Green Lantern: Revenge of The Green Lanterns Graphic Novel review.

Green Lantern Revenge of the Green Lanterns is the second collection of Geoff Johns relaunched 2005 Green Lantern series putting Hal Jordan once again back on the forefront of the Green Lantern title. In the this volume Hal teams up with old pal Oliver Queen/Green Arrowand later Batman before the main story of the book, the One Year Later event where Hal discovers the fellow Corps members he left for dead are alive. Collects Green Lantern #7 - 13 with art by Carlos Pacheco, Ethan Van Sciver, Ivan Reis. 

Following Hal from the events of his resurrection and in the Green Lantern mini series Rebirth and the first volume of the series No Fear where Hal re-establishes his life in Coast City and as pilot while facing off with enhanced versions of the Manhunter Androids, Shark and Hector Hammond.

While Volume One: No Fear takes time to establishes Hal Jordan as Green Lantern once again on earth, this follow up dives straight into the action with three different stories. Classic team up of Green Lantern and Green Arrow open the collection for the two part story "A Perfect Life". Crossing over with the events of Infinite Crisis, Hal and Oliver take on the son of world conquer Mongul, here to finish his father's quest of conquering earth and subjects the duo the effects of the Black Mercy, a parasitic vine attaching itself to its victim giving them their vision of a perfect life while slowly killing them. It was a joy to see this concept that was first created for Alan Moore's Superman story, For The Man Who Has Everything in Superman Annual #1 in 1985.

"Branded", the second story is another team up with none other than the Dark Knight himself as the pair track down the hit man with the ability to make his tattoos come to life. Batman calls Hal for assistance while using the opportunity to test him and reconcile their differences. It was a good short story one that was crafted well to bring these two very different heroes together for a villain that they were well matched for while the two mend their relationship.

After those two fun team up stories we get to the real draw of the book, Revenge of the Green Lanterns. With issue #10 as part of DC Comics One Year Later event all titles jumped ahead one year after the events of Infinite Crisis. The story is interesting as Hal must face the consequences of leaving his fellow Lantern's for dead during the events of Emerald Twilight, the mid nineties story arc that led up to Hal's death. In that story Coast City had been destroyed by Cyborg Superman and Mongul. Hal tries to use his powers to rebuild his hometown but the Guardians of the Universe, the leaders and founders of the Green Lantern Corps who reside on the planet Oa forbid the act. Enraged Hal travels to Oa to and is confronted with several fellow Green Lanterns whom he stole the rings from and left for dead in space. Hal later went on to kill other members of the Corps and becoming a villain.

On the discovery that one of the Lanterns he left for dead is survived Hal and Green Lantern Guy Gardner led an a rescue mission to find these Lost Lanterns. Hal deals with the outcome from fellow corps members who hate him for all that he has done, once destroying the Green Lanterns Corps. Hal has a lot to overcome since being reinstated as a member and to make up for past actions he seeks to led the rescue mission to help redeem himself and save those he thought he had killed. Hal has to come face to face with those he's left for dead in the past and no wants to rescue. There's tension in this final story arc of the collection is action packed and exciting with great art by Ivan Reis. At this early stage in the series writer Geoff Johns is building towards the second of what's known as his Green Lantern Trilogy; The Sinestro Corps War. I've read several trades of his run on the series and this volume makes me want to get into more of Green Lantern run.

Revenge of Green Lanterns is an exciting and thrilling follow up to the previous collection No Fear. This includes a better series of stories, but then Green Lantern Volume 1 followed Rebirth which had a lot to live up to. This second volume consists of a central theme of more personal stories as Hal dreams of his perfect life that can never happen and reaching out to Batman on an emotional level. But Hal's biggest challenge is to confront the consequences of his actions of the past, rescuing those he left for dead who can never forgive him, it's hard hitting. I've been really getting more into Green Lantern recently and this book was a great read. I feel that's a great Green Lantern book in-between the massive epics of the John's Green Lantern series. This was great and well worth checking out. It was a book I was very interested and intrigued by about a year ago and it was definitely worth it.

Daredevil by Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev Review

After reading all of Frank Miller's Daredevil work and Mark Waid's initial Daredevil series I decided to get into the other famous and excellent run on the character from the early 2000's by writer Brian Michael Bendis with artist Alex Maleev. These dark and gritty tales became a highly acclaimed run on The Man Without Fear. The main take away from the run was that it outed Daredevil's secret identity to the public, something that Matt Murdock had to deal with all the way up to Waid's 2011 run. So after completing and enjoy both Miller's and Waid's run on Daredevil I wanted to get into the other big run on the character in between both of the aforementioned writers.

Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev’s 50 plus issue stint on Daredevil remains one of the most influential creative runs in comics. Their run on Daredevil started in it's second series, starting in December 2001 until January 2006 was at the time was the longest running tenure on Daredevil, which was only surpassed last year.

Daredevil was started anew in 1998 with Kevin Smith's Guardian Devil story arc launched the new series. With issue #16 Bendis joined the series with Maleev joining with issue #26. Their award winning run lasted until issue #81, making it one of the longest running and most critically acclaimed runs for any writer on the character. Its been regarded as one of the greatest creative tenures in the comic giants history, stating that it rivaled Miller's influential work on Daredevil. 

These three massive trade paperbacks collect the entire Bendis and Maleev run. Each of the graphic novels collect around 20 issues, consisting of between 3- 4 story arcs of this best selling series.

Book 1 #16 - 19 and #26 - 40; Wake Up, Underboss and Out
Book 2 #41 - 50 and #56 - 65; Lowlife, Hardcore, The King of Hell's Kitchen and The Widow
Book 3 #66 - 81; Golden Age, Decalogue and The Murdock Papers, What If Karen Page Had Lived? and Marvel Ultimate Team-Up #6-8

Wake Up #16-19, with art by David Mack.
Ben Urich, Investigative reporter for the Daily Bugle. His current assignment is the murder trial of Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin of Crime. So why is Urich spending all his time with the catatonic son of a costumed criminal and how is Daredevil connected to a child he doesn't even know?

Underboss #26-31
Newcomer Sammy Silkie, plans to overthrow the Kingpin/Wilson Fisk and take his place. There is a connection between this uprising and the contract on Daredevil's life? The pulp noir crime drama begins here as the creative team of Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev start their epic run on Daredevil, also features a special silent issue.

Out #32 - 40
Daredevil's secret identity is exposed to the world! Matt Murdock's most guarded secret is sold to a tabloid newspaper. What can will the Man Without Fear go to reclaim his life? The volume ends with a three part intriguing court room drama story with artist Terry Dodson.

Lowlife #41-45
Matt Murdock is forced to reckon with the problems and legal ramifications that emerged as a result of his public outing. One of Daredevil's most dangerous foes returns to take over the NYC underworld as Matt dwells on his problems, as a new love appears at the most dangerous and complicated time of his life.

Hardcore #46-50
Matt Murdock life gets a lot more troublesome. He's simultaneously faced with murder charges, a new romance, being outted by the tabloids, the return of one of his deadliest foe's Typhoid Mary and the Kingpin's attempt to restore his fallen empire bring on a shocking and surprisng ending.

King of Hell's Kitchen #56-60
A year on since Daredevil did the unimaginable, beating Wilson Fisk to within an inch of his life and declaring himself the new Kingpin. Now that the Yakuza has come to stake their claim for Hell's Kitchen, targeting Matt Murdock leading to an unforgettable battle royale.

The Widow #61- 64
The Black Widow returns to her ex-lover Matt Murdock, on the run she in laying low as Daredevil comes face to horrible face with Jigsaw as assassins are aiming for Blakc Widow's own head.

The Universe #65, Special 40th anniversary double length issue. This story backtracks over the time period that Matt Murdock was outed and fills in some holes in the already heavy plot from the points of view of other heroes in the Marvel Universe with guest artists while setting up the next story arc in the series.

Golden Age #66-70
Following his release from prison, Alexander De Bont, former Kingpin of Daredevil's earliest days. setting his sights on the outed Daredevil enlisting the help of classic Daredevil
villain, Gladiator. This unique story is told in three different time periods featuring distinctive art and coloring in each era. A classic crime noir story.

Decalogue #71-75
Covering what happened during Daredevil's year-long reign as the new Kingpin. His cleaning up of Hell's Kitchen revealed in all the bloody detail. Told from the perspectives of a support group who've been affected by Daredevil.

The Murdock Papers #76-81
The climatic end to Bendis and Maleev's epic run. Their award winning run has reached its conclusion. The return of Wilson Fisk makes was for a thrilling finale. Fisk has in his possession concrete evidence that Mudock is Daredevil and in exchange Fisk demands complete immunity for past crimes. Daredevil and guest stars are on the hunt for the papers in a stunning finale.

The end of this final volume also features bonus issues. What If Karen Page Had Lived? is an imaginary story if the worst event in Matt's life didn't happen, if she survived the attack spiraling off to another chain of events. the three part story collected in Marvel Ultimate Team-Up #6-8 features the escape of Frank Castle/The Punisher from prison with Spider-man and Daredevil after the dangerous vigilante.

Following Frank Millers momentous work on Daredevil, few writers achieved the same level acclaim. Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev became the next great creative team for The Man Without Fear, their award winning four year work was the next great Daredevil run.

It brought readers back to the crime noir roots of success that Miller planted over two decades earlier. Their work emulates Miller's time on Daredevil, integrating the street level tone that Miller introduced and making it part of Daredevil's character. Their first story arc; Underboss is influenced by Miller's seminal Born Again story, The Kingpin's knowledge of Daredevil's identity is now made public. Bendis takes what Miller had introduced and takes it to new heights without retreading old ground. Within the first year of their four year run it introduced the biggest change to the status quo for Daredevil on a level not seen since Miller's run. It laid the foundation for the stories to come and beyond that's felt all the way to current Daredevil series, showcasing that this newest run was off to a very strong start.

The stories centered on the daily humanity of the hero: Matt Murdock’s personal life. It reversed the narrative taking it from a typical superhero comic and making it into a crime story that included a costumed hero. Its grounded stories are so real are a reason behind its influence. Bendis understood that plot of stories is very important but so emotion and character that's even more critical. Matt Murdock was flawed man, sometimes his actions were so distanced from what we’d expect of a classic Marvel hero and as a Lawyer he repeatedly compromised his oath-bound ethics—but this enriched the mythology greatly. The art by Alex Maleev created certain visuals for the series that matched the dark and gritty storytelling. It had wonderful sense of mood: dark, gritty and foreboding.

The outing of Daredevil's identity is the single greatest element factor of the run, it a common superhero trope that's been explored in a way no other superhero comics had ever done. There was no quick fix or close call like so many other masked heroes have faced, it's existed all the way to the current series and it's due to be rectconned in the new Marvel Universe reboot; All-New, All-Different Marvel. The revelation made way for great stories to come for the series and The Man Without Fear.

Bendis and Maleev continued what Miller had started, in the 80's Miller redefined Matt Murdock's world, but Bendis has pushed it to new heights without retreading old territory. The run inspired Mark Waid's 2011 Daredevil series as a counterpoint to all the dark stories and misfortune the character had been put through. Bendis and Maleev's four year work on Daredevil continues to be one of the major high point of the characters history. It is the eptionme of dark gritty and realistic Daredevil. All collected in these three big paperback volumes giving over 50 issues of brilliant and unforgettable Daredevil stories.

Justice League Vol. 6 Injustice League Review

Injustice League is the next volume in the Justice League series by Geoff Johns. This latest volume's collection of issues is comprised of two story arcs from the series that follows up on the outcome of the Forever Evil mini series also by Johns. Now that Lex Luthor is a celebrated hero after defeating the Crime Syndicate and saving the world he seeks to join the Justice League. Joining the fight the approaching threat prophesied throughout the Forever Evil story arc. Doug Mahnke is artist for the first half of the book while Jason Fabok takes over on the second story of the book and is the newest artist on the series. Collects issues #30 - 39.

Lex Luthor - Hero, the former villain has saved the world from the Crime Syndicate after they easily took down those who had banded together to protect it; the Justice League. In their place an alliance of villains led by Luthor, he saved the world from their rule and now he demands his place as part of the Worlds Greatest Heroes as they prepare for an even greater threat that awaits them. It all makes from some stellar story telling and makes up to be one of the greatest collection of issues in the series since Throne of Atlantis. The last two collections the narrative was dispersed, the Volume 4 The Grid was part of the Trinity War crossover event and Volume 5 Forever Heroes was much better received as tie-ins to the brilliant Forever Evil event this latest collection gets back to its self contained single stories. 

The development with Lex Luthor gives a very intriguing new concept to the Justice League and the team wrestle with the decision of what to do. Superman is completely opposed to the idea while Batman feels it's the lesser of two evils, keeping one of greatest enemies under close watch. To learn more of the approaching threat that destroyed the Syndicate's home world, the League set out to find the latest host of the cursed ring that once belonged to Power Ring, the Crime Syndicate's version of Green Lantern. With this discovery leads to a new member of the expanding Justice League roster. With the conclusion of the Injustice League arc leads to setting the stage for the a thrilling story; The Amazo Virus. 

After the first arc establishes Luthor as part of the team the second story arc puts him on the front line with Superman Batman and Wonder Woman trying to stop the pandemic. This new take on classic Justice League villain Amazo, instead of the power mimicking android it's a infectious virus derived from the android that's already taken down the several members of the league while it gives humans a superhuman ability before it horribly kills them. It's Luthor's story, he remains at the forefront at the story arc where the league and the world need him most. Challenging him in his new superhero persona. Is the change genuine or all an act? In the aftermath of his grand victory in Forever Evil. The story continues to explore the growing emotional turmoil of whats driving him and playing up the mystery behind his motivations for joining the League. With a zombie movie vibe, it delivers a strong Justice League story anchored by a clever new take on Amazo and the unknown quantity that is Lex Luthor. he's presented in a complex and changing light. Captain Cold/Lenoard Snart is another new player in the book, after his part in the saving the world in Forever Evil, his past crimes have been pardoned and becomes Luthor's Head of Security at Lex Corp as well as his right hand man in the events of the Amazo Virus. He's part of some good moments in the story especially at the end of collection sealing his place in future Justice League stories. The book is filled with some great character moments, particulary the interesting dynamic between Luthor and Bruce Wayne/Batman. Throughout the book the team never fully trusts him, the reader and the league are always guessing is what is he up to, if anything? This makes the story so much more enjoyable.

New Artist Jason Fabok joins the series with this arc and provides some brilliant work for second half of the book, its a darker style, noir with a super heroic edge. The usual included extras are the character sketch book and variant cover gallery including both Batman and Flash 75 covers and Selfie and Monster variants too.

It's a great book, one of the greatest in the series since Throne of Atlantis putting the series back on fine form. With the Forever Evil miniseries gives way to a new status quo and for the Justice League. This ten issue collection of two stories with the first one being very good and the second being great with Luthor as part of the Justice League being the underlying premise makes for stories. The Flagship DC comics series is staying the strongest. It's a change in direction making it a good jumping on point for what is a relatively self contained story. The series feels renewed with a new sense of excitement, surprise and intrigue in anticipation for the next big story The Darkseid War.

Green Arrow Sounds of Violence Review.

Sounds of Violence is the sequel to the previous ten issue story arc Quiver. Writer Kevin Smith follows up his critical and popular success that resurrected the legendary hero. This next chapter is a harrowing tale with a brand new villain. It is the second and final part of Smith's run on Green Arrow with art again by Phil Hester and Ande Parks. Oliver Queen/Green Arrow is adjusting to his new life and his focus is his family. new bizarre serial killer stalks the streets hunting costumed heroes. Collects Green Arrow #11-15.

After the massive story that revived the original Green Arrow, re-establishing him as a more popular character. Smith had one more story to tell, that of a serial killer known as Onomatopoeia that is stalking costumed heroes, just as Oliver adapts to his new life with his family, his son Conor Hawke, his ex-girlfriend Dinah Lance and his new ward Mia Dearden are now his focus in his new life. He is getting to know his son Connor better and attempts to patch things up with Dinah Lance/Black Canary while Mia fantasies and wants to become Green Arrow's new sidekick, the new Speedy but Oliver's has deep reservations. He explains how things are so much more different in the old days when most superhero's had teenage sidekicks. His reluctance mirrors the upcoming threat.

Oliver and his closet loved ones are a potential targets for a enigmatic serial killer stalking non super-powered costumed heroes. Keeping consistent with the Mike Grell days, when his family is threatened, Green Arrow responds with equivalent force. New character Onomatopoeia quickly establishes himself as a lethal adversary. He is a creepy and unsettling villain. He is as mysterious throughout the story as he first meet him, Smith never reveals much about he character. It maintains the focus on Oliver and his family. The villain later returned as a adversary for Batman in both Smith's limited series Batman: Cacophony and its sequel Batman: The Widening Gyre. The original painted covers by Matt Wagner from the series are featured here in all their glory. While the last volume featured a miniature cover gallery on back few pages this book features each cover of the collected issues on a full page.The Kevin Smith 15 issue Green Arrow run has recently been released in as a Absolute Edition, a larger over-sized volume with bonus material.

Both Quiver and The Sounds of Violence were the ­final Green Arrow book's I was interested in, getting into the classic Green Arrow stories of the last few decades before or if I ever make the move to modern New 52 Green Arrow stories. I'm a huge fan of the Arrow TV series as a contemporary telling of stories featuring the Emerald Archer.

Sounds of Violence second Green Arrow Kevin Smith back into print that's a shorter read but is still an exciting story of Smith's acclaimed work on the character that's a bit more open and an accessible story. Green Arrow has seen a resurgence in popularity in last few years and Smith's is one of the many great runs on the character's long history. Smith revived Green Arrow in 2001 in the Quiver story line and this follow up puts new focus to what Oliver Queen's new life is all about family. This establishing of the family theme carried onto the next story arc when thriller novelist Brad Meltzer took over the series for a story that involved a member of Oliver's family that was absent in this story, his first ward Roy Harper/Arsenal spending time on together on road trip in the story Archer's Quest.

Sounds of Violence is less heavy on the dialogue than the Quiver story arc and it maintains the same tone and has more action. Its more adult than a lot of superhero comics with its darker themes and emotional and intense moments of drama breaking the usual mold in many ways. Sounds of Violence is a great story and follow up to Quiver, sharp, funny and chilling and with moments of tremendous tension at times.

Green Arrow Quiver Review.

Green Arrow Quiver was the phenomenal first story arc by acclaimed filmmaker Kevin Smith that re-launched the series after its cancellation. Oliver Queen was brought back from the dead and made Green Arrow once again. This collection features the first ten issues of best selling series by Smith with art by Phil Hester and Inker Ande Parks. This new edition was released after the Deluxe Edition of Smith's 15 issue run which was due for release last year was cancelled. Both story arcs have been re-released in trade paperback format with Sounds of Violence next on my reading list. Quiver is regarded as one of the best Green Arrow stories, a classic and thankfully now back in print since April.

Way back in Green Arrow #101 of October 1995,

Oliver Queen had died saving Metropolis from a terrorist attack and his son and Connor Hawke had taken over the mantle and remained so until the series was cancelled in 1998. Then in 2001, Oliver Queen was revived and was Green Arrow once more, but it wasn't all as it appeared. Oliver was back, taking down bad guys and protecting Star City but the mystery surrounding his return and apparent demise is what garners most attention from his Justice League colleagues and intrigue for the story.

The opening issue is a prelude of events to come and predominantly features the loved ones of Green Arrow, remembering what Oliver meant to his ex-sidekick and adopted son Roy Harper/Arsenal, ex-girlfriend Dinah Lance/Black Canary and his son Connor Hawke. All reminisce about him and what they meant to them, this exposition fills the reader in on some of history and interactions with each of them, recounting moments from their past that informs the reader about the character without him being present on the page. Green Arrow Oliver Queen makes his triumphant return as Star City's protector taking down corrupt city officials and drug dealers and his on the hunt for the Star City Slayer, a child killer and later he goes further down to path to discovery of what happened to him. It's a interesting and great read, Oliver has no recollection of the past decade, his last memory is the infamous road trip he and Hal Jordan/Green Lantern had undertaken. The interesting premise of his memory lapse adds more depth and weight as Oliver has no recollection of what good and harm he's caused in his past to his loved ones and who is gonna break it to him that his best friend Hal is dead. It even restores his personality to that of the old fashioned view of the character had decades ago. His Justice League colleagues are in shock and amazement of his return, Batman is less sentimental, taking a direct role into the mystery of Oliver's return. The serial killer subplot runs in the background without Oliver's influence as he goes further down to road to discovering what's going on with him, but ultimately both elements tie together near the end story. Both the main story and subplot do feature elements of the supernatural, its a both nice addition and surprise to story, due to the theme of resurrection of a character in a series starring non super powered and realistic hero. Mia Dearden is a new character to the series and DC Universe, this marks here first appearance and is introduced as a teenage prostitute who Green Arrow saves on his earliest ventures actions into resuming his role as protector of Star City. She's a character that's notable in the Green Arrow mythos of this age. 

The story does acknowledge several events in the DC Universe but the important ones are explained in this book, as they are part of the story. The opening of the book features two key moments that start off the story a discussion between Superman and Batman on the rooftop of the Daily Planet during the events of Final Night, where earth's sun was extinguished by the Sun Eater, an extraterrestrial being and the event of Zero Hour in which Hal Jordan /Green Lantern had gone insane and possessed vowing to destroying the Universe in which the Emerald Archer played a key role. The art that I enjoyed so much when I first read Green Arrow Vol. 3 The Archer's Quest is still great here. Hester and Parks work is a light cartoon style that balances the dark story. Its a humorous and enjoyable story, Smith does a good job to get a few laughs. There is some great action panels in between the dialogue heavy story that's both complex and interesting, a character piece just as much as its a comic book action adventure story about second chances.

The ten issue story arc sold over a million copies back in 2001 - 2002 and became a number one selling tittle, a testament to how great the story is, Smith's tale paid homage to other Green Arrow creators of the past. It revived the old fashioned approach to Green Arrow, his amnesia reverted his personality back to a more classic iteration along with his classic trick arrows. Smiths writing is humorous and in the right moments somewhat self aware of the absurdity of some scenes.The book that I wanted since I got into the character but had been out of print and almost released last year only to be cancelled. Green Arrow Quiver lives up to the hype and reputation, a fresh spin on the character on that's been revived in a great story for a new series. Batman has a supporting role in the story and almost steals the show at some points, Smith writes the Dark Knight so well and went on to do later in career writing two limited series. I knew I'd enjoy the story to some degree been such a huge fan of Smith's previous comic book tenure Daredevil: Guardian Devil, but Quiver is a great comic book story that does what all great resurrection stories do reviving the character while touching on their long history.

Quiver rightfully held in high regard in a great story with some fantastic characterization and great dialogue makes it all a highly enjoyable read. Its arguably one of the best written stories in DC Comics history and managed to propel Green Arrow to the number one selling title for the company at the time. It goes beyond the standard revival story of and old hero, it tells a well thought out and plotted story without a retcon to continuity returning Oliver Queen back to the DC Universe.

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 and Aquaman Earth One announced at Comic Con 2015

With my recent review of Batman Earth One Vol. 2 I'm sharing the news that the Earth One series continues to grow with two more of DC's greatest heroes.

At Comic-Con, Jim Lee and Dan Didio announced during their "DC Entertainment: Meet the Co-Publishers" panel that both Flash and Aquaman will be getting Earth One graphic novels in 2016.

The Flash: Earth One will be written by J. Michael Straczynski, an artist has yet to be named. Straczynski previously wrote the three Superman: Earth One graphic novels.

Aquaman: Earth One will be both written and illustrated by Francis Manapul.

Both characters are will soon be part of the big screen with Justice League movies and as well as their own solo movies and The Flash TV series being such a massive success, these characters are growing in popularity its their time to get the Earth One treatment of a modernized and realistic setting.

Other characters such in the series are still in production, Wonder Woman: Earth One by is next to released by Grant Morrison and artist Yanick Paquette and Volume 3 of Batman: Earth One by Geoff Johns and art by Gary Frank will follow sometime after. Both titles are out in 2016.