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)

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)