Written By: Geoff Johns
Art By: Scott Kolins & Francis Manapul
Coloring By: Michael Atiyeh & Brian Buccellato
Lettering By: Sal Cipriano
Edited By: Brian Cunningham
Cover By: Francis Manapul
The Plot
Hot Pursuit is trying to kill Kid Flash in order to save the universe! But then Mr. Pursuit realizes that the unnatural anomaly wasn’t being generated from the little tyke, but from a reversed evil doer. Will the Professor of Zoomology be brought to justice, or has the road to Flashpoint already been paved?
My Awe Inspiring Opinion
The hardest thing of any story arc to deal with (for me at least) is how they never really end. I used to make fun of soap operas all the time, but comic books are just as bad, if not worse than “The Rich and The Richer.” This is not at all a negative critique, but rather a factual statement proclaiming why comics are so successful with me, and Johns knows how to take me along for the ride.
I ran into a major problem by reading Flashpoint #1 first, and then reading Flash #12. I like that the two issues came out in the same week…but I wish I had known which issue to read first.
The main story was good; tension is great, new revelations are given, a character dies, Iris and Barry try to mend their…..wait, what? Who dies?!?!
I won’t give that little bit of information away for those of you who haven’t picked up your comics from Wednesday yet, but it honestly won’t affect you as much as you might think. It does provide a great set up for what’s to come in Flashpoint, but it isn’t that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things.
Now concerning the unending subplots…who else felt everything was put on hold for Flashpoint? Just as Barry was ready to accept the fact that he has new opportunities being laid before him, he is jettisoned into a strange new world where everything is backwards. I think Barry was on the verge of becoming a bigger part of his family’s life – like spending more time with his wife and grandson. Some things seemed a little more solidified with ending, but as we all know, comics always seem to sneak in storylines we all thought had ended years ago. But this unending theme in #12 could be only the beginning of what’s about to occur for Barry Allen as a speedless Flash. And I for one am excited to see the results!
Francis Manapul – 10, Scott Kolins – 0. And while I absolutely cannot stand Kolin’s artistic style, and having an artist toggle in the same issue frustrates me even more, this issue was smart about the toggling. Kolins typically leans more towards a darker and gothic style while Manapul is much a lot light and well defined. The two differing styles help to set a tone of the two segments of #12, which I have to give DC props for.
My Majestically Climactic Conclusion
It’s been one year since this series began and it’s been a fun ride. I look forward to speeding along with the Flash for another twelve issues!
8 out of 10 Stars
