All Flash 1 page 12 by Karl Kerschl

A great and pivotal Flash page from the now too rare Karl Kerschl who switched to full digital art years ago.

Bart Allen has been killed and the Flash finally catches upon his killer, Inertia, on this page.

What I love about this page in the sense of perpetual motion, like any good Flash action page should be, but it’s all about emotions first and foremost.

In the first panel, Flash get a hold of Inertia. The sense of speed is fantastic, with Flash’s body position and all the wavering speed lines. I like that Karl drew them with various width. You can tell that the Flash is quite angry here…

…but it’s the close up on his eyes in the second insert panel that tells you all you need about his emotional state. The guy is mad with rage, anger and sadness. That’s by far my fav’ panel of the page. The fact that Karl drew the tears running on his mask is a great touch and all the visual info you need to perceive his feelings. No need of Rob Liefeld’s trademark grinding teeth, it’s all in the eyes here.

Then in the third panel, the speed is picked up yet again as both predator and victim go boom straight through an exploding barn. No phasing through here, he is so mad he goes through everything in his path. I love how muted the pencils are here, suggesting that the property damage is of no consequence.

Then another close up on Inertia, realizing with horror he is facing Wally. His fear is radiating here.

A great effort all around by Karl whose pure pencils are a delight to behold in person.