Category Archives: Flash News

Nora Allen cast in THE FLASH Pilot

Deadline reports that Michelle Harrison has been cast as Nora Allen, Barry Allen’s mother. We learned in Barry’s Arrow appearances that the show picks up on the post-Rebirth* and New 52 history, in which she was killed during his childhood, and his father was falsely accused and imprisoned for the murder. (In fact, the show hinted that, as in the comics, the Reverse Flash is her real killer.) So we’ll be seeing her in flashbacks.

The pilot for The Flash starts shooting early next month.

*In the original Silver Age and Bronze Age comics, Nora and Henry Allen were still alive throughout Barry Allen’s superhero career. Flash: Rebirth involved the Reverse-Flash changing history.

Flash #28 Preview is Up!

The Flash #28 arrives in stores this Wednesday, and DC Comics has a preview of the issue up on their site.

The Flash and Deadman team up to stop the Keystone Killer! How far back do the killings go, and is his target the key? What or who are the “Fletchers”? Find out in THE FLASH #28, written by Brian Buccellato and illustrated by Patrick Zircher, available in stores this Wednesday.

I think it’s clear who the original Fletcher was, but the question seems to be who the killer thinks are Fletchers.

The Flash #28

Another Actor Added To The Flash Cast

Canadian actor Chad Rook has been added to the cast of The Flash TV pilot. IMDB lists him as playing “Clyde”. This is interesting, because that’s the name of Weather Wizard’s dead brother, the one who actually invented the weather wand. Even more interesting, Rook stated at his Twitter and Facebook accounts on February 15th that “a storm is brewing ;)”, which does seem to imply a connection with Weather Wizard.

However, as of yet we still don’t know if he will actually play Clyde Mardon, and what his role would be if he does. In the comics Clyde had a very small role because he was introduced as a dead man, but there’s no reason the television series has to do it that way — and in the Superman Animated Series, Clyde remained alive (albeit renamed as ‘Ben’). I do think it’s interesting that Clyde has apparently been cast before Mark Mardon, and am tempted to speculate that Clyde will either have a recurring role or that perhaps Weather Wizard might be renamed as Clyde. Chad Rook did say on his Facebook page on February 11th that he’d just gotten the biggest booking of his career, but it’s entirely possible he was referring to another project. If you look at his personal site and IMDB page, he has several projects on the go. So it’s difficult to say as of yet, and this is just speculation.

This is one of the first hints at a Rogue in the TV series. How do you want the show to handle the Rogues and their supporting cast?

Rogues in Catwoman #30-31: The Race of Outlaws

I missed these Rogues appearances in an upcoming Catwoman story, “The Race of Outlaws,” which features Glider and Mirror Master. Thanks to Lee Hiley & Mack Nathan for the reminder!

From DC’s April and May solicitations.

Catwoman #30

CATWOMAN #30
Written by ANN NOCENTI
Art by PATRICK OLLIFFE
Cover by TERRY DODSON and RACHEL DODSON
On sale APRIL 23 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
“The Race of Outlaws” begins! Despite her best efforts, Selina Kyle just can’t stop being Catwoman. What’s dragged her back into the catsuit? A globe-trotting contest that will have her competing to earn the prize for being the best thief in the world. But watch out, Catwoman – there’s no honor among thieves!

Catwoman #31

CATWOMAN #31
Written by ANN NOCENTI
Art by PATRICK OLLIFFE and TOM NGUYEN
Cover by TERRY DODSON and RACHEL DODSON
On sale MAY 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
The Race of Outlaws heats up as Catwoman takes on Central City – but the hometown advantage may favor the Rogues!

Flash #31 in May: The Future Invades the Present

DC Comics’ list of comics for May has been released, including…

THE FLASH #31
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI and VAN JENSEN
Art and cover by BRETT BOOTH and NORM RAPMUND
1:25 BATMAN ’66 variant cover by MICHAEL ALLRED
On sale MAY 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Continued from THE FLASH ANNUAL #3! Guest starring Future Flash, Future Mirror Master and…Wally West! The future is invading Central City and the fates of Wally West and his Aunt Iris hang in the balance!

Flash #31

Three items of note:

  1. They list the future Flash separately from Wally West (though it could as easily be future Wally and present Wally as it could be future Barry and present Barry), recalling Brett Booth’s cryptic remarks about the annual. (But honestly, who would expect a straight answer from DC after all this time?)
  2. They confirm that Wally is Iris’ nephew in this continuity.
  3. Future Mirror Master.

The Flash Casts….John Wesley Shipp!

John Wesley Shipp as Barry Allen back in 1990In a surprise announcement, the CW has cast John Wesley Shipp, who played Barry Allen in the 1990 Flash TV series, in the pilot for the new series starring Grant Gustin. Producers are keeping quiet about his role, though if the series is picked up, it’ll be a recurring one.

Fans of the old series have been hoping to get Shipp into the new series at some point, though I don’t think any of us expected him to appear in the first episode. I think it would be great if he played Jay Garrick, but it seems a bit early to introduce another speedster (especially with “Eddie” Thawne already on board). Alternatively, he might be playing Barry’s father, Henry Allen, wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for the murder of his wife.

Photo: John Wesley Shipp as Barry Allen back in the 1990-1991 TV show.