posted
Nothing that I can think of off the top of my head. It's been pretty straightforward heroics. There is the boring things that have to do with Brightest Day in there, but for the most part those are pretty few and have to do with Boomer-butt. It also feels as if a lot of it is setting up his coming Flashpoint event...but that does not mean that the ride isn't fun.
Check the trade when the library gets it...I think you'll like it better than most of the other stuff Johns is putting out.
From: Turn around... | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
FL, I also recommend you give Flash a try. Like Dev says, it's been full-on superheroics so far. Of all the Johns books, this one has been the one with the good-Geoff qualities without his bad-Geoff qualities.
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
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posted
Can't say that I'm really impressed by this flash run so far. Its been really slow after the rebirth, which wasn't really... it didn't grab me the way Hal's story did.
to many things stick in my mind, like, how is grandma Iris now looking like she's twenty five without an explanation to those that knew her before she went into "witness protection". And even then, I didn't see her as a twenty five year old, more like an early thirties modern woman and wife.
-------------------- Damn you, you kids! Get off my lawn or I'm callin' tha cops!
posted
So I caught up on the build-up issues to Flashpoint and I can't help but feel that Geoff is slightly phoning it in here--like the man is way too overstretched with his other job. Something about these issues, while not bad or anything, just felt like they were a bit run of the mill, and more than a little padded.
Compounding matters is Scott Kollin's artwork, which I've always kind of enjoyed, just isn't it doing it for me. When Manupal does an issue with Johns, his art is so gorgeous it takes a mediocre Geoff story and makes it great; when Kollins does it, he's unable to add that little 'oomph', revealing the story for what it is: only okay.
The first 6 issues of the Barry Flash comic were full of promise and potential. The next six failed to live up to it and spent way too much time building to Geoff's next big event. I felt like it was really lacking in character moments and way too plot centric (and a pretty thin plot at that).
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
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posted
I agree that the last 6 issues felt like total filler to get to Flashpoint. Since I love Barry Allen, I am still glad that he is in his own book again (although I would have been fine with him remaining dead...but I'll enjoy what I can get at this point.)
There is so much more that could have been done...but the books are now written for trades, at least it seems that way to me.
From: Turn around... | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
It's odd: when Barry was brought back, I felt it was groan-inducing and just another annoying thing DC had done. But those first 6 issues wowed me and basically won me over.
Now these last 6 issues are pushing me back to the other side.
I think you're dead on--it's written for a trade, to be marketed as "the road to Flashpoint".
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
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Basically, it's cooler to have him single and dating a co-worker than show one of our heroes in a well adjusted marriage. So not understanding this. But I know that the new DC is not for me...Legion of Super Heroes aside.
From: Turn around... | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
I'm intrigued by that revelation too. I would think Barry being married, and possibly having to HIDE his super heroics, would be a far cooler (and unique premise) for him in the DCNu. If anyone could attempt to make it work, it would be the fastest man alive.
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
She seemed cool, but she's no Iris. A Fiona whatsername (or whoever) at best!
The only plus I can see is that a reboot cleans up all that mess with Iris being old and then young again and whether she ever gave birth to Don and Dawn and whether she ever brought Bart back with her from the future or ever wrote Barry's biography and all that crap that annoyed me.
No reason he couldn't be married to, or at least dating, Iris, though.
-------------------- "Suck it, depressos!"--M. Lash
From: The Underbelly of Society | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
FLASH #1: Now this was a fine story-- I liked the way it was paced and how it showed us some of the ins and outs of this Flash's life. It led to a cliffhanger that was unexpected and left me wanting more.
I don't like that the Iris/Barry relationship has been 'erased', but the possibility of it developing is there. I don't dislike her 'rival'.
I'm still pissed at Wally West's continued absence from the new canvas, though. And DC's attitude about the whole thing.
From: Knoxville, TN | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
Well, the biggest surprise of the entire DCnU relaunch IMO was Flash #1! Quite frankly, this was a revelation! I was cautious heading into the issue and within the first two pages, I knew I’d totally underestimated it. By issue’s end, I was absolutely blown away by how damn good it was. Francis Manupal and Brian Buccelato have not only delivered one of the very best issues of the entire relaunch, but they’ve written probably the best Barry Allen Flash story since the early 1980’s!
I knew from the last Flash run (and other things) that the team of Francis Manupal on art (pencils / inks) and Brian Buccelato on colors is fantastic. And I really mean ‘team’, because the colors really add an added layer to Francis’ spectacular work; it was clear on Superboy in Adventure Comics, then the last Flash series, and it still is here. Even more, they really take their art up a notch in a big way. Whereas in the last series there were a few too many splash pages for my liking, I’m beginning to think that was courtesy of then writer Geoff Johns. Here, the composition and pacing is much more stylized and funkier, and it works in a big way. Several pages have intricate, original layouts that maintain a high-energy pace while also just being pure pleasure on the eyes. Much like Darwyn Cooke, Marcos Martin and others are really redefining what good comic book layouts are like these days, this art team is taking things to a new level.
But the real revelation of course is that these two guys are excellent writers! Geoff Johns who? I think without Johns, the Manupal / Buccelato team is actually much better on the writing chores of Flash! The book had me literally turning each page in anticipation for what was to come next, balancing excellent action sequences (two good ones in one ish—like the old days!), with great interludes that built up character and premise. What a really well put together comic!
Barry is interesting and exciting from the get-go and they give us enough to move forward without drowning us with exposition about Barry’s life and history. They also provide a great introduction to some of the supporting cast, including Barry’s co-workers (and possible part time girlfriend from Flashpoint), a new character Dr. Darwin Elias (who will obviously be prominent) and of course Iris. We get glimpses and teases of Iris and it was enough for me to find her highly attractive and wanting more. This whole no marriage thing may just work out okay after all…
I enjoyed the storyline of the issue, with a seemingly random minion turning out to be Barry’s former pal from the police academy that gets killed in a battle with the Flash; to Barry’s guilt and sadness over it; to his determination to find the truth CSI style; to the huge twist ending that totally hooked me in terms of wanting to know more. Well done!
Also well done is the continued CSI-type approach to the way the Flash works as a hero. A good way to make the Flash even more unique.
The best part of the issue though is the tone of the series. It’s fun and upbeat but never childish. You can enjoy it as a grown adult or younger reader all the same: pure superhero action that is running a mile a minute with a ton happening.
I’m really blown away by how good this was. Good for Francis (and Buccelato)! This is a contender for my very favorite of the entire reboot!
quote:Originally posted by Mystery Lad: I'm still pissed at Wally West's continued absence from the new canvas, though. And DC's attitude about the whole thing.
This is still unforgivable. It has nothing to do with Francis and Buccelato, of course, so its a gripe I hold the trio of evil responsible for (Didio / Lee / Johns).
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
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