Comics

The Flash Annual #1

/ / Comics

the-flash-new-52-annual-1-coverIt’s all been leading to this. The Flash takes on The Rogues… with the help of Captain Cold? Presented in a series of chapters, each drawn by a different artist (sadly none of which are done by Francis Manapul), The Flash Annual #1 may not be a great issue but there’s plenty here to talk about.

The story begins with a little backstory on Barry Allen and his father (which, to be honest, does feel more than a little like filler). We also finally see some of the backstory of the Rogues themselves, including how they came to have their super-powers thanks to Darwin Elias. Sigh, I guess this character is here to stay despite no rational explanation for any of his actions.

Speeding up, the comic picks up where Flash #12 left off as the Scarlet Speester and Captain Cold take on Glider, Mirror Master, Weather Wizard, the Trickster, and Heat Wave. Throw in plenty of action, a last second double cross, the return of Turbine, and a crazy ending involving Gorilla Grodd and and army of apes and even at $5 you’re going to get most of your money’s worth. Worth a look.

[DC, $4.99]

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Super Dinosaur #13

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super-dinosaur-13-coverKidnapped and taken into Inner Earth by the Exile, Derek learns the truth about his captor in the latest issue. It turns out the Exile isn’t the super-villain Derek believed him to be but a member of the royal family who was banished for his theories of life on the surface of the Earth.

As Derek works on escaping, and even defending the creature that kidnapped him, Super Dinosaur brings his team to the rescue. There’s one big continuity error here with the ease SD and the kids make it into Inner Earth (a place that super-villains and scientists alike have been spending decades trying to discover).

You can’t really overlook such a big plot issue, but there’s enough fun here, including some great action, that you aren’t forced to dwell on it. You probably aren’t reading a title like Super Dinosaur for its logic or consistency. Still, it’s troubling.

The quick shift into the motivations of the Exile and the unexpected complexity of the politics in Inner Earth is a nice touch. I’m hoping the characters get to spend more time exploring the world before reuniting and returning to the surface. For fans.

[Image, $2.99]

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Hey it’s another Justice League team. Um…

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Justice League of America

Okay, so I’ve got some good news and some bad news. The good news is that Stargirl is going to be part of the New 52. Forgetting, for the moment, that the character makes no sense without the JSA (which never existed on this Earth), I’m happy to see one of DC’s young blonde heroine returning to the fold (even if it is the wrong one!). Here’s the bad news, Stargirl with be a part of the new Justice League of America featuring the Martian Manhunter, Green Arrow, Katana, the (yet to be named) new Green Lantern, Hawkman, Vibe, and Catwoman. Really DC? Fucking Vibe?! And Katana and Catwoman (both of who are fugitives in the New 52)? The comic will be written by Geoff Johns (who’s given us the very uneven Justice League) and drawn by David Finch (who’s given us the truly awful Batman: The Dark Knight). So, um, Yah?

[via CBR]

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #13

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tmnt-8-coverI’ve been very happy with the IDW’s new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which makes this month’s issue all that more perplexing. The biggest difference is Andy Kuhn, and his far rougher style, stepping in for artist Dan Duncan who, until now, had done the art for every issue of the series. Although I prefer the art from the original Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird run I had grown accustomed to Duncan’s style. The difference in the book’s look is striking, and not in a good way.

Also problematic is how much exposition and plot summarization of the comic up until this point is passed off as attempts at natural dialogue. I assume the idea was to use the issue to help get readers up to speed who reading the title for the first time, but the effect doesn’t do the actual story any favors.

The main story points have to do with the Turtles killing time after saving Splinter while The Shredder (who is drawn for the first time with pupils instead of zombie eyes) finds only disapproval with his granddaughter Karai. There’s also the return of the subplot of Casey Jones and his abusive father. For fans.

[IDW, $3.99]

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The Flash #12

/ / Comics

the-flash-new-52-12-coverThe latest issue of The Flash is mainly set-up putting the final pieces in place for next week’s The Flash Annual #1 featuring the Scarlet Speedster against The Rogues. Glider gathers the rests of The Rogues (including the first appearance of The Trickster), leaves her brother (Captain Cold) for dead, and manages to frame the Flash for murder without breaking a sweat.

Fans of the series should get their money’s worth, but if you’re looking to save a couple bucks you could probably skip this issue and jump right into next week’s Annual without missing much other than the Flash‘s confrontation with Darwin Elias (that do much to explain the scientist’s recent actions anyway).

The issue’s certainly not bad, but to get the payoff this storyline has been slowly building to it looks like readers are going to have to put down a little extra cash to pick up the annual next week. On the plus side writer/artist Francis Manapul has set up an annual that looks like it’s definitely worth picking up (which, as those who have read comics for a while know, that’s usually not the case). Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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