Book Reviews and More: The Flash Johnny Quick - Barry Lyga

Tuesday 17 April 2018

The Flash Johnny Quick - Barry Lyga - The Flash Book 2

The Flash: Johnny Quick
The Flash Book 2
Barry Lyga
Amulet Books
ABRAMS Kids
CW
Warner Bros. TV‏
DC Comics
ISBN 9781419728655
ASIN B078WRPMLT

I have read the first Flack book by Barry Lyga, Hocus Pocus, twice now. Once by myself and then with my son who is now 10. To say that we both loved it would be an understatement, and as fans of the Flash Tv Series we both love this alternate timeline. My son and I both prefer Barry Allan as portrayed by Grant Gustin, over the one in the Justice league movie. That is who we both picture in our head as we read these books. I have read almost all of Barry Lyga's works, I love his Brookdale High books. But there is just something about his works on the Flash that showcase his incredible skill with the pen in a new way. In many ways it is harder for an author to take characters we know and love and drop them in new stories. And Super Hero novelizations are an art form unto themselves, they are not just simple novels. They must maintain a continuity of characters and plots; or do a dam excellent job of explaining the variations. And Lyga executes magnificently!

I devoured this book in 2 sittings over 2 days. And am now going back and reading it with my son, at a slower pace of a chapter a day. This book is an amazing read. In my previous review of book 1, Hocus Pocus, I stated: "Not since reading Batman Knightfall by Dennis O'Neil back in 1995 have I enjoyed a super hero novel so much." And I would now say that this book, this series is my all time favorite novelization of a super hero story!

This story continues in an alternate timeline where Flashpoint never happened. Instead of running off that night after Zoom was defeated, Barry headed back in the house with Iris. I though book 1, Hocus Pocus, was an amazing read, and I loved this story even better. This story throws a few new twists at Barry, and as us his fans. At the beginning of this story there is evil lurking under the streets of central City. Cisco has literally crashed after the effort it took to stop Hocus Pocus. And a new threat arises. Barry decides to use the tachyon harness tohop to Earth 2 and get Harry and Jesse to help figure out a problem. Rather than waiting for Cisco to wake up. But something goes askew while he is traveling across the realms. And he ends up skidding out into a version of Earth they have not interacted with before.

Back on Earth 1, Wally is searching the tunnels below central city. After her recovers Cisco has a vibe that really throws him off kilter. And the team is just trying to fight battles on too many fronts. And Barry has dubbed the Earth he landed on the multiverse Earth 27. Not since Star Trek's original episode of the Mirror Universe has a story been so fun. And that is as much of a clue I can give in this review.

This book captures all that Good story telling should, and the hope that Super Hero's bring. They characters are ones we know and love, but these new tales take them different places. Lyga is a master wordsmith and as this trilogy progresses I have greater and greater respect for his talent. This story was a race from the beginning to the end, but what else would you expect from the Flash!

This is an excellent read. It will truly be loved by fans of the expanding DC TV Universe. It will also stands solidly on its own as a superhero novel series. It is a story for fans of all ages. And I eagerly anticipate book through, The Tornado Twins.

Note: There is a great Flash discussion group on Facebook.

Books by Barry Lyga: