Cover: Neil Googe

The Flash #34

Jan 2018 · DC · 2.99 USD

📊 ~37,109 copies sold its debut month

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“Black Hole Rising Part One”

About this Issue

The Flash #34 (vol. 5, 'Black Hole Rising' part one) is the narrative pivot that transforms Meena Dhawan from a presumed-dead supporting character into a full antagonist working for the Speed Force-exploiting terrorist organization Black Hole — a heel turn that reverberates through Joshua Williamson's entire Rebirth run. The issue also serves as a crucial emotional bridge between the 'Negative' arc and the looming 'Flash War,' forcing Barry Allen and Wallace 'Kid Flash' West to genuinely work through the tensions that had built between them, deepening the inter-generational Flash-family dynamic that defined Williamson's tenure. As the opening chapter of the 'Cold Day in Hell' arc, it shifts Barry's central problem from an internal power struggle — the Negative Speed Force implanted by Reverse-Flash — to an external threat that weaponizes that same corrupted energy against him. Its co-writing credit is also one of the few instances in the Rebirth-era Flash where a guest writer (Michael Moreci) shared the byline on a plot-critical issue.

In "Black Hole Rising Part One," Barry Allen is stunned to find Meena alive—though her return comes with a mystery. She claims she escaped the Speed Force to save him from the deadly negative energy consuming his body, but her true intentions remain unclear. Written by Joshua Williamson and Michael Moreci, with dynamic art by Pop Mhan and colors by Ivan Plascencia, this pivotal issue unfolds with urgency and emotional weight. The cover, by Neil Googe, captures the tension in a striking, moody composition.

writer Joshua Williamson · writer Michael Moreci · artist, inker Pop Mhan · colorist Ivan Plascencia · letterer Steve Wands · cover Neil Googe

ComicBooks.com Value

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CGC 9.8 · 5 in census $342

CGC 9.6 $286

CGC 9.4 $219

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History

The issue arrived during Joshua Williamson's long, uninterrupted DC Rebirth run on The Flash — described by DC as the longest continuous run by any writer launched out of the Rebirth initiative. The 'Black Hole Rising' two-parter (issues #34–35) was co-written with Michael Moreci, a creator known for independent titles like Ghosted and Nailbiter, making it a notable collaboration within Williamson's otherwise solo-written stretch. The issue followed directly on the consequences of the 'Negative' arc, in which Eobard Thawne engineered Barry Allen's absorption of Negative Speed Force energy, giving Williamson the story engine to reintroduce Meena Dhawan as a villain. Pop Mhan, who had worked on DC titles such as Injustice: Ground Zero, handled interiors while regular cover artist Neil Googe provided the cover alongside colorist Ivan Plascencia.

Trivia · 8 facts

Story title: 'Black Hole Rising' part one — first chapter of the arc later collected in The Flash Vol. 6: A Cold Day in Hell (issues #34–38 + Flash Annual #1).
Writers: Joshua Williamson and Michael Moreci; Artist: Pop Mhan; Colorist: Ivan Plascencia; Cover: Neil Googe and Ivan Plascencia.
Published November 8, 2017 by DC Comics as part of the DC Rebirth initiative (The Flash vol. 5).
Marks the in-story return of Meena Dhawan (Fast Track), previously believed killed by Godspeed, who reappears claiming to want to help Barry with the Negative Speed Force — then reveals she is working for Black Hole.
Develops the Negative Speed Force subplot: Reverse-Flash had tricked Barry into absorbing this corrupted energy, which damages people and property when Barry runs; this issue frames Meena's apparent cure as a trap.
Kid Flash (Wallace 'Wally' West II) plays a significant role, agreeing to train and mentor Barry with his compromised powers — an unusual role-reversal given Barry's seniority, used to strengthen their bond.
Functions as a narrative on-ramp to the 'Flash War' event (issues #45–51), building the emotional stakes between Barry and the wider Flash family well before that confrontation ignites.
Collected in trade paperback The Flash Vol. 6: A Cold Day in Hell (ISBN 9781401280789), published June 2018.