The Flash

[Batman25JM]

The Flash #11

This was decent. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it either. The intervention was nice.

Scott Kolins' new art style is good, though I loved his old style (at least when he did The Flash).

I'm a little confused as to what is going on with Zoom and his aging, but I'm sure that'll be worked out in the next issue.

[Strider]

Finally read all the lead-in to Flashpoint issues of the series.

I'm still not a big Barry Allen fan, but I'm enjoying what Geoff Johns is doing on the book.

[jaydee74]

Flash #12:

Good issue. I like Reverse Flash's new ability. (I'm guessing it's a new ability) I thought this issue was a really good lead-in to Flashpoint and I understand now why this is the end of this particular series. It was a good transition issue and the art is pretty great.

[Kelson]

I thought Flash #12 was better than #11, which was better than #9 or #10, but the whole "Road to Flashpoint" arc has really suffered from pacing and the "tell, don't show" approach. I think if we'd had four three-issue stories building up to this point it would have worked a lot better.

Full review at Speed Force as usual.

[LOOSECANNON]

It was a pretty crappy book so maybe it's good the series is ending.

[jaydee74]

I wouldn't call this a crappy book at all. There were a bunch of little arcs that I was looking forward to exploring in this book. The relationship between Barry and his family. The relationship between Central City and Keystone City. The relationship between Barry Allen and the cops which seemed rather strained. Those were some interesting things that I was looking forward with this book and then you got Flahspoint so now I'm not sure if we'll get those stories which kind of makes me sad.

[LOOSECANNON]

I've loved Johns' Flash up until the last couple....I know it's not his fault entirely, but they pretty much mandated the end to open for Flashpoint and whatever other series comes out of this.

[Batman25JM]

The Flash #12

This was okay, nothing spectacular though. I do feel that Hot Pursuit was completely wasted.

[Arsenal]

The best part about #12 was Hot Pursuit getting killed. The way they drew Thrawn when he saw it was "a" Barry Allen was just amazing, he finally got his wish and I think that was directly the lead into flash point. Killing "a" Barry finally put him over the edge enough to change everything.

[jaydee74]

I thought it was very ironic because more or less it was Hot Pursuit's death that led us into Flashpoint. By him coming to our world, he was the one who actually messed things up and his whole thing was trying to find the person who was going to cause this disaster never realizing that it could have been him. I thought it was very interesting and ironic and seeing the look on Zoom's face as he finally got to kill "Barry Allen" was really cool.

[Bigtymin504]

Johns done with Flash titles for "forseeable future"
http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2011/05/27/flashpoint-friday-the-end-of-an-era/

Like the saying goes, everything you know will change in a flash.

It goes without saying that Geoff Johns is a talent to be reckoned with. For the past several years, Johns has been writing numerous FLASH titles – including the recently released THE FLASH OMNIBUS Vol. 1.

As he did with Hal Jordan and GREEN LANTERN, Johns has completely reinvigorated the character of Barry Allen and THE FLASH. Working with such incredible artists including Scott Kolins, Ethan Van Sciver, Angel Unzueta, Andy Kubert and rising stars like Francis Manipul, Johns has solidified The Flash’s place in the DC Universe. In fact, he’s placed Barry Allen front and center of this summer’s bestselling event, FLASHPOINT.

But like issue #12 was the final issue of THE FLASH by Johns, the final issue of FLASHPOINT will conclude Johns’ run on FLASH titles for the foreseeable future.

What happens post FLASHPOINT you ask?

As Johns says, “the first rule about FLASHPOINT is, don’t talk about what comes after Flashpoint.”

So for now, we thank Geoff Johns for his run on THE FLASH and look forward to what he’s got planned next.

Stay tuned.

So I wonder who will take over.

[Batman25JM]

This bums me out. I haven't been over the moon with Johns' recent Flash run, but I LOVE his original Flash run. I was looking forward to seeing what he did after Flashpoint, so I'm sad to learn he'll be leaving the Flash for now. I'm curious to see who will be taking over and what direction they will go.

[Kelson]

Haws anyone been reading the DC Retroactive books? I've enjoyed the two that have come out so far, the 80s more than the 70s just because it actually reunited a writer/artist *team* from the era (William Messner-Loebs and Greg Larocque), and I'm looking forward to today's Flash 1990s special. Speaking of which, my site has an interview with Brian Augustyn in which he talks about his long-term collaboration with Mark Waid and his work on the DC Retroactive book.

[Strider]

Haws anyone been reading the DC Retroactive books? I've enjoyed the two that have come out so far, the 80s more than the 70s just because it actually reunited a writer/artist *team* from the era (William Messner-Loebs and Greg Larocque), and I'm looking forward to today's Flash 1990s special. Speaking of which, my site has an interview with Brian Augustyn in which he talks about his long-term collaboration with Mark Waid and his work on the DC Retroactive book.

I just read the Batman 80's book. I loved it.

[rwe1138]

#1 of the relaunch was okay. Gotta say though, Barry & Iris not being together is a little weird.

[jaydee74]

I was thinking the same thing myself. I do like the art. I miss the bow tie.

[Batman25JM]

The Flash #1

I enjoyed this. The art was fantastic. The only thing I'm not digging is the fact that Barry and Iris aren't together. I don't get why they had to erase their relationship. I get if they don't want them married, but why couldn't they still be a couple?

[Dr. Wade McNasty]

The art was pretty good. I liked the story overall as well. I do wish that the colors were more vibrant (like they were in Justice League #1) since a book like this lends well to such a thing. Imagine the first splash page more vibrant colors--- it'd cause seizures just sitting there. Other than that, it was nice.

[D-Rock]

I liked #1 as well. I love how the Speed Force channels through the costume making it light up as he runs. Awesome touch. I really don't mind that he and Iris aren't together. I mean, I'm sure they'll end up together at some point since that is the nature of comics, but for now I'm just enjoying the ride.

[Kelson]

I'd been really uncertain about the Flash relaunch. I knew I could expect fantastic art (and it delivered on that), but I wasn't sure what to expect from the story, setting and character.

So far, I like what I see.

This is a Flash who's awesome instead of badass. Thoughtful instead of broken. Barry's more likable a character than he's been at any time since his return. The art looks great, the layouts are creative, and everything you need to know about the character, supporting cast and setting is introduced without feeling too expository. And it moves.

Basically, it's what I liked best about the 2010 Flash series mixed with what i liked best about the bronze age run mixed with modern storytelling.

Full review including likes/dislikes at my blog.

[rwe1138]

#2 was good. While I remain underwhelmed by the writing (it's not bad, but it's not fantastic either), this is a great looking book. From the regular art to the panel layouts, everything just pops right off the page. Manapul and Buccellato are really outdoing themselves artwise.

[rwe1138]

#3 was meh. My friend Jason, a huge Flash fan and the guy I pick it up for, is getting bored. If he wants to drop it, I'm gone as well.

[Arsenal]

#3 was meh. My friend Jason, a huge Flash fan and the guy I pick it up for, is getting bored. If he wants to drop it, I'm gone as well.

So he is like me then, I love the Flash but this book is just dead in the water, something that there is no reason for, I would stick it out after this arc I can see the Rogues showing up and that will get the book back on track I hope.

If not the art is pretty and the writing is good, just boring.

[Batman25JM]

Issue #3 was just meh. The story isn't really doing anything for me, but the art is gorgeous.

I don't like the fact that it looked like Captain Cold had actual cold/ice powers. I want him to have the cold gun.

[rwe1138]

#4 is the same as before: great art, mediocre story.