Speed Force

DC has released a preview of this week’s issue, labeling it as the “Secret Origin of Hot Pursuit.” Although DC previously identified a piece by Yildiray Cinar as the variant cover for #10, the final version features a cover by Ed Benes which looks quite similar to the standard cover by Francis Manapul, minus the other Flashes.

DC has released Francis Portela’s variant cover for Flash #12, which they remind us is the final issue of the (current) series before it jumps into Flashpoint.

Flash #10 comes out tomorrow, with #11 scheduled for April 27 and #12 due May 11…the same day that Flashpoint launches.

Ivan Reis’ variant cover for Brightest Day #23 focuses on everyone’s* favorite resurrected boomerang-throwing Rogue. DC has a 4-page preview of the issue, which hits stores today.

One one issue left after this one. The end is near!

*Some might prefer other boomerang-throwing Rogues who have not been resurrected at this time.

DC has released seven covers over at The Source today, including this Scott Kolins piece for the upcoming Flash #11, due at the end of April.

On a related note, Flash #10 is scheduled for April 13, featuring the Francis Manapul cover originally set for #9 and a Yildiray Cinar variant.

On the eve of the Flash #9 release, DC has posted the art for four variant covers including this impressive piece for next month’s The Flash #10.

The post at The Source says it’s Scott Kolins, but it doesn’t look like his style, and that’s not his signature. Anyone know who it is?

Update: Thanks to Craig MacD for identifying the artist as Yildiray Cinar (Legion of Super-Heroes, Noble Causes, Teen Titans: Ravager). He’s posted the black-and-white version of the art as well.

DC has posted a preview of Flash #9 (out next week), along with the final covers.

FLASH issue nine, on sale next Wednesday, kicks off the much anticipated Prelude to FLASHPOINT storyline. Writer Geoff Johns and artist Francis Manapul are crafting a murder mystery with a heck of a twist. Who dies? We won’t say here (yet), but we’ll let this question linger: “You recognize the costume?”

Interestingly, it seems they’ve swapped the primary covers for Flash #9 and Flash #10 to keep the “character-focused” theme running through January’s books as close to January as possible. And while the book was originally solicited with a Scott Kolins variant cover, it’s being shipped with one by Tyler Kirkham.

They’ve also replaced the “Brightest Day” banner with “The Road to Flashpoint.”

Read the preview at The Source or at CBR.

Update: Francis Manapul has been posting scans of the uncolored interior artwork on his DeviantArt page: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 5, and Page 6.

DC’s blog, The Source, has revealed Darwyn Cooke’s variant cover for The Flash #7. It’s an homage to the classic first appearance of the Reverse-Flash in the 1963 Flash #139 (cover via GCD).

It’s a fantastic cover, both in its own right and as an homage…but I think it would be a better fit for the following issue, which actually focuses on Professor Zoom, rather than this one, which is a spotlight on Captain Boomerang.

(Thanks to Wayne Lippa for spotting this one!)

Update: Converted to RGB so those of you on Internet Explorer can actually see it, since it’s the only web browser in major use that can’t display CMYK-based JPEGs.

Artist Stanley “Artgerm” Lau has posted the art for his Flash #8 variant cover featuring the Flash vs. the Reverse Flash. The Flash #8 focuses on the scarlet speedster’s nemesis, and is scheduled to arrive in stores on December 8.

Oddly enough, I don’t think I’ve seen the Flash #7 variant anywhere. We’re missing one…

(Thanks to @SpeedsterSite for spotting this!)

Karl Kerschl (The Flash in Wednesday Comics) has posted the artwork from his upcoming Teen Titans #90 variant cover, focusing on a certain yellow-clad teen speedster. Click through to the artist’s blog for a larger view.

DC has posted four variant covers on The Source, including Ale Garza’s cover for The Flash #6. Edit: The solicitation credits Ale Garza and Sandra Hope. I can’t read the signatures, so I’m guessing she’s the inker.

The first four issues of the series featured alternate covers that had little to do with the story: the Flash running, or changing into his costume. The fifth (coming late September) will be part of the massive 12-part White Lantern image for Brightest Day. This is the first one to relate directly to the story, featuring the Flash vs. the Renegades.

The Flash #6 is currently scheduled for October 27.