We get so many fun things in this episode that’s it’s hard to know where to start…but without hitting spoilers too early, let’s note that this episode has some elements of both King Kong (to be expected) and The Hunchback of Notre Dame (not so expected but very cool). Barry is trying to heal after Zoom’s attack last episode, but will he heal in time to deal with…Grodd? More about that after the jump.
SOME SPOILERS AHEAD
The Flash vol.3: Gorilla Warfare collection was originally scheduled for a December 2013 release, but was dropped from the schedule a few weeks ago. DC has released an updated late 2013/early 2014 collections list today, including the new release date for the book.
THE FLASH VOL. 3: GORILLA WARFARE HC
Written by FRANCIS MANAPUL and BRIAN BUCCELLATO
Art by FRANCIS MANAPUL, MARCUS TO, MARCIO TAKARA and others
Cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL
RESOLICIT • On sale FEBRUARY 12 • 176 pg, FC, $24.99 US
When Grodd and his army descend on Central City, The Flash will have to contend with a threat that’s murderous, ruthless and without principle. The Flash will need the help of the Rogues if he wants to keep himself and Central City alive. This new hardcover collects THE FLASH #13-19.
It’s not clear why they delayed the book, though my off-the-cuff guess is that it might have something to do with putting more resources toward Forever Evil/Villains Month collections for the Christmas shopping season.
DC Comics has released their June-August 2014 book list, with two Flash collections hitting stores in August 2014.
The Flash Vol. 3: Gorilla Warfare TP
Collects The Flash #13-19
176 pg, $16.99 US
The Flash Vol. 4: Reverse HC
Collects The Flash #20-24, The Flash #23.1: Grodd and The Flash #23.2: Reverse Flash
176 pg, $24.99 US
I guess that eliminates the speculation about moving the Grodd special from vol.4 to vol.3, which leaves open the question of just what DC is doing with the Gorilla Warfare hardcover (currently scheduled for December 2013).
It’s got to be tough to be a wait-for-trade Flash reader these days. With hardcovers shipping roughly a year after the final chapter of each story, and paperbacks hitting 8-9 months after that, you can easily end up two years behind. I still can’t believe the Move Forward paperback just shipped this month.
Two updates on upcoming Flash collections.
First up, Collected Editions has located a ton of upcoming DC Comics collections for 2013/2014, including Flash Vol. 4: Reverse, featuring issues #20-24 and the Villains Month Gorilla Grodd and Reverse Flash issues. Reverse Flash makes sense, but Grodd is an odd choice except in the need-to-put-it-somewhere sense. The link to the Reverse entry is down, though, which may be related to this next piece of information.
ComicList’s latest DC Comics Extended Forecast notes that orders for December’s hardcover of Flash vol.3: Gorilla Warfare have been canceled and the book will be resolicited later. As Collected Editions points out, this could indicate a content change. It was originally solicited featurng Flash #13-19, which collects the 5-part “Gorilla Warfare” in #13-17 and a two-part Trickster story in #18-19 with teases for the Reverse Flash.
Pure speculation here, but maybe DC is re-arranging these as follows:
It would make more sense than the current breakdown, and put six issues in one book and eight in the next. The only drawback I see is that the Reverse collection would open with the Trickster two-parter instead of jumping straight into the main story that lends its title to the volume.
DC’s collected edition solicitations are up, including:
THE FLASH VOL. 3: GORILLA WARFARE HC
Written by FRANCIS MANAPUL and BRIAN BUCCELLATO
Art by FRANCIS MANAPUL, MARCUS TO, RYAN WINN and MARCIO TAKARA
Cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL
On sale DECEMBER 4 • 176 pg, FC, $24.99 US
When Grodd and his gorilla army descend on Central City, The Flash will have to contend with a threat unlike any he’s faced before: murderous, ruthless and without principle. With mammoth strength and mind-control powers, Grodd will not stop until he conquers the city with its heroes blood on his hands. Knowing he cannot defeat this new foe alone, The Flash will need the help of his former enemies, the Rogues, if he wants to keep himself and Central City alive. This new hardcover collects THE FLASH #13-19.
DC Comics has released their Fall 2013 collections list, including the following titles:
The Flash Vol. 3: Gorilla Warfare HC
Writers: Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato
Artists: Francis Manapul, Marcus To, Ryan Winn and Marcio Takara
Collects: The Flash #13-19
$24.99 US, 176 pg
December 2013
Amazon already has the book available for pre-order.
The Flash Vol. 2: Rogues Revolution TP
Writers: Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato
Artists: Francis Manapul, Marcus To, Scott Kolins, Diogenes Neves, Oclair Albert, Marcio Takara, Wes Craig and Ray McCarthy
Collects: The Flash #9-12 and The Flash Annual #1
$16.99 US, 176 pg
December 2013
This is a surprise because it’s a very quick turnaround from the hardcover, which is coming in August!
Smallville Season 11 Vol. 3: Haunted TP
Writer: Bryan Q. Miller
Artist: Jorge Jimenez
Collects: Smallville Season 11 #9-12
$14.99 US, 144 pg
October 2013
Also on Amazon. This is the story that guest-starred Impulse, which will finish up its final chapter in digital format this Friday and in print format next month.