It’s a big Flash week, with the third issue of the now-six-part Flash: Rebirth, a new trade paperback collecting the second half of the Grant Morrison/Mark Millar run from the late 1990s, the Final Crisis hardcover, and various team books.
The Flash: Rebirth #3
Written by Geoff Johns
Art and covers by Ethan Van Sciver
At last, the answer to the question that’s plagued DC fans for decades: Who’s faster, Superman or The Flash? Call your bookie and bet the farm, because you’ve never seen a run like this — and if speedsters keep dying at the pace they’re going, you might never see another one again!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Ethan Van Sciver), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Ethan Van Sciver). 5-page preview.
3 of 5 6 · 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Notes: I’ve mentioned before that the question of who’s faster has been answered many times over. It’s always close, and if there’s a winner, it’s always the Flash.
Flash: The Human Race TP
Written by Grant Morrison and Mark Millar
Art by Mike Parobeck, Paul Ryan, Pop Mhan, Steve Lightle and others
Cover by Steve Lightle
Grant Morrison and Mark Millar’s run with the Fastest Man Alive continues here! Collects The Flash #136-141 as well as a story from Secret Origins #50.
160 pg, FC, $14.99 US
Note: The story from Secret Origins #50 is almost certainly Grant Morrison’s retelling of “Flash of Two Worlds.” Pre-order from Amazon or read about it here.
Team books and more after the cut:
Titans #14
Written by Eric Wallace
Art by Mike Shoyket
Cover by Angel Unzueta(?)
Starting this issue, we begin one-shot “Day in the Life” stories. And this issue stars Cyborg! In the grueling aftermath of the “Deathtrap” arc, Vic Stone must face the very teammates he feels he let down big-time. How he deals with it will shock you!
32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Note: DC has a 4-page preview of this book.
JSA vs. Kobra: Engines of Faith #1
Written by Eric Trautmann
Art by Don Kramer & Michael Babinski
Cover by Gene Ha
The new lord of Kobra has shown his true face of evil, and now the JSA stands ready to face Kobra. But the old tactics may not work against this new terrorist network. Conspiracy mastermind Eric Trautmann (Checkmate, Final Crisis: Resist) and artist Don Kramer (Detective Comics, Nightwing) take you inside the mind of Jason Burr, the diabolically clever Kobra leader whose goal is nothing less than bringing the world into the age of Kali Yuga. Set throughout the major cities of the DC Universe and wrapped in the gorgeous covers of Gene Ha (Top 10), this 6-issue miniseries sets the stakes higher than ever before for the Justice Society!
1 of 6 · 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Final Crisis HC
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by J.G. Jones, Carlos Pacheco, Jesus Merino, Marco Rudy, Doug Mahnke and Christian Alamy
Cover by J.G. Jones
The year’s most mind-blowing event is collected in this spectacular new hardcover featuring Final Crisis #1-7! What happens when evil wins? That’s the devastating question Superman, Batman, the Justice League and every other super being in the DC Universe must face when Darkseid and his otherworldly legion of followers actually win the war between light and dark. Written by superstar creator Grant Morrison (JLA, Batman) with stellar art from J.G. Jones (52 covers), Carlos Pacheco (Superman) and Doug Mahnke (Black Adam), this event defined the DCU and the New Gods for the 21st century and beyond!
240 pg, FC, $24.99 US
Super Friends #16
Written by Sholly Fisch
Art by Dario Brizuela
Cover by J. Bone
School’s out! But unfortunately, an ice pack of villains has frozen the city and stolen the summer! Will the Super Friends be able to stop this avalanche of crime — or will they slip up due to cold feet?
32 pg, FC, $2.50 US
I am willing to bet that story from Secret Origins #50 is the Flash of Two Worlds re-telling/updating as well. I rather liked that story, especially the neat little hook at the end revealing who was “writing” it.
Yeah, it was a great way to take a story about crossing dimensions and make it work within a single-universe setting.
I just wish later stories had been more consistent about how long Keystone City was kept out of phase with the rest of the world (months? years? decades?), and what happened to the people while they were living there. Though I suppose it could be another way to keep Jay and Joan younger than they would normally be, if they were essentially in suspended animation for a decade or more.
Eh, I’m sure I’m just overthinking it as usual.