Flashpoint the Miniseries Part 2

Ok here we go again the last 8 Flashpoint mini first issues.  Let's dive right in

Kid Flash Lost #1

So we start off in the DCU. . . . . Or do we?  Kid Flash starts to think that the Flash is not acting right and he wakes up from a dream in the Matrix?!?!  Nope, Brainiac fished him out from the Time Stream and is/was going to use him for something evil.  Then we get a twist, Kid Flash and Hot Pursuit are in a world where Brainiac rules and if things don't go back to the way they were Kid Flash disappears.  Just like in Back to the Future 2!  Now I need to watch both of those movies.

Legion of Doom #1

Starting off killing half of Firestorm got my attention.  Then having the old HQ of the Legion of Doom used as a prison was a nice touch.  But having Plastic Man coming out from the inside of a convict to free Heatwave, now that was a big shocker to me.

Lois Lane and the Resistance #1

Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning are great co-writers.  I don't think I've ever read anything they've done that I haven’t enjoyed.  Eddie Numez & Don Ho’s art reminded me of Todd Nauck, that’s a good thing.  Starting with the first page I was hooked.  I guess everyone who wanted "Jimmy Olsen Must Die" from countdown would be happy with this issue.

Project Superman #1

I had an idea how I thought this was going to play out.  Kind of thought it would be like Mark Millar's Superman: Red Sun.  But instead it was more of a Captain America story.  Not like a carbine copy, but they did go looking for someone to "create" into a hero.  Thing is I really like this story, a totally different take on what you knew about Superman.  Truly can't wait for the next issue.

Secret Seven #1

First hearing about this title I didn't even think about picking it up.  Even with the button deal I just wasn't thinking about getting it.  Once I flipped through the issue and gave it a quite read I just had to pick it up.  Added in Mr. George Pérez doing some nice art it was a really good read.  I've always enjoyed the magic/fantasy comics and this one hit the spot.

The Outsider #1

Once I saw the name "James Robinson" on the cover it was a must get.  I really loved how this went a little bit side by side (kind of) with FlashPoint #1, seeing what "The Outsider" Michael Desai was really doing when he was holograming the meeting with Cyborg and the other superheroes.  It was in interesting.  As if he’s bigger then the Amazons Vs. Atlantis war and it’s meaningless to him.

Wonder Woman and the Furies #1

With FlashPoint being about the Amazons Vs. Atlantis war you have to pick this one up.  Seeing how their lives were before the war and how Diana & Arthur first met.  They're building their bond followed by the travesty of Diana's mother giving her life while saving her.  This is what started the war and I can't wait to read what happens next.

World of FlashPoint #1

This was not what I was expecting.  Well I don't know what I was really expecting anyway.  This was kind of a "just pickup because I'm getting them all".  I understand that this comic was telling us the view from a family who hasn’t been truly hurt from the war.  I get that, but the big thing that happen here (to me) was finding out that her father was part of a group called the H.I.V.E. Council and the group decides to destroy the earth.  All in all, an ok read

So that’s that. With the end of FlashPoint coming just round the corner and the new 52 right after I’m truly loving what DC Comics is doing now.

-Joe (AliasJoeG)-

Flashpoint the Miniseries Part 1

I know all of the first issues from the Flashpoint miniseries have been released and there was some that surprised me, a couple that where great, & a few that just ok.  And I thought wouldn’t it be cool to just look back on all of them.  So let's begin:

Abin Sur: the Green Lantern #1

The main GL I know, like everyone else, is Hal Jordan.  So being able to read a comic about Abin Sur was a must read for me.  Thought it was a nice touch to make the Green Lanterns suits resemble the ones in the movie.  And seeing that the Black Lanterns & Red Lanterns BOTH still happened makes me want to find out about those stories.

Batman: Knight of Vengeance #1

WHOLLY GREAT ISSUE BATMAN!  So soooo sorry about that but damn was it a great read!  The second I was done reading it I read it again.  Seeing a "villain" Batman was different & I loved it.  (SPOILER) Bruce is dead & his dad is the Batman, it was such a shocker to me in Flashpoint that I had to pick this issue up.  Hands down the best Flashpoint mini!  Brian Azzarello needs to come back to Batman!

Citizen Cold #1

I didn't know what to except with this one. But having Scott Kolins writing & drawing sold it for me.  Citizen Cold reminded me of Caption Amazing (from Mystery Men movie) in an evil way.  When he saved Iris & Wally from flying off the pier while he was thinking about all the endorsements he'll get now.  Having a villain now being a hero still with the villain mind state makes for one hell of a read.

Deathstroke and the Curse of the Ravager #1

I'm not going to lie I mainly picked this issue up because Jimmy Palmiotti was writing it but then after reading it I’m really glad I got it.  The story alone, having him looking for his lost daughter Rose, has me seeing Deathstroke in a whole new light.  Plus Joe Bennett's art fits this comic to a "T".  And it didn't hurt having my favorite Batman villain, Clayface, in it too.

Deadman and the Flying Grayson #1

Just like Deathstroke I got this because of the writer.  I'm a big fan of J.T. Krul & anything he writes I end up reading.  So Dick Grayson stayed the same. . . well, the same if his parents had lived.  But I loved how Doctor Fate/Kent saw the original (guessing) DCU.  As if the memories still linger some. It was a surprising read with astonishing art.

Emperor Aquaman #1

The second I opened this issue I thought I was looking at Adam Kubert's art.  Ardian Syaf's art looks so much like Kubert I thought I was reading Flashpoint #3.  What I took from this story is that Aquaman is not the mean person we see him as.  We see a man at he's breaking point.  His queen was killed & he needs to retaliate.  Maybe I’m wrong but that’s just how I see it.

Frankenstein and the Creatures of the Unknown #1

When I first heard about this one I really wasn't sure if I was going to get it but I love those buttons.  Jeff Lemire is still a new writer to me, but I was engulfed in the story.  With not even knowing who the characters really where, he got their story across to me perfectly.

Hal Jordan #1

With having a Flashpoint Green Lantern mini who wouldn't want to pick this one up as well?  Unless I’m mistaking this seem to be the same "Origin" that Hal had in the DCU.  So the whole time I was reading it, I was waiting for the big shock, but I just didn't get one.  Well having Abin Sur still come to him was kind of a shocker but that's why you need to read the next issues.

So that's the first 8 Flashpoint minis, all in all they were good reads.  Batman & Deathstroke were hands down my favorite ones out there. So there are still 8 more to look back at, from Kid Flash Lost to World of Flashpoint.  Come on back & take a look.

- Joseph (AliasJoeG) - 

One nation under Grodd

Flashpoint: Grodd of War #1

Sean Ryan writer

Ig Guara pencils

Ruy Jose inks

Stefani Rennee colors

Carlos M. Mangual letterer

Francis Manapul w/ Brian Buccellato cover

 DC Comics $2.99

When I first looked over the Flashpoint spin-off titles I put Grodd of War at the bottom of the must read list.  I’ve never been that big into talking gorillas in comics, I know I’m in the minority there, and my other thought with this being a one shot is how much story we could get of it.  And there wasn’t a promotional pin offered, not cool DC Comics not cool.  So against all of that I still put $2.99 down for Grodd.  When I was finished reading this comic the only thing I didn’t like was that it was only a one shot.  We’re left with a cliffhanger that’ll make the Atlantis / Amazonian war interesting.  I can only hope that it’s picked up somewhere else.

The story was great, I’ve seen the Aquaman vs. Wonder Woman conflict mentioned in all the various Flashpoint comics but this was the first look into what’s happened in Africa.  It has become a scary place with Grodd in control but even more dangerous is that he’s become bored.  This issue has a few shocking moments, the kid rebels, Congorilla, and Catman, pure pure Catman.  Every couple of pages there’s that moment that hits you in the face and by the end of it you realize no character is safe in this world.

I was pleasantly surprised to find Ig Guara penciling this title. Previously from Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers, his renditions of animals are just as convincing but as the story and settings dictate the art is so much darker.  The whole art team together created an intense mood that made this comic standout.  Backgrounds were filled with rich details, the violence was horrific, but at its center there was emotion that shown through.   

I may have had low expectations for Grodd of War but I came away with wishing there would be more to read.  Definitely recommended, even without a pin.