The Flash #69 // Review
It’s the Flash vs. the Trickster, with the finale to “The Greatest Trick of All,” in The Flash #69, written by Joshua Williamson, with art by Scott Kolins, and colors by Luis Guerrero. Previously, the original Trickster, James Jesse, made his comeback by harnessing the Sage Force and brainwashing all of Central City, including Flash’s ally, Commander Cold. To cap off his plan, the Trickster also managed to capture Barry and seemingly cut off his legs at the knees. Now, Flash must figure out if his legs have really been cut off, or if it’s all a trick, in time to stop Jesse and his fellow Rogues from looting the entire city.
Williamson has done a great job this issue, and with the arc as a whole, of making the original Trickster a threat again. Too many years has James Jesse been forgotten or made the butt of a joke, but this story sees him return better than ever, and with the promise for even greater stories ahead. Having taken control of the Sage Force, he can now truly trick the mind, rather than throw cheap and violent gags at his opponents (how did writers ever rationalize him being a threat to the Flash?). Not only is he more powerful, but he’s also become a leader to the Rogues in Captain Cold’s absence, changing the power dynamic of the criminals of Central City. Williamson has set up a lot with Jesse in the finale of this arc, so here’s hoping he has some decent plans for the follow through.
Of course, there is a negative to this exciting concluding chapter, and that’s what it really cuts short what could have been an epic arc. Being only three issues in length, Trickster barely has time to show up before he disappears again, and that’s a real shame because the fans only get a taste of what he’s capable of in the brief time he’s around. Fortunately, it seems like Williamson has bigger plans for him, so he should be back sooner than later...if the readers are lucky.
Kolins works his usual magic on the Flash, proving that his unique style fits the character perfectly. As a bonus, he also happens to draw the best version of both of the Tricksters, which means he was really the only choice of artist for this arc. Guerrero’s colors are the perfect pairing with Kolins’ art, making for a visual feast that the readers of this book could only hope to be blessed with every month.
In the end, this was fun, but all-too-brief arc, that could have been milked for a lot more of an epic standoff between the Flash and his newly-revived enemy. Sure, it’s an excellent problem to have, wishing for more of an already-good thing, but one can’t help but wonder how much better this story could have been if Williamson would have expanded the story a few more chapters and really shown the readers how much of a threat James Jesse can be.
