
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/18.webp "Absolute Flash #18")
| Writer | Jeff Lemire |
| Artist | Nick Robles |
| Cover Price | $4.99 |
Central City is thrown into chaos as DEO Agent Hunter Zolomon comes to town. Can Wally protect his new home and friends, or will the young hero finally be captured?
CRITIC REVIEWS Back to Top
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10
Nerd Initiative - Matthew Roth
Aug 19, 2026Wow, Absolute Flash #18 introduces another historic Flash villain and leaves our mouths agape as this issue gives Wally no time to relax. Something bigger is in play, and I truly think this entire run has been left so underrated. I think this issue may begin to change some minds. Read Full Review
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9.3
SciFiPulse - Ian Cullen
Aug 29, 2026This is a strong starting point for a new adventure and probably as good a jumping-on point as newer readers are likely to get. However, as mentioned above, the transition from the previous story arc into this one feels somewhat jarring, particularly given Grodd’s cheerfulness despite having witnessed his father’s death in the previous issue. Read Full Review
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8.8
Fanlight Zone - Ken M.
Aug 19, 2026Wally West is faced with his greatest challenge yet as Zoom arrives in Central City!. Lemire taps into some horror elements while speeding the drama through. Robles and Lucas run with the insanity plaguing Wally’s life with impressive art. It’s always all gas, no breaks when it comes to Absolute Flash! Read Full Review
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8.5
AIPT - Colin Tessier
Aug 19, 2026Absolute Flash #18 deals Wally a significant setback, continues to build this side of the Absolute Universe, and adds multiple villains into the mix. Read Full Review
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8.4
The Fandom Post - Chris Beveridge
Sep 16, 2026While there are all the twisted visual aspects of this episode, especially with Ralph and his wife, this issue feels a lot brighter and more colorful and even lighter in a way, than the last few issues. That works in its favor as it doesn’t feel quite so glum and oppressive, even though that’s pretty much how things feel for Wally after the loss of all the people that are important to him and feeling like he doesn’t have anything to ground him outside of Linda, and that’s still a fresh thing even with all that they’ve seen. We do get to see what Thawne is up to here, and it’s no good, while also getting it made clear just where the DEO falls in the order of things. I’m definitely curious to see how things go with Zolomon because of what he’s being forced into, but there are a lot of variables here in this issue that keep the whole thing from feeling, well, stable. And that’s good for tension that makes you want to come back for more. Read Full Review
USER REVIEWS Back to Top
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10
It took a little while, but a truly 5-star issue of Absolute Flash has finally arrived. Free of the usual pacing issues, the story flows smoothly and you can really feel the stakes and the characters' anxieties. The introduction of the two new characters was excellent. I loved the powers and the characterization of Hunter Zolomon. I loved everything I saw here.
+ Like • Comment• Likes (1) -
10
Fantastic to see Zoom. Wally now considering becoming an actual hero is a nice change of pace for the darker Absolute universe.
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9.0
Very good issue. Perhaps my favorite of the series so far.
It’s been a slow book for the flash but this is good. -
8.5
A pretty fun issue. Not really where I thought this would go, considering the ending of the previous issue, but I still really liked what we got here. Nice to see Robles back on the interiors, as I feel that his work is always really solid, even if I do like Hailing's work, as well. In any case, again, this was a good issue and I'm intrigued to see where things go next.
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7.0
Art: 3.5/5
Story: 3.5/5
Total: 7/10 -
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9.0
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8.5
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8.0
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8.0
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8.0
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8.0
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7.5
2025 In Review:
