Speed Force

We’re back with the latest in our analysis of Cary Bates’ Flash comics, leading up to Showcase Presents: The Trial of the Flash.  This week, we look at one of the biggest plot twists in the Death of Iris Allen arc.  Links to research and artwork art included throughout this post.  For a look as past weeks/issues, click here!

UP TO SPEED: Last week, Flash was almost killed by the psychic freak known as Clive Yorkin.  Yorkin is the man Flash holds responsible for the death of his wife Iris (issue #275).  Meanwhile, Barry Allen and Det. Frank Curtis continued to descend into the underworld in search of answers to the mysteries of Barry’s drugging (also #275) and the heroin smuggling plot discovered at police HQ (issues 270-275).  After surviving a bomb blast that destroyed his attacker, Barry took off to reign in Yorkin once and for all.  Unknown to the Scarlet Speedster, the psychic teen known as Melanie is also on the trail…

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ICv2′s May sales estimates are up, including the final issue of Flash vol.3 and the first issue of Flashpoint. Flashpoint #1 sold an estimated 86,981 copies, ranked #2 for the month (right behind Marvel’s big event comic, Fear Itself #2), while The Flash #12 sold an estimated 54,914 copies to rank #15.

Sales have been steady the last three issues, and have held above the low point at issue #8, suggesting that the series found its level at around 54-55K…just in time to be canceled for DC’s September relaunch. (Or maybe it was just being propped up by people curious about Flashpoint?)

It’s surprising that Flashpoint #1 sold fewer copies than Flash #1, though I suppose it shouldn’t be. Between event fatigue, a feeling that the Flash mythos hadn’t been built up sufficiently to support a major event, and a general sense that the event was simply an alternate universe story and not as “important” as, for instance, Blackest Night, I remember the buzz being relatively poor beforehand. Over the last month, lots of people have remarked that the book has been under-ordered. (Even the tie-ins have been. I got the last copy of Flashpoint: Grodd of War from my local shop yesterday, the day it was released.) Clearly readers are responding better to the actual comic book than retailers expected, based on the multiple sell-out issues.

It’ll be interesting to see the figures with re-orders and the second printing included…and it’ll be interesting to see the sales figures on the later issues of the miniseries.

As Speed Force marks its third birthday, we thought it would be kind of fun to take a look back at where each of the Fastest Men Alive were in the third year of their careers.  It ended up being really fun.

A lot can change in three years, but Speed Force is still the place for up-to-the-picosecond Flash news and analysis.  What about the heroes who inspired Speed Force?  Where were Jay Garrick, Barry Allen and Wally West exactly three years after their titles launched?  We’ll take a look at those three issues, and the creators involved.

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Wow. Hard to believe it’s been three years since Speed Force launched!

Thanks to everyone for reading and commenting, and a huge thanks to fellow Speed Force writers Devin, Greg and Lia!

Greg LaRocque, popular artist on the Flash in the ’90s, has given us our first look at some art from his upcoming Retroactive ’80s Flash project via The Flash & Other Members of the Speed Force group on Facebook:

Greg looks to be as sharp as ever. I really can’t wait for this to come out especially in light of recent events and announcements. This definitely lifted my spirits! Thank you Greg! And thank you Aaron Louis Kessler!

You can also read an exclusive Speed Force interview with Greg HERE!

Be sure to check out The Flash Retroactive ’80s one shot due out in August. Especially if you are in need of some classic Wally goodness. I know I am.

-Devin “Flash” Johnson

Thanks to everyone who participated in this week’s installation of our “Where Was Wally West?” contest here at Speed Force!  Wally finally showed up last week, and we still had a good time..

We posted a panel from a classic Flash comic, featuring Wally West in an alternate reality, the past or a “possible future”.  Correct answers were put into a raffle, and a winner was drawn at random.  To refresh your memory, here is the latest subject:

This week was a tough one, but a we received a few correct answers as always from savvy Flash fans.  This week’s winner is Eric L.!

Congrats to Eric!  This week’s subject was Flash Annual #4, an Armageddon  2001 tie in by Mark Waid and Craig Brashfield.  In a vision of a possible future, Wally West is forced out of retirement to battle a demon from his past, with his son’s life on the line.

See you next time!

Flashpoint: Grodd of War

Written by SEAN RYAN; Art by IG GUARA; Cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL

FLASH FACT! Africa belongs to him!

UPDATE: Preview at The Source.

Sean Ryan described the book as “What does Grodd do without his archenemy? He gets everything he’s ever wanted, but there’s no more challenges in his life. He’s got everything he wants, but he’s miserable.”

Flashpoint: Legion of Doom #1

Written by ADAM GLASS; Art by RODNEY BUCHEMI and JOSE MARZAN, JR.; Cover by MIGUEL SEPULVEDA

FLASH FACT! They have to kill the president!

UPDATE: Preview and article at USA Today.

Note: In a recent interview, Adam Glass describes this miniseries as “Heat Wave’s story, and it’s a classic revenge story. Cyborg, who is the Superman of this world, is his target because he stopped Heat Wave from doing something he really wanted.” But first he has to get out of a supermax prison…and there are other villains trying to escape as well.

Tiny Titans #41

Written by ART BALTAZAR and FRANCO; Art and cover by ART BALTAZAR

Outta the way – It’s the “Flash” issue!

It’s the fastest comic ever and the race is on! This special issue introduces Jessie Quick and features Inertia and Mas y Menos. Plus: Kid Flash sharpens his pencil to a FLASHPOINT! Plus plus: Blue Beetle makes a special appearance!

UPDATE: Here’s a preview.

Also: The Flashpoint #1 second printing hits this week.

One of the stranger items on DC’s September solicitations is this statue of the Black Flash coming in February.

AME-COMI HEROINE SERIES: BLACK FLASH PVC FIGURE
DESIGNED BY JIM FLETCHER
SCULPTED BY JACK MATHEWS

Death strikes faster than lightning!

Black Flash mysteriously appears as an omen of impending doom for any of the Flash family of speedsters that tap into the Speed Force.

Packaged in a 4-color window box with J-hook, this non-articulated PVC statue stands approximately 9” high and includes a display base.

On sale February 1, 2012 * Statue * $70 US

Now, you may recall that in the comics, the Black Flash looks like this. Read the rest of this entry »

Sorry, but we’ll be late with the results of last week’s contest. I forgot to update the forwarding address on the email account, and the entries all went to someone who’s on vacation this week.

We conclude our series reacting to DC Comics’ relaunch announcements. After covering the Justice League, Green Lantern, Batman, Dark, Teen and Edge series, we look at DC’s flagship: Superman.

Action Comics · Superman · Supergirl · Superboy

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