August 24, 2009
Yes, it’s really happening: Flash: Rebirth continues this week! Also on hand are new issues of Wednesday Comics, Justice Society of America, Blackest Night: Titans, and The Last Days of Animal Man, as well as the second volume of Trinity.
The Flash: Rebirth #4
Written by Geoff Johns
Art and covers by Ethan Van Sciver
Barry Allen left a legacy that thrived after his death. Now his return threatens it all. What secrets does Barry hold inside him about the fate of the Flash Family? What destiny awaits Wally and his twins? What murderous force targets Bart Allen? And what does it truly mean to be a speedster?
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Ethan Van Sciver), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Ethan Van Sciver).
4 of 6 · 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Team books and more after the cut. Read the rest of this entry »
August 23, 2009
I’m not entirely sure who started it, but on Friday morning a lot of comics fans and pros on Twitter were posting joke titles with the #failedeventcomics tag. Here are my contributions.
Some highlights from this week’s Twitter activity.
Humor
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August 22, 2009
Some weekend linkblogging.
Commentary
The Speedster Site Forum wants to know: Who do you consider the Flash’s archenemy?
The Weekly Crisis posts thoughts on comics for November. Regarding Superboy Prime’s upcoming appearance in Adventure Comics #4 (a Blackest Night tie-in), Ryan says, “The only way this won’t make me even more annoyed with the end of Legion of Three Worlds is if the Superboy Prime scenes are actually just him ranting on message boards.”
ICv2′s Confessions of a Comic-Book Guy discusses two events in Justice League: Cry For Justice #2: one now infamous among comics discussion circles, the other the less-commented-on off-panel killing of Jay Garrick’s three dimwitted sidekicks.
Update: IO9 talks to Mark Waid about The Unknown, science, and death, and has the first issue online for free. The Unknown has been an excellent miniseries, and I’m really looking forward to the conclusion on Wednesday.
Art
Photon Torpedoes looks at the use of ghost images to show the Flash’s speed in Blackest Night.
Adventure Comics artist Francis Manapul has posted photos of several convention sketches he’s done this year, including the Flash and Kid Flash! Elfgrove posts a scan of another Francics Manapul Kid Flash. Update: Manapul has posted a follow-up with more sketches after asking fans to send in their scans.
Update: Former Impulse artist Craig Rousseau shares a sketch of Bart Allen.
Television
Geoff Johns drops a hint about his upcoming Smallville episode, “Society:”
The Justice Society will be heroes that come out of ‘retirement’ to see how the current generation operates. Can’t say much more than that right now. Sorry! 
Superhero Shows spotlights the Flash’s TV appearances in cartoons and live-action, from the early Filmation cartoons of the 1960s through to recent appearances on Smallville and Batman: The Brave and the Bold.
Conventions
Long Beach Comic-Con (October 2-4) is running a “Why Long Beach?” series on life outside the convention. So far they’ve posted nearby attractions and a restaurant guide.
Update: Please help identify these Unknown Cosplay Characters from various conventions! I’ve got a few of my own photos in there of people who had interesting costumes, but I still have no idea who they were dressed as!
August 21, 2009
The writers and artists have changed. The face under the Flash’s mask has changed. But there’s one thing that the three Flash relaunches we’ve seen since Infinite Crisis all share: pacing.
For some reason, every time DC has relaunched the Flash lately, they’ve done it with a slow burn.
Rising Action: Speedsters Slowing Down
Now, I have no problem with slow burns in general. I really did like most of Final Crisis, for instance (and that was almost all slow burn), and as frustrating as Flash: Ignition was at the time, I really like the story in retrospect — but as a break from the crazy pace of Run Riot and Blitz. Just about everything I’ve read or watched by JMS has used a slow build-up to something huge, from Babylon 5 to Squadron Supreme (some to better effect than others).
But I don’t think it’s the best structure to launch a character whose main claim to fame is speed…especially when it’s serialized.
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August 20, 2009
The Hollywood Reporter, well, reports that Geoff Johns will co-write a Shazam! movie with Billy Birch. So, what do you think? Is Geoff Johns cut out to write a super-hero with a red costume that has yellow and white trim and a lightning motif? featuring Captain Marvel (via CBR and )
Flash artists Ethan Van Sciver (Flash: Rebirth) and Jackson Guice (early Wally West solo issues) are among the guests of honor at C2E2 in Chicago next year.
Ain’t It Cool News talks with Geoff Johns about Blackest Night, Flash: Rebirth, and the Flash and Green Lantern movies.
More sites remember Mike Wieringo: Panels on Pages remembers the artist through Tellos. Pipeline reprints the original column with some updates on matters such as the ‘Ringo scholarship, the What If…? tribute book, and so forth.
Over at K-Squared Ramblings, I’ve put together an index to all 2009 Comic-Con International posts made at that blog and this one. Panel write-ups, photos, the costume how-tos, tips, general convention experiences, etc.
August 19, 2009
It’s been a long wait since issue 3, but Flash: Rebirth #4 is not only on DC’s schedule for August 26, it’s on Diamond’s upcoming releases list for comics shipping next week. It’s very rare for a book to slip once it’s made it to that list, though it does happen from time to time. (Hey, Dabel Bros.! Where’s Robert Jordan’s New Spring #7!) *ahem!*
Here’s the current schedule:
*Since Flash v.2 #247
**Well, currently-scheduled date, anyway.
August 18, 2009
Flash in Wednesday Comics has passed the half-way mark, and Gorilla Grodd also makes an appearance in Superman/Batman. Plus there’s Tiny Titans, Super Friends and a guest spot in the latest Brave and the Bold collection.
Wednesday Comics #7
The Flash battles Gorilla Grodd and tries to date Iris West in a story written by Karl Kerschl (Teen Titans Year One, The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive) and Brenden Fletcher with art by Karl Kerschl.
Wednesday Comics will arrive in stores folded twice to 7″ x 10″.
7″ x 10″, 16 pg, FC, $3.99 US.
Superman/Batman #63
Written by Michael Green & Mike Johnson
Art and cover by Rafael Albuquerque
It’s the start of an all-new arc bringing an old foe back from the dead who endangers the loved ones of both Superman and Batman! With Lois Lane and Alfred Pennyworth kidnapped, the secrets of the World’s Finest heroes are an open book for one villain to exploit.
32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Notes: Again, not clear whether there are any Flashes, but that’s Gorilla Grodd on the cover. Also: The Source has a preview.
The Brave and the Bold: The Book of Destiny TP
Written by Mark Waid
Art by George Pérez and Jerry Ordway
Cover by George Pérez
Collecting issues #7-12 of The Brave and the Bold in trade paperback! The Book of Destiny’s been opened, and it will take the combined might of Superman, The Flash, the Metal Men, the Blackhawks, the Atom, Hawkman, Aquaman, the Teen Titans, the Newsboy Legion and more to prevent certain doom!
160 pg, FC, $17.99 US
Note: This includes the Flash/Doom Patrol story from just after the Wally West relaunch, regarded by many as the best Flash story during Waid’s brief return to the character in 2007.
Super Friends #18
Written by Sholly Fisch
Art and cover by J. Bone
Meet the Bizarro Super Friends! This am not the solicit for the next boring issue of SUPER FRIENDS! We hate the Super Friends and no want you to steal this right now!
32 pg, FC, $2.50 US
Tiny Titans #19
Written by Art Baltazar & Franco
Art and cover by Art Baltazar
Love is in the air…and in Titans Treehouse! Plasmus and Bumblebee are hanging out more, and the other Titans are starting to notice. And Robin just wants to write his school report, but for some reason the girls won’t leave him alone. Plus, the return of the Titans Ape Club! Eek!
32 pg, FC, $2.50 US
August 17, 2009
DC’s November 2009 Solicitations are up at Newsarama and elsewhere. There’s Blackest Night, the usual team books…and the rescheduled Flash: Rebirth conclusion.
The Flash: Rebirth #6
Written by Geoff Johns
Art and covers by Ethan Van Sciver
In a battle along the outskirts of time, the secrets of the Speed Force have been revealed! The new archnemesis of those who ride the lightning is coming for Iris Allen. And the Barry Allen you knew is gone forever…or is he? What change does Wally West face? What destiny will Kid Flash choose? Prepare to meet a Flash Family that’s both familiar and different…and get to the starting line for the next epic adventures of the Speed Force!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Ethan Van Sciver), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Ethan Van Sciver). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale November 25 (rescheduled) • 6 of 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Edit: Just to clarify, Flash: Rebirth #6 isn’t in the November solicitations. It was previously solicited with a September shipping date and rescheduled. I’ve included it here for completeness.
Team books and more after the cut.
Read the rest of this entry »
