Comic Book Review: The Flash (2012) Vol. 1 HC

The Flash (2012) Vol. 1 HC

Artist/Co-Author: Manapul, Francis.  

Publisher: DC Comics,

Pub date: 2012

OVERVIEW

Struck by a bolt of lightning and doused in chemicals, Central City Police scientist Barry Allen was transformed into the fastest man alive.

Tapping into the energy field called The Speed Force, he applies a tenacious sense of justice to protect and serve the world as The Flash! The Fastest Man Alive returns to his own series.

REVIEW

One of the few outstanding bright spots in the DC New52 re-launch, the paring of previous Flash series artist, Manapul and colorist Brian Buccellato now mashed together as co-authors as well. The rebooted Flash keeps the legacy grounded with the silver age Barry Allen assuming the role of The Flash from the very beginning, ousting the use of former series hero, Wally West who is nowhere seen in this series. The original Flash, Jay Garrick kicks off his own New 52 series in Earth2, this time as a younger version of himself.

The art is gorgeous with Francis Manpul’s layouts structured in very daunting comic-bookish ways that stands out along with the initial Batwoman series by J.H. Williams. The colors are watercolor-like in presentation and again makes it stand out from other overtly computer-colored comics on the stand.

The storyline though is a bit convoluted with a new protagonist named Mob Deep, who’s initial story line and mystery doesn't really rev up the series and sputters near the end of the arc. The re-imagined Captain Cold though stood out, and hopefully the introduction of the new Rogues will continue the upward spiral of this series.

RATING

3 out of 5 MONSTERS 

Book Reviews for 6/1/12

Superman: Return of doomsday  
Batman: Noel

Comic Book Creator Event: Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon, Amazing Spider-Man artist) at Phat Collectibles, Anaheim

Comic artist, writer and creator Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon, Amazing Spider-Man, TMNT) appeared at Phat Collectibles comic book store in Anaheim, CA.

The Image Comics Co-Founder, Larsen,  was happily signing books and taking photos with fans as well as sketching commission artwork ($200-$300) for his fans and a few lucky attendees who won raffles for a quick sketch as well.

Book Reviews for 2/13/13

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents: 3.5 out of 5 stars!
Green Lantern: Emerald Dawn TPB
Cover Run: The art of Adam Hughes

Reviews as of 11/27/11

The Future Foundation (Vol.1) HC

Superman/Batman: Worship HC

5 very good reasons to punch a dolphin in the mouth : (and other useful guides)

Let's get it on : The making of MMA and its ultimate referee

Long Beach Comic & Horror Convention 2012: Convention Report

Here is the report for the 4th Annual Long Beach Comic & Horror Convention held in Long Beach, California 2013. 


A fun convention with the ability to interact with the creators in a more personal, less-heavy traffic convention compared to San Diego Comic Con. Attendance seemed a little lower this year than last year with the possibility of the Con being held after Halloween this year and also not being part ofa  "Zombie Walk" that Long Beach held last year to try and break a record.

A few non-returning creators such as David Finch, Bob Layton, etc. also meant a few less artists to drive fans on attending both Saturday and Sunday. My eye spotted less buyers as well unless a booth had 50% off trades or the one 50 cent back issue booth which stayed packed.

Purchasing your tickets in advance allowed you to get a free copy of Creator Owned Heroes by Jimmy Palmiotti and Steve Niles with a special Long Beach Con cover by Amanda Conner as well as a 30 minute early admittance to the convention on Saturday.

Photo Report Review! Images are called out clock-wise.

A. The convention and cosplayers.

• The line to get in the comic convention which is at the bottom floor at the Long Beach Convention Center with panels on the main floor. There was an indoor garden expo happening that same weekend.

• Thundercat's Cheetarah and Pumyra

• Lady Punishers x2

• Walking Dead-type Zombie

• She-Ra

• Baroness and Ms. Marvel

• Stilt-Waking Spider-Lady with Dr. Who and Angel Baseball Fan

B. The Artists & Creators

• JonBoy Meyers (G.I. Joe, Hulk)
• Tim Vigil (Faust)
• Bernard Chang (Deadpool, Wonder Woman)
• Trent Kaniuga (Creed, Ghost Rider, Twilight Monk)
• Amanda Conner (Silk Spectre, Power Girl)
• Tommy Yune (Speed Racer, Robotech) being interviewed
• Jon Bogdanove (Superman, Power Pack)

Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo 2013: Convention Report

Here's my quick recap and "photo" report from this past weekend's "Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo" for 2013. 

A lot bigger than last year's "parking garage" set-up at the LA Convention Center from 2012. More A-list comic creators such as McFarlane, JS Campbell, McKone, Tony Moore, etc. from 2012 which continued this year with Marc Silvestri, J. Scott Campbell, Chris Burnham, Joe Jusko and others as well as the usual mid-tier celebs hawking expensive autographs.

Captions will be listed in semi left-to-right reading order.

1. The lines and entry to the event. 

Parking was a lot easier if you got in via the back of the center. Long lines for pre-purchasers, heard almost that it stretched half-way around the convention center outside in one of the hottest days of the Summer in LA.

The security lines got long, but still, the con-goers were cool and didn't cause any issues with the waiting.

Images of the main stage during the masquerade contest. 

2. The comic creators and artists!

1. Jason Scott Campbell. Selling prints and sketch books. Commented on my Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe reprints with his cover that it was the first time he's seen it out.

2. Amy Mebberson doing some cute Disney art commissions.

3. Marc Silvestri doing an interview. Super-long wait since everyone and their dogs wanted a photo with him. So many statues signed.

4. Joe Benitez getting his Lady Mechanika books ready.

5. An artist doing a really super-fast robot sketches, Megatron.

6. Transformer artist Livio Ramiodelli. 

3. The Actors & Celebrities *ahem* 

1. Batman's Adam West checking out the comic aisles.

2. Catwoman, Julie Newmar signing for fans. Had on cat ears!

3. Legendary actor, James Hoang, aka Lo-Pan!

4. Sean Patrick Flannery

5. "Tanya Tate as Black Canary.

4. And now the cosplayers.

That's all folks. Enjoy!