The Flash, Vol. 1: Move Forward

I was so impressed with Manapul's artstyle it was a giant reason why I enjoyed this graphic novel. This is the #1 Flash in the new 52series and they relied on exposition a lot to give us characterization. If this is your first flash comic it does not do Barry Allen justice! Please read other comic so you can see the relationship that Captain Cold and Flash has, The relationship of the Rogues, You know the importance of Cold's sister, and you can get a feel Barry Allen's personality is so much more complex besides just nice.

If you have read Flash comics before this one you will have a more enjoyable experience. If this is your first flash comic I would recommend getting a few older one's so you can learn more about the characters

I've been enjoying the Flash tv series, so I decided to give Barry Allen a second chance. He's still no Wally West, but this was a fun read, and I think I'll keep going with the series.

The art was fantastically kinetic, the story pushed the idea of “the fastest man alive” in interesting directions, and set up an interesting status quo.

When I was talking about subscribing to a new comic I was thinking about Red Hood or Nightwing (which is actually over and restarting as Grayson) or even Damien Son of Batman. Ray said I should get out of Gotham and try something else. Since I'd already read some Green Arrow books (though nothing in the New 52) I thought maybe I'd try The Flash. With his show coming to TV next season it seemed like a good fit. Plus, the library had the first two volumes so that pretty much sealed the deal.

I thoroughly enjoy Francis Manapul's artwork. It's pencily looking (can you tell I'm such an artist), not too slick, but the panels are clear and easy to interpret. The story itself was pretty great as well although we go from some scientific cloning/regeneration talk to time-space rifts to talking gorillas. It's quite a spectrum.

Basically Barry Allen is trying to balance what every masked hero is balancing. How to do stuff and not be hated by your girlfriend. It doesn't seem to matter that Barry is probably the nicest superhero, everyone still kind of blames him for stuff. Poor guy.

It kept me entertained and I started reading the next volume before I stopped myself and said I should write this review!

To be frank I have never followed Flash as a separate comic. So when I picked up his journey with the New 52, I thought this might lead to interesting times. Sadly, this is no longer true. This version is pretty poorly written and confusing. Given Flash is more science fiction than fantasy (Speed force is about quantum physics) I believe they need a writer who can slow things down and detail some of these to bring some logic to the proceedings. As an example, it just takes one page for Flash to be able to go from not being able to utilize his brain at super speed to being able to. To me this need a whole lot of research into brain activity etc. At the end I was left with the feeling of huge potential but totally unfulfilled. Not going back to this one till maybe a new writer in on board.

3.8

My thoughts:

Cover: I love the red and the font

Book:The Flash, the fastest man in the World( having flashbacks of 90???s superman episodes where Flash and Superman try to outrun each other)

This volume is part of the DC Comics redesign. Wally West has been the Flash for more than 2 decades after Barry Allen sacrificed himself. But Barry Allen has risen from the dead and Wally West never existed. A lot of people were mad 12 months ago when it was revealed . I???m not mad but a bit pissed . I grew up with Wally. I have read Barry???s ??????beginning?????? and it ok . I have not connected with Barry . Sad I know but I still enjoyed it. Here is why?

The PLOT is freaking good. There is time travel, vortexes, cloning, and the ability to regenerate. The plot had me hooked. SCI galore

Info on BarryAllen: When Barry Allen was only eleven, his mother was murdered. His father was tried and convicted for the murder, and later died in prison. However, the young Allen refused to believe that his father was guilty of the crime. His life ground to a halt as he dedicated himself to finding the real murderer and, more importantly, finding the motive behind the murder. To this end, Allen studied forensic science, and dedicated himself to solving not only his mother's case, but those of other people in his situation.

After graduating, Allen found work with the Central City Police Department as a police scientist, with a well-known habit for slowness and lateness. Working late in the lab one night, a rack of chemicals that he was working next to was struck by lightning, and Allen was doused in chemicals. Surprisingly unharmed, Allen cleaned up the mess and returned to work, but soon noticed that the world appeared to be moving much slower than normal. He soon realized that it was not the world that had slowed, but himself who had sped up. And he was the 2nd Flash

A summary without spoiling ( There are 8 chapters and 2 interlocking storylines . 4for each) :
Barry has not yet learned to control his powers. He stops a thief during a theft and they plummet down from the roof of a lab. The impacts kill the thief. When Barry arrives at the scene he sees that the dead man is his childhood friend.

The art style was really good but lacked the beauty of Aquaman. I do have to admit captain cold is drawn amazingly ( hot) lol

Still exited for future releases