FLASH ANNUAL #1

[ ROGUE COUPONS ] 

You've got to just love a rogue. They always seem to be in vogue. Not the printed publication. But the craze that is sweeping the nation. Which sound's rather dapper in brogue. Although I can't say the same thing about the creative team of Francis Manapul, Brian Buccellato, Marcus To, Scott Kolins, Diogenes Neves, Marcio Takara, Wes Craig, and Publisher: DC Comics on the other hand. Oh no! Not dapper. Especially in August 2012.

So what’s the STORY morning glory?

When I was a teenager I got my Granddad pissed on rum. And afterwards, whilst he was reminiscing about the good old day, I, in turn, would eat all of the candy from his candy jar. But do you know what the funny thing about this tall tale truly is? It reminds me of this instalment of the Flash entitled 'United They Fall'. Sweet -- Bitter -- and rather Crafty too.  

• Imagine if you will. Many years ago Captain Cold was approached by a mysterious figure, who gave him the technology that he and his fellow rogue's needed, so they would be able get even with the Daddy's boy known as the Flash.
• However, I am afraid to say that this contraption only worked in part. Because although each of these villains got the power they craved for -- in addition to this -- Heatwave got burnt, Weather Wizard went mental, Mirror Master cracked, the Captain got pissed, and the Glider was presumed dead.
• Today, though, the Glider is back. And she and 'her Rogues' are ready to re-enact their revenge on those people who did them wrong.
• So its sister verses brother -- it's three against a speedster without a mother -- and let's not forget Patty Spivots encounter with a time-displaced nutter.

To be continued just as soon as King Grodd attacks Keystone City... OOGA-OOGA!

What is the most memorable SENTENCE OR CONVERSATION spoken in this issue?

There were many quote-able pieces of dialogue in this tale overall. But the stand out for me has to be Barry's opening monologue...

'I was seven years old when my Dad took me on my first road trip. Drove all the way to Utah for speed week at the Bonneville Salt Flats. I wasn't what you'd call a "speed freak". But my Dad, he loved it. He did not say much on those car rides. Mostly mentioned how exciting it was that we might witness a new world record. "We could be part of history" he'd say. We didn't see any records broken that year. Dad was so disappointed. He wanted to be part of something special. He didn't know that by just being there was special. We were standing on what was once a Great Lake over ten thousand years ago, and all he focused on was a world record. Me... I was just happy to spend time with my Dad'.

Soppy, isn't it? Though that does not make it any less charming.

What was the BEST thing about this issue?

Hand's down, the best thing about this annual for me were the surprises in it. Like Turbine turning up and speaking to Patty about Barry for example. Or that whole back-story which explained away how Captain Cold split from the Rogues and inadvertently caused his sister's current physiognomy. Oh! And of course, the Gorilla invasion at the end was just brilliant.  

What was the WORST thing about this issue?

As much as I did get a big kick out of Turbine's inclusion in this tale, I wasn't that pleased that it did not really go anywhere as a story-strand. Instead, it left us hanging in the air, huh?

But then again maybe that's what it was supposed to do.

What was the most CREATIVE thing about this issue?

STORY: At first I did not think I'd enjoy this story all that much, because it didn't continue where the previous instalment left off. However, I was wrong, and over time I thoroughly enjoyed how all of the different chapters seemed to feed into the same plot, without the overall tale suffering because of this stop / start structure. Nice. Very nice indeed.

ART: Rotating artist? Oops! I've never been a big fan of rotating artists myself -- even if each of the artist's in question are following the same layout as one singular artist -- Brian Buccellato. Still, it wasn't that bad I suppose. And out of the bunch, I did enjoy Marcus To's, Scott Kolins, and Diogenes Neves work quite a lot.

If you had to CAST TWO CHARACTERS in this comic book, who would they be and why?

PATTY SPIVOT: OK, still sticking with the Johnny Depp version of 'Alice In Wonderland' as I did last casting call (click here for that), I'd have to say that for this tasty piece of skirt I'd choose Fiona Chataway herself -- also known as actress, Eleanor Tomlinson.

HEATWAVE: But as for this slightly char grilled gun-for-hire on the other hand? Why not someone like the gent who played 'Charles Kingsleigh' -- Marton Csokas?

If this issue had a MOVIE TAG LINE, what would it be?

If The Enemy Of My Enemy Is My Friend, What Does That Make The Enemy Of My Enemy's Sister? Available?

If this issue were a MOVIE, an OBJECT, or a piece of MUSIC, what would that be and why? 

OK, so this gala extravaganza is comprised of a big battle, two tales of times past, and a couple of monkey in the future? So why not compare it to something like 'Battle for the Planet of the Apes'?

Well, it does have a couple of bananas in it!

FINAL thoughts...

There was only one thing in this annual that I was not too sure about myself. No. Not in a negative way. But in a 'am I mistaken' type way instead. You see, was the mysterious figure who gave Captain Cold the device to splice his DNA to his weapon actually Doctor Darwin Elias? And if so, is that why Glider stabbed him with one of Mirror Masters mirrors?

Just curious is all, because I am not a hundred percent if this mysterious figure is meant to be someone else or not. Someone on the horizon perhaps?

Apart from that though, this annual was a really great read. And I'd encourage anyone who reads the main book to pick it up as well. It's Flash-tastic!

MARKS out of 10? 9