Comments
Neron later takes his ultimate revenge on Wonder Woman for her role in his defeat in this Flash story and kills her in Wonder Woman 129
(The) Flash – Volume 2 – 128
General Info
Issue No:
128
On Sale Date:
June 1997
Cover Date:
August 1997
Era:
Dark Age
Story Title:
Hell to Pay: Part 2 - Hearts and Souls
Creative Team
Cover Artist:
Mike Wieringo, Jose Marzan, Jr.
Writer:
Brian Augustyn, Mark Waid
Penciller:
Paul Ryan
Inker:
John Nyberg
Letterer:
Gaspar Saladino
Colourist:
Tom McCraw
Editor:
Paul Kupperberg, Jason Hernandez-Rosenblatt (assistant)
Characters
Main:
Flash (Wally West)
Heroes:
Justice League: Wonder Woman (Princess Diana), Superman (Clark Kent/Kal El), Green Lantern (Kyle Rayner), Martian Manhunter (J'onn J'onzz)
Villains:
Neron, Captain Boomerang (George Harkness), Captain Cold (Leonard Snart), Heat Wave (Mick Rory), Weather Wizard (Mark Mardon), Major Disaster (Paul Booker)
Olympians:
N/A
Amazons:
N/A
Other:
Pied Piper (Hartley Rathaway), Linda Park
Synopsis
Flash travelled to Hell to confront Neron regarding the soulless Rogues which are currently running wild in Keystone City. Flash wants Neron to return their souls to their bodies, but of course Neron would only do that if he receives something from the Flash in return. And as Flash spots Major Disaster together with Neron he understands that Neron set up everything just get the Flash into that bargaining position. To emphasise his position, Neron presents to Flash the severely crippled body of Jay Garrick. Wally is still not willing to make a bargain with Nero, therefore he and Jay are sent back to Earth.
Meanwhile, the JLA has arrived in Keystone City and immediately goes to work against the Rogues. Flash brings Jay to a hospital before getting together with Linda Park and Pied Piper. He tells them about Neron wanting his soul which, of course, freaks Linda out. Flash runs off to help his JLA teammates while Linda sneaks away to take the magic candle which works as an entrance to Hell.
Flash joins the fight against the soulless Rogues whose Avatars are so powerful that even the JLA is not able to contain them. After trying for a while Flash comes to the conclusion that there is no other way to save Keystone City than to sell his soul to Nero. And thus, Flash takes the candle and travels to Hell again. But Nero does not want Flash’s soul – he wants his heart i.e. his love for Linda Park. Wally is shocked, but sees no alternatives and agrees. As soon as he gets back to Keystone City he meets Linda and breaks up with her. Before leaving he asks her to give back the Flash-ring, but Linda does not have it anymore. Wally has no clue that Linda went to Neron and made a deal with the devil as well. Actually, she surrendered her love (in form of the ring) so that Neron would not ask for Wally’s soul. Obviously, Neron played them both perfectly and now wants to use their “love” to conquer heaven.
