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?
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.
DC has posted the official five-page preview for Flash #48, and you can read it at DC’s blog. In it, we see a flashback of Wally and his kids during happier times, and in the present Hunter Zolomon makes Wally an interesting offer. The issue is out this Wednesday.
THE FLASH #48
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 two! Barry Allen and Wally West are brought to the future to stand trial for the murder of Eobard Thawne, but a terrible truth is uncovered when they reach the court—and Wally West is confronted with something he never even realized he lost.
On sale JUNE 13 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
This week will see one of the odder Flash issues you’ll read in a while, The Flash/Speed Buggy Special #1. You can see the official five page preview at DC’s own site, so check it out and see what you think. The issue is out this Wednesday.
THE FLASH/SPEED BUGGY SPECIAL #1
Written by SCOTT LOBDELL • Art and cover by BRETT BOOTH and NORM RAPMUND • Variant cover by IVAN REIS
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.
When Wally West tries to take down Kilg%re, he’s stunned to find he has an unknown ally who can move just as fast as he can. Dr. Pernell, a brilliant S.T.A.R. Labs scientist, has found a way to power his buggy using the Speed Force. When The Flash agrees to help test the limits of the vehicle in a race, something sends them spiraling out of the Speed Force and into the unknown. They land in a post-apocalyptic future, but Dr. Pernell is gone, leaving only the buggy, which is now sentient. Together with his new anthropomorphic ally, The Flash must find a way to repair the time stream and stop the triple threat of Savitar, Speed Demon Buggy and…Reverse Speed Buggy!
RETRO-SOLICITED • ONE-SHOT • On sale MAY 30 • 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T
DC has released their full list of solicitations for August 2018, and here are all the ones relating to the Flash. It includes single issues, TPBs, and a rather unique-looking vinyl action figure based on Chris Uminga’s art. Plus, it seems like we’ll be seeing some Multiversal Flashes in the main Flash title!
You can see the full complement of solicits at CBR.
THE FLASH #52
written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
art by CHRISTIAN DUCE
cover by DAN MORA
variant cover by FRANCESCO MATTINA
On your mark, get set and go for part one of “Grips of Strength”! Barry Allen races to the House of Heroes at the center of the Multiverse to meet with the Flashes of 52 worlds for info on the new forces he’s recently encountered. Meanwhile, back in Central City, Trickster’s turning informant against Warden Wolfe, but that brings about a sneak attack that Barry and the time-lost Commander Cold must team up to stop—if they can quit butting heads long enough to do so.
ON SALE 08.08.18
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T
This issue will ship with two covers each.
Please see the order form for details.
THE FLASH #53
written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
art by CHRISTIAN DUCE
cover by DAN MORA
variant cover by FRANCESCO MATTINA
Then, it’s a slippery slope for the Scarlet Speedster when he must team up with the frosty Commander Cold to stop a powered-up Trickster from trashing Central City. The Trickster’s first target is the maximum-security prison Iron Heights, which could mean a criminal breakout the city would never survive.
ON SALE 08.22.18
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T
This issue will ship with two covers.
Please see the order form for details.
TEEN TITANS #21
written by ADAM GLASS
art and cover by BERNARD CHANG
variant cover by BABS TARR
Next up on the Teen Titans’ target list is none other than longtime antagonist Gizmo, whose neighborhood toy store secretly serves as a front for his arms-dealing business. (You can get a Nerf blaster and a rail gun? Cool!) But this whole escapade is about to blow up in their faces when they find Gizmo strapped to an atomic bomb that’s about to go off—right in the middle of New York City. And it’s rush hour to boot? Nice knowing you, Big Apple!
ON SALE 08.22.18
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T
This issue will ship with two covers.
Please see the order form for details.
THE FLASH VOL. 7: PERFECT STORM TP
written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
art by CARMINE DI GIANDOMENICO, CARLOS D’ANDA and DAN PANOSIAN
cover by CARMINE DI GIANDOMENICO
Gorilla Grodd is after Central City’s Speed Force, but the one thing Barry Allen can’t outrun is the truth, and his nemesis knows a terrible secret about the Fastest Man Alive. As Barry battles Grodd, he loses what he prizes most in the world and must call in Wally West to protect Central City while he sets out to get it back. But with a new Flash protecting his city, will Barry be willing to cross lines he never crossed before? Collects The Flash #39-45.
ON SALE 09.26.18
$16.99 US | 168 PAGES
FC | ISBN: 978-1-4012-8452-7
IMPULSE BY MARK WAID AND HUMBERTO RAMOS OMNIBUS HC
written by MARK WAID and others
art by HUMBERTO RAMOS, WAYNE FAUCHER, OSCAR JIMENEZ and others
cover by HUMBERTO RAMOS
This fast-paced hardcover includes Impulse’s relocation from the 30th century to his adventures in 20th-century Alabama under the tutelage of speedster Max Mercury. In these early tales, Impulse meets White Lightning, battles the ninja crew of Savitar, teams up with Zatanna and visiting Legionnaire XS and more! Collects IMPULSE #1-27, THE FLASH #108-111 and a story from SECRET ORIGINS 80-PAGE GIANT #1.
ON SALE 10.17.18
$99.99 US | 768 PAGES
FC | ISBN: 978-1-4012-8133-5
JUSTICE LEAGUE VOL. 7: JUSTICE LOST TP
written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST
art by IAN CHURCHILL, PETE WOODS and PHILIPPE BRIONES
cover by DAVID YARDIN
Trapped aboard the crippled Watchtower, the Justice League and Justice League of America teams clash over leadership and the urgent question of who can be rescued…and who will be left behind. Meanwhile, the Green Lanterns face critical choices over how to deal with the League’s two most powerful figures! Collects issues #39-43.
ON SALE 09.12.18
$14.99 US | 128 PAGES
FC | ISBN: 978-1-4012-8425-1
TITANS BOOK ONE: TOGETHER FOREVER TP
written by JUDD WINICK
art by IAN CHURCHILL, JOE BENITEZ, JULIAN LOPEZ, HOWARD PORTER and others
cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER
In these tales from 2008, the Titans are being stalked and attacked! Can Nightwing, Beast Boy, Raven, Cyborg, Starfire, Red Arrow and Donna Troy survive long enough to stand against their old enemy—and more importantly, can they rally together to defeat him? Then, their former teammate Jericho returns to exact his own twisted form of vengeance. Collects TITANS #1-11 and TITANS EAST SPECIAL #1.
ON SALE 09.26.18
$24.99 US | 320 PAGES
FC | ISBN: 978-1-4012-8428-2
TITANS VOL. 4: TITANS APART TP
written by DAN ABNETT
art by PAUL PELLETIER, ANDREW HENNESSY and MINKYU JUNG
cover by PAUL PELLETIER and ANDREW HENNESSY
The Titans attempt to regain their balance after their epic clash with Troia—Donna’s villainous future self—and look toward a brighter tomorrow. But the Justice League wants answers about Donna Troy’s true nature, and they’ll get them—even if it means shutting down the Titans for good! Collects TITANS #19-22 and ANNUAL #2.
ON SALE 09.19.18
$16.99 US | 136 PAGES
FC | ISBN: 978-1-4012-8448-0
DC ARTISTS ALLEY: THE FLASH BY CHRIS UMINGA DESIGNER VINYL FIGURES
designed by CHRIS UMINGA
sculpted by JOE MENNA
Channeling the popular comic convention experience, DC ARTISTS ALLEY brings unique, artistic viewpoints to the DCU through highly detailed, limited-edition designer vinyl figures that include prints featuring the original artwork the figure is based on.
Due to the extraordinary excitement for DC Artists Alley, DC Collectibles is thrilled to bring our fans one additional figure per artist to the collection. It all arrives just in time for the holidays and as a bonus, each figure will come with a unique variant!
STANDARD FIGURE
This limited-edition vinyl figure of The Flash combines the classic traits of the Justice League’s speedster (complete with a trail of smoke) with many of the accents and details associated with Uminga’s signature style: huge eyes, oversized hands and a playful mix of creepy and cute.
• Limited to 3,000 pieces
• Individually numbered
• Figures measure 6.4″ tall
• Allocations may occur
• Final products may differ from images shown
• Approximately 6 units per carton
ON SALE DECEMBER 2018
$40.00 US • EACH FIGURE SOLD SEPARATELY
DC ARTISTS ALLEY: THE FLASH BY CHRIS UMINGA BLACK AND WHITE VARIANT FIGURE DESIGNER VINYL FIGURE
This ghostly black-and-white variant of The Flash (limited to 500 pieces) bumps up the creepy quotient of Uminga’s signature style. Specifications are the same as the standard figure.
ON SALE DECEMBER 2018
$40.00 US • EACH FIGURE SOLD SEPARATELY
DC has posted the official five-page preview for Flash #46, which is due out this Wednesday, and you can see the pages at CBR. In it, we see a flashback to Hunter Zolomon and get some resolution for a plot point in Flash: Rebirth #6 from eight years ago. Pretty neat.
THE FLASH #46
Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON • Art by SCOTT KOLINS • Variant cover by DAVID FINCH and DANNY MIKI
“THE ROAD TO FLASH WAR!” Wally West is overwhelmed by fragments from his past! With his protégé’s psyche falling apart, Barry Allen races around the DCU calling in every favor possible to save his shattered family. Meanwhile, Hunter Zolomon’s sinister machinations tip over the first domino in what might prove to be the end of everything for The Flash!
On sale MAY 9 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T