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Flashpoint #3
July 11, 2011
Title: Flashpoint Chapter Three
Writer: Geoff Johns
Pencils: Andy Kubert
Inks: Sandra Hope
Colorist: Alex Sinclair
Letterer: Nick J. Napolitano
Cover: Andy Kubert
Editor: Eddie Berganza
Publisher: DC Comics
In the first two issues of Flashpoint we saw Barry Allen get perplexed at the way the world has changed around him, and we followed him as he encountered this universe’s Batman, Thomas Wayne. We even saw him attempt to restore his own missing superpowers in an experiment that could prove deadly. This issue, despite his injuries, the experiment continues. He needs his power back, he and Batman need allies, and he knows the most important one in the world is the man who, in our world, is called Superman.
The first two issues were a lot of setup, but now that this is mostly done with, this third issue has kicked things into gear. Barry and Thomas’s quest (now with 100 percent more Cyborg) has led to a really interesting place, picking up from the Flashpoint: Project Superman miniseries and not only exploring this world, but using it in a way that we haven’t seen before. It’s not just the history of this world that has changed, but the rules are different as well. Barry is forced to work with a different kind of Batman with a different kind of morality. It’s not something that the heroes of the DCU will always be comfortable with, nor is it something that’s entirely wrong. The world is also expanded further by bringing in more characters that we haven’t seen in Flashpoint or the DC Universe before, which is pretty cool in and of itself.
Andy Kubert is telling a solid story and doing some very cool redesigns. The depiction of Kal-El in this world is so different from anything we’re used to – he doesn’t look anything at all like our hero from the neck-down. But the strength of the art shows in the face. Clearly this is our Kal-El, clearly it’s the same man, but something has happened to him. It’s a great artist that can do that in a series where our Superman hasn’t even appeared.
Very good issue. This story is just getting better.
Rating: 8/10
Recent Reviews: July 13 Releases
It’s time once again for me to recap those books released last week that I’ve reviewed over at CX Pulp.com.
Flashpoint: Grodd of War #1
June 30, 2011
Title: Grodd of War
Writer: Sean Ryan
Pencils: Ig Guara
Inks: Ruy Jose
Colorist: Stefani Rennee
Letterer: Carlos M. Mangual
Cover: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato
Editor: Joey Cavalieri
Publisher: DC Comics
I actually passed up this book when it was released a few weeks ago. There are a hell of a lot of Flashpoint tie-ins, and I had to pick and choose which ones I was going to sample. But I was told by several trusted advisors that this one-shot was definitely one of the ones to get, so I snagged the last copy at the comic shop the last time I visited.
In the mainstream DC Universe, Grodd is a superintelligent gorilla whose frequent attempts to conquer his home kingdom of other superintelligent gorillas (as a stepping stone to world domination) are always thwarted by the Flash. But in a world where the Flash never existed, Grodd went unchecked. Gorilla City is now his, and soon, his reach had extended to the entire continent of Africa. So why is he so disappointed? This is a really great character study, picking into Grodd in a way that you don’t often see. The utter boredom on his face sells this issue time and again. Sean Ryan really gets across the idea that this is a character without much of an identity outside of his enemies (and even the brief appearance of Congorilla in this issue doesn’t assuage that at all). Ig Guara puts plenty of emotion into Grodd’s face, and although the range only goes from anger to ennui, it’s always very evident what the ape is feeling at any given moment.
I was surprised at how good this issue was. If all you’re interested in is following the strict blow-by-blow of what’s happening in the main storyline, this issue won’t matter much to you. But as a strong look into one of the Flash’s most entertaining villains, it really can’t be beat.
Rating: 8/10
Recent Reviews: July 6 Releases
Last week was busy for me, so I didn’t turn out as many reviews as I often do. I still managed to crank out a few CXPulp reviews, though. Here’s what I reviewed that came out last Wednesday…
Flashpoint: Kid Flash Lost #1
June 23, 2011
Title: Kid Flash Lost Part One
Writer: Sterling Gates
Pencils: Oliver Nome
Inks: Trevor Scott
Colorist: Brian Buccellato
Letterer: Dezi Sienty
Cover: Francis Manapul
Editor: Joey Cavalieri
Publisher: DC Comics
With the timeline of the DC Universe irrevocably altered, Kid Flash (himself a time anomaly) wakes up in a 31st century far different from the one in which he was born. He and Hot Pursuit – and not the same Hot Pursuit he met in the 21st century – are cut off from the Speed Force, fleeing the conquering forces of Brainiac, and in danger of having their own timelines changed irrevocably.
This is one of the better Flashpoint miniseries to date. Bart Allen is an exciting character to begin with, but this issue really puts him in a tough spot. He’s cut off from his friends, from his powers, from everything. This incarnation of Hot Pursuit raises a lot of questions as well, and the danger that they face together could serve to bond them in interesting ways. It makes you wonder if this Hot Pursuit, as opposed to the other one, will find a place in the new DC Universe come September.
Oliver Nome is a good artist, and I particularly like his version of Hot Pursuit. The devastated landscape of the 31st century looks good too, and even raises questions about how the dots can be connected from the present-day Flashpoint world to the world Bart is trapped in. Having Francis Manapul on covers is a treat any way you slice it. It’s a strong issue that looks at the crossover from a totally different angle than any of the other tie-ins.
Rating: 8/10
Recent Reviews: June 29 Releases
Listing, for your reading pleasure, the reviews of June 29 releases I posted at CXPulp.com…
Flashpoint: Reverse Flash #1
June 23, 2011
Title: …My Revenge
Writer: Scott Kolins
Art: Joel Gomez
Colorist: Brian Buccellato
Letterer: Sal Cipriano
Cover: Ardian Syaf, Vicente Cifuentes, Kyle Ritter
Editor: Chris Conroy
Publisher: DC Comics
The man seemingly responsible for the Flashpoint universe takes front and center in this miniseries. Eobard Thawne, a.k.a Professor Zoom, a.k.a. the Reverse-Flash used to idolize Barry Allen, until they became mortal enemies. When an attempt to change the timeline to stop Barry from becoming the Flash in the first place threatens Thawne himself, though, he decided it’s time to tamper with Barry’s past in more subtle ways.
At the risk of making an obvious joke, this book is really something of an anomaly. You’d think that it would be about how Thawne tampered with the past to create the Flashpoint universe, but instead, it comes across more like a prequel for the Flash: Rebirth miniseries. We see all of the tampering he did there, and how it led up to the defining moment in Barry Allen’s life, all of which was explained back then. None of the things he does here seem to link to Flashpoint at all, and in fact, some of it seems to directly contradict it. Which raises an interesting question – is this a case of flawed writing, or a clue to the larger scheme of the Flashpoint story?
The artwork here, sadly, isn’t as strong as we’d like. Scott Kolins has quite a pedigree as both a writer and an artist on Flash-related books, but Joel Gomez seems like a poor fit. His figures seem off-model and often off-kilter, and while Thawne is a thoroughly unlikable person, the permanent sneer on his face in this book seems rather artificial.
I’m interested in seeing what else this story has to offer, but not terribly impressed with this issue.
Rating: 6/10
Recent Reviews: June 22 Releases
I usually try to do this on Tuesdays. I forgot on Tuesday. I hope this didn’t ruin anybody’s day. Anyway, here’s the comics from last week that I reviewed at CX Pulp.com:
Booster Gold (2007 Series) #45
June 18, 2011
Title: Turbulence Part Two (A Flashpoint tie-in)
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Art: Dan Jurgens
Finished Art: Norm Rapmund
Colorist: Hi-Fi Designs
Letterer: Carlos M. Mangual
Cover: Dan Jurgens
Editor: Rex Ogle
Publisher: DC Comics
Trapped in the world of Flashpoint, Booster Gold has been mistaken for an Atlanean invader. The military sends its greatest weapon out to take him in – the beast called Doomsday, controlled by the mind of General Nathaniel Adam.
Once again, Booster Gold is giving us out best look at the world of Flashpoint outside of the main series itself. Booster being the only person we know of besides Barry who remembers the real Earth, we get a good look at just how things have changed. The Doomsday/Captain Atom mixture is particularly interesting, and particularly harrowing for Booster, who now finds himself fighting his friend in the mind of a creature that nearly killed him once before. Booster also finds an interesting new ally this issue, one with a secret of her own.
Dan Jurgens, as always, owns this character. He writes and draws the most classic, heroic depiction of the character that anybody ever has, and uses his art to really tell the story, not just look pretty. Although I’m sad this title will come to an end during the DC Relaunch, I’m really happy that Jurgens will keep Booster in his stewardship in the new Justice League International title. With any luck, he’ll even be able to pick up some of the threads this title will leave hanging.
Rating: 8/10
Recent Reviews: June 15 Releases
Hey, look, I remembered! Here’s my roundup of the June 15 comics I reviewed over at CX Pulp!
The Back Issue Bin 