Flash

• Title: The Flash #12
• Comic Vine: link
• Writers: Francis Manapul, Brian Buccellato
• Artist: Francis Manapul

The 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]

• Title: The Flash #11
• Comic Vine: link
• Writers: Francis Manapul, Brian Buccellato
• Artist: Francis Manapul

The latest issue of The Flash begins a new story arc as the Scarlet Speedster has relocated to Keystone City letting everyone back home believe Barry Allen is dead. I’m less sure about The Flash leaving Central City than Barry Allen letting his true identity die (which I’m really not in favor of), but as long as writers Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato keep this arc relatively short I’m willing to see how things play out.

Barry gets himself a job in one of Keystone City’s super-villain dives where on the first day of work he has to suit up and stop a brawl between Captain Cold and Heat Wave. The Flash makes quick work of the two villains, but on the way back to prison they’re surprised by a visit from the Golden Glider.

I enjoyed Barry as the Flash, but I’m still unsure of his life out of costume in this arc. It’s also interesting to note that in the New 52 Keystone City is compared to Gotham in terms of in terms of high levels of crime and corruption. We’ll see what the Flash has to say about that. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

• Title: The Flash #10
• Comic Vine: link
• Writers: Francis Manapul, Brian Buccellato
• Artist: Francis Manapul

Following the format of the last couple of issues, Flash #10 continues with the introduction of another New 52 version of the hero’s Rogues Gallery, the Weather Wizard, as the Flash attempts to track down Patty Spivot to tell her Barry Allen is the Flash.

The open pages are a little odd, and I certainly felt like I missed an issue through most of the first-half of the comic. Thankfully the story is filled later, but it is a little awkwardly done (almost as an afterthought).

The Weather Wizard has always been one of the Flash’s more lackluster villains, so the new version doesn’t have much to live up to. The introduction to the character works all right, but he’s still the least interesting of the New 52 Rogues so far.

Given his need to keep running, which keeps getting in the way of Barry’s life, and his desire to no longer hurt Patty anymore, the Flash decides Barry Allen needs to stay dead. I’m not sure I like this turn, or leaving Iris still stuck in limbo, but I’ll stick around to see how it plays out. Up next, Heat Wave. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

• Title: The Flash #9
• Comic Vine: link
• Writers: Francis Manapul, Brian Buccellato
• Artist: Francis Manapul

Writer and artist Francis Manapul (along with co-writer Brian Buccellato) gives us the Flash vs. Gorilla Grodd, Round One. Honestly, given the early teases we’d seen of the New 52 versions of Grodd and Gorilla City this was better than I expected. I’m not sure I like the change from Gorilla City from an advanced scientific race of apes into a more magical religious group but this certainly wasn’t the total disaster which I feared.

The Flash shows up in Gorilla City at a loss as to how he arrived there and who he is and learns from a group of elder Gorillas that the secret tribe worship the Lightning (the Speed Force) and the prophesied appearance of the Runner (the Flash). Although awkward in places, the comic picks up after the Flash regains his memory and puts down Grodd’s rule and plans of world conquest.

The issue has several important small plotlines including Iris still stuck in limbo, the Pied Piper deciding to come out of retirement when Central City is left without a hero, Dr. Elias mounting a protest against the scarlet speedster, and a teaser for the introduction of another of the Flash’s Rogues next month – the Weather Wizard.

[DC, $2.99]

• Title: The Flash #8
• Comic Vine: link
• Writers: Francis Manapul, Brian Buccellato
• Artist: Francis Manapul

Following the events of the last issue the Flash finds himself in the void of the Speed Force. Unable to find Iris or the other people plucked out of time, the Flash’s only companion is Turbine, an insane WWII pilot who has been trapped in the void for 70 years.

Although the idea of Turbine is an intriguing one, how writers Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato play out the tale leaves something to be desired. We do get an explanation for the time rifts and how the Flash is connected to the Speed Force. However, everything feels rushed and not quite as well thought-out as I’d like. It doesn’t quite stumble, but this is definitely the weakest issue of the title so far.

That doesn’t mean the comic doesn’t have its bright spots. Manapul’s art is again terrific, and even if the ideas aren’t as well fleshed-out as I’d like they do open the doors for further discovery down the line. I’m less pleased with the new Grodd and New 52 version of Gorilla City both of which were going to get plenty of in next month’s issue. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]