In fairness to Geoff Johns, as near as I can tell James hadn't been seen or mentioned for three years prior to his taking the book on, and I suppose he may have assumed it was a dead issue. But having been made aware that, yes, there were readers who wanted to know, he could have, gee, I don't know, dropped in a reference in Piper's spotlight issue...? (Now, admittedly, it does seem evident from observation that Piper and James had broken up, otherwise James wouldn't have been totally absent from the Piper Is Framed For Killing His Parents saga. But positive evidence would be nice.)

and okay from what I've seen of Piper so far I just like him, so I want life to get screentime too

*cackles maniacally* Piper convert, yes! (Um...don't mind me. I have a Thing about this character...)

And in that scan Wally's look is priceless. Which issue is it from?

FLASH #53, forever known as The One Where Piper Comes Out.