Final Crisis: Run!

Out of the four aftermath miniseries released after Final Crisis this one was the one I was the most excited about. While he didn't have a major role, Human Flame ended up being responsible for MM's death. Death that kickstarted the entire event. So what happens to this loser when the dust settles? Lets find out.

I like the first two issues of this mini. Sturges establishes rather well that Human Flame is out of shape Z-lister who is way over his head. He is also a total scumbag who refuses to take any responsibility for his actions and always blames someone else for it. So you know, he totally deserves all the pain that is coming. Luther has put out a bounty for his head and John Stewart is searching for him as well. Someone will get him and he'll get what he deserves.

Unfortunately following four issues are something else. Human Flame characterization is there, he still blames everyone else for everything, but he get three power-ups during the series. Three. At the start of the series it looks like this will be about a loser trying to escape and likely failing. But no, it turns out that this is about Human Flame being revamped into a powerhouse villain.

Sure, he ends up being defeated and in a prison of sorts, but in the end Green Lantern, Firestorm and Red Tornado weren't enough to take him down. Human Flame, I'm sorry, Inhuman Flame defeated himself. Sure, you can make an argument that story made sense, what with Human Flame being desperate to be "big" and his obsession leading to his downfall. But that is not really what I was interested in. And well, while it makes sense it is not like this had great writing either.

I guess the big plan here was to revamp him into arch-villain for MM when he eventually returns. But probably due to tepid response to this (and eventually Flashpoint washing everything away) it never went anywhere.

To wrap this up we can also mention the art. William II stays for the entire run so consistency is there, but it is pretty much generic DC superhero art. Not great, not terrible. Thou one female character is drawn in a way that probably wouldn't really fly today.

In the end this is mediocre miniseries with average writing and art. It does nothing interesting, unique or has any long term consequences. In other words, an easy skip unless you are Final Crisis completionist.