Thursday, October 4, 2018

Throwback Thursday: The Flash #23.1 Gorilla Grodd Review


Trouble in Central...I Mean Gorilla City

Writer: Brian Buccellato
Artist: Chris Batista
Publisher: DC Comics
Release Date: September 4, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

Spoiler alert...Flash is missing, dead or a little of both.  Central City is having a ceremony to establish the peace between humans and the gorillas of Gorilla City.  The centerpiece is a big statue of Flash who is missing, dead or a little of both.  Gorillas and Humans living together in perfect harmony.  What could possibly go wrong?


Grodd.  King Grodd.  Speed Force King Grodd to be exact.  Yes, Grodd doesn't want to be at peace with Humans.  In fact, he wants to enslave them.  He announces that Flash is indeed dead and his speed force powers make him the rightful ruler of gorillas and humans alike.  A fight ensues and Grodd wins.  He makes an example of those who opposed him and proclaims Central City as his own new Gorilla City.  Then as he looks over all his conquered, realizes he's bored and takes off into the sky with the promise of a continuation in Forever Evil.

With all the excitement that the Flash series has generated, Brian Buccellato has the unenviable task of writing a side story.  Yes, the story features the awesome Grodd, but a side story it still is.  It all seems like a mere setup for Grodd to be in the Forever Evil Rogues Rebellion book advertised at the end.  It's a shame there wasn't more to it.

Chris Batista has the even more unenviable task of penciling one of the best-looking books in the DC Universe.  He does a fine job, though the multiple awesome splash pages and spreads are not to be found here.

Bits and Pieces:

The Flash 23.1 is a decent issue that seems like a detour to another title, not a great issue itself.  Grodd is a great villain, but the issue doesn't add anything new to the mythos.  Grodd fans should enjoy this issue, but others can pass without missing anything essential.

6.5/10

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