FLASH WAR is turning out to have a massive scope – the entire Justice League is out to stop Barry and Wally as they race around the world. Zoom has sent Wally on a mission to break the Speed Force itself, thinking that this was the only way to save his family. Will it work? Can Barry stop him? Can anyone stop Wally? Want to know more? Follow us after the jump!
SPOILERS AHEAD!
DC has posted the five-page preview for next week’s issue of The Flash, and you can see it at ComicBook.com. Unfortunately it’s difficult to read the pages at the site; you may have to save them to see them properly. They feature a race between the Flashes with complications Wally and Barry may not have anticipated.
The issue is out on June 27th.
THE FLASH #49
Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON • Art and cover by HOWARD PORTER • Variant cover by FRANCESCO MATTINA
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.
“FLASH WAR” part three! There’s only one thing that can put Wally West’s life back together. As he races back to the present, he has one goal: break the Speed Force! Can The Flash stop his former sidekick before it’s too late?
On sale JUNE 27 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
DC has posted the full complement of solicitations for September 2018, and here are all the ones relating to the Flash. You can see the solicits in their entirety at CBR (there is a second page for TPBs and statues).
There’s an interesting reference to “forces” in both Flash solicits this month, and this appears to be the first mention of them. We’ll have to wait and see what it means.
THE FLASH #54
written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
art by CHRISTIAN DUCE
cover by DAN MORA
variant cover by HOWARD PORTER
The Flash is now the strongest man alive thanks to a jolt from one of the new forces! Turning his jacked-up sights to Trickster, the two duke it out inside Iron Heights for utter supremacy. Will anyone stop these two behemoths from beating the hell out of each other…or is this just what Warden Wolfe wants?
ON SALE 09.12.18
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T
This issue will ship with two covers.
Please see the order form for details.
THE FLASH #55
written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
art by SCOTT KOLINS
cover by DAN MORA
variant cover by HOWARD PORTER
Barry Allen’s CSI team gets called to the scene of an arson at Iron Heights, and the victim happens to be a well-known Flash Rogue. Barry’s new partner thinks it’s an inside job, the warden sending a message to the inmates about who’s in charge. But the real culprit turns out to be the latest “Force” threat. Can the Flash and Commander Cold snuff this flaming mystery before it becomes an inferno?
ON SALE 09.26.18
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T
This issue will ship with two covers.
Please see the order form for details.
TEEN TITANS #22
written by ADAM GLASS
art by BERNARD CHANG
cover by NICK DERINGTON
variant cover by ALEX GARNER
The team’s dealing with an unexpected loss, but there’s little time to grieve. They must travel to Keystone City, where Golden Glider and Swerve plan to pull a heist at a children’s hospital. (That’s a new low, even for some Rogues!) There’s also plenty of drama to go around, as Kid Flash mulls quitting after his clash with Red Arrow, and Damian’s harboring a new, secret mentor, all while his secret prison’s about to blow up in his face.
ON SALE 09.19.18
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T
This issue will ship with two covers.
Please see the order form for details.
JUSTICE LEAGUE #7
written by SCOTT SNYDER
art and cover by JIM CHEUNG and MARK MORALES
variant cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS
1:100 pencils only variant cover by JIM LEE
It’s wall-to-Source-Wall Justice League action as artist Jim Cheung rejoins writer Scott Snyder! Hawkgirl takes wing against Legion of Doom leader Lex Luthor; John Stewart faces off with old foe Sinestro; the Flash must run down the Still Force-empowered Gorilla Grodd; and Wonder Woman tackles the tag team of Black Manta and Cheetah—underwater, no less!
ON SALE 09.05.18
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T+
This issue will ship with two covers.
Please see the order form for details.
JUSTICE LEAGUE #8
written by JAMES TYNION IV
art and cover by MIKEL JANIN
variant cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS
1:100 pencils only variant cover by JIM LEE
Part two of the “Legion of Doom” storyline focuses on Lex Luthor’s recruiting efforts—and this time around, he’s targeting both Cheetah and Black Manta for membership! Lex knows just what buttons to push to acquire his super-powered muscle, and this issue it’s all about getting revenge on Wonder Woman and Aquaman, respectively. We bet they sign right up as soon as they find out Lex has METAL’s Batman Who Laughs locked up in Doom HQ!
ON SALE 09.19.18
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T+
This issue will ship with two covers.
Please see the order form for details.
HEROES IN CRISIS #1
written by TOM KING
art and cover by CLAY MANN
1:50 variant cover by J.G. JONES
1:100 variant cover by MARK BROOKS
1:200 variant cover by FRANCESCO MATTINA
blank variant cover available
There’s a new kind of crisis threatening the heroes of the DC Universe, ripped from real-world headlines by C.I.A.-operative-turned-comics-writer Tom King: How does a superhero handle PTSD? Welcome to Sanctuary, an ultra-secret hospital for superheroes who’ve been traumatized by crime-fighting and cosmic combat. But something goes inexplicably wrong when many patients wind up dead, with two well-known operators as the prime suspects: Harley Quinn and Booster Gold! It’s up to the DC Trinity of Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman to investigate—but can they get the job done in the face of overwhelming opposition?
ON SALE 09.26.18
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | 1 of 7 | RATED T+
This issue will ship with five covers.
Please see the order form for details.
Includes a code for a free digital download of this issue.
THE FLASH BY MARK WAID BOOK FIVE TP
written by MARK WAID
art by OSCAR JIMENEZ, ANTHONY CASTRILLO, JIM CHEUNG, HUMBERTO RAMOS, SERGIO CARIELLO and others
cover by STEVE LIGHTLE
Wally West is pushed to his limit when Savitar attempts to take control of the Speed Force, an indefinable energy field that is the source of all speedsters’ powers. A trip to the 64th century also proves eye-opening for Wally, as he is shocked to find out that in the future he is worshipped as a god! Collects THE FLASH #106-118 and IMPULSE #10-11.
ON SALE 10.10.18
$34.99 US | 368 PAGES
FC | ISBN: 978-1-4012-8460-2
THE FLASH: THE SILVER AGE OMNIBUS VOL. 1 HC NEW EDITION
written by ROBERT KANIGHER and JOHN BROOME
art by CARMINE INFANTINO, JOE KUBERT, FRANK GIACOIA, JOE GIELLA and MURPHY ANDERSON
cover by NICK DERINGTON
In this new Omnibus edition, lightning strikes—and the Fastest Man Alive is born! Police scientist Barry Allen is transformed into the Flash in these tales from the start of the Silver Age of Comics! These stories introduce Barry Allen and his foes Mr. Element, Mirror Master, Pied Piper, Gorilla Grodd, Weather Wizard and more! Collects Showcase #4, 8 and 13-14, Flash Comics #104 and The Flash #105-132.
ON SALE 12.19.18
$99.99 US | 864 PAGES
FC | ISBN: 978-1-4012-9075-7
THE FLASH: STARTING LINE DC ESSENTIAL EDITION TP
written by FRANCIS MANAPUL and BRIAN BUCCELLATO
art by FRANCIS MANAPUL, MARCOS TO and others
cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL
In this new DC Essential Edition, Mob Rule wages a campaign of crime across Central City, plunging the city into darkness! The only way the Flash can save his city is to make his brain function even faster than before—but as much as it helps him, it also comes at a steep price. Then, it’s an all-out battle against the Rogues! Collects THE FLASH #0-12 and ANNUAL #1.
ON SALE 10.24.18
$24.99 US | 344 PAGES
FC | ISBN: 978-1-4012-8476-3
TEEN TITANS VOL. 3: THE RETURN OF KID FLASH TP
written by BENJAMIN PERCY and MARV WOLFMAN
art by KHOI PHAM, TREVOR SCOTT, SCOT EATON, TOM DERENICK and WAYNE FAUCHER
cover by DAN MORA
After Robin kicked Kid Flash off the team, the Teen Titans have an open slot in their ranks. Raven, Aqualad, Starfire and Beast Boy wants to give Wally a second chance, but Damian has someone else in mind to fill the vacancy: Green Arrow’s half-sister, Emiko! Will the Red Arrow prove her worth or prove to be Damian’s undoing? Plus, Beast Boy’s suspicious new employer leads the team into danger! Collects TEEN TITANS #13-14, #16-19 and a story from DC HOLIDAY SPECIAL 2017.
ON SALE 10.03.18
$16.99 US | 152 PAGES
FC | ISBN: 978-1-4012-8459-6
JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE DARKSEID WAR DC ESSENTIAL EDITION TP
written by GEOFF JOHNS
art by JASON FABOK, JIM LEE, FRANCIS MANAPUL, PHIL JIMENEZ, 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 in this new DC Essential collection, 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 title collects JUSTICE LEAGUE #40-50, a story from DC COMICS DIVERGENCE #1 and JUSTICE LEAGUE: DARKSEID SPECIAL #1.
ON SALE 10.03.18
$29.99 US | 376 PAGES
FC | ISBN: 978-1-4012-8455-8
JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE REBIRTH DELUXE EDITION BOOK THREE HC
written by BRYAN HITCH, ROBERT VENDITTI and JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
art by FERNANDO PASARIN, OCLAIR ALBERT, ANDY OWENS, BATT and others
cover by YANICK PAQUETTE
Twenty-two years in the future, the world has been torn apart by war and violence. When the Justice League begins the fight to save the world, they receive some extraordinary help from a new group of superheroes…their own children. These kids are just as incredible as their parents, and their existence rocks the Justice League to its core. Together, they must stop Sovereign, a cybernetic witch who has wreaked chaos upon the Earth. Can the kids of the Justice League save their famous mothers and fathers? Or will the legacy of the Justice League’s past, present and future be wiped away by Sovereign in one fell swoop? Collects JUSTICE LEAGUE #26-33.
ON SALE 11.07.18
$34.99 US | 200 PAGES | 7.0625” x 10.875”
FC | ISBN: 978-1-4012-8436-7
THE MAN OF STEEL BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS HC
written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
art by IVAN REIS, JOE PRADO, EVAN “DOC” SHANER, RYAN SOOK, KEVIN MAGUIRE, ADAM HUGHES, JASON FABOK, JOSE LUIS GARCIA-LOPEZ and others
cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
A new era begins for Superman as a threat from his earliest origins reemerges to destroy the Last Son of Krypton. As Superman struggles to come to grips with what has happened to his wife and son, he must also face a new threat that’s determined to burn down Metropolis! The six-issue weekly series written by Brian Michael Bendis is collected, along with the prelude story from DC NATION #0.
ON SALE 10.31.18
$24.99 US | 160 PAGES
FC | ISBN: 978-1-4012-8348-3
DEATHSTROKE VOL. 5: THE FALL OF SLADE TP
written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST
art by DIOGENES NEVES, DENYS COWAN and others
cover by RYAN SOOK
The World’s Deadliest Assassin takes on the villains of the DC Universe! After betraying another assassin and violating an unwritten code of conduct, Deathstroke is kidnapped and brought to stand trial before the Secret Society of Super-Villains, a group that includes the Riddler, Black Manta and Reverse-Flash! Will Deathstroke pay for his crime? And what of Slade Wilson’s recent turn toward heroism? This game-changing volume collects DEATHSTROKE #26-29 and ANNUAL #1.
ON SALE 10.17.18
$16.99 US | 144 PAGES
FC | ISBN: 978-1-4012-7833-5
DC has released the variant covers for Flash #49 and #50, both by Francesco Mattina. They hint at stress and trauma in the next two issues of “Flash War”, and suggest the situation may get more intense for the members of the Flash Family.
You can see the cover for #49 at left, and the cover for #50 is below. What do you think of them?
The best part of “Flash War” to me is also what makes the REBIRTH era so much fun – we are finally recognizing everything in the rich history of the DCU. Most especially here, we are seeing the best of both Barry’s Silver Age time and Wally’s era as the lead Flash as well. While a lot of fans are picking #TeamBarry or #TeamWally, you really don’t have to pick a side to enjoy THIS ride. We are in the middle of what could well be the most significant story arc since before the New52 began, and that’s exceptionally good news! Want to know more? Follow us after the jump!
SPOILERS AHEAD!
There’s been a lot of DC and Warner Bros-related news over the last few days: the AT&T/Time Warner merger approved, Diane Nelson departing DCE, Geoff Johns leaving his executive positions to focus on writing and producing, and now a new movie strategy as reported by THR.
John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein (Spider-Man: Homecoming, Game Night) are the latest directors attached to the Flash movie, which is now scheduled to go into production with Ezra Miller in 2019. THR says they are “looking to Back to the Future as a touchstone” as far as tone is concerned — and refers to the movie as The Flash, rather than Flashpoint. Whether that’s simple shorthand or a deliberate title change is unclear, but they seem to be going for something a bit less grim than the original Flashpoint. No word on whether Wonder Woman and Cyborg are still involved.
As for the small screen, we don’t know much about The Flash Season Five, but we do know that after half a season on Legends of Tomorrow, Keiynan Lonsdale’s Wally West is leaving the show. He’s set to be in the Season 5 premiere of The Flash, but won’t be returning as a regular on either series. In a message on Instagram, he explains that it was his decision to move on, but that it’s “not a total goodbye” — “Wally West will still be round when you need him the most!”
Update: Literally 5 minutes after posting this, I saw that Danielle Nicolet (D.A. Cecile Horton) is being promoted to series regular next year.
Update 2: Hartley Sawyer (Ralph Dibny) has also been promoted to regular for season five.
Update 3: Jessica Parker Kennedy, who plays the future Nora West-Allen (Iris & Barry’s daughter), is also going to be a regular.