The Flash, Vol. 6: The Secret of Barry Allen

Brad Meltzer's universe changing Identity Crisis still haunts me to this very day. Sue Dibny did not deserve her fate. Husband Ralph, the Elongated Man, didn't either. This collection of Flash comics are the prelude to Identity Crisis you didn't know you needed.

Hunter Zolomon lies in a special cell at Iron Heights Penitentiary, frozen in a moment of time. He targeted Wally West's family, causing wife Linda to miscarriage. As a result, West went to Hal Jordan, who inherited the mantle of the Spectre, for help. Using the God-blessed powers of the Spirit of Vengeance, Jordan made it to where the world forget that Wally West is the Flash; including Wally himself.

Now after about a month of a normal life, Wally has regained his memories and so has Linda. It's made marriage difficult and Linda has left her husband to deal with the sudden shock. Now the Justice League wants to know just who in the heck is the Flash; especially as the sudden loss of memory seems very similar to what happened to Doctor Light when he raped Sue Disney. Has the Justice League gone too far once more?

After Wally learns of his predecessor's role in the magical lobotomy of Light, the latest hero to carry the name of the Flash will learn that this is not the only sin Barry Allen made. What Wally must do to put things right will put something Barry Allen did right again. However, West's task may end up fracturing the uneasy detente between the Scarlet Speedster and the Rogues; including those who have reformed!

Over 200 pages of story featuring Scarlet Speedsters of the past, present and future. Yet, like with most Flash tales, the stars of the show are the Rogues. I felt when I watched The CW's The Flash TV show that the Rogues were so novel and unlike the comics. But I had based that assumption on a vast majority of my reading on books from the Silver Age and early Bronze Age. The strange moralism of Captain Cold. The vindictive nature of human hater, Gorilla Grodd. The reluctant heroics of Heatwave. It's all in here! 

It's also kinda making me rethink my stance on The Flash TV series. Will it make me re-watch it? Not in the least. I've got better things to do. But I have a much greater appreciation for it.

A wonderful collection of work by Geoff Johns, who in my opinion is a sorely underrated comic scribe. Everyone gives Jim Lee and Dan Didio props for the evolution of the modern DC Universe. But after reading 'The Secret of Barry Allen', I'm feeling that Johns deserves a heck of a lot more credit than has been due!

And YES! If you are keeping track, this is a re-read and yet I don't remember reading this prior! Oh, boy...

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Flash and Green Lantern: The Brave and the Bold

Collecting the six-issue miniseries from 1999-2000, this volume recounts the long and complicated friendship between the Barry Allen Flash and the Hal Jordan Green Lantern.

This is a friendship that on paper shouldn't really be. Barry is a nerd, nebbish and sorta a prude. Plus he's a family man, married to Iris West and surrogate father to Wally. Hal is a playboy, a loner, a rebel. He's devoted to Carol Ferris but he plays the field quite a bit. The closet he has to a family is a pair of brothers that he only sees maybe for Thanksgiving and Christmas if lucky.

Clearly this friendship is proof that opposites attract. 

This book is beautifully illustrated by A.D. 2000's Barry Kitson and Tom Grindberg. It's topped off by the epic storytelling of Mark Waid (Daredevil) and Tom Peyer (Batman '66). 

Just as with the history of these two characters, there's highs and lows. I thought the entire book was great. But I hated seeing how both characters were affected by loss and tragedy. Both Hal and Barry have gone through some really crappy stuff in their nearly 70 some years of existence. 

The best chapter has Barry and Hal going on an intergalactic camping trip with their Earth-2 predecessors Jay Garrick and Alan Scott. It's very funny seeing the generation gap between Jordan and Scott and how much Barry and Jay are like mirror images of each other.

A great book that is a must for any fan of the Silver Age Flash and Green Lantern! But be sure to read with tissues nearby.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

The Flash: The Secret of Barry Allen (Volume 6)

After an attempt on the life of his wife, Wally West made a deal with the Spectre to have his secret identity become secret again. The deal comes with a catch. It not only made everyone forget that Wally is the Flash. It also made him forget too! Thusly Keystone City is without a protector and that means it’s open season for the Rogues!

As Wally regains his memory, he must face the consequences of his actions. His wife has left him. The Justice League is weary of their mysterious ally. In addition, Wally must learn to have faith in himself as his brings his city back under control.

Meanwhile, the events of Identity Crisis is unravelling in the DC Universe. Sue Dibny has been murdered and the terrible role Wally’s Uncle, Barry Allen played in the punishment of Doctor Light has been revealed to both the superhero and criminal communities. Can Wally continue to operate as the Scarlet Speedster knowing that his idol was flawed? Moreover, how will West be able to rectify his image considering how his deal with the Spectre has tarnished his own image as well?

I’m a huge fan of the Flash. However, it’s the Barry Allen Flash that I am so devoted to. I do not hate Wally west. It’s just that I grew up reading the classic Barry Allen Flash tales and that’s the one I am fond of. So when I found a trade that united both the Allen and West Flashes together,, I thought this to be a good starting point to determine if I want to get into the Wally West years or not.

Geoff Johns wrote this book. The man is a freakin’ beast when it comes to writing anything DC. (Okay, has he written for any other company?) With that being said, I knew that I would be in good hands diving into the West era. I was not wrong either. Johns crafts two very compelling storylines while blending the action in seamlessly with the events of Brad Meltzer’s Identity Crisis.

Artwork duties were executed by Justice League 3000’s Howard Porter. His style was pretty decent and the way he renders a Speedster on print media was adequate enough to make me feel like the Flash and other characters were animated on the static two-dimensional page. One thing I felt was off was Porter’s drawing of the Flash’s feet. Compared to the hero’s stick legs and very narrow hips, the feet look ginormous! Plus a little goofy.

I loved the covers by Michael Turner. He’s like the Tupac of the comic book world publishing works almost a decade after his untimely passing. However, The Secret of Barry Allen was from 2004-05, so that’s not the case here. Nevertheless, his covers are amazing!

I was really impressed with this trade. I think if I ever come across further volumes, I will definitely consider them- for the right price. But right now, it’s completing a run on the Barry Allen Flash books that’s my main priority. Once I complete that search, who knows? Maybe a run of Wally West tales is next?

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Flashpoint #5

    The reason behind the Flashpoint is finally revealed!
     Wow such a twist!
     What such an amazing point of view from the Reverse Flash!
     
     Now the Flashpoint storyline is playing out every Tuesday night on the CW. I'm actually glad that I waited until now to read Flashpoint. The first two seasons of the Flash were completely new stuff to me. I was really up to date with everything from Barry Allen's Silver Age debut through the Crisis on Infinite Earths. But Barry's return- well that was undiscovered territory. I really think if I had, the last 2 year's would've been kinda predictable.
      I just hope season 3 is as exciting and new as the previous 2 seasons. But if it does get a little too much like this storyline, I really hope they don't a have scene where all sorts of random unexpected players suddenly enter the final Atlantis/ Themyscira battlefield and just kinda preen and threaten.
      It was the height of ridiculousness! 

    Worth Consuming

    Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

   

Booster Gold #47 (A Flashpoint Tie-In)

  Booster Gold comes face to face with the man in control of the monster, Doomsday: General Nathaniel Adam. For Booster, whose from the unaltered DC Universe, it's like seeing an old friend and wondering whatever did he do to piss him off. For Adam, as a member of the Flashpoint, he's never seen Booster before in his life and the Air Force officer is convinced that this newcomer is a shock trooper from Emperor Aquaman's Atlantean forces. Now bound with metahuman resistant chains, how will the Hero You Never Heard Of find the ket to reversing the Flashpoint- Barry Allen!
    The thrilling conclusion to Booster Gold is not without it's detractors. For one thing, I hate that in the New 52! Booster Gold was merely a footnote as a member of Justice League International. I hope with Rebirth, he'll be a major player again. So, parts of how this book ended was bittersweet. I did however, LOVE that it's revealed who, how, and why those mysterious phrases were written on the chalkboard in Rip Hunter's base (see Time Masters: Vanishing Point #6.) Why they had to be written in code is still a mystery. But I at least was happy with how that plot point turned out. 

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Flashpoint #4

   Spinning out of the pages of Hal Jordan #2, America's last hope to end the Atlantis/Themyscira War has failed. Meanwhile, Barry Allen's memories of the pre-Flashpoint universe have nearly been wiped from existence. For Thomas Wayne, that means that any hope of a universe in which his son Bruce Wayne lives is fading fast- and so to prevent that, the Batman has finally decided to lead Cyborg's coalition. But who will answer the call to save the DC Universe?
     The first half of this issue is filled with lots of interesting quantum theory and strategic planning. The last half is filled with dynamic action that pulls no punches and is filled perhaps some of the most shocking and graphic death scenes ever illustrated in the pages of DC Comics. When the cover says that it's rated Teen- the editors aren't lying.  
    The penultimate chapter of this universe changing classic. It may not be the most exciting (or my favorite) of the miniseries crossover event, but it's not to be missed either. 
     Note: the editors at DC missed a great opportunity by not having a miniseries based on the SHAZAM! gang. That's all I will say about that without giving away any spoilers, but DC dropped the ball on that one, folks. That's for sure.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.
    

Flashpoint #3

Barry Allen's attempt to get his powers back has failed. Now near death, Thomas Wayne struggles to keep Barry alive or any hope of reversing the Flashpoint event is gone with the formerly Fastest Man Alive.

  Meanwhile, Cyborg seeking to recruit an army to take on the combined Atlantis-Themyscira threat, is ordered by the President to stand down and let the Army take control. Apparently, standing down means hacking into the mainframe to the Pentagon to find. Will he uncover the secrets to the Superman and if he does will he find a friend or a foe?

   This miniseries just keeps getting better and better. I have been so impressed with Geoff Johns and how he created a new faucet of the DC Universe that's familiar but yet completely different as well. If you have not read Flashpoint point yet, what are you wanting for? This is classic alternate universe DC at it's very best and very much Worth Consuming.

  Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Flashpoint: Reverse Flash #1

  Another story published under the Flashpoint banner but set outside the Flashpoint Universe. This issue examines further the lengths and depths Eobard Thawne, AKA the Reverse Flash, AKA Professor Zoom, will go to to give Barry Allen hell. In many ways this issue is a sequel or continuation of The Flash #8 from 2010. Titled The Reverse Flash Rebirth, that issue explored Thawne's life in the 25th century and what led up to him becoming the futures most deadliest villain. Here, we get a good look at the Reverse Flash's dalliances with the speedsters of the past in his quest to become history's only Fastest Man Alive!
    The story was one of the best in the Flashpoint series. But that does not mean that this book is not without it's flaws. The most obvious issue is the artwork. Joel Gomez's (Witchblade) pencil work is rough at best. Many of his characters look dis-proportionate. Now I am not one to really talk, the guy obviously more talent than I, but many scenes just look out of sorts. 
     The second problem with this comic is a little more unforgivable. The cover states that this is issue #1 of 3. Well, I am here to tell you that there is no issue #2 or #3! This was one of the last things off my Flashpoint wish list and the main reason is for months I looked and looked and looked some more for those non-existent titles. Flashpoint: Reverse Flash is a one-shot no matter what the cover says.
     And now you my friends have been fairly warned.

    Worth Consuming

    Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Flashpoint #2

   Barry Allen has just awoken to a world that is not his own. Seeking answers to the insanity, he seeks out his old friend, the Batman. Only when he arrives at Wayne Manor, he finds the place hasn't been lived in for years. Worse yet- when he does come upon the Dark Knight, the vigilante doesn't even know him. See, there's a Wayne underneath the cape and cowl but it isn't Bruce! Can Barry convince this Batman that the criminologist is a true friend and that his claims that there's another, better earth out there isn't the delusions of a raving lunatic?
    Whereas issue #1 of Flashpoint was a tasting menu of what readers could expect from this massive crossover event, this issue really delivers the meat and potatoes of the story. There are dozens of mini-series and one-shots devoted to the world of Flashpoint (and I will read and review them all), but their purpose is to explore deeper the impact of whomever changed timeline. The main point of Flashpoint is Barry Allen's attempt to get back to his version of Earth-1.
   More than likely, since Barry has memories of pre-Flashpoint earth, he's the culprit behind the alterations to the timeline. But if that's the case, it's not been revealed up to this point. I'm just going to have to keep reading to find out...
    The team of Geoff Johns and Andy Kubert managed to hit another glam slam outta the park. The writing is superb and I just am in awe of Kubert's gritty artwork and amazing re-designs of some of DC's most iconic characters.
    Excellent stuff!

    Worth Consuming

    Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.
   

Flashpoint #1

 Barry Allen awakens in a world that is not his own. He's no longer a speedster. He beloved Iris West is in the arms of someone else. And his mother is still alive!

  But this is just the tip of the iceberg. In this world, all of Europe has been sunk by Aquaman's Atlantean forces, the UK is under the control of The Amazons of Themyscira, and there's no such thing as Superman or the Justice League.

   One thing this earth does have is a Batman. But this version is more ruthless, cunning, and willing to use a gun. If Vic Stone- Cyborg can win him over to his cause, it will rally a global force of metahumans who could end the Amazon/Atlantis conflict and ensure global tranquility. But that's IF Batman agrees to lead this army of ragtag heroes.

   Geoff Johns does a masterful job in this opening chapter of Flashpoint. It truly is a DC Universe unlike any other that I've ever seen. As of right now, I’ve got about 100 questions. But to be fair, there’s about 100 Flashpoint related issues to dive into. So for right now, I’m going to try to shut up, sit back, and enjoy the ride. With deft artwork by Andy Kubert and colors by Sandra Hope, I think I can manage that.

  Worth Consuming

 Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

The Flash #11 (The Road to Flashpoint, Part III)

  Is the multiverse hopping Motorcyclist Hot Pursuit behind the bizarre death of the Elongated Kid? The Flash isn't sure. But the hi-tech biker thinks that the sudden aging of the fallen superhero might be the result of a chronal paradox and targets Bart Allen whose from the future. As the Central City crime lab performs an autopsy on the Elongated Kid, Barry must race Hot Pursuit for the life of young Bart. But the Scarlet Speedster had better be right that his descendant from the future isn't the culprit or the very fabric of the multiverse could unravel spelling the end of all existence.

     This is Barry Allen at his very best- solving a mystery. The Flash has a great group of villains with the Rogues but the character really is in his element when it comes to solving crimes. If the story is a mystery involving Flash's Rogues Gallery, even better!

  Whether or not Hot Pursuit will join the Rogues remains to be seen. But this was another action packed story by Geoff Johns that will leave you guessing all the way to the end and some…

 Worth Consuming

 Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

The Flash #10 (The Road to Flashpoint, Part II)

   The Flash comes face-to-face with the multiverse literally as he pursues the mysterious motorcycle driver known as Hot Pursuit. Meanwhile, a blast from Barry Allen's past returns to help determine the how and why the Elongated Kid was murdered. But it's going to be difficult

for the World's Fastest Man to balance his life as both a criminologist and as a mask as cracks in the relationship between the Flash and Bart Allen come to the surface.

    A very faced paced issue with some neat twists and turns. Another character that I thought was only created for the TV show pops up in this issue proving me wrong yet again. But it's not a bad thing; it only helps me fall in love with the CW series all that much more. And the all-new character of Hot Pursuit is awesome. I hope he'll pop up in Central City sometime next season.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

The Flash #9 (The Road to Flashpoint, Part I)

  It's the day of the Flash Family picnic and Barry Allen is about to leave his overworked crime lab when he gets the call to investigate the death of a 'cape.' At the crime scene, things are nothing as they seem as the costume is that of the teenaged Elongated Kid but the corpse looks like that of an octogenarian. As Barry seeks to get behind this bizarre death, the crimefighter is challenged by a new foe that seems very familiar with the Speed Force. Only this speedster drives a souped-up motorcycle and is powered by draining the speed of others in tune with the Speed Force as the Flash learns when he touches his opponent's fuel rods.

    This is a really great issue. Full of drama, action, adventure, and mystery. Okay- there was a tiny bit too much soap opera drama but hey, Grant Gustin's Barry Allen gets mopey all the time! Speaking of Gustin, what I really liked about this issue is how closely the set-up is to that of the TV show. 

   When I first starting watching the Flash, I was disappointed at how it looked nothing like the comics. But I realize now that my judgment was based on the Pre-Crisis Flash and not the Post-Rebirth Flash. Man, I was so wrong. Most of the CW show's premise is the same with this 2011 series. Barry's mother was killed by the Reverse Flash. There's a fellow criminologist named Patty who has a thing for Barry. Even the archetypes for Joe West and Captain Singh are in this book (Barry's crime lab supervisor is named Singh. On the show, he's promoted to the  head of the CCPD precinct where Joe and Barry work.) Sadly, there is no Cisco Ramon, Caitlin Snow, or whoever the heck the awesome Tom Cavanagh happens to be playing this week.

      Going into this Flashpoint summer reading, I was expecting to find a world completely unlike that on the live action series. How wrong was I to discover that the comics are much more in tuned with the Arrowverse's Flash that I ever expected! I can't wait for the next chapter!

    Worth Consuming

    Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.