Images © DC Comics, Inc.

As you can see above, this issue is all about Grodd, a new version of the intelligent gorilla that has been a major foe of Barry Allen in the past, and a popular one with me. Sadly, this Grodd is not one I like so much. The thing that always appealed to me about Grodd was that he was smarter than The Flash most of the time. This Grodd seems to think with his muscles, and believes he can gain knowledge by eating his father’s brain. While some semblance of Gorilla civilization survives in this version, it’s a much more primitive one than previously. Also more African in feel, which is not a bad thing, but I miss the futuristic look of Infantino’s Gorilla City. So, in essence this confrontation is more like something out of Tarzan than the usual Flash fare. Meanwhile, Barry Allen’s friends are stuck inside the Speed Force, somehow drawn in when he came out, and back in Central City, things are getting crazy again, with no Flash in sight to help.

The art by Francis Manapul continues to be excellent, and I also have to commend him on his creative title layouts, very impressive and appealing. This time they encompass the panels of the first three pages, with the story going on inside giant letters on 2 and 3, really nice work.

Because of the art, this remains a recommended issue, despite some disappointment with the storyline.