Monthly Archives: February 2014

Flash #28 Preview is Up!

The Flash #28 arrives in stores this Wednesday, and DC Comics has a preview of the issue up on their site.

The Flash and Deadman team up to stop the Keystone Killer! How far back do the killings go, and is his target the key? What or who are the “Fletchers”? Find out in THE FLASH #28, written by Brian Buccellato and illustrated by Patrick Zircher, available in stores this Wednesday.

I think it’s clear who the original Fletcher was, but the question seems to be who the killer thinks are Fletchers.

The Flash #28

Speed Reading – Link Round-Up

First: The Flashy Links

More comics-related links

  • “Johnny Come Lately” Has Another Name She Has No Head! explains why you shouldn’t look down on people who haven’t been into your chosen fandom as long as you and therefore don’t know as much: They’re NEW READERS.
  • Related: xkcd: Ten Thousand – If you belittle people for discovering something later than you, you miss out on the fun of helping them discover more.
  • Two sure-to-be-controversial pieces that I stumbled on the same day: Ch-Ch-Changes – Peter David writes (back in 2000) about the nature of change in comics, and fan reaction to it, particularly long-term fans (something that basically didn’t exist back in the Golden and Silver Age of comics). And then View from the Gutters writes I Think Every Superhero You Love Should Be Dead (or, On the Nature of Time) and reinventing new heroes for new generations of readers. They both make interesting points, but I think they veer into “you’re wrong for liking what you like” territory.
  • Jill Pantozzi (aka the Nerdy Bird) is doing the New Jersey Muscle Walk and needs help to raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association

Another Actor Added To The Flash Cast

Canadian actor Chad Rook has been added to the cast of The Flash TV pilot. IMDB lists him as playing “Clyde”. This is interesting, because that’s the name of Weather Wizard’s dead brother, the one who actually invented the weather wand. Even more interesting, Rook stated at his Twitter and Facebook accounts on February 15th that “a storm is brewing ;)”, which does seem to imply a connection with Weather Wizard.

However, as of yet we still don’t know if he will actually play Clyde Mardon, and what his role would be if he does. In the comics Clyde had a very small role because he was introduced as a dead man, but there’s no reason the television series has to do it that way — and in the Superman Animated Series, Clyde remained alive (albeit renamed as ‘Ben’). I do think it’s interesting that Clyde has apparently been cast before Mark Mardon, and am tempted to speculate that Clyde will either have a recurring role or that perhaps Weather Wizard might be renamed as Clyde. Chad Rook did say on his Facebook page on February 11th that he’d just gotten the biggest booking of his career, but it’s entirely possible he was referring to another project. If you look at his personal site and IMDB page, he has several projects on the go. So it’s difficult to say as of yet, and this is just speculation.

This is one of the first hints at a Rogue in the TV series. How do you want the show to handle the Rogues and their supporting cast?

Rogues in Catwoman #30-31: The Race of Outlaws

I missed these Rogues appearances in an upcoming Catwoman story, “The Race of Outlaws,” which features Glider and Mirror Master. Thanks to Lee Hiley & Mack Nathan for the reminder!

From DC’s April and May solicitations.

Catwoman #30

CATWOMAN #30
Written by ANN NOCENTI
Art by PATRICK OLLIFFE
Cover by TERRY DODSON and RACHEL DODSON
On sale APRIL 23 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
“The Race of Outlaws” begins! Despite her best efforts, Selina Kyle just can’t stop being Catwoman. What’s dragged her back into the catsuit? A globe-trotting contest that will have her competing to earn the prize for being the best thief in the world. But watch out, Catwoman – there’s no honor among thieves!

Catwoman #31

CATWOMAN #31
Written by ANN NOCENTI
Art by PATRICK OLLIFFE and TOM NGUYEN
Cover by TERRY DODSON and RACHEL DODSON
On sale MAY 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
The Race of Outlaws heats up as Catwoman takes on Central City – but the hometown advantage may favor the Rogues!

Flash #31 in May: The Future Invades the Present

DC Comics’ list of comics for May has been released, including…

THE FLASH #31
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI and VAN JENSEN
Art and cover by BRETT BOOTH and NORM RAPMUND
1:25 BATMAN ’66 variant cover by MICHAEL ALLRED
On sale MAY 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Continued from THE FLASH ANNUAL #3! Guest starring Future Flash, Future Mirror Master and…Wally West! The future is invading Central City and the fates of Wally West and his Aunt Iris hang in the balance!

Flash #31

Three items of note:

  1. They list the future Flash separately from Wally West (though it could as easily be future Wally and present Wally as it could be future Barry and present Barry), recalling Brett Booth’s cryptic remarks about the annual. (But honestly, who would expect a straight answer from DC after all this time?)
  2. They confirm that Wally is Iris’ nephew in this continuity.
  3. Future Mirror Master.

MPH: Millarworld launches a speedster comic in May

Image Comics’ May 2014 solicitations include a 5-issue miniseries about speedsters from Mark Millar and Duncan Fegredo: “MPH”

The all-new Millarworld Universe kicks into high gear with the launch of Millar and Fegredo’s fast and furious miniseries. When a group of hard-luck teens in Motor City stumble upon a street drug called MPH, they gain the power of super speed. Will they use it to save the world? Hell no! Not when there’s dolla, dolla bills to be had, y’all. A high-octane urban adventure, MPH brings you super speed like you’ve never seen before! This launch features a variant cover by Jock, a blank cover variant, and a special series of linked cover variants by Fegredo showcasing the book’s cast.

Millar, who co-wrote The Flash with Grant Morrison for a year back in 1998-1999, spoke to THR last fall (via CBR) about the book, which is the first piece of a 21st-century superhero universe he plans to build over the next few years.

The first issue arrives in stores May 21.

MPH #1