The Flash #3 – Review

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

The Story: The city that never stops—just did.

The Review: I eat spring rolls dry.  Even though I’m Vietnamese, I can’t stand the smell of fish sauce, so the stuff rarely touches anything I eat.  When I pass on the bowl of pungent liquid, people always react with surprise, like they’ve just discovered some critical fact about myself.  Frankly, I have no idea what my prejudice against fish sauce says about me, but it’s taught me that you can get a strange sense of enlightenment when you learn these asides about people.

This applies even more so to fictional characters.  At first glance, Barry seems so good-natured and clean-cut, you’re surprised he takes coffee at all, let alone “I feel like I could use a fifty-shot espresso right about now…”  But that drink’s not an option for our favorite speedster; its jittery effect on his body, combined with his powers, can lead to unpredictable results, like vibrating through the floor into “the women’s basement locker room before getting control of myself.”  It’s a funny story which lends some much-needed color to Barry’s vanilla personality.

The anecdote also naturally preludes his rescue of a crashing jetliner by vibrating it through the Gem Cities bridge.  Interestingly, the Flash doesn’t follow up this feat by confronting the villain responsible for the cities-wide blackout; no such villain appears.  Instead, we get a sequence of something we haven’t seen in a while: our hero simply serving the public, be it retrieving kids trapped on a roller coaster or wheeling a man on a gurney straight to the hospital.

Better yet, the rest of the Central City P.D. get in on the job, with Singh, Forrest, and Patty doing their share.  Manapul-Buccellato couldn’t have chosen a more endearing way to build up the supporting cast, letting them act beyond their roles as the Flash’s out-of-costume ciphers and putting them on the same heroic footing as the star.

While her bookworm glasses tend to give Patty a soft, almost frail air, we see the woman wearing them is anything but.  Once you see her don a bulletproof vest to venture fearlessly into the darkened city, helping anyone she sees, you may start crushing on her a little.  And that’s before we get to the two of them riding the P.D. mounted division’s horses to traverse the un-drivable streets, she taking the lead while he struggles (“Whoa!  Not that way…”  “You’re a natural, Barry.”).  It’s just plain fun, something comics are in short supply of nowadays.

The Flash #3 – Review

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

The Story: Captain Boomerang makes a break for it after getting a mysterious upgrade; the Renegades continue their quest to apprehend the Flash.

What’s Good: Atmosphere and tone continue to be the strongest thing going for Johns’ new Flash ongoing.  This remains a warm, honest, and positive book that lives up to the current Brightest Day aesthetic more than any other book in DC’s line-up.  This month, part of this easy-going feel is evidenced by just how fast this issue flies by.  Normally this would be a bad thing for a comic, but for the Flash, it feels natural, appropriate, and a testament to its energy.

I’m also happy to see Johns’ building up of Captain Boomerang.  It’s clear that in Boomerang, Johns is crafting a real nemesis for Barry Allen.  Captain Boomerang comes across as a badass, especially in his willingness to go for the throat, even when outnumbered, injured, and without powers.  It’s a time-tested strategy for garnering respect for a villain:  have him beat down a group of despicable, faceless goons that are even bigger jackasses than he is.  I also liked Captain Boomerang’s power upgrade.  It’s a great way to bring Blackest Night’s legacy into the Flash, without it feeling jarring or unnatural in the series’ positive environment.

Barry and Iris’ relationship continues to be a highlight for me as well.  There’s a loving familiarity and joviality that’s imbued into every last of dialogue shared between them.  They actually feel like a happily married couple in that its clear that they know each other better than anybody.  Their conversations continue to be an absolute pleasure to read.

Manapul’s art continues to be lush and inviting.  I especially liked his work on Iris and Barry’s faces; their expressions make them instantly likable and really convey the intimacy of their relationship more than any dialogue could.  Under Manapul’s hand, Barry and Iris lovable characters.

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

DS’ Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Batman: The Return Of Bruce Wayne #3 – While the Return of Bruce Wayne was briefly in contention, there’s no doubt that X-Men Legacy #237 was on another level. The sheer number of brilliant, stick-in-your-mind moments was off the scale. I mean, the master mold of the future (2 of them!), Magneto’s injured stand, Cable’s desperate rearguard action, Cypher shooting for all the marbles…breathtaking. Second Coming is the game to beat.

Most Anticipated: Green Lantern #55: Brightest Day is marching on, and the mystery of the white lantern is still to be resolved. I’m gambling that despite Lobo (whom I can’t stand as a character), Johns is going to deliver a solid issue.

Other Top Picks: Astonishing X-Men #34, Captain America #607

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Legion of Super-Heroes #2 -Another amazingly stuffed issue for the Legion and another fantastic experience.  This is definitely a series to hop on-board for, whether you’re a Legion aficionado or novice.

Most Anticipated: Green Lantern #55 – Lobo?!  Hell yeah!

Other Picks: Secret Avengers #2, Captain America #607, The Flash #3, Madame Xanadu #24, Thor #611, Unknown Soldier #21, Wonder Woman #600

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Amazing Spider-Man #635 – This was a really awesome issue.  In hindsight, I think we’ll probably find out that it was Kaine in the Spidey-suit, but a comic still doesn’t often hit you in the face the way this one did on the first reading (especially not in this age of advance solicitations, previews and online teasers).  If you ever needed a reason to NEVER click on an 7-page advance preview, this was it.

Most Anticipated: Invincible Iron Man Annual #1 – Besides all the hoopla surrounding this issue because it’ll be released digitally via the Marvel app, I’m just hoping for a good Iron Man story.  Invincible Iron Man has been dull recently and Iron Man Legacy just stinks.  Hopefully this story about the Mandarin will save the day.

Other Top Picks: Batman Beyond #1, Elephantmen #26, Turf #2, Secret Avengers #2, Whatever Happened to Baron von Shock #2