It’s been a week since Flash: Rebirth #3 arrived in stores. Here’s a round-up of reviews I’ve found online.
Weekly Crisis – “I don’t think this book is written for me or other readers like me. It’s clearly being aimed at long time Flash fans who would appreciate the return of Barry and could draw on emotional baggage associated with his Silver Age stories to carry an otherwise unremarkable issue.”
Ryan the Iowan at the Weekly Crisis – “a pretty issue that fails to engage me as a reader thanks to a lackluster plot, odd characterizations, and a ‘twist’ ending that feels pretty played out.”
Comic Book Revolution – “I would not recommend Flash: Rebirth to anyone outside of hard-core Flash fans. I just don’t think Johns has made it that interesting for new readers. If you want a tightly written and exciting read then Flash: Rebirth may not be for you. However, if you love the Flash family continuity and history then this is the title for you.”
Flash-Back Podcast – very much liked the issue.
The Homeworld – “So, essentially, the book is now beat for beat just like ‘Green Lantern: Rebirth’….Now, don’t get me wrong: the book is still good. I’ve always been a Flash fan, so I am enjoying Rebirth, but it certainly feels like there is something missing, some piece of polish that should be in place but is gone.”
IGN – “The mystery is heightened, the characters sharpened, and the stakes upped significantly. I can’t wait to see where the ride takes us next.”
Comic Book Resources – “for every great moment we get a few that don’t work at all. It’s certainly not a lumbering, slow comic, but its speedy pace comes at a price: we don’t know what its racing toward, or why any of it really matters.”
Major Spoilers – “It’s a puzzling issue, frought with doubt and darkness and portents of great evil, and I’m still interested in where it’s going, but so far this series just isn’t running on all cylinders for me.”
Mania – “After the sheer awesomeness of the last issue, I was really expecting this one to blow my doors down and it didn’t.”
Weekly Comic Book Review – “Ethan Van Sciver’s art continues to be absolutely amazing….Johns needs to stop it with the filler.”
Read/Rant (1) – “This is the best issue yet. As a Barry fan, I’m happy and touched to see Barry alive and running again. I just worry about the Wally and Bart fans. Johns has tried to please them, but I’m not sure they’re sold yet.”
Read/Rant (2) – “Flash Rebirth just feels like a jumble of scenes that pander to hard core Flash fans. But even on that level, I think the book misses it’s mark. It’s a Barry Allen book featuring a character who doesn’t act very much like Barry Allen and it requires extensive knowledge of the Wally West Flash run.”
POW Comics – “it’s a comic about the Fastest Man Alive, I can’t help but feel like the plot is dragging and almost going nowhere.”
Legion of Super-Nerds Clubhouse – “I think at the end of the day the Flash legacy has become so bogged down in continuity that the character can be a turn-off to new readers.”
Bureau 42 – “a few nice moments, but if we don’t start to see more of the old, heroic Barry soon I’m going to start losing interest.”
Clever Name – “Finally this book picks up, but my main problem still hinders my enjoyment of this book….I’m just not that big of a Flash fan.”
Reilly2040 – “I’m glad to see things pick up pace over the slow first two issues, and I’m definitely feeling a bit more into the storyline this issue than last.”
T’Pull’s Weekly DC Comics Reviews – “this is a beautifully drawn book, and if you just nod and smile at their attempted explanations, the rest of it reads well.”
Comic Book Bin – “The only bothersome part for me is the way another super-speedster was killed off rather casually, just to show how ‘bad’ the supervillain is. Oh well, guess they need more Black Lanterns.”
Comix 411 – “I’m enjoying this series so far. It’s not been the best Flash storyline I’ve ever read, but its a good story by Geoff Johns and amazing artwork by Ethan Van Sciver.”
Panels on Pages – “Despite not knowing much about Barry outside of his reputation, I have become riveted by him in this mini-series thanks to Johns and Sciver.”
Dead Brain – “Van Sciver’s art adeptly portrays a body shaken by intense high velocity in the second half of the book; although, some of the fluid panels are marred with clunky flashback segments…”
Giant Killer Squid – “Johns has a gift for keeping me into the story even if it is a little worn out. The thing that stands out above the rest on this series is the art by Ethan Van Sciver.”
Comic Per Day – “what Johns has given us is a neat little story about a guy who thinks his time has passed.”
And of course there’s my own review of the issue.
