The Flash Annual, Superman Annual, and Justice League #12 Previews

Cover to The Flash Annual #1 by Francis Manapul

 

Cover to Superman Annual #1 by Kenneth Rocafort

 

 

Covers to Justice League #12 by Jim Lee

 

 

Batwing, Earth-2, and JLI #4 Previews!

Batwing #12

Written by: Judd Winick

Art by: Marcus To

 

 

Earth-2 #4

Written by: James Robinson

Art by: Nicola Scott

 

 

Justice League International #12

Written by: Dan Jurgens

Art by: Aaron Lopresti

 

  

  

 

The Flash #10 Review

Cover to The Flash #10 by Francis Manapul

The Flash #10
Written by: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato
Art by: Marcus To & Ray McCarthy

Summary

• The issue opens with some guy named Claudio getting killed two years ago while he's on the phone with his brother, Marco
• Turns out Marco is Weather Wizard
• Flash gives us a run-down on what's been happening the last few issues 
• Flash is fighting off Weather Wizard, who has apparently kidnapped Flash's girlfriend, Patty
• Barry keeps letting his mind wander to Patty during the fight
• Apparently Weather Wizard unleashes a flood, which Barry drags with his super-speed to a large body of water
• He eventually catches up with Marco again, who is confused as to why Flash would think he kidnapped Patty, as she was investigating his brother's murder
• Meanwhile, Patty is talking with some dude who has been captured along with her named "The Spider" (no super-powers, as far as I can tell)
• Turns out there is a whole Italian-Gang-styled rivalry between families going on
• Marco's brother, Claudio, was the head of the Mardon Family and he was going to gain peace with their rivals by giving up a bunch of Mardon territory
• Claudio's wife, Elsa, killed him to keep from losing the land and to re-spark the violence
• Patty figures out that Elsa is going to kill them
• Meanwhile, Flash takes down Elsa and Marco
• Barry begins interrogating Marco for information
• Elsa admits to having Patty captured
• Flash takes down the thugs guarding Patty
• Marco kills Elsa by shocking himself and her with lightning
• Lisa Snart, now known as Glider, takes Marco away
• Barry somehow comes to the conclusion that he can't ever tell Patty that he's alive and that he is the Flash

Thoughts

The issue started out strong, stayed good for most of it, but then that last page really frustrated me. If anything, now is the time for Barry to tell Patty that he is still alive and all that stuff. But whatever, I'll stop complaining about it. As for the story, I'm really enjoying it overall and I'm really glad that the Rogues have begun coming together. I have to say that I've noticed since the New 52 began, a lot of the series have lost the narration aspect of it the story, but this is one series (much like Teen Titans and Batman) that hasn't lost that. That definitely is a plus in my book. Another thing, I know that it was an odd decision for Barry to not tell Patty, but for those of us reading this series that wish he and Iris would get together, this may be that very chance to see them get together. Now that Patty thinks Barry is dead and gone, she'll be moving on. So why not have Barry jump back into the past and find good old Iris West? (Which could also pave the way for our introduction to New 52 Wally West? Just a thought.) And also, Marcus To's art was and is phenominal. And while yes, I love Francis Manapul's artwork and style for Flash, I thoroughly enjoy To's art and cannot wait til next month to see it again. It may very well get me to start reading Batwing. This issue gets an 8/10.

Barry: "How do you say 'Excuse me while I use my super-speed to 'draft' millions of gallons of water behind me, so it doesn't flood your town' in Spanish?"

Batwing #9 to start Marcus To's Art Run

Okay just saying, one of the reasons that I never actually started reading BATWING was because of Ben Oliver's art. I mean he is a really good artist and everything, and I'm sure he's a great guy...but I'm not a fan of his art as interior art. That's kind of like Alex Ross. I mean his cover work is AMAZING. And I went and saw his (Alex Ross') art show at the Andy Warhol museum and I was in awe the whole time. But his interior art isn't as interesting to me.

But anyway, I love Judd Winick's writing, I like Marcus To's style, and so therefore I'm hoping this issue is great and maybe I can start picking up BATWING from now on.

Here's the solicitation:

BATWING #9
Written by JUDD WINICK
Art by MARCOS TO and RYAN WINN
Cover by MARCOS TO
On sale MAY 2 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
• “NIGHT OF THE OWLS” continues here!
• BATWING arrives in Gotham City just in time to fight the chaos the Court of Owls has unleashed! Outgunned and on unfamiliar turf, can Batwing survive?


Check in soon for some more May solicitations and more info on the Court of Owls crossover event!