Flash #23

Flash #23
Co-writers : Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato
Art: Manapul
Colors & Cover: Buccellato
Letterer: Carlos M. Mangual
Associate Editor: Harvey RIchards
Editor: Will Moss
Senior Editor: Brian Cunningham

     if I could describe Flash #23 in one word it would be WOW!!!  I just did not Manapul and Buccellato to reveal the Reverse Flash's identity in the manner of which they did.  This is a heavily action packed issue with the Flash and Reverse Flash going toe to toe.  Even with Dr. Elias as a third wheel the fight does not suffer and takes a drastic turn when he is knocked out.
    The writing is just good the biggest word bubble is when Iris speaks the major spoiler of the issue which you can figure out by how she acted.  The Patty scenes provided a nice break from the action even if the scene itself had no emotional reaction and barely worth a chuckle.  I would have rather gotten more action pages because all it did was bring in a minor character.  Iris is the real focus of the issue the story is told from her perspective without any thought bubbles.  Lose control so I can change everything is the Reverse Flash's main impact on the writing.
     The art continues to drive the book with each splash page being awesome.  The only negative thing about the art was that it made it difficult to pickup on the words "The Flash" on the title page you have to look very closely.  The layouts on the splash pages are cool with the biggest splash pages being sixteen and seventeen how the images are separated it is just great.  In that two page spread all the images are important leading to the climax which is a bit odd with pink energy  The cover fits the issue very well.
     Now with the Reverse Flash's identity known the biggest question is how did he end up that way.  I just wish the his issue in Villian month had been  #23.1.
10(out of 10)

Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox

Justice League The Flashpoint Paradox


     First off its nice to get an animated movie that.  is Flash centric rather than the usual Batman or Superman stuff. The main cast is unfamiliar to me as I do not watch Grey's Anatomy.   C. Thomas Howell provides Professor Zoom with an excellent, deranged of voice.  The facial features of Zoom, Flashpoint Batman and MIrror Master appear to be arkward.

 The rest of this review may contain spoilers.

   Based on the Flashpoint miniseries., the story focuses on Barry Allen/The Flash coming to terms with his mother's death when he was a kid.  The Flash goes to the Flash museum to stop the Rogue which may have given us the first animated appearance of The Top.  Professor Zoom shows up to cause further trouble for both sides.  After The Justice League intervenes and Zoom verbally taunts Flash, Barry wakes up in a different world with no powers.  Also Batman uses guns.  That tells you right away this is not our Batman.  it turns out that Thomas Wayne is under the cowl as the cowl and Bruce died that faithful night.  Martha Wayne as The Joker is probably the most disturbing fact about Flashpoint.  The thought of Bruce being alive is enough motivation for Thomas to help Barry regain his abilities and fix the timeline.  After the two meet up with Cyborg the main hero of this universe and others.  One of the bloodiest battles in DC animated history happens as the world is dying as Zoom further taunts the Flash as Barry realizes he created this timeline by saving his mother.  it is a fascinating journey of a hero turning villain unknowingly then going back to stop his previous self to set things right.. At the end Barry finally understands his mom's advice you can not change everything, but only the things you can control right then.  After all you can not save everyone.
9(out of 10)

Flash #22

Flash #22
Story: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato
Art: Manapul
Colors: Buccellato
Additional Colors: Ian Herring
Letterer: Carlos Mangual
Associate Editor: Harvey RIchards
Editor: Will Moss
Senior Editor: Brian Cunningham

     Flash #22 brings the Reverse storyline into high gear with The Flash and Reverse finally coming face to face.  Also The Flash's personal life is moving inch by inch to getting more complicated.  This issue provides some clues to the potential origin of the Reverse Flash.

     The writing just seems to be ok with no single line standing out.  When Iris says "Oh cool" to Patty Spivot you can immediately sense the disappointment in Iris as she regrets messing up her date with Barry Allen.  I expected to see Patty pull Barry/Flash aside and question whether the suit he gave Iris means more.  I am happy to find out The Reverse Flash and Dr. Elias seem to be two different people.  Dr. Elias is already villain quality without needing a costume.

     The art continues to drive this series.  The splash image on page eight got me excited for the rest of the issue.  The image in the upper right on page seventeen with The Flash drawn as a blur reminds me of the Flash TV season.  Is the logo on the Reverse Flash suppose to be sideways?  The cover has a classic feel to it  and saying The Reverse Flash is a reflection or shadow of the Flash and it definitely fits the issue   The background art to the action scenes is visually stunning.  probably the only negative on the art is the blood in the last panel could be considered excessive.  We don not see the weapons changing angles based on the previous panels.  The Flash has a sense of urgency to wrap up this case as people close to him are threaten.

     One line in The Flash's monologue on page eighteen gives out the possibility of The Reverse Flash not being human so that is a bit confusing I can not wait for the next issue and the great art to continue.  If I had to guess the Reverse Flash is a Barry doppelganger.

10(out of 10)
9(out of 10)

Flash 17

Flash #17
script & cover: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato
Art: Manapul
Colors: Buccellato
Letterer: Carlos Mangual
Associate Editor: Chris Conroy
Editor:Matt Idelson

     Flash #17 provided a solid ending to the Gorilla Warfare storyline while continuing the mystery of the new Reverse Flash.  Somethings might be status quo like the rogues but Barry is about to face serious challenges as himself and the Flash.

     The writing gave us a very confident Flash which I noted in issue #1 and in the end what Grodd wanted was too much for him.  At one point Grodd seem to have the upper hand but that was before a scene switch.  Then when they return to that scene the Flash was back on top like that panel did not happen.  The Planet of the Apes references were funny.  Iris was regretting how her only date with Barry went.  Now major spoiler they heavily imply that Dr. Elias is the new Reverse Flash.  This is disappointing in that Dr. Elias was good villian quality already he had a similar role as to how Lex Luthor was portrayed in Superman: The Animated Series.  Captain Cold and the Rogues did enough to help Central City but once the illusion went down it was back to business as usual.

     The art was excellent as always my favorite panels were on page four with The Flash punching and  fueled with confidence.  The Flash catching Iris was epic and shows the real possibility of a love triangle with Patty.  The art also gives evidence of Dr. Elias becoming the Reverse Flash by how the costume forms. Who else would have access to that information.
 
     The Flash saved the day but is he ready for what is ahead both personally and professionally.  while it is strongly suggested in the writing and art that Dr. Elias will transform into the Reverse Flash the only interesting aspect is that they both have a science background.  Daniel West is a far more compelling candidate for the Reverse Flash mantle.

9(out of 10)

The Fash #16

The Flash #16
Script & Cover: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato
Art: Manapul
Colors: Buccellato
Letterer: Carlos Mangual
Associate Editor: Chris Conroy
Editor:Matt Idelson

     Flash #16 brings us to the climax of the "Gorrila Warfare" storyline with a mystery of who is the new Reverse-Flash with Thawne off the books.  We get three possibilities.  Also Barry makes a crazy decision that in his view is the right decision after mind speeding through future outcomes.  Overall it is a great issue that will take Flash in a new direction.

    The issue begins with the only new 52 date of Barry and Iris, which Iris goes into with an ullterive  motive. Now why you would go on a first date under false pretenses is beyond but it serves as a reason why Iris could have worked in the mystery.  Daniel West also is a possibility and his motivation comes from spouting off about Barry to his sister Iris.  The third possibility is  guy currently trapped in the Speed Force with Iris named Albert who just gets glowing eyes  in one panel.  This is a curve ball because we don't see Albert's motivation against Barry/Flash in this issue.    Iris appears on the last splash page which should clear her of becoming this new villian.

    The art is fantastic as always the use of watercolor is a good technique for distinguishing past from present.  Iris appears distant and evil because she is hiding something.  This would give long time Flash readers a good reason to accept a Patty relationship if it was not for the pre-new 52.  The Daniel West scene uses his whole body as oppose to just facial reactions to express anger towards Barry.  Also the Flash looks very confident before giving Grodd what he wants.  The regular cover is excellent as it could easily fit in the issue.

     Although Dr. Elias was not present in the issue his lab kept his name relevant. I think it is safe to say whoever the new Reverse Flash is has spent time around Iris as this Flash series reaches another turning point.
10(out of 10)

Flash #15

Flash #15

script & cover: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato

Art:Marcus To and Ryan Winn w/Manapul

Colors: Buccellato with Ian Herring

Letterer: Carlos Mangual

Associate Editor: Chris Conroy

Editor:Matt Idelson
   
     Flash #15 holds true the one common theme this series has in that the art speaks louder than the words.  The splash pages are visually stunning and are an improvement from the first couple of pages.  One could argue the splash pages make this issue the best drawn of the series.  Perhaps it's because of a new co-artist but the non splash pages looked less detail.
   
     The writing was decent. I was just confused on a couple of panels when Captian Frye was talking to a comatosed Barry then Turbine answered.  Page five does nothing for the story.  Furthermore was the city really in worst shaped then what it appeared to be in previous issues.  The overall story arc is clearer.  Grood looks ancient without the speed force.  Also was Grodd just stumbling around the city or did he know where he was going?  I would like to know.
   
   The art in the beginning just does not look as crisp as from the series.   I have never seen Winn's work before, much less heard of the guy, if he continues on I will get used to it.  in one panel Patty Spivot is missing part of her nose.  The Rogues part looks cleaner then the beginning of the book.  Now it seems like To and Winn were switching off between panels because the one featuring Mirror Master looks different from the panel above.
   
    The four double spread splash pages relate to near future events that I do not want to say anything more about other than one image could explain the setting of one of the scenes from the issue.  Barry's conclusion at the end might have answered my own question from before no matter how crazy it is.  This whole story race is about to go wild with things moving very fast.

9(out of 10)