The Flash #16 Discussion/Spoilers

[twobit]

Maybe it is just me, but Patti just takes away from the book. I grew up on Iris and Barry, and want them back. The issue was very good, and I am glad Iris as reappeared.

[drakeon]

Iris is cool, but I have a thing for sexy nerds with specs, and Patti fits that to a tee

[El Sombrero]

It's crazy how much Manapul adds to this book. I don't think the story was that special but his art is just so wonderful that it really elevates what you're reading to new heights. He is an utterly amazing talent and works so well with Buccellato. I don't have all that much to say about the issue but it looked absolutely gorgeous and I had a really fun time reading it, as always.

[JasonTodd428]

Great issue as always. Looking forward to the conclusion and to finding out who the new Reverse Flash is.

[Ood Omega]

Has DC actually said the new villain will be Reverse Flash?

[Rakzo]

Has DC actually said the new villain will be Reverse Flash?

Manapul/Buccellato already stated that the new villain is going to be the Reverse Flash and the red lightning on the cover of issue 19 is an obvious hint of his appearance.

[ascended]

I enjoyed the issue. This is certainly Grodd's best showing that I have ever read, and Ive been reading for two decades. His motivation is two dimensional, but his ties to the Speed Force add a lot to his dynamic with Barry. This isnt just a telepathic monkey with world domination on his mind anymore, now he has religious zeal backing up his methods and a real honest reason to hate Flash.

And finally! We finally get to the point where Barry finds Iris and the others. Its only taken what? A year? A part of me is glad they didnt do the typical thing where the hero rushes in to save the girl, but at the same time, come on man, you just up and forget all about the people trapped in the Speed Force?

And the thing with Danny West is interesting. Will he be the new Reverse Flash? A new sidekick/hero? New regular supporting character? Maybe a new Rogue? Or is he merely an instrument to introduce another relative of the same last name?

Yeah, this issue was all good. The plot isnt groundbreaking but doesnt need to be. This is certainly one of DC's most consistently good titles. It isnt trying to be something its not, it has fun, and the art really plays into its favor. Telling part of the story via artwork isnt a new concept, but this title just might do it better than any other I have seen in a long, long time. Maybe ever.

[Bookem Danno]

This issue was better than last issue. But it still is not a must read title. The scenes in this chapter were more straightforward reading too. But even though the Rogues were using their powers for good, other than Cold, it was not very clear, or important probably, how they were pulling it off. As someone noted above, it was a nice fast paced read. But with lots of content and the doublepage 5year gap layout was neatly done. The splash page escape from Grodd's spear was visually cool. But it was unsatisfying since apparently last minute reverse surrendering was meant to mislead readers, as well as Grodd, in a wanting attempt for a 'What a cool death trap escape scenario'.

Overall it was good enough, though, that I must read the conclusion now.

[jetter_cheeze]

This issue just felt like it needed to be read in a trade and not as a single issue. I just feel that recent issues have been dragging. The only reason I buy them is to complete my Flash collection, which I am seriously thinking about breaking. (Which has been going since Flash #1 - the Wally West series)

[barryallenfan]

I really enjoyed this issue. I disliked 15, but 16 was on target. Great Art..finally some Iris. I really miss the Barry Iris connection . Finally Barry looks like he's gonna kick sme monkey butt..it's taken too long to get to this point. Love the book, but I could love it a lot more with some real action with a Powerful Barry

[Ood Omega]

Hmm a new Reverse Flash could be interesting. Didn't Thawne say he was a paradox and could survive Barry dying? I bet he survived Flashpoint. I wonder if they plan on bringing him into the new 52.

[DrSimonHurt]

Wasn't Thrawne a para-dox so even if he was alive due to the alterations to the timeline he shouldn't have had access to the speedforce so this would still be Reverse Flash 1 or 3 if they remember Zoom

Keep in mind that Flashpoint is an odd divergent timeline. New 52 Barry and old Barry both tried to change history to save their mother from dying. Current Barry knows who Zoom is and knows that he was killed in that 'other reality'.

He doesn't seem to know that Zoom killed his mother, though. I think that knowledge is tied to the old Barry Allen. I don't think the current Barry knows as much, as his life leading up to Flashpoint was much different than the original Barry.

Hmm a new Reverse Flash could be interesting. Didn't Thawne say he was a paradox and could survive Barry dying? I bet he survived Flashpoint. I wonder if they plan on bringing him into the new 52.

Barry believes Zoom died in Flashpoint. So Thawne did exist in his New 52 history also, which is why he needs a successor(Daniel, Wally, that doctor guy?). Thawne understood that due to the nature of their powers, a negative-powered Flash will always exist. Thawne just assumed he would always be the conduit, instead of someone else. Thawne's paradoxical existence was bound to his death and resurrection between Blackest Night and Brightest Day.

Those events have been dramatically altered. With Pandora actually reinventing the entire universe, not just the timestream, I think Thawne is trapped in death and his powers are passing to a new conduit.