Absolute Flash #1 Review

By Nolan P. Smith
Editor, Pastrami Nation

He’s the fastest man alive—but in Absolute Flash #1, he’s also something brand new. With the launch of DC’s Absolute line, the Scarlet Speedster gets a bold reimagining that races out of the gate at full speed—and never looks back.

From the powerhouse creative team of Jeff Lemire, Nick Robles, Adriano Lucas, and Tom Napolitano, this debut issue offers a fresh and intriguing twist on Flash lore. Here, Wally West isn’t a seasoned hero—he’s just a teen, bored and isolated on a top-secret base where his father works on world-changing tech. His only real connection is with another scientist on base: the brilliant and kind Barry Allen.

Everything changes when Wally, in classic teen fashion, sneaks into the lab and triggers a life-altering accident. Gifted—and cursed—with super speed, Wally quickly finds himself on the run. But it’s not just his powers he has to worry about. A mysterious group with members of the Rogues Gallery are after him, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Can Wally outrun fate itself?

Lemire’s writing is tight, emotional, and perfectly paced. Longtime fans will appreciate the nods to classic Flash mythology, while newcomers will find this a perfect jumping-on point. As a fan of Lemire’s work on Black Hammer and Descender, I expected greatness—and he delivers. Robles’ artwork is phenomenal, pairing kinetic energy with grounded emotion. The character designs, especially the new spin on the Rogue’s costumes, look fantastic and feel totally fresh.

Absolute Flash #1 feels like the start of something special. It honors the legacy of the Flash while confidently carving its own path forward. The story is fast, fun, and full of heart—everything a Flash book should be.

Rating: 4.5 Pastrami Nations out of FIVE.

A must-read for Flash fans and a strong contender for the best debut of the new Absolute DC line. Don’t blink—you’ll miss it!