It looks like Barry Allen will get another chance to say, “Sorry I’m late.” Flash: Secret Files and Origins 2010 was originally scheduled for March 24. According to DC’s website, it’s now on the schedule for March 31.
The ongoing series is still on track for its April 14 launch.
About a week ago I did a feature on ArrobaSilver and the fantastic superhero-themed jewelry they produce. They mentioned to me that they wanted more input from real comic book fans about designs for their pieces (which include DC Comics themed rings, pendants, earrings, and cufflinks) . To that end I proposed to them this:
Speedforce.org’s very first contest sponsored by ArrobaSilver!
I know there are a tons of fans out there who would love to have their own custom Flash memorabilia and now is the perfect chance to get a custom-designed, high-quality, ultra-detailed officially licensed Flash ring for free!
The Ring Design can be hand-drawn, digitally produced or even a model. Be creative but stay within reason. Using the many ring designs available on ArrobaSilver.com as a base to build off of is a surefire way to guarantee entry.
The contest begins this Monday, March 15, 2010 at 12:00:01 p.m. Eastern Time, and ends Monday, April 26, 2010 at 11:59:59 a.m. Eastern Time. So you guys have a little over a month to get your designs together and email them to: DesignYourOwnFlashRing@yahoo.com
Official Contest Rules after the break:
Read on for the original explanation of the Shade’s powers of darkness: Continue reading
What Were They Thinking?! is doing a series of posts this week on the weirdness that is All-Flash Quarterly #2 (1941).
It’s notable as the first Flash story to be longer than the standard Golden Age length of 13 pages. Throughout its run, Flash Comics featured several 13-page stories starring various characters, and All-Flash featured typically four, then later three stories per issue of that length — but they were all Flash. Occasionally, All-Flash would feature two 26-page stories…or, as in this case, one really long one, broken up into standard-length chapters.
The full story is available in The Golden Age Flash Archives Vol.2.
ICv2 has released February 2010 sales estimates, and both Flash: Rebirth #6 and Blackest Night: Flash finish close to the previous issues of the respective series. Rebirth is ranked #9 for the month, while the Blackest Night tie-in comes in at #12 — again, the highest-rated of the three spin-off miniseries.
| Issue | Rank | Month | Units Sold | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flash: Rebirth #1 | 2 | April | 102,429 | +286.6% |
| Flash: Rebirth #2 | 4 | May | 86,183 | -15.9% |
| Flash: Rebirth #3 | 10 | June | 83,086 | -3.6% |
| Flash: Rebirth #4 | 14 | Aug. | 78,107 | -6.0% |
| Flash: Rebirth #5 | 9 | Nov. | 73,875 | -5.4% |
| Blackest Night: The Flash #1 | 5 | Dec. | 80,313 | +8.7% |
| Blackest Night: The Flash #2 | 9 | Jan. | 69,381 | -13.6% |
| Blackest Night: The Flash #3 | 12 | Feb. | 65,348 | -5.8% |
| Flash: Rebirth #6 | 9 | Feb. | 70,824 | -4.1%* |
*Compared to the previous issue of Flash: Rebirth
In the end, about two-thirds of those who started Flash: Rebirth finished it, though most readers who were still on board by #5 stuck it through to the end. I have no idea what typical drop-off is for a six-issue miniseries, so this could be good, bad, or standard.
The rankings are quite positive, though: Of the nine issues between the two miniseries, seven were in the top 10 for the month. The two that dropped below the top 10 were still in the top 15.
I’d guess we’ll see a drop for this month’s Flash Secret Files and then another jump up for The Flash #1. It’s a major relaunch of one of DC’s top 6 characters, it’s a #1, it’s tied into Brightest Day, and it’s a new series by Geoff Johns. Plus even many readers who were disappointed by Flash: Rebirth have expressed optimism about the new series. It will be interesting to see how well it succeeds.
Some reviews of Flash: Rebirth #6 that I’ve found around the internet:
Multiversity Comics – “very well illustrated one by Van Sciver…but I’m not going to lie, I found Barry Allen’s overall return and the expansion of his relationship with the Speed Force to not be a very satisfactory story overall. ”
Robot 6: Grumpy Old Fan – “Flash: Rebirth may read better as the first installment in an extended saga, but it risks alienating readers expecting a little more immediate follow-through.”
Comic Book Revolution – “I am just glad that this story is over so we can move onto the new Flash monthly title. Despite all the problems with Flash: Rebirth, I still remain extremely confident that Johns is going to crank out a quality read with the new Flash monthly titles.”
IGN – “The final issue, despite its flaws, provided a fitting close to the character’s journey here while still teasing at what’s to come.”
Newsarama Best Shots Rapid Reviews – “a lackluster final issue that comes off as more lightswitch rave than lightning storm”
Airship Over Water – “if you’ve been reading this series thus far, you really should pick up this issue to complete the story. It’s worth it.”
X-Man’s Comic Blog – “With the exception of the Final Crisis debacle, I’ve never been more disappointed in DC.”
Every Day Is Like Wednesday – “If you’re reading this series just to see how Barry Allen returns or to keep abreast of the big events in the DCU, this issue is surprisingly, entirely skip-able.”
Comicsbulletin – “The story and ideas presented throughout the first five issues of Flash: Rebirth were all over the place, so it should come as no surprise that the sixth and final chapter is the same way.”
Comic Reviews by Walt – “As a whole, this issue’s quite a disappointment, a lukewarm ending to what should’ve been a hot series.”
Pai Wings – “So after reading this, I feel ready for a Flash book dedicated to Barry.”
Flash-Back Podcast (audio)
ComicVine (video)
And of course there’s Speed Force’s review as well.