DC has posted a list of collections for Spring 2013, including this surprise:
Impulse Vol. 1: Runs in the Family TP
Writer: Mark Waid
Artists: Humberto Ramos, Wayne Faucher and Brad Vancata
Collects: IMPULSE #1-6, 8-9 and 12-13
$19.99 US, 240 pg
March 2013
It’s been 15 years since DC first tried collecting Impulse in Reckless Youth. That book collected Bart Allen’s three-part debut from Flash #92-94, plus the first six issues of his solo series. A few years back, during Flash: Rebirth, they capitalized on Ethan Van Sciver’s name by releasing the oddly titled The Flash (Featuring Impulse): Mercury Falling, which collected Impulse #62–67.
These issues feature the first appearance of White Lightning, guest appearances by XS of the DnA Legion of Super-Heroes, and several stories focusing on Bart’s circle of friends at school.
So, what’s missing?
- Impulse #7 is a fill-in by Martin Pasko, Nick Gnazzo and Mark Stegbauer in which Impulse battles a villain called Gridlock.
- Impulse #10-11 are part of the “Dead Heat” crossover with The Flash, and were previously collected (again, over a decade ago) in Flash: Dead Heat. Dead Heat is also out of print, but I’m encouraged by the fact that DC has been re-releasing the Wally West series digitally, and the fact that they’re actually reprinting something by Mark Waid here.
Update! (July): The book is now available for pre-order.
Also coming next year:
The Flash Chronicles Vol. 4 TP
Writers: John Broome
Artists: Carmine Infantino and Joe Giella
Collects: THE FLASH #119-124
$14.99 US, 160 pg
April 2013
This brings the Chronicles series of Silver Age reprints up to 1961, and the Flash Chronicles v.1-4 line up with Flash Archives v.1-3. This collection features the Mirror Master, the Trickster, the Top (with the now-infamous Atomic Grenade!) and Captain Boomerang (launching the Flash into space), as well as well-known stories “Land of the Golden Giants” and the classic “Flash of Two Worlds!”
It’s always pleasing when Impulse gets reprinted, especially the Waid/Ramos issues. And “volume 1” implies that this will be the first in a series if it sells well enough.
I’m a little surprised that it isn’t being collected under the Flash banner, seeing as Mercury Falling was.
What? I thought DC’s official policy was “Destroy all the Mark Waids!”
Very glad to see these trades coming up — and especially glad, if it signals a thawing in the relationship between DC and Waid, who continues to be one of my favorite writers.
Awww yeah, atomic grenade!
I should add that I bought the Flashpoint: Green Arrow Industries issue solely because it mentioned the atomic grenade and seemed to be as delighted by it as I am :>
I thought you’d appreciate that!
Well, they’re only about 15 years late.
Oh, who am I kidding. I’d buy this in a heartbeat, and I desperately hope they actually collect the entire series.
Have both Impulse trades but yeah, this is a must buy when it’s released. Hopefully, it is the first volume of many more to come.
Would you say…it’s an impulse buy?
…I should not be allowed to use the Internet.
Nice one, wish I’d thought of that!
Where’s my wallet?
I can see why the Dead Heat issues are excluded, but I found Martin Pasko’s issue an enjoyable little tale. It’s a shame it’s not seeing print again. Martin Pasko is so under-represented in trades.
Still, it’s great news that these books are appearing.
Nice, but I splurged on all the available Wally and Impulse trades not long ago. Would get if they were hardbound rather than soft. I’ve developed a preference for hard over soft despite DC’s deplorable choices in bindings: easier to read them while laying down without a lapdesk handy.
Didn’t know where else to post this and wasn’t sure if it had been mentioned before, but are there any Flash stories (storylines) folks would like to see reprinted/collected for the first time? I’d love to see The Trial of the Flash reprinted in color (not the crappy black and white newsprint used in the Showcase edition), along with Mike Baron’s run on Wally’s Flash series and some storylines from William Messner-Loebs era like Flash #36-46 (battles with Kilg%re, Dr. Alchemy, Gorilla Grodd, etc.) and #47-54 (Wally’s death and return during the 50th Anniversary of the Flash,plus follow up issues including “Nobody Dies”).
I wouldn’t mind seeing some type of Wally West PREQUEL book collecting a lot of his early appearance and origin stories and Teen Titans showcases
Love the blog. I too am a Flash fan. Actually more so of Wally West as the Flash than Barry Allen. I too am disappointed that they’re hasn’t been any TPBs of the early Flash (Wally West) incantations. I’ve am currently collecting the first 1-60 issues as they haven’t been released in TPB form. I currently have 1-25 and some scattered issues up to 60. If they WERE released in TPB form I’d buy it immediately. I signed up for Comixology on your suggestion. I like the remastered versions but nothing beats holding a TPB in your hands and flipping through the pages. I wish comic companies (back then) had the foresight to print on quality paper. But, as we all know, they were always out to save a buck and printed those early Flash (v2) issues on the cheapest quality paper ever. On all my issues from the era the paper is light yellow and the ink is bleeding. The colors are so dull it’s hard to even make out certain characters ink lines.