FLASH #20

[ WHO'S GOT MY COUPONS? ] 

An all-new Flash epic begins here. So don't try and run away like that sod, Richard Gere. Go on, stand your ground. And don't try to sound profound. By reciting something from the old play, King Lear. Personally speaking, I'd rather recite something created by Brian Buccellato, Francis Manapul, and Publisher: DC Comics, in April, 2013.

Using GENERAL terms, answer the following 4 questions about this FIRST PART of 'Reverse'.

• WHAT'S THE MAIN THRUST OF THIS TALE: Once Barry Allen settles down in his new apartment and his new job, his alter-ego, the Flash, try's to track down that b*stard who's killed one of the speed-force detainees, Marissa.
• ARE THE MAIN OBJECTIVES ACHIEVED: No. Not yet. Although he does figure out that Gomez isn't his man.
• ANYTHING ELSE HAPPEN: Forest shows Barry his glowing ball, and we discover that Albert was killed by a blur. 
• HOW DOES THIS STORY END: With a Teen Titan's cross-over in the work's.

All in all, what is the most memorable SENTENCE OR CONVERSATION spoken in this issue?

Although the words in themselves aren't that bodacious, I did like the kinetic flow of Flash's musings when he said to himself...

'I feel them. Everyone who's been touched by the speed-force: Albert, Marissa, Gomez, and Iris. Like it or not, we are all connected'. 

You see, in a roundabout way, the fractured nature of this passage kind of defines how Barry's mind works whilst in 'speed mode'. Free flowing yet succinctly put.

What are the BEST bits about this issue?

(+) As soon as I saw that this issue was dedicated to the memory of the late great Carmine Infantino, nigh on straight away it brought a lump to my throat. Well done DC. Try not to mess up some of his creations though, huh?

(+) Now one of the most intriguing aspects about this story was how Barry relinquished the own past, by embracing his own future. So for the time being it's 'bye-bye pa-pa' and 'hello blonde', yet I'm not too sure for how long this will last, Ha!

(+) Wasn't it great to see Francis and Brian back together again on the same page, Flash-fans? OK, I know that they only parted company for an issue or so. But still, you know what I'm driving at, beep-beep!

(+) Reverse-Flash. Reverse-Flash. Reverse-Flash. Say no more. Booom!

What are the WORST bits about this issue?

(-) I know that the tone of this series is supposed to be a somewhat footloose and fancy-free affair, but I'm afraid to say that in this issue it came across as being too 'footloose and fancy free'. I mean, this isn't an episode of Columbo with rollers skates on. It's supposed to be a more dynamic and imposing adventure, which will introduce an all-new Reverse-Flash to the DCNew! Kapish?

Choose TWO CHARACTERS out of this comic book, and then compare them to two MUSICIANS.

DAVID BOWIE AS BARRY ALLEN: I kid you not; back in the day the one and only Ziggy Stardust himself, used to really-really enjoy running really-really fast. But then again he didn't have much choice I suppose. He did live in Brixton. 

BARRY WHITE AS FOREST: Although I'm sorry to say that Mister White is no longer with us, I'd like to think that his memory still lives on in this bulbous yet merry scientist. Amen.

What QUOTE would be appropriate to sum-up this story?

'I did it my way' -- Carmine Infantino care of Paul Anka

What SONG, THEME-TUNE, or MELODY, would complement this tale, as well as add and extra dimension to it by default?

'BAND ON THE RUN' BY WINGS: Doesn't the name of this song say it all, dear reader? Honestly, do you want me to explain to you that this dynamic tune and this dynamic tale are about running and escaping from something or another? No. I didn't think you did. Bless.

ANYTHING Else?

OK. I know what you're thinking to yourself. So who's this new Reverse-Flash, huh? Plus why is he killing off everyone connected to the speed force? At the moment, all we know for sure is that he isn't Wally West. However, could it be...

• Professor Zoom -- You know. The guy who played him previously. 
• John Fox -- The one-time pain in the force that screwed things up for Wally back in the day.
• Kim Kardashian -- The big bird with the bigger arse who has even bigger plans.
• Max Mercury -- The silver-haired speedster who once took Bart Allen under his wing.
• Charlie Chaplin -- The star of the silver-screen who likes to dress up as a tramp (and I do not mean Kim Kardashian). 
• Bart Allen -- The mysterious thief from another space and time who likes to hang out with the Teen Titan.
• Pegasus -- The winged horse.
• Superboy Prime -- Noooooooo! 

Anyway. That's enough of that for this month. All I have left to say is that this issue of the 'Flash' was a fairly good read all in all. The art was on-point. The story was slightly meandering in places. Yet by in large I did enjoy this first instalment, and can't wait to see what's going to happen next.

Agreed, Flash-fans? Let me know what you feel, OK?

GIVE IT, IT'S DUES: If This Comic Book Was a Car, It Would be some Sort Of Sports Car With A Broken GPS. Fast, But With Little to No Sense of Direction.