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Sometimes the things you don't expect happen. Last year, for me one of those things was getting back into the X-Men through Chuck Austen's writing. I NEVER expected to pick up an x-title again (I don't count Deadpool), especially after reading the ridiculous characterization raping being done by Morrison (did that sound opinionated?). However, now and then some things like that do happen, and so it has again.
If you read my ramblings regularly then you've probably realized that I hold Geoff Johns' writing in very high regard and thought the man could do no wrong . . . until now. Starting in issue 201 of The Flash Johns started a new story arc called "Ignition." Unfortunately this story has been anything other than interesting or entertaining.
To bring you up to speed (no pun intended), here is what you need to know. After a fight with the new "Reverse-Flash" called Zoom, the Flash wasn't in the best of conditions emotionally. He doubted himself because he couldn't stop Zoom from hurting Linda, and more importantly, he couldn't save his unborn children. In the end he decided that he would retire from being the Flash because he put too many people at risk, due to his public identity. Of course, it was at that time that Barry Allen and the Spectre showed up. The Spectre offered Wally the opportunity to have the identity of the Flash removed from everyone's memory, even that of Barry Allen during his time as the Flash. Wally accepted the offer, and everyone forgot who the Flash was . . . even Wally.
Now we're dealing with Wally discovering that he is the Flash. At the same time criminals are tearing the city apart because the Flash is nowhere to be found, and there is a cop killer on the loose that clues say is Captain Cold. Overall things aren't going well for Keystone City. Even worse, things aren't moving along in the story.
I realize that the arc isn't done, but I'm barely holding on by a thread here. If it wasn't for the fact that I know this arc will end soon it would almost be enough to make me quit buying the title until this mess is done. Of course, I'm assuming that this will all be cleared up after the arc. Personally, I find the whole "erasing my identity" concept to be worn. When Iron Man did it a few years back (and that was just to a few) I figured it was just a matter of time before things were changed back. If you don't already know recently Iron Man revealed his identity to everyone, basically because hiding it got difficult.
Besides the whole identity thing, there are too many other close factors that would be messed up. If nobody knew any Flash, then what happened to Jay Garrick? Better yet, what kind of confusion is going on with Bart Allen? If Geoff Johns had just erased Wally's identity from the general public's mind and kept it to those close to him I could handle this much better, but as it stands there are just too many things that should have been easily considered that are being ignored. That is one of the exact reasons Grant Morrison's take on the X-Men leaves a bad taste in my mouth (see, I mentioned it at the start for a reason).
Now, everyone is allowed a bad day, mistake, story . . . whatever. That is the main reason I'm sticking this arc out. Of course, as I saw it was my "duty" to eat some crow a while back regarding some titles that had picked up the slack I now must do the reverse with a title I enjoy. "Ignition" just isn't getting off the ground fast enough, and I don't expect it to get any better. My advice if you're looking at getting into The Flash is to wait until this arc is done and see how the pieces are picked up. If they aren't, I'll let you know.
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