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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesAbsolute Flash #17 centers on Gorilla Grodd and the Rogues as they try to free Colorado from Grodd’s control. DC’s official synopsis also poses a less familiar question for a Flash-villain story: can Grodd himself be saved? The available listing confirms those characters, but it does not establish a wider roster of returning villains in this issue.
What happens in Absolute Flash #17?
DC’s official synopsis says: “The Flash and the Rogues work to liberate Colorado from Grodd’s control, but can they save Grodd as well as the town?” That makes the issue’s central conflict more than a battle to stop a powerful enemy: the story also raises the possibility of rescuing him.
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Absolute Flash (2025-) #17 | $4.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Absolute Flash #17A DC | $7.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Absolute Flash #16A DC | $7.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Absolute Superman #17A DC | $7.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Absolute Superman #18A DC | $7.99 | Buy on Amazon |
A preview published by The Dragon’s Cache on July 15, 2026 adds further setup: Wally West is searching for his father; Sam Scudder makes a claim about the mirror dimension; Elenore Thawne and Project Olympus are involved; and the story touches on the Rogues and Grodd’s father. These details come from that preview, not DC’s short official synopsis, and should be treated as preview context rather than a complete plot summary.
Which Flash villains appear?
Gorilla Grodd
Grodd is the confirmed central antagonist in the issue listing. DC describes him as a hyper-intelligent telepathic ape who has sought to rule both human and simian worlds. The character profile says he first clashed with Barry Allen’s Flash and later Wally West; his first appearance was in The Flash #106 (1959). DC’s Gorilla Grodd profile provides that continuity background.
#1 Best Overall
The Rogues
DC’s synopsis identifies the Rogues as working with the Flash to liberate Colorado. The official listing does not name individual Rogues, so it does not support a more specific roster for this issue.
The title “Iconic Flash Villains Return in First Absolute Flash Look” suggests several villain returns, but the verified issue description establishes Grodd and the Rogues, not a confirmed count of separate returning villains or a particular first-look reveal. The preview adds story threads but does not turn that broader claim into an official roster.
Rank #2
- Written by Jeff Lemire
- Illustrated by Haining
Why Grodd’s role is notable
Grodd’s established motive—domination—makes the synopsis’ question about saving him an intriguing turn. Instead of presenting him only as an opponent to defeat, the issue frames the fate of the antagonist as part of the Colorado conflict. The premise is a useful contrast with Grodd’s long history as a foe of both Barry Allen and Wally West.
Absolute Flash is a distinct series from the main Flash continuity. The official character profile supplies Grodd’s broader DC history, while the #17 listing describes the conflict in this particular series; the two should not be read as evidence that this story is a direct continuation of a specific earlier Barry or Wally encounter.
Rank #3
- Written by Jeff Lemire
- Illustrated by Nick Robles
Issue details and reading path
| Detail | DC listing |
|---|---|
| Issue | Absolute Flash (2025-) #17 |
| On-sale date | July 15, 2026 |
| US price | $4.99 |
| Length | 22 pages |
| Rating | Teen Plus |
| Credits | Jeff Lemire, writer; Haining, pencils; Nick Robles, cover; Adriano Lucas, colorist |
These are the specifications on DC’s official issue page; they do not indicate whether a shop currently has the comic in stock. DC’s page also links to a comic-shop locator and lists Absolute Flash Vol. 1: Of Two Worlds as a collected edition in the series. The listing alone does not confirm that the volume contains issue #17.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Written by Jason Aaron
- Illustrated by Rafa Sandoval
Rank #4
- Written by Jason Aaron
- Illustrated by Rafa Sandoval
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