Wednesday Comments – FLASH FACT: F#ck Flashpoint!

Columns, Top Story

I don’t know what the hell DC is thinking. Like, I’m seriously curious what’s going on in the editorial department. I know that Flashpoint is supposed to be the “big summer event” this year, but it seems to me that this whole scheme is flawed.

Let’s look at it like this; Flashpoint is an event that spins out of a lackluster title that ironically has lateness problems (The Flash) , features a whopping 16 miniseries which are themselves supposed to garner buzz based on cryptic single sentence blurbs.

To top it all off DC is still publishing all of their regular monthly DCU books, I mean except for the awesome books that got the can like R.E.B.E.L.S., Streets of Gotham and Doom Patrol. Because really what better way to sell the importance of an alternate reality than by continuing to publish the status quo reality?

FLASH FACT: This has the potential to fail hugely.

I love The Flash. Well, I love Wally West, but I’m a fan of The Flash so I want to support Flashpoint. But I don’t think that one should have to get an additional part-time job in order to participate in the “big summer event.”

Let’s say that I’m an average comic reader and I pick up 20 books a month. If I want the full Flashpoint experience I’ve got to double my monthly comic book purchases. I can’t be the only person who sees something wrong with that can I?

Well for your sake I’m going to run down the Flashpoint titles, their selling points and whether or not you should skip, buy or push.

Flashpoint – This is the main mini so you should probably pick it up.

Verdict: Buy

Batman – Knight of Vengeance – Um the creative team behind 100 Bullets are reunited on this mini? Hell’s yes!

Verdict: Buy

Secret Seven – I dig the creative team of Peter Milligan and George Perez so I think this one might be worth it. Still, we barely get a hint about this book.

Verdict: Buy

Abin Sur – The Green Lantern – No real creative “names” attached to this one. Story wise it’ll be interesting to find out why Abin stayed on Earth. I don’t know about you, but I’m kind of “Green Lanterned” out.

Verdict: Push

The World of Flashpoint – This sounds either like a great primer for this whole event or something completely superfluous.

Verdict: Push

Emperor Aquaman – I for one can’t wait to read this mini because I know how awesome Aquaman is in the regular DCU. Oh, wait.

Verdict: Skip

Deathstroke and the Curse of the Ravager – I’m not the biggest Deathstroke fan, but I am curious about his lost “treasure. But on the other hand I don’t dig pirates.

Verdict: Skip

Frankenstein and the Creatures of the Unknown – Jeff Lemire as writer is a minor draw, but the subject matter leaves me cold. Why DC is keeps pushing Frankenstein is beyond me.

Verdict: Skip

Citizen Cold – I love Scott Kolins the artist, but not Scott Kolins the writer. His Solomon Grundy did little for me. But I am a fan of his Captain Cold.

Verdict: Buy

Wonder Woman and the Furies – Eh, I’m sort of done with “alternate reality Wonder Woman” at this point.

Verdict: Skip

Deadman and the Flying Graysons – I’m no fan of J.T. Krul, but I love those Cliff Chiang covers. Plus I’m a fan of Dick Grayson and Deadman’s outfit is just a classic. I’m in!

Verdict: Buy

Legion of Doom – I’m very intrigued by this one, mostly because I’m thinking Heatwave is a female. Plus, who doesn’t love villain centric books?

Verdict: Buy

Lois Lane and the Resistance – I’m torn; I’m glad DnA is doing something with DC, but Lois Lane isn’t a draw. Also it looks like the Canterbury Cricket is on the over, which seems tie-inish.

Verdict: Push

The Outsider – James Robinson is going to flex his imagination? I’m down. Plus that teaser perfectly written.

Verdict: Buy

Kid Flash Lost – I love Bart Allen. Sure, I miss Impulse, but I’ll pick this book just to support him.

Verdict: Buy

Project Superman – Scott Snyder is a decent size draw, but Superman is generally pretty boring. I guess I’ll try it out.

Verdict: Push

Hal Jordan – We get it DC; Geoff Johns loves Hal Jordan. But giving the non powered Hal Jordan his own mini? C’mon.

Verdict: Pass

Grodd of War – I’m very interested in finding out how Grodd gained control of an entire continent. I find it slightly offensive.

Verdict: Pass

Reverse Flash – Who doesn’t love Zoom? Oh wait, this isn’t Zoom, this is Reverse Flash, a character who’s death had impact yet was brought back on some nostalgic nonsense. I’ll reluctantly get this one.

Verdict: Buy

Green Arrow Industries – An unscrupulous Oliver Queen? Color me interested.

Verdict: Buy

The Canterbury Cricket – I’m mostly in this one-shot for the creative team. Mike Carlin and Rags Morales sounds like a team that’s hard to beat.

Verdict: Buy

Now, full disclosure; I’ll probably pick up the entire event. I’m a fan of alternate realities and most of my pull list is comprised of DC books. So there’s a really good chance that I’ll be in for the whole thing.

But just because I’m down doesn’t mean that I’m happy with how DC is handling the whole thing.