Daredevil Message Board

Forrest · Lowlife Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 1439

Yesterday, I went to the San Diego Comic Con and got my hardcover GL: Rebirth signed by Ethan van Sciver, Moose (colorist) and Geoff Johns. Cool

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"Flash is back. Worlds will die again!"

harryhausen · Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 10:59 am Post subject:

Hello, fellow Speedforce junkies. Just thought I’d respond about ‘The Return of Barry Allen’ and Flash #231 over here, instead of in that ‘what are you picking up . . . “ thread.

So, yeah, the RoBA is great. I loved it, and (perhaps because I’m so out of the loop, Flash-wise) didn’t see any of it coming. I read it an issue at a time (with breaks between) – a rare display of comic-related discipline for me. I was freaking out about Barry’s behavior. What?!?!? Really good stuff. I’m waiting to get the ‘Secret of Barry Allen’ next. Gotta space it out a little, monetarily.

As for Flash #231, I though it was fantastic and showed much promise. Waid set up lots of stuff for future plots that looks like it could be really interesting and only occasionally did it feel overly expository. I’ll forgive that, given that it’s a ‘reboot’ and jumping-on point for new readers (me!). I also love Acuna’s art (sorry, Daniel, I can’t figure out the tilde up in here.).

So many people seem turned off by the family concept. Or Acuna’s art. At my LCS, everyone is opposed to it. I can’t believe how many people seem to think that liking Barry Allen and liking Wally West are mutually exclusive stances. What’s that about? Also the, uhm, ‘discourse’ at some Flash boards I visited was crazy and combative. Maybe I should just read this one quietly . . .

I wonder how much the division could be viewed in terms of people with kids and people without. I tend to like it, but my young son loves it (talks about Jai and Iris all the time now) and I definitely favor it because it’s about the only comic I read that I can flip though with a 2-yr-old and not have to explain away compound fractures and impalings, you know? Even those octopus monsters aren’t that scary.

In general, I find the Flash to be a nice franchise. A breath of clean air in the anti-hero landscape. It’s got drama with compelling characters and plot (something is up with Linda and those aliens!), without having to wallow in darkness. Did the people who are complaining think they were buying a Punisher book? Don’t get me wrong, I tend to gravitate toward the other stuff (like DD), but it’s nice to see an upbeat dude run really fast and always try to do the right thing without hesitation.

Thanks for the recommendations, fellas.

Forrest · Lowlife Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 1439

Glad you liked RoBA!

I liked #231 but not a lot. The prose was outstanding but the plot felt more like an Incredibles or X-Men story than a Flash story.

I also don't understand the Barry vs Wally rively, except that readers seem to think that only one of the two can be the Flash at the same time. I don't see any reason why DC couldn't revive Barry as an additional Flash (i.e. not kill Wally). There are four Green Lanterns for Earth and Jay Garrick never died off to make way for another Flash.

Hope you like "Secret of Barry Allen." Geoff Johns's Flash is just brilliant!
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"Flash is back. Worlds will die again!"

Meador · Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 5:32 pm Post subject:

Harry Hausen wrote

The Message Board is currently in read-only mode, as the software is now out of date. Several features and pages have been removed. If/When I get time I intend to re-launch the board with updated software.