Post by ryokowerx on Oct 2, 2011 19:30:19 GMT -5
(cross-posted from my Facebook account. I hadn't originally intended on picking up all the new #1s but the 50% off deal at DCBS turned out to be too good to pass up. Feel free to discuss, agree or disagree)
So what the hell is this? I'm going to try to write a review of each of the new #1 issues put out by DC Comics. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, DC Comics (home of Superman, Batman, etc.) is completely restarting most* of the history they have established with their comic books since 1939. (* some continuity remains but all events that remain are considered to have happened within a five year span of time) If you're still confused, think of it as everything being set back to square one and all these superheroes are new things to show up rather than a given part of the world.
Anything I say from this point on is my opinion and reflects only my feelings. Please take your nerd rage elsewhere if you disagree or at least be civil in your disagreement.
NOTE: I have not read Flashpoint #5 which kicks off this new history so I'm going to try to approach these issues as if someone completely new to comics were picking them up for the first time. If you're interested in what I have to say, I'd encourage you to go to your local comic book shop (if you have one) or you can buy them digitally at Comixology (http://www.comixology.com).
PLOT SUMMARY:
Barry Allen (aka The Flash) has one of his co-workers, Patty, from the crime lab out on a date to a science exhibit. While Barry is admiring a eco-friendly monorail system powered by a theoretical energy source, armored mercenaries break in and steal a device while spraying the room with knockout gas. Barry changes into the The Flash and gives pursuit. Most of them get away but the device is recovered but only after Flash falls through the street into the sewers and runs in Iris Allen peering down at him from the street above. One of the men was killed when Barry threw him through a window in a attempt to save him while they were falling. Barry recognizes him as Manuel, a old friend from long ago. Later, as Barry is running his own tests, Manuel shows up at his apartment alive. Before explanations can be made, attackers bust in and Manuel and Barry take off running. In the park, Barry turns into The Flash only to have him and Manuel surrounded by dozens of other Manuels.
THE ART:
Francis Manapul does the artwork. Since he was the artist on the previous Flash series, you'll either like his work or you won't. Personally, I can take it or leave it. It's not awful but the simplified and slightly cartoonish characters don't sit well with me. He does well at making moving characters have a fluid life of their own which is a asset in a comic with the fastest man alive.
THE STORY:
The comic is co-written by Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato. While I'm not sure that two guys were needed to handle the chore, it comes across as a pretty decent little story. Nothing earth-shattering but it's nice to see Barry without some of the rampant angst of the previous series and trying to have a normal life and relationship even if it is without Iris for the time being. The payoff of the story isn't a big surprise after a genome resequencer was targeted to be stolen but it isn't telegraphed so there is the chance for a bit of a surprise for some. End result: not bad. I've seen worse.
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY:
If you like the idea of Barry Allen as The Flash (I'm more of a Wally West guy myself) this will be worth your $2.99. It has a bit of your classic Flash story (only without Flash Facts) and is more of a easygoing story than some of the violence, blood and gore that has graced some of the other titles. It is also pretty new reader friendly but I just wish there had been more to it. This one is officially on the bubble for me. Sadly, it came into my hands with a strike against it for just having Barry Allen in it and this didn't do a whole lot to make me forget that Wally was stripped of The Flash title to bring back a character that was probably better off dead.
NEXT WEEK:
All Star Western #1, Batman The Dark Knight #1, Blackhawks #1, Fury Of Firestorm #1, Green Lantern New Guardians #1, I Vampire #1, Justice League Dark #1, Superman #1, and Teen Titans #1.
THE FLASH #1
So what the hell is this? I'm going to try to write a review of each of the new #1 issues put out by DC Comics. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, DC Comics (home of Superman, Batman, etc.) is completely restarting most* of the history they have established with their comic books since 1939. (* some continuity remains but all events that remain are considered to have happened within a five year span of time) If you're still confused, think of it as everything being set back to square one and all these superheroes are new things to show up rather than a given part of the world.
Anything I say from this point on is my opinion and reflects only my feelings. Please take your nerd rage elsewhere if you disagree or at least be civil in your disagreement.
NOTE: I have not read Flashpoint #5 which kicks off this new history so I'm going to try to approach these issues as if someone completely new to comics were picking them up for the first time. If you're interested in what I have to say, I'd encourage you to go to your local comic book shop (if you have one) or you can buy them digitally at Comixology (http://www.comixology.com).
WARNING! SPOILERS OFF THE PORT BOW CAP'N!
PLOT SUMMARY:
Barry Allen (aka The Flash) has one of his co-workers, Patty, from the crime lab out on a date to a science exhibit. While Barry is admiring a eco-friendly monorail system powered by a theoretical energy source, armored mercenaries break in and steal a device while spraying the room with knockout gas. Barry changes into the The Flash and gives pursuit. Most of them get away but the device is recovered but only after Flash falls through the street into the sewers and runs in Iris Allen peering down at him from the street above. One of the men was killed when Barry threw him through a window in a attempt to save him while they were falling. Barry recognizes him as Manuel, a old friend from long ago. Later, as Barry is running his own tests, Manuel shows up at his apartment alive. Before explanations can be made, attackers bust in and Manuel and Barry take off running. In the park, Barry turns into The Flash only to have him and Manuel surrounded by dozens of other Manuels.
THE ART:
Francis Manapul does the artwork. Since he was the artist on the previous Flash series, you'll either like his work or you won't. Personally, I can take it or leave it. It's not awful but the simplified and slightly cartoonish characters don't sit well with me. He does well at making moving characters have a fluid life of their own which is a asset in a comic with the fastest man alive.
THE STORY:
The comic is co-written by Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato. While I'm not sure that two guys were needed to handle the chore, it comes across as a pretty decent little story. Nothing earth-shattering but it's nice to see Barry without some of the rampant angst of the previous series and trying to have a normal life and relationship even if it is without Iris for the time being. The payoff of the story isn't a big surprise after a genome resequencer was targeted to be stolen but it isn't telegraphed so there is the chance for a bit of a surprise for some. End result: not bad. I've seen worse.
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY:
If you like the idea of Barry Allen as The Flash (I'm more of a Wally West guy myself) this will be worth your $2.99. It has a bit of your classic Flash story (only without Flash Facts) and is more of a easygoing story than some of the violence, blood and gore that has graced some of the other titles. It is also pretty new reader friendly but I just wish there had been more to it. This one is officially on the bubble for me. Sadly, it came into my hands with a strike against it for just having Barry Allen in it and this didn't do a whole lot to make me forget that Wally was stripped of The Flash title to bring back a character that was probably better off dead.
NEXT WEEK:
All Star Western #1, Batman The Dark Knight #1, Blackhawks #1, Fury Of Firestorm #1, Green Lantern New Guardians #1, I Vampire #1, Justice League Dark #1, Superman #1, and Teen Titans #1.