Flash #4 review

Flash #4
“Case One: The Dastardly Death of the Rogues”
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Francis Manapul
Colorist: Brian Buccellato
Letterer: Sal Cipriano
Associate Editor: Adam Schlagman
Editor: Eddie Berganza
Cover: Manapul w/Buccellato
Variant Cover: Scott Kolins w/Michael Atiyeh
Published by DC Comics

Flash #4 is by far the most informative issue as far as storyline details. Top (Renegade version of The Top), decides to go rogue and tell Barry Allen about future events. Barry’s wife is caught in the middle of this thus connecting the dots from Flash #3. The entire issue is filled with action with the writing and art good but each having rough points.
The writing by Geoff Johns was good as we can now see the storyline starting to come into focus. Through Top Flash learns he simply mistakes the Renegade version for the Rogue version. So that could be his defense at trial mistaken identity. That is the writing weakest point of the issue as far as mapping out the story. For just this issue the writing is also pretty weak by how Barry gets rid of the black energy boomerangs (even though Manapul draws it amazingly). John’s makes up for this by telling us about Iris’s involvement with the Rogues.
The art seems to be good even though most of the splash pages do not grab my attention. I had to do a double take to appreciate the two page splash with the police helicopter. The other splash pages got nothing out of me. In the scene where Barry grabs the boomerangs Manapul takes one big panel and divides it into four equal sections. I just found that very interesting and outweighs the single splash pages getting no reaction. The cover for this issue would have been better had it been use for Flash #3.
As the story turns into another gear I initially thought the issue was bad but Johns and Manapul save it with fascinating story telling and art techniques. Now I am pumped for Flash #5 to see if we get the evil Iris. Also the one word “Possesion” for me indicates a spiritual force gets released.
8(out of 10)

Flash #3 review

Flash #3

“Case One: The Dastardly Death of the Rogues”
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Francis Manapul
Colorist: Brian Buccellato
Letterer: Sal Cipriano
Associate Editor: Adam Schlagman
Editor: Eddie Berganza
Cover: Manapul w/Buccellato
Variant Cover: Greg Horn
Published by DC Comics

Flash #3 continues the good story that Geoff Johns and Francis Manapul are putting together. Barry has multiple things on his mind while the Renegades reappear more determined than ever to apprehend the Flash for a future crime. This issue finally connects the book in some way to Brightest Day through Captain Boomerang. Also the Renegades hint at some crime being committed against Iris West.
The writing by Geoff Johns, was good, not great but at the same time not bad. Captain Boomerang gets boomerangs made out of black energy. This is further evidence that those brought back at the end of Blackest Night for Brightest Day have retained some semblance of their Black Lantern forms. At first when Top Top version of the Renegades mentions Iris West I found it a bit odd. However what if the Flash didn’t really commit a crime and the Renegades just need him in their time to make sure Iris is safe in the future. Also to me it is obvious there is a bigger mystery surrounding the Renegades.
The art by Francis Manapul was once again solid with perhaps the two single splash pages featuring Captain Boomerang stand out especially with his weapons. It makes this timid guy look like a force to be wrecking with. The splash page with the Renegades cover by blue light is fantastic. The cover I don’t like when it has nothing to do with this issue inside. You can say that is a pet peeve of mine when it comes to comic books no matter how awesome the cover looks.
This issue has me really excited for #4 as I feel this is just one big mystery with the Renegades at the center of it all. Now we know that Iris play a bigger part than other for someone for Barry to talk with. I am very interested in seeing Manapul’s interpretation of Professor Zoom.
8(out of 10)