FLASH #10

[ LIGHTING SALE ] 

It looks like a drop of rain. Oh damn, isn't that just a shame? When the weather turns brown. Prompting you to frown. Because you've just missed the very last train. Well, that's what happened to the creative team of Francis Manapul, Brian Buccellato, Marcus To, plus Publisher: DC Comics in May 2012. Now who has an umbrella I can borrow?

So what’s the STORY morning glory?

In many ways this issue of the Flash, entitled 'Weather Wizard', reminds me of the bloody weather in England. You never know what to expect from one moment to the next.

• Well, to put it in laymen's term; the Flash thinks that the Weather Wizard has kidnapped his girl-pal, Patty Spivot, although it was in fact his sister-in-law, Elsa, because of what Patty discovers about the murder of her late-husband, Claudio.
• Also, to make matters even more convoluted, the Flash, the Weather Wizard, and Patty are none the wiser of what Elisa has been up to, until the Flash and the Wizard clash - resulting in a revelation, a parting of ways, and a surprise appearance by a gliding apparition.

To be continued after I take a headache tablet.

What is the most memorable SENTENCE OR CONVERSATION spoken in this issue?

I really enjoyed reading Barry's opening remarks, because in many ways it reminded me of the pre DCnU 'Flash Family'...

'Daryl once told me that the burden of responsibility should not be carried alone. That's what family is for. That's what friends are for. The load is not too heavy when you can share it with someone you trust'.

I think that this statement needs to be put into action and not just words. Right dear reader?

What was the BEST thing about this issue?

There was a feeling within this tale that really did aide it in a convoluted way. No. Not the top heavy and muddled narrative. Rather, the air of suspense looming over it like an old movie from the nineteen-fifty's. I found that it gave each scene an ore of mystery and excitement. Class.

What was the WORST thing about this issue?

Now the only drawback with this yarn was that the majority of it was in exposition; making it feel restricted in both scope and substance. Personally speaking, I would have liked to have seen this tale spread out over two issues, instead of being crammed into one for the sake of length.

Well, it does touch upon a lot of subjects that needed more girth, huh? The Flash / Patty Spivot dilemma. The Mafia sub-strand. The confusion. The resolution. Excreta. Excreta. Excreta.

What was the most CREATIVE thing about this issue?

STORY: The whole 'Barry revealing himself to Patty' sub-plot was a nice little addition to this story; because it gave the overall narrative that little bit extra to associate with and ponder upon.

Also, I have to say that I applauded the fact that this tale admitted that this series is a bit hectic at times, and desperately needs some stability.    

ART: Truthfully, I was slightly disappointed when I heard that Francis Manapul wasn't drawing this issue. Nonetheless, I was more than happy for his replacement, Marcus To, to take over from him in this story; because I really did dig his stuff on 'Red Robin', due to the fact that his line-work is one-half manga and one-half Americana. Nice synergy also.

If you had to CAST TWO CHARACTERS in this comic book, who would they be and why?

THE WEATHER WIZARD: Just look at that bearded twat on the side, Bradley Cooper, and tell me that he would not make the sun turn to rain at a wave of his stick. He would if his it was powerful enough, huh?

ELISA MARDON: Doesn't Italian / American actress, Jennifer Esposito, look like the type of a person to snuff out her husband for the sake of posterity? She was once married to Bradley Cooper you know. So it's plausible!

If this issue had a MOVIE TAG LINE, what would it be?

You Can Never Run Away From The Weather Based Mafia! Because When It Rains, It Pours!

If this issue were a MOVIE, an OBJECT, or a piece of MUSIC, what would that be and why? 

Simply put, this issue of the Flash reminds me of a ball of string. It's soft in places. Useful at times. And has a way about it that is both muddled and warm too. Here, check this video clip out to see what I mean...

Get me a gun.

FINAL thoughts...

Now as a tale in its own right, I suppose that this one was OK in hindsight. However, what intrigued me the most about this yarn was the fact that Barry Allen is not the same type of a chap we all thought he was prior to the DCnU.

He has not got a partner now. His adventures are more haphazard. And overall the tones of his tales' are a lot more dire as well.

Why?

Once upon a time the Flash was a blue-collar hero with a blue-collar job and a very colourful family. Please Francis and Brian -- 'nu' does not necessarily mean 'white-wash'. You've both proven yourselves to be really great creators, and I am sure that you can put this traditional spring back into Barry's step once more.  

MARKS out of 10? 8