The Flash Volume 2: Rogue's Revolution Review

The second collection on The New 52 series by Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato co writers and artists of this collection off issues joined by other guest artists Marcus To, Scott Kolins and more. The Flash has escaped the speed force and made it back to a very different Central City, where the citizens have turned on the Flash. Meanwhile The Rouges are getting back together with their new powers and a new leader. Collects issues #9 -12, #0 and The Flash Annual #1.

This volume kicks off where the last book cliff-hanger left us. The Flash escaping the speed force and landing in the midst of Gorilla City and the recently crowned King Grood. Arriving in the secret civilization of talking gorillas with the Flash taking on Grood and learning about the prophecy about the speedster. This is my least favourite aspect of the Flash universe, but the creators acknowledge it by Barry referring to it like something out of a sci-fi movie. After Barry returns home he discovers he’s not the loved hero he once was. It brings a nice change to the story as Barry is hiding out in a rougher part of town. Barry’s life as the Flash is turned upside down and keeps his death a secret from his friends and girlfriend while he figures out what to do next. For a character that has always been so positive it’s interesting to see what he does next with his life in disarray.

The second volume of the Flash is heavy focus on the Rouges, the group haven’t always been the most imposing threat to the Flash or Central City but now has changed, it works brilliantly in tandem with Barry’s personal life in the state that it’s in.

The Rouges, the Flash’s great adversaries, this supervillain team make their debut in the series relaunch. No longer with weapons they now have the abilities of their weapons. So it’s not as easy for the Flash to just stop them by quickly disarming them. The Flash comes up against each member of the Rogues in a before they are recruited by their new leader for a big showdown with the Flash. The story building to an exciting clash between the Rouges and the Flash. The Flash Annual #1, keeps the suspense going after the thrilling issue that preceded it. The double length annual issue does some exposition into the history of the Rouges and how they got their new powers before returning the story to the big showdown.

The Flash #0 is collected at the end of the volume and is a welcome return to wonderful art of Manapul and Beccellato. A loose origin story, this issue details how Barry got his powers and motivation for becoming a hero. It’s less of a superhero story and more of an emotional story, the tender subject of his relationship to his parents and the murder of his mother forms the heart of the story. It introduces an intriguing new mystery and history to the death of Barry’s mother Nora and what his father had in connection with his wife’s murder/death. It’s a new twist on a familiar story but it’s ambiguous and left up to the readers interpretation of what happened? Is the reboot relying on the most recent retcon to Barry Allen’s history by Geoff Johns in the Flash Rebirth series or is this New 52 Flash setting up a new change to this element of The Flash?

Again the team of Manpul and Beccellato create some beautiful art for their story, doing art for the majority of the issue while artist Marcus To fills into for two issues before we return to the original and elegant art the series is known for. The Annual issue features several guest artists for the double length issue.

Rouges Revolution is a solid follow up focusing on one of the best elements of the Flash, his Rouges. The Flash takes on each member of the group individually before as they all band back together to take down the Flash. Along with Gorilla Grood at the start of the book setting up the next story arc Gorilla Warfare which I’m sure is to also include the Rouges in the third volume of the series.

The Flash: The Road to Flashpoint Review

The Flash Volume 2: The Road to Flashpoint is the second and last collection of the short lived 2010 series by Geoff Johns. The last five issues of the run are collected; The Flash #8 – 12 with art by Francis Manapul and Scot Kolins. A prologue to the events leading up to Flashpoint, the upcoming event that was first teased in the previous Flash story arc of the series. The time anomaly that will change everything. Hot Pursuit, police officer of the speed force is tracking down the perpetrator responsible that will destructively affect the time stream. Meanwhile the recently returned Flash, Barry Allen is investigating mysterious deaths of rapidly aged victims. The events of Flashpoint are put in motion, setting The Road to Flashpoint continues to build the Flash up as one of the pillars of the DC Universe.

This volume starts off begins opens with how the preceding collection ended concluded with a Rouge profile issue, this time its ultimate Flash nemesis Eobard Thawne/The Reverse Flash. The villain who played such a big part in The Flash Rebirth story and Barry’s own life. Thawne’s new back story is told here, it’s a good and interesting look into the villain's 

time in the 25th century idolizing the Flash and his legacy.

With issue #9 begins The Road to Flashpoint story arc, picking up from the tease at the end first story of the series, Vol. 1 The Dastardly Death of The Rouges. Hot Pursuit equipped with his speed force powered motorcycle is seeking out the time anomaly that may be connected to Barry’s own mysterious case. The series keeps in with its C.S.I. tone as Barry investigates his latest case and as the Flash he begins to discover a disturbance of the speed force When he meets Hot Pursuit he warns the Flash of the threat citing it "single greatest time anomaly to ever threaten reality." I felt it would be very repetitive if this new character was also from the future like the Renegades of the previous last story that involved time travelling, thankfully Hot Pursuit is from somewhere different. Patty Spivot makes her return to Central City and its crime lab, a forensic blood analyst and former assistant to Barry Allen whom she harbors feeling for.

The story also deals with Barry’s personal life being somewhat detached from his family and too heavily involved in his work. The events of the last story weigh heavily on his mind, convincing and moving scenes as Barry is preoccupied and unable to attend family get-togethers, the revelation that he feels indirectly responsible for the death of his mother. The greatest tragedy in his life is something he feels responsible for. The story has its fair share of action and is emotionally complex, the art is wonderful and Francis Manapul’s illustrations are beautiful old fashioned but modern that's featured for the majority of the issues. In a particular scene showcases his artistic talents, the colour bleeds out from the panel around Barry, signifying how alone he really is. The art is so good, it’s a new favourite and I’m highly likely to get the first few volumes of New 52 Flash.

Geoff Johns hasn’t just revived the Flash, he putting the character back as one of the main characters of the DC Universe, back to his former glory. The final issue is an exciting end to the story that leads into Flashpoint, it holds back many big developments for the Flash-centric event that leads into changes for the DC Universe that becomes the New 52 relaunch in 2011. The story concludes in a matter of the calm before the storm type of effect, it builds a level of excitement for the next big epic in the DC Universe. it's the only crossover event featuring Barry Allen as the central character. This tale is the prelude to the events that will become one of the biggest stories of the DC Universe. At this point I’ve already read and hugely enjoyed the time altering epic that is Flashpoint. The massive event that went on to include several tie-ins featuring various characters in this altered timeline

It’s a good story as the Flash is involved with another speed force connected story, setting the wheels turning for what’s to become one of the greatest Flash stories. It’s not as big as previous Flash stories by Johns but is a smaller more intricate. In terms of action, scale and story it’s a tip of the iceberg, teasing a much bigger event to come. It’s the continuation Geoff Johns revival of Barry Allen as the Flash, a short lived but great series of the Fastest Man Alive before he before he's has to face what's next. It’s a smaller story, not as big or eventful of those that had preceded it but there is enough mystery to keep the reader intrigued in preparation for the upcoming story. If you’re like me and already read the limited series, the Road to Flashpoint gives new meaning to the story and Barry’s motivations.

The Flash: The Dastardly Death of the Rouges Review

Barry Allen is back as The Flash in the first collection from the ongoing series after his eventful return in The Flash: Rebirth. The Dastardly Death of the Rouges is the first story arc of The Flash 2010 series by Writer Geoff Johns and illustrated by Francis Manapul and Scott Kolins. When one of the Rouges turn ups dead on the streets of Central City it’s not just Barry Allen The Flash that’s out to find the killer, but also The Renegades, the time travelling police force from the future that resemble the Rouges arrive to arrest The Fastest Man Alive for the murder that he’s yet to commit. The story arc is tied in into the Brightest Day event. Collects The Flash #1 – 7 and Secret Files and Origins 2010.

After the completion of both The Flash; Rebirth and Blackest Night, Geoff Johns would return to write a new Flash ongoing series in 2011. The opening arc would be launched under the Brightest Day banner, a line wide aftermath story that followed the outcome conclusion of Blackest Night. Johns had been writing The Flash for a few years with former sidekick Kid Flash/Wally West had taken over the role as The Flash after Barry’s death years ago. Barry Allen has returned and this series puts the icon and best known Flash back as the main speedster in the DC Universe.

Barry Allen is still adjusting to his day to day life in his hometown Central City as Forensic Scientist for the Central City Police Department and stopping criminals as The Flash. Barry has returned to the role of the greatest of all the speedsters. The first case since his return is the murder of Mirror Master on the streets of Central City. He might not have to look far for the suspect as arrival of The Renegades have come to arrest him for the crime. Johns tells his next story for The Flash as a mystery thriller. This story is mostly fixed within a CSI tone, much like the TV series and does so without detracting from its super hero core. It has fun and charm especially in between its bigger moments. It’s a simpler approach to the story than that of the settings of the previous tale. Rebirth required some prior knowledge of The Flash universe, this is a cleaner simpler story that makes for an enjoyable read wonderfully beautifully drawn and full of fantastic super heroics and saves. It has the right mix of fun, exhilaration and excitement. It’s a very creative story and imaginative tale, whether it’s the exciting action scenes or the creation of The Renegades, time travelling futuristic versions of the Rogues .The police force from the 25th century is the most intriguing element of the story. They are modeled after the Rogues as enemies of the Flash, as they are meant to counter the evil Reverse-Flash. The action scenes are fun and innovative, the creative team know how to have fun with the abilities of The Fastest Man Alive in various situations. They have a talent for showing Barry's powers in visually interesting and fun ways. 

The Rouges had only had a minor appearance in the story Rebirth, this follow up and new series bring them back with the best known Flash, their original adversary. They have had a contingency plan in place for The Flash's return that was revealed in the final pages of the Rebirth story. A new series would imply a fresh start and slightly self-contained story for its begging, under the banner of Brightest Day that adds an outside element into the mix, but as far as outside influences aspects go it’s a pretty simple one. Captain Boomerang/ Digger Harkness died some time ago and after the events of Blackest Night he returned to life. Brightest Day follows those that were resurrected and must fulfill task to retain their new lives. Flash #7 Is a Rouge Profile issue starring Captain Boomerang that showcases his back story as he attempts a prison break for an inmate of Iron Heights Penitentiary.

Even though Barry Allen had been brought back to life at the start of the previous story in the limited series The Flash: Rebirth.This series only ran for 12 issues before writer Geoff Johns created the Flash-centric event; Flashpoint, that altered the timeline continuity that became known as The New 52. The Flash Rebirth was a celebratory and epic story of Barry Allen’s return, it acknowledged his history, influence and legacy and featured his most psychotic and dangerous foe. The Dastardly Death of the Rouges is more of a straight forward story, simpler that features The Flash’s main villains the Rouges as the main antagonists and their futuristic counterparts. Barry Allen gets back to his normal life after the mysteries that surrounded his return. The new series that was sandwiched in between two massive events told in the limited series; The Flash Rebirth and Flashpoint. It’s a great mystery and Flash story There is a few bonus as well the Secret Files and Origins 2010 issue that was a prelude to this new series and the Flash Facts backup stories. 

The Dastardly Death of the Rouges is in the first in the short lived series before DC relaunched its titles with The New 52. Rebirth was a large event story with lots of appearances form earths heroes and other iterations of the Scarlet Speedster, a massive story that re-invented the Flash. This murder mystery is a simpler story that’s a great and that’s good for new readers and new fans. It connects as part of the Brightest Day event somewhat loosely so it’s easy to follow and enjoy without having read the connected stories events. The Flash: The Dastardly Death of the Rouges is a fun and exciting story with Barry Allen back as main Flash in a new series by Johns and some wonderful art by Manapul. Rebirth was a Flash story very much invested concerned with Barry’s past while Death of the Dastardly Rouges is a new series going forward to a new big new event Flashpoint that’ll see the change of the entire DC Universe.