When I first read Freshmen, I thought the name of the Ax-Cell-Erator — the device which gave the main characters their powers — was kind of cheesy. Recently, while washing dishes, I happened to look in the sink at the rim of the garbage disposer, clearly labeled In-Sink-Erator.
Okay, maybe it’s not that far-fetched a name…
The Flash Companion debuts at Comic-Con International in San Diego this week. Also, the trade for Countdown to Adventure is out with a couple of alternate-reality Flashes.
The Flash Companion details the publication histories of the four heroes who have individually earned the right to be declared DC Comics’ “Fastest Man Alive”: Jay Garrick, Barry Allen, Wally West, and Bart Allen.
With articles about legendary creators Shelly Mayer, Gardner Fox, E.E. Hibbard, Julius Schwartz, Robert Kanigher, John Broome, Ross Andru, Irv Novick and all new interviews of Harry Lampert, Carmine Infantino, Cary Bates, Alex Saviuk, Mike W. Barr, Marv Wolfman, Mike Baron, Jackson Guice, Mark Waid, Kolins, among others, The Flash Companion recounts the scarlet speedster’s evolution from the Golden Age to the 21st century.
Also featured are “lost covers,” never before published commission pieces by Flash artists throughout the decades, a Rogues Gallery detailing The Flash’s most famous foes, a tribute to late artist Mike Wieringo by Mark Waid, a look at the speedster’s 1990s TV show, and “Flash facts” detailing pivotal moments in Flash history.
[Note: check out this blog’s Flash Companion coverage for previews, podcasts and more.]
Written by Keith Dallas, with a cover by Don Kramer (Detective Comics, JSA) with colors by Moose Baumann (Green Lantern).
Collecting the 8-issue miniseries spinning out of 52, featuring the adventures of Animal Man, Starfire, Adam Strange, the mysterious new character Forerunner and more! Can they prevent San Diego from being wiped out by the enigmatic Healers?
[Note: This book features several alternate-reality Flashes, including Lady Flash of the Conjurers of Earth-33, and the Nazi speedster of Earth-10.]
Written by Adam Beechen; Art by Eddy Barrows and Julio Ferreiro and others; Cover by Ivan Reis and Oclair Albert
It’s all-out Amazon fury against Amazo! Wonder Woman is the last Leaguer standing against the souped-up android — and the prize is Red Tornado’s body!
Written by Dwayne McDuffie; Art and cover by Ed Benes
DC’s Direct Channel newsletter reports that Final Crisis: Rogues’ Revenge #1 and Final Crisis: Requiem have sold out at the publisher. Both will be going back for second printings to be released on August 13 — a week before issue Rogues’ Revenge #2 arrives.
According to the release, the reprint will have “a recolored version of the issue’s cover by Scott Kolins.” Since the same artist did both covers (warning to low-bandwidth users: image-intensive page), it’s not clear which cover will be used for the reprint.
Update (Wednesday): ComicNewsi has the cover designs. They’re using the Captain Cold art with the sliver design.
1. Lying in the Gutters comments on Rogues’ Revenge:
If “Captain Britain” is the “Secret Invasion” spinoff that’s more entertaining than the series it spins off from, then “Rogue’s Revenge” is the “Final Crisis” spinoff that you can actually understand and enjoy, even if you have no idea of the continuity and characters it refers to?
2. CBR has an article on True Believers, the Marvel mini-series by 1970s Flash writer Cary Bates, including 6 pages of preview art. The first issue comes out next week.
3. Flash Companion author Keith Dallas has posted his San Diego schedule:
On Thursday from 3-4PM I’ll be a panelist on “TwoMorrows Publishing Today” in Room 10.
I’ll also be at the TwoMorrows booth (#1215) autographing The Flash Companion during these dates and times:
Thursday, 4-5pm
Friday, 3-4pm
Saturday, 11-12pm
DC has posted its solicitations for October 2008.
Flash learns that nothing is safe anymore as Queen Bee causes an attack on his house and Linda. Guest-starring Black Lightning!
October 15, 2008. Written by Alan Burnett. Art by Paco Diaz and Drew Geraci. Cover by Brian Stelfreeze.
Team books and more after the cut: Continue reading
Newsarama has an interview with Grant Morrison dealing with Final Crisis #2. At one point they ask about the Flashes’ role, and that final page. “Run!”
Newsarama: And towards the end of the issue – given their experiences, Flashes have an almost inherent higher understanding of time and dimensions as well as frequencies and vibrations…but we, as readers, don’t. So where is Barry running in from at the end?
Grant Morrison: Barry has been in the Speed Force, beyond life and death. Keep reading for the answers to these and other mysteries.
Two more weeks…