'Absolute Flash' Issue Two Review: A military experiement goes wrong

It has been a while since the last comic book post. I've really wanted to read more but I simply haven't had the time with having to move and find a new place. Things have been far too busy to keep up, and I'm sure I'm at the point in which I have a ton of issues to catch up on. Though I don't mind that given it'll be great fun once I have some spare time. One of the last issues I read was Absolute Flash's second issue, and it's a story I found a little bit interesting so far, especially with how this is my first actual introduction to the Barry character. And the Flash in general. Never before have I really seen a television show, film, or comic regarding the character. And it's the recent DC run with the Absolute universe where these stories are being retold under new light, not focusing on the previously tried to death formulas that create the backstories of these characters. And it's with these two issues that Absolute Flash has started to retell that story, focusing on establishing the how rather than the when and why.

These two issues have been heavily focused on setting up Barry's unfortunate accident at his father's military base where he works, and where his family has had to spend years of their lives. Living under secrecy due to the research that's taking place there, and Barry having nothing in common with the local teens. He's mostly alone, and barely even allowed to venture outside of the base. It has been setting up this story of a teenager that's relatively quiet and normal, despite his life on the base. To which a worker of it pays some attention to Barry, giving him the sympathy he needs. A figure to look up to. Though all this does is turn Barry a bit more against his father, and push Barry into this strange world of military experiments that are on the brink of creating something incredibly innovative. We already saw in the first issue that Barry ends up being hunted down and already has the powers, though we don't see how it happens. Or who is chasing him down. That first issue was vague, and that's somewhat where this issue adds to it.

Now we know that it's actually Barry's own father that's hunting him down with a squad from the base. And they don't see him as Barry anymore, but rather the weapon that they had created. We see how the worker that inspired Barry got caught up in an accident which led to his death, and the creation of Barry's powers as the Flash. Leading to him being able to sprint at incredible speeds. Though there are others with their own powers, and that's something I really enjoyed seeing here. It added to the depth of the world it's creating so far. Showing how the speed ability isn't the only one. There are other types. And they're utilised in various ways. And as of now, Barry is considered the villain. Though he's more a frightened teenager caught up in something terrifying. Something he never wanted but now has to live with. And attempt to tame and fully control. I've enjoyed this so far, it's showed Barry as a tormented soul. One we can feel for.

Though I have no idea where this is going. Two issues in and it's a little thin still. But this has potential.