Monthly Archives: August 2009

First Impressions — Flash: Rebirth #4 Quick Review

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Flash: Rebirth #4 Variant Cover

Yesterday I re-read Flash: Rebirth #1-3 by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver. Today I bought Flash: Rebirth #4 (and even managed to pick up the variant cover) and read it during lunch. Here are my first impressions, with a full review to come later tonight:

The story has really picked up. It seemed like twice as much happened as last issue.

It had some genuinely tense moments, including one at which I thought to myself, “If they actually go there, I’m done. Out. Finished.” Which made the subsequent save all the more satisfying.

In fact, there were at least three “HELL, YEAH!!” moments in the book, and Ethan Van Sciver made very effective use of splash pages for them.

Now that I’ve read the whole issue, Professor Zoom’s “negative speed force” concept (mentioned in the preview) makes sense. That said, there’s another revelation about the speed force that really, really bothers me. Yes, it’s been hinted for at least a year, but it feels extremely, well, forced. Also illogical, considering one of the primary functions of the speed force.

Overall much more satisfying than last issue, and the ending actually makes me want to read more.

I’ll post a full review tonight after I have time for a second read-through. Update: The full review is up!

Interest Still High for Flash: Rebirth #4

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Yesterday I ran a quick poll on Twitter and Facebook asking people whether they were excited about Flash: Rebirth #4, due to hit shelves today. Of the 23 responses so far, 3/4 said they were excited or looking forward to the book, with 57% choosing the “excited” option. Only one person each (4%) said they were “dreading” it or were buying it, but not particularly interested. 17% (4 people) responded that they had lost interest.

Obviously the sample size is tiny. Issue #3 sold 83,000 copies, so extrapolating from 23 people isn’t terribly useful. And of course it’s self-selected to represent people who were interested enough in the Flash to follow either my Twitter account or Facebook page, and checked in yesterday or this morning.

The poll’s still open — I couldn’t tell what time it would close, so I gave it Thursday as the closing day — so the results could change. The ranking looks solid, though.

Super Powers 25th: The Flash!

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Super Powers 25th Anniversary!

25 years ago, Kenner launched a line of DC super-hero action figures under the name Super Powers. Today, Crisis on Earth-Blog unites fourteen sites in celebrating this landmark toy line. In particular, check out Crimson Lightning’s week-long coverage, starting with a review of the Flash mini-comic. (“Mini-comic,” you ask? Read on!)

Super Powers Flash FigureThe Super Powers figures were 6″ toys with a twist — sometimes literally. They really were action figures. Each figure would perform an action if manipulated, usually by squeezing the arms or legs. Squeeze Superman’s legs and he’d throw a punch. Hawkman’s wings would flap. Robin would do a karate chop, and Wonder Woman would lift her bracelets to block bullets. If you squeezed Red Tornado’s arms, his lower body would spin.

Naturally, if you squeezed the Flash’s arms, he would run.

Mini-Comics

Each figure starred in his (or her) own miniature 16-page comic book, around 4 inches high. To keep things readable they typically had only one or two panels per page. Villains and other heroes were pulled from the rest of the toy line, along with a couple of playsets and vehicles.

The Flash (Barry Allen) appeared in four of the mini-comics.

Continue reading →

Flash: Rebirth #4 Preview & Variant Cover

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The Source has posted a four-page preview of Flash: Rebirth #4, due out Wednesday. DC has also posted the final version of the main cover and the variant cover.

Flash Rebirth #4 Standard CoverFlash: Rebirth #4 Variant Cover

I think this is the first time I’ve really liked both covers on this series. With issues #1 and #2 I liked the main covers much more than the variants, and then with #3 I liked the variant much more than the main cover. (I did manage to track down a copy at Comic-Con International.) This time…I may actually try to get both.

Dash over to The Source and check it out!

This Week: Flash: Rebirth #4 and more!

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

Flash: Rebirth #4Written 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. Continue reading →

Failed Event Comics

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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.

  • Zero Power
  • The Dark Knight Strikes Out
  • Sinestro Corp Store
  • Crisis on Infinite Earths II: Crisis Harder
  • Violins United
  • Vibe: Rebirth
  • Retweet @CapnCarrot: Transformers Disassembled
  • Archie vs. Predator
  • Infinity Ganthet
  • Rain of the Soup, Man!
  • War of the Dogs