New 52 flash 9

The Flash #9
Story: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato
Art: Manapul
Colors: Buccellato
Letters: Wes Abbott
Cover: Manapul w/Buccellato
Variant Cover: Tony S. Daniel & Sandu Florea w/ Tomeu Morey
Assistant Editor: Darren Shaw
Editor: Brian Cunningham

Flash #9 starts out weird the middle is good but then ends with confusion. It is odd in the beginning because the title page is so early. This new 52 introduction of Gorrilla Grodd seems it different then half way through he issue mental powers are revealed and I am thinking "same old Grodd."

The writing is excellent except for the end. The only page with Pied Piper I felt really moved his story forward and I can not wait to see his interaction with the Flash. On page 9 it is shown The Flash has no memory which at the moment was my only nitpick with the writing(it's also my favorite panel). The page where the Flash remembers who he is neat because it tells us he was the little boy from page one. Concepts like Fear and light fit the issue well even if they are more lantern based. The last two pages of the issue seem like mess with many questions to be asked.

At first the art seemed to be average because I failed to notice the lightning behind the Flash on the top panel of page sixteen. The cave paintings remind me of Flash:Rebirth. On pages 12-13 its hard for me to distinguish where the middle panel of Grodd turning an apes neck fits in that sequence. One of my biggest problems with issue was that it did not show how Flash got home. i would like to think he entered the Speed Force but also we have no proof that Iris and the others inside the Speed Force are back home. Their scene ended on a cliffhanger type note

My other questions are why is Patty really traveling where she is? I do not buy here explanation. What happened to Dr. Elias? It reminds of the TV show when the Flash was sent to the future  8( out of 10)

Flash 8 new 52

The Flash #8
Story: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato
Art: Manapul
Colors: Buccellato
Letters: Wes Abbott
Cover: Manapul
Variant Cover: Bernard Chang
Assistant Editor: Darren Shaw
Editor: Brian Cunningham

     Flash #8 includes the new 52 definition of the speed force. it also feels different than any other issue of the new 52 because it is based on information rather than action. Flash learns that he must really run.The flow is better than number 7.

    The writing seemed to be clunky at first with Flash and Turbine going from fighting to talking and then fighting again. Turbine has a sole purpose of getting back to his year of 1944. They only fight again because the Flash realizes that Turbine caused the EMP blast from the Mob rule arc and won't help him get back home. This new 52 definition of the speed force seems to be simple but its function and state are only reliant on the Flash. If the Flash doesn't run the speed force does wacky things. This contradicts what we have previously learned in the series. The two page intro of Hartley Rathaway comes off from the Flash asking a cliffhanger type question. Kudos to the Flashback podcast on picking up on the music talk from issue 7.

     The art in this book was good nothing really great. I have a hard time calling the title pages splash pages and therefore getting excited about it. Maybe it's only ending splash pages that get me going. Two panels that held my interest were the bottom of page 15 where the flash appears to be fuzzy wondering if he will go mad like Turbine if he remains in the speed force for a long time. The second panel on page five is stuff I like to see from splash pages.

     The Gorilla city scene helps the issue flow perfectly with a direct lead into issue 9. I am willing to bet Flash will go back into the speed force for his original mission of rescuing Iris and the others, it's just that Turbine was a more immediate threat. Plus we know Turbine's real name so he has to appear again?

8 (out of 10)

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)