Wow…. Well, first, I have to thank everyone for the stunning response to this issue! I was really happy with it, and I’m thrilled that it’s received so much positive acclaim- I only hope “Legacy” can live up to this!
I can’t say I blame you for being drawn to this issue by the cover- Craig absolutely outdid himself with that depiction of the Reverse Flash, and the colouring by Roy fits it perfectly. Sadly, that’s the last cover Craig will be providing for “The Flash”, but talk about going out on a high!
Well, I appreciate the sentiment! And yes, at one point this issue was going to be intercutting between the present and the past but I ultimately opted to leave out Barry and the present entirely, feeling it made the issue more powerful. I’m glad it seems to have worked!
Honestly, Dave, had that been the only feedback I’d received on the issue, I’d be ecstatic, because that’s exactly what I was aiming for! I’ve always thought the Reverse Flash is a great concept with a great costume but a shaky and weak motivation/history, so I tried to Magneto-ise him with some tragedy, and it seems to have worked!
I’ll do my best to live up to that- again, that’s really what I was hoping for. I like to think of it as the end of the first era of ‘The Flash’ on the DC2- and the beginning of a new one! Still, if nothing else makes the coming story memorable, I’m sure the covers provided by the ludicrously talented Doc Dread will!
As I mentioned above, that’s really what I was striving for- not that you agree with Eobard, but that you absolutely see why he’s doing what he is, and you feel for him. Certainly, one can only imagine what his family would have thought of the man he has become to avenge them- but reason isn’t exactly what’s driving him right now!
Coming from the writer of ‘New Outsiders’, that’s incredibly high praise indeed. All I can do is thank you for your very kind words- and hopefully, what’s coming up in the months ahead won’t disappoint.
I think we have quite a few writers doing some great work out there who’d disagree with that, but I appreciate the vote of confidence.
On a site with titles as excellent as “New Outsiders”, “Action Comics”, “JSA” and “Teen Titans” among many, many others, I’m not sure I can agree, but I’m glad you’re enjoying the book so much- I’m having a blast writing it!
Justified? That’s an interesting word, and I’m not sure I can agree there, Charlie. In his own mind, he’s justified, and certainly you can see why he does what he does… but does that
actually justify the actions he’s about to take? Does
anything justify them? That, to me, is the ‘Magneto’ question, and the fact that it’s even come up means I’ve succeeded on some level, which makes me even happier.
Once again, that’s a standard I cannot possibly meet, but once again, thanks for such kind words. Honestly, guys, at this rate I’m gonna get a swollen head!
Susan, you’re another writer who is absolutely the cream of the crop for a site with very high standards already, so I’m over the moon that you feel so strongly about the issue.
I did deliberately make Thawne more insidious and malevolent in previous issues, precisely to throw the reader off so they wouldn’t suspect that he was not as evil as he appeared, so I’m glad that seems to have worked!
The funny thing is, when I finished writing the issue, I actually went back to my original plan for “Legacy of the Lightning” and completely rewrote a lot of the second half, because this ended up being more tragic than I had foreseen and it demanded a worthy wrap-up. Time will tell if yet more tragedy lies in store for Thawne… or just for Barry!
You have hit the proverbial nail on the head, Jay, that’s
exactly the way I view Thawne! Because of
course on a rational level, he’s absolutely wrong- suffering such incredible pain and loss does not justify inflicting it on others, and on a rational level, he can try to rebuild, as you say. But of course Thawne isn’t thinking on a rational level, he can’t, so it’s a vicious circle and he’s powering on inevitably, unstoppably, towards destruction. Unfortunately for Barry. Unfortunately for the Flash Family. But fortunately (I hope!) for the DC2!
Seriously, Jay, thanks for the praise, and your piercing insight!
I’m glad you enjoyed the issue so much, Alex- and the best is yet to come!
….Wow. Yeah, this is by far the biggest and best reception I’ve gotten on any issue ever, and I really could not be more happy, as I’ve been planning this issue for a while, and it worked out better than I could have hoped. Thank you all for your generous words, and hopefully you’ll be back when the main event kicks off next month!