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birdmanseven's review against another edition
2.0
Slightly better than the first volume, but I couldn't tell you the plot for the life of me.
quinnster's review against another edition
3.0
Awhile ago I started thinking I should try reading some Marvel comics because everything I read is DC, well most everything. Anyway, a couple of friends told me that I wasn't going to find much of the dark, gritty stuff I read in DC, but I didn't think it would be a big deal. I've yet to find something in the Marvel universe that keeps me interested the way Batman, Harley Quinn, Batgirl or Suicide Squad does, but I'm still trying. The funny thing is, The Flash reads a lot like a Marvel comic to me. It's tame, the villains are nearly laughable (oh, who am I kidding, they're totally laughable) and Barry is just a very good, decent guy. His biggest struggle is whether or not he should tell his girlfriend (who hates The Flash).
So the story is silly, but the art is fantastic. The art carries the story for certain and I'll keep picking up Manapul's Flash books as long as he's drawing them.
So the story is silly, but the art is fantastic. The art carries the story for certain and I'll keep picking up Manapul's Flash books as long as he's drawing them.
bmurray153's review against another edition
3.0
Not quite as thrilling as the first volume, or as original and creative. But still enjoyable. The Rogues plot line seems more like it is just going through the motions rather than letting a great story unfold organically. But the included issue of the Flash's origin is one of the best issues I have ever read of any comic and deserves 5 stars. If anything, read this volume for that incredibly emotional and beautifully crafted issue!
dr_matthew_lloyd's review against another edition
3.0
The New 52's Flash continues with another fun adventure without much bite. It feels to me like "basic superhero" - there are some villains, a hero, some fighting, some complications, it's all good. But there are few peaks and troughs as it goes along, leaving the experience enjoyable but not terribly exciting. It's carried along by great superhero art, and some hints that things are developing in interesting ways.
The betrayal by Doctor Elias is somewhat amusing, especially his "I'm a scientist" excuse, as if that even means anything (what kind of scientist? and isn't he, really, an engineer?). There's less of an emotional punch as there might have been had their alliance thus far, in this universe, lasted more than one part. But Elias is exploring the "superheroes - good or bad?" thing much more effectively than I've seen it done in other stories. The other, more interesting development is the continuing relationship between David Singh and Hartley Rathaway/Pied Piper. There have been a few homosexual characters in the New 52 that I've read, but the others have largely just been there, open and unquestioned - which is great, and not every relationship should be grounds for a storyline - but this one is actually exploring how difficult it can be to be in a relationship where society has shamed one partner into silence.
Perhaps the worst thing about the whole volume is the relationship Barry has with women - or, more precisely, the decisions he makes for them. Firstly, there is Iris West, stuck in the Speed Force with a handful of other people, apparently "trapped in the past" (I'm not sure how Barry came to that conclusion). It's really unclear why he decided that he shouldn't go back and try to save them. The decision seems to happen off-screen, unjustified. Then there is Patty Spivot, his (former?) partner/lover who believes Barry to be dead and the Flash to be responsible. Barry decides first to tell her the truth, then the old superhero cliché that he can't "burden" her with that responsibility. Hopefully, this is setting something up - I like Patty, like Elias she seems to have some idea about why superheroes might be a bad thing, but Barry's choice just to leave her to believe a lie is uncomfortable. We shall see how this develops.
The betrayal by Doctor Elias is somewhat amusing, especially his "I'm a scientist" excuse, as if that even means anything (what kind of scientist? and isn't he, really, an engineer?). There's less of an emotional punch as there might have been had their alliance thus far, in this universe, lasted more than one part. But Elias is exploring the "superheroes - good or bad?" thing much more effectively than I've seen it done in other stories. The other, more interesting development is the continuing relationship between David Singh and Hartley Rathaway/Pied Piper. There have been a few homosexual characters in the New 52 that I've read, but the others have largely just been there, open and unquestioned - which is great, and not every relationship should be grounds for a storyline - but this one is actually exploring how difficult it can be to be in a relationship where society has shamed one partner into silence.
Perhaps the worst thing about the whole volume is the relationship Barry has with women - or, more precisely, the decisions he makes for them. Firstly, there is Iris West, stuck in the Speed Force with a handful of other people, apparently "trapped in the past" (I'm not sure how Barry came to that conclusion). It's really unclear why he decided that he shouldn't go back and try to save them. The decision seems to happen off-screen, unjustified. Then there is Patty Spivot, his (former?) partner/lover who believes Barry to be dead and the Flash to be responsible. Barry decides first to tell her the truth, then the old superhero cliché that he can't "burden" her with that responsibility. Hopefully, this is setting something up - I like Patty, like Elias she seems to have some idea about why superheroes might be a bad thing, but Barry's choice just to leave her to believe a lie is uncomfortable. We shall see how this develops.
ryter89's review against another edition
3.0
Admittedly, I'm only reading The Flash because I love The Rogues. I want a Rogues series. They're doing a friggin Martian Manhunt er series but not a Rogues series? Boo. Anyway, these Flash comics seem really long and drawn out. The main story is ok but it seems like there's a flashback (hehe) every few pages. I like the art. No points off for that. I just hope it picks up soon. Gorilla Grodd is next so hopefully it does!
lightlessxo's review against another edition
3.0
The story has picked up a bit and is thankfully coming together so it's not nearly as confusing as Volume 1. I don't feel for any character other than Captain Cold, so I don't know how I feel about that. Will continue reading because of the gorgeous art though!
the_graylien's review against another edition
3.0
Volume two of the New 52 Flash series gives us an intro to some of the new incarnations of old Flash baddies. Grodd is here, as well as some in depth looks at some members of Flash's old rogue's gallery (in this case, actually called The Rogues, I think).
This volume has the same breathtaking artwork as the first did. There's some amazing work here put forth in the way of art by Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato.
The story feels like it's merely walking in place, though, only giving us details that we need to move forward, not giving us any really dynamic action. Origins, looks at individual members of Flash's enemies, things such as this... Not a total drag to read, but not super exciting, either.
It's not bad enough that I'll abandon the series, though. It still is pretty good. I can't help feeling like we're gearing up for greatness in perhaps the next volume. Off I go to read it. I'll let you know.
This volume has the same breathtaking artwork as the first did. There's some amazing work here put forth in the way of art by Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato.
The story feels like it's merely walking in place, though, only giving us details that we need to move forward, not giving us any really dynamic action. Origins, looks at individual members of Flash's enemies, things such as this... Not a total drag to read, but not super exciting, either.
It's not bad enough that I'll abandon the series, though. It still is pretty good. I can't help feeling like we're gearing up for greatness in perhaps the next volume. Off I go to read it. I'll let you know.
depreydeprey's review against another edition
3.0
Manapul is still telling great stories but by turning the bulk of the art over to other artists this volume doesn't have the same emotional connection or high stakes as the earlier issues.
kenningjp's review against another edition
4.0
It's always great seeing all the Rogues in one comic and we also got Grodd in this volume. Plus, Barry Allen is simply put one of the most likeable DC heroes. A bit humorous, a bit humble and filled with enough hope for an entire justice league.
skolastic's review against another edition
4.0
Manapul's art is straight up incredible, but I feel like the in medias res approach they went for where the Rogues have been around for years still works against the book -- why not just start at the beginning? Still a lot of fun, though, and has a great ending.