Comic Info
Comic Name: The Flash (Volume 4)
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Francis Manapul/Brian Buccellato
Artist: Francis Manapul
# of Issues: 8
Release Date: 2012
The Flash (4) #2
Reprints The Flash (4) #1-8 (November 2011-June 2012). Barry Allen has discovered his friend Manuel is alive…or is he? Faced by multiple versions of Manuel calling themselves the Mob Rule, Flash must uncover the mystery. The problem is compounded when an electro-magnetic pulse knocks Central City’s power out, the Flash enters a battle with Mr. Freeze, and Barry finds himself in a trip into the Speed Force…a day in the life of the Flash is never dull and Barry must keep running just to keep ahead of the danger!
Written by Francis Manapul (who also illustrates) and Brian Bucellato (who also inks the comic), The Flash 1: Move Forward is the New 52 series of the Flash spinning out of Flashpoint.
The Flash is one of those characters that has endless potential if written right. Geoff Johns took the Flash on a very different path that really made him a power player and Manapul and Bucellato had a tough path to follow…but managed to keep Flash interesting.
The Flash (4) #4
This is a rather long collection and it is less “big story” based than many of the other New 52 comics. With eight issues composing the first collection, there are overarching stories, but there isn’t a set beginning and end like many modern comics. I find it rather refreshing and it makes it easy to get involved in the comic (and leave you wanting the next volume). This style of writing is an old style of comic book writing, but I believe effective. It might not fit in great with the “build a trade paperback” vision that is necessary in today’s comic market, but it is good for readers.
The book (especially the Manuel storyline), gets a little bogged down in flashback which at points make it a bit difficult to follow. Manapul is a skilled artist, but there were weird detached points (and time jumps) that sometimes made it a bit unclear what exactly was occurring. It was a little distracting, but not a great hindrance to a good story.
The Flash is a solid read and a lot of fun (something that is missing from a lot of comics nowadays). The character is fun, the villains are good, and the art is strong. Check out The Flash, it is one of the better titles of the New 52. The Flash 1: Move Forward is followed by The Flash 2: Rogues Revolution.
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