The Flash (2023)

It's June 26th, 2023 when I write this. It's just too early to go into too much detail about the newest DC Comics based film, The Flash. If I was to dig too deep into my review, I would spoil countless plot surprises, Easter eggs and cameos. 

Here's what I do feel safe in revealing: 

• It was so much fun!
• Now this is how you do a live action retelling of Geoff John's Flashpoint!
• You will believe that a Maid of Might can be a brunette!
• Michael Keaton steals the entire film!
• The use of Danny Elfman's timeless score brought back nostalgic memories of 1989 and 1992!
• I love the twist on a couple of Elseworlds classics by having
  WARNING: REDACTED!!!!!

What I really want to talk about is where are the movie goers? I've heard reports that The Flash is a box office bomb. In terms of what my god son and I spent about 2.5 hours watching, I completely disagree with that statement. That being said, at the 1pm showing today there were a grand total of 2 people watching the movie- my god son and me. 

Really, I don't think it's DC and Warner Bros. who are to blame. There were maybe a dozen other viewers at the theater we went to and the complex has at least 7 other screening rooms. It was literally a cinematic ghost town over there and I feel that prices are to blame.

2 tickets were $13.00 total. The nacho combo, 2 Reese's Pieces and a small drink was $34.50! I don't think director Andres Muschietti has a bomb on his hands. I think it's just too expensive to go to the movies!

Some analysts have suggested that actor Ezra Miller's off-screen antics, including charges of kidnapping, allegations of grooming and a temper that would make Sean Penn look tame is to blame for The Flash's poor performance. I'll admit, those actions did run through my mind a couple of times watching the film. However, I also feel that Cancel Culture is dangerous and completely against my religious and personal beliefs 

Yes, I have gotten caught up in the fervor. I see an actor getting in trouble with the law and I immediately think- 'Well, he's cancelled.' But I also live in total fear in my teaching job that one day a false accusation will result in my being blackballed from ever getting a decent paying salary ever again. I also know that the human race is flawed. Nobody is perfect. There's a difference between making a mistake and being forgiven and trying to prevent a monster from roaming the streets free at night to ruin countless lives. Ezra Miller claims he sought treatment and therapy and I believe that I would be wrong to not give the guy another chance as I surely would want grace in my imperfect life.

Another possible reason the film isn't doing so well in theaters is the toxicity of the DC Comics fan base (Heck, it could comic book fandom as a whole). I've seen some postings that real DC fans aren't going to see in the movie. I've read that those who hate the Snyder-verse are boycotting this film. And that there's a pushback from some fans pissed off about James Gunn being the new head of the DC Cinematic Universe. As the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy director basically had nothing to do with this film, I think that last excuse is ridiculous. 

Like I mentioned earlier, it's June 26th. The Flash came out 10 days ago. Why did I wait until now? Was I one of the toxic few? Nope. It just happened to my god son went to Florida to visit his mom and I was on a family vacation at the beach during opening weekend. We had to wait until our schedules gelled. Some DC fans might still be mad at us for waiting until now. But that's their problem. 

I loved this movie. It was almost perfect. The only issue was how fake some of the CGI looked. Especially when Flash goes into the Speed Force to change time and save his mom from being murdered. I'm also not a big fan of how all super hero films like to use slow-mo when doing big impressive feats of heroics. But in the case of The Flash, it actually was appropriate and in a major scene at the beginning when Flash is saving some patients at a hospital, it was freakin' hilarious. 

An immediate classic, regardless of what critics and the box office says.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Batman #22 (The Button, Part III)

    After an illuminating journey through the timeline, the Flash and Batman return to the Bat Cave. Only, this isn't the Bruce Wayne Batman's secret base of operations. For the Flash and the Dark Knight have somehow returned to Flashpoint!
     I liked that this chapter did it's best to explain what happened to the Flashpoint universe. Plus, it was touching to get to see Bruce and his father reunite. Somehow, I suspect this episode is going to deeply impact the Caped Crusader's mission in the very near future. But, there's still a ton of questions to be answered. However, I don't think that's ever going to happen- at least any time soon. 
     As for the ending of this issue, it was a bit of a mind bender and I really don't have a clue quite where this is all going. (Okay- I have a small clue, if only because of the oh so unsubtle spoilers revealed on the forthcoming covers of Flash #22.)
      Speaking of Flash #22, my LCS was out of the final chapter to 'The Button', but they did order me a copy which I hope to get this week. I'll be reviewing that one ASAP!

     Worth Consuming!

     Rating: 10 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.

   

Flashpoint: Kid Flash Lost #3

 Kid Flash has finally figured out that the reason Brainiac has conquered the year 3001 is that someone changed the timeline and de-powered his grandfather Barry Allen. In order to give the Flash a much needed boost of the Speed Force, Kid Flash races through time, robbing history's other speedsters of their abilities. 

   This is timeline changing stuff. The only chapter of Flashpoint is issue #5. But you must read this issue in order to know what's going on. Trust me on this- you won't regret it!

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Flashpoint: Emperor Aquaman #3

     Aquaman's secret weapon is accidentally sent into overload and now threatens rip the planet in two.
     I somehow forgot to review this one in order. It happens folks.
     A good tale that seems to focus more on Wonder Woman. It's really odd- Emperor Aquaman deals more with Wonder Woman and her super-powered army of Furies while the Flashpoint Wonder Woman tie-in dealt more with Aquaman's side of the story. Was this intentional? I'm really not sure but it makes for some uneven reading no matter how enjoyable these miniseries are.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Flashpoint: Citizen Cold #3

     It's a rematch between Citizen Cold and his Rogues Gallery. After the murder of his sister, Lisa, at their hands, Leonard Snart looks to end this blood feud once and for all.
     This book is rated Teen but some of the ways characters meet a gristly end makes me wonder if this book should've been rated Teen+. If not mature level gore but it's more than your standard comic book fare. Proof again that the Flashpoint universe is not your dad's DC.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Flashpoint: Lois Lane and the Resistance #3

   Betrayed! Lois Lane and the Resistance find themselves up a creek without a power when one of the group is revealed to be a double agent. 
    The finale was okay but it wasn't as action packed as some of these other endings of the  Flashpoint tie-ins. 
    Note to perspective Flashpoint readers- read this issue before you read Wonder Woman and the Furies #3. The Flashpoint checklist actually switched the reading order of those two books and they got it wrong!

    Worth Consuming

    Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Flashpoint: Legion Of Doom #3

   Heatwave and his fellow inmates have taken control of Oliver Queen's flying fortress prison for super-villains and is now heading on a collision course for the Motor City. It's Heatwave's ultimate act of revenge on his arch enemy, Cyborg, to destroy his hometown of Detroit. But with Cyborg's internal batteries failing, can the Flashpoint America's greatest hero save his home from a apocalypse of 9/11 proportions?
    This was a thrilling conclusion to the Legion of Doom miniseries. I loved the action. I loved the drama. And I absolutely loved the plot twists. The saying 'there is no honor among thieves' is presented in flying colors here.
    I mentioned 9/11. That tragic date in history is used so often in stories about alternate history and though it's not mentioned by name- the threat of a giant flying prison set to destroy a major American city; well the allusion to that event wasn't lost on me.
    Oh, and the ending- wow! It was freakin' awesome! I just wish there was one more page...

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Flashpoint: Wonder Woman and the Furies #3

   Queen Diana has discovered who really is behind the Atlantean-Amazonian War. Now she must convince Emperor Aquaman of the deception. But the King of the Sea, mourning the death of his bride, Queen Mera, is out for blood. With the earth teetering on possibly splitting on two, time is running out...
    Another amazing finish to a Flashpoint tie-in. But if you aren't reading the books in order, it really spoils some of the surprises. There's a checklist at the end of each Flashpoint book; be sure to stick to it. I'm trying but even I've not done so great at this. 

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Flashpoint: Hal Jordan #3

     Hal Jordan prepares for the suicide mission upon the Amazons on New Themyscira. Armed with a Queen Industries Green Arrow missile, Highball Jordan is the human race's last hope in stopping the Atlantean/ Amazonian War that's taken half of Europe with it and threatens to split the earth's crust in two. But he's not going alone as Carol Ferris will be his wing-man on this mission. Will she be an asset or Jordan's greatest distraction?

    A very good conclusion to this Flashpoint tie-in with fantastic art by Cliff Richards (All-Star Western) and I'm really digging the cover by J.G. Jones (52.)

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Time Masters: Vanishing Point

If you read Bruce Wayne: The Road Home, you'll see Booster Gold, Superman, Green Lantern, and the lesser known Rip Hunter, Time Master following the Caped Crusader as he is displaced through time. You might think that’s the extent of their journey, but you’d be very wrong.

Time Masters: Vanishing Point is the other side of the story. Along with trying to find Batman, this volume gives us Rip Hunter’s origin, plus Booster Gold’s ancestor in guise as Supernova must prevent several time distorted villains from claiming mastery over time itself.

The Road Home isn't the only storyline that will make you want to read this story. Many of the events of this miniseries lead directly into Flashpoint and Issues 40-45 of Booster Gold. I had actually read this story a while back but I've been sitting on this review until it came time to read Flashpoint. Since I am almost done with Flashpoint, this seemed as good a time as any to post it.

A fantastic story that’s a little confusing, but mostly because of the twists and turns and rules of time travel. Thankfully, just about every plot loop is completed by journeys end and it makes for an enjoyable read.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars

Flashpoint: Project Superman #3

   Subject Zero has finally escaped from the Phantom Zone and has his eyes set on Kal-El! In a dramatic battle in the streets of London, it's a fight to the finish between Supermen with Resistance fighter Lois Lane stuck in the middle and no-one to tell her how many P's are in rapist! (See the first Superman movie for that reference.)
    Really great finish to a very unique and interesting take on the Man of Steel. I loved the very last panel of this issue. It's got a great iconic twist vibe going and I don't want to spoil the ending but the ending was truly epic.
   One of the best tie-ins of the Flashpoint bunch. Project Superman should be required reading for any DC fan interested in alternate takes of some of the most iconic characters in the entire DC Universe. Plus, the artwork by Gene Ha is fantastic. Why he isn't utilized more by the folks at DC is a mystery to me.
  
   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Flashpoint- Secret Seven #3

  Together again and for the first time (?), the surviving members of the Secret Six confront their old leader, Shade. 
   DC's magic books or as some fans refer to them- Tales of the Weirdoverse- both fascinate me and confuse me. Maybe it's because I'm too simple minded or that I don't do enough drugs to expand my mind (a phrase used by both Alan Moore and Grant Morrison to describe those readers who don't understand their works.) 
    One thing I did get was how the Secret Six are a lot like the Seven Soldiers of Victory in that they were a team that didn't really know that they were a team. Though why this title wasn't Secret Seven is beyond me. Dang it- this title is Secret Seven but I keep confusing them with that team of baddies the Secret Six. Ugh- I am a dunce!
    A bunch of characters finally get what coming to them. That is except Abra Kadabra who really started this whole mess way back in issue #1 by outing the members of this team to the media.
     A shame that Flashpoint is over because I loved how this book ended and really wanted to know what happens next. 
  
    Worth Consuming

    Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Flashpoint: The Outsider #3

  The Outsider vs. a very not-so-nice J'onn J'onzz. The Martian has an axe to grind. Hey,  decades of experimentation and abuse at the hands of the Soviets will do that to a person. 
    Really was disappointed in the ending. The Outsider: I really hate that guy. He's worse than Lex Luthor and that's saying volumes. 
    This issue is concluded in Flashpoint #5, but I really can't figure out what good the Outsider is gonna be able to do considering how poorly things are looking out for Barry Allen, Cyborg, and their dwindling band of allies.

    Rating: 6 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: Deadman and the Flying Graysons #3

    Hiding from an army of Amazons tasked with finding the Helmet of Nabu, Boston Brand must bear the weight as Dick Grayson's new guardian while the lad's father slowly dies.

     An amazing finish to a great Flashpoint tie-in. Too bad the New 52! wiped out Flashpoint because whole this chapter ends, this would have been one hell of a series.
    
    Worth Consuming

    Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Flashpoint: The World of Flashpoint #3

   It's father against daughter as Traci Thirteen must take on her old man Dr. in order to stop a satellite from ending the Atlantis-Themyscira War and destroying what remains of Western Europe with it. This mission seems easy enough. Only her father has been consumed with dark magic, thus every time Traci uses her magic against him, her abilities slowly extinguish herself. Can Traci Thirteen stop her maniacal father before she runs out her bag of tricks? The young witch may have to rely on the father-daughter bond to end the menace of Dr. Thirteen!

    This was a thrilling conclusion to World of Flashpoint. At this point, it's one of my favorite (if not the favorite) of the Flashpoint tie-ins. Lots of magic, action, and shocking twists await. 

      It just kept getting better each issue. I can only imagine what I would rate this if it went to a 4th issue!

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 10 out of 10 stars. 

Flashpoint: Deathstroke and the Curse of the Ravager #3

  After facing down a mutiny aboard his ship, Deathstroke uncovers a key piece of information that will finally reunite him with his daughter Rose. But to save her means that the pirate will walk into the most deadliest trap he'll ever have to face. Woe to those who hold his daughter captive because like they say 'hell hath no fury like a father scorned!'

    This was a very action packed closer to this Flashpoint tie-in. But it was also a little bit confusing. There were so many plans and then secret plans and then back-stabbings that I had to re-read this issue twice. Plus, it doesn't help having a character die and then have them come back for a couple of panels and then disappear again as if nothing happened. 
   I couldn't tell if this error was an accidental oversight on the part of legendary writer Jimmy Palmiotti (Marvel Knights) or the artists- or if maybe the editor dropped the ball. It could've been a subterfuge on the part of Deathstroke. But then why would he say that this character died in the captions, which are supposed to be thoughts contained in Slade's head? 
   I'm even confused writing all of this...
   Not my favorite closing chapter and by no means was it my favorite of the tie-ins. That's really disappointing because I thought the opening chapter was really strong. But it just went downhill from there.

   Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.
 

Flashpoint: Frankenstein and the Creatures of the Unknown #3

Frankenstein and his Creature Commandos have survived the assault in Gotham City but it wasn’t without casualties. Now the team, along with the Bride of Frankenstein, must race to a secret lab in Romania if they have any hopes of saving their dying comrade. But the journey will not be easy as General Sam Lane has activated the J.A.K.E. 2.0, the ultimate GI Robot and it will stop at nothing to achieve its mission: TO DESTROY ALL MONSTERS!

    I loved this miniseries. It was really a fun read and it just felt right. It captures the spirit of the old Weird War Tales and War That Time Forgot adventures (from Star-Spangled War Stories) of the Golden and Silver Age of Comics really well. I enjoyed it so much that the short-lived New 52 series Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E. is now on my wish list.

   There was one little problem with this story and it comes down to the smallest of nitpicks. In issue #2 of Project Superman, I mentioned that Gen. Lane disappeared. So, when does he come back? DC issued a suggested reading list and Project Superman #3 is down on the list as one of the last things I am supposed to read if I want to read the entire Flashpoint storyline in order (which I am attempting.) So, is having Sam Lane appear in this story a spoiler of things to come in PS #3 or does this story take place before Lane disappears?

   Right now, that’s a mystery that’s unclear but hopefully will be cleared up in the few remaining tie-ins I have left to read.

  Worth Consuming

  Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

  

Flashpoint: Abin Sur-The Green Lantern #3

 Sinestro, seeing the control of Barry Allen as his chance for ruling the galaxy, has Abin Sur on the ropes. His hand severed and his power ring out of reach, can the Green Lantern of Sector 2814 ever find a way out of this deadly scenario? He’ll have to muster all of the willpower possible to overcome his former best friend and possibly save the universe.

   Another dynamic Flashpoint tie-in finale. This one really kept me guessing- but in a good way. I must say I’m slapping my forehead not figuring out the identity of the mysterious entity that the Guardians hid deep inside the earth’s core. But the finale was so awesome that I didn’t want it to end.

  Worth Consuming

  Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.