Opinion: Saying “Goodbye” to The Flash Story?

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The new Flash Story begins in September.  This time around, there is no speculation about the focus of the book, or who will be behind the mask.  It looks like Flash’s new launch will take off without baggage – an all-new Flash for the all-new DC.

Well, sort of.

In the cases of Batman and Green Lantern, it has been announced that the stories and key elements will (more or less) continue.  In the cases of Superman and most other properties, the stories are looking more and more like a fresh and somewhat rootsy start.  For Flash, it appears the new series will be a pretty hard reset.

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Young Justice Series 1 Kid Flash Pictures *Image Intensive*

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Greetings Speed Readers,

For those not in the know Young Justice is DC Comic’s latest animated series to hit Cartoon Network. The Kid Flash featured on this show has been stated and explicitly named as Wally West. This is obviously Wally before he graduates on to (possibly) becoming the Fastest Man Alive. The 4.25″ action figure of Kid Flash has been hitting stores all over the country and I finally got my hands on one via Amazon.com. First some mint on card pics:

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Teen Titans #100 Variant Cover

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Edit: Phil Jimenez’ variant cover for the double-sized finale.

They seem to be going for everyone who has ever been a Titan (who’s still alive). They even included Protector (who was a stand-in for Robin in a series of anti-drug PSAs from the 1980s when they discovered that the rights to using Robin were tied up.)

Speedsters I’ve spotted: Wally West (as both Kid Flash and the Flash), Bart Allen as Kid Flash, Jesse Quick, Mas y Menos.

From Comic Book Resources.

San Diego Sighting: Steampunk Speedster

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One of the booths I stumbled across at Comic-Con was selling trading cards and books featuring the Union of Superlative Heroes and Order of Nefarious Villains: steampunk characters inspired by certain well-known super-heroes and villains.

I had to pick up a set just for this one:

Phineas Fleetfoot, able to run at more than 800mph, phase into the fifth and sixth dimensions, and protect the world from the likes of King Congo, Frankenfahrenheit, Professor Perpetual Motion, Abra Le Clobber, and Dr. Didgeridoo.

The heroes set includes Marquis Le Bat and Duchesse Le Bat, Flatiron Knight, Arachno Kid, the Magic Lantern, Baron von Ocular, and more.

I was sorely tempted by the hand-bound flip book featuring both heroes and villains with additional stories, but couldn’t quite bring myself to spend $45 on it. Then I got home, really looked through the cards I’d bought, and regretted missing my chance.

Huzzah for the internet. When the artists got back from the con, they made the remaining stock available through Etsy.

Image c/o Chet Phillips Illustration.

This Week: Flashpoint: Kid Flash Lost #2

Lost in the speed force, Kid Flash is trapped in a distorted future world. After a startling revelation, Bart Allen realizes he must surrender himself to the criminal mastermind, Braniac. Only then will he be able to manipulate his way back to a point in time that he (at least somewhat) recognizes and seek out his grandfather. But what happens if Braniac catches on to Bart’s plan?

Set one thousand years after the Flashpoint, FLASHPOINT: KID FLASH LOST #2 is by Sterling Gates, Oliver Nome, Trevor Scott, and Brian Buccellato. Look for it when it hits stores on Wednesday.

A preview is available.

Other comics with Flashes this week:

  • DC Retroactive: Justice League of America – 1970s
  • Justice (complete HC)
  • Justice Society of America #53
  • Teen Titans #98

Review: DC Retroactive, The Flash – The 70s

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It has been over 25 years since Cary Bates’ last Flash story was published in Flash #350, but his DC Retroactive: 1970s issue shows he hasn’t forgotten how to have fun with the Scarlet Speedster.

Opening with a page that would have been right at home in any Julius Schwartz-edited Flash magazine, Bates crafts a story that recalls his many years as writer on the book, while also addressing a lingering question regarding Barry Allen’s relationship with his wife Iris.  The pitch-perfect plot and dialog give this book a place in the story of the Allens’ marriage.  It could easily be slotted at any point during the early-to-mid 70s and would not feel out of place in terms of narrative.

The artwork by Benito Gallego and the legendary Sal Buscema is great, and more than appropriate for this story.  Based on the cover pencils, Buscema’s inks are a comfortable compliment to Gallego’s style.  It took me a few minutes, but Gallego’s Flash and Barry Allen portrayals are occasionally reminiscent of Joe Kubert’s late-60s Flash covers.  It is also easy to picture this story illustrated by the late, great Irv Novick, especially considering the pacing and structure of Bates’ plot.

For further analysis, including spoilers, see you after the jump…

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