Category Archives: Flash News

Talking Flash with Geoff Johns

Just a quick note since I’m kind of swamped today. DC has posted the first half of a two-part interview with Geoff Johns where he talks about his history with the Flash back to watching Challenge of the Super Friends and what he likes about the character. On the new series, he says:

All you need to know when you read the Flash #1 is how to read. Flash 101, and a few twists and turns, are within the pages. Francis did a stunning job, raising his art even from the amazing Adventure Comics.

On a key characteristic of Barry Allen:

Barry Allen is someone who has made a decision to help others during his own life and he made that decision even before he became the Flash.

The Rogues of course will be a big part of the new series, but they won’t be the only villains:

Barry will be meeting some new villains, one in particular that is going to be the strangest killer he’s ever faced. And I think with 64th Century magicians and talking gorillas that’s saying a lot.

Head over to The Source to read the whole interview. Or the whole first half, anyway. Part two goes up tomorrow.

DC Trivia Contest: Win a Signed Flash #1 through Twitter

DC has announced a contest for a signed copy of the upcoming Flash #1. During the week leading up to the April 14 release, the @DC_Nation Twitter account will post one Flash trivia question each day. The first five fans to answer each question correctly will be “eligible to win” a signed copy of the launch.

It’s not clear how many copies they’ll award, or how they’ll choose which of the up-to-35 eligible respondents will win them. They don’t actually come out and say that it’s Geoff Johns and Francis Manapul doing the signing, though it seems a safe bet.

Details will be announced on April 7.

Francis Manapul Flash Art

The Source has posted several pages of art from Francis Manapul’s work on the Flash, ranging from sketches to finished pencils. Some are familiar from yesterday’s preview. Most are new.

I particularly like this drawing of Abra Kadabra from the upcoming Flash Secret Files book (March 24).

There’s also a view of the crime lab — a nice, big, open crime lab that I’m sure will make Scipio of the Absobascon happy if he’s still reading.

Flash #1 Preview

DC has released a 5-page preview of The Flash #1. The Geoff Johns/Francis Manapul series launches on April 14 (after a Flash Secret Files and Origins special this month).

It’s…better than I expected, actually. Geoff Johns is finally writing that book about speed that he always wanted to do but somehow didn’t get around to. I like Francis Manapul’s art, though I think it needs a bit more in the movement department (the Flash looks like a statue compared to the car he’s pacing). And I’m beginning to think I’d happily read a story about Iris Allen, Caffeinated Reporter (though as a journalist, I’d like to think she’d be using actual words while texting).

The preview describes the first storyline, “The Dastardly Death of the Rogues” (and now we have a definitive statement on whether “Death” is singular or plural in that title), as follows:

…coming back may have been the easy part. When one of the Flash’s deadliest foes turns up dead, can the newly-returned Scarlet Speedster scour Central City to solve the crime before the elusive killer strikes again?

DC goes on to add that they’ll be “talking more Flash” soon.

(The Source’s images sometimes don’t work on Internet Explorer. If that’s the case, you might have some success with CBR’s copy or Newsarama’s copy of the preview.)

Greg Berlanti to Direct the Flash Movie?

IESB is reporting that Greg Berlanti, co-writer of the Green Lantern film with Marc Guggenheim and creator/executive producer of such TV series as Eli Stone, Brothers & Sisters, and Everwood, is the “leading contender” to direct The Flash. (via SpeedsterSite)

The Flash is being written by Dan Mazeau from a story by Geoff Johns, who is also attached as a producer.

Batman: Brave and The Bold Flash Action Figure

Somewhat related to Kelson’s Article about Batman: Brave and The Bold, it has been pretty much confirmed that Barry Allen will be getting an action figure of his own in the Brave and The Bold toy line.

Oddly enough instead of showing up at Toy Fair 2010, fans caught their first glimpse of the new Flash figure on Target.com. According to the Batman: Brave and The Bold Facebook Page, Mattel didn’t reveal it at Toy Fair on purpose. A sensible decision to try and save some of the new merchandise for the upcoming New York Comic Con. I hope they have a Jay Garrick ready to go as well, because to date he is the only Flash that we have seen guest star on the show. Not really fair for Barry to get a figure before Jay especially when Jay appeared on the show (and in the comics) first. Then again I don’t think Jay would mind that much once he saw this thing:

I don’t know about anyone else (or if anyone else can remember back as far as this) but does this toy remind anyone else of the Centurions from back in the day?

You know these guys:

As you can probably surmise I’m not too thrilled with the overall look of it. But looking at it from a kid’s point of view I could definitely see myself having fun with it. Not myself as a kid, because I was that kid who always questioned why Batman was wearing orange or neon green when he was supposed to be a creature of the night. I’m talking about your average kid who isn’t quite as nit-picky as I was.

I guess it can’t be much worst than this:

It took me a couple of years to finally break down and purchase that thing and it was only because I was in a collectors drought and hadn’t gotten anything new in months. Still every time I look at it I have to pretend that Flash somehow lost his powers and this is his way of making up for it or some nonsense like that. Yeah. Don’t ask.

I will still end up picking it up but if I can help it I will probably drag my feet a bit before doing so. Although with the Flash’s recent resurgence in popularity due to The Flash: Rebirth and the upcoming Brightest Day storyline coupled with the high demand of the Brave and The Bold toy line I might not have a chance to.

Devin “The Flash” Johnson