June 14, 2013
As part of our SpeedForce.org celebration, we’re taking a look back to the issue of The Flash that came out the same month that this site started. Back in 2008, we were right in the middle of the “Fast Money” story arc. Wally West has seen the people of Keystone City turn against him, pushed by the villain Spin, who has brought Grodd in to help him in the battle. As for the kids…Iris and Jai have been taken captive by people working for “Boss Dark Side”. That brings us to issue #241 of The Flash, with an August cover date but released June 18th, 2008. (NOTE: Thanks to John at Capitol Comics in Raleigh NC for helping me find a spare copy of this issue for the review when I could not find my own copy in my back issues).
FULL SPOILERS AHEAD!
Read the rest of this entry »
June 5, 2013
This issue of Earth 2 reveals more about the first “new wonder” of the World Army…and it isn’t who you think. Nope, not Atom…but Captain Steel! This New 52 Captain Steel has an excellent and tragic origin story, one that gives him the opportunity to truly shine. You won’t see Jay this issue, nor will you follow-up on the cliffhanger from the Annual with Scott and Barda…but it is a story well worth reading, and it expands the wonderful new Earth 2 that James Robinson has imagined for his fans.
SOME SPOILERS AHEAD! PLEASE READ THE ISSUE BEFORE GOING FURTHER!
Read the rest of this entry »
May 29, 2013
The heroes of Earth 2 are growing in number, with appearances by Captain Steel, Mister Miracle and Barda…and a mysterious new Batman! This Annual does a great job of setting the table for stories to come…if only we could get a little more from James Robinson on this excellent title.
Okay, let’s get this out of the way first…here is the transcript of everything Jay Garrick did in this issue.
…
…
…
…
…
Don’t worry, he wasn’t the only person who didn’t show up in the Annual, as Doctor Fate was nowhere to be seen and Hawkgirl appeared only briefly. Even so, this was an excellent issue and presents events that will soon affect the life of our favorite Earth 2 speedster, so let’s move forward with the review.
SOME SPOILERS AHEAD! Read the rest of this entry »
May 24, 2013
After last issue’s events, New York’s Times Square is in shambles. Two dozen people trying to secure the area after the battle died with just a simple thought (“drop dead”) from Psimon. What more can go wrong? And, will Raven choose to fight alongside the Teen Titans or side with her father Trigon? That’s the starting point for issue #20 of Teen Titans, which does a good job of pushing forward the New 52 version of the battle between the Titans and perhaps their most infamous opponent.
SOME SPOILERS AHEAD – PLEASE READ THE ISSUE BEFORE MOVING FURTHER! Read the rest of this entry »
May 23, 2013
In the last issue of Justice League Dark, the House of Mystery had been hijacked and Swamp Thing had been captured, allowing Doctor Destiny to send nightmare visions into the world. The Flash had been brought into this battle, as there is something about his powers that makes him uniquely qualified to help. Now, the battle heats up in Justice League Dark #20, the second of a three issue arc guest starring The Fastest Man Alive!
SOME MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD! Don’t go further until you’ve read the issue! Read the rest of this entry »
May 22, 2013
In The Flash #20, the all-new Reverse Flash stars in what promises to be a fantastic story arc, pitting his very different power set against The Fastest Man Alive! Barry has his job back…in a way, and starts a new page in his personal life just in time to see the biggest danger he has yet to face in the New 52. If you have been missing out on The Flash, this is a great time to jump back on and take a look at this excellent series.
SOME SPOILERS AHEAD – READ THE ISSUE BEFORE CONTINUING! Read the rest of this entry »
May 1, 2013
In Earth 2 #12, Doctor Fate is learning how to control the amazing powers granted to him by the Helm of Nabu, while Jay Garrick and Alan Scott provide cover as the battle with Wotan takes to the streets of Boston! This is a much more powerful Wotan than Nabu himself faced so many years ago, so the outcome is certainly in doubt as we rejoin the battle as this issue begins, continuing one of the best series that DC publishes today!
SOME SPOILERS AHEAD! PLEASE READ THE ISSUE BEFORE MOVING FORWARD! Read the rest of this entry »
April 26, 2013
The storyline is heating up quickly in Teen Titans #19, as Trigon is here – and is devastating New York City! Kid Flash is beginning to show signs of leadership within the team as the Titans face their biggest danger yet in the New52. This issue is action packed, and truly one of the best issues of this title I’ve read in quite some time!
MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD! Please read the issue before continuing here!
This issue picks up with some significant dissension in the ranks of the Titans in the aftermath of last issue’s battle with the Suicide Squad. Cassie expresses her displeasure rather, uh, forcefully…with a hand around Tim Drake’s throat! The rest of the team tries to talk her down, but it is Bart Allen who plays peacemaker here. It is good to see Bart stepping up, and I look forward to more from Kid Flash in this title. And, it is important that he is stepping up a bit, as Tim Drake still seems caught in his jerk-of-the-month mode. We don’t linger here much longer, though, because…Trigon appears in Times Square with devastating results! The Titans go into battle, to find that Trigon has more than just a few physical tricks up his sleeve. This is a most impressive battle, but one that doesn’t go well at all for the Titans. Raven appears to be ready to help to an extent…but is she really ready to directly defy Trigon? We’ll have to wait for that answer…
Kid Flash does feature more prominently here than in some recent issues, and there is foreshadowing of future storylines that may finally explain Bart’s future/history in the New52. Scott Lobdell’s script (with dialog by Lobdell and Tony Bedard) was very well done and action packed throughout. It is easily the best issue of Teen Titans I’ve read in some time. Eddy Barrows does a great job on pencils, with inks by Eber Ferreira and colors by Alex Sinclair. This is an excellent issue – and I can’t wait for TT #20!
April 25, 2013
This issue of Justice League Dark begins a three-issue arc that will include The Flash as they fight a power that has taken over the House of Mystery! Flash fans may be a bit disappointed in this first issue of the arc, as there isn’t much of an appearance from the Scarlet Speedster…but hopefully this is just the start of a much greater role for The Flash in this story arc. Barry isn’t the only guest star present, though…and that’s where the fun begins!
SOME SPOILERS AHEAD – PLEASE READ THE ISSUE BEFORE MOVING FORWARD!
This story begins with Constantine at the race track, actually attempting to lose without much success (and yes, I know that sounds odd). But, it is the prelude to an attack, one that severs his connection to the House of Mystery just long enough for it to be taken over! Constantine gathers the JL Dark (although at least Deadman hates that name for the group) and calls in help from Swamp Thing to locate the missing House. Swamp Thing does help them find the House of Mystery…but that triggers nightmare visions sent by the House for each member of the league! Madame Xanadu does manage to get a cryptic message out to Frankenstein before they are separated, saying “when the lightning comes, make it your friend.”
That lightning does come…in the form of The Flash! His brief appearance is a lead in to the next issue of Justice League Dark, as they fight the villain who is revealed in the final panel of the story. If you want to know just who they are up against, you’ll need to buy the issue.
Jeff Lemire and Ray Fawkes scripted this issue, with Mikel Janin and Vicente Cifuentes on art with colors by Jeromy Cox. Their work on the JL Dark characters is amazing and their Flash is credible, though we will have to wait for next issue to see just what they do with Barry in a longer appearance. If you are a JL Dark fan this should be a good issue for you. Flash fans may be a little disappointed as the cover gives the indication of a longer appearance than what actually happens in this issue. However, we may see a lot more Flash-oriented action as this arc progresses, and it will be interesting to see what happens to the House of Mystery before this arc is through.
April 24, 2013
This issue of The Flash picks up on a powerless Barry Allen (as noted in last issue and in the most recent Dial H) attempting to stop a radical group from breaking the Trickster out of prison. What can Barry do without his connection to the Speed Force? Turns out, quite a lot!
SOME SPOILERS AHEAD! PLEASE READ THE ISSUE BEFORE MOVING FORWARD!
Read the rest of this entry »
As part of our SpeedForce.org celebration, we’re taking a look back to the issue of The Flash that came out the same month that this site started. Back in 2008, we were right in the middle of the “Fast Money” story arc. Wally West has seen the people of Keystone City turn against him, pushed by the villain Spin, who has brought Grodd in to help him in the battle. As for the kids…Iris and Jai have been taken captive by people working for “Boss Dark Side”. That brings us to issue #241 of The Flash, with an August cover date but released June 18th, 2008. (NOTE: Thanks to John at Capitol Comics in Raleigh NC for helping me find a spare copy of this issue for the review when I could not find my own copy in my back issues). 
