Speed Force

This week the Flash appears in Justice Society of America and (probably) in Trinity

Update: At least in my area, In the US, comics are coming out Thursday this week instead of Wednesday.

Justice Society of America #21

The penultimate chapter of the epic “One World, Under Gog” explodes here as the Justice Society of America goes to war with one another. Torn between Gog’s desire to help the world and the moral cost it comes with, it’s old guard vs. the new as the line that was drawn is crossed. But Gog does not like war…

December 3–4, 2008 Written by Geoff Johns & Alex Ross
Art by Dale Eaglesham & Nathan Massengill
Cover by Alex Ross
Variant cover by Dale Eaglesham & Nathan Massengill

Added: The Flash appears front and center on the Alex Ross cover…

Probable Appearances

The Flash (Wally West, and lately Barry Allen) has been appearing frequently in Trinity.

This week, the Flash stands a good chance of appearing in Trinity and Justice Society of America: Kingdom Come Special: The Kingdom.

Trinity #26

Written by Kurt Busiek and Fabian Nicieza; Art by Mark Bagley and Art Thibert, Scott McDaniel and Andy Owens, Tom Derenick and Wayne Faucher and Mike Norton and Jerry Ordway; Covers by Andy Kubert and Jesse Delperdang

The heroic Trinity is long gone and their legacy fades by the minute. But where exactly are Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman – and will they ever return? Don’t miss the halfway point in this action-fueled, weekly series exploring the three greatest heroes of all time!

Notes: Wally West has been appearing frequently in this series, and last week Barry Allen made a surprise appearance.

Justice Society of America: Kingdom Come Special: The Kingdom

Written by Geoff Johns; Art by Fernando Pasarin; Cover by Alex Ross; Variant Cover by Dale Eaglesham and Nathan Massengill

Gog rewards those he deems fit. Starman has regained his sanity, Sandman his sleep, Dr. Mid-Nite his sight, Damage his pride and Citizen Steel…? What “wish” will the indestructible hero be granted? And more importantly, what drawbacks do these wishes come with? Plus, Starman’s true mission is revealed!

Notes: Wow, a title that almost rivals Countdown: Presents: the Search for Ray Palmer: Something Else! Anyway, with Jay Garrick as a member of the JSA, chances are pretty good that he’ll be in this issue.

This week the Flash appears in The Flash #246 as well as the last volume of Countdown to Final Crisis, Tangent: Superman’s Reign and more.

The Flash #246

Written by Alan Burnett; Art by Carlo Barberi and Drew Geraci; Cover by Brian Stelfreeze

As Queen Bee circles in closer for the kill, everything The Flash holds dear starts slipping away from him. His powers, his wife – what’s next to go?

Team books and more behind the cut. (more…)

The Flash appears in the latest issue of The Titans and in the collected edition of JLA/Avengers.

Titans #7

Written by Judd Winick; Art and Cover by Howard Porter

Match, the imperfect clone of Conner Kent, shows up at the Tower looking for a fight. But the Titans’ old teammate Jericho is still trapped inside him! To subdue Match and save Jericho, the Titans must find a way to force the two apart, and their solution has unexpected consequences for them all!

Notes: CBR has a preview of Titans #7 online.

JLA/Avengers (trade paperback)

Written by Kurt Busiek; Art and Cover by George Pérez

The once-in-a-lifetime crossover that brought two super-teams together and rocked the comics world is at last available in trade paperback! Own the entire 4-issue co-publishing event between DC and Marvel and written by Kurt Busiek (Trinity, Marvels) with stunning art by George Pérez (Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds, Avengers). This collection also features introductions by original Avengers writer/editor Stan Lee and Justice League of America editor Julius Schwartz.

Notes: All three (at the time) Flashes — Jay Garrick, Barry Allen, and Wally West — appear at various points in this story.

Possible Appearances

Wally West has been appearing off and on in Trinity. Either Jay Garrick or the Kingdom Come Flash could make an appearance in Justice Society of America Kingdom Come Special: Superman.

Sorry it’s late — with following election results last night, I totally lost track of the fact that I hadn’t written this up. This week we have:

Justice Society of America #20

Written by Geoff Johns and Alex Ross; Pencil art and variant cover by Dale Eaglesham; Cover by Alex Ross

It’s the Justice Society of America vs. the Justice Society Infinity of Earth-2 with the fate of Power Girl at the center of it all! Meanwhile, Starman struggles with his returned sanity as he embarks on his true mission in our time period – one that will have vital consequences for the Crisis of the 31st century!

New Teen Titans Archives vol.4 (hardcover)

Written by Marv Wolfman; Art and Cover by George Pérez and Romeo Tanghal

The 1980s adventures continue in this final Archive edition, collecting NEW TEEN TITANS #21-27 and NEW TEEN TITANS ANNUAL #1! Don’t miss the Titans’ struggle against the hordes of Brother Blood, Starfire’s confrontation with her evil sister and more!

Teen Titans: Year One (trade paperback)

Written by Amy Wolfram; Art by Karl Kerschl and Serge LaPointe; Cover by Karl Kerschl

The early days of the Teen Titans are chronicled in this title collecting the 6-issue miniseries!

Sorry about the lack of covers — I’m in a rush.

This week’s Flash appearances include Justice League of America — as Impulse! — a Justice Society of America trade paperback, and possibly DCU: Decisions and Trinity.

Justice League of America #26

Written by Dwayne McDuffie; Art and Cover by Ed Benes

The JLA stands helpless against the power of Anansi, the African spider god who has warped their histories. Vixen makes her final stand, brokering a deal with the powerful villain. But will she be forced to sacrifice the JLA and Animal Man? Or does her last-ditch effort mean something far worse?

[Note: Yes, that's Impulse on the cover!]

Justice Society of America Vol.1: The Next Age (paperback)

Written by Geoff Johns Cover by Alex Ross; Art by Dale Eaglesham, Art Thibert and Ruy Jose

The book collecting the first four issues of JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA is now available in trade paperback! Determined to rebuild the Justice Society, Green Lantern, Flash and Wildcat initiate a recruitment program, tracking heroes across the world and bringing in the new Starman, Damage, Liberty Belle and more!

Also likely candidates for Flash appearances: DC Universe: Decisions #4 (conclusion of the miniseries) and Trinity.

Final Crisis #4 of 7

Written by Grant Morrison; Art by J.G. Jones and Carlos Pacheco; Covers by J.G. Jones

It’s one month after the Anti-Life Equation was released worldwide. Millions now toil as slaves of Darkseid, while the Justifier shock troops of Apokolips lay waste to the planet Earth and hunt down its protectors.

The remaining free humans and superheroes are stationed around the world, besieged within the walls of ten very familiar ‘Watchtowers’, as they fight a desperate, losing battle against the triumphant forces of evil.

While Green Arrow and Black Canary attempt to deliver the secret of humanity’s last hope across America’s blasted wastelands, the Outsiders brave the horrors of the Blüdhaven bunker in search of Batman. The ultimate battle is coming…but which heroes will become villain – and vice versa? And what part do the Secret Society have to play in the dawning of this new Age of Evil?

Darkness is falling and death rules the day. Is this truly the end of the Age of Super Heroes? Don’t miss FINAL CRISIS #4: “How to Murder the Earth!”

40pg. | Color | $3.99 US

Tangent: Superman’s Reign #8 of 12

Written by Dan Jurgen and Ron Marz; Art by Wes Craig and Fernando Pasarin; Cover by Matt Haley

The Tangent Superman’s assault on the DCU Earth continues, and his quest to make the world “safe” for normal people is set to crush all metahuman resistance in its path!

32pg. | Color | $2.99 US

DC Universe: Halloween ‘08

Written by Mark Verheiden, Mike Johnson, Brian Reed and others; Art by Trevor Hairsine, Duncan Rouleau and others; Cover by Gene Ha
The Horror! The Horror! Could this be the final Halloween for the DCU? Evil has won, and there are no treats! Witness tales of terror featuring Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Titans, El Diablo, Faust and others by past, present and future DC greats.

80pg. | Color | $5.99 US

Notes: It’s not clear whether the Flash appears in this book, but there’s a chance depending on what era of theTitans is spotlighted. Last year’s Halloween special featured a “Whatever happened to…” story about Ira West, Wally’s grandfather and Iris Allen’s adoptive father.

The Flash may also appear in Trinity, and Kid Flash often appears in Tiny Titans.

It’s a big Flash week, with both Flash #245 and Final Crisis: Rogues’ Revenge hitting the stores.

Final Crisis: Rogues’ Revenge #3

Written by Geoff Johns; Art and Covers by Scott Kolins

Captain Cold and the Rogues only want one thing – revenge. But with the Secret Society hitting the Rogues where it hurts, that revenge is being kept at an arm’s length. Not to mention, the subject of their revenge is now under Libra’s protection. It’s do or die time for the Rogues as this villainous mini-series concludes! Plus, what’s up with…Barry Allen?

40pg. | Color | $3.99 US

Note: This miniseries has been excellent. You can read my reviews of issue #1 and issue #2 here.

Flash #245

Written by Alan Burnett; Art by Paco Diaz and Drew Geraci; Cover by Brian Stelfreeze

Flash learns that nothing is safe anymore as Queen Bee causes an attack on his house and Linda. Guest-starring Black Lightning!

32pg. | Color | $2.99 US

Note: Rather than being a lame-duck arc, the first issue of this storyline was surprisingly good. With any luck, that will continue.

Team books and more after the cut. (more…)

This week, two Flash stories are reprinted in the DC Goes Ape collection.

DC Goes Ape

Written by Otto Binder, John Broome, Gardner Fox and others; Art by Carmine Infantino, Wayne Boring, George Papp, Ross Andru, C.C. Beck, Jim Starlin and others; Cover by Arthur Adams
You’ll go bananas for this new title collecting simian stories from Superboy #76, Superman #138, The Flash (vol.1) #127, Detective Comics #339 and 482, Hawkman #16, Wonder Woman #170, Strange Adventures #201, Shazam #9, Super Friends #30 and The Flash (vol.2) #151!

168pg. | Color | Softcover | $19.99 US

Notes: The two Flash stories are:

“Reign of the Super-Gorilla” (Flash v.1 #127, 1962), in which Gorilla Grodd imbues himself with “neo-magnetic radiation,” making everyone within a 100-mile radius think he’s the greatest thing since sliced bread. Everyone but the Flash, that is. He easily takes over Gorilla City, then moves on to Central City…where the citizens decide to run him for state governor.

“Territorealis” (Flash v.2 #151, 1999), a flashback told at the beginning of the Dark Flash Saga. Kid Flash mistakes another intelligent Gorilla for Grodd himself, then has to help him return to Gorilla City in order to prevent an invasion. In a way, it serves as a prologue to the “JLApe” storyline that ran through that summer’s annuals.

DC has a long tradition of using intelligent apes as characters (Grodd, Monsieur Mallah, Detective Chimp, etc.), but I have to wonder whether the timing of this collection might be influenced by the Marvel Apes miniseries currently in stores.

This week, the Flash appears in Justice League of America #25 and collected editions of Justice and Countdown to Final Crisis. He may also appear in DCU: Decisions #2 and Trinity #18.

Justice League of America #25

Written by Dwayne McDuffie ; Art by Ed Benes; Cover by Ed Benes

Vixen and Animal Man journey into the sacred Tantu Totem to solve the mystery of their altered powers. But Anansi, the African spider god responsible for these changes, has only begun reshaping the powers and histories of the Justice League, as eight-year-old Bruce Wayne shoots the burglar who killed his parents, Wonder Woman retires from the JLA after the tragic death of her husband, Superman, and The Green Lantern Corps quarantines Earth after one of their number destroys an American city. With the team’s history changing before Vixen’s eyes, is the JLA we now know gone forever?

Notes: Totally off-topic, I know, but speaking of Anansi, I’d like to recommend Neil Gaiman’s novel, Anansi Boys. It’s set in the same world as American Gods (in which Shadow does encounter a version of Anansi), but neither book requires the other.

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