iFanboy - Comic Books Pick of the Week #1019 – The Flash #831 (31)
Mar 29, 2026
They debate why The Flash #831’s tone and art choices click, from costume design to family dynamics. Conversation jumps to surprising anthology backups in a Superman/Spider-Man issue. They unpack emotional beats in Iron Man and a chaotic Superboy Prime installment. Then they react to Boom’s second issue, a Punisher finale with supernatural flair, and a nostalgic poll about early ’90s comics they'd keep running.
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Costume Familiarity Shapes Reader Reaction
- Costume design matters for reader comfort and nostalgia; near-original Flash suit increases positive reception.
- Conor notes the issue is '95 percent back' to the classic costume, which strengthened his emotional response.
Selfie Stunts Create A Modern Moral Dilemma
- The villain's selfie-driven stunts mirror real social-media dare culture and create moral gray areas for the hero.
- Josh describes people staging dangerous acts for bounties and the book shows callers filming themselves mid-disaster.
Aging Heroes Risks Losing Younger Readers
- Aging and family status can alienate younger readers if characters become 'dad' figures.
- Conor argues making Wally a dopey dad risks relatability for teens, even though the rest of the issue is well executed.