The Life And Times Of Captain Boomerang

The Flash (Volume 3) #7
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Scott Kolins

Captain Boomerang reflects on his life as he frees the Reverse-Flash from prison. This was by far the best issue of this book to date…probably because it focuses on the Rogues instead of boring old Barry Allen. Boomerang’s entire history is dealt with, even stuff I didn’t know about like his childhood, but meeting his son is curiously left out. Perhaps Johns just didn’t want to deal with it. Seems odd. But anyways, this was definitely a great issue and it makes me look forward to Wally caming back in the next arc.

The Breaking Of The Mirror

The Flash (Volume 3) #5
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Francis Manapul

 

Okay this was a good issue…finally something happens as the Mirror breaks, the Flash may have been betrayed by The Top from the future (which I didn’t see coming at all) and it looks like Iris is in trouble or something…I am not sure. But am I the only one who thinks it would be cool if Iris ended up becoming Barry’s greatest enemy as The Top says will supposedly happen?? It would certainly make Barry Allen a more interesting character (Because he isn’t interesting at all). But still waiting for Wally here.

Going Global

Red Robin #16
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Marcus To

 

Nicieza is such a fantastic writer – he really understands the character of Tim Drake and his history. I loved how Brentwood Academy is mentioned in this issue – Tim’s school from the Dixon era of his book. So many writers come on to book and dismiss anything that came before but not Nicieza. I can’t wait till next issue where we are promised Cassandra Cain! And I wonder where Tim’s new home will be – he says Gotham will still be his base but  he is going global? hmm. How cool would it be if Red Robin became the protector of Vanity – Aztek’s city.

Protecting Secrets

Red Robin #15
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Marcus To

 

Tim shows his genius in this fantastic issue where he pulls off a huge stunt to convince Vicki Vale he is not Red Robin and throw her off the Bat-family’s trail. It was great to see Miss Martian helping out and Tim continue to reach out to his connections. This really is the book for the Batfamily as everyone seems to be appearing here (Except for Cass of course, Vicki didn’t seem to know her identity because Cass is too awesome for that!) I like how Tam Fox is being trusted to keep the BatFamily secrets as well. This book rocks!

Looking Glass

The Flash (Volume 3) #4
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Francis Manapul

 

We find out the truth in this issue about why the Renegades are after the Flash and it actually makes sense why he would kill Mirror Monarch. That was cool but otherwise I am still bored with the character of Barry Allen and the art seemed rushed and muddled in this issue. I am curious to see more of these Mirror Lords though.

Yawn

The Flash (Volume 3) #3
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Francis Manapul and Scott Kollins

 

Wow this was rather uninteresting for a comic that is supposed to be about speed I feel like this arc is going very slow. We just get more Flash versus the Renegades from the future still blaming him for the murder of Mirror Monarch. Still no Wally or Bart or Jay and we see that Captain Boomerang is able to manifest Boomerangs due to once being a black lantern. Yawn.

Too Slow

The Flash (Volume 3) #2
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Francis Manapul

 

Wow I really felt like nothing really happened in this issue. There were like three scenes and compared to the last issue, that is really awful. This book started out with a bang and now it is petering out in the second issue? And still no Wally or even Jay or Bart? Come on Johns! At least we got to see the set up for Captain Boomerang breaking out of prison and maybe this will actually make him a credible Flash villain on his own? We shall see. One thing this book has going for it is Manapul’s art is gorgeous and I love how he draws speed, some of it was really cool to look at.

Back-Tracking The Flash

The Flash (Volume 3) #1
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Francis Manapul

 

Well…that was…underwealming. Don’t get me wrong I enjoyed this…the debut of the new Flash series (The third relaunch of the Flash since I launched this blog) starring boring old Barry Allen. Wally West will always be the Flash to me but I at least like seeing Barry to react how things have changed since his death and the relationship with Iris. Manapul’s art really worked for Smallville in Adventure Comics but I wish he would go back to his Legion-style art work instead of the water colors for this book. The water colors just don’t work for Central City. I really wanted to see Wally in this book, and I think that is why I felt completely underwhelmed. I like the fleshing out of Barry’s supporting cast at the lab and all that but I want Wally and Linda and the kids and Bart and all of them. The idea of the rogues from the future also doesn’t really interest me but we will see where it goes. I don’t know maybe I am still bitter about Barry coming back but I just could not get excited about this.