The Flash #750 Review

The Flash Age – Part 1

So being a big comic fan i figured it was time I started to do regular reviews and where better to start than Flash #750, I’ve been reading Flash comics regularly since the beginning of Rebirth and I’m really enjoying it, this issue is a big one, we’ve hit another milestone in comics The Flash #750 which may not be an exact number but it does celebrate 80 years since the debut of Jay Garrick the original Scarlet Speedster in January 1940 with Flash #1.

Now I will say, this is not a place for people to jump into The Flash, there is so much going on with the current story even just the numbers changing from the rebirth numbering to the original numbers is more than enough to confuse anyone we’ve gone from issue 88 to issue 750, add to that all the time travelling, multiverses, multiple Wally West’s and it’s enough to explode your brain!

This issue does begin ‘The Flash Age’ story arc, however it is a continuation from the Flash age prelude where we were introduced to Paradox a new villain created by Barry Allen himself during a fight with King Turtle, this issue is very much a look at how the Flash has impacted peoples lives in a positive way all across Central City which is a great dichotomy to his meeting at the end of the comic with Paradox who’s life he impacted in a very very negative way!

We also get some short stories in this bumper edition of the comic, ‘Beer Run’ about that loveable rogue Captain cold, ‘Why You’ a look into different versions of the Flash across the multiverse, ‘Flash of all Worlds’ featuring Mirror Master, ‘At the Starting Line’ a story focusing on the first Flash Jay Garrick and an Epilogue from ‘Flash Forward’ the most recent Wally West mini series that is next level craziness but awesome at the same time!

This story is a great set up for whats to come while combining all the recent stories to create this new event that we’re about to embark on. I’m looking forward to reading and reviewing every couple of weeks and i’ll try and keep them as spoiler free as possible, so join me me for The Flash #751 soon.

As with all marquee issues Flash #750 had a few variant covers, here are some of them!

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Batman #91 Review

“Their Dark Designs” – Part Six

Writer: James Tynion IV
Artists: Rafael Albuquerque, Jorge Jimenez, Carlo Pagulayan and Danny Miki
Color Artist: Tomeu Morey
Letterer: Clayton Cowles

Action, intrigue and more iconic characters than you can shake a stick at! Issue #91 of Batman is a fast paced, pedal to the metal comic book. In what has already become a familiar trope within Tynion’s initial take on the title, the narrative goes from 0-100 in an instant and doesn’t let up for the duration of the proceedings.

If you like your comics to move along at a brisk pace with little time for reflection or drawing breath, then you’ve come to the right place. If you prefer things a little more cerebral, or a little more philosophical, then you may not get all you want from these pages.

I myself fall equally between the two ends of the taste spectrum, so I found this issue a very enjoyable read indeed. Tynion’s approach doesn’t allow the reader to get bored; not keen on the characters on a given page? Don’t worry, as another icon of the DC pantheon will be along soon.

Make no mistake, this isn’t a scattergun, throw everything at the wall and see what sticks approach, Tynion is a high calibre storyteller and the different threads have already begun to come together nicely.

On one hand, we can enjoy the team of Catwoman and Harley Quinn, teaming up to prep an army of drones to assist the Dark Knight. With Selina yet to face the music from Bruce for her part in the history of The Designer, the colourful banter with Harley is a nice change of mood for the character, with some extremely dark times yet to come. The interplay between the two femmes fatale is engaging and entertaining, a bright beacon amidst the chaos.

Of course, as previously mentioned, there is action galore on offer here. Pitting Batman up against the deadly Slade Wilson is a great choice as it highlights the durability and endless will of the character. Their clash is a sight to behold as each pushes the other to the limit.

A Deathstroke/Dark Knight face off is always a treat, as two of the premier combatants in the DC universe tend to bring the best out in each other. It’s just a shame that events conspire to cut the proceedings short just before things get really interesting.

Damn you, Designer!

Conclusion

A high octane, pulse racing issue that plays Tynion’s trump cards with all the aplomb we can expect from such a top tier writer. Whilst the action speeds along and jumps off the page, thanks to the wonderful art team involved on the book, there’s still very much a long game being played here.

With the identity of The Designer still tightly under wraps, there’s still a lot of mileage in this arc. Issue #92 promises to deliver much, with Deathstroke and The Bat fighting together for their survival and an “enigmatic” character about to join in the fun.

Until then, make it your business to read this new issue and prepare yourself…

Batman #90 Review

“Their Dark Designs” – Part Five

Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Jorge Jimenez
Color Artist: Tomeu Morey
Letterer: Clayton Cowles

Revelations galore and a twisted trip down memory lane are the order of the day in the completely engrossing Batman #90. Selina’s big secret is finally revealed in a tell-all heart to heart with her beloved Bruce, and we’re finally given some intriguing glimpses back into the early days of The Designer and his intended plans involving the Dark Knight’s classic rogues gallery.

The reveal of his way plan is slowly spun out, very slowly in fact. Selina reveals the events of the past to Bruce in a manner that’s executed over several pages. Some may not like this methodical approach to the storytelling that Tynion uses here, but in all honesty, I found it quite effective. Rather than having Selina blurt out the truth, this helps to draw out the tension and leaves the reader hanging on to the very end. Indeed, the climax of the issue, whilst semi-signposted, is a great way to sign off.

The ramifications of The Designer’s endgame are certainly equipped to fuel the immediate future of the title and one certainly hopes that he lives up to his billing. The signs are good. The quasi-Stygian voyage that the four villains undertake en route to meeting him helps to heighten the mystic quality of the character, and his commanding presence in the face of four iconic characters shows off the innate authority of the man. With a backstory that has to be read to be believed, whether true or not, this is rich stuff indeed. I just hope and pray that there isn’t a Scooby Doo style unmasking at the end of this arc that under-delivers.

The sins of Selina’s past are the catalyst for the all the pain that’s about to fall upon the Batman and the longer term ramifications for their relationship remain to be seen. With teases of the future showing a potential bat-baby in the oven, the next few issues are going to be a testing time for the betrothed couple.

Conclusion

An extremely intriguing issue that layers on the backstory with a shovel. After the action heavy start to Tynion’s run, Batman #90 brought a welcome change of pace, answering several questions but at the same time posing several more. The pieces are being moved about the board efficiently to set up one hell of a confrontation.

I have my own theory about the true identity of The Designer, but time will tell if I’ve called it right. Either way, I’m certainly enjoying the ride.

Batman #89 Review

“Their Dark Designs” – Part Four

Writer: James Tynion IV
Artists: Carlo Pagulayan, Guillem March and Danny Miki
Color Artist: Tomeu Morey
Letterer: Clayton Cowles

A word that certainly never be used when describing this issue, and indeed Tynion’s handful of issues to date, is pedestrian. This is anything but! Events unfurl at a breakneck pace, satisfying the most ardent of action junkies. For those that enjoy exposition deployed in intimate exchanges, then there’s still plenty of meat on the bone here for you too. It’s just all framed by a sense of purpose, a sense of urgency and above all, a sense that something terrible is about to happen.

Upping the bang for your buck quotient even more this time is the debut of two exciting new characters to the Bat-canon. Or at least, new in terms of the guises we the readers get to see them in, The alleged mastermind behind the influx of assassins into Gotham finally graces the page with an appearance. Yes, The Designer is here. Clearly somebody with a lot of stroke and with evil on his mind, I get the feeling this is going to be a classic villain in the making. With a costume that is a quasi-hybrid of Kraven The Hunter and Onomatopoeia, one certainly gets the impression that it could be a familiar face beneath the visage. But who? Whatever his dark design is, it involves the classic Batman rogues gallery, Their deal with this particular devil is one that is going to cost them all greatly, I can’t wait to see how this is going to play out..

The much hyped debut of Punchline also takes place here, albeit during the one page epilogue. With a panel that reveals just the lower half of her face, her true ghoulish appearance is being reserved for a later date. Her faux Harley look should keep her beau happy, as will his imminent plan of destruction involving the Bat-family. Readers of Nightwing #69 will know that a collision course is inevitable. It could be something on a par with the events of Snyder and Capullo’s Death of The Family epic. Whatever it is that the Clown Prince of Crime has up his sleeve, it ‘s clear that hard times are just around the corner for the Wayne boys.

As I mentioned earlier, the sense of perpetual forward motion in the issue is tangible. The perfect synergy of Tynion’s script and the art of March, Pagulayan and Miki creates something very special. No page is wasted, nor filler. Once you get on this train, it leaves the station and doesn’t stop for anybody. Each turn of the page reveals a feast for the eyes, as classic and beloved characters are interpreted faithfully and in a way that pleases this longstanding fan. With Tynion opting to stack the deck with big hitters galore, the artistic team must be rubbing their hands with glee at being given such a plethora of icons to play with. There truly is something for everybody here, with every chance one of your favourite characters will be represented.

Conclusion

Batman #89 is a real treat. I’m really into James Tynion IV’s writing style. He strikes the perfect balance between moving the story along, with liberal doses of action, and weaving a web of intrigue and mystery that’s slowly being unfurled at a deliberate pace, designed to keep us coming back for more, more, and even more after that.

Sign me up, bring me issue #90 as soon as possible, please. I believe that he next few months are going to be full of seminal moments. Do I smell a bun in the Bat-Oven… ?

Batman #88 Review

“Their Dark Designs – Part 3” 

Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Guillem March
Color Artist: Tomeu Morey
Letterer: Clayton Cowles

Batman #88 continues James Tynion IV’ red hot start on DC’s flagship title. A potent mix of action and mystery, intrigue and twists. This 3rd issue of the Tynion era is a non-stop ride, never pausing or filling time. From front to back, this is a book that goes and goes, without taking a breather. As a bang for your buck investment, this certainly represents value for money.

Expanding on the events on the previous issue, Batman #88 sees our titular hero picking up literally where he left off, having apprehended the villainous Cheshire. Cue one of the most shark-jumping moments in Batman lore, by way of Lucius’ ingenious holographically enhanced substitute Batmobile. Whilst this does stretch the believability of events so thin that they become almost become translucent, I do feel that the creative team just about gets away with it. Yes, this is a grounded character but outlandish tech has always been part of the oeuvre of the Dark Knight, so let’s embrace it bat-fans!

Tynion pulls the neat, yet oft used, trick here by splitting the plot into two narrative strands. One following the aforementioned Bat, the other following Catwoman “digging” into her past. Both are equally absorbing, yet very different in their approach. The flip-flopping between the two works effectively as a way of keeping the reader engaged right until the end, as both keep their cards close to their chests before their final panels.

The closing scenes definitely whet the appetite for issue #89. The puppet master behind the plot is slowly ready to be revealed and, according to a prone Cobblepot (did you spot the Batman ’66 reference in his monologue?), has his sights set on the man behind the mask, Bruce Wayne!

With the return of old frenemies, Tynion is certainly going big right out of the gate with his run. Whilst he doesn’t favour an overly cerebral or metaphorical approach – a la Tom King – his writing is wonderfully absorbing and has a wonderfully kinetic quality to it.

At the risk of banging an extremely well worn drum, special mention must once again go to the visual team of Guillem March, Tomeu Morey and Clayton Cowles. This triumvirate of talent have created a true feast for the eyes, with panel after panel that simply demand repeated viewing. Each page of this book is filled with a vibrancy and depth that lives long in the memory. Explosions of color complement March’s incredibly striking figure work, as the muscular and charismatic Batman dominates the page at every turn. The scenes set in the rain sodden cemetery have an almost cinematic quality to them, one can almost feel the precipitation bouncing off the ground.

Conclusion

A thoroughly entertaining issue and a real page turner, Batman #88 is another very strong entry into Bat-canon. With more rogues than anybody could wish for, the book is fully loaded. Where we go from here remains to be seen and I truly hope that the reveal of The Designer lives up to the build up. Based on what we’ve had so far, hope springs eternal that it’s going to be something very special and well worth investing your time and money in.