Category Archives: Flash News

New 52 Flash HC for November 2012

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DC has announced their New 52 collection schedule for 2012. Rather than blasting them all out at once at the end of spring, they’re spreading the collections across the second half of the year. That’s good news if you plan on buying several of the books. It’s not so good news if you’re waiting for the first post-reboot Flash collection, because that one won’t arrive until next November.

As announced, it collects The Flash #1-7. That covers the five-issue “Mob Rule” storyline kicking off the relaunch, plus two more. Those next two issues are planned to be two done-in-one stories, the first focusing on Barry Allen: CSI, and the other going for all-out science fiction.

The Collected Editions blog breaks down the stats on which books are getting the hardcover treatment, which are launching in paperback, how far along some series will be by the time the first collection is out, and just how much it would cost if you wanted to buy them all.

THE FLASH VOL. 1 HC
Writers: Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato
Artist: Francis Manapul
Collects: THE FLASH #1-7
$22.99 US, 168 pg
November 2012

Flash #3 Preview and Google Plus

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Google has finally opened up brand/group pages on Google+ yesterday. DC Comics was one of the first to sign up, and their second day of posting features a four-page preview of The Flash #3. Last week I got a sneak peek during a conversation with Brian Buccellato at Long Beach Comic Con, and let me tell you: this is only the beginning. The issue looks amazing.

You can also find Speed Force on Google+ now, so if that’s your preferred network, please drop by, say hi, and add us to your circles!

Flash Sales Solid in October

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Diamond’s sales rankings for October are up, along with ICv2’s sales estimates*. Flash #2 was ranked the #5 comic book, selling an estimated 114,137 copies, and the Flashpoint hardcover was the top graphic novel selling 5,646 copies to comic stores.

That represents am 11.17% drop from issue #1, which sounds like a lot…but for a #2 issue, it’s phenomenal. You expect a lot of people to pick up a #1 out of curiosity, or speculation, or just because they collect #1s. Add in the line-wide relaunch and people who bought every single New 52 first issue (without intending to keep going), and you’d expect this to be a lot higher.

For comparison, Flash vol.3 dropped 24% from issue #1 to #2. Flash: TFMA dropped a staggering 35% between the first two issues.

Also: Look down that list a ways, and you’ll find the Flash #1 second printing at 18,558 copies. That’s more copies of a reprint than the latest new issue of the highest-selling Vertigo book.

Issue Rank Month Units Sold % Change
Flash v.4 #1 4 September 2011 129,260
Flash v.4 #2 5 October 2011 114,137 -11.7%

*What these numbers measure: US-only sales, wholesale from Diamond to comics retailers. They don’t count sales through bookstores, they don’t count international sales, and they don’t count how many copies were actually bought and read…but they do measure the same thing every month, which means they can be used to spot trends.

Media Blitz!: Flash Team Talks to io9, Comic Impact

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The New 52 Flash creative duo of Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato maintained their recent level of visibility, already talking to both io9 and Comic Impact this week.

Both sites touch on the status of the Rogues Gallery, the much-lauded artwork and both feature a mention of Wally West.  The two had this to say, regarding the revamped Rogues, to i09:

Will there be any new Rogues or have any been radically redesigned?

FM: I’m still basing it on past continuity, but we’re evolving them. When you read the first arc, it’s about The Flash trying to evolve. You realize in the second arc, that that’s what the Rogues have been doing this entire time.

BB: Trying to keep up with the Joneses.

FM: But obviously it went wrong and they’re not together. We’re going to see what that’s all about and how they came across the powers that they now have.

The Comic Impact interview, from the Long Beach Comic Con, can be seen below:

Manapul and Buccellato Talk Barry Allen (via Newsarama, UPDATED 10/26)

Newsarama’s Vaneta Rogers has turned in a new two-part interview with New 52 Flash team Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato.  With issue # 2 due tomorrow, the pair talk about their “vision for Barry Allen” and speak more specifically than before about their process in terms of plotting, art and dialog.

In the first part, posted yesterday, the two touched on the advantage of handling both art and writing responsibilities:

Francis Manapul: Yeah, it’s a much more integrated process. And I do think we’re in a fortunate position to be co-writing, drawing and coloring the book. We’re able to really utilize every aspect of the art to tell the story.

Brian Buccellato: We aren’t interpreting someone else’s script, so there’s no gap between the story and the art. It’s integrated from the idea, all the way through colors. So I think that gives us an advantage, especially with the visuals.

UPDATE: Part two of the interview went up today, including an exclusive sneak preview of art from issue #3.  The team goes into greater detail about the direction of the book, teases upcoming storylines, including the return of the Cosmic Treadmill and reveal more on the nature of Mob Rule.  Check it out here, and then go grab issue #2!

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NYCC 2011: Manapul and Buccellato talk Flash (via Newsarama)

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The Flash creative team of Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato gave an interview at last weekend’s New York Comic Con to Newsarama, where they talked a bit about their inspirations for the arc that began with last month’s Flash #1.

Manapul notes a sci-fi tilt to the story that’s about to unfold, and mentions having incorporated aspects from old issues of DC’s Showcase, where the earliest Barry Allen stories appeared.  The two also touch on Barry Allen’s role as a man (and comic book fan) facing a brave new world, the DCU Online game, and speed tricks past and present.  Manapul also talks about a certain idea not fitting until “year two.”  Bring it on!

The first issue of Manapul and Buccellato’s new Flash showed off some gorgeous art and real promise in terms of story and characterization.  This interview reveals a little of what’s ahead, as well as some of the creators’ motivation.  Are you looking forward to the second issue?

Check out the interview over at Newsarama by clicking on the image above.