HOLY CRAP! That’s not how I usually start a review, but if you aren’t saying something similar after THIS episode of THE FLASH, I don’t know what show you are watching. This is the penultimate episode of Season 2, and I cannot think of a better way to absolutely guarantee you will be there for the finale than what happens this week. There are so many things to say…after the jump!
SPOILERS AHEAD…YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!
Also from DC’s August solicitations, the contents and cover for Flash by Mark Waid Book One and Flash by Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato Omnibus:
THE FLASH BY MARK WAID BOOK ONE TP
Written by MARK WAID
Art by GREG LAROCQUE, JOSE MARZAN, JR., MICHAEL COLLINS, TRAVIS CHAREST, MIKE PAROBECK and othersIn 1990, Mark Waid’s legendary writing career began when he scripted his first issue of THE FLASH. Waid would continue to work on Wally West for nearly a decade, building a world that would keep the character running for years. In this first volume of a new series, Young Wally West is quickly in danger—not only from The Flash’s enemies, but from powers that he doesn’t know how to control! Collects THE FLASH #62-68, THE FLASH ANNUAL #4-5 and THE FLASH SPECIAL #1.
On sale SEPTEMBER 7 • 368 pg, FC, $29.99 US
Now we know!
Flash Annual #4 is an alternate future in which Wally West is retired, in the witness protection program. He has to come out of hiding when his old enemies find him and kidnap his son.
Flash Annual #5 ties into Eclipso: The Darkness Within. Several of the Flash’s Rogues try to steal the Black Diamond from the same museum, and things go wrong for everyone.
Flash #62-65: “Born to Run” looks back at Wally West’s early days as Kid Flash.
Flash #66 guest-stars Aquaman.
Flash #67-68 bring a surprising new twist in Abra Kadabra’s future history.
THE FLASH BY FRANCIS MANAPUL AND BRIAN BUCCELLATO OMNIBUS HC
Written by FRANCIS MANAPUL and BRIAN BUCCELLATO
Art by FRANCIS MANAPUL, MARCUS TO, MARCIO TAKARA and others
Cover by FRANCIS MANAPULA mysterious and powerful Speed-Force killer has left a trail of bodies in his wake and only Barry Allen has the power to stop him in these stories from THE FLASH #0-25, plus issue #23.2 (starring Reverse-Flash)! But when the killer stays one step ahead of him, Barry finds himself face to face with the Teen Titans and Kid Flash for the first time. All this will lead to a confrontation with The Flash’s most deadly foe, the Reverse-Flash!
On sale NOVEMBER 16 • 704 pg, FC, $99.99 US
Wow…this really does cover the entire Manapul/Buccellato run! “Move Forward,” “Rogues Rebellion,” “Gorilla Warfare” and “Reverse!”
DC’s August solicitations are out!
THE FLASH #4
Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON • Art by NEIL GOOGE • Covers by Carmine Di Giandomenico • Variant covers by DAVE JOHNSON“Lightning Strikes Twice” part four! The leader of the science-terrorist group Black Hole has weaponized the Speed Force, leading to a final confrontation with The Flash and his new league of citizen speedsters.
On sale AUGUST 10 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED TTHE FLASH #5
Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON • Art by NEIL GOOGE • Covers by Carmine Di Giandomenico • Variant covers by DAVE JOHNSON“Lightning Strikes Twice” part five! With Central City now protected by dozens of freshly trained Flashes, Barry Allen takes time out to explore a new relationship. Meanwhile, a serial killer targets citizen speedsters as Wally West takes his first steps toward becoming the new Kid Flash…
On sale AUGUST 24 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Newsarama has an interview with incoming Flash writer Joshua Williamson, in which he talks a lot about what will happen with Wally West in DC: Rebirth, the new villain Godspeed, and more. The first Flash issue of the new relaunch will be Flash: Rebirth #1, which is due out on June 8th, while Flash #1 is scheduled for June 22nd.
Williamson: He [Wally] idolizes the Flash. He wants to be like the Flash. He really idolizes him. But as the story goes on, things…. you know that saying about “never meet your idol?” He’s going to kind of see that the Flash is not exactly what he thought. Because Barry is a flawed person. He wants to do everything he can and be a great hero, but sometimes Barry can’t see the forest for the trees, because he’s trying to be so much. He can’t always focus and see.
Whereas Wally, I think Wally’s perspective is a little more grounded than Barry’s. I think that he is able to take it all in in a different way than Barry can. He can see the Force, whereas I don’t think Barry can, right now at least. That’s part of the story, is showing that and then showing how we move forward from that.
Williamson acknowledges that it’s now widely known that Wally will become Kid Flash due to his appearances in Teen Titans promotional art, but says people will be surprised by how it happens. And he also notes that he’ll be keeping New 52 continuity intact where he can. Check out the interview and see what you think; there’s more preview art by Carmine DiGiandomenico at Newsarama as well. DiGiandomenico will be alternating with Neil Googe on the art duties because of the book shipping twice monthly.
Interested in what Williamson has to say about the future of the book? Sound off here!
A quick word…apologies for the late review. Now, let’s get to what you REALLY want to know…
The Riddler has played what we thought was his trump card…but is that he has up his sleeve? Things are looking bad for The Flash, as Riddler has gotten just enough trust from the gullible officials of Central City that he has been able to place the entire town in a chokehold. Now, with the help of the Rogues (well, mainly Trickster with some help from Riddler), Barry has been cornered. What happens next? Follow us after the jump for more!
SPOILERS AHEAD!
Here’s the extended teaser for next week’s episode of The Flash, titled “Invincible”. It’s the second-last episode of the season, so obviously Zoom and his plans are coming to a head. And there’ll be a special guest star from Earth-2, who can be seen in the trailer.
Looking forward to the episode and the season finale? What do you hope to see?