Comics: Who Needs Numbering?

At Newsarama, Michael Doran speculates that the DC Comics Relaunch could mean a switch to “seasonal” numbering. Basically, instead of starting a comic book at #1 and continuing indefinitely until the market and editorial whim dictate cancellation or relaunch, each series would start over at #1 every year. He compares it to television seasons, which have individual episodes and, when written long-form, tend to have a season premiere and a season finale.

Now, there’s something to like about that, particularly if DC commits to publishing an entire “season” of every series they solicit. No more scrambling to tie up loose ends when a series is canceled mid-storyline. The writers know they’ve got 12 issues to work with, and if the series does well, they’ve got 12 more, but they at least know where the axe is going to fall if they get canceled.

But I don’t think it goes far enough. Continue reading

Annotations: Flash #283, “Flashback”

We’re back with our look at the “Death of Iris Allen” story from the 1979-1980 issues of Flash!  This issue marks the penultimate chapter of a year’s worth of Flash stories by writer Cary Bates that changed the core of the title and the future of DC Comics’ super-speedster.  Links to research and artwork are included throughout this post.  For previous weeks, click here!

UP TO SPEED:  Flash has been lured into the future with the false hope of discovering his wife’s killer.  Masquerading as Flash in the present, Professor Zoom incarcerates Chief Paulson for his role in the confiscated heroin smuggling operation that has made Barry Allen a moving target.  Zoom also clashes with, and easily defeats, Green Lantern.  On his return trip, Flash materializes onto an exploding Cosmic Treadmill

Continue reading

The Flash vs. Mob Rule

The Source asks Francis Manapul a few questions about his upcoming Flash series, and he lets a few more details spill…including a bit about the villain in the first story: a group called Mob Rule.

My favorite bit: when he says the biggest surprise working on the book was “The potential with experimentation of visual storytelling.”

Flashpoint #3 Preview is Out

DC has released a 5-page-preview of Flashpoint #3, due in stores on Wednesday.

The preview accompanies an article emphasizing that the midpoint of the miniseries puts the focus on heroic relatinoships – Batman and the Flash, Batman and Cyborg, and what happens to characters like Aquaman, Wonder Woman and Superman without the support of other people and the Justice League. Editor Eddie Berganza also points out connections between Flashpoint and the DC relaunch, such as the Frankenstein miniseries and ongoing, the presence of Element Woman in the relaunched DCU, etc.

Flashpoint #3

Written by GEOFF JOHNS; Art by ANDY KUBERT and SANDRA HOPE; Cover by ANDY KUBERT and SANDRA HOPE; 1:25 Black and white variant cover A by ANDY KUBERT; Variant cover B by IVAN REIS and GEORGE PEREZ

FLASH QUESTION: Will The Flash and his new allies be able to fix the world?
DC Universe 32pg. Color $3.99 US

Update: Also this week: The second printing of Flashpoint #2, and a host of Flashpoint tie-in miniseries.