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.

Flash #5 review

Flash #5
“Case One: The Dastardly Death of the Rogues”
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Francis Manapul
Colorist: Brian Buccellato
Letterer: Sal Cipriano
Associate Editor: Adam Schlagman
Editor: Eddie Berganza
Cover: Manapul w/Buccellato
Variant Cover: Ryan Sook, Fernando, Pasarin, Joel Gomez, w/Randy Mayor and Carrie Strachan
Published by DC Comics

In Flash #5 the identity of the mystery killer appears to be solved as the Renegades and Rogues fight it out. In the book itself there is an early letterer error, perhaps a writing mistake and art that does not justify the delay.
First off in the credits it states this is part 4 when this is issue 5 of a 6 part arc. OOPS!!! This issue did not even come out on time and nobody caught that before going to the printer. The writing by Geoff Johns was average in this issue but the one thing caught my eye is when the Flash found out he was deceived by Top he says “The Top” a reference to the Rogue version. At first I thought it was just a writing error but now could there be a bigger twist upcoming. It hints that everything Top told Flash in the previous issue was a lie, no Mirror Lords or Mirror Mistress. Does “The Top” have a history with Iris Allen?
The art by Francis Manapul was on the same level with the writing just average. Nothing made me scream YES!!! So its kind of hard to see the art justify a month long delay. The two page spread was cool but without The Flash in it I had no emotional reactioin. Two other good pieces were on the second to last page with Top/TheTop with Iris as Manapul transforms this good guy who always was seen to be calm into this rageful person in an instant The bottom panel has nice use of color to show the effects of time travel. I am also happy with the cover as it actually depicted the issue.
The issues in this story arc have been steadily getting worse and with nothing in this to get me excited it may have hit rock bottom. The delay of this issue may have helped as the previous installment was not fresh in people minds. So here is hoping the final issue comes out on time and Top is redeemed in some way if it is really him.
7(out of 10)

Flash #4 review

Flash #4
“Case One: The Dastardly Death of the Rogues”
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Francis Manapul
Colorist: Brian Buccellato
Letterer: Sal Cipriano
Associate Editor: Adam Schlagman
Editor: Eddie Berganza
Cover: Manapul w/Buccellato
Variant Cover: Scott Kolins w/Michael Atiyeh
Published by DC Comics

Flash #4 is by far the most informative issue as far as storyline details. Top (Renegade version of The Top), decides to go rogue and tell Barry Allen about future events. Barry’s wife is caught in the middle of this thus connecting the dots from Flash #3. The entire issue is filled with action with the writing and art good but each having rough points.
The writing by Geoff Johns was good as we can now see the storyline starting to come into focus. Through Top Flash learns he simply mistakes the Renegade version for the Rogue version. So that could be his defense at trial mistaken identity. That is the writing weakest point of the issue as far as mapping out the story. For just this issue the writing is also pretty weak by how Barry gets rid of the black energy boomerangs (even though Manapul draws it amazingly). John’s makes up for this by telling us about Iris’s involvement with the Rogues.
The art seems to be good even though most of the splash pages do not grab my attention. I had to do a double take to appreciate the two page splash with the police helicopter. The other splash pages got nothing out of me. In the scene where Barry grabs the boomerangs Manapul takes one big panel and divides it into four equal sections. I just found that very interesting and outweighs the single splash pages getting no reaction. The cover for this issue would have been better had it been use for Flash #3.
As the story turns into another gear I initially thought the issue was bad but Johns and Manapul save it with fascinating story telling and art techniques. Now I am pumped for Flash #5 to see if we get the evil Iris. Also the one word “Possesion” for me indicates a spiritual force gets released.
8(out of 10)

Flash #3 review

Flash #3

“Case One: The Dastardly Death of the Rogues”
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Francis Manapul
Colorist: Brian Buccellato
Letterer: Sal Cipriano
Associate Editor: Adam Schlagman
Editor: Eddie Berganza
Cover: Manapul w/Buccellato
Variant Cover: Greg Horn
Published by DC Comics

Flash #3 continues the good story that Geoff Johns and Francis Manapul are putting together. Barry has multiple things on his mind while the Renegades reappear more determined than ever to apprehend the Flash for a future crime. This issue finally connects the book in some way to Brightest Day through Captain Boomerang. Also the Renegades hint at some crime being committed against Iris West.
The writing by Geoff Johns, was good, not great but at the same time not bad. Captain Boomerang gets boomerangs made out of black energy. This is further evidence that those brought back at the end of Blackest Night for Brightest Day have retained some semblance of their Black Lantern forms. At first when Top Top version of the Renegades mentions Iris West I found it a bit odd. However what if the Flash didn’t really commit a crime and the Renegades just need him in their time to make sure Iris is safe in the future. Also to me it is obvious there is a bigger mystery surrounding the Renegades.
The art by Francis Manapul was once again solid with perhaps the two single splash pages featuring Captain Boomerang stand out especially with his weapons. It makes this timid guy look like a force to be wrecking with. The splash page with the Renegades cover by blue light is fantastic. The cover I don’t like when it has nothing to do with this issue inside. You can say that is a pet peeve of mine when it comes to comic books no matter how awesome the cover looks.
This issue has me really excited for #4 as I feel this is just one big mystery with the Renegades at the center of it all. Now we know that Iris play a bigger part than other for someone for Barry to talk with. I am very interested in seeing Manapul’s interpretation of Professor Zoom.
8(out of 10)

Flash #2 review

Review by Eric Ridgeway

“Case One: The Dastardly Death of the Rogues”

Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Francis Manapul w/ Joel Gomez
Colorist: Brian Buccellato
Letterer: Sal Cipriano
Associate Editor: Adam Schlagman
Editor: Eddie Berganza
Cover: Manapul w/Buccellato
Variant Cover: Ryan Sook
Published by DC Comics

Geoff Johns and Francis Manapul continue their new look at The Flash with a minority report twist. This issue picks up where the fist one left off with the Flash (Barry Allen) encountering future looking rogues serving as cops known as the Renegades. The big mystery after Flash #1 was who are the Renegades and what is their real purpose? Sadly that is one thing about this issue I did not like.

Geoff Johns does a good job of describing one of Barry’s other uses of super speed. Short term memory acquired at the rate of super speed but it goes away just as fast. The panels with Barry and his wife, Iris West, discussing Flash business out in the open is quickly becoming a pet peeve of mine. Wouldn't that make them easy targets for the Rogues and other criminals? The cliffhanger in this issue did not seem to be as climatic as the first issue but I must say there has to be a logical explanation to this last page.

For as good as John’s writing is Manapul’s art is really carrying this book. When there are no word bubbles on a page the art has to be tremendous. In this case it was when Flash was racing through the falling building. The art is not only clean but simple as well and there are no lightning bolts emerging from the Flash as he is running. In these panels Flash doesn’t use his powers to fight super villains but rather to help humanity. It is also nice to see some sunlight after everything that was Blackest Night.

Overall this was a good comic book but my biggest problem is that I hoped to see more of the Renegades. Even just one panel at their home base would have satisified my curiousity. As it stands right now we really don’t know if they have a hidden agenda and the suspense is killing me!

Overall Rating: 8 out of 10 (On Its Way to Greatness!)

Flash #1 review

Review by Eric Ridgeway
“The Dastardly Death of the Rogues.”
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Francis Manapul
Colorist: Brian Buccellato
Letterer: Nick J. Napolitano
Cover: Manapul & Buccellato
Variant Cover: Tony Harris
Associate Editor: Adam Schlagman
Editor: Eddie Berganza


Flash #1(vol. #3) hits the ground running fast as Geoff Johns and Francis Manapul tell a good introductory tale on Barry Allen. This is a very good comic book for the novice comic book reader who knows nothing about the history of the Flash. We get to know Barry Allen, his wife and his job(s) in the simplest of terms.

Johns breaks down Barry Allen to his core while showing Barry adjusting to life in the 21st centuty. Barry has already picked up texting to keep in contact with Iris during the day, yet complaining about adjustable work chairs. The mystery in this story begins with the death of Mirror Monarch, a Mirror Master look alike. When the other rogue doppelgangers show up at the end of this issue my first thought was of Justice League Crisis on Two Earths DVD.

While the writing was good, the art may have been even better. Manapul’s art was easy on the eyes and very clean. It seems like Manapul was born to draw the Flash but that maybe too bold a statement to make after only the first issue. My favorite art piece was the panel with the Flash running up the side of the building. Also there seems to be less focus on the lightning coming from the Flash. I hope Manapul stays with this book for a long time.

This was such a good story on Barry Allen without the bothersome details of his death twenty-five years ago or the scientific mumbo-jumbo from Rebirth. About my only problem with the book is that I wanted more after the futuristic rogues show up. I have become such a big Flash comic fan over the past two years that I think I will never stop picking up the title after a fresh beginning.

9(out of 10)