The Flash #2 – Review

By: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato (writers and artists)

The Story: An apple a day keeps the robbers away.

The Review: It’s not shocking why there’s so much buzz surrounding this title.  On a purely visual level, practically everyone and his mother agrees The Flash is a stunner, if nothing else.  The artistic approaches Manapul and Buccellato have taken to storytelling may not earn them the same prestige as Will Eisner, but clearly, they walk in his steps.  Eisner, however, was a skilled and subtle writer in addition to his artistic boldness; it’s uncertain if we’ll get the same here.

No matter how you cut it, Manapul-Buccellato are still pretty new to this writing business, and it shows in little ways.  With Barry’s narration, they seem to follow the short, staccato school of dialogue, meaning strings of lines that like, “I can see everything before it happens.  I can weigh every possibly outcome.  I can make the right choice.  And I can do something about it.  Before anyone even notices.”  It’s a very specific rhythm, one that occasionally jars rather than flows.

The Flash #2 – Review

by Geoff Johns (writer), Francis Manapul (art), Brian Buccellato (colors), and Sal Cipriano (letters)

The Story: The Flash runs from the Renegades and begins his quest to figure out who really killed the Mirror Monarch.

What’s Good: The fun and vitality that had me raving about the first issue is still present.

This is best evidenced this month by a gag that sees Barry save everyone from a collapsing building, before rebuilding said building better than it ever was before.  This sequence is easily the highlight of the issue and it’s guaranteed to put a smile on the face of all but the most stone-hearted.  It’s ridiculous, sure, but that’s why it’s amusing, sunny comedy.  All told, this is the sort of stuff that just oozes the love Johns has for the character and it continues to be infectious.  The scene is representative of a sort of bright cheeriness and niceness that runs throughout the comic and makes it perfect for Brightest Day.

Barry’s office politics are also fairly enjoyable.  You knew he was going to butt heads with Singh and the coldness of the new department sooner or later.  The scene quickly demonstrates Barry’s dogged idealism and it was welcome, with Barry feeling appropriate out of place.  Judging from the strength of this scene, as well as Barry’s warm dynamic with Iris, the Barry Allen portions of this series are just as strong as those focusing on the Flash, despite their more mundane nature.

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

DS’ Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Uncanny X-Men #524 – I had expected Brightest Day to take the crown, but in fact, DC delivered a pretty middling offering this week. That left Uncanny X-Men #524, despite some flaws, to reach the summit of my pull list.

Most Anticipated: Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #1 – I love Dick Grayson as Batman, and I hope he stays Batman, but….who isn’t dying to know where Bruce Wayne has been for the last year….or last 30,000 years?

Other Top Picks: Adventure Comics #11, Batgirl #10, Superman: War of the Supermen #2, Birds of Prey #1, Justice League: Generation Lost #1

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Hellboy in Mexico -Just a ton of fun, but despite its absurdity, it just manages to still feel intelligent.  A real blast of a read and a nice reprieve for Hellboy fans.  Now bring on “the Storm!”

Most Anticipated: Siege #4 -I can’t help it: I’m intensely curious to see how Siege finishes and where it leaves the Marvel Universe.  I’m almost as curious to see whether or not the Sentry will bite the dust.  Either way, this issue should be gigantic.

Other Picks:Dark Avengers #16, New Avengers Finale, B.P.R.D.: King of Fear #5, The Unwritten #13, Batman: the Return of Bruce Wayne #1, Birds of Prey #1, DMZ #53, The Flash #2, Fables #95, Punishermax #7, The Sword #24

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Astonishing Spider-Man & Wolverine #1 – I was expecting a Marvel Team Up type story and got something very different with a novel story concept and really good art.  It should be a lot of fun to watch this one develop over the summer.

Most Anticipated: Siege #4 – Sheesh is this a crowded week for new releases, but I’m 99% sure that the first book out of the stack will be this finale to Marvel’s excellent (so far) event.  Fingers crossed for an ending as good as the story so far!

Other picks: Batman: Return of Bruce Wayne #1, Amazing Spider-Man #631, New Mutants #13, Unwritten #13, Daytripper #6

Joe’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: iZombie #1 – I was really in the mood for something new and cool, and this comic fit the bill nicely.  Not to mention that it’s a new ongoing series with artwork by Mike Allred.  I mean, really, ’nuff said.

Most Anticipated: The Sword #24 – The latest Luna Bros. collaboration has been wonderfully entertaining and after two years, I can’t wait to get some answers and closure to the great ride they’ve taken me on, especially after last month’s shocking cliffhanger!  A highly anticipated final issue.

Other picks: New Mutants #13, Dark Avengers #16, New Avengers Finale, Siege #4, Avengers the Initiative #35, Birds of Prey #1, Flash #2, Siege Epilogue: The Fallen, Incredible Hulk #609, Hulk #22, Ultimate Spider-Man #10, Punisher MAX #7