**Warning Spoilers for The Flash Annual #1 Below**
The Flash Annual #1 by writer Joshua Williamson and artists Howard Porter and Christian Duce might be one of the best stand-alone Flash stories in a long time. Williamson has been churning out great content since DC launched their Rebirth initiative, but this annual takes it to another level.
The story primarily focuses on Wally West and his return to the DC Universe following the events in Geoff Johns’ DC Universe: Rebirth #1 one-shot. However, the story also sets up the upcoming Flash War.
Williamson takes us to the 25th Century, which we recently visited when Eobard Thawne, the Reverse Flash, kidnapped Iris West even used her to torture Barry Allen. However, Barry would overcome Thawne, but it was Iris who ended Thawne’s life. She used a Black Hole gun to disintegrate him.
Now, Iris’ actions will come back to haunt her because one of the Flash’s most fearsome villains is hunting her down. And his goal remains the same. He “will do anything to make the one, true Flash into the hero we need.”
But before he confronts The Flash, he’s deploying a brand new team, called the Renegades to track down Iris West and bring her to justice for the murder of Eobard Thawne.
Who is this fearsome Flash foe who finally makes his DC Universe return?
It’s none other than Hunter Zolomon aka Zoom. Barry Allen, Wally West, and Wally West are in a whole world of hurt now as Hunter Zolomon sets his eyes upon them.
The Flash Annual #1 is an enlarged issue which primarily focuses on the first Wally West and his return to the DC Universe. It seems to finally set in motion Wally’s quest to understand what happened and discover who or what is behind this new altered reality or timeline in the DC Universe.
It’s exciting with plenty of action as Wally teams up with Barry and Kid Flash to take down another Flash villain, but it also really examines his character and where he stands right now. He’s lonely and doesn’t truly have anyone to ground him. He seeks comfort in a long lost lover and attempts to find some meaning in his life. But the book also contains tons of hints at what is to come in the future of the DC Universe. Not only is Hunter Zolomon back, but Iron Heights in the 25th Century contains a mysteriously powerful villain.
If you are heading to the Local Comic Shop anytime soon, pick up The Flash Annual #1!