DC has released the variant covers for Flash #49 and #50, both by Francesco Mattina. They hint at stress and trauma in the next two issues of “Flash War”, and suggest the situation may get more intense for the members of the Flash Family.
You can see the cover for #49 at left, and the cover for #50 is below. What do you think of them?
The best part of “Flash War” to me is also what makes the REBIRTH era so much fun – we are finally recognizing everything in the rich history of the DCU. Most especially here, we are seeing the best of both Barry’s Silver Age time and Wally’s era as the lead Flash as well. While a lot of fans are picking #TeamBarry or #TeamWally, you really don’t have to pick a side to enjoy THIS ride. We are in the middle of what could well be the most significant story arc since before the New52 began, and that’s exceptionally good news! Want to know more? Follow us after the jump!
SPOILERS AHEAD!
There’s been a lot of DC and Warner Bros-related news over the last few days: the AT&T/Time Warner merger approved, Diane Nelson departing DCE, Geoff Johns leaving his executive positions to focus on writing and producing, and now a new movie strategy as reported by THR.
John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein (Spider-Man: Homecoming, Game Night) are the latest directors attached to the Flash movie, which is now scheduled to go into production with Ezra Miller in 2019. THR says they are “looking to Back to the Future as a touchstone” as far as tone is concerned — and refers to the movie as The Flash, rather than Flashpoint. Whether that’s simple shorthand or a deliberate title change is unclear, but they seem to be going for something a bit less grim than the original Flashpoint. No word on whether Wonder Woman and Cyborg are still involved.
As for the small screen, we don’t know much about The Flash Season Five, but we do know that after half a season on Legends of Tomorrow, Keiynan Lonsdale’s Wally West is leaving the show. He’s set to be in the Season 5 premiere of The Flash, but won’t be returning as a regular on either series. In a message on Instagram, he explains that it was his decision to move on, but that it’s “not a total goodbye” — “Wally West will still be round when you need him the most!”
Update: Literally 5 minutes after posting this, I saw that Danielle Nicolet (D.A. Cecile Horton) is being promoted to series regular next year.
Update 2: Hartley Sawyer (Ralph Dibny) has also been promoted to regular for season five.
Update 3: Jessica Parker Kennedy, who plays the future Nora West-Allen (Iris & Barry’s daughter), is also going to be a regular.
DC has posted the official five-page preview for Flash #48, and you can read it at DC’s blog. In it, we see a flashback of Wally and his kids during happier times, and in the present Hunter Zolomon makes Wally an interesting offer. The issue is out this Wednesday.
THE FLASH #48
Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON • Art and cover by HOWARD PORTER • Variant cover by FRANCESCO MATTINA
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.
“FLASH WAR” part two! Barry Allen and Wally West are brought to the future to stand trial for the murder of Eobard Thawne, but a terrible truth is uncovered when they reach the court—and Wally West is confronted with something he never even realized he lost.
On sale JUNE 13 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Among the comics I never thought I’d have the opportunity to review would be…well, this one! Still, The Flash / Speed Buggy Special was a very pleasant surprise. It was lots of fun, giving Wally fans a number of Easter Eggs – and a new twist on the origin of the Hanna-Barbera favorite! Want to know more? Follow us after the jump!
SPOILERS AHEAD!
This week will see one of the odder Flash issues you’ll read in a while, The Flash/Speed Buggy Special #1. You can see the official five page preview at DC’s own site, so check it out and see what you think. The issue is out this Wednesday.
THE FLASH/SPEED BUGGY SPECIAL #1
Written by SCOTT LOBDELL • Art and cover by BRETT BOOTH and NORM RAPMUND • Variant cover by IVAN REIS
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.
When Wally West tries to take down Kilg%re, he’s stunned to find he has an unknown ally who can move just as fast as he can. Dr. Pernell, a brilliant S.T.A.R. Labs scientist, has found a way to power his buggy using the Speed Force. When The Flash agrees to help test the limits of the vehicle in a race, something sends them spiraling out of the Speed Force and into the unknown. They land in a post-apocalyptic future, but Dr. Pernell is gone, leaving only the buggy, which is now sentient. Together with his new anthropomorphic ally, The Flash must find a way to repair the time stream and stop the triple threat of Savitar, Speed Demon Buggy and…Reverse Speed Buggy!
RETRO-SOLICITED • ONE-SHOT • On sale MAY 30 • 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T