Flashpoint #2

         I am not crazy about the idea of Flashpoint, it is just a massive alternate reality story. Although since it does lead up to the re launch I can bear it. I do like alternate reality stories, but Flashpoint is getting more hype than the idea deserves, but again, since it leads up to the relaunch then it's okay. The first issue of the series was decent, but the most shocking thing that happened is it, is that we found out that Barry Allen didn't have his power which has been done before, but if you just take the comic alone then it was okay.
       In this issue Deathstroke was sailing with a bunch of other comic characters, but their boat gets stopped by Aquaman and Ocean Master, and they kill them all. Then the Thomas Wayne Batman is interrogating Barry Allen. During this interrogation Barry Allen finds out that Professor Zoom is behind this, and explains to Wayne that in his world Bruce lives and he dies. So Thomas Wayne decides to help him. Meanwhile Steve Trevor goes looking for Lois Lane and the Amazons catch him and he tells them all about his mission to find Lois. After that Thomas Wayne and Barry Allen try to recreate the accident that made Barry the Flash, but it just ends up severely burning him.
      I was not a fan of the interrogation scene with Barry Allen and Thomas Wayne, it seemed the entire point of it was to explain things that I assume most people had figured out already, I understand it for people just hearing about the whole idea of Flashpoint, but if you already know what is happening then the entire section is very dull. I did enjoy the rest of the comic, I found a lot of it was just "hey look at what we are doing to all of these characters" and DC just showing how a bunch of different characters ended up, but when you have an alternate reality story you need some of that. The best part of the comic was the very end. I thought that Barry Allen was going to get his powers back and that would be that, but the burn was most surprising. I honestly don't know where the Flash/Batman part of the series will go after this. I have no predictions besides Barry is in the hospital for the rest, but I know that can't be true. I am beyond excited for the next issue, and this issue definitely made me feel better about Flashpoint. It really wasn't the story, more just the last pages, but it definitely made me feel better.




Grade: 7/10 (This is the grade for the entire issue)
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The Flash #10

           This is a series that I said started in the middle, which is something I really don't like. Time travel stories are cool, but for the first arc of a story, I'm really just looking for a fist fight between the main character and his/her arch enemy, then you can do whatever you want. Then you can do time travel stories or  do something shocking that will change the series. After I got through the first arc, I thought okay now maybe I'll get a good Flash series. No, now I have an event that will change the series: Flash Point. If you knew that you were about to have a time travel/parallel reality story as your second arc, why would you make your first arc the same thing? I know the first arc wasn't really a parallel reality story, but it with out a doubt had time traveling, and it had different versions of popular characters, so it has the same essentials. I'm a huge fan of Geoff Johns, especially his work with Wally West, but scheduling these two arcs back to back was just a bad idea, and frankly it ruins the time traveling and parallel reality stories for a little while.
         In this issue the alternate Barry Allen (AKA: Hot Pursuit) tells Barry Allen (The Flash) all about him, the Multiverse, and all of the bad things that are going to happen. Bart Allen then comes and tells the Flash not to believe Hot Pursuit. Hot Pursuit then insists he's telling the truth and rides off. Barry runs after him, but Hot Pursuit gets away. Bart Allen wants to help Barry with this, but Barry want's to do it alone. Bart gets upset and runs away. Barry goes back to the lab to scan a piece of hair he snagged from Hot Pursuit, and it comes up as a mach for Barry Allen. Then Patty walks in. She explains how she is now working in Blue Valley, because things are slower there. Then Barry gets a call from Singh. He goes and brings Patty. A thirty year old man died in the exact same way Elongated Kid died. Then they find a witness hiding nearby.
       This was beyond disappointing. Again, I think Geoff Johns is great, but this was the worst comic he has ever written. Again this arc is redundant when matched with the previous arc, so already the comic and I got off on the wrong foot. But then when Hot Pursuit explained the Multiverse I was shocked. The Multiverse has been explained a hundred times but for some reason Geoff Johns felt the need to explain it again. That probably only bothered me as much as it did, because of the repetition of time travel, but both are pretty bad. Also I had no idea why both Barry Allens felt the need to do what they were doing alone, is it just so they could be upset? Or to make Bart upset? Johns made Barry tougher than he usually is, and then didn't offer an explanation for it. I do understand what Johns was trying to do when he had Betty move because she wanted her life to slow down, but this has been done a million times before. It's like calling Superman a weapon or saying Batman brings the villains to Gotham. Writers bring it up a lot, but every time they do it's supposed to be shocking. Overall this was not a good issue, and really ruins the series for me. The only hope Flash Point has now, is the spin offs and alternate reality stories that are coming, and those have only a medium sized chance at success.




Grade: 2.5/10
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The Flash #7

            I have always loved Geoff Johns work with the Flash, especially Wally West, so I decided to pick up his series with Barry Allen. I must admit that some of the earlier issues were a let down, but once Johns got into the series  (around issues five and six) it started to get much better.
           This issue has almost nothing to do with the Flash, it is very much an origin issue about Captain Boomerang. This issue starts off with Captain Boomerang breaking Girder out of prison. Then it tells his origin. When his father and brother left him to go work, a delivery man brought Harkness a Wiggins boomerang with no sign of who sent it. Digger tries it out, and ends up sending it into his dad's windshield. After he lost that boomerang, a new one came, he learned to use it, and then he robbed a store with it. His dad through him out of the house, but his mother gave him money to go work for Wiggins. He became the mascot, known as Captain Boomerang. He later turned to crime, got beat by the Flash and joined the Rogues, then joined the Suicide Squad. Then he went home for his mothers funeral and killed his father. Then the flash back ends and Captain Boomerang releases Zoom, which the Rogues don't like.
           I didn't expect to like this issue, but I did, a lot. Captain Boomerang is one of those characters that can be menacing while still having a very classic feel, even if he's not wearing his Wiggins Captain Boomerang suit. This also gives a real reason to put the Brightest Day header on, before Johns did put the header on, but barley talked about Captain Boomerang, and the series had almost nothing to do with Brightest Day, but now that he's focusing on Captain Boomerang more, it is tying Brightest Day into the series very well. I'm not a huge fan of not using Francis Manapul. Scott Kollins does a good job with the art, but he lacks a certain crispness that Manapul had. Although Manapul was a better artist, Kollins is the better story teller. Manapul had many effects, and stunts like when Flash ran on the helicopter rotor, but Manapul takes more of a subtle approach, so even if his art isn't as good, he tells the story better.  I'm very exited for the next couple issues to see how people react to Zoom. I do hope that the Rogues don't work with Flash against Zoom, simply because that would be tedious, and we just got done with the Renegades. So the rest of this arc could either be very good, or very bad, it all depends on the next two or three issues, but this issue was very good, and a very fun read.






Grade: 8/10
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Justice Society of America #45

          I've really liked this series. I loved the arc with the Fourth Reich, I must admit I skipped this whole star heart business, and so far I've liked this new arc. It could be because I've always loved the Justice Society of America, and the past couple arcs have been really important, but it could also be that the past couple arcs have just been written very well.
        This issue starts with the Flash and Green Lantern on a mission during WWII. The mission was to destroy the  "Drachen Project."When they finally find the "Drachen Project" it turns out to be a baby. The Flash wants to kill it, but Green Lantern wont let him. Meanwhile (back in present day) heroes are helping with clean up of Monument Point. The citizens of the city come and yell at the Flash for not caring. Then a senator reveals that the terrorist that just destroyed the city, is the Drachen child. Elsewhere Green Lantern wakes up in the hospital and finds that he's paralyzed.
          This was a very good issue. It was really full of emotion from all of the characters with Jay Garrick getting yelled at by the people he was trying to save, and Alan Scott being paralyzed. Although as I said before, Jay Garrick being yelled at would have been better if I hadn't seen it so many times before. Although, this time, it was better than in Superman, or Green Lantern. It was the art, and one panel where a man is really yelling that made it better. Also the anger and disgust Flash showed toward the senator was done very well, as was the scene with Alan Scott. This comic does a good job of showing a big part of the JSA, and that is their past experience, especially WWII. It really bridges the gap between old comics, which were about fighting for America, against a foreign enemy, and todays comics, which are about terrorists. A huge part of this comic was the art. The writing was good, but with out Scott Kolins, and Mike Atiyeh, this comic wouldn't be nearly as good. They found a way to express emotion so well that even without the words in the story, I would be able to tell what the character was feeling. I also like that the terrorist did succeed, he was caught, but he still inflicted fear in the DCU, which was really his goal. This is much like the superhero version of 9/11. When the terrorist strikes there is nothing to do, but rebuild. This issue showed that perfectly.
           I'm caught between two things to say about this comic. I don't know weather to call it a extremely good one that you should look at, or a must buy. I'm somewhere in between right now, but definitely look at this issue.



Grade: 9.5/10
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Flash #5

           To be honest I almost dropped this series, with a new Geoff Johns , Barry Allen Flash series, I expected to be constantly giving this series nine's and ten's out of ten, opposed to six's and seven's. I've been really disappointed and I was exited to get almost any comic except Flash, but I heard such great things about this issue that I thought I would give it a try, and let this be the deciding issue. (if the score is more than 7/10 I'll continue) 
           In this issue the 25th century version of the Top is working with the Flash, so that Iris doesn't become some Super Villain thing. He stops Mirror Master from breaking the glass with the mirror lords, but then the White Lantern ora thing told Captain Boomerang to throw his boomerang and he broke the glass, now the Flash has to distract them so that the Top can do something else.
           I really liked this story, the action was clever, entertaining, and just plain awesome, also it didn't distract from the rest of the story. I was a little confused about what happened to Captain Boomerang, but Brightest Day is supposed to be a mystery, for now. I really liked how not everything went according to what Top told the Flash, because now it's not "Geoff Johns goes through the motions and then at the end of the arch makes a stupid excuse to make it different." I've seen that so many times before and I'm happy that it happened this way.
         The art in this is extraordinary. I like Francis Manapul but this is some of his best work. I especially like how powerful he made weather wizard. Usually I would give the credit to the writer for something like this, but Manapul really captured him as an all powerful being. A lot of times people underestimate people like him (for example: Storm) but really they are all powerful. Weather Wizard was only in this issue for a short amount of time, but I thought I'd mention it any way, because it shows how well Francis Manapul did in this issue.
         I really liked this issue, best one of the series. (so far) The art was great, the story was great, the writing was great. I especially liked how it was just one big fight scene, but it didn't take away from the rest of Barry's life, nor did it slow down the plot. This is a great issue and I'm definitely continuing with the series.



Grade: 9/10
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The Flash #4

         This series has been decent so far. Not great, but not bad, it''s just enough to keep my interest. This is one of those series that I have been referring too when I say they "start in the middle of a series" I've always liked Barry Allen, I still do, his villains are one of my favorite villains in any of the  comic universe, I just wanted some introduction in this series. Opposed to some life changing thing. In this issue the Flash starts fighting Captain Boomerang, and saves some people from the destruction caused by the fight. The Renigades step in and start fighting Boomerang as well. Commander Cold goes one on one with Digger and the Flash has to step in and save him. Seeing that, the Top (the one from the 25th century) tells the Flash about the future. Why he kills Mirror Monarch, and what triggers it.
         I hate it when an entire comic is just one huge fight scene. Most of this comic consisted of people fighting each other. I can understand some fighting, I mean they are Superheroes, but does Johns really need to devote an entire issue to just a random brawl. I will admit that the fight scene was very well done, and drawn beautifully by Francis Manapul. The things about the future were pretty good, it made scene, but the Top just telling the Flash the future seemed pretty rushed and not thought out. It does open up the opportunity for some really good future issues. Even though this was my least favorite issue so far in this series, it was still well done. I was disappointed that this issue was just a fight scene, but it was one of the better fight scenes that I've ever seen. Plus it got me very exited for the future issues. So this is still one of the better series out there.



Grade: 6.5/10
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The Flash #3

            This new Flash series is not just about the Flash, it is also about Captain Boomerang. (this issue was 33% Captain Boomerang) That can be expected considering the Flash and Captain Boomerang have both come back recently, the shocking thing is how good it is. That 33% was extremely good, it could have been a comic on its own. In this issue, Boomerang brakes out of prison, everyone is convinced that the only reason the machine said Barry killed Mirror Monarch is because he contaminated the scene, and the Renegades take another shot at the Flash.
            The art has been and continues to be superb in this series. I do love this story arc, I am a nut for alternate reality stories, and the Flash, so a Flash somewhat alternate reality story is perfect. I just wonder if this is the right arc for the first couple of issues in this series, and they shouldn't do something like Captain Boomerang breaking out and he and the Rogues going crazy. Just to introduce Barry and his villains back into the DCU. Regardless the series is great, and the Captain Boomerang section is incomparable. I like how Barry is a selfless person, while being the Flash, and while being a member of the Police.When he has a bunch of super powered commandoes from the future running after him, he still works on a case about a boy that was wrongly accused of murder. I just read so many comics, where the writer tries to make the hero dark that it's nice to read about the good old fashion "superhero boy scout." I also like how Iris understands that Barry is just a "superhero boy scout" so she has conflicting views at times, but then realizes it's for the best. Lastly, where are the Rogues during all of this? "Copycats " of themselves come from the future and they do nothing? I understand that they wanted Boomerang to break out and make Flash sweat, but come on, they have to make an appearance. So this was a good issue, just it had some missed opportunities.


Grade: 8.5/10
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The Flash #2

              I used to love Geoff Johns, especially his previous works with the Flash, but Brightest Day is just okay, Blackest Night was just okay. I'm starting to like him less. This issue was just another one of his just okay comics. In this issue the Renegades (a police group from the future who's names and costumes are based off the Rogues) are trying to arrest the Flash for murdering Mirror Monarch, which he has not done yet. After running away something in the Renegades technology malfunctions and sends them back to their time. But the after shock blows up a building. Flash saves everyone in it, goes to the library, finds out how to build a building, and builds one, all in the blink of an eye. The comic then goes to Iron Heights where Captain Boomerang is being kept. He is on his way to a check up when Captain Cold comes and freezes the guards. "You need to prove that you're still a Rogue. This time you brake out of Iron Heights yourself, then you make the Flash sweat." Then the comic goes back to Barry Allen, at police headquarters they found blood on Mirror Monarch, so they scan it and find that the killer is Barry Allen.
            Like I said, this comic was just okay. A couple things really stood out to me. I liked the whole learn how to build a building than do it part. It was just so... Flash. I also liked how the story wasn't too complicated. Several authors create too many sub stories, so that eventually you can't keep them straight. This issue was simple and enjoyable. Also the set up for the next issue is going to be good (I know this is going to sound like a contradiction of keep it simple) you have the Renegades, and Captain Boomerang. That has to be good. Not too complicated, but kind of. I didn't like how nothing happened in this issue, it took one whole issue to find one thing, and that one thing was already known. Barry Allen is the killer, we knew that, we didn't need a complete issue to explain that to us twice.

Grade: 7/10
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Green Arrow #32

           To quote the  blog, Jason Todd's comic blog "Why is the art so bad?" The cover was really good, and the inside art looks like what a five year old could draw. It had little to no detail on the faces, and the characters all looked distorted.
           The comic its self was bad. They decided to ruin the Green Arrow, by telling everyone his secret identity. That only works for people like Steve Rogers and Wally West, not Ollie Queen. In this comic, it shows how the Green Arrow killed Prometheus and went to jail for it. Until trial  when a short, tacky speech given by himself  saved his tail, although he was exiled from the city. Besides that it was all emotional hoopla. To be fair there were two good things about this comic. 1) you could pick up the comic and not be lost, this was part two of a story arc, but I could understand everything. 2) It mad it so that you can understand all fallowing issues.


Grade: D+
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Justice Society of America: Blackest Night

The Justice Society of America faces it's biggest challenge when former (and deceased) members of the Justice Society return and cause mayhem. Allot of the story is a personal vendetta with Power Girl and Lois Lane of Earth 2. Usually I would not like this but they played it just the right amount and just the right amount of time. Featured in these three issues was another personal vendetta which I would have liked to see more of. Between The Liberty Bell and her father Johnny Quick. Some Black Lanterns when they arose told their previous loved ones that they love them. Johnny Quick did this too. They all turned against them. (Example: Lois Lane turned against Power Girl.) Johnny Quick never did turn against his daughter, which I thought was confusing. Even the reincarnated Mr. Terrific was evil. But Johnny Quick Died (again) telling his daughter that he loved her. Their were four major sections of the story.

1) Power Girl/Lois Lane

2) Johnny Quick/Liberty Bell

3) Fighting in the streets

4) Mr. Terrific, Dr. Fate, Dr. Midnight, Green Lantern/Sentinel and the Star Spangled kid making a bomb to defeat all the black Lanterns at once.

I know in a previous post, I said there was rarely any art in a comic that I would call better than average. This is one of those occasions. The way they drew the Black Lanterns was absolutely perfect, and on the cover the artist did something that made it all look very clean and nice. Which allot of artists can't do.

Grade: A

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Green Lantern #50

I am a big fan of Geoff Johns, (see 1, 2, 3, 4) but now he has out done himself. The comic was well written, well drawn, but the best thing about this comic was the gimmicks. The introduction of Scarecrow to the Yellow Lantern Corps, and other heros and villains to other corps, was nothing short of brilliant. I was entranced, as Sinestro, and Hal Jordan released Parallax from his prison, to beat the Spectre. Who I have noticed is the main villain.

I have noticed one other thing, that I like and disliked. Sinestro has made a "friendly" acquaintance , with his rival Hal Jordan. I do enjoy the corps "teaming up" but I'm concerned that when Blackest night finishes in April, who will be Green Lanterns villain? This is one of the best comics I've ever read, and I recommend it to all, the rebirth of Parallax, is an amazing comic book. I compliment Geoff Johns more for this than his previous works with the Flash.

Grade: A/A+