COMICS!! Review: Flashpoint: Reverse Flash #1

Time After Time...

Flashpoint has been an event comic series worth reading. Not because the alternate reality schtick hasn't been done before (because it has) or because it'll have a significant and lasting effect on the soon to be revamped DC Universe (because I don't think it will). No, Flashpoint's been fun to read because of all the kooky spin-offs we've got that remain wholly familiar, but bring something new to sink your teeth into.

Reverse Flash #1 leans more heavily on one of these qualities than the other and, while still a wholly enjoyable read, it may be a bit too familiar to warrant people cough up their 3 dollars for.

Deja Vu

The story of Reverse Flash #1 is pretty much a retread of the early exploits of Eobard Thawne (aka Professor Zoom, aka Reverse Flash, aka douche bag). This isn't something that, if you're a Flash fan, you haven't read before, but this is definitely a more methodical re-telling of it. That's likely because it's from Thawne's perspective, and you get a better sense of not only why he did what he's done to Barry over the years, but HOW. It's definitely an entertaining exercise.

This is the second of Scott Kolins' Flashpoint mini-series that I've read, and Kolins continues to demonstrate his expertise over with these introspective villains stories. The narrative is strong and written with scientific precision and efficiency that fits the character. I was also surprised how much the pencils by Joel Gomez looked so similar to Kollins' pencils. They're rough as all get out, but they're also fitting for the grit and grime of a villain book.

Here We Go Again

The one problem I had with Reverse Flash is a big one. The fact of the matter is that issue one here is a retelling of a story that's been told several times over. In fact, just a few months ago, Scott Kolins had a full-page Eobard Thawne feature in the Flash series AND THEN had an entire issue devoted to Zoom and his origins a few months later. The point being, I was hoping that this would at least start to show some of Zoom's input into the whole Flashpoint event, but instead it seems like just a basic re-telling. I'm not opposed to stories being retold from different perspectives or updated for audiences who haven't read them, but as I said, this stuff was JUST retold. Couldn't we get some actual development here in the first issue?

And, in the end, that will probably be the biggest factor as to whether or not you'll pick up Reverse Flash #1. If you're a Flash fan, you know this story, but probably want to pick up this entire series. That's merited, and the writing here is good enough that this could be a heck of a series. On the other hand, it's perhaps a hard sell to get people to pick up a story that's been retold several times just recently. If you've got any attachment to this classic Flash villain, pick this series and up and see where it goes. If one telling of Professor Zoom's origins is enough for you, maybe give it a pass.

Flashpoint: Reverse Flash #1 gets 3 stars out of 5

COMICS!! Review: Flashpoint Citizen Cold #1

Rogue Status

I love the Flash and his rogues gallery of... well, Rogues. There's few characters I so enjoy reading about their villains in the same way that I enjoy reading about the hero themselves, but the Flash is one of those. In Flashpoint, the baddest of these blue collar baddies, Captain Cold, gets his own mini series.

To say the least, I was excited. Were my lofty expectations met?

Kicking Some Ice

Like was seen in Flashpoint #1, Captain Cold in this reality is actually a member of the Justice League under the moniker "Citizen Cold". However, don't take that to mean that Cold's gone soft. He's just as ruthless as ever (and he proves it early on in a one on one with Mr. Freeze) and seems like he's just doing this hero thing until he can pilfer enough good will and good WEALTH to get out of the game forever. Cold's got problems however, as Iris West, a prison full of baddies, and an imperiled sister all threaten to interrupt Cold's path to retirement.

This book is both penned AND drawn by Scott Kolins, who popped up as a frequent fill-in artist for Francis Manapul on Geoff Johns' latest Flash series. From a story standpoint, what I loved most about Citizen Cold was the portrayal of the titular character. Where many other Flashpoint characters have been transplanted into positions that greatly change their personality, Cold is still (pun intended) cold. He's an asshole. He's a rogue. He's just managed to get enough of Central City's schmucks to buy him as a hero that he's found more profit in it. Particularly, all the Citizen Cold fans chanting, "COLD SNAP", and Cold getting irritated spoke volumes to his character.

Kolins' artwork fits in well with these villain themed stories, and I really love the way he experiments with panel layouts. The scene in which Cold is standing in his underpants (stay with me), Cold Gun clutched in his hand, while a news report details events concerning his sister is pretty powerfully told with just great illustration and unorthodox layouts.

Cold Shoulder

The only problems I found with Citizen Cold surrounded its set up. There seems like there's going to be problems with the other Rogues Cold has locked up in Iron Heights, but we really don't know if that should be our main concern. Cold also has dealings with Iris that seem to suggest he wants a romantic relationship with her, but that doesn't go anywhere. Indeed, outside of the sub-plot involving his father and sister (and a cliff-hanger ending which will put him at odds with Iris), I'm just a little confused what's gonna happen next. I suppose that's why a mini series has more than one issue in it. Also, I said Kolins' artwork works best with villains because, not to be negative, but his characters are pretty ugly. Ugly in the best way, sure, as Cold himself looks amazing (as do all the other villains), but characters like Iris and Wally West just look a tad odd when drawn in Kolins' style.

*INSERT COLD/ICE PUN HERE*

The Rogues have a pretty built-in audience. If you're a Flash fan, nothing should stop you from picking up this title. If you have at least a little bit of interest in seeing how a villain who becomes a hero... but remains a villain would act in a position of prominence, Citizen Cold is a great read. It's not without a few flaws, but Citizen Cold deserves the attention of all but the most die hard of Rogue haters.

Citizen Cold #1 freezes a solid 4 stars out of 5.

COMICS!! Review: Birds of Prey #11

This review was originally posted on my ComicVine.com account. To see that, click HERE.

What is Love?

The romance comic is something that's all but disappeared from modern comic shoppe shelves. I would argue that this is because romance comics were terrible, misogynistic drivel, but that'd be beside the point. Modern comics have moved far beyond that to the point where two potentially lethal, vigilante loners can have a relationship that is both fun and realistic (well, as much as a relationship between two such people can be). Is there love in the air between Catman and Huntress?

Birds of Prey #11 has Huntress tracking the men behind a Gotham City jewelry heist, one of which whom has a hostage with a dangerous case of asthma. Who should she run into than Catman of the Secret Six, and the two's mutual attraction for one another takes off as they track the crooks down, and it becomes obvious that this night means more to the both of them than simply teaching some lowlifes a lesson, as both seem to be using each other as a form of redemption. Of course, when Catman and Huntress are involved, a happy ending may be a bit too much to ask for.

The Purrr-fect Match?

Since this book is penned by Gail Simone, writer of Secret Six (which has quickly become a favorite of mine), it'd be reasonable to assume that this story is going to be an excellent read. And, who would have thunk it, it is. Simone really understands these characters (as well she should, as Catman in particular has risen to prominence solely thanks to her), and there's a strange feeling throughout that this could almost be an entirely new series featuring these two. The dialog is sharp, and there's a hopeful tone throughout. Again, however, with the character's involved, it's not surprising when Simone takes the book into a darker place for the finale. It was genuinely heart-breaking.

The artwork by Pere Perez is similarly excellent. We're talking about the mean streets of Gotham here, but the art never becomes solely monochromatic like so many other "darker" stories become. This helps maintain that spark of hope that Simone keeps burning as events unfold, and Perez does a great job of also capturing the emotions of many scenes, using both characters and atmosphere alike. It also must be stated that I absolutely love the cover by Stanley Lau here. Honestly, I want this thing on a poster or something.

Too Good to be True

While this would be the part where I nitpick about something to justify this as a true "review", I'm not gonna do that. Sometimes, comics are just that great. Birds of Prey #11 is that great. It's a sweet, exciting, and heart-breaking stand issue that stands on its own. You don't need to have too much knowledge of either of Simone's series to enjoy it, just the slightest interest in the characters involved. At DC's new low price of $2.99, you really have no excuse not to pick it up.

Birds of Prey #11 steals 5 stars out of 5.

Top 15 Justice League Unlimited Episodes THE VIDEO (9-5)

Back with fairly better sound quality, but still poor quality overall, it's part II of my JLU countdown video project!

The finale is coming up next week, and with it... an emptiness will take hold of my heart. Overall, with how well I think these vids are coming out, it'll probably lead to more in the future.

Now just to figure out what that MORE entails.

Until next time...