We are
officially over the halfway mark of Flashpoint and we still seem to be getting
the band together. This summer’s big DC crossover of alternate timeline comics
actually feels like a small story at this point despite all the titles involved.
For those under a rock, the idea of this series is that the Reverse Flash has
somehow altered all the origins of the superheroes enough to change the main
DCU timeline. Only Kid Flash, Booster Gold and Barry Allen remember the way
things are supposed to be. Barry Allen is the star of this main mini-series as
he tries to gather up the heroes that can help him return things to normal.
Oddly, this
all feels a bit like wheel spinning. At the end of last issue, Barry was nearly
killed after the alterna-Batman strapped him into an electric chair in an
attempt to replicate the accident that gave him his powers as the Flash. Barry
gives it another go and, this time it works, for some reason. Flash and Batman
then recruit Cyborg and go to find this timeline’s version of Superman. There
are a couple of good reveals here (like the members of the British resistance,
the fate of Krypto and the nature of Superman). Unfortunately, we feel a
million miles away from a resolution and many of the periphery series just don’t
seem to matter. I am still holding out hope that Johns brings this one in for a
better landing than Blackest Night.
Andy Kubert
does a great job here. Even if the plot isn’t moving very quickly, Kubert’s
Flash and Batman have a real sense of flow to them. The character redesigns
work well for those that receive it. I also really like the work that colorist
Alex Sinclair puts into the various scenes, especially the shifts taking place
during the heroes attempt to find Superman.
Next issue
promises SHAZAM but, if things don’t get moving along, I am hesitant to
recommend this title in general. It does remain a fun “elseworld” scenario but
little more at this point. Stay tuned…