The Flash Vol. 45

This volume collects The Flash #45, written by Joshua Williamson. Titled "After the Storm," it is the epilogue to the "Perfect Storm" arc and the prelude to the "Flash War" event. In the aftermath of the Negative Speed Force storm unleashed by Gorilla Grodd, the entire Flash Family springs into action across Central City, using their super-speed to clear rubble and rebuild the neighborhoods. The battle is over, but what remains is harder to repair: Mina Dhawan confronts everything she did while under Grodd's control in Iron Heights, and Barry comes to visit her; Avery heads back to China, and her farewell with Wallace West is full of adolescent awkwardness; Damian Wayne's Robin appears in Central City to make an offer to Kid Flash, Wally West. At the heart of this volume, Barry finally confesses the full truth of his life as the Flash to Iris West and brings another Wally before her—the adult Wally West erased from time and remembered by no one. The moment Iris recognizes her nephew, Wally's two years of suppressed loneliness finally meets an answer; but her very next question sends blue lightning bursting from his eyes, and memories of the pre-Flashpoint era come flooding back. As the 45th volume in the series, this book features a large cast and a high emotional density, leaning toward resolution and setup rather than action.