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)