Whatever you may have been expecting from this match-up of Batman and the Flash…hold on to your cowls and lightning bolts friends, because the start of “The Button” will exceed any expectation! We may be finally ready to explore the mysteries that have been plaguing the DCU since FLASPOINT…and it all starts with a simple (or not so simple) button. Want to know more? Follow us after the jump!
SPOILERS AHEAD! DO NOT GO FURTHER UNTIL YOU READ BATMAN #21!
The Flash TV series returns from hiatus next week, and the CW has released some official stills from the the episode! It’s titled “The Once And Future Flash”, and one of the images can be seen above. The rest (including some behind-the-scenes photos of Tom Cavanagh directing the episode) are available at Superhero Hype.
“The Once and Future Flash”
TOM CAVANAGH DIRECTS; BARRY TRAVELS TO THE FUTURE TO SAVE IRIS – Barry (Grant Gustin) travels to the future to find out Savitar’s still unknown identity in the hopes of saving Iris (Candice Patton). Upon his arrival in 2024, Barry encounters future versions of his Team Flash friends, who, following the death of Iris, have become very different people, profoundly impacted by their showdown with Savitar. It will be up to Barry to infuse a sense of hope back into the team, as he proves to be hero his future friends have been waiting for. Meanwhile, back in 2017, the hunt for Killer Frost (Danielle Panabaker) continues.
Tom Cavanagh directed the episode written by Carina Adly MacKenzie (#319). Original airdate 4/25/2017.
DC has released the preview for Batman #21, which is the first part of the upcoming Flash–Batman crossover, and you can see it at Comic Vine. The issue is out this Wednesday, and is part of a four-issue story titled “The Button”. And as you can see, it features the return of a long-missed villain.
Planning to pick this up? What do you hope to see in the story? Share your thoughts!
DC has released the full list of solicitations for July, and here are the ones which relate to the Flash. You can see them in their entirety at Newsarama.
THE FLASH #26
Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
Art by HOWARD PORTER
Cover by CARMINE DI GIANDOMENICO
Variant cover by HOWARD PORTER
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details. “RUNNING SCARED” part two! Barry Allen and Iris West witness a chilling vision of the future courtesy of the Reverse-Flash, who reveals the couple’s legendary romance will yield only darkness for the world of tomorrow. Now, Thawne forces The Flash to make a choice: spend forever alone or doom the future?
On sale JULY 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
THE FLASH #27
Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
Art by HOWARD PORTER
Cover by CARMINE DI GIANDOMENICO
Variant cover by HOWARD PORTER
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.
“RUNNING SCARED” finale! Barry Allen and Eobard Thawne. Legendary enemies separated by centuries pulled through time itself to battle again and again. Until now. For one year The Flash has been building to this single epic moment: the ultimate showdown between The Flash and Reverse-Flash!
On sale JULY 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
TITANS #13
Written by DAN ABNETT
Art by V KEN MARION and NORM RAPMUND
Cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT
Variant cover by DAN MORA
*Includes a code for a free digital download of this issue.
“JUDAS AMONG US”! As Omen begins her investigation into the identity of the team’s traitor, the Titans launch a full assault on H.I.V.E., who they believe hold the key to restoring Bumblebee’s broken mind. Meanwhile, tensions rise when Roy discovers Wally and Donna’s blossoming romance—which threatens to tear the Titans apart!
On sale JULY 12 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
DEATHSTROKE #21
Written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST
Art by DIOGENES NEVES
Cover by RYAN SOOK
Variant cover by SHANE DAVIS
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details. Includes a code for a free digital download of this issue.
“DEFIANCE” part one! A new day has dawned for Deathstroke. Having emerged from the Speed Force a changed man, Slade Wilson takes aim at living a better life—a life in service of justice. But when the world refuses to accept the new Deathstroke, Slade recruits a group of young heroes to join him including including former Teen Titans, Kid Flash and Power Girl, his children, Rose and Jericho, and the bombastic Terra! But has Slade truly shed his villainous past? And what other shadowy forces are working against him? Find out as Deathstroke’s bold new direction begins here!
On sale JULY 5 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T+
GREEN ARROW #26
Written by BENJAMIN PERCY
Art and cover by OTTO SCHMIDT
Variant cover by MIKE GRELL
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.
“HARD TRAVELING HERO” part one! Unwilling to let another city suffer the same fate as Seattle, Green Arrow kicks off a new quest to hunt down the Ninth Circle across America! To stop disaster before it can happen, the (in)famously hot-headed Oliver Queen must mend fences with those he’s alienated in the past, starting with THE FLASH! The second epic year of GREEN ARROW REBIRTH begins here!
On sale JULY 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
SUPER SONS #6
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art and cover by JORGE JIMENEZ
Variant cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN
*Includes a code for a free digital download of this issue.
“TEEN TITANS TANGO” part one! Robin has a new member in mind for the Teen Titans, and—spoiler alert—it’s Superboy! But something sinister is at work, and Damian’s real motives for introducing Jon to the team are revealed to devastating consequences!
On sale JULY 19 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
TRINITY #11
Written by FRANCIS MANAPUL
Art and cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL
Variant cover by BILL SIENKIEWICZ
*Includes a code for a free digital download of this issue.
“DEAD SPACE” part three! Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman are in for the fight of their lives against the combined might of the Justice League and the mysterious alien force inhabiting their bodies and controlling the Watchtower! The trinity may have found a way to save their friends—but the cost is high, and time is running out!
On sale JULY 19 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
NEW SUPER-MAN #13
Written by GENE LUEN YANG
Art by BILLY TAN
Cover by PHILIP TAN
Variant cover by BERNARD CHANG
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details. Includes a code for a free digital download of this issue.
“THE ZERO ULTIMATUM” part three! Shanghai falls—and Emperor Super-Man rules the ashes! With an army of super-villains on the streets, the Justice League of China leads the movement to take the city back. New Super-Man’s head isn’t in the game upon discovering the shocking secret of his mother’s true identity, and Wonder-Woman has been transformed and Bat-Man is overwhelmed! It’s up to I-Ching and the New Flash of China to snap Kenan out of it and save Shanghai!
On sale JULY 12 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
ABSOLUTE JUSTICE LEAGUE: ORIGIN HC
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art by JIM LEE, SCOTT WILLIAMS, GENE HA, CARLOS D’ANDA, IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
Cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS
For the first time, Geoff Johns and Jim Lee’s stellar run on JUSTICE LEAGUE from the dawn of DC: THE NEW 52 is collected in DC’s Absolute Edition format! First, Batman discovers an evil that requires him to unite Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Aquaman, The Flash and Cyborg for the first time as the Justice League! Then, find out who has joined the team after its origin! And why does Green Arrow want to join their ranks so badly? Plus, someone is out to get the Justice League, and he is determined to show the world how mortal these godlike beings really are!
On sale SEPTEMBER 27 • 360 pg, FC, 8.25″ x 12.5″, $99.99 US
JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE DARKSEID WAR SAGA OMNIBUS HC
Written by GEOFF JOHNS, PETER J. TOMASI, FRANCIS MANAPUL and others
Art by JASON FABOK, JIM LEE, FRANCIS MANAPUL, PHIL JIMENEZ, FERNANDO PASARIN, SCOTT KOLINS and others
Cover by JASON FABOK
The Justice League originally united to stop the forces of Darkseid from destroying Earth! Now the ruler of Apokolips is back, but this time he’s set his sights on the world-shattering Anti-Monitor. Will the combined might of the Justice League be enough to protect Earth from becoming collateral damage as gods fight?
This new title collects JUSTICE LEAGUE #40-50, a story from DC COMICS DIVERGENCE #1 and the DARKSEID WAR specials starring Batman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Superman, Lex Luthor and Shazam!
On sale OCTOBER 11 • 512 pg, FC, $75.00 US
JUSTICE LEAGUE: AN ADULT COLORING BOOK TP
Art by JIM LEE, JASON FABOK, BRYAN HITCH, GEORGE PEREZ, NEAL ADAMS, MIKE SEKOWSKY and others
Cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS
The World’s Greatest Heroes unite in black and white in this new adult coloring book! Featuring the art of top talents including Jim Lee, Jason Fabok, Bryan Hitch, George Pérez, Neal Adams, original Justice League of America artist Mike Sekowsky and many others!
On sale OCTOBER 11 • 96 pg, B&W, $15.99 US
DCTV: THE FLASH — KID FLASH ACTION FIGURE
From the hit CW series, it’s Wally West, a.k.a. Kid Flash! This young hero comes with extra hands and an extra head without his familiar mask.
KID FLASH—6.69”
$28.00 US • On Sale NOVEMBER 2017
Allocations May Occur
The CW has released the official synopsis for the May 2nd episode of The Flash, titled “I Know Who You Are”. Sounds like Team Flash may be getting closer to the mystery of Savitar’s identity.
The Flash 3×20 “I Know Who You Are”
VIBE FACES OFF AGAINST KILLER FROST – Barry (Grant Gustin) and the team meet Tracy Brand (guest star Anne Dudek), a scientist, who may be the key to stopping Savitar. Unfortunately, Killer Frost (Danielle Panabaker) is also after Tracy so Team Flash must battle their old friend, which proves to be particularly difficult for Cisco (Carlos Valdes). Joe (Jesse L. Martin) and Cecile’s (guest star Danielle Nicolet) relationship takes a big turn. Hanelle Culpepper directed the episode written by Bronwen Clark & Joshua V. Gilbert (#320). Original airdate 5/2/2017.
As an aside, you might want to be wary of the television-related spoilers flying around right now. The show just filmed part of its season finale, and people who watched it on set have been posting videos and photos from a few key scenes.
The upcoming Flash–Batman crossover “The Button” will begin next week, and DC’s released another telling cover from it. This one’s a variant from Batman #22, and features disturbing allusions to guest-stars Professor Zoom and Flashpoint’s Thomas Wayne (you can see the main cover for this issue here).
We saw at the end of Flash #19 that Professor Zoom’s alive and remembers the events of Flashpoint, including his death at the hands of Thomas Wayne. It’ll be interesting to see if he meets with Flashpoint Batman during the crossover, as he’s already expressed the intention of attacking his son. Plus, of course, there’s the mystery of the Comedian’s button which Barry Allen and Batman will be tackling.
The crossover begins on April 19th with Batman #21, and continues the following week in Flash #21. It will then continue in issues #22 of the Batman and Flash series.