Tag Archives: Solicitations

Flash Collections for 2014-2015 – 75th Anniversary, Omnibus & More

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*whew* Comics Beat rounds up DC’s upcoming collections, and there’s a ton of Flash stuff coming up!

The Flash: A Celebration of 75 years
Gardner Fox, Geoff Johns, Carmine Infantino
On Sale Date: January 20, 2015
$75.00 USD / $85.00 CAD
400 pages Hardback
Comics & Graphic Novels / Superheroes
9781401251789, 1401251781

Summary: Introduced in 1940, The Flash burst onto the comic book scene with an explosive debut akin to his super-speed powers. He was an instant smash-hit success, as the lightning bolt insignia upon his chest became synonymous with the term “superhero”. Even as seven decades have passed, The Flash is still a vibrant part of the DC Comics lore and an integral part of the genre.

THE FLASH: A CELEBRATION OF 75 YEARS collects a wide range of stories featuring the Scarlet Speedster, ranging his seven decades as a mainstay in the DC Comics universe. From the original Flash, Jay Garrick, to his successors Barry Allen and Wally West, the mantle of this beloved hero has made him burst beyond the printed page into a pop culture symbol. This anthology graphic novel collects stories from the industry’s legendary talents, including Gardner Fox, John Broome and Geoff Johns.

This is totally going on my wish list for next year! I hope it’s more than just a collection of stories (though I’ll get it for that anyway), and has articles about the artists and writers and characters over the years. I’d love this to be a combination of Greatest Stories, Flash Companion, and DC: 75 Years of Modern Mythmaking. I also hope that it actually does justice to all the Flashes. The last “Greatest Flash Stories” collection was short on page space and focused almost entirely on (a) early Barry Allen and (b) a giant team-up one-shot from the 1970s.

The Flash Omnibus Vol. 1
Robert Kanigher, John Broome, Carmine Infantino
On Sale Date: September 30, 2014
$99.99 USD / $112.00 CAD
864 pages Hardback
Comics & Graphic Novels / Superheroes
9781401251499, 1401251498
Summary: This massive title collects the earliest Silver Age adventures of The Flash, just in time for his debut as the star of the new series THE FLASH on the CW network. Stories include the origin of The Flash, the first appearances of his sidekick, Kid Flash, fellow detective The Elongated Man, and much more.
Collects SHOWCASE #4, 8, 13 and 14 and THE FLASH #105-132.

I’m less enthused by this collection. The same material has been reprinted in several volumes of Flash Archives, Flash Chronicles, and Showcase Presents: The Flash. Every time DC comes up with a new reprint format, they start over at the beginning. The only reason the Showcase books got past the mid-1960s is that they did an extra volume focusing on the Trial of the Flash. I’m beginning to wonder if DC will ever get around to reprinting that 20-year gap between the mid-1960s and the Trial in the mid-1980s. Those stories aren’t even available digitally yet.

That said, if you don’t have the out-of-print Flash Archives, this is a good place to start. And the timing should get them into bookstores ahead of the Flash TV show if it gets picked up.

New 52 Collections

Forever Evil: Rogues Rebellion
Brian Buccellato, Scott Hepburn, Patrick Zircher
On Sale Date: September 30, 2014
$16.99 USD / $19.99 CAD
192 pages Paperback / softback / Trade paperback (US)
Comics & Graphic Novels / Superheroes
9781401249410, 1401249418

Summary: A tie-in to the crossover event FOREVER EVIL! The Rogues-the Flash’s gallery of villains-call no man boss, but a new evil threat might not leave them much choice! Will they fall in line, or refuse and risk certain death? Will the Rogues be able to take on the Crime Syndicate together?

Written by THE FLASH scribe Brian Buccellato, FOREVER EVIL: ROGUES REBELLION brings the Scarlet Speedster’s infamous foes into unfamiliar territory: as heroes! Collects issues #1-6, THE FLASH #23.1 and #23.3.

Interesting that they’re going straight to TP on the Forever Evil tie-ins.

The Flash Vol. 4: Reverse (The New 52)
Francis Manapul, Brian Buccellato
On Sale Date: February 3, 2015
$16.99 USD / $19.99 CAD
176 pages Paperback / softback / Trade paperback (US)
Comics & Graphic Novels / Superheroes
9781401249496, 1401249493

Summary: The fourth volume of Brian Buccellato and Francis Manapul’s New 52 breakout hit – The Flash!

A mysterious and powerful Speed-Force killer has left a trail of bodies in his wake and only Barry has the power to stop him. But when the killer stays one step ahea Barry finds himself face to face with the Teen Titans and Kid Flash for the first time. All this will lead to a confrontation with the Flash’s most deadly foe, The Reverse Flash!

This final volume of Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato’s mammoth run on the Scarlet Speedster is here in THE FLASH VOL. 4: REVERSE. Collects issues #20-25, REVERSE FLASH #23.2.

The HC is out in August 2014.

The Flash Vol. 5 (The New 52)
Brian Buccellato, Patrick Zircher
On Sale Date: February 3, 2015
$14.99 USD / $17.99 CAD
144 pages Paperback / softback / Trade paperback (US)
Comics & Graphic Novels / Superheroes
9781401249502, 1401249507

Summary: The fifth volume of the New 52 breakout hit – The Flash! Find out how Barry Allen adjusts after his epic battle with The Reverse Flash! Also, find out how The Flash and Green Lantern first met in THE FLASH Annual #2 included in this volume.

Collects THE FLASH #26-29 and THE FLASH Annual #2.

This gives the Manapul/Buccellato run a solid set of books: Four volumes of Manapul/Buccellato, one of Buccellato solo writing with other artists, and Rogues Rebellion, allowing a clean start for the new team with volume 6.

Teen Titans Vol. 5: The Trial of Kid Flash (The New 52)
Scott Lobdell, Tyler Kirkham, Art Thibert
On Sale Date: February 10, 2015
$16.99 USD / $19.99 CAD
208 pages Paperback / softback / Trade paperback (US)
Comics & Graphic Novels / Superheroes
9781401250539, 140125053X

Summary: New York Times best-selling writer Scott Lobdell continues his tenure on Teen Titans with this latest volume tyng into the cataclysmic events of FOREVER EVIL.

The Teen Titans’ fall through the time stream as seen in FOREVER EVIL. But is this the help they’ve been looking for, or are things about to go from bad to worse? Plus: The secrets of Kid Flash’s origin begin here!

Collects TEEN TITANS #24-30, TEEN TITANS Annual #2.

Rogues in Catwoman #30-31: The Race of Outlaws

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I missed these Rogues appearances in an upcoming Catwoman story, “The Race of Outlaws,” which features Glider and Mirror Master. Thanks to Lee Hiley & Mack Nathan for the reminder!

From DC’s April and May solicitations.

Catwoman #30

CATWOMAN #30
Written by ANN NOCENTI
Art by PATRICK OLLIFFE
Cover by TERRY DODSON and RACHEL DODSON
On sale APRIL 23 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
“The Race of Outlaws” begins! Despite her best efforts, Selina Kyle just can’t stop being Catwoman. What’s dragged her back into the catsuit? A globe-trotting contest that will have her competing to earn the prize for being the best thief in the world. But watch out, Catwoman – there’s no honor among thieves!

Catwoman #31

CATWOMAN #31
Written by ANN NOCENTI
Art by PATRICK OLLIFFE and TOM NGUYEN
Cover by TERRY DODSON and RACHEL DODSON
On sale MAY 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
The Race of Outlaws heats up as Catwoman takes on Central City – but the hometown advantage may favor the Rogues!

Flash #31 in May: The Future Invades the Present

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DC Comics’ list of comics for May has been released, including…

THE FLASH #31
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI and VAN JENSEN
Art and cover by BRETT BOOTH and NORM RAPMUND
1:25 BATMAN ’66 variant cover by MICHAEL ALLRED
On sale MAY 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Continued from THE FLASH ANNUAL #3! Guest starring Future Flash, Future Mirror Master and…Wally West! The future is invading Central City and the fates of Wally West and his Aunt Iris hang in the balance!

Flash #31

Three items of note:

  1. They list the future Flash separately from Wally West (though it could as easily be future Wally and present Wally as it could be future Barry and present Barry), recalling Brett Booth’s cryptic remarks about the annual. (But honestly, who would expect a straight answer from DC after all this time?)
  2. They confirm that Wally is Iris’ nephew in this continuity.
  3. Future Mirror Master.

MPH: Millarworld launches a speedster comic in May

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Image Comics’ May 2014 solicitations include a 5-issue miniseries about speedsters from Mark Millar and Duncan Fegredo: “MPH”

The all-new Millarworld Universe kicks into high gear with the launch of Millar and Fegredo’s fast and furious miniseries. When a group of hard-luck teens in Motor City stumble upon a street drug called MPH, they gain the power of super speed. Will they use it to save the world? Hell no! Not when there’s dolla, dolla bills to be had, y’all. A high-octane urban adventure, MPH brings you super speed like you’ve never seen before! This launch features a variant cover by Jock, a blank cover variant, and a special series of linked cover variants by Fegredo showcasing the book’s cast.

Millar, who co-wrote The Flash with Grant Morrison for a year back in 1998-1999, spoke to THR last fall (via CBR) about the book, which is the first piece of a 21st-century superhero universe he plans to build over the next few years.

The first issue arrives in stores May 21.

MPH #1

Flash #30 Solicitation (UPDATED)

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Flash #30

DC Comics’ Full April details are up!

FLASH #30
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI and VAN JENSEN
Art and cover by BRETT BOOTH and NORM RAPMUND
1:25 MAD Variant cover
On sale APRIL 23 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

An all-new creative team makes its debut to show the deadly consequences of The Flash’s speed powers. During the traumatic events of FOREVER EVIL, Central City suffered the worst that the Crime Syndicate could dish out. Now The Flash has returned to make things right, but there are limits to what even the Fastest Man Alive can do!

This is also the month that the outgoing Flash creative team Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato takes over Detective Comics with issue #30.

Originally posted Jan. 14 using the description of Flash #30 on DC’s blog.

Flash Annual 3 Solicitation and the Future Wally West

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Flash Annual #3

THE FLASH ANNUAL #3
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI and VAN JENSEN
Art by BRETT BOOTH, RON FRENZ, NORM RAPMUND and LIVESAY
Cover by BRETT BOOTH and NORM RAPMUND
On sale APRIL 30 • 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T

The start of a major new arc for the Fastest Man Alive! In the future, The Flash is a broken man. His powers have failed him time and again at great cost to him and the city he has sworn to protect. Now he’s coming back to 2014 to stop the one event that destroyed his life. Meanwhile, in the present, Barry Allen must contend with thieves trying to capitalize on the devastation of FOREVER EVIL. It’s a tale of two timelines that ushers in one of DC’s most storied characters…featuring The New 52 debut of WALLY WEST!

Yesterday, DC announced the return of Wally West. Today, Comicosity has the scoop on DC’s April 2014 annuals, including the Flash Annual #3. This answers a lot of questions about the setup, and while it’s not 100% clear that Wally West is the Flash from the future, it certainly implies it. (These are Flash solicitations. You really do have to watch for ambiguity.)

2014 is a bit late to undo Flashpoint 😉 Seriously, though, I’m a little concerned that this sounds similar to the Reverse Flash arc that we just finished, though perhaps the fact that it’s Barry Allen’s present day will make a difference…and presumably Wally West’s methods will be less destructive, and the inevitable conflict between speedsters will have at least the potential for a more positive outcome for both.

So, what do you think?

Update: Norm Rapmund has posted the black and white version of the cover on Twitter. Continue reading →