COMIC REVIEW: FTN reviews The Flash #19

Writer: Brian Buccellato (and Francis Manapul, pgs 19-20)

Pencils: Marcio Takara (Francis Manapul, pgs 19-20)

Colors: Brian Buccellato

It’s the sign of a fantastic writer when a story is still enticing even as the main character is powerless. As strong as the Flash title has been due to the story lines and powered-beings themselves, Brian Buccellato writes a mean Barry Allen. Really, I would read a series based on Al the Bartender if Buccellato was writing it.

This was part two of a two-issue plot. It was nice to get away from that long epic format for a few issues, and still see the characters that were stuck in the Speed Force for such a long time. One of my favorite things is that it wasn’t just thrown together to be some sort of filler between the Gorilla Grodd business and the upcoming Reverse Flash story. There were little details sprinkled throughout, pointing to the past and future of the title. And I am now completely curious about what’s going on with Iris, especially with how things turned out for Marissa.

Man, I hope we see more with Trickster and the Outlanders in the future. I don’t know why I enjoy them so much, but I do. That was the only downside to this being a short arc. And more Cyborg, please!

I’m a bit snobby when it comes to the Flash title, but it’s not my fault that Manapul spoils us readers with his amazing pencils and layouts. Normally, if there’s another artist I get a little put off, but I think Takara’s art really fit, and wouldn’t mind for him to fill in again. Even though Takara’s and Manapul’s styles are completely different, the switch at the end wasn’t too jarring for me.

So, we come to the end of a short arc, and now we must prepare for the Reverse Flash, who made his grand appearance at the end of the issue by killing Albert (kind of a bummer, too. I liked Albert!) and making an interesting inner monologue in the process. But hey, I am really digging the villain’s redesign!

5 out of 5 nerds