The Source asks Francis Manapul a few questions about his upcoming Flash series, and he lets a few more details spill…including a bit about the villain in the first story: a group called Mob Rule.
My favorite bit: when he says the biggest surprise working on the book was “The potential with experimentation of visual storytelling.”
DC has released a 5-page-preview of Flashpoint #3, due in stores on Wednesday.
The preview accompanies an article emphasizing that the midpoint of the miniseries puts the focus on heroic relatinoships – Batman and the Flash, Batman and Cyborg, and what happens to characters like Aquaman, Wonder Woman and Superman without the support of other people and the Justice League. Editor Eddie Berganza also points out connections between Flashpoint and the DC relaunch, such as the Frankenstein miniseries and ongoing, the presence of Element Woman in the relaunched DCU, etc.
Flashpoint #3
Written by GEOFF JOHNS; Art by ANDY KUBERT and SANDRA HOPE; Cover by ANDY KUBERT and SANDRA HOPE; 1:25 Black and white variant cover A by ANDY KUBERT; Variant cover B by IVAN REIS and GEORGE PEREZ
FLASH QUESTION: Will The Flash and his new allies be able to fix the world?
DC Universe 32pg. Color $3.99 US
Update: Also this week: The second printing of Flashpoint #2, and a host of Flashpoint tie-in miniseries.
iFanboy asked Francis Manapul how super-speed would make his life better. He answered, and DC sent them the finished artwork from the page showing how the Flash’s costume comes together in the relaunched DCU.
Click through to the interview for a larger image….or head over to the artist’s new Tumblr blog and check out the original inks for the page!
Comic Book Resources posted a 3-page preview of Flashpoint: Green Arrow Industries, a one-shot due in stores this Wednesday. Of possible interest to Flash fans: These panels, in which Oliver Queen explains how they studied equipment confiscated from super-villains and used it to improve their own weapons technology.
It’s a counterpoint to an idea that comes up occasionally in reference to high-tech villains: Why don’t they just patent their inventions and rake in more money than they could possibly have made on bank heists, without worrying about getting beaten up and thrown in jail? The answer is usually that they do it for the thrill…but then why doesn’t anyone else come up with business uses for the technology?
Chances are these one-panel appearances are all we’ll see of these villains in that particular issue (though we’ve already seen more of the Trickster in Flashpoint: Citizen Cold), but it’s interesting that all three of them are Flash villains: The Trickster, the Folded Man, and the Top.
This post has an “Atomic Top Grenade” value of 3.
Just a quick note for those who haven’t seen it: CBR interviews Sterling Gates about Flashpoint: Kid Flash Lost. In addition to the current book, he talks about his connection to Bart Allen, how that grew out of a connection to Wally West, and the fact that he’s pitched a Kid Flash series to DC three times since 2007.
DC released art from the upcoming Flash relaunch over the weekend at the Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo, and guest Francis Manapul revealed a few scraps of information.
First up: This amazing splash page from Flash #1 at CBR.
Be sure to click through and see the high-resolution version. It’s absolutely incredible. (Have I mentioned how much I like Francis Manapul’s art lately?)
Bleeding Cool reports from the DC Nation panel:
Francis Manapul confirmed Barry Allen is the Flash, with no word on the rest of Flash family, but that to expect Wally West at some point. A new villain was created for first arc, but Grodd will be along shortly. The costume will stil be kept in the ring, but will form around him in a different fashion. Flash’s costume is generated in pieces and fits together along the seams of the Jim Lee design, with lightning comes out of the seams.
I’m glad to hear that the first arc’s villain really is a new villain, and it should be interesting to see how Barry deals with the newer, more savage Grodd of modern times (or will Grodd himself be re-invented again?).
I think this is the first mention I’ve seen that Wally West actually exists in the post-relaunch universe, but I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for him to show up. DC’s used up all the benefit of my doubt regarding Wally over the last couple of years, just like they came dangerously close to using up all the benefit of my doubt regarding The Flash until they announced Manapul and Buccellato as the creative team.
Anyway, back to the costume. Bleeding Cool also has a set of blurry photos from the panel, originally posted at The Daily Blam, including another fully-colored view of the costume and a few panels of it forming up.
UPDATE: The Source has released a clear image of the costume in the post congratulating Manapul and Fiona Staples on their Shuster awards.
I like the boots better in this version. They look less clunky than they did in the Converse ad.
The mask still bugs me, though, not just the chin strap but the corners at the cheeks that have become narrow slits in this version. I think I figured out why: it makes his face look too closed. The closed-off look worked for Walter West and sort of works with Wally’s new costume, but in general I think the Flash’s face should be more open.