Monthly Archives: November 2013

DC Teases “Wally,” “Donna,” “Five Years Later” in All-Access

Don’t get your hopes (or dander) up just yet, but in DC Comics’ latest “All Access” video aimed at fans, they teased a few fan-favorite characters by leaving the names “Wally,” “Donna” and “Stephanie” on a whiteboard. They’re also planning a series called Five Years Later, rumored to be looking at the near future of the New 52.

Wally and Donna on a Whiteboard, screencap via Newsarama

Stephanie Brown has been confirmed returning as Spoiler in “Batman Eternal,” so anything’s possible at this point.

Wally West and Donna Troy could appear in the future series, but not the present of the New 52, or perhaps they might show up in Flash and Superman/Wonder Woman as suggested by the board. Either way, it’s worth remembering that many characters have changed significantly in the New 62, and an updated version of Wally or Donna could easily be missing the characteristics that appeal to their fan base.

It could just as easily be misdirection.

Even if it’s a real plan, plans change. The last seven years of The Flash are littered with abandoned plots (everything teased in Flash: Rebirth and Flash Secret Files 2010 that didn’t directly involve the Reverse Flash), dropped characters (never mind the speedsters, how much have we seen of Piper since his reintroduction?) and stories (the Gem Cities cold-case story that was going to focus on Barry Allen’s civilian side), abrupt changes in direction (do I really have to spell it out?), and even outright lies (remember the solicitations for Flash: The Fastest Man Alive #14 and 15?).

(Personally, I wouldn’t put an outright prank past the current regime at DC.)

So the names are out there. Make of it what you will, but it’s way too early to pull out your Jump To Conclusions mat.

This Week: Dark Flash Returns to Digital (Plus a Flash/Superman Race)

It looks like DC Comics’ digital Flash back-issues are back on track, with Flash #157 available on Wednesday. With Wally and Linda apparently gone, Abra Kadabra recruits Replicant and sends him after Walter West. The rest of the speedsters have a plan…but what does the Reverse Flash have to do with it all?

After this there are only two issues left of the Dark Flash saga (it wraps in #159), and then one more issue by Waid and Augustyn (#161, an epilogue in which disasters seem to follow everywhere Wally and Linda try to honeymoon). Two one-shots fill in the gap before Geoff Johns’ run begins with #163.

Update: As Wayne points out in the comments below, DC has also released Adventures of Superman #463, the first race between Wally West and Superman from way back in 1990. (Superman/Flash races are a looong tradition.)

Adventures of Superman #463

Interview with Christos Gage – NC Comicon

During NC Comicon, we had the honor of sitting down with Christos Gage, who is writing an upcoming issue of The Flash and regularly writes Danica Williams’ character as the newest Flash in Justice League Beyond.  This is a shared interview…I also write about Valiant and other comics for another site called TMStash, and the interviews are linked to each other.  The only place you’ll find the Flash-related questions is here, though…including a hint to future stories!  If you want info about Bloodshot and H.A.R.D. Corps (and excellent Valiant book), just follow this link.  There will be a few questions at the end that show on both sites. For now, let’s go the Q&A!

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Flash Comics for February 2014

DC Comics’ February 2014 solictations reveal what’s in store for the Scarlet Speedster and related characters.

Flash #28

THE FLASH #28
Written by BRIAN BUCCELLATO
Art by PATRICK ZIRCHER
Cover by PASQUAL FERRY
1:25 Steampunk variant cover by HOWARD CHAYKIN
On sale FEBRUARY 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

The Flash and Deadman team up to stop The Miner – by killing him?

This is part two of a three-part arc that Brian Buccellato is writing solo after the end of the Manapul/Buccellato run. He mentions the Miner, a new character, in an interview last week.

Also: Steampunk Flash variant? I’m intrigued. We’ve featured an awesome steampunk Flash cosplay from 2011, as well as a set of custom action figures and a steamunk JLA cosplay group. I guess it depends on whether Chaykin goes for a neo-Victorian aesthetic or just random brass accessories.

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DC Collectibles Reveals New 52 Kid Flash Action Figure

Hey Speed Readers,

Earlier this morning, DC Collectibles revealed what they had been teasing for the last week or so on their Facebook page; a trio of Teen Titans based on the New 52 designs. Superboy, Wonder Girl and Kid Flash along with many other heroes were reimagined for the New 52 2 years ago and we are just now getting figures of these designs courtesy of DC Collectibles who has seemingly kicked it into high gear when it comes to releases:

DCCNew52TTitans1 Continue reading

Media Blitz! Manapul and Buccellato Talk Barry & Iris, Gem Cities, Detective

As their three-year artistic, two years everything, Flash run comes to a close, Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato have begun the transition into their new Gotham digs over in Detective Comics.  Yesterday, as part of an interview with Newsarama and a post over at DC HQ, details continued to emerge on the team’s final act.

SF110913

First, here is a plot summary and preview page (above) from Flash #25 via DC Comics:

In THE FLASH #25, you’ll meet a young Barry Allen before he’s realized his full potential as the Scarlet Speedster. A recent graduate from the Police Academy, Barry finds himself partnered with Harvey Bullock in Gotham City when he volunteers to go help the city deal with the chaos brought on by the events of “Zero Year.” But Harvey is not thrilled with working with someone so young and inexperienced, leaving Barry to team up with Gotham Gazette intern Iris West to help solve the case of a mysterious drug appearing on the streets of the city that is causing people to spontaneously burst into flames. And it’s in this first meeting between Barry and Iris that the “will they or won’t they” tension is introduced to their relationship.
For more on Barry-in-Gotham, the Gem Cities and run reflections from the creative team, follow the jump!