DC Comics has been making this column quite a bit the last few weeks. That’s not to say that other publishers haven’t been putting out great books – it’s just that DC has been regularly releasing fascinating comics of late.
And that’s the purpose of this column: to highlight that one book that, for a myriad of reasons, seems more fascinating than all others released on a particular Wednesday.
Today is no different. And DC Comics tops the list again. Why?
Because today, an old villain comes back for the first time!
The Flash #22
Written by: Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato
Illustrated by: Francis Manapul
Published by: DC Comics
DC Comics has just started off their summer blockbuster, “Trinity War” storyline within the pages of Justice League, Justice League of America and Justice League Dark – not to mention a few other ancillary titles. Of course, the introductory chapter of that tale can be found in The Wednesday Run column found here.
The idea is that, after “Trinity War” concludes in late August, each DC publication will showcase not the hero that every fan knows and loves – but that hero’s archenemy. Superheroes are defined by their enemies, right? Well, the month of September is being hailed as “Forever Evil” within the DC Universe. And the Flash’s number one rogue?
It’s the Reverse Flash, of course!
Pardon the pun, but flashback two years, and DC Comics is undergoing rejuvenation within the pages of the acclaimed Flashpoint mini-series (the animated version of which recently premiered at the San Diego Comic Con). With Flash as the lead and Reverse Flash as the spoil, the DC multiverse that we all knew and loved reformatted into one, new, main universe (along with 51 others, naturally) inhabited by younger heroes who were meeting each other for the first time. It was the dawn of the New 52, a term you’re probably used to by now if you frequent this site and, particularly, this column.
The beloved scarlet speedster, the Flash, was the herald to that sea change. But only now is the villainous Reverse Flash making his presence felt in the New 52.
Fans have been waiting two long years for this moment and many questions are on their minds: who is this Reverse Flash? Will his presence have ramifications for the New 52? Will he remember the old DC Universe? And what will the future bring?
Under the stewardship of writers Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato and, perhaps even more importantly, because of Manapul’s amazing pencil work on the title, The Flash has been one of DC’s top New 52 series. Creatively, it has been pushing through the boundaries of what a comic book looks like and how it should read. There’s some really great creative work going on here and everyone should make the dash to their local comic book shop and pick up The Flash #22.
You won’t be able to miss it. It’s the one with the best looking, most amazing, visually striking cover on the store shelves.
And that’s a flash fact!
Every Wednesday, JP makes the after-work run to his local downtown comic book shop. Comics arrive on Wednesdays you see and JP, fearful that the latest issue will sell out, rushes out to purchase his copy. This regular, weekly column will highlight a particularly interesting release, written in short order, of course, because JP has to get his – before someone else does!
