Flash

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]

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Captain Atom #3

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captain-atom-new-52-3-coverCaptain Atom‘s burgeoning understanding of being able to use his powers in a much grander scale takes the hero around the world in a blink of an eye and eventually to Libya where he runs into the one hero on the planet that also lives at a pace far quicker than the average human being: The Flash.

I’ve enjoyed the first couple of issues of this series, and when you throw the the Flash into the mix you’re going to have to do quite a bit wrong not to get me on-board. The issue centers around two characters who are isolated because they see so much more by living between moments we take for granted. The interplay between the characters works wonderfully, but once again the situation intervenes and Captain Atom’s attempt to help looks far more nefarious than he planned.

The final page of the issue also give us the first appearance of General Eiling, the man (at least in the old version of the DCU) responsible for the creation of Captain Atom. It will be interesting to see how this version fits into Atom’s backstory. And, thankfully, we get an issue without the mutated monster dogs. Must-read.

[DC, $2.99]

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The Flash #2

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the-flash-new-52-2-coverMy reaction the DC’s decision to reboot has been mixed, but I’ve got to say I’ve been pretty happy with Barry Allen’s return as the Flash. I’m still conflicted about how much of the character’s past was wiped away by the New 52 (especially when Barry’s pal Hal Jordan finds his past largely intact), but I’ve got to say I’m really enjoying this title.

Issue #2 continues the storyline about Barry’s missing childhood friend, but much more of this second issue centers around Barry leaning more about his powers. We get our first look at a possible precursor to the Cosmic Treadmill, and the Flash learns to no only act at super-speed but think faster as well.

Once again the art by writer/artist Francis Manapul is exquisite. I love how how Manapul showcases the character’s speed and motion while never loosing sight of who the man underneath the mask is. It’s been a long time since this, or any Flash, has had a title this good. Best of the week.

[DC, $2.99]

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The Flash #1

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flash-new-52-1-coverThe newest relaunch of The Flash is one of the DC Reboot’s better first issues. Although the main plot involving the death of an old friend of Barry Allen‘s isn’t as engaging as I’d like writer and artist Francis Manapul does a good job reintroducing the character of the Flash with a couple of the character’s Silver Age trademark trappings (including storing his suit in his Flash ring).

Despite a so-so first adventure Manapaul does get the feel of Barry Allen right. There are nice early moments including the Flash’s guilt over the loss of his friend, a terrific opening splash panel, and a humorous conversation between Iris West and the Flash after he’s saved the day.

Yes, I say Iris West because in DC’s New 52 it appears Barry and Iris aren’t married (and maybe haven’t ever dated). I’ve got to say this change was shocking to me as Barry’s relationship to Iris is one of the defining pieces of his character. DC is really starting him back at square one (which is the exact opposite choice they made for Hal Jordan, who appears to gone through his entire DC history in a condensed time period).

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Flashpoint #5

/ / Comics

flashpoint-5-coverDC’s summer event comes to a conclusion much as I expected it would when it, and the DC Reboot, were first announced. The events in the final issue of Flashpoint lead to the recreation of the DCU, but not without providing a reason (and possible backdoor to return to the current DCU should the rebooted universe be unsuccessful).

Like all the issues of the main Flashpoint mini-series this one focuses primarily on the Flash and Thomas Wayne who helps Barry stop Thayne and allows him to return to our world with a message for his son. The Flash learns it is he, not the Reverse-Flash, who is responsible for Flashpoint, and to return things to normal he will have to sacrifice one of his closest loved ones.

As wrap-ups go this final issue does what it needs to, and does it better than I expected. Is the final moment between Barry and Batman a little too schmaltzy? Sure. Does the look of the rebooted DCU still make me a little queasy? Oh yeah, but this issue works (and gives us a glimmer of hope we haven’t seen the last of the classic DCU). Worth a look.

[DC, $3.99]

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