October 30, 2012
Ghost stories seem a natural fit with some superheroes. Not so with the Flash. An origin based in science, scientifically trained alter-egos, villains who use technology. Even the “magician” villain, Abra Kadabra, is more of a techno-mage, using highly advanced future technology to carry out transformations that seem like magic to our experience. The closest the Flash mythos gets to the supernatural is the metaphysical nature of the speed force, and even that is described in terms of energy and the nature of space-time.
So it makes sense that for 1998′s “Ghosts” annuals, the Flash story would feature not a traditional ghost, but one tied to the speed force: Johnny Quick, who had vanished into the speed force two years earlier during Dead Heat.
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October 3, 2012
This week’s digital back issues at ComiXology include Flash #60-61 and Impulse #21-22. This means we’ve reached a milestone: for the first time in nearly two decades, the entire William Messner-Loebs/Greg LaRocque run on the Wally West series (Flash #15-61) is available to read without digging through the back-issue bins. Mark Waid gets a lot of credit for Wally West’s character arc, but all the groundwork is laid here, as Messner-Loebs shows Wally growing from the selfish jerk he is in the early issues to a someone more mature (if not entirely grown up).
Flash #60 follows up on the Icicle storyline as the Flash and his allies go up against a mercenary known as the Last Resort…who just happens to be Wally’s roommate Mason Trollbridge’s estranged son. Flash #61, Messner-Loebs’ farewell issue, features a surprise wedding as Wally West’s mother gets remarried. Naturally, her late husband shows up, with a date. And the minister gets delayed by a supervillain. You know, the usual.
In Impulse #21, the time-lost Legion of Super-Heroes visits the time-displaced Bart Allen, hoping he and the cosmic treadmill can send them home. In Impulse #22, Bart talks Jesse Quick into helping him find a missing Max Mercury.
» Flash v.2 on ComiXology
» Impulse on ComiXology
In related news, ComiXology has upgraded the digital versions of Flashpoint and all its tie-in issues to CMX-HD, enabling sharper images on the new iPad and other high-definition devices.
September 14, 2012
The Irredeemable Shag of Firestorm Fan took zillions of photos at Dragon*Con this year (as usual!) Here are a few cosplay pics with people dressed up as Flash characters.
Box Heroes Flash
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August 9, 2012
Speedster Jesse Quick is back – not in the New 52, but in the digital-first series Ame-Comi as that universe’s Flash.
If you’re not familiar with the title, it started out as a statue line in which DC’s major female characters were re-imagined as anime characters*. They next moved on to adapting female characters who were similar to more well-known male characters: Jesse Quick as the Flash, Duela Dent as the Joker, etc.**
Earlier this summer, DC launched a weekly comic book online featuring these versions of their characters. Wonder Woman has the first spotlight miniseries, then Batgirl, Duela Dent and currently Power Girl. @TheFlashReborn points out that Jesse Quick makes an appearance as the Flash in Ame-Comi: Duela Dent #2.
There’s one more “solo” miniseries starring Supergirl, and then it rolls over into an ongoing Ame-Comi series. Here’s hoping the Flash will get some time in the spotlight soon.
New chapters of Ame-Comi go up online every Monday on ComiXology, and will appear in print starting in October.
*As I understand it, “ame-comi” is a Japanese term for American comics, so the terminology is sort of backwards – it’s an American interpretation of how the Japanese might adapt an American comic book character.
**Eventually they moved into stranger territory, like repainting Jesse Quick as the Black Flash.
October 19, 2011
Jesse Quick at NYCC. Photo by Anna Fischer (used per Creative Commons). I think this may be the first time I’ve seen someone in a Jesse Quick costume. Lots of female Flashes [edit] and the occasional Liberty Belle, but no actual Jesse Quicks until now.
June 13, 2011
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 »
February 25, 2011
The DC Universe Classic Fan Bracket from Action Figure Insider continues with the Fourth Round of voting. The bracket has been ongoing since last year and this round is full of tough choices.
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August 22, 2010
Some weekend linkblogging…
Art
I finally placed what that Funko Flash plush toy reminds me of: paintings by Degrazia.
Michael Cho is bringing some great paintings of the Flash and Mister Miracle to Fan Expo. (via @FrancisManapul)
In Brightest Day, In Blackest…Coffee? The Nerdy Bird has found an awesome T-shirt on Etsy.
Giant Size Geek (formerly Photon Torpedoes) found a “trippy” Martin Ansin painting of the Flash. Actually, there’s another Giant Size Geek find that’s going to get its own post…
Commentary and News
Quick Time is a new blog focusing on Jesse Quick and Hourman. Recent posts include costumes, low points (Jesse in Titans, anyone?), and thoughts on the Justice Society roster.
That F’ing Monkey looks at Flash postage stamps in the Fastest Mail Alive.
The Source has a new video ad for DC Universe Online, “I am the Next Legend.”
The Flash makes IGN’s top DC series list at #8.
CSBG has completed their series on the Top 75 Most Memorable Moments in DC Comics History.
July 26, 2010
One of the downsides to attending a convention is that you miss all the announcements at panels you didn’t attend — like an Astro City movie deal! *ahem* Anyway, on to speedster news.
At DC Universe Event Horizon, James Robinson stated that the Justice League would be battling the Crime Syndicate at some point, with Jesse Quick battling Johnny Quick , Batman vs. Owlman, Supergirl vs. Ultraman etc.
At DC Focus: Teams, incoming Teen Titans writer J.T. Krul said that Bart Allen “is past the Impulse stage but he still has that innocent, light-heartedness about him.” (Quote from Newsarama, may be paraphrasing him.)
At the Superman panel they announced that Superboy #3 will feature the first-ever Superboy/Kid Flash race.
» Full index of Comic-Con coverage
July 23, 2010
