Well, this week Flash #225 hits the stands. This issue is important in a few ways. First, it is an Infinite Crisis tie-in; secondly it ends the Rouge's War story arc. But what makes it most important is that it ends one of the greatest runs any one writer has had on a comic, that I have had the privilege of reading. Yup, that’s right Geoff Johns’ 5 year, 62-issue run on the Flash comes to an end.

What a ride it’s been! I started reading Flash, on the recommendation of some HCRealms members around issue 197 (give or take an issue or two), during the Blitz story arc. I was instantly hooked by Geoff’s gritty style. His ability to weave a tale, that is fresh and exciting, is only matched by a few other writers out there.3 years later, Geoff has become my favorite writer in all of comics. Here’s a guy who in JSA and Flash debunks a lot of the zombie claims that DC writers only focus on the Superhero aspect of the DCU characters.

Geoff does develop characters. In Flash’s case, Geoff was able to establish that Wally’s world outside the suit, was just as important as inside it. Wally was going to be a father, of which he was very excited and proud of, but at the same time, he was trying to follow in the legacy left by his uncle, Barry Allen, the Silver Age Flash. What was even better is that Geoff also established Wally’s supporting cast along the way. His villains became serious threats, instead of goons with goofy names. The cops Chyre and Morillo developed into high profile characters in Keystone City, and Linda Park’s (Wally’s wife) appearances in the book rivaled that of Lois Lane and Mary Jane Watson.

In fact, I am of the opinion that Geoff has transformed the Flash into DC’s Spider-man, without the flag ship status. Wally, like Peter is an everyday man trying to get along in life. However, where Peter is driven by what his uncle told him about powers and responsibility, Wally is driven by a Legacy that precedes him, and continues without him.

I’m sure his run will end with a bang this week, as he has rarely disappointed me. In fact I have all but about 9 issues of his Flash run, and the only arc that I wasn’t fond of, was the Ignition run. Honestly it wasn’t bad, it just seemed like a let down after the fabulous Blitz arc that got me hooked on the comic. In fairness, bad art can ruin a story for me, and Alberto Dose’s art was terrible.

I’m not sure that I will pick up Flash after Geoff leaves. Not because there won’t be anyone to pick up the slack, because there’s always someone that picks it up eventually; but rather, because it isn’t Geoff writing it, and it allows me to expand my horizons with other comics.

I won’t be following Geoff’s run on Green Lantern, because I’m not too crazy about the character (though I’m sure Geoff can persuade me with a few good arcs). But I will continue to enjoy his runs on Teen Titans and of course, his masterpiece on JSA. Plus he will play a huge role in the Infinite Crisis situation.

But I will miss Wally’s adventures at the hands of Geoff. He made a character that I thought was cool, but not very interested in, into one of my favorites. I honestly feel that Geoff’s run on Flash ranks up there with Chris Claremont’s original X-Men run as one of the best that I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. It also is my favorite single character title run of all time.

So to this, I say thanks Geoff! You have given me some great reads over the last 3 years involving Wally and have made him one of the top heroes in any universe, IMHO, and one of my favorites. Whoever follows in your steps, will have some tremendous shoes to fill. Of course, I wish you well on Green Lantern, and I look forward to more of your work. You will be missed!

DS

I didn't read Flash much until two years when I started to read comics seriously. It quickly became one of my favorite titles and I now read all of Geoff's other titles. Geoff did an amazing thing for Wally West taking him beyond what he was before (a wann-be Barry Allen). I can only hope that after Geoff leaves the next creative team can keep up a semblance of his fantastic work. I still can't beleive tommorow is his last issue. Farewell Geoff Johns.

As you may be able to discern from my current avatar and title, I agree with Darth Sabre completely!

Geoff Johns turned me into a devoted Flash Fan; thank you, Geoff!