Written By: Geoff Johns
Penciled By: Andy Kubert
Inked By: Sandra Hope
Coloring By: Alex Sinclair
Lettering By: Nick J. Napolitano
Edited By: Adam Schlagman & Rex Ogle
Cover By: Andy Kubert, Sandra Hope, & Alex Sinclair
The run-at-the-seat-of-your-pants Plot
After hearing about a shoot-out between some of Barry Allen’s fiercest enemies, the DC Comic speedster runs after the crime scene only to find his speed force ring missing. He falls down a set of stairs to see his mother after so long.
After a series of events, Barry realizes that not all is well and reality has become somewhat unfamiliar. The world fights against Wonder Woman and Aquaman, and the similar heroes we all know are a tad bit more relentless and “dirty fighters.” Worst of all, Iris loves another man. Barry must now decipher the mystery of this familiar, yet strange new world he’s stumbled into and find his way back home…after Flashpoint is done in five issues of course.
My Awe Inspiring Opinion
Where Brightest Day began horribly, Flashpoint gets off with a bang. Personally, I find that DC uses the Multiverse way too much, giving us too many Flashes, Supermans, Wonder Womans, and Green Lanterns. However, Johns seems to have taken full control of this version of Earth within the multiverse giving it a new and fresh feeling, filled with mystery and excitement. I can honestly say that I’m hooked and will most likely stick with this series all way through to final issue #5.
Johns starts off with a tremendously emotional first few pages, delving back into Barry’s past and how it led up to him being the Flash and developing friendships because of that. But as we shift further into this world where Barry Is “slow,” even more occurs to enticement and ensnare our senses. Unlike the beginning of Brightest Day, Johns leaves so much unanswered but gives us so much to go on, leaving the mystery swimming in our heads in a positive flow.
Among these mysteries in the overarching theme of Flashpoint, the two most center-staged ones deal with Wonder Woman and Aquaman turning out to be murderous jerkfaces! Without a doubt I’ll be picking up the Flashpoint One-Shots staring Wonder Woman and Aquaman just to find out why they are so evil! But concerning this first issue, we discover one very interesting thing about this world’s Batman. I can’t give it away for fear of ruining the best surprise to come out of a DC Comic in a very long time, but I don’t know if I can hold in this “father” of all secrets for very much longer. (Riddle me this!)
The tone was set very well for this series and its character developments. Faces and costumes are familiar, but mindset is completely different. It seems Johns has expanded on the dark side of each hero’s personalities. Batman now seems to be much more willing to sacrifice the lives of evildoers in the name of justice, and the heroes in this world don’t seem to get along with each other in the very least. The only character that seems to have maintained his personality trait is Cyborg, who not only has the ability to walk, but run, jump and save damsels in distress after “slipping” from the top of a tall building. Only recently have I gotten into Cyborg’s character. I think John’s may have just sparked my interest even more.
It’s good to see Andy Kubert working on a series I’m reading again. But the best work of this issue doesn’t come from the action or more intense scenes found towards the middle and end of the book, but rather at the beginning. I can’t see a more emotionally gripping panel than the one where Barry embraces his mother in a heartfelt hug. But even with that said, the artistic vision and execution of this issue is flawless, never sparing on details nor lacking in the depth of color and definition. Sinclair became just as much of a storyteller as Johns and Kubert with his excellent depiction of a torn and beaten up Gotham City with the multiple shades of red and black.
My Majestically Climactic Conclusion
Now I can’t say that this issue is one of the best I’ve ever red out of DC’s comic repertoire, but it’s definitely got my interests peaked and excited for what’s in store for the future. It kept my attention from start to finish. While Geoff Johns is great at writing storylines for Green Lantern, I think some of his real passion lies with the Flash, and it shows!
10 out of 10
