December 31, 2009
The Flash: Reschedule saga continues, but this time with some potentially good news. While DC’s website still lists a March 24, 2010 release date for Flash: Rebirth #6, Diamond Comics has posted on their shipping updates page that the title will appear on February 24, 2010. Still later than the January 27 date we had before, and still arriving after Blackest Night: The Flash wraps (though by only a week!), but much more reasonable than the 4-month gap between issues previously announced.
Thanks to PyroTwilight at Comic Bloc for the news!
December 30, 2009
The city of Dana Point, California has a Green Lantern Street. I’ve always thought there should be a comic store on there, but I don’t think there’s really room for one.
Actually, Dana Point has a whole bunch of “Street of the ___ Lantern” names dating back to the 1920s, the biggest one being Street of the Golden Lantern. I never really thought about the rest of them in super-hero terms, but of course Blackest Night brings a while new set of X Lantern Corps.
I was in Dana Point a few weeks ago for a company Christmas party, and while driving back the next day, decided that “someday” I should drive around getting pictures of all the relevant Lantern streets. I mentioned this to my wife, who said, “No time like the present!” So, armed with the Thomas Bros. map of Orange County, we drove up and down Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) looking for all the Corps-appropriate lanterns we could find.
More photos after the cut! Read the rest of this entry »
December 29, 2009
There’s only one DC book out this week…and it’s Blackest Night.
Blackest Night #6
Written by Geoff Johns
Art and cover by Ivan Reis & Oclair Albert
Variant cover by Rodolfo Migliari
Sketch variant cover by Ivan Reis
The secrets of Nekron are revealed as darkness consumes the DC Universe.
Everything else: TOP SECRET.
This issue will ship with three covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Ivan Reis & Oclair Albert), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Rodolfo Migliari). For every 100 copies of the Standard Edition, retailers may order one copy of the Sketch Variant Edition (with a cover by Ivan Reis).
6 of 8 · 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US
December 28, 2009
Warner Home Video has released more images from the upcoming home video release, Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, including views of the Flash and the Crime Syndicate, including the evil version of Johnny Quick. (via Robot 6)
December 25, 2009
December 24, 2009
Geoff Johns took a few moments out of his holiday travel to update fans on the state of The Flash. Ordinarily I’d pull out a couple of key quotes and point you to the original post, but this time I think I should just quote the whole thing:
Merry Christmas Eve, everyone! I hope you all have save travels if you’re heading somewhere for the holidays.
Obviously, there have been some changes (among many) in DC’s approach to co-features and, in particular, the Flash universe that have raised questions and frustrations. Yes, THE FLASH will no longer have the Wally West co-feature. It’ll remain one of DC’s $2.99 books rather than $3.99 and Barry Allen will be the lead character. Yes, the plans for creating a book title KID FLASH have altered. (The creative team lined up never started on the book.) And, yes, it was a mistake to announce our plans before they were set in stone. Everyone was just excited about the Flash. No one wants to disappoint anyone. That’s not only bad business, it’s bad karma. So all that above? That’s the bad news.
But there is good news too. You will see the stories Scott Kolins and I have been working on. You will see Wally and Bart and everyone (Jesse will surprise a lot of people!). You will see the Flash universe grow organically. No one wants the Flash universe to achieve the same heights Green Lantern has more than me and the creative and editorial team working on it (and maybe the bean counters at DC! ). I’m also working hard on the movie. Despite what it looks like, the plans have grown for the Flash universe, although the rollout for things has changed. Imagine something more like how Green Lantern grew. The Flash universe is set for something VERY big in 2011 as well. It’ll take a bit more time to build (not too much), but in the long run I do believe the foundation will be stronger for it. I can’t get into specifics too much and I don’t want to until we literally have covers to show – which I’m sure will frustrate some people – but I don’t want to see anyone disappointed.
I am incredibly excited about the future of the Flash and I think when things are finally rolling in April, you all will be too.
I’ll try and answer any questions I can when I can over the next few days.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!!
Geoff
Head over to Comic Bloc to read the original post and comment thread.
Edit: In reading through the thread, I’ve spotted one more answer by Johns so far, to a question about Wally West:
Think of it this way — Wally will continue to do what he’s always done, continue and build the Flash legacy, only in ways more insanely epic in scope and adventure than ever. Barry is the Flash who started the spark, Wally is the one who fans the fire.
The rest of Newsarama’s Favorites of 2009 polls have moved on to round 2.
Covers: Ethan Van Sciver’s Flash: Rebirth #1 won its bracket in the first round of Favorite Covers, and goes up against Alex Ross’ Justice Society of America #26. I’m a little confused, because I could swear the gallery for round 1 showed the face-forward variant that was used for the second printing, but this round it shows the standard side-view cover.
Limited series: 3 of the 4 winners were written by Geoff Johns. Blackest Night goes up against Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds, and Flash: Rebirth goes up against Wednesday Comics. (Personally, I’m kind of disappointed that Scott Pilgrim disappeared so quickly, but I think that’s largely because Newsarama combined original graphic novels and limited series into one category.)
Flash wasn’t in the running for ongoing series this year, of course, but Rebirth writer Geoff Johns’ Green Lantern run. Actually, both brackets this round are GL vs. Batman, with Green Lantern up against Detective Comics and Green Lantern Corps up against Batman and Robin.
And yes, every single winner of Round 1 in these categories was a DC book.
Also still open:
What Were They Thinking?! has found a…novel way to see at super-speed.
Comic Wallet is selling two wallets made from pages of Blackest Night: The Flash #1.
Multiversity Comics recommends Geoff Johns’ original Flash run.
Grumpy Old Fan considers the likely structure of Legacies and its implications.
IGN’s top 100 covers of 2009 gives Flash: Rebirth #1 the #3 spot.
Toycutter has a Steampunk Legion of Doom set of custom action figures, featuring Sinestro, Black Manta, Joker, Gorilla Grodd, Captain Cold, and Bizarro. (via Great White Snark)
Flash fans will probably get a kick out of this Shortpacked! strip. (via @batmansgirl)
December 23, 2009
What better way to celebrate Christmas than with Justice Society zombies? Okay, I can think of a few, but still, that’s what’s available to Flash fans at the comic store this week.
Blackest Night: JSA #1
Written by James Robinson
Art by Eddy Barrows & Ruy José
Cover by Eddy Barrows
Variant cover by Gene Ha
The mystery men of yesterday are back and they seek the hearts of their new counterparts! It’s Mr. Terrific vs. Mr. Terrific, Dr. Midnite vs. Dr. Midnite, Sand vs Wesley Dodds! Can the new generation of heroes survive the rise of the Black Lantern JSA? Find out in this all-new miniseries from original JSA co-writer James Robinson and rising star artist Eddy Barrows (BLACKEST NIGHT: SUPERMAN)!
This issue will ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Eddy Barrows), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Gene Ha).
1 of 3 · 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Justice Society of America #34
Written by Bill Willingham
Art by Travis Moore & Dan Green
Cover by Jesus Merino
The Justice Society struggles to pick up the pieces after the team’s devastating break up! Regrouping at a new, temporary home base, the smaller team reflects on the recent infiltration of their ranks and how they can protect themselves from another such attack in the future! And why is the new Dr. Fate acting so weird?
32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Note: The team splits into two this month, with the rest of the group moving to JSA All-Stars. Based on the covers, it looks like Jay Garrick will be staying in Justice Society of America. This cover forms half of an image with next issue’s cover.
December 22, 2009
Newsarama’s Reader Favorites of 2009 are moving into the second round, with writers and artists the first to move forward.
Mark Waid was K.O.’ed in the first round, but current Flash writer Geoff Johns and one-time Flash writer Grant Morrison have both advanced to round two. Johns faces off against Greg Rucka, with Morrison up against Ed Brubaker. There’s a good chance we’ll see a Johns/Morrison match in round three.
Meanwhile, incoming Flash artist Francis Manapul narrowly won against Frank Quitely. Ethan Van Sciver (Flash: Rebirth) lost solidly to Ivan Reis (Blackest Night). Manapul and Reis go up against each other in round 2, as do George Perez and J.H. Williams III.
Each round is open for one week. Round one is still open for the remaining three categories:
