Flash: Crisis on Earth-Blog (Alex Ross and George Perez)

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Crisis on Earth-Blog

The landmark Crisis on Infinite Earths, by Marv Wolfman and George Perez, came out in 1985-1986, but it took until 1998 for DC to collect the whole series in one volume. The slipcased hardcover featured a wraparound painted cover by Perez and superstar Alex Ross. (That edition is no longer available, but the paperback edition is based around the same cover.)

Crisis on Infinite Earths Poster

The Flashes figured prominently in the story. Jay Garrick and Barry Allen shared the story that introduced the concept of the DC Multiverse, “Flash of Two Worlds” (Flash v.1 #123, 1963). And of course, Crisis on Infinite Earths featured Barry Allen’s death, and Wally West taking up the mantle. So naturally, the Flashes had a prominent spot on the cover, arguably the second most-visible after the pair of Supermen holding the bodies of Wonder Woman and Supergirl. A streak of crimson, yellow and white runs along the lower half of the cover, colliding dead center in a burst of lightning, and finally images of the Flash disintegrate and collapse at the end.

The Run-Down

Read on for an in-depth examination of the scarlet speedsters on this cover. Continue reading →

Flash News from MegaCon

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It seems that MegaCon revealed more Flash news, as Dan DiDio and Ethan Van Sciver both chose Florida over San Francisco.

Newsarama posts from DC Universe:

Next up, DiDio introduced Ethan Van Sciver—who spoke at length about Flash: Rebirth which hits shelves next month. Van Sciver expressed his enthusiasm for the project and working with Geoff Johns by saying, “This is the book that Geoff and I have been waiting to do our entire careers—we’re returning Barry Allen to the DC Universe,” which was followed by an eruption of cheers and applause from the audience. Indicating that could not talk at length about the project, Van Sciver still managed to tease the audience, “In the first issue, Barry Allen will discover a dead Flash that will lead him to investigate real truths and the scary reality of being a Flash.” He paused, “The only other thing I’ll mention: Issue #3— Superman/ Flash race,” which drew another round of applause from the audience.

Yeah, because that’s what the Flash mythos needs: even more death. 🙄

DiDio asked the audience potentially re-numbering a Flash monthly title. A fan reasoned, “Either 598 or 351—depending on which Flash is in the book.” The panel marveled at how quickly the fan had responded with the numbers.

They shouldn’t be surprised — fans have hashed the topic to death online, long before bringing it to the panel!

There was a short discussion regarding George Perez’s earlier work on New Teen Titans when it was pointed out that two fans in costume, one dressed as Wally West/Flash and the other dressed as Starfire, were both creations from Perez’s first run on New Teen Titans. They were asked to come to the stage—Perez greeted them both warmly and said, “Who knew that creating Starfire would lead to having women dress up like her at conventions…” drawing a healthy amount of laughter from the audience.

Um…no, Kid Flash was not a George Perez creation. He did draw Wally in New Teen Titans, of course…

Also from DC Nation:

QUESTION: DC has been bringing back characters – Barry Allen Flash, Oliver Queen Green Arrow – each had characters existing that took their place. Is there a reason they don’t take on their own identity? Such as the multiple Atoms, the multiple Flashes, the multiple Green Arrows…

DD – Sounds like a great idea for a story some day!

Flash News from WonderCon

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I’m back from the convention, and have a bunch of photos up at Flickr. Catching up, there isn’t a whole lot of new Flash information that came out at the convention. Here are a few bits from the DC Nation and DC Universe panels.

I attended both, but the only items that stood out were those I posted to my Twitter stream:

  • Ian Sattler on Flash:Rebirth: everything you want in a Flash Book x10
  • And yes, Wally will keep playing a role in the DCU

CBR adds from DC Nation:

Sattler said there will not be an ongoing Flash Rogues book, but they may star in more stories.

If I’d thought of a question that hadn’t been answered 500 times before, I would have asked it, but as it was there wasn’t much new information.

I did have an interesting exchange on Twitter, though:

SpeedsterSite: @SpeedForceOrg If Van Sciver’s there, be sure to let him know SpeedsterSite says hi!

SpeedForceOrg: @SpeedsterSite Haven’t seen any sign of EVS. I think he might be at MegaCon.

batmansgirl: @SpeedForceOrg EVS was definitely at Megacon today. He did a sketch for me of Bruce in Black Lantern suit. I *love* the way he drew his eyes

Tweeting WonderCon 2009

Friday

  • Waiting in line to get into WonderCon…
  • Almost ready to go in, all I can see of the main floor is the giant T-shirt booth.
  • Waiting for DC Nation to start. Batman across the aisle, Green Lantern a few rows up. Techs getting slideshow ready.
  • Realized I’m right next to audience Q&A mike. Might want to move….
  • Ian Sattler: This is a really long story – ina good way
  • 8 Bat books in June, & Paul Dini is on both Batman: Streets of Gotham & Gotham City Sirens.
  • Catwoman,Poison Ivy & Harley Quinn as a serious teamup? (Sirens)
  • Sattler to yawning GL cosplayer: Have the willpower to stay awake during our presentation!
  • Wonder Woman movie is phenomenal.
  • GL trailer looked very impressive. Really going scifi cosmic, w/ the corps, Sinestro (in his modern uniform) etc.
  • Uploading WonderCon (and vacation) pics to Flickr
  • *sigh* Flickr Uploadr got stuck. Retrying now.. then sleep.

Saturday

  • Wow… WonderCon is a LOT more crowded than yesterday
  • Spotted 3 Rorschachs so far. And a zillion Wonder Woman tiaras. (I think they’re today’s DC giveaway)
  • Autograph area is PACKED
  • A balloon just went racing across the hall until it ran out of air.
  • At DC Universe panel…
  • Judd Winnick reads Top 10 Things You Expect From Judd Winnick Writing Batman
  • Ian Sattler on Flash:Rebirth: everything you want in a Flash Book x10
  • And yes, Wally will keep playing a role in the DCU
  • James Robinson: goal is to make books so good that you CAN’T wait for the trade
  • Arg! Final Crisis IS linear, except the final issue, and that’s a straight framing+flashback parallel structure.
  • People leaving after Star Trek panel at WonderCon
  • Crowd Control: “There’s plenty of room, they all left after Star Trek because they’re crazy.”
  • More WonderCon photos up at Flickr

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Note: Somehow when I added the headings, I added the wrong days of the week. This was Friday and Saturday, not Saturday and Sunday.

WonderCon 2009 Day One

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Having a great time at WonderCon so far. The con floor is divided into 3 main areas – publishers, comic dealers, and Artists’ Alley. There’s a bit more variation, but that’s the main breakdown. Not too many people in costumes today. Everyone seemed very patient in the line waiting to get in, much more than I’d expect in, say, San Diego.

Talked to some artists, picked up some autographs, bought some trades I’d been meaning to pick up. Got over to the Boom booth to pick up the Farscape exclusive, hit the DC Nation and Boom panels, saw an interesting one on the real archaeology behind the Indiana Jones series.

Also attended the screening of the direct-to-DVD Wonder Woman movie coming out on Tuesday. It’s incredible. It’s epic. Ares is the main villain, there’s an all-out war that nearly gave the film an R rating (I think the final cut is PG-13), and it doesn’t shy away from any aspect or implications of Diana’s origin — and because it tackles everything head-on, it works.

After WW, there was a brief trailer for the next direct-to-DVD animation, Green Lantern, which looks to be very cosmic and sci-fi in tone.

More comments on Twitter, and first batch of photos are up on Flickr.

Update: I have a more thorough con report up at K-Squared Ramblings.