Why Blackest Night #0 is a Free Comic Book

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Blackest Night #0I took a quick look at a site where people were discussing scans of a few pages of Blackest Night #0, one of DC’s offerings for Free Comic Book Day. While there I noticed a discussion as to why this continuity-heavy lead-in to the big 2009 event was not suitable for a new reader who has just wandered into a comic store for the first time (or the first time in several years) to check out the free stuff (that being the primary purpose of FCBD).

Here’s the thing: I don’t think it’s intended for that audience.

I think DC has realized that Free Comic Book Day brings in a lot of regular comics readers looking for something free, like a sale, and they’re going after that audience. This isn’t aimed at people who have never read a comic book. It’s aimed at people who are at least somewhat familiar with DC Comics but maybe haven’t been reading Green Lantern and need a primer for the multiple Corps and the Blackest Night prophecy so that they can jump into the event. It’s aimed at people who read some DC Comics, but weren’t planning on picking up the next big event, but hey, since this one’s free, why not take a look?

And given that it sounds like DC’s entire line is going to be involved in this event over the next 8 months or so, it still works as an introduction to their output.

Flash: Rebirth to be Extended?

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Flash: Rebirth artist Ethan Van Sciver has been answering questions over at the Green Lantern Corps Message Board, where he left this response to confusion about the length of Flash: Rebirth:

It was always going to be 5, but we’re probably going to add a 6th issue.

This actually would better explain the artist’s remarks that the series might not be done by September, but that it would be “a good thing.”

Thanks to SpeedsterSite for the link!

Update: Speedster Site has collected the Flash Q&A posts in one place.

Speed Reading: Central City, Lightning Pants, Podcast

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centralcityWith Barry Allen returning, it’s clear that Central City is going to get a lot more attention. The Absorbascon has calculated the size of Central City based on depictions in Flash comics, determining that it covers 62 times the area of Manhattan and contains 100 million people. Actually, the Absorbascon has a running feature on the vastness that is Central City.

Comic Coverage looks at the earliest costume tweaks for the Flash: the disappearing lightning bolts on Jay Garrick’s legs.

The Views from the Longbox podcast is starting a series of additional episodes focused on Flash: Rebirth, Views from the Speed Force.

4thletter has an interesting question: What’s your deal-breaker? What would cause you to drop a book, or a writer, or a publisher, or even comics altogether?

Out This Week (April 22): Trinity?

Trinity #47Not much in the way of new Flash material this week. There’s a new issue of Justice League of America, but Wally West left the team last month, so your best bet is going to be Trinity, which seems to guest-star the entire DC Universe on a regular basis.

Meanwhile, for next week, you can check out a preview of Justice Society of America #26. Update: And here’s a preview of Teen Titans #70, part 3 of the Titans/Teen Titans/Vigilante crossover, “Deathtrap” (also coming out next week).

Flash Comics For July 2009

DC’s solicitations for July comics are up at CBR and elsewhere. In July, the Flash will show up in not only Flash: Rebirth, but Wednesday Comics, Blackest Night, Titans, JSA, The Last Days of Animal Man and more. There’s also Showcase Presents: The Flash Vol. 3 coming in August.

The Flash: Rebirth #4

Flash: Rebirth #4Written by Geoff Johns
Art and covers by Ethan Van Sciver

Barry Allen left a legacy that thrived after his death. Now his return threatens it all. What secrets does Barry hold inside him about the fate of the Flash Family? What destiny awaits Wally and his twins? What murderous force targets Bart Allen? And what does it truly mean to be a speedster?

Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Ethan Van Sciver), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Ethan Van Sciver).

On sale July 22 • 4 of 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Read on for Wednesday Comics, Blackest Night, Titans, Justice Society of America and more after the cut. Continue reading →

Speed Reading: Strange Feelings, Amalgam, Animation and More

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Flash #133 (Turned into a puppet!)The Absorbascon presents Strange Feelings, with Barry Allen. If you thought it was odd to be turned into a puppet…

ComicBloc’s Creativeartist has put together a Flash: Rebirth animation — in Flash, of course!

Amalgam: Speed DemonThe AV Club gives Flash: Rebirth #1 a solid B, but the dissenting opinion “was reminded why I rarely read super-hero comics anymore.”

Panels on Pages asks, Remember Amalgam? Amalgam Comics was the special-event line tied to Marvel vs. DC, filled with mash-ups of Marvel and DC characters, like the Flash/Etrigan/Ghost Rider combination, Speed Demon.

Comics Should Be Good’s Greg Hatcher writes about the grail quest — or rather, the thrill of hunting for comics.

I know that searching online I could wrap up all of these in about an hour, especially if money was no object. But money is an object — part of the fun is trying to score these things for under five dollars — and more to the point, the search is part of the pleasure. Google-and-click just isn’t the same.

Mark Evanier has launched a project to Rebuild Len Wein’s Comic Book Collection, after the Swamp Thing and Wolvering co-creator lost his house in a fire earlier this month.