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)

Flash 14

Flash #14
Script & Cover: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato

Art: Manapul

Colors: Buccellato

Letterer: carlos M. Mangual

Associate Editor: Chris Conroy

Editor:Matt Idelson
   
     Flash #14 with the use of flashbacks and other characters/scenes help to take the focus off Barry Allen.  One look at page four will tell you the Flash's should change his course of action.  This is a perfect way to introduce Solovar and it's nice to see Iris again.  I almost forgot about Dr. Elias and he had a good cameo.
 
     The writing was good although it took me a second read through to accept the pages Solovar was narrating. In a way this issue is more about him than the Flash.  Solovar message is unclear could he be saying that the Speed Force itself is dangerous to use or just future events through it.  A conversation between Solovar and The Flash next issue might shed some light on Solovar's words.
   
     As usual the art carries the issue while page four looks great visually it tells you things will not go a The Flash's way especially if you know the cover for Flash #15 . Page eleven has is the best drawn in the issue with The Flash speeding around Gorilla Grodd.  The Speed Force energy coming off of Grodd is red and combining with the fact The Flash is losing his costume once he makes contact with it.  Does that mean Grodd is using the negative speed force from the previous series.  I do not like the design of Solovar he just appears to be a normal gorilla.  How is he suppose to battle Grodd without weapons or even armor.  No arguments with this cover though one nitpick might have it show a bare hand.
   
     Flash #14 was good but it left more questions than answers.  How can the Flash and his allies stand up to Grodd in their condition.  Daniel West character just gives me an uneasy feeling I think he will become a villain.  I am not a fan of credits at the end.

   
8(out of 10)

Flash 13

Flash #13

script & cover: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato

Art: Manapul

Colors: Buccellato with Ian Herring

Letterer: Wes Abbott

Associate Editor: Chris Conroy

Editor:Matt Idelson

     Flash 13 follows the event of Flash annual 1 and Flash 0 where we have a introduction of a father figure to Barry.  The Turbine segment is also continued from the annual which is also cool.  One has to be on nerves for what Turbine might say to anyone regarding Barry.  Daniel West also reappearing from issue #0 is a good sign.   The issue was good with these new elements but slow paced.

 
   The writing was high on action but took too long for The Flash to run into Grodd at the climax because it took him the whole issue to trust the Rogues.  The Trickster scene does not.work in Flash.12 he said he was with the Rogues but here he appears to be a loner.  The Daniel West scene fit the story better.  At first page 19 seemed awful with just The Flash's thoughts but reinforces the theme of protecting Central City.

    Two nitpicks about the art are Mirror Master on the cover and not the issue.  He could have been replaced with the Trickster to better represent the issue.  After issue none I thought the Lightning Bolt on Grodd was permanent.  Everything else was exceptional.  My favorite is the two page spread on pages 16-17 with The Flash in the foreground.  The final page also makes Grodd look nine feet tall compared to the Flash also the electrify flowing from the entity other than the Flash just looks weird.
   
    The story is good as the series appears to be hitting a turning point with a emphasis towards the action and these new elements.  Daniel West seems like a new device to keep his family name rellavent.  The Trickster looks like he has his own agenda from the Rogues.  Grodd does not appear to be a hunter otherwise he would have been in the middle of the action.

   
8(out of 10)

Flash Annual #1

Flash  Annual #1 Flash vs. The Rogues United They Fall

Story & Cover: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato

BreakDown: Manapul

pencils & Inks: Marcus To, Scott Kolins, Diogenes Neves(pencils only chapter 3), Marcio Takara, Wes Craig

Inks: Oclair Albert(chapter 3)

Colors: Ian Herring(1, 3 & 4), Mike Atiyeh, (2). Hi-Fi(5)

Letters: Carlos M. Mangual, Dezi Sienty, Pat Brosseau(3 & 4), Wes Abbott

Associate Editor: Chris Conroy

Editor: Matt Idelson
   
     For the first comic annual I have ever read I did not expect five chapters.  As I was reading the issue I wondered when the continuation of #12 would come then afterwards I felt like chapters 2-4 did an excellent job of closing the gaps leading into the annual.
   
     The writing was good in chapters 2 and 3 in telling how the rogues ended up as metahumans while focusing on the Snarts.  Chapters two and three flow perfectly together despite no trickster in three (and five).  They show this inner war between the Snarts when LIsa Snart, the Glider goes from non rogue member to  being removed from her physical body and questioning her brother to the leader).  Chapter five shows that you can not trust an arch enemy for long because the rogues are really  a family( bar was in issue 11)Chapter one had a message but took a confusing path to get there.  Chapter four was fun however it was just filler
   
     The art was mostly good.  The first panel of Chapter two looks like a classic rogue image even though The Flash and Captain Cold look seven feet tall in other areas of the chapter that just might be because they are upfront.  Chapter one has a poorly drawn panel of Barry as a kid and the eyes do not look to be in sync with each other.   In Chapter five  Flash's eyes just look to big and kind of buggy. Also the difference in Mirror Master Cowl from three to five thought it would be the other way around in more tech based in chapter five not more modern.
   
      Chapters two, three and five relate more while Chapters 1 and 4 stand on their own.  I hope there is a pay off coming from the subject matter of chapter 4 even though it could be worse for the Flash than the last page.
8(out of 10)

Flash 12

The Flash #12

Script & Cover: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato

Art: Francis Manupul

Colors: Buccellato

Letters: Wes Abbott

Associate Editor Chris Conroy

Editor: Matt Idelson

    Flash #12 has nonstop action like "The Dark Knight" from the rogues but not the Flash.  This issue focuses on the rogues with a wild plan under new leadership.   The Flash only has two scenes while the rogues are everywhere.  The writing is good and the art is great with few nitpicks.

   The rogues new leader does not waste any time in causing havoc on multiple levels.  Their main goal seems to be revenge on there former boss Captain Cold.  One negative aspect about the writing was the Flash had no action sequences.  Now this issue is Act 1 of a bigger story but the Flash should have at least confronted the rogues.  It felt like he was just there in his own book.  Then again the Flash was probably screwed either way with regards to Doctor Elias because of current public opinion of him.  The Pied Piper was more heroic in this issue trying to round up the rogues.

  The art was back to its bright and clean form(hopefully no more fill in artists for a while.). even though the art was great as a whole no one piece got me excited.  However the two page half spread with the train disappearing looks cool with the purple and green colors mixed.  Now with the nitpicks on page seven, top panel looks like the Pied Piper is a woman but that may be due to the brightness of the cheeks.  Also on the bottom panel of page eleven Heatwave's head looks to be out of proportion with his body.  The regular cover while absolutely beautiful does not depict an actual scene from the issue.  it's ok with regards to the cover of issue #11

  I do not know what to think of the reveal near the end, it needs to play out more.  Also it was great to finally see the Trickster.  He has always been one of favorite rogues since his first appearance the TV show premired on my 13th birthday..

8(out of 10)

Note I will try to get my Flash annual review out Sept 8th its coming through DCBS.