Flash

Flash #7

/ / Comics

flash-new-52-7-coverThe Flash is able to stop Captain Cold and save Patty but not without a cost. In order to save as many passengers from the boat as possible the Flash must break his promise to Dr. Elias to control his speed use. And although Barry is able to save his girlfriend, Iris and several other passengers are lost in a wormhole the Flash unintentionally created.

The main story is well told and terrifically laid out by writer/artist Francis Manapul and co-writer Brian Buccellato. There are also several interesting nuggets scattered throughout including the Flash’s first run on the cosmic treadmill (or at least the New 52 equivalent), our first look at the reimaganed natives of Gorilla City (who…are religous zealots? Hrm.), as well as a tease at the new Pied Piper.

Seeing how the next issue is going to be firmly centered around the speed force this issue did a good job of ending the Captain Cold story and starting a new problem for Barry with Patsy‘s now firmly anti-Flash stance. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

Flash #7 Read More »

The Flash #6

/ / Comics

the-flash-new-52-6-coverWith the Mob Rule story finished the Flash turns his attention to Captain Cold who escaped prison during the blackout. An unintended side-effect of the blackout, which everyone mistakenly believes the Flash caused, is it left Cold’s sister slowly wasting away in the hospital who no longer have the power to operated the laser necessary to perform the brain surgery to save her.

The comic does a good job re-introducing the character of Captain Cold. I’m not sure I like that he’s now a guy with cold powers, rather than his old freeze gun, but writer Francis Manapul does through longtime DC readers a bone by allowing the Flash to mention how the villain has changed.

Aside from Flash’s battle with Cold, and the reason for the villain’s new motivations, we also get Barry siting down as an awkward go between between Patty and Iris, and a continuation of the seed planted in last month’s issue about the hero’s need to watch his speed because there’s a chance it could rip apart time and reality. We even get a giant treadmill. Sweet! Best of the week.

[DC, $2.99]

The Flash #6 Read More »

The Flash #5

/ / Comics

the-flash-new-52-5-coverThe Mob Rule story arc ends, although it looks like the character is going to stick around the New 52, as the Flash is able to stop Darwin Ellis‘ out of control experiment, to solve Mob Rule’s degeneration problem, from exploding and taking an entire Central City block with it.

Although the Flash is able to save the day none of Mob Rule survive leaving Manuel to blame the hero for their deaths. I was hoping the arc would end the character’s involvement in the series but it appears he’s going to be sticking around, and with an ax to grind.

The issue also sees the Flash save Iris West from the prison break at Iron Heights and learn Ellias’ terrifying theory about the Speed Force which could mean the end of the Flash for good.

Once again Francis Manapul delivers another terrific looking comic. I’m glad to see the end of the Mob Rule story arc and the chance to see the Flash deal with a problem with the Speed Force and the return of his Rogues Gallery in the next couple of issues. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

The Flash #5 Read More »

The Flash #4

/ / Comics

the-flash-4-new-52-coverIssue #4 gives us a pretty well thought-out explanation as to how Barry Allen survived the sequence of events from last month’s comic, but most of this month’s story is focused on explaining the history of Mob Rule.

Even if we don’t get much of the Flash here, the backstory of Mob Rule (though gruemsome) is explains quite a bit. Manuel Lago was a super-spy who had been given regenerative abilities as part of a top secret government project (think Deadpool, without the tumors). However, when one of his mission went horribly wrong he was tortured for hours with limbs being cut-off his body as they regenerated. Eventually the various limbs grew into copies of him, and Mob Rule was born.

It bothers me that everyone is referring to Mob Rule by the same name when the group hasn’t publicly ever used that name, but it’s a comic book conceit I’m willing to let slide. Once again I’m impressed by how well-planned the story elements are from Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato are every month. And the art is gorgeous. Best of the week.

[DC, $2.99]

The Flash #4 Read More »

The Flash #3

/ / Comics

flash-new-52-3-coverThanks to a super EMP whammy Central City in a total blackout, every electronic device including cars and planes are non-functional, and so its up to the Flash to save 3.5 million people from the dark.

As the Flash races around the city the clones of Manuel close in on the original and Iris West‘s trip to Iron Heights prison, now in dark lockdown, gets the intrepid female reporter far closer to one of the Flash’s Rogues than she ever wanted.

Once again Francis Manapul gives us a strong story to go along with some absolutely beautiful art. There are also a couple of fun moments here including Barry on horseback and some early narration explaining how the Flash learned how to use his speed in various ways (and why he never drinks coffee).

Fans of the Golden Age should also pay attention to the mention Keystone City, especially now that we know some form of an Earth-2 Justice Society of America is scheduled as part of DC’s New 52. Best of the week.

[DC, $2.99]

The Flash #3 Read More »