If there's one superhero in the DC Universe who's always worn their science credentials on their sleeve, it's The Flash. Forensic scientist Barry Allen has always been quick to deliver a natural science factoid while saving the day, often with a smile in between moving faster than the speed of light. DC's latest, all-ages friendly original graphic novel Flash Facts is packed with the Scarlet Speedster guiding readers through a set of illustrated science lessons crafted by an all-star team of comic book creators. And in addition to being educational, Flash Facts is a genuinely enjoyable book perfect for families with young comic book fans and science aficionados without talking down to its readership.
Edited by The Big Bang Theory star and real-life neuroscientist Mayim Bialik, there are ten stories included in the graphic novel in all. Despite the title, this is more than just a scientific showcase for the Scarlet Speedster, with fan-favorite guest characters ranging from Wallace West to Supergirl providing lessons across their own respective adventures through the DC Universe. And with a wink and a smile, each of the various superheroes keeps the action and education going as they guides the audience through the corner of the DCU across over 150 pages of comic book fun, saving the day from supervillains like Captain Cold while concisely explaining the wonders of natural science in a flash.
Lining up with the multi-state Next Generation Science Standards for primary and secondary school science education, every science lesson is well-articulated across each of the short stories. And yet all of the creative teams are also, of course, well aware that they're writing a superhero comic. There is plenty of guest stars and superhero action to make the educational component of these stories more palatable; a caped and cowled spoonful of sugar to help that academic medicine go down. And while each story has its own creative team, the tone and narrative is consistent across the anthology, with nothing seeming out of place and Bialik curating the ensemble well.
One of the biggest things that keeps each of these science lessons engaging is the artwork for the various stories. From a more chibi oriented take on Batman and Plastic Man on a team-up to Poison Ivy walking her own proteges through a lesson in biology and botany, the artwork is inviting and gorgeously rendered. The color palettes employed are vibrant and striking, with a clean-lined style that elevates each of the lessons and welcomes readers through the information provided. What could have been panels overcluttered by dialogue are given the proper amount of room to breathe, with the scripting parsed out expertly and educational info interspersed with superhero repartee.
If you're looking for a fun, informative set of short stories populated by some of the biggest icons in the DCU delivering science lessons geared for primary schools readers, Flash Facts is a fantastic anthology original graphic novel. Engaging, educational and entertaining, stellar ensemble of creative teams has come together to take on their favorite DC characters to explain the wonders of natural science without talking down to their audience. And with more and more families nationwide finding themselves schooling at home, this book is the perfect way to keep younger readers inquisitive about science with familiar superheroes helping illustrate how the world of science can be a lot of fun.
