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

Blackest Night Series 6 Blue Lantern Flash Action Figure Toy Review

Blackest Night Series 6 Blue Lantern Flash Action Figure Toy Review

Creator: DC Direct
Price: 18
Size: 6.75”
Articulation Points: atleast 9

Eric’s review: 3.5 out of 5.














Positives
Head easily moveable.
Wrist articulation was a nice to have.
Rotation below shoulder an even better find.
Quality of sculpt (except for head) and paint job was good


Negatives
Design of sculpt very questionable, head looks very slender, Flash logo on chest off center.
Figure can’t hold lantern accessory in hand.
Said lantern accessory already came apart.
Package difficult to open.

Flash 8 review

Reverse Flash: Rebirth

Writer: Geoff Johns

Artist: Scott Kolins

Colorist: Brian Buccellato

Letterer: Sal Cipriano

Cover: Kolins w/ Michael Atiyeh

Variant cover: Stanley Lau

Editors: Adam Schlagman & Eddie Berganza

Well Eobard Thawne (a.k.a. Professor Zoom) is one really bad dude isn't he? Flash #8picks up seemingly where #7 left off with Professor Zoom running around. However this time he says he is free to change it all as he narrates his origin story.

The 25th century, where Thawne is from, is depicted as a scitenfic-social utopia where every task has to be done at an assigned time sometimes even to the second. Thawne stats were predetermined as it is the custom by genetic scientists and his parents. Thawne had a little brother. This is where the reader is given the reason for the story. Thawne goes back in his own time line and murders everyone he percieves from stopping him from his ultimate goal learning about the speed force. For the murders shown in the art he is in his uniform but some murders are only hinted at. My only problem with the writing is one page where Thawne is shown as the Flash of the 25th century. Could this be a single page retcon?

The art is really good in this issue but even great when Thawne shows up as Professor Zoom. Kolins use of red around the eyes really gives Thawne the look of do not (bleep) with me. Out of costume you can see Thawne becoming more evil with each betrayal from his viewpoint. Pages 12 and 13 are where this happens he looks real stern. Even the regular cover is intimidating with him grinding his teeth.

I also like that Barry does not show up in real time in this issue making the events of Green Lantern 59 and 60 correspond well to Flash 7 and 8. This issue would have been better had Thawne described how Barry ruined his future?
9(out of)10

Flash #7 review

Writer: Geoff Johns

Artist: Scott Kolins

Colorist: Brian Buccellato

Letter: Sal Cipriano

Cover: Manapul w/Buccellato

Variant cover: Darwyn Cooke

Editors: Adam Schlagman and Eddie Berganza

This Captain Boomerang issue by Geoff Johns and Scott Kolins was good but did not feel complete. The first half was a recap of Digger Harkness' life while the second half in present time was a talk with Professor Zoom seeking answers about his future.
The writing in the recap felt forced. HIs first job did not work out and because the Flash was more popular he decided to become an arch enemy of the Scarlet Speedster. The last part about him killing the man who raised him. Why include that in the issue? it did not relate to anything else in the book. When this issue took place as it relates to the just concluded Flash arc could also come into question. Digger indicates he is NOT escaping from Iron Heights. Then why do the rogues show up at the end. The art was good my favorite panel was the retake with the rogues aiming their weapons at a fallen Flash.
The conversation with Professor Zoom led me to ask only one question. Does Digger have to kill Dove to get hiss life back. Before I have only read that he has to throw the boomerang at her to complete his mission. Boomerang wants to know what his future holds so go visit a villian from the future at the same prison. Professor Zooms' taunts at first don't phase Digger but leave him confused at the end saying he knows enough that Digger will never amount to anything. Kolins art on Professor Zoom is fantastic. Zoom really looks evil especially with those red eyes. Professor Zoom just has nasty written all over him.
This issue was good but not great. The art was better than the writing as now I am confused as how to Captain Boomerang Brightest Day mission is suppose to be fulfilled is he meant to kill?
8(out of)10

Flash DC Origin 2-Pack Toy Review

Flash DC Origin 2-Pack Toy Review

Creator: DC Direct
Price: 30
Size: 6.75” (Barry), 6.5” (Jay)
Articulation Points: atleast 7


Eric’s review: 4 out of 5(Barry), 3.5 out of 5 (Jay)















Positives
Jay’s hat first Flash related action figure accessory I know of
Barry is very shiny
Quality of sculpt was good
Packaging requires no tools to open up
Twist-ties only around waist and feet for both

Negatives
Limited articulation only in elbow, knee, boot and mid section.
Hard to move Jay’s boots
Little head movement if at all (with Jay), after second thought Barry’s head does move all around but it may require effort.
Paint chips exist.

Note: I picked up the GL figures of the same series.

Flash #6 review

Writer: Geoff Johns

Artist: Francis Manapul

Colorist: Brian Buccellato

Letter: Sal Cipriano

Cover: Manapul w/Buccellato

Variant cover: Ale' Garza, Sandra Hope and Alex Sinclair

Editors: Adam Schlagman and Eddie Berganza

Geoff Johns and Francis Manapul first story arc wraps up in a satisfying way along with a future warning. Nothing in this issue had me yelling YES!!! but it was just solid all around from the writing to the art.
The Flash proves to the Renegades what they think is history is actually filled with numerous paradoxes used by one of their own to secure his job. With everything in issue four being a lie. Top uses the opportunity in the 21st century to try to keep his family name intact by sending an innocent man to jail because an ancestor is the real murderer and if that got found out his job would be in jeopardy. The 25th century maintains one can not be a law officer with violations in family history. The Top was selfish in not appealing to his superiors. The story while atleast good would have been more interesting had he turned out to be like Roscoe Dillon or Sam Scudder. Overall Top's motive and identity were lacking in the arc.
Manapul art in this issue was plausible it was not great nor was it bad at the same time. However it did not justify the delay. With no single panels being amazing I tend to like the splash pages. The only one in this issue had the Flash returning from the future in the nick of time to save his wife from the top. The panel of Wonder Woman was interesting because it describes a real DC anomaly. The use of the color blue for time travel was a nice choice but Manapul and his colorists could have used something different for the future settings.
This final issue may have been a satisfying conclusion but it was not a great ending. Starting with Top and how the future is organized it feels incomplete.
8(out of 10)

JLA Classified Series 3 Zoom Action Figure Toy Review

JLA Classified Series 3 Zoom Action Figure Toy Review

Inspired by Star Joes

Creator: DC Direct
Price: 18
Size: 6.75”
Articulation Points: atleast 9


Eric's review: 4 out of 5
Positives
No accessories allows for quick setup.
Boot and lower forearm to hand articulation was a nice find
Quality of sculpt was good
Could be first ever normal sized action figure representing the Flash arch enemy.

Negatives
My copy has a bit of extra paint in left upper chest/shoulder area creating a rough spot.
Had to open package with a pair of pliers.
Who is this? Zoom or Professor Zoom.