Tag Archives: Nostalgia

My favourite Flash memory

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As odd as it may sound, I think my favourite Flash memory might be related to the Justice League Unlimited episode “Flash And Substance”. I got into comics through Marvel, and for years had no interest in the DC universe. But eventually I slowly dipped my toe into the DC pool, for a variety of reasons that could really be detailed in its own post.

I didn’t watch every episode of JLU (and still haven’t seen them all — that should really be rectified someday), but was rather excited to hear there would be a Flash Rogues episode. I was fairly new to the Rogues at the time, but definitely made certain to watch when it aired. I enjoyed the episode, which was a lot of fun and probably made me like the Rogues (and Flash!) even more.

Time passed, and I learned more about the Rogues and Flashverse. At some point I watched the episode again, and was delighted by how many more easter eggs I recognized that I’d not understood before (the scene in the Flash Museum is particularly great for all the visual references crammed in there). I was tickled by all the character cameos I now recognized.

Yet more time passed, and I continued to learn more about the Flashverse. When I watched the episode for the third time, there were even more references I understood. That’s the sign of a great episode: I was never left confused by the stuff I didn’t understand, it merely went over my head. But there’s a wealth of riches to be found in it if you know what to look for, and it’s great fun for Flash fans.

So in addition to being my favourite episode of the series, I have fond memories of watching it repeatedly and realizing that I was understanding more about the Rogues and Flashverse. It actually became better and more enjoyable with each viewing. I’ve long since reached the point where I think I get all the references, and in a way that’s kind of sad because there won’t be any new easter eggs to discover, but it’s also a triumph too. And I still love re-watching it.

I tip my hat to the creative team of the show — not only did they produce a quality episode, but I have happy memories associated with watching it, and for that they deserve thanks.

Return of the 1990s: The 20-Year Nostalgia Cycle is About to Turn Over

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There’s no question that the 1990s are back in comics. Many of DC’s New 52 redesigns have been likened to the early 90s Image Comics look, and creators like Scott Lobdell and Rob Liefeld, virtually absent from DC for years, are now on multiple books. The Extreme-verse is back. Valiant is relaunching.

And you know what?

There’s going to be more.

Remember When…?

Pop culture nostalgia runs in a 20-year cycle. The 1970s had Happy Days and Grease. When I was growing up in the 1980s, it seemed like everything was about how great the 1960s were. (Oh, the hoopla over the 20th anniversary of Woodstock…) By the 1990s, we had Dazed and Confused and That 70s Show, and of course the first wave of big-screen TV remakes of shows like The Brady Bunch. Over the past decade or so we’ve seen Transformers and GI Joe made into mega-blockbuster movies.

People in the prime of their careers can create new pop culture inspired by their childhood or teenage years and get it produced and distributed. People who want to revisit those years can finally afford to buy the new version of that Millennium Falcon playset they wanted when they were 9, or see that band in concert that they wanted to see when they were 15. People who have children want to share those things they remember fondly from their own childhood.

What we’re seeing in comics is merely the leading edge of the wave of 1990s nostalgia.

Now, I’ll bet a lot of you are dreading this. “But the 80s were good!” you’ll say. “The 90s sucked!” Continue reading →

A “Retro-Active” Flash-Back

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At the WonderCon DC Nation panel, DC announced a series of one-shots coming this summer called “Retro-Active.” Each set features three one-shots set in 1970s, 1980s and 1990s continuity re-uniting the characters with the creators most associated with of classic runs from that era.

The Flash issues will be written by:

  • Cary Bates for the 1970s
  • William Messner-Loebs for the 1980s
  • Brian Augustyn for the 1990s.

Each issue will feature 26 pages of new story and 20 pages of reprinted material and will run $4.99. No word yet on artists or release dates. Other characters announced include Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and the Justice League of America.

It’s odd that they’ve broken up the Waid/Augustyn team. Given that Waid has expressed willingness to work for DC again, I figure this means one of two things:

  • DC doesn’t want to hire Mark Waid for now.
  • Mark Waid doesn’t want to return to The Flash after the disaster of “The Wild Wests.”

Source: CBR coverage and Newsarama coverage.

Update (Monday): DC has released the logos and writers for the event.

Speed Reading: Justice League Re-Covered, Flash Humor, Blackest Night and More

Some Friday morning linkblogging…

Once Upon a Geek presents the Justice League #1 cover redone with action figures

Newsarama writes about the Secret Origins of Geoff Johns and Kevin Feige in the office of Richard Donner.

Commentary

Abbracadabbling looks at the long road to a Flash movie.

Comics Should Be Good contends that Kurt Buseik unwittingly ruined DC/Marvel super-hero comics.

Living Between Wednesdays is annoyed by a revelation in Green Lantern #52 that doesn’t line up with current scientific cosmology…or even the rest of DC’s space mythology.

Top Cow’s Filip Sablik talks about Information Overload at Newsarama — a topic which Geoff Johns has brought up on several occasions when talking about his new approach to the Flash.

Humor

This noscans_daily Macro Monday thread includes some funny Flash Rogues captions. (For those who aren’t on LiveJournal, the “Adult Content Warning” is a blanket one for the group. Last I looked, this thread was still work-safe.)

Despair, Inc. has a new Flash shirt (link via @SpeedsterSite) that reminds me of a certain Fred Hembeck comic strip from a while back.

And on a similar, but more canon note, What Were They Thinking?! presents the Flash vs. Captain Pantsless.

Update: An April Fool’s joke from Screen Rant: Michael Cera cast as the Flash.