New 52 flash 4

Flash #4 "Too Much Too Fast!"
Story: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato
Art: Francis Manapul
Colors: Brian Buccellato
Letters: Carlos M. Mangual
Cover: Francis Manapul
Variant Cover: Eric Basaluda w/ Nei Ruffino
Assistant Editor: Darren Shaw
Editor: Brain Cunningham

After retracing Flash #4 it made more sense but was not as good as the previous issue. Whereas Flash #2 focused on Barry Allen first using his new mental powers Flash #4 took a look at the other side of the coin with background on Mob Rule. My biggest problem with the issue was Barry/Flash only in real time for the last four pages but overall good.
The writing was good with Manuel asking Barry a question in the opening flashback sequence and potential answer in the last words of the issue. Another thing of note was where the conversation between Manuel and Patty took place away from Barry's body while Patty believes he is dead. Excuse me, but if you believe someone is dead wouldn't you remain close to body until it is bagged up. Iris West seems to be a plot device now setting up future stories after having a bigger role the first two issues. What good is the mental part of the speed force if instincts have to kick in?
The art continues to be amazing grey watercolor is a excellent way to show past events to the reader. The reason the two flashback scenes are in different colors is to describe the weather. Also kudos on the Mob Rule history pages for the hand and foot prints it gave those two pages a greater spy feel. Of course I am sucker for splash pages so the last page got me excited.
Overall Flash #4 was good. I am confused when Barry talks about air pressure because Barry seems to make it relate more to the mental speed force rather than instincts. This issue did move the storyline forward maybe not at the pace I like however now it's time for action not analyzing.
8(out of 10)

Flash #3 New 52

Story: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato
Art: Francis Manapul
Colors: Brian Buccellato
Letters: Sal Cipriano
Cover: Francis Manapul
Variant Cover: Jim Lee, Scott Williams with Alex Sinclair
Assistant Editor: Darren Shaw
Editor: Brain Cunningham

Flash #3 was an incredible joyride combining amazing writing and art with the ultimate cliffhanger for a story. The arc also moves forward by connecting some of the dots from the puzzle, involving pigs, discussed in the last issue. Only one nitpicking discovered and Iris West just in one scene that could set up a future storyline.
The issue begins with Barry's thoughts on coffee which I find hilarious because I am addicted to the stuff for about eight years. Also his comments about leaving the autograph were cool. It made him seem like Wally and fun loving. in Flash #1 he appeared quite the opposite very serious. Barry's personalty is being expanded. Another good writing moment was the mention of Keystone City. It is causing me to speculate about where the Flash book is going?
The art was fantastic my favorite panel involved Captain Cold who was drawn more like a metahuman(Yes, I have been playing way too much DCUO lately). My main nitpicking on this issue comes from the central theme of the last issue only being used once towards the end and Barry not solving it ( at least for right now). Hey it will be fun to see how Barry survives and tackles this one man army The use of watercolor to describe the past is once again, excellent by Manapul. The drawings of the pig and the regenerated hand strike me ass odd perhaps because they are together. Every background color seems perfect for it's panel.
I like that Iris West was hardly in the issue and that Patty Spivot was in the building when Barry got shot because it helps reinforces my view. For DC to take away Barry and Iris marriage the Patty must prove more useful in Barry's aid with the problem to justify the move.
10 (out of10)

The Flash #2 new 52

Story: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato
Art: Francis Manapul
Colors: Brian Buccellato
Letters: Sal Cipriano
Assistant Editor: Darren Shaw
Editor: Brain Cunningham

The first page of The Flash #2 of the new 52 reinforces this is a very different Flash. One who at least threatens violence to get the job done. That is something I do not remember seeing in the previous Flash series. This was a well told issue that explains how Barry can fully tap into his power but at the same time the villain "Mob Rule" and his intentions are still mysterious
.
The writing was very good and odd. The good part was Barry needing to use his brain to access the entire speed force. Barry then practices this new skill twice as a civilian. The odd part of the story was Barry spending more time with Iris West and she was the one being held by the antagonist off-camera. Rather than the woman he is presumably dating Patty Spivot. It was revealed that Barry and Iris dated once. I am still confused as to who or what the villain is. What role will this new doctor have as the arc continues?

The art was fantastic with the past scenes greyed out. That is a good story telling technique for even the new reader to understand. My favorite panel was Barry doing the tornadoes with the hands. I recognize the move from the JL/JLU animated series (yes, I know itt was Wally West as the Flash.). Also I just like seeing splash pages. I find the use of green for the EMP explosion a bit weird given that particular color of light represents someone else. The regular cover was very appropriate not only well drawn but fit the main theme.

Once again it is a fantastic issue sorry if it seems like I focus a lot on the little nitpicks. The main thing is Barry's new ability and I can not wait for him to use it in costume. What if this new Villian "Mob Rule" is some type of program?

9 \(out of10)

New 52 Flash 1

New 52 Flash 1

Story: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato

Art: Francis Manapul

Colors: Brian Buccellato

Letters: Sal Cipriano

Assistant Editor: Darren Shaw

Editor: Brian Cunningham

When you first read page one of The Flash #1 of the new 52 you can automatically tell something is a mist. Barry Allen has a different love interest in Patty Spivot. This was a great issue taking Barry in a whole new direction.

When Barry first gets into costume he appears more cocky and aggressive than ever before in tackling this new threat which is the beginning of a mystery involving a childhood friend. I do not recall Barry being that physical in combat. Another plus is that Iris West is looking to be a key supporting figure by being a good investigative reporter by always asking Barry questions about his day job. However this current Barry Allen and Iris West relationship leads to one big question regarding the new 52. How do they explain Kid Flash either Wally or Bart? The mysterious woman poping up is very intriguing. it is hard to speculate what her purpose will be going forward.

The art is fantastic with Manapul and Buccellato being from the previous Flash series it is what I am used to seeing in this book. The nitpick I have is when you compare Barry's transformation in the interior art and what is on the variant cover there is no chin strap pieced emerging in the interior. The design of the title page and how the credits are done look amazing. I do not think I have ever seen that before.

The story is fresh and new for Barry. It is just hard to see based on this first issue why Barry and Iris had to be separated after Flashpoint. Hopefully as the story develops Patty proves useful in a way Iris can't. After reading this I am tempted to go buy Superman to see if Clark-Lois have a similar relationship to Barry-Iris. Also Teen TItans in hopes of Kid Flash origin being explained.

9 (out of 10)

Flash 12 review

The Road to Flashpoint Part IV Out of Time

Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Scott Kolins and Francis Manapul(p.14-18)
Colorist: Michael Atiyeh and Brain Buccellato
Letterer: Sal Cipriano
Cover: Manapul and Buccellato
Variant Cover: Francis Portela w/Javier Mena
Assistant Editor: Darren Shan
Editor: Brian Cunningham

Geoff Johns’ Barry Allen series finale picks up directly where the previous issue left off but is more action packed. Professor Zooms claims to have contacted abilities that Barry did not bother to look at. With these new powers he will cause Barry even more pain than just murdering his mom Anyone else noticed that Barry has not checked in with Justice League in the series? It seems like Professor Zoom has been changing history one piece at a time and waiting for the changes to take effect.
Now when that is implied I first thought that is when Barry crossover to the Flashpoint world. My biggest question with the first part of the book is how did they know to go to Barry’s Lab? Once Barry, with Bart got on the same page with Hot Pursiut. The most interesting panel to me was Professor Zoom looking at Hot Pursuit without his motorcycle helmet implying he needs Barry Allen around to give him purpose. I just noticed the red around Professor Zoom’s word bubbles could represent energy from the negative speed force.
The art in this issue knocked it out of the park for me. Kolins in some panels draws Professor Zoom ghostly evil especially in the lab. I would however question why Professor Zoom costume shows and light yellow white when he zapped by Hot Pursuit. Did there need to be drastic temporary color change? Manapul’s art ‘(non-action)felt right in its place in the issue. Also it helped set up the final two pages. I couldn’t even picked out a favorite panel or page because of the art it was that good overall.
On page 19 who was that in the bottom two panels my first instinct is to say Professor Zoom because Barry was just shown normally at his mother’s tombstone. This is probably where Barry entered Flashpoint with “changes” mentioned. If Flashpoint has similar visual effects to this issue it will be awesome.
8(out of 10)

Flash 11 review

The Road to Flashpoint Part III

Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Scott Kolins
Colorist: Michael Atiyeh
Letterer: Sal Cipriano
Cover: Manapul and Buccellato
Variant Cover: Kolins w/ Atiyeh
Assistant Editor: Darren Shan
Editor: Brian Cunningham

Geoff Johns picks up the Road to Flashpoint storyline right where the last issue left off with Barry Allen and an ex colleague looking after a young boy. Barry is investigating a potential crime by Hot Pursuit, his doppelganger. After rereading the issue today I have a problem with the number of pages given to a particular angle and even though it did its job it could have been condense.
This issue flows well with the previous one but the intervention coming from the Bart interaction in issue #10 took up forty percent of the issue. (8 out of 20)This part of issue#11 could have been done in five pages in my opinion. It spends three pages on why Barry needs a so called intervention with the Flash family. The last three pages shows Bart getting angry with Barry. That could have been a page less. The introduction to the scene lasted three pages as well and would probably have done better shorten. I am ok with one page each for Jay Garrick and Wally West.
The eight page family scene took away from the action part of the book. Barry’s conversation with Hot Pursuit felt quick. Speaking of Hot Pursuit, his stubbornness to focus on Bart as the time anomaly does nothing to help convince Barry that he is on the up and up. That young boy from the beginning of this issue turns out to be Professor Zoom. I had to do a double take to make sure it was not Bart at Barry’s lab. If it was not for the age difference between Bart and Professor Zoom disguise as a young boy they could be mistaken for each other. Bart is drawn very evil on the bottom panel of page 12
If Kolins had remained the artist from issue #7 onward the book probably would not have been canceled. Professor Zoom claims to be changing history to set up Flashpoint which would leave us to believe it has to be the real DCU.

7(out of 10)

Flash 10 review

The Road to Flashpoint – Who is Hot Pursuit?

Writer: Geoff Johns

Artist: Francis Manapul

Colorist: Brian Buccellato

Letterer: Sal Cipriano

Cover: Manapul and Buccellato

Variant Cover: Ed Benes, Rob Hunter w/Buccellato

Assistant Editor: Darren Shan

Editor: Brian Cunningham

First off I am sorry for this and my next review coming out very late. I have become addicted to DCUO. The second part of this arc helps the story comes to focus with the help of Bart Allen. This issues I feel leaves the reader with one burning question What exactly is Hot Pursuit’s role?
The writing by Johns I felt was very good my favorite was the discussion between Barry and Bart about Barry ignoring the family and specifically Bart. If this book was going to continue I could see it becoming an equal theme in the Green Lantern books of Hal taking the ring off. The second part of the book has Barry catching up with an ex coworker and she helps determine a motorcycle is at a crime scene that Barry was sent to investigate which calls into question Hot Pursuit motives?
The art was more vibrant when Barry was in costume. I listen to Flashback issue 10 episode while writing this and the two halves of the book are drawn completely different with the second part more laid back. Perhaps the best parts were of Bart Allen speeding around Barry. I can imagine Wally fans would complain because Wally is on this cover and not in the actual book. Even with the cover switch from Flash #9 Wally was not even in costume for his cameo then. I feel like covers should actually depict a panel from that issue.
Flash #10 did move us closer to Flashpoint and was perfectly drawn to fit the mood of each half of the book. It hints at something to Bart as he struggles to find a relationship with Barry. Almost to say, if I am gone then you will miss me. I really hope Flashpoint doesn’t happen on another Earth or Universe. .It is just sad to see that no Flash book will accompany Flashpoint.

8(out of 10)

Flash 9 review

Writer: Geoff Johns

Artist: Francis Manapul

Colorist: Brian Buccellato

Letterer: Sal Cipriano

Cover: Manapul and Buccellato

Variant cover: Tyler Kirkhqm, Batt, and Nei Ruffino

Editors: Adam Schlagman & Eddie Berganza

Geoff Johns' second arc in his Barry Allen series has a good but not perfect beginning. There is continuity shown with the first arc and a very interesting twist at the end of the issue,

The story begins with a crack of lightning and Allen reporting to work. This marks my major problem with the issue I was hoping they would show Allen a little dazed after coming off being affected by Parralax. It would have built continuity with Johns' other ongoing title Green Lantern. Despite that little problem this was a solid start to a new arc. Allen has a new case which involves a dead costumed person. The costumed identity of this individual could make one believe they were related to another superhero. However to add to this mystery the dead corpse is that of a senior citizen and not befitting the costumed identity.

The art by Francis Manapul was good, but again not worthy of the two week delay this issue was given after Flash #8 came out. The use of light watercolor to show a panel beforehand is really good. I am talking about the zoo panel but I also notice watercolor in the panel above that one even though it is a present time panel. Iris appears to be her youthful self. I appreciate that DC switch covers to the more iconic one fitting the monthly theme. It also works because Wally West and Bart Allen appear in only one panel and they are in normal clothes to boot. I also enjoy the bottom panel of page 17 where Barry off camera says STOP because in the next instant he will catch up to his target.

The one page spread cliffhanger reveals the man on the motorcycle from the end of #6. It was not who I was expecting but even more shocked to find out his name. He is there to stop the biggest time anomaly to ever threaten realty.
8(out of)10