Eye on Comics
  • About/Submissions

A New 52 Review: Flash #1

  • Reviews - DC
  • The New 52 Review Project

Variant coverFlash #1
Writers: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato
Artist: Manapul
Colors: Buccellato
Letters: Sal Cipirano
Cover artists: Manapul (regular)/Ivan Reis & Tim Townsend (variant)
Editor: Brian Cunningham
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $2.99 US

While I looked forward to this entry in DC’s line of 52 new and relaunched titles, I thought I pretty much knew what to expect. The previous incarnation of this series was written by someone else, yes, but it was illustrated by the same regular artist. Furthermore, I figured even with the incorporation of some changes to the title character’s continuity, artist and co-writer Francis Manapul was likely to toe the line with the Flash, maintaining the same momentum Geoff Johns did as writer before him and offering the same sort of strong visuals we got before. Instead, the story takes a slightly different tack, focusing even more on the police-procedural aspect of the character and taking the opportunity as the co-writer to try out more inventive and unusual panel layouts and perspectives in the art. He and co-writer/colorist Brian Buccellato succeed and deliver a solid super-hero comic book. It’s not particularly ground-breaking, but it’s quite entertaining and should please fans of the Scarlet Speedster.

Forensic scientist Barry Allen can’t catch a break. He finally worked up the nerve to ask co-worker Patty Spivot out on a date, and just as they’re about to make a connection at a tech symposium, the facility is raided by a team of heavily armed mercenaries. As others take cover from the tear gas employed by the crooks as they try to steal a genetic resequencer, Barry transforms into the Flash, Central City’s speedster savior. As he thwarts the theft and the gang makes its getaway, the Flash manages to sidetrack one of their number. Unmasking the thieving thug reveals a connection to Barry’s past, giving him even greater incentive to investigate. He soon discovers an old friend is in trouble — and more ways than he thinks.

As he’s sharing the writing reins on this title, it seems artist Francis Manapul has opted to give himself the opportunity to experiment his how he opts to present this story. His unconventional layouts and choices of perspective sometimes pan out and sometimes they don’t, but I liked that he’s willing to push himself to try new approaches to comic art. The double-page splash early on in the book — in which the action unfolds in oddly shaped panels in an arc and within the letterforms of the title character’s name at the bottom of the spread — is quite striking. However, in terms of sequential storytelling, it misses the mark a little, as the action doesn’t flow smoothly from panel to panel. But later, he presents an entire page focused on Barry in his apartment, looking down directly from above, with panels featuring more traditional viewpoints. It’s an unusual page, but it’s effective at conveying Barry’s hectic effort to get to the bottom of the mystery involving his friend.

Another new element in the visuals is the redesign of the title character’s costume. Its emergence from the Flash ring as a collection of high-speed puzzle pieces is… well, it’s kind of weird. While I don’t need an explanation to make me believe such a phenomenon is possible, it would be nice get a little super-hero/science-fiction explanation of what we’re supposed to be seeing. the added seam lines in the costume initially seems like a bad idea for a character known for speed and a sleek look, but Buccellato throws some glowing yellow color into those seams when the hero’s using his powers. It makes for a cool effect and conveys the notion there’s always power literally flowing through the hero.

The one aspect of this comic I was surprised to find absent was an acknowledgement of the changes in continuity. At the end of Flashpoint, when the Flash restores the timeline as best he can albeit with slight changes, we’re told he’s the only one to retain any memory of how things were before the world of the New 52. There’s no overt reference to Barry’s knowledge of the world he once knew. He doesn’t mourn Wally West or Jay Garrick, who are apparently no longer a part of this new world. There’s a moment when he looks at Iris — his wife in a previous life — with affection, but it could just be attraction rather than a memory of a relationship that’s been erased from existence. I’m a bit torn about the omission. On the one hand, Barry’s memory of what came before should lead to some sense of loss, but on the other hand, I do appreciate that Manapul and Buccellato tell their own story here, unencumbered by the convoluted continuity that led to the new status quo for the title character and his supporting cast.

I’ve been reading comics — and DC comics in particular — for decades, and Barry Allen’s always been a married guy, or someone about to be married (Iris was “dead” and Barry was wooing a character named Fiona Webb in the first Flash comic I ever bought). Seeing him as a single guy, awkward with women and trying to find his footing on a date was actually a lot of fun. Often, the character’s been defined by his relationships, and my hope here is the writers will explore him as an individual for a change. The plot is fun, and there’s a light, playful tone to the storytelling that’s a nice change from some of the darker, intense leanings one can find in many other of the new/relaunched titles from DC. 7/10

“New 52 Reviews” on Eye on Comics are sponsored by All New Comics, Happy Harbor Comics and Strange Adventures. Show your support for Eye on Comics by supporting these retailers.

Follow Eye on Comics on Twitter.

October 2, 2011 Don MacPherson

Post navigation

A New 52 Review: Voodoo #1 → ← A New 52 Review: All Star Western #1

4 thoughts on “A New 52 Review: Flash #1”

  1. Monster Mike says:
    October 2, 2011 at 10:01 pm

    I actually read this one and am happy to say that I’ve found another of the 52 that will be re-added to my pull list. Loved this book and I would give it a 8 or 9 out of ten.

  2. Bytowner says:
    October 2, 2011 at 11:20 pm

    One more reason to steer clear for this reader, then. The implication herein of more selfish motives for Barry’s Flashpoint-depicted ret-connery – IE: Iris vs. Patty – doesn’t sit well.

  3. acespot says:
    October 2, 2011 at 11:29 pm

    I hadn’t expected to enjoy this book as much as I did. Nothing flashy (heh, flashy), but it’s a solid story. That’s more than can be said for most of the nu52.

  4. Pingback: Flash #1 Review Round-Up (New 52) « Speed Force

Comments are closed.

Recent posts

  • The End of the World As He Knows It
  • Burnt-out Ends of Smoky Days
  • They Do Need Those Stinkin’ Badges
  • Future Tense
  • Teed Off
  • Scar Issue
  • Of Gods and Monsters
  • Genre Splicing
  • A Mouthful of Dollars
  • Striking the Wrong Chord

Categories

Archives

Categories

  • Announcements
  • Editorials
  • Features
  • Original Comic Art
  • Reviews – Action Lab
  • Reviews – AfterShock
  • Reviews – AiT/PlanetLar
  • Reviews – Archie
  • Reviews – Black Mask
  • Reviews – Boom! Studios
  • Reviews – Dark Horse
  • Reviews – DC
  • Reviews – DC/Vertigo
  • Reviews – DC/Wildstorm
  • Reviews – Devil's Due
  • Reviews – Drawn & Quarterly
  • Reviews – Dynamite
  • Reviews – Fantagraphics
  • Reviews – IDW
  • Reviews – Image
  • Reviews – Indy/Small Press
  • Reviews – Legendary
  • Reviews – Lion Forge
  • Reviews – Marvel
  • Reviews – Miscellaneous
  • Reviews – NBM
  • Reviews – Oni Press
  • Reviews – Other Media
  • Reviews – Quick Critiques
  • Reviews – Radical
  • Reviews – Slave Labor
  • Reviews – Titan
  • Reviews – Tokyopop
  • Reviews – Valiant
  • Reviews – Zenescope
  • Reviews- Humanoids
  • The New 52 Review Project

Search

Recent Posts

  • The End of the World As He Knows It
  • Burnt-out Ends of Smoky Days
  • They Do Need Those Stinkin’ Badges
  • Future Tense
  • Teed Off

Recent Comments

  • Marcelo Soares on Coming Clean
  • Perry on Scoop
  • R Phillips on “Fixed… With Tape”
  • Leslie on Avengers… Disassemble Those Guys
  • Perry Beider on 2018 Glass Eye Awards – Creators
April 2021
S M T W T F S
« Mar    
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
252627282930  

Archives

  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • January 2021
  • November 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • April 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008
  • March 2008
  • February 2008
  • January 2008
  • December 2007
  • November 2007
  • October 2007
  • September 2007
  • August 2007
  • July 2007
  • June 2007
  • May 2007
  • April 2007
  • March 2007
  • February 2007
  • January 2007
  • December 2006
  • November 2006
  • October 2006
  • September 2006
Powered by WordPress | theme cats456