The Flash: Like? Dislike?

[Bored at 3:00AM]

Now, before I start, I want to warn everybody that this is gonna be a bit of a rant, but hopefully not an unconstructive one. I am genuinely hoping that this comic finds an audience.

The interviews they've been doing lately make it sound like Bilson & DeMeo have realised they screwed the pooch a bit with their first few issues. I don't exactly buy their line that "we needed six issues to get Bart where we wanted him to be because of Infinite Crisis" excuse though. I'm calling Shenanigans all over that nonsense because the whole purpose of One Year Later was that it freed creators up from everything that happened in Infinite Crisis to have their characters be in any place they wanted them to be.

If Bilson & DeMeo really didn't want Bart moping around for several issues acting like another tired rehash of a late eighties superhero, they could have easily done so because he had a full year to get over it. I think the truth is they actually thought that rehashing that same Watchmen sulking superhero crap would still be a hit with readers twenty years after it had already been done to death and now they're making a course correction.

Or maybe I'm wrong and it was all part of their plan--a plan that drove away large chunks of their readership.

I was also a little peeved at the idea that they seem to think a lot of fans don't like their Flash simply because of some minor continuity errors. I, for one, haven't noticed any continuity errors, nor would I care all that much if I did see any. The thing that's bothered me the most is the tired, unispired writing that reads like something written decades ago. It's too easy a cop-out to blame continuity nitpicking--it's the mediocre writing that's turned me off. Simple as that.

That said, I'm still rooting for these guys to turn things around and make The Flash as good a comic as it could be. I'll give them issue six to see if they've actually learned from their past mistakes and are on the right track.

Here's my suggestions on what Bilson & DeMeo need to do:

Make Bart have FUN! If we wanted sulking and moping, there's a dozen other comics out there with protagonists like that.

Grifter is a write-off. Sorry. He just is. There is nothing interesting about this villain and you've had five issues to show otherwise. Wrap things up and move on. Not every villains takes off. Some fall flat.

Find an artist that can do speed and trippy visuals well and put them on the book. You've got to find a consistent artist if you want to succeed. The Flash rises and falls depending upon the quality of its art.

[Gozwald73]

Agree with most of your post.

For me, the book is gaining some ground - but in order to give the story a chance to succeed I kind of have to forget that it's Bart, at least until I get used to Bart in this teenage angst persona.

Hmm... out of respect for Wally (legacy and all that stuff) I'm staying on board for at least a couple more issues

[rick]

I hate to say it becasue I've been a Flash fan for just about forever, but I just don't like the new series.

The arts is alright and the writing is not the worst thing I have ever seen, but the book is just not any fun.

It doesn't have any sense of wonder or fun and is honestly in my opinion just sort of there.

It's funny I expected to really like this book and to really hate the new version of the Atom, but it really has worked out the other way. I think that Gail and Byrne are just doing an excellent job of catching the excitment of having "powers" and adventures while the new Flash series is just another bland comic.

So, no, I probably won't be giving it another chance for awhile anyway.

[Young Avenger]

The only reason why I continue to buy this book is because I love the Flash. I want to like this series but I just can't. The writing is medicore, Lashley's art is horrible and the need for a fill-in artist every other issue is getting on my nerves. I want to support this book but I dunno how much of this I can take. I'll give them until the end of the second arc. If it doesn't improve then I have to give up on it until a new creative team is placed on the book.

[Count Vertigo]

I've been enjoying it so far. It's a good way to show Bart trying to cope with so many changes that's happened with his power and life.

[Jack Zodiac]

I think the book should be cancelled after the current arc is over and then relaunched as just The Flash with Waid and 'Ringo in control. Bart's their baby, they can fix the mess these two have created. I'll stick with the book until issue six, but after that, if it doesn't turn around, it's gone.

[Buried Alien]

It's too soon to give up on it. Wally's title went through longer stretches where it was just as bad (if not worse), as did Barry's title during parts of the 1980s.

At SDCC, the Flash panelists highlighted issue # 6 as a turning point in the series. I guess we'll see.

Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

[SKETCHSANCHEZ]

People keep saying that it's losing a chunk of it's readers but I personally keep finding people (mostly in podcasts) that really, truley, LOVE this book or, at the very least, they really enjoyed # 5 and has renewed their faith.

I think it's OK right now, but theres alot of potential here so I'm sticking with it.

That and Barts a fave.

[SKETCHSANCHEZ]

I think the book should be cancelled after the current arc is over and then relaunched as just The Flash with Waid and 'Ringo in control. Bart's their baby, they can fix the mess these two have created. I'll stick with the book until issue six, but after that, if it doesn't turn around, it's gone.

I'd like to have Waid and Ramos, nothing againt Ringo cuz he's great, but I felt alot of Impulses initial charm is thanks to him as well as Waid. Personally, I'd love to see him come back to an adult Bart as the Flash.

I mean his Wolvie run is up and I dont think he's exclusive to Marvel, DC should grab him up for this, even if they dont get Waid.

[Jack Zodiac]

I loved Bart in Waid's run on The Flash, I loved his own title, and I loved what David did with him in Young Justice, but what they've done to the character so far has sucked. That's why I can't dig the book. Even if they were using the same situation, with Jay and Bart trying to keep some loser we don't care about from becoming a villain, and Bart pining over some girl he just met, it would be completely different if he weren't being written like a wet towel.

[glue]

The arts is alright and the writing is not the worst thing I have ever seen, but the book is ... just sort of there.



That pretty much sums up my feelings on it. I think the only reason I'm still getting it is because it's FLASH. For that same reason I'm not going to be dropping it anytime soon.

[SKETCHSANCHEZ]

Find an artist that can do speed and trippy visuals well and put them on the book. You've got to find a consistent artist if you want to succeed. The Flash rises and falls depending upon the quality of its art.

I think they agree with you, they have said how disappointing it is to not have a consistent artist or look for the book.

[Jack Zodiac]

They should get whoever it was that filled in for issue three to do the book consistently. That art actually made the writing better, I think. :p

[SKETCHSANCHEZ]

He's gonna be doing the Teen titans year one now, so unless he's one of those artists that can do more than one book...(and how rare is that these days? Very, I bet haha)

[Samurai]

I am already buying everything I can afford to get, so when I decided to order the Dr Fate specials in the latest Previews, I had to cut a title. It was Flash. Of all the books I'm reading, it's near the bottom in enjoyment for me. Griffon is an incredibly lame villain, hardly worthy of a 1 issue story much less a 6 part premiere arc for the title. And artists are coming and going left and right, and it was another fill in artist that issue, so I figured scrap it. It was a close race between Flash and Thunderbolts to the chopping block, and Thunderbolts will probably also be gone in a month or 2...

[marshal99]

Bring back Wally West , change bart back to a kid and then the fans will come flocking back. ;)

The whole thing with Bart suddenly becoming a grown up and taking over the flash mantle is just a bit too sudden.
It's the same with Franklin Richards at marvel who became a young adult overnight and called himself Psi-lord , even had his own team book - fantastic force. Fans really did not take to him and he went back to a child eventually.

[Buried Alien]

Bring back Wally West , change bart back to a kid and then the fans will come flocking back. ;)

I could quote some things I was often told back during the Wally era whenever I suggested bringing Barry back. I was taught, however, that it's not nice to gloat. :D

Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

[SKETCHSANCHEZ]

I could quote some things I was often told back during the Wally era whenever I suggested bringing Barry back. I was taught, however, that it's not nice to gloat. :D

Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

There were Internets back in 86???? :eek:

:D

[the4thpip]

There were Internets back in 86???? :eek:

:D
Message boards back then looked like this:

http://www.daf.uni-mainz.de/landeskunde/1999_2/Musik/Images/pinnwand.jpg

This is the Teen Titans board circa 1984.

[Ilash]

Unless I hear that there's been a HUGE turnaround in quality on the title, I have no interest on picking up another issue. And I say that with the Flash being my favourite superhero.

[Ilash]

I could quote some things I was often told back during the Wally era whenever I suggested bringing Barry back. I was taught, however, that it's not nice to gloat. :D

Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

A fair point but there are a few differences here.

First, Barry Allen was given a great send off. A hero's death. Wally was just shuffled off into limbo.

To the best of my understanding Barry's series was selling a fraction of what it once sold and he just wasn't the draw that he once was. You simply cannot say that about the last Flash series.

The Flash dying/ vanishing in a Crisis and then being replaced by a Kid Flash was already done. This is a boring, inferior retread.

Wally was, to the best of my knowledge, very much the same guy at the start of his series as he was when he was Kid Flash, which meant that we got to see him grow up in an organic interesting manner. Bart has been characterized by large, ungainly and completely inorganic personality changes. What we're left with at the start of the series was a Bart that bore no resemblance to his previous incarnations and was robbed of all that made him unique in that case. Here he is presented as a fifth-rate Wally West clone. What's the point?

[drwho]

I kind of think it would have been more interesting if bart took up the mantle while still being a kid. Kind of dumb to just pointlessly age him so he can fill up an adult cookie cutter role.

[TheTen-EyedMan]

The one problem with the Flash is that as a comic it has no hook. There's nothing in it that makes me want to follow the adventures of Bart.

Barry Allen had the perpetually late nice guy given the power to be anywhere he wanted in a split second. It had irony laced with a pathos that he still kept being late meeting his girlfriend because he had to be a hero now.

Wally was made human by Bill Loebs...that's why I survived Mark Waid...

When the Villians became more prominent than Wally under Geoff Johns, I left the Flash.

I checked out the first two issues of new Flash and it has nothing for me.

[carabas]

I don't usualy pay a lot of attention to the art in comics. If it's generally comprehensible and doesn't have too many obvious errors, and is not utterly inapropriate to the story (so that's most of the output of Bachalo, Liefeld, and Humberto Ramos), I'm not complaining.

I also don't care mucj whether it's Barry, Jay, Wally, or Vart under the mask (although the elimination of Kid Flash was a braindead move).

The writing though...
'The Flash' is not DC's worst written book, but it's on the shortlist.

I'd give the book a second chance in a heart beat if the writers are changed.

[Kaos]

It sucks....I wish Bart stayed a kid, WHY AGE HIM? WHHY? bring the jokey kid flash back noooow

[DonC]

I was also a little peeved at the idea that they seem to think a lot of fans don't like their Flash simply because of some minor continuity errors. I, for one, haven't noticed any continuity errors, nor would I care all that much if I did see any.

Here's one for you: They keep harping on how Bart is wearing Barry's suit, yet the design on Bart's is closer to the one Wally started to wear in issue #50 of his series.


Aside from that, I don't really have much to add. Like countless other people have said, this book just isn't fun or interesting. The only reason I'm giving it one more issue is because I love the character of the Flash.

[Jack]

Well, they always said that they wanted to start off showing how Bart got to wanting to be the Flash, so I've always felt it was worth waiting until they got Bart to where they were trying to take him.

I'm enjoying the series well enough, though it's not great. I find it fairly solid. If Bart starts acting more like himself, then I'll enjoy it a lot.
Here's one for you: They keep harping on how Bart is wearing Barry's suit, yet the design on Bart's is closer to the one Wally started to wear in issue #50 of his series.
Except he's put on Barry's suit twice, and both times we've seen it transform from the Barry version to the Wally version. It's not an error, it's merely an unexplained phenomenon.

[shaxper]

I probably won't try it again.

A character like the Flash isn't going to win me over with his abilities and back story. I've just never cared. The three things Wally West had going for him were

1 - Membership in the JLA: He had fully assumed an integral role in the
greater DC mythology. I don't see Bart making it into the JLA anytime
soon. He's more of a candidate for the Titans. Perhaps he needs to spend a few years paying
his dues there (as Wally did) before taking a larger role in the DCU.

2 - Wally had a winning personality. He was quick with the jokes, but held
a lot of serious convictions and doubts beneath that facade. He was
dark and insecure without being whiny.

3 - He was easy to relate to. A teen with doubts who was unsure of who to be and how to be it,
living in the shadows of a great predecessor. Who can't relate to that? Bart, on the other
hand, has one of the weirdest back stories I've ever read, and while that's interesting, it makes
it hard to relate to him. I can't begin to understand what it would feel like to be Bart, and I
don't get the sense that the writers can either.

Bart doesn't have any of these qualities going for him. I tried the first arc, but I just don't see this premise working without a new creative team taking an entirely different approach to the character.

[Agentum]

I think they should have gone with Wally West the JLU version, he is funny.
This book is boring to me, and no i won't buy it untill something of intrests happens.

A comic book must have something intresting in them from the first issue, you can't write 10 boring ones and then you do something intresting in the books, i think the writer is not in understanding of comics.
People has diffrent tastes of course, but really this can't be anybodys favorite book.

And i see that people buy the book just because Flash is their favorite but don't like the book, that is not smart, it only makes them doing more of the same stuff in the future.
Don't buy what you don't like.

[skally19]

i'm done after this arc finishes.

[Shem the Penman]

I'm sticking with it so far, although it's a grim slog.

No, I don't want Wally back. As I've said before, I just want Bart to be someone I want to read about. Not a Wally clone, not a Barry clone, just someone interesting. Bland, de-Impulsified Teen Titans Bart, not interesting. Mopey, sulky Bart, not interesting.

As for the Griffin, well ... I can understand why Bilson and DeMeo wanted to open the series with a new villain. Not only would it help Bart define himself, the traditional Flash Rogues' Gallery needs a break after Johns's (overrated, IMO) "Rogue War." But this ain't working, and the idea is past due for a mercy killing. I think it *could* have worked, though; "I can't fight my friend, even if he's acting evil!" is one of those plot ideas that never get worn out. But the Griffin has been so two-dimensional and over the top that he's blatantly unredeemable.

[Alex L]

It's too soon to give up on it. Wally's title went through longer stretches where it was just as bad (if not worse), as did Barry's title during parts of the 1980s.

At SDCC, the Flash panelists highlighted issue # 6 as a turning point in the series. I guess we'll see.

Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

Like everyone else, I'm going to give it one more issue.

But, if I leave at issue 6 and all of a sudden it gets good at issue 7, I'm not going to lose that much sleep over it. Comics are getting too expensive to the point where I can't continue buying series that really aren't that good, just in the hope that they will get better or to have a full run of a series.

Plus, if it's THAT good it'll be reprinted in a TPB, right? :)

[Fatguy]

Looks like I'll keep giving it a shot, I meant to cancel it before last issue and I keep forgetting.....so, I supose I have no choice ;) Here's hoping!

[Bored at 3:00AM]

Here's one for you: They keep harping on how Bart is wearing Barry's suit, yet the design on Bart's is closer to the one Wally started to wear in issue #50 of his series.


That's not a continuity error. Check out Bart's return from the Speed Force in Infinite Crisis. The suit he's wearing is Barry's suit, but it morphs into Wally's design as he emerges.

[Walter West]

I have been reading The Flash since Barry was drugged and Iris murdered at the costume party, although I haven't read it every month out. To tell you the truth, I found Barry to be a bit depressing towards the end (and for good reason). Changing to Wally was a good fresh changeover although I found that it took a few dozen issues for the comic to hit its stride. When it hit its stride, it had story arcs that eclipsed its failures while also paying homage to the earlier incarnations. I won't give up on it, but I really wish these guys wouldn't lay down groundwork for Bart's moping seriousness (or they are botching it, but either way...).

Bart, as Impulse, was most successful when he integrated the impulsiveness with more than a dash of brains. He has the potential to be a great Flash. Although I feel he was moved along a bit too long, we have to remember that he has been around for quite some time in terms of our time (not his).

I do think he should have been given more time to season as Kid Flash, but I believe the comic can be salvaged (or redirected). Bringing back Max Mercury, in an arc which reunites his spirit with his body and removes Rival, would be a great first step as would a reconnection with Wally. Wally doesn't need to resume the role, but having him to interact with Bart would be great as a nod for those of us who have stuck with the book.

That said, it looks like they are getting ready to kill off Jay or de-power him. Not a great idea in my opinion, and I base this not only on the most recent issue but also the comment made by the current writers that we shouldn't get used to the first Flash shown in this series as he won't be around.

Of course, these are just longtime fanboy musings, but I'd also like to see Walter West brought back for an arc. If they wanted someone serious, why didn't they bring back him?

Hopefully, the Speed Force is purged from Bart's body, which could also be a great arc. Purging it, which could release some of those within it, could make for a DYNAMITE arc!!!

[Krypton King]

Yes, even after the horrow show known as issue #5. I think the creative team is far more of the problem than a switch from Wally to Bart.

I just keep in mind that before the fifteen years of brilliance under (mainly) Waid and Johns there were a few years that had to be suffered through.

[PastePotPete]

The Flash is my favorite character in comics period.

The switch from Wally to Bart is no problem. It could be great, in fact.

I will not buy another issue by the current creative team. I bought two already and they made me sad. These guys choked BIG TIME. The book is boring, clunky, unclear, overly-complicated, slow, silly, out-of-touch and out-of-date.

Didio! Don't hire has-been tv writers anymore! Hire somebody who can write COMICS! All those great indy comics writers out there and you're pulling talent from the guys that did that goofy TV show?!? Come on, man!

[Buried Alien]

The FLASH TV show was good and many fans enjoyed it. Nobody says these guys can't write a great FLASH TV show (short-lived as it was) because they *did*, but TV and comics are very different media and just because you can do one well doesn't mean you'll be successful at the other (although there have been cases, such as Gerry Conway, where that has actually happened). That's what's going on here.

Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

[MutoMikey]

I think the book is showing alot of promising things in its future.
Inertia's back (holy crap)
But haven't they announced that there was going to be a special one-shot, that showed what happened between the Flashes and S-Boy Prime? Sounds good.
As for the future, I do hope they bring Max back for even just a minute. If anyone were ever a father figure to Bart, it was him. But I guess they should save that for after Bart has a little more exp. as the Flash. Y'know, just to show Max what he's done.
And has Bart even met the new Boomerang? His Half-brother? That has to happen.
Finally, I wanna see a crossover with the Titans. A little more closure there. If not, just a team up with Robin. I went back and read Robin plus Impulse and thought how that would work now.
I've had no trouble hooking people onto the book. The only thing we see wrong with it is Lashley's art. I'll say it. He's gotta go. Other than that, my friends love it.

-Mikey

[Bored at 3:00AM]

The only thing we see wrong with it is Lashley's art. I'll say it. He's gotta go. Other than that, my friends love it.

I think he's already gone. He was hyped as the Next Big Thing but then his stuff came out and fans collectively shrugged their shoulders. I haven't heard him mentioned since.

[MWGallaher]

I think he's already gone. He was hyped as the Next Big Thing but then his stuff came out and fans collectively shrugged their shoulders. I haven't heard him mentioned since.
I saw something somewhere in the last week or so on one of the comics news sites about a "Ken Lashley studio"...it makes me wonder whether we've been getting "factory art" from a variety of pencillers. Given the quality of what we've seen so far, I wouldn't be at all surprised if that were the case.
I've been along for the train wreck amusement value 'til now, but unless there's something in #6 that makes me say "Aha! That's what got their proposal greenlit!" then I'm out. I'd rather the indignity of seeing a flagship title like Flash cancelled early than put up with much more of the same as 1-5.

[Bored at 3:00AM]

I've been along for the train wreck amusement value 'til now, but unless there's something in #6 that makes me say "Aha! That's what got their proposal greenlit!" then I'm out. I'd rather the indignity of seeing a flagship title like Flash cancelled early than put up with much more of the same as 1-5.

Very little chance of The Flash being cancelled, but I can see DC shaking up the creative team if critical reaction doesn't improve or sales start dropping more rapidly.

[Sizzle]

I dropped this all together. Just no fun. The good thing is that being time travelers and the existence of the Speed Force it can all be undone. Wally can come back, older Bart can go way, and a younger Bart could come back from where he went after the Crisis, before he aged.

[Scarlet Speedster]

The Flash is my favourite comics character, yet his title is at the bottom of my monthly pull list. Issues 1-5 have been extremely mediocre, so I'm not expecting any miracles from issue 6. I want to see this Griffin nonsense dealt with and see if the title really improves with issue 7, otherwise I'm dropping the book--too many new books coming out next year like Dr. Fate and Thor to keep buying a book I'm reading merely out of respect for the Flash legacy.

[Gingold]

I stopped after 4, and I should've quit sooner. Putting aside the glacially slow pace of a Flash(?!?) comic and the poor art, these guys weren't coming up with interesting ideas or writing good dialogue. There was absolutely nothing that made me want to read this book. Just like the Hal Jordan/ Spectre fiasco deprived readers of two cool characters, this series has deprived us of enjoying Wally West or any recognizable semblance of Bart Allen. I'm all for shaking up the status quo if it's in the service of a good story or moving the franchise forward, but this frankly sucks.

[90'sCartoonMan]

That said, it looks like they are getting ready to kill off Jay or de-power him. Not a great idea in my opinion, and I base this not only on the most recent issue but also the comment made by the current writers that we shouldn't get used to the first Flash shown in this series as he won't be around.

Isn't Jay going to be in the new Justice Society of America?

I'm a huge fan of the Flash, and it'd take a lot to make me drop the book. Although it's definitely not what it could be. I have my problems with Bart as the Flash and how they're treating him, but I'm sticking with it.

I do remain optimistic, though. I don't want to see a new team just yet, it's only been five issues. I just think Bart needs his own unique voice as the Flash.

[monkeyshine]

I just picked up the latest incarnation of the Flash, and I have to say that I really enjoy this book; judging from posts on other message boards, I'm definitely in the minority. But it's only up to #5, people! Give the title a chance. I mean, it took Wally's series almost two years to get up to speed, pardon the pun. I just don't understand why so many seem to utterly hate Bart Allen as the Flash. Is the character the problem or is it the way he's being written/drawn?

[Young Avenger]

I don't mind Bart has the Flash but the book sucks both in writing and art. The pacing is way too slow, Bart's relationship with Valerie didn't develop at all and it's impossible to care about Griffin. Flash needs a new creative team.

[Slade.]

Yes you are the only one.

:D


I tried to like it I really did, cuz I love the Flash but it just sucks lol. Plus Wally is my favorite.

[Killer Frost]

No, he's not. :p

This is the first time I've ever read 5 issues of the Flash in a row. Wally was okay, but he never got me hooked on the book, and I'm not that familiar with Barry's Flash except in his role as Bart's grandfather.

So count me as number 2. :D

[brundlefly]

I find myself in agreement with Slade about the new FLASH. I was just way too into Johns' FLASH run, so I can't be objective about a reboot with a new character (Bart instead of Wally), a new supporting cast, new writer, etc., because said reboot dumped all the things I liked about the book. Even if the new FLASH was great, I'd probably still be somewhat critical of it for that reason, and it sounds like at issue 5 it's still not that great. I checked out the first two or three issues and it just never grabbed me.

[Gilda Dent]

No, you're not the only one. I'm enjoying it. I'm going to give it two story arcs before deciding one way or the other whether to keep it.

[Alan2099]

I liked the old Impulse a lot better than I like the new Flash.

[Effect]

I just picked up the latest incarnation of the Flash, and I have to say that I really enjoy this book; judging from posts on other message boards, I'm definitely in the minority. But it's only up to #5, people! Give the title a chance. I mean, it took Wally's series almost two years to get up to speed, pardon the pun. I just don't understand why so many seem to utterly hate Bart Allen as the Flash. Is the character the problem or is it the way he's being written/drawn?

Nope, I've actually been enjoying it myself. I've given it an easier time casue it clearly is an origin/acceptance story of a mantle being passed down. So stories like that I'm more patient with to be honest. Also I like the direction things are going and how things are playing out. Plus it's good to see Jay in the story as well as Bart and I like Bart as an adult a lot more then as a teenager.

[Kaos]

yes..yes you are...

the art is so poor..though I liked issue 3 despite the fact there was very little facial expression...and Bart's become too emo..this dudes supposed to be a joker DON'T TAKE AWAY HIS JOKEY JOKE ELEMENT!

[Effect]

He was a joker. We don't know what he's suppose to be anymore after being aged 4 or 5 years. He isn't the same person. Is everyone the same person they were 5 years ago? Hell even 1 year ago? Some are and some aren't. Bart doesn't seem to be and there is nothing wrong with that, it's considered change and growth for the character. It would be wrong and wouldn't make any sense at all if he was still the same person after the change he's gone through.

I think this is the point that was suppose to be gotten across. That this Bart isn't Kid Flash Bart and most likely won't ever be again due to events he's gone through. This is a "new" Bart.

[MWGallaher]

I've been one of the ones ragging on the book, and I've given what I believe are extensive and defensible criticisms of the quality of the product--criticisms that don't consist of whines that "It's not Wally". But I haven't seen comparable defenses of the book from the pro-relaunch crowd. Who's making the case that this book is actually good? I see several insubstantial "I'm enjoying it" comments, and some "Give it time, they're just setting things up", but no "That was one darn good comic book!" and no "Wow! I never saw that coming!" and no "See? This is why they gave these guys the job!".
So, if you're enjoying this take on the Flash, well, I'm glad you are, seriously. It's probably impossible for someone to point out what I'm "missing" with the consequence that I "get it" and then find myself enthusiastic about the team and the direction. But I'd appreciate someone at least trying to point out whatever high-quality aspects these first five issues may have contained.

[David Atkins]

I like the new book. First time I've ever regularly followed a Flash series.

[Ilash]

Meh art + horrible storytelling + atrocious dialogue + weak characterisation = rubbish comic.

And yeah, I only read the first issue but it was so awful, I could not bring myself to read more (and by the sounds of it, it was the right decision). I just can't help but think, they got rid of Wally and Wally's comic for this? I don't get it.

[Froggy]

I liked the old Impulse a lot better than I like the new Flash.
what ALAN OF 2099 SAID!!!!!!

[dancj]

How many issues is the first storyline? I'm buying it, but I don't want to read it until I have a whole story (which I might already have for all I know)

Dan

[Titan76]

How many issues is the first storyline? Dan
Five. Then I believe a new team comes in after this one for another five issues.

As for the book I have read 4 issues and I am finding it enjoyable. Its not out of this world but what is in today's comics media(ongoing series wise)? The only thing I don't really care for is Griffin, I find his character to be a waste and wish he go away. Other then that I think its a good series so far.

[geordiesteve]

I didn't like it either. I'm a big Flash fan, I've got a long run from when Waid was writing it and before, and then I lost interest after Issue 110 or so, drifted away, and thought great, a new start, first issue, and it was just....bland. Some of the ideas were good, the idea that the speed force is something that injures or harms Bart and using it is now dangerous, a good twist, so he can't just zoom all over whenever he feels like to save the day, I like that Bart is older, doesn't bother me either, but the rest of the story just left me cold and I stopped after issue 3 I think it was.

[Jack Zodiac]

I liked the old Impulse a lot better than I like the new Flash.

Ditto. The original character of Bart Allen hasn't been around in nearly five years. It's a shame that they pushed his character through so many radical changes in order to force him to replace Wally. I think that's the best word to describe this book. "Forced." Not just sloppy writing and bad art, but forced progression of a character who should be taken back a few steps before being developed more.

I think the idea is good. Bart would obviously have been the next Flash. I just don't like anything that's been done with the character since he became Kid Flash.

[Alan2099]

Ditto. The original character of Bart Allen hasn't been around in nearly five years. It's a shame that they pushed his character through so many radical changes in order to force him to replace Wally. I think that's the best word to describe this book. "Forced." Not just sloppy writing and bad art, but forced progression of a character who should be taken back a few steps before being developed more.

I think the idea is good. Bart would obviously have been the next Flash. I just don't like anything that's been done with the character since he became Kid Flash.
I agree completley. I really liked the old Impulse before they completley changed his character and apperance and made him Kid Flash, and then later Flash.

[miracle.eli]

I'm done after #6. I only started collecting this because it was Lashley's current project and I've been experiencing a nasty bout of nastalgia for some of the pencillers I "grew up" with. This book successfully cured me.

I can't believe Ken/Draxhall whatever couldn't get this arc done without relief artists. Not to mention what a letdown the writing has been on top of the poor artwork for someone who's never bought a FLASH book before this series...

-Wil

[90'sCartoonMan]

Who's making the case that this book is actually good? I see several insubstantial "I'm enjoying it" comments, and some "Give it time, they're just setting things up", but no "That was one darn good comic book!" and no "Wow! I never saw that coming!" and no "See? This is why they gave these guys the job!".

My thoughts exactly. I'm sticking with the title because I'm curious to see where it's going and I've always been a Flash fan, but I wouldn't call it "good" by any means.

Not including any of Flash's old Rogues Gallery and taking away Bart's uniqueness as a character are two things that are majorly hurting the book.

[Gilda Dent]

My thoughts exactly. I'm sticking with the title because I'm curious to see where it's going and I've always been a Flash fan, but I wouldn't call it "good" by any means.

I'm pretty much in the same boat here. I like the Flash as a concept and enjoy the super-speed heroics. It may not be good, but it's a lot of fun for me.

[dancj]

Five. Then I believe a new team comes in after this one for another five issues.

Cool - thanks. That means I can start reading

[Schornforce]

I agree completley. I really liked the old Impulse before they completley changed his character and apperance and made him Kid Flash, and then later Flash.

I agree wholeheartedly. I've said it many, many times before, but it's not character development if it happens overnight.... especially twice.

OMG! Donna Troy who I've never really known or been close to died! Now I'm smart and super-organized, lost my energy clones, lost my "visual thinking", completely ignore/forgot my friends from Manchester, and developed photographic memory! Oh and I've dyed my hair a pretty red.

Egads! Now I've run into the speed force and aged so that way no one can ever EVER make me be Impulse again and I'm now a bland and lifeless speedster without any resemblance to what made me such a great character to begin with!

Now, I may grow to like Bart as the Flash. I'll give the book another shot when Inertia pops in. I'll also probably pick up other issues if the story appeals to me. However, I didn't like what I've seen so far and am sorta distressed that DC seems to want to get rid of all their "funny" characters.

DC should realize that not every character can/should pull off the bat ear look.

[Count Vertigo]

I like the new book. First time I've ever regularly followed a Flash series.
Ditto. I was an infrequent collector of Wally's run. Mostly my exposure to him came from JL Europe.

I'm really digging the series alot. It's a great way to see how Bart's evolved from an asshole brat to a mature hero.

[Count Vertigo]

I'm not giving up at all.

[hondobrode]

I don't mind change. Most of the time it's good. The twist with the Speed Force is great. I love it. I don't mind Bart being the newest Flash, but aging him and taking away his personality is a mistake. He could be more serious, but still be a more light hearted Bart than what we're seeing.

The writing is certainly not engaging. Ken Lashley's cover to # 1 was really cool but the interiors have been very wooden. I absolutely can't stand the character of the Griffin either. Ugh !

Flash was one of those titles I bought religiously as a kid back in the 70's and 80's. A lot has happened in the last 20 or 30 years, and that's fine, but they really need a new creative team here.

[MadroxTMMan]

I hated Wally West as the Flash until Mark Waid came on the book in the fifth year or so. I'm willing to give this a chance, because I've always read Flash, but the series thus far seems very....claustrophobic? Like it's happening in a closet. We have what - five dynamic characters at most? I'd almost rather it be Jay solo.

[The Batman]

I dropped this book after issue three. It just wasn't doing anything for me. I thought the idea of Bart taking up the Flash identity was an interesting idea, I'm surprised they got rid of Wally but I'm glad he got his happy ending and that he's in a place where it's not too much work to bring him back if the want too, but the actual book isn't doing anything for me. Griff is just annoying, the art felt rushed and the pacing poor.

That being said, I like the Flash, I like Bart and I will be giving this book another chance. Probably with issue 5 or 6.

[Bored at 3:00AM]

I just want to reinterate that I think making Bart the new Flash is an excellent idea, particularly when he's not yet ready to take on the mantle. Great grist for some good Flash comics.

However, thus far Bart's tenure as the Numero Uno Flash has not been some good Flash comics. Wally's comic sucked for a long time, yeah, but that doesn't mean DC should follow that example. Comics cost too much and there's too many other great comics these days to waste too much time finding your footing. Readers won't last forever on good faith and a fondness for The Flash.

[MWGallaher]

Headlines at Newsarama say Bilson and DiMeo are Flash history as of February, when Marc Guggenheim takes over as writer. The article wasn't exactly harsh on the current writers (although they couldn't come up with anything *good* to say about them, either), but acknowledged that fandom hadn't responded well. I doubt that this is particularly fandom-driven, though; more likely editorial types recognized that this work wasn't of the quality necessary to sustain the series, even if it had gotten a short-term boost during the relaunch.

[Bored at 3:00AM]

Smart move on DC's part. Readers want to like this comic, all they have to do is give them an excuse to jump back on board. A new creative team is the way to go.

The clincher here will be who they get on art. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Flash rises and falls depending upon the quality of the art. Look at Waid's lengthy run. The periods that are remembered most fondly are when he had great artists backing him up.

Not familiar with this new writer's work but I'll certainly give him an issue or two to grab me unless the first issue is a complete turn-off.

[Buried Alien]

The clincher here will be who they get on art. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Flash rises and falls depending upon the quality of the art.

Not something that's viable long term, of course, but who would like to see the great Carmine Infantino pencil one last issue of THE FLASH?


Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

[dancj]

I'm halfway through issue 3 right now. The art on the first couple of issues was pretty mediocre, but issue 3's fill-in by Karl Kerschl is very good. I'd be happy to have him (and the inker and colourist who did this book) on regular art duties

[SleepWalker]

I rarely complain about comics (which is why my post count is so low in comparison to the amount of time I've been a member here), because I'd rather talk about what I like about 'em.

But I have to say that DC took my absolute favorite title and dropped the ball in a big way. There was a Crisis and the accompanying idea is that something has to happen to a Flash during a crisis... Yeah, well, that's honestly not a good enough reason for the ridiculous changes that took place.

The current book, regardless of the changes that have taken place (Wally over to Bart as the Flash) suffers from mediocre writing and hit or miss art. It's inconceivable to me that I'd even think about dropping a Flash book, but I tell ya... I'm close. Hopefully Guggenheim, who I'm loving on Wolverine, will take this book to where it needs to be. Maybe.

[DoctorDoom]

It's too soon to give up on it. Wally's title went through longer stretches where it was just as bad (if not worse), as did Barry's title during parts of the 1980s.

At SDCC, the Flash panelists highlighted issue # 6 as a turning point in the series. I guess we'll see.

Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)
Agreed. I'm still on board and I'm not giving up (and I'm not even a big Flash fan)

[Agentum]

But there is a big diffrence in a bok that is bad from the begining and one that gets bad after 50 issues or something.

[dancj]

Wally's book was bad from the beginning. It didn't get better until William Messner Loebs started writing it

[twilight]

I do like The Flash but I dislike all that IMP,run over every inch of the globe three times in a second stuff.

[chriskenny]

When the Villians became more prominent than Wally under Geoff Johns, I left the Flash.

True, Flash def. got crowded out of his own book during Rogue War. Quite a disappointment.

And count me as someone who sees nothing special about the new Flash book. I kind of don't see the point in why they replaced him in the first place. First, I think it is redundant that in BOTH Crises the legacy gets shaken up. Secondly, there wasn't really a thematic or sales purpose to it. They kind of did it just to do it. Maybe that is why I didn't get excited about the new change.

At least when Connor Hawke replaced Oliver Queen, you saw a new riff on the mantle. Something you never saw before. You had this meek kid who grew up on the monastary replacing his father, who was the exact opposite. And wherever he went he got a sense of who his father was and you got to see how this very different young man responded to the same situations his father did. It was a great period in Green Arrow because both Connor and Oliver were such strong personalities, and even though Oliver wasn't in the book his character was always there because of that strange father-son journey going on. That was a good arc, there were themes there that not only enriched the new character but deepened your understanding of Oliver as a man despite his absence.

When Jean Paul Valley replaced Bruce Wayne, the theme was showing how Bruce is what makes Batman who he is and it is his moral character that keeps him from being just another villain.

And so on and so on.

With the Flash, where are the themes? Where is the arc? Do they just want to have a young Flash? Is that the only reason? Well, like someone said before, there is no story here. There is no theme. There is no hook.

I am not going to cry and say MY Flash isn't around anymore and I want him to be! No, because of all the heroes I think I am the most open to the changing of the guard of this particular legacy. But give it drama. Give it some kind of reason for being. It was too arbitrary and shoehorned into the story just to have change for the sake of it.

And it is a shame too, because so many characters had interesting character arcs in Infinite Crisis. The Big Three, Superboy, Booster Gold, Blue Beetle, Sasha Bordeaux, Wonder Girl, Nightwing, and a bunch of others. Where was Flash's buildup? The change was so sudden and random. Kid Flash jumps into the Speed Force and jumps out and--voila!!!--he is the new Flash. Just like that? C'mon.

Anyway, that's my gripe. The story isn't compelling. Period.

[chriskenny]

I thought of another great example of how legacy characters deepen and enrich stories and legacies... Jack Knight. A total letdown of a son, a weird layabout who wanted nothing to do with the family business. His brother is gunned down and he is left with a father he suspects doesn't love him as much as his dead brother and superhero gig he barely has respect for and absolutely no experience in.

That's not an editorial mandate, that's a STORY. And a damn good one.

How you would you describe Bart. Prematurely grew up to be an adult version of himself. Typical angsty stuff happens. Blah.

[Deeranged]

I agree totally with sleepwalker that was a excellent post and chriskenny I thought your post was well written and very brillant

[TROUBLEZ]

I started reading FLASH when Mark Waid was writing it, it was around the time that "Barry Allen" returned and it really turned out to be Zoom. Anways, from then on I though it was a fun book. I liked the Flash mythology, with all the different speedsters, and it was kind of like a family, I really liked Wally's unique personality and the way he was written, and when IMPULSE came out I liked that too, until Ramos left the book. My favorite Flash story was the 0 issue during Zero Hour. I liked how he tried the same thing his mentor Barry did, except they flipped it on the readers, and he didn't really die, but became the visitor that talked to him when he was a kid. Good stuff. That's why I think it stupid that he really did die, or got replaced due to Infinitie Crisis.

After Waid left, the stories started to suck that bad or what?

I liked Bart too, and I thought it was stupid to turn him into Kid Flash.

BRING BACK WALLY!

[dancj]

After Waid left, the stories started to suck that bad or what?
Nah - Before Waid left the quality started to slip. When Jeff Johns came on board closely followed by Scott Kolins, the book improved dramatically - only to slip agaiin after Kolins left.

[Jack Zodiac]

It's weird, Scott's art isn't all that... great, really, but it just fits so perfectly with certain stories. The focus on the Rogues in Geoff's run on The Flash, for instance, was even greater because of Scott's gritty art. Same for his run on The New Invaders. I agree, after Scott stopped drawing, the book wasn't quite as good.

[kal_el21]

I really don't think that this was the way to handle a relaunch. In three issues we've seen Bart go from denying the Speed Force to accepting, from being a single, 20 y.o. to being in love. The Griffin seems like a lame '90's reject. The arc seems like it's just all too rushed. There's been no indication at all what or where Wally and family may be, I know that somebody will get to it later but seeing as that plot line is a by-product of IC I think that there should be a mention of it rather than a sligh "Oh my! Where's Wally, Linda, and the twins? Oooooooooh, there goes Griff! Let's go Jay! We need to save my new love interest that I met only two issues ago!"

The whole storyline feels like it's being rushed and forced. I liked Bart better as Kid Flash and a member of the Titans. I really liked how he interacted with Tim. I don't think the character was quite ready to be written as the new Flash.

To sum it all up. I pretty much dislike it.

[javokhetfield]

It's great to be a part of this community, Hi to everybody !

After reading the first 6 issues of the new "Flash" series, i'm done there´s no way i can accept this, bart allen IS NOT The Flash:mad: , Wally West IS The Flash, Johns was doing an absolutely amazing job writing The Flash before the reboot (am i the only one who is tired of those things ?) and now i don't know how he can just remove one of the cornerstones of the DCU and replace it with a sidekick, i mean yes wally was a sidekick, but when he took over it just felt right.

I've said it and i 've said it again, i hate this storyline, get bart de-aged and back to the titans asap and i mean NOW !!!:D

Wally West Is THE FLASH.

[Bored at 3:00AM]

and now i don't know how he can just remove one of the cornerstones of the DCU and replace it with a sidekick, i mean yes wally was a sidekick, but when he took over it just felt right.

To you. It felt right to you.

To many, many others, it was removing one of the cornerstones of the DCU and replacing him with a sidekick. They wanted Barry Allen back and Wally back in the Titans.

To paraphrase, Barry Allen is THE FLASH.

Things change.

Like they did with Barry to Wally, DC has passed the torch from Wally to Bart. That isn't likely to change anytime soon, despite how crappy Bilson & DeMeo's initial run was.

Wally's run started off crappy as well. Should they have switched back to Barry because Mike Baron's initial run didn't work? If they had, you wouldn't have a Wally West Flash to want back in the first place.

So, I'd advise you sit back, relax and do one of the following.

a) Wait until Bilson & DeMeo's run is over with #8 and check out Guggenheim's first issue to see if it's more to your taste. It'll be #9 and he's treating it as a new #1. He's a very good writer from what I've seen.

b) Stop reading The Flash for the foreseeable future because DC is not bringing back Wally West as the main Flash anytime soon. It doesn't matter how much you complain or petition DC about this, Bart Allen is The Flash for the time being.

[Alex L]

It's great to be a part of this community, Hi to everybody !

After reading the first 6 issues of the new "Flash" series, i'm done there´s no way i can accept this, bart allen IS NOT The Flash:mad: , Wally West IS The Flash, Johns was doing an absolutely amazing job writing The Flash before the reboot (am i the only one who is tired of those things ?) and now i don't know how he can just remove one of the cornerstones of the DCU and replace it with a sidekick, i mean yes wally was a sidekick, but when he took over it just felt right.

I've said it and i 've said it again, i hate this storyline, get bart de-aged and back to the titans asap and i mean NOW !!!:D

Wally West Is THE FLASH.


Welcome. :D

Like Bored said, though, before Wally stepped up, Barry was that 'cornerstone' of the DCU. With what happened during Wally's run (the introduction of Max Mercury, the resurgence of the original Flash Jay Garrick, Barry's grandson Bart coming in, John Fox becoming the Flash of the 27th[?] and then 853rd century, the entire Chain Lightning saga uniting Flashes from current-day til Legion of Superheroes time) it had been more than established that Wally was just one in a line of speedsters -- we all knew he would one day leave and someone else (most likely Bart) would become the Flash.