May 22, 2012
In an interview posted on Friday, Flash co-writers Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato talked to comic book resources about the arc of their speedster saga. Going into this week’s first New 52 Grodd story, and upcoming reintroductions of Weather Wizard, Heat Wave and (Golden) Glider, the Flash team delved into the existing relationship between the Rogues and the road to September’s Flash Annual.
Manapul kicks things off by explaining the crescendo of the series thus far:
Francis Manapul: I think there’s a theme that the book is really about overwhelming the Flash. In the first arc, we created this villain who could really be in multiple places at once, so in that sense, the Flash is overwhelmed physically and also overwhelmed emotionally because of the fact that he’s [fighting] an old friend, a guy that he grew up with. It’s kind of an overwhelming time for Barry Allen, having discovered that the weight of the world is on his shoulders. On top of that, the Rogues are slowly starting to get back together; we’re slowly showing what kind of a threat they would be to Barry Allen.
For highlights, including choices made during the redesign of the Rogues and the team’s answer to the Wally West question, follow the jump!
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May 12, 2012
Flash artist/co-writer Francis Manapul has been nominated for Best Cover Artist in the 2012 Joe Shuster awards. Last year he won Outstanding Comic Book Artist. (via @SpeedsterSite)
May 10, 2012
Last month I wrote about Flash co-writer Brian Buccellato’s Kickstarter campaign to launch a collection of short stories set in the world of his creator-owned horror/crime thriller, Foster. Response has been great, and he’s met the initial goal…and now he’s expanded the project.
More pages, more artists and writers…and of course, more money. The goal now is to raise $7,000-$7500 by May 20. If you haven’t backed the project yet, and you like what you’ve seen of Foster, now’s your chance. If you have backed, consider increasing your pledge.
» Foster Anthology on Kickstarter
April 24, 2012
Flash co-writer/artist Brian Buccellato’s creator-owned comic book, Foster, has added a new chapter. Issue #3 is now available in the limited edition from his website and at upcoming convention appearances, while issue #1 (and soon #2) is available in a standard edition with cover by series artist Noel Tuazon. All three issues are available digitally for $1.99 (less than a new DC comic!)
For Comic-Con International, Buccellato plans to release a Foster Anthology featuring five short stories with different artists, set in different time periods and fleshing out the universe. Unlike the main series, this one is being funded through Kickstarter, seeking to raise $5,000 by May 20.
If nothing else, you need to look at the list of perks you get for various donation amounts. Some of them are obvious, like the “It’s just like pre-ordering it” level, or free-sketch level, but for $30 he’ll let you win at Words With Friends, for $150, he’ll meet you at an LA-area gas station and pump your gas, for $250 he’ll play basketball with you…
Foster, a haunted war veteran trying to forget the world at the bottom of a bottle, becomes the guardian of a 6 year-old boy who is the offspring of a woman and a primal race of supernatural creatures that lurk on the fringes of society and need him to repopulate. In a world where technology is stuck in the analog ’70s and danger lurks around every corner, three rival factions want the half-breed child. Now Foster must navigate the shadow world, twisted scientists and his own past in order to keep the boy safe while winning his trust, nurturing his humanity, and trying to prevent him from giving in to the monster within.
It’s a great book, very different in tone from The Flash but in a way that fits the story and genre. Definitely recommended.
March 28, 2012
On the road to today’s release of Flash #7, the creative team of Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato has been making the interview rounds. Here’s a roundup of the past few days, covering their appearances in multiple outlets.
First up, Manapul stopped by iFanboy’s Word Balloon podcast to talk about his work on the title, include the nature of his collaboration with Buccellato. From the description:
Artist/writer Francis Manapul is back to tell us what’s been happening in the pages of The Flash for DC Comics. We talk about his unique art choices to display the hero’s super speed, and the Flash’s point of view when faced with the choices of how to stop a crime or disaster from happening.
More after the jump!
Read the rest of this entry »
March 17, 2012
Marv Wolfman and Brian Buccellato signing at the DC Comics booth.
The first round of my WonderCon photos are up on Flickr.
There wasn’t really any Flash news today. Someone asked about a Superman/Flash race at the DC All Access panel, and they said that there were no current plans, but all Flash questions should be directed to Dan Didio at a later panel.
Now to get some sleep before day two!
March 4, 2012
Classic comic book artist Sheldon Moldoff passed away last Wednesday at 91. He was the last surviving artist to have worked on Action Comics #1, and drew the covers of Flash Comics #1 and All-American Comics #16, the first cover appearances of the Flash and Green Lantern. Moldoff drew the Golden-Age Hawkman for several years, and was Bob Kane’s main ghost artist on many of the Batman features credited to Kane.
Mark Evanier writes about Moldoff’s life and career.
March 2, 2012
Are you a fan of the 1990s era of The Flash? How about the Mark Waid/Mike Wieringo run on Wally West’s series?
Now’s your chance to pick up TwoMorrows’ Modern Masters: Mike Wieringo for $10 as part of their March Modern Masters Madness sale. The 120-page book Todd Dezago and Eric Nolen-Weathington, published in 2006, features interviews and artwork spanning most of the artist’s career.
Other books in the series, also on discount for the next two weeks, include:
- Alan Davis
- George Perez
- Bruce Timm
- Kevin Nowlan
- Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez
- John Byrne
- Mike Wieringo
- Kevin Maguire
- Charles Vess
- Michael Golden
- Jerry Ordway
- Frank Cho
- Mark Schultz
- Mike Allred
- Lee Weeks
- John Romita Jr.
- Mike Ploog
- Kyle Baker
- Chris Sprouse
- Mark Buckingham
- Guy Davis
- Jeff Smith
- Frazer Irving
- Ron Garney
February 26, 2012
The second issue of Flash co-writer/artist Brian Buccellato’s creator-owned horror/thriller series, Foster, is available in a limited convention special edition at Image Expo right now. Or, if you’re not in Oakland, you can buy it from his website, where you can also buy the regular edition of Foster #1.
February 20, 2012
Flash writers Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato are featured in a new article and interview over at USAToday.com, which also has an exclusive preview of issue #6, out this Wednesday.
Manapul and Buccellato continue to hint at the mystery surrounding the Rogues’ new power manifestations, as well as their view of the Flash and the world at large, in the New 52. The group will be introduced one-by-one, according to Manapul:
“They have reasons for feeling how they feel about him and that will unfold over the course of the next two issues,” Buccellato says. “The dynamic is the same — it’s just the relationships are not the same as they were because some stuff has happened.”
While there’s a certain charm to them working together, Manapul adds, “showcasing them one by one at the moment puts an emphasis on how much stronger these characters are.”
Manapul states that Captain Cold is “definitely a lot more dangerous than he was before,” but also addresses what sets the Rogue and his associates apart in the New 52 DCU:
“The Rogues are about the score — they’re about getting in, getting paid and getting out. They’re not the Joker, they’re not Lex Luthor. They have their own way of doing things,” Buccellato says.
For more, including Manapul on Cold’s bold new look, check out USA Today!
