The Road to Flaspoint: The Flash #12

Issue #12 of the Flash is, in all honesty, a disappointing close to a good series. Johns uses this last issue to tie up the lose ends of the murder cases, but those only exist to propel the scarlet speedster into Flashpoint. There are some interesting moments with Hot Pursuit and the Reverse Flash, and some nice character work between Barry and Bart Allen, as well as the "love-triangle" between Patty Spivot, Iris Allen and Barry, but ultimately the issue didn't really wow me.

It is disappointing to see that we couldn't get a full issue of Francis Manapul's art, but Scott Kolins fills the void admirably. It just seems strange that DC would put 5 pages of Manapul's art inbetween Kolins', but that's their decision to make.

The Flash #12 is, honestly, a disappointing way to see the series off (cancellation wise, a strange move for DC as even though it suffered from some bad delays, people were still invested in seeing it succeed). All I can say is that it'll relaunch after Flashpoint, with something drastically different about the Flash, otherwise why not give it a three month break instead of a cancellation. It just seems like the 'Road to Flashpoint' could have been it's own mini-series (a one-shot is all it really needed ala 'Batman: The Return'), and it kind of ruined 'The Flash' to have it shoved in there.

Whatever happens, I've got my eye firmly fixed on Flashpoint, and I'm interested to see what happens throughout the series and the fallout from when it's all over.

The Road to Flaspoint: The Flash #12

The final step closer to 'Flashpoint' #1 as it comes out today alongside 'The Flash' #12. Unfortunately I won't be able to pick up up until tomorrow because I have work, it's killing me. Still, the cover for 'The Flash' #12 is nice, so until I can get my comics tomorrow, this'll have to tide me over.

The Road to Flaspoint: The Flash #11

The penultimate issue of "The Flash" answers most of the questions that the previous one had raised, as well as beginning to build a clear road to Flashpoint.

We get to see some nice character moments in this issue, as Johns brings the core members of the Flash family together to give Barry Allen an intervention. Barry hasn't made time to slow down for his extended family since his return for the speed force, and last issue's breakdown between Barry and Bart drives the conflict.

Of course the murders taking place are integral to the plot of the comic, and probably the story of "Flashpoint" as well. I should never have doubted Geoff Johns.

This issue sees Francis Manapul take a break from art duties (perhaps due to the delayed schedule?) and instead brings in Scott Kolins. At first I was dismissive of Kolins' depiction of Barry and the other supporting characters, but he settles into a better style early into the issue and does a commendable job. The flashback scenes are really great, and the final page reveal is drawn with all the jagged style it deserves.

The final issue of "The Flash" hits shelves on the 11th of May along with the first issue of "Flashpoint", and I'm excited to see what sets up Barry's crossing over to the world of Flashpoint. Stay tuned for reviews of the final issue of "The Flash" and "Flashpoint" on the 11th of next month, it's going to be a busy day.