Flash 14

Flash #14
Script & Cover: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato

Art: Manapul

Colors: Buccellato

Letterer: carlos M. Mangual

Associate Editor: Chris Conroy

Editor:Matt Idelson
   
     Flash #14 with the use of flashbacks and other characters/scenes help to take the focus off Barry Allen.  One look at page four will tell you the Flash's should change his course of action.  This is a perfect way to introduce Solovar and it's nice to see Iris again.  I almost forgot about Dr. Elias and he had a good cameo.
 
     The writing was good although it took me a second read through to accept the pages Solovar was narrating. In a way this issue is more about him than the Flash.  Solovar message is unclear could he be saying that the Speed Force itself is dangerous to use or just future events through it.  A conversation between Solovar and The Flash next issue might shed some light on Solovar's words.
   
     As usual the art carries the issue while page four looks great visually it tells you things will not go a The Flash's way especially if you know the cover for Flash #15 . Page eleven has is the best drawn in the issue with The Flash speeding around Gorilla Grodd.  The Speed Force energy coming off of Grodd is red and combining with the fact The Flash is losing his costume once he makes contact with it.  Does that mean Grodd is using the negative speed force from the previous series.  I do not like the design of Solovar he just appears to be a normal gorilla.  How is he suppose to battle Grodd without weapons or even armor.  No arguments with this cover though one nitpick might have it show a bare hand.
   
     Flash #14 was good but it left more questions than answers.  How can the Flash and his allies stand up to Grodd in their condition.  Daniel West character just gives me an uneasy feeling I think he will become a villain.  I am not a fan of credits at the end.

   
8(out of 10)

Flash 13

Flash #13

script & cover: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato

Art: Manapul

Colors: Buccellato with Ian Herring

Letterer: Wes Abbott

Associate Editor: Chris Conroy

Editor:Matt Idelson

     Flash 13 follows the event of Flash annual 1 and Flash 0 where we have a introduction of a father figure to Barry.  The Turbine segment is also continued from the annual which is also cool.  One has to be on nerves for what Turbine might say to anyone regarding Barry.  Daniel West also reappearing from issue #0 is a good sign.   The issue was good with these new elements but slow paced.

 
   The writing was high on action but took too long for The Flash to run into Grodd at the climax because it took him the whole issue to trust the Rogues.  The Trickster scene does not.work in Flash.12 he said he was with the Rogues but here he appears to be a loner.  The Daniel West scene fit the story better.  At first page 19 seemed awful with just The Flash's thoughts but reinforces the theme of protecting Central City.

    Two nitpicks about the art are Mirror Master on the cover and not the issue.  He could have been replaced with the Trickster to better represent the issue.  After issue none I thought the Lightning Bolt on Grodd was permanent.  Everything else was exceptional.  My favorite is the two page spread on pages 16-17 with The Flash in the foreground.  The final page also makes Grodd look nine feet tall compared to the Flash also the electrify flowing from the entity other than the Flash just looks weird.
   
    The story is good as the series appears to be hitting a turning point with a emphasis towards the action and these new elements.  Daniel West seems like a new device to keep his family name rellavent.  The Trickster looks like he has his own agenda from the Rogues.  Grodd does not appear to be a hunter otherwise he would have been in the middle of the action.

   
8(out of 10)

Flash Annual #1

Flash  Annual #1 Flash vs. The Rogues United They Fall

Story & Cover: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato

BreakDown: Manapul

pencils & Inks: Marcus To, Scott Kolins, Diogenes Neves(pencils only chapter 3), Marcio Takara, Wes Craig

Inks: Oclair Albert(chapter 3)

Colors: Ian Herring(1, 3 & 4), Mike Atiyeh, (2). Hi-Fi(5)

Letters: Carlos M. Mangual, Dezi Sienty, Pat Brosseau(3 & 4), Wes Abbott

Associate Editor: Chris Conroy

Editor: Matt Idelson
   
     For the first comic annual I have ever read I did not expect five chapters.  As I was reading the issue I wondered when the continuation of #12 would come then afterwards I felt like chapters 2-4 did an excellent job of closing the gaps leading into the annual.
   
     The writing was good in chapters 2 and 3 in telling how the rogues ended up as metahumans while focusing on the Snarts.  Chapters two and three flow perfectly together despite no trickster in three (and five).  They show this inner war between the Snarts when LIsa Snart, the Glider goes from non rogue member to  being removed from her physical body and questioning her brother to the leader).  Chapter five shows that you can not trust an arch enemy for long because the rogues are really  a family( bar was in issue 11)Chapter one had a message but took a confusing path to get there.  Chapter four was fun however it was just filler
   
     The art was mostly good.  The first panel of Chapter two looks like a classic rogue image even though The Flash and Captain Cold look seven feet tall in other areas of the chapter that just might be because they are upfront.  Chapter one has a poorly drawn panel of Barry as a kid and the eyes do not look to be in sync with each other.   In Chapter five  Flash's eyes just look to big and kind of buggy. Also the difference in Mirror Master Cowl from three to five thought it would be the other way around in more tech based in chapter five not more modern.
   
      Chapters two, three and five relate more while Chapters 1 and 4 stand on their own.  I hope there is a pay off coming from the subject matter of chapter 4 even though it could be worse for the Flash than the last page.
8(out of 10)

Flash 12

The Flash #12

Script & Cover: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato

Art: Francis Manupul

Colors: Buccellato

Letters: Wes Abbott

Associate Editor Chris Conroy

Editor: Matt Idelson

    Flash #12 has nonstop action like "The Dark Knight" from the rogues but not the Flash.  This issue focuses on the rogues with a wild plan under new leadership.   The Flash only has two scenes while the rogues are everywhere.  The writing is good and the art is great with few nitpicks.

   The rogues new leader does not waste any time in causing havoc on multiple levels.  Their main goal seems to be revenge on there former boss Captain Cold.  One negative aspect about the writing was the Flash had no action sequences.  Now this issue is Act 1 of a bigger story but the Flash should have at least confronted the rogues.  It felt like he was just there in his own book.  Then again the Flash was probably screwed either way with regards to Doctor Elias because of current public opinion of him.  The Pied Piper was more heroic in this issue trying to round up the rogues.

  The art was back to its bright and clean form(hopefully no more fill in artists for a while.). even though the art was great as a whole no one piece got me excited.  However the two page half spread with the train disappearing looks cool with the purple and green colors mixed.  Now with the nitpicks on page seven, top panel looks like the Pied Piper is a woman but that may be due to the brightness of the cheeks.  Also on the bottom panel of page eleven Heatwave's head looks to be out of proportion with his body.  The regular cover while absolutely beautiful does not depict an actual scene from the issue.  it's ok with regards to the cover of issue #11

  I do not know what to think of the reveal near the end, it needs to play out more.  Also it was great to finally see the Trickster.  He has always been one of favorite rogues since his first appearance the TV show premired on my 13th birthday..

8(out of 10)

Note I will try to get my Flash annual review out Sept 8th its coming through DCBS.

Flash #11

The Flash #11 Slow Burn

script & cover: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato

pencils: Marcus To

inks: Ray McCarthy

colors: Buccellato(pgs. 1-10), &; Ian Herring ( pgs. 11-20)

Letters: Wes Abbott

Associate Editor Chris Conroy

editor: Matt Idelson

Flash #11 introduces Heatwave in the new 52 in a rather simple story.  The design of Heatwave looks to make him equal to Captain Cold where they appear to be metahumans..  The overall story is lacking but and its major problem is another rogue.

     That nitpick is Captain Cold is featured in as many pages as Heatwave.  It hurts the entire issue and Heatwave as a character.  Mick Rory now looks like a minor character even within the rogues.  I understand they hate each other but the story would have been better had Cold just made a cameo.  Heatwave as far as public knowledge has made appearances in Justice League Unlimited.  This issue does nothing to let him grows.  This is also the second straight issue that seems to ignore the conclusion of #10    even though Dr Elias has an entire page he does not interact with The Flash.  Then again the Flash's secret identity Barry Allen is just weird in this issue.  Though it was nice to see the mental power side of the speed force again.  I had nearly forgot about it.

    The art seems to grow on me the darker colors this being the second time around did not bother it was darker than usual but brighter than #10.  My favorite panel is the top of page 18.  I am a.sucker for the Flash running around doing his thing.  The cover is misleading where it seems that Heatwave was the one watching Iris and the others in the speed force which might have been a better story.
   
     Really Barry you are investagating Arson crimes and a prime suspect does not pop into your head?  Are not Keystone City and Central CIty next to each other? If they are how can Barry play dead much longer.  Captain Cold should not have co-stared in this issue.

6(out of 10)

Flash #10

The Flash #10
Script & Cover: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato Pencils: Marcus To
Inks: Ray McCarthy
Colors: Buccellato(pgs. 1-10), & Ian Herring ( pgs. 11-20
Letters: Wes Abbott
Associate Editor Chris Conroy
Editor: Matt Idelson

Flash #10 features the Weather Wizard in this one shot who comes across more as an antihero rather than a complet Villian. He is not looking to fight the Flash but does everything possible to slow the Flash down. The two have different paths that just happen to intersect.

Much like the end of issue #9 where there is no panel of the Flash going from Gorrila City to Central CIty with a new objective. The Flash first appears in issue #10 already in South America ready to fight. How did the Flash even figure out he had to go to South America and go after Weather Wizard? There is a lot of disconnect between the end of previous and the start of this issue. Perhaps I am finally noticing pencils and inks because this issue look does not look like Buccellato's art. It appears darker which I guess is appropriate for the climate disasters the Weather Wizard can create.
The writing at first seems confusing and could lead to a change in the Flashs life. His main goal in the issue is personal while the Weather Wizard has a business reason that becomes more personal. We know the two are really enemies but that does not come across well here. After achieveing the first part of his goal The Flash and from a far viewpoint takes care of a request while figuring out he can not complete his task.  The Flash and Weather Wizard have woman problems through different means..
My favorite part of the issue follows the half a second later intro. Those small panels remind me of the Flash TV season. The regular cover would look like a fit for the issue and is very descriptive but it is just another version of the title page. The end of issue foreshadows issue #12 but not issue #11.

7(out of 10)

New 52 flash 9

The Flash #9
Story: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato
Art: Manapul
Colors: Buccellato
Letters: Wes Abbott
Cover: Manapul w/Buccellato
Variant Cover: Tony S. Daniel & Sandu Florea w/ Tomeu Morey
Assistant Editor: Darren Shaw
Editor: Brian Cunningham

Flash #9 starts out weird the middle is good but then ends with confusion. It is odd in the beginning because the title page is so early. This new 52 introduction of Gorrilla Grodd seems it different then half way through he issue mental powers are revealed and I am thinking "same old Grodd."

The writing is excellent except for the end. The only page with Pied Piper I felt really moved his story forward and I can not wait to see his interaction with the Flash. On page 9 it is shown The Flash has no memory which at the moment was my only nitpick with the writing(it's also my favorite panel). The page where the Flash remembers who he is neat because it tells us he was the little boy from page one. Concepts like Fear and light fit the issue well even if they are more lantern based. The last two pages of the issue seem like mess with many questions to be asked.

At first the art seemed to be average because I failed to notice the lightning behind the Flash on the top panel of page sixteen. The cave paintings remind me of Flash:Rebirth. On pages 12-13 its hard for me to distinguish where the middle panel of Grodd turning an apes neck fits in that sequence. One of my biggest problems with issue was that it did not show how Flash got home. i would like to think he entered the Speed Force but also we have no proof that Iris and the others inside the Speed Force are back home. Their scene ended on a cliffhanger type note

My other questions are why is Patty really traveling where she is? I do not buy here explanation. What happened to Dr. Elias? It reminds of the TV show when the Flash was sent to the future  8( out of 10)

Flash 8 new 52

The Flash #8
Story: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato
Art: Manapul
Colors: Buccellato
Letters: Wes Abbott
Cover: Manapul
Variant Cover: Bernard Chang
Assistant Editor: Darren Shaw
Editor: Brian Cunningham

     Flash #8 includes the new 52 definition of the speed force. it also feels different than any other issue of the new 52 because it is based on information rather than action. Flash learns that he must really run.The flow is better than number 7.

    The writing seemed to be clunky at first with Flash and Turbine going from fighting to talking and then fighting again. Turbine has a sole purpose of getting back to his year of 1944. They only fight again because the Flash realizes that Turbine caused the EMP blast from the Mob rule arc and won't help him get back home. This new 52 definition of the speed force seems to be simple but its function and state are only reliant on the Flash. If the Flash doesn't run the speed force does wacky things. This contradicts what we have previously learned in the series. The two page intro of Hartley Rathaway comes off from the Flash asking a cliffhanger type question. Kudos to the Flashback podcast on picking up on the music talk from issue 7.

     The art in this book was good nothing really great. I have a hard time calling the title pages splash pages and therefore getting excited about it. Maybe it's only ending splash pages that get me going. Two panels that held my interest were the bottom of page 15 where the flash appears to be fuzzy wondering if he will go mad like Turbine if he remains in the speed force for a long time. The second panel on page five is stuff I like to see from splash pages.

     The Gorilla city scene helps the issue flow perfectly with a direct lead into issue 9. I am willing to bet Flash will go back into the speed force for his original mission of rescuing Iris and the others, it's just that Turbine was a more immediate threat. Plus we know Turbine's real name so he has to appear again?

8 (out of 10)

Flash 7 new 52

The Flash #7
Story: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato
Art: Manapul
Colors: Buccellato
Letters: Wes Abbott
Cover: Manapul
Variant Cover: Dale Keown
Assistant Editor: Darren Shaw
Editor: Brian Cunningham

     Flash #7 is the wrap up of the two part Captain Cold story but yet it felt like 1 1/2 storyline. The art is much better than the writing in this issue as the second half confused me. Too much of a setup for a one shot if you ask me.

     The story makes no sense as the battle ends halfway through the issue and Captain Cold appearing on only one page after that. The Gorilla city and Central city scenes I feel like we're wasted pages. Gorilla city is further down the line. The Central city scene in my opinion disputes something that I wondered early on in the issue. One panel has Patty Spivot saying Barry as she is saved by the Flash as if she heard Barry's voice. However, later on she blames the Flash for Barry disappearing. That shows me she has not connected the dots to the truth.

     The art once again is top notch in the issue. My favorite piece is Captain Cold looking frozen on page 10 to me it is visually stunning yet it seems right. My second favorite were pages 18–19. The mixture of the lightning on the Flash and the color streaks showing what direction he is coming from gets me excited more than pages 12-13 which looks too busy and why is Dr. Elias saying Flash twice.

     The issue could have been better had the battle lasted three to five more pages. I fail to see how the Gorrilla one page relates to the rest of the issue. Five separate scenes after page 10 just seems like too much especially when only three of them may connect to the next issue. The Cold hospital scene would have helped the book flow better if it came closer to the end battle scene but definitely before the Gorilla scene.

7 (out of 10)

New52Flash6

The Flash #6

Story: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato
Art: Manapul
Colors: Buccellato
Letters: Wes Abbott
Cover: Manapul
Variant Cover: Mike Choi
Assistant Editor: Darren Shaw
Editor: Brian Cunningham

Flash #6 just feels right with the Flash battling Captain Cold. Only this time Cold has evolved to the point where he could be considered a metahuman. The subplot discovered at the end of #5 actually has a big impact on this issue.

The writing for the most part is good. My biggest problem is that say Barry Allen and Patty Spivot are now boyfriend/girlfriend and while this was hinted at during the first arc somehow it just rubs me the wrong way so early in the second arc. Cold's motives seem to be ok but him upset with the Flash because of the EMP blast as a tipping point for the attack seems to be rehashed from the Mob Rule arc. The short scene with Dr. Elias serves a purpose giving The Flash the devices to monitor his speed to try to avoid a bigger problem. That's the reason why The Flash says he is slower he is trying to be careful to cause a worst situation and not because of age.

Now because my comic reading basically starts with Flash:Rebirth the Captain Cold I am used to comes from Challenge of the Superfriends and Justice League where he appears to be twenty years older than the Flash. With this updated version of Captain Cold I wonder if they are the same age. I am happy to see Cold kept his goggles and understand his new hood design, however I will miss the full parka though it does make sense with the way his powers are now. the cover and splash scenes are great.

I hope to see two things with Captain Cold next issue. First how his powers changed? Second why the Rogues disbanded? however with the Flash's monitor saying 98 percent his attention may be diverted quickly. plus does Cold know who the Flash is? it seemed like an easy find.

8 (out of 10)

New52flash5

The Flash #5

Story: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato
Art: Manapul
Colors: Buccellato
Letters: Wes Abbott
Cover: Manapul w/ Buccellato
Variant Cover: Gary Frank w/ Brad Anderson
Assistant Editor: Darren Shaw
Editor: Brian Cunningham

Flash #5 had a very satisfying conclusion to the first arc in the new 52. The issue solicits may have been tagged about Mob Rule's fate but I think the real point was Manuel Lago's fate, which was surprising enough as well as the final line. Yet the storyline fails to prove why Barry Allen and Iris West needed to be separated as Patty Spivot was not central to solve the problem.
The writing was excellent as I did not Manuel making the choice he did based on the events of the issue. His reasoning seems to contradict the previous issue. I could have seen Manuel going heel because Mob Rule needed him to survive and for him to tell Barry this is how things need to be. However, it is just hard to believe that Manuel suddenly cares about Mob Rule when he already has abandoned them before. Can we take Manuel at face value? The final line of the issue was equally surprising and we just have to wonder how long Barry will think about the ramifications.
The art was good. The title and vortex pages pages were my favorites but not as exciting as previous issues. Each title page was unique giving the whole arc a special feeling with issue #3 being the best Maybe not for this issue alone but the art really told the story. The regular cover was very appriorate as it described a scene. The wintry backgrounds on the first few pages were a nice touch.
While The Flash #5 had a nice ending it was different then the previous issues because the writing felt greater than the art. The motives for Manuel's change of heart were lacking but Atleast it looks like he will have future storylines. I am very interested to see what dominates Barry's time now Captain Cold or the Speed force?

#5(7 out of 10)
Arc(9 out of 10)