And it is that question of hope that makes me think this is part of the bigger picture, part of Rebirth. The Shade has lost something, and I think part of what he lost was Jay Garrick. And after all, whose helmet was seen at the end of the previous issue? Is the return of the classic JSA imminent? Read Full Review

In conclusion, this is a solid start to the new arc of the Flash, and I really cannot wait to see where all of this goes, and to see the Kid Flash, Flash relationship grow. Read Full Review

The return of a classic Flash and DC villain also helps add to the excitement. The Speed of Darkness gets off to a great start here and this is a strong jumping-on point for readers who missed the first arc. Read Full Review

‘The Speed of Darkness' part one is a great start to a new story rich with giving us the best of both worlds between Wally and Barry. If there is any book from DC on shelves that will remind you of what it means to be a superhero at the core, that will be The Flash. Read Full Review

Joshua Williamson starts his new arc by giving us an old villain with some new problems and a lot of pretty cool hints at what's to come.  In the here and now, I love seeing Barry and Wally together and this issue shows that Wally has a bit to go before he can be considered a hero.  Felipe Watanabe's art is good and while this issue won't make non fans go gaga, those who've stuck with this book should be pleased. Read Full Review

The issue concludes with Wally finding himself in the clutches of the Shade, which, despite being calculated from the start of the issue, still hits its mark, and leaves you in suspense as you eagerly await the next chapter in this tale. Read Full Review

A warm, character-centric beginning to a new arc. Read Full Review

This issue balances set-up and forward momentum pretty well, though the way Wally finds himself in trouble by the end is fairly predictable. Hopefully there are a few surprises ahead. Read Full Review

The Flash #12 hasa satisfying conclusion to the story with the hint of things to come. The artwork is good in moments, but can be a little flat in others. Read Full Review

The story and villain itself definitely deals with something mysterious and otherworldly – and he's supposedly an old foe that has come back in a similar way that the original Wally has. Which is an interesting take on the mythos of the series, if heroes can return from a lost history – why not villains? The Shade stalks Central City, and he certainly looks creepy and intimidating. By the end of The Flash #10it's clear what kind of direction the plot is going, as Wally's been set up in a damsel in distress role. Likely for Barry or the original Wally to save. Hopefully, that will be the course correct that the series needs. Read Full Review

[ART: 8.4 | STORY: 7.9 | WRITING: 7.5 | TOTAL: 7.9 (~8)] Overall, I feel like that once again, this book has so much more potential. It's an overly wordy book for what it is with a lot of the inner monologues feeling repetitive and unnecessary. However, the art is probably at a series high for me and the story seems like it could be going somewhere fun besides the weak writing.

The same dialogues, the same challenges, the same voice-over, the same interactions between the characters, the same reminders that they haven't forgotten about the other storylines, over and over again. I thought this new arc would correct the flaws of the last one. It did not, and that makes me quite sad. The new artist, Felipe Watanabe, is also a disappointment, mainly because of the expressionless faces.