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It’s always a welcome break in a crossover when we get some character development, and Guy Gardner gets plenty in this issue. He’s back on Earth, having been banished from the Corps, and not knowing what to do with himself, calls his family for a long chat. That family are all in or formerly part of the police force, and the conversation is well handled by writer Peter Tomasi. No longer a super-hero, Guy still wants to be a hero, and is soon involved in a big crime scene where things get messy. The art by Fernando Pasarin and Scott Hanna is excellent, handling all the character acting as well as the action well.

Grodd and his gorilla warriors finally bring Barry Allen down, despite help from other forces both good and bad. That part of this issue is quite good, but what really blew me away was the extended title sequence of connected art covering pages 11 to 20. An artistic tour-de-force, a brilliant encapsulation of Flash’s life and problems, and all in panels made of large, angular letters for the most part. Way cool!  Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato are doing innovative and fascinating work in this title, you shouldn’t miss it.

Both books are recommended.