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ohgull's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
thearosemary's review
3.0
The Flash is such a fantastic, classic superhero that I've been yearning to know about. I was thrilled to finally get The Flash: Move Forward from my digital library and dive in. And though I enjoyed it, this wasn't a favorite.
I think the core issue I have with this comic is that, being that I don't know too much about the Flash, I was a bit confused at times. I was able to keep up with the story fairly well, but there was a lot going on and a few topics left me a bit perplexed.
Nonetheless, I love being able to tuck another graphic novel under my large belt of things I've read. I desperately need more comics in my life. DESPERATELY.
I think the core issue I have with this comic is that, being that I don't know too much about the Flash, I was a bit confused at times. I was able to keep up with the story fairly well, but there was a lot going on and a few topics left me a bit perplexed.
Nonetheless, I love being able to tuck another graphic novel under my large belt of things I've read. I desperately need more comics in my life. DESPERATELY.
kate_johnston's review against another edition
2.0
I've been wanting to get into DC (and Marvel) comics for a while, but haven't been able to because there is just so much content to go through. I was hoping that by getting into the New 52 series that I would be able to start reading from the "reboot". Unfortunately, this was just way too confusing for me to really enjoy. I was missing decades of backstory, and coupled with the disjointed way of telling the story, I didn't know what was going on for most of this volume. However, I will say that the art is breathtaking, and I was glad to see that some of my favourite characters from the TV show (which I am in love with) are just as amazing in their source material.
I suppose I'll just have to stick to watching the TV show then.
I suppose I'll just have to stick to watching the TV show then.
themtj's review
4.0
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this title! They didn't waste time with an origin story, instead, they jump straight into a character-developing episode that results in all of the craziness you'd expect from the Flash universe. It is fun, generally light-hearted, and just a touch of mind-bending sci-fi.
gohawks's review
4.0
I loved this one. First of all, the plot was fairly straightforward without a lot of Grant Morrison-y Multiverse plots. There was some discussion of the time stream and changing time, but not until later. A solid villain and plot had already been established by this point. Secondly, the art is SO MUCH FUN. I hadn't liked Manapul in the Flash with Geoff Johns, but his style with Buccatello covers up some of those pencils and uses much more definitive inks. Also, the new Flash intro at each issue establishes a great retro vibe. The art overall is a funky soup of Manga and retro Darwyn Cooke-like feel. I also enjoyed the Iris-Patty-Barry triangle. Still could use a bit more character development overall. Hal Jordan had a great backstory that kept coming up to fill in the character, but Barry's is sort of a bland Batman.
ferrisscottr's review against another edition
5.0
Being a die hard (for over 40 years) Marvel guy it pains me to say that I loved this graphic novel. My son is a big fan of the t.v. show and is buying/reading all of the graphic novels since "the new 52" kicked off ~ I can't actually let a comic into the house that I don't read so I gladly accepted his loan of this graphic novel.
Loved it.
Great story with great villians. It was touching and serious and not at all cartoonish (what I usually expect from DC).
I can't believe I'm saying it but yes I will keep reading The Flash and I'm looking forward to the next in the series.
Loved it.
Great story with great villians. It was touching and serious and not at all cartoonish (what I usually expect from DC).
I can't believe I'm saying it but yes I will keep reading The Flash and I'm looking forward to the next in the series.
iffer's review
4.0
First and foremost, the art in the New 52 Flash is stunning, in terms of the illustrations as well as coloring. It's more "traditional" western comic book illustration style as far as models go, with fantastic line art and shading. I think that the art it a huge reason (not to diminish the storytelling, which is also good) why The Flash is appealing, because it conveys not only the rapid movement and excitement of the Flash's superspeed, which might otherwise seem like a lame or boring power, but also the frenetic pace of the action and all the thoughts going through Barry's head.
Some of the pages are more "painterly," and therefore it's sometimes a little more difficult to follow the action, but the progression of text is always clear, and I think that this is a worthwhile trade-off for communicating the "feel"and moods of the story, as well as just creating beautiful spreads.
The only thing that I wouldn't wished for in terms of art was for the women to be less big-boobed, and for Barry to be more svelte, as would be more fitting for a scientist whose super power is speed..Such is comic book art, though.
As far as the story goes, I found it accessible for someone with minimal knowledge of The Flash, although I did find myself wanting to know more about Barry's past. Although I had to make a conscious effort to let the "superhero science" slide, I was still able to suspend my disbelief, and I found the characters believable and likeable. The Flash is another great example of how DC explores darker themes and flawed, guilt-afflicted protagonists *and* antagonists. I enjoyed the first two "villains" introduced thus far, especially Manuel and his mob, as well as the Batman-esque public and police resentment of superheroes/vigilantes.
I'll almost definitely pick up the next installment, especially with the TV series due to premiere soon.
Some of the pages are more "painterly," and therefore it's sometimes a little more difficult to follow the action, but the progression of text is always clear, and I think that this is a worthwhile trade-off for communicating the "feel"and moods of the story, as well as just creating beautiful spreads.
The only thing that I wouldn't wished for in terms of art was for the women to be less big-boobed, and for Barry to be more svelte, as would be more fitting for a scientist whose super power is speed..Such is comic book art, though.
As far as the story goes, I found it accessible for someone with minimal knowledge of The Flash, although I did find myself wanting to know more about Barry's past. Although I had to make a conscious effort to let the "superhero science" slide, I was still able to suspend my disbelief, and I found the characters believable and likeable. The Flash is another great example of how DC explores darker themes and flawed, guilt-afflicted protagonists *and* antagonists. I enjoyed the first two "villains" introduced thus far, especially Manuel and his mob, as well as the Batman-esque public and police resentment of superheroes/vigilantes.
I'll almost definitely pick up the next installment, especially with the TV series due to premiere soon.
lisaluvsliterature's review against another edition
4.0
I’ve finally gotten around to finishing the little challenge one of the teachers at my school gave me to compare two actual comics of DC and Marvel instead of just the movies. And I think I get what he was saying. I let him pick the two to compare. I definitely liked this one better than the Captain America comic I read a year and a half ago. The story was much easier to follow, and actually kept my interest. While I’ll never be a big fan of comics, I don’t like the way the images jump around because sometimes they go one page to the next, and sometimes they are spread across both pages and you have to read top to bottom of both together. I get it, that’s something they do. Just isn’t the way my brain is used to reading and understanding. But I will say DC comic beat the Marvel one for me.
Review first appeared on Lisa Loves Literature.
Review first appeared on Lisa Loves Literature.
rhganci's review against another edition
4.0
Being introduced to the Flash mainly through the enthusiasm of friends toward his character and stories, I figured it was time to check him and his corner of the DCU out for myself. I found a city filled with intense bad guys and earnest good guys, modest romances and a LOT of theoretical physics, and now, it seems I'll have to make room for this New 52 Flash on my shelf, because he's my new favorite.
These first eight chapters of the Flash's story mostly--though the reader is not always aware of it--revolve around the Speed Force and its relationship to the Flash's abilities. When we meet him in his first fight with Mob Rule, he's already the Flash, managing relationships and a workplace that is becoming increasingly hostile to his crimefighting and public service activities. The latter surprised me--there's a pretty serious focus on the Flash as a helper of people, and Barry uses that specific word quite a lot to describe his activities as the Flash. The story arcs, about one-and-a-half of them in this first volume, get the reader current with these sorts of matters: who the Flash is, which people are the most important to him, who his chief villains are (there's a very nice page that offers a brief look at the rogues' gallery of Central City without going too in-depth), and where we might be going as he becomes increasingly powerful, with each new step into his relationship with the Speed Force. Some of the plot elements get wrapped up a little quickly for my liking as the first arc closes, and some of the writing seemed a little wooden during the plot's rise, but the cliffhanger in chapter 8 was terrific, abrupt, and engaging--I wasn't ready for the story to be over yet, and while I have the information I need, there's a huge amount of story that I want.
The art style, a watercolor-like color over matte drawings, have an older-world and lighter tone to them than some of the harsher or more motif-like art in the New 52. The facial expressions really stuck out in this volume, especially Barry's--his conflicts become the reader's conflicts, and his urgency is shared with the reader as the action ramps up and dangers beset Central City at each turn. Some of the action sequences (how do you draw someone moving faster than the eye can see, anyway) got a bit difficult to follow, but all in all there's not much that I was looking for that I didn't find in MOVE FORWARD. I'm excited to read more about the Flash in both the Justice League books as well as his own.
These first eight chapters of the Flash's story mostly--though the reader is not always aware of it--revolve around the Speed Force and its relationship to the Flash's abilities. When we meet him in his first fight with Mob Rule, he's already the Flash, managing relationships and a workplace that is becoming increasingly hostile to his crimefighting and public service activities. The latter surprised me--there's a pretty serious focus on the Flash as a helper of people, and Barry uses that specific word quite a lot to describe his activities as the Flash. The story arcs, about one-and-a-half of them in this first volume, get the reader current with these sorts of matters: who the Flash is, which people are the most important to him, who his chief villains are (there's a very nice page that offers a brief look at the rogues' gallery of Central City without going too in-depth), and where we might be going as he becomes increasingly powerful, with each new step into his relationship with the Speed Force. Some of the plot elements get wrapped up a little quickly for my liking as the first arc closes, and some of the writing seemed a little wooden during the plot's rise, but the cliffhanger in chapter 8 was terrific, abrupt, and engaging--I wasn't ready for the story to be over yet, and while I have the information I need, there's a huge amount of story that I want.
The art style, a watercolor-like color over matte drawings, have an older-world and lighter tone to them than some of the harsher or more motif-like art in the New 52. The facial expressions really stuck out in this volume, especially Barry's--his conflicts become the reader's conflicts, and his urgency is shared with the reader as the action ramps up and dangers beset Central City at each turn. Some of the action sequences (how do you draw someone moving faster than the eye can see, anyway) got a bit difficult to follow, but all in all there's not much that I was looking for that I didn't find in MOVE FORWARD. I'm excited to read more about the Flash in both the Justice League books as well as his own.