New 52 Review – “The Flash #1”

The fastest man alive gets relaunched yet again.

General Information

Title: Flash #1

Author: Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato

Illustrator(s): Francis Manapul (art) and Brian Buccellato (colours)

Cover Date: November 2011

Cover Price: $2.99

Buy the digital edition.

Premise

Barry Allen, police scientist, is on hand for a technology theft. He transforms into the Flash to stop the crime, but a member of the gang dies in the process, and is reveal to be an old friend of Barry’s.

High Point

The art is not only expressive from a storytelling perspective, we’ve got a new look for super speed action, right down to the lettering by Sal Cipriano.

Low Point

Still no sign of Wally. Spoiler protected: Is any marriage going to survive this reboot?

The Scores

This is an original take on the character. It’s only been since Barry returned after CSI hit it big on the networks that the comics have actually used Barry’s day job as a police scientist in their stories, and it works out very well. Add in the new status quo, and this is one of the titles that feels fresh in the lineup. I give it 5 out of 6.

The artwork is really growing on me. I wasn’t a huge fan of Manapul on the title when Geoff Johns wrote it a couple of years back, but seeing the way he draws his own plots is different. There’s a lot more integration of storytelling into the work. It’s a very dynamic look. I give it 5 out of 6.

The story is off to a good start. The status quo and power set of the character are introduced very quickly, in the context of the story itself. I give it 5 out of 6.

The characterization of Barry is as quick and efficient as Barry himself. His interactions with others and a couple of lines of dialogue sum the man up quite nicely in very little page space, leaving a lot of room for the story to move forward. I give it 6 out of 6.

The emotional response is good. Conceptually, the Flash and Green Lantern have been the two DC titles that have always appealed to me the most, and this title is a strong launch for the former. I give it 5 out of 6.

The flow is excellent. Manapul is both cowriter and artist, and his cowriter is the colourist, so both have strong visual sensibilities. This is a title that feels like it’s moving on the page. I give it 6 out of 6.

Overall, we’ve got a solid first chapter in the relaunch. I give it 5 out of 6.

In total, Flash #1 receives 37 out of 42.

The New 52

Here are handy links for the reviews of all 52 new #1 issues:

Bureau 42