What The Flash #21 Says About Bart…and Each of Us (Commentary)

Note: This is an opinion piece, and it represents just my own opinion here…

I have been very interested in the reactions to The Flash #21, and in the variety of reviews for this issue. Some have been glowing (including my review) and some have been not-so-glowing, which happens to a lot of comics these days…but the source of the debate seems a bit more consistent than with other issues. It comes down in no small measure to the characterization of Bart Allen and how different fans feel about his depiction in this issue. I stand by my review for reasons I’ll explain in must a moment…but I do understand how others feel about this subject. It hearkens back to the debates about the launch of the New 52, and to other changes in continuity over the years – and it says a lot about how we feel about these wonderful characters and about continuity changes in general.

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Flash, Swamp Thing and JL Dark vs Doctor Destiny! (Review of Justice League Dark #21)

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This issue concludes a three-issue visit from The Flash and Swamp Thing to Justice League Dark, one of the more eerie and entertaining titles in the New 52. Doctor Destiny has hijacked the House of Mystery, and using the captured Swamp Thing has the whole place completely under his control! Can even the combined might of the Fastest Man Alive and Justice League Dark stop this menace?

SOME SPOILERS AHEAD!

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The Speed Force 5th Photo Challenge!

Barry and Bart…Anything More You Need Here? (Review of Flash #21)

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This 21st issue of The Flash is easily the fastest paced story of Barry in the New 52 – in more ways than one! This is one of the top meetings we’ve been looking forward to in the New 52, and the payoff is exceptional here. Barry meets Bart…and there’s a lot more to THIS story, so let’s get straight to the review of this excellent installment of The Flash.

SOME SPOILERS AHEAD – BE SURE TO READ THE ISSUE BEFORE MOVING FORWARD! Continue reading →

This Week: Flash Meets Kid Flash and Justice League Dark

Flash #21 Cover Today features the release of the following new comics featuring the Flash and/or Kid Flash:

The Flash #21
While on his path to finding the Speed Force Killer, Barry must contend with The Teen Titans! Plus, The Flash meets Kid Flash for the first time!
Written by: Francis Manapul, Brian Buccellato; Art and cover by: Francis Manapul.
A preview is available.

Justice League Dark #21
Want to know how each team member is going to die? Dr. Destiny has all the gruesome answers. Guest-starring The Flash and Swamp Thing!
Written by: Jeff Lemire, Ray Fawkes; Art by: Mikel Janin; Cover by: Mikel Janin
Note: This is the conclusion of a three-part story guest-starring the Flash and Swamp Thing.

Teen Titans #21
Something is very wrong with Red Robin…and he’s about to prove it! Can the rest of the Titans stop this tragedy? Or is it already too late?
Written by: Scott Lobdell; Art by: Eddy Barrows; Eber Ferreira; Cover by: Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreira.

DC has stalled in releasing digital back issues of the flash and Impulse. It’s been a few weeks since the last update, which is unfortunate since both series left off in the middle of a story – Flash in “Chain Lightning,” and Impulse in the beginning of “Dark Tomorrow.” I think they’ve stepped up the Superman releases to tie in with “Man of Steel.”

Flash #21 Preview is Up

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DC Comics has released a preview of Flash #21 through Uproxx. Part 2 of “Reversed” features the first meeting of Flash (Barry Allen) and Kid Flash (Bart Allen) in the New 52 continuity. The Flash knows someone’s been killing people touched by the Speed Force, but doesn’t know who…so he starts with the only other speedster he knows about.

Unfortunately, the splash pages are shrunken down to a fairly narrow column, so it’s virtually impossible to read any of the narration boxes, but you can get a good sense of the art.

The Flash #21 by Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato comes out next week.