Mark Hamill Returns as the Trickster!

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Mark Hamill as the 1990s TricskterMark Hamill, known worldwide as Luke Skywalker but to Flash fans as the live-action Trickster from the 1990s Flash TV show, will be back to reprise the role in the 17th episode of the new Flash TV series, as reported by HitFix.

Hamill joins John Wesley Shipp, the original series’ Barry Allen, who plays Barry’s father on the new show, and Amanda Pays, who returns as Dr. Tina McGee. Like Pays, he’ll be playing a different version of the character this time around:

In this new iteration, The Trickster is an anarchist terrorist con man serving a life sentence in Iron Heights who helps Barry (Grant Gustin) and Det. West (Jesse L. Martin) to foil the city-wide attacks of a wannabe Trickster eagerly following in the original’s deadly footsteps. The episode will reunite him with John Wesley Shipp who went up against him as the original ‘Flash’ on the CBS version.

It sounds like they’re bringing in both James Jesse and Axel Walker, which I think is a great move. The New 52 Trickster lost something when they tried to make Axel the original rather than someone who stole the identity and gadgets. I like that they’re incorporating the con man aspect as well, since that’s one of my favorites versions of the character.

So what do you think of bringing back Mark Hamill as the Trickster? Great idea, or best idea?

FLASH-ARROW Crossover Event (Review)

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The big FLASH-ARROW crossover event is over…and what a ride! We find Oliver Queen (and his team) in Central City to fight Roy Bivolo (a name that should be familiar) and Barry Allen (and Cisco and Caitlin) in Starling City to track down Digger Harkness (another VERY familiar name). There are some interesting developments for all the characters, even though there are a couple of nagging things that we’ll get to…but overall it was a great two-night event. WARNING: There will be a few spoilers…not a lot…but still…

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Flash Comics This Week: Season Zero #3, Digital Silver Age

Flash Season Zero #3Flash: Season Zero #3 is out in print this Wednesday, collecting chapters 5-6 of the digital-first comic. “The origin of Mr. Bliss is revealed! What plans does this terrible telepath have for Central City? And what can The Flash do to stop him when he can’t even control his own mind?!” Written by
Andrew Kreisberg and Katherine Walczak; Pencils by Phil Hester; Inks by Eric Gapstur.

Flash: Season Zero Chapter 7 was released digitally on Monday. “As the S.T.A.R. Labs gang frantically tries to revive Barry, Mr. Bliss’ dastardly plan is revealed!” Written by
Brooke Eikmeier, Andrew Kreisberg and Katherine Walczak; Pencils by Phil Hester; Inks by Eric Gapstur; Colored by Kelsey Shannon.

DC is also releasing two more Silver-Age Flash comics to their digital backlist: Flash #108-109 (1959), featuring stories written by John Broome with pencils by Carmine Infantino and inks by Joe Giella and Frank Giacoia. Early appearances of Gorilla Grodd and Mirror Master. Could this be the start of DC filling in the Silver Age Flash backlist?

And that’s it for the Flash this week! Oh, wait a minute. There’s one other thing, just a trifle: Only a big crossover TV event between The Flash and Arrow! 🙂 Part one of “The Brave and the Bold,” “Flash vs. Arrow” airs on tonight’s episode of The Flash, and Part two is tomorrow’s episode of Arrow.

Pre-Crisis JSA in Convergence Week Four, plus Earth-3 and…Scribbly?!?

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DC has revealed the fourth week of Convergence miniseries, focusing on the pre-Crisis versions of characters from Earth-2, Earth-3, Earth-4, Earth-S and Earth-X. Yep, that means classic Justice Society of America (featuring Jay Garrick) and Infinity, Inc., a Marvel Family book where Captain Marvel (I mean Shazam) really is the world’s premiere super-hero, and even an old-school Crime Syndicate (featuring Earth-3 Johnny Quick).

Convergence deals with Braniac’s collection of cities from multiple realities, and what happens when he opens the domes and allows them to interact. The main story will be told in a 9-part weekly series in April and May. DC’s New 52 line goes on a two-month hiatus, replaced by a zillion two-part miniseries focusing on different characters, including a 2000s-era West family and 1980s Flash.

Convergence JSA

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA

Writer: Dan Abnett
Artists: Tom Derenick and Trevor Scott
Colorist: Monica Kubina

Older and in full retirement under the dome, members of the Justice Society get the chance to regain their youths to stave off forces from the Qward Universe. But the promise of youth comes with a deadly price.

Note: Dan Abnett is also writing the Bronze Age Barry Allen miniseries for the event.

Convergence Crime Syndicate

CRIME SYNDICATE

Writer: Brian Buccellato
Artist: Phil Winslade
Colorist: Lovern Kindzierski

The Crime Syndicate’s absolute control of their city is challenged when the dome comes down and changes everything. Now, Superwoman is on death row while the rest of the team fights One Million Universe’s Batman and Superman!

Note: You’ll recognize Brian Buccellato of course as half of the Manapul/Buccellato team from the first two years of the New 52 Flash.

Convergence Worlds Finest
I’m kind of surprised there’s no Silver Age week. I guess the nostalgia wave has passed it by. On the other hand, there’s also this:

WORLD’S FINEST COMICS

Writer: Paul Levitz
Artists: Jim Fern and Joe Rubinstein with cartoons by Shannon Wheeler
Colorist: Paul Mounts

The Seven Soldiers of Victory regroup to defend their city against the Qward invasion, while cartoonist Scribbly Jibbet transcribes their adventures.

Scribbly was a fictionalized version of Sheldon Mayer, a writer, artist and editor going back to the Golden Age who was involved with launching or editing just about every major DC character on the All-American side of the company including the Flash, and made at least two cameos in All-Flash. Mayer also wrote and drew the semi-autobiographical comic strip Scribbly, the Boy Cartoonist.

Scribbly Jibbet!