The Flash #11
(W) Joshua Williamson (A) Davide Gianfelice (CA) Carmine Di Giandomenico
In Shops: Nov 23, 2016
SRP: $2.99
“THE SPEED OF DARKNESS” part two! Lost in the infinite horror of the Shadowlands, The Flash and Kid Flash’s new partnership is tested as they fight to uncover the dark secrets of the Shade and his mysterious plans for the speedster duo.
Everybody is fighting everybody in the latest issue of Justice League as the universe hangs in the balance. The “Darkseid War” is in full effect and no one is safe from the life altering events at play. Brett already gave a fantastic review of Justice League #44 here. Now, it’s time for a second opinion.
The majority of the issue is non-stop action as the two titans of the Anti-Monitor and Darkseid continue to clash on Earth. In between these massive set pieces, a large amount of story growth and character development occur, which continues to build on the seemingly endless momentum the Darkseid war continues to have. The issue opens with Batman, or Bat-god if you prefer, digging deeper into the mystery of the Anti-Monitor’s past with Green Lantern. These scenes are really the only slow moments in the story and they become a nice reprieve from the non-stop movement of the rest of the issue. It is with this scene, Geoff Johns allows the story to grow for both who Batman is becoming and who the Anti-Monitor was. The rest of the issue progresses at a breakneck pace but, it still allows a lot of intriguing development for the Flash, Wonder Woman, and Superman. This does not even touch on all of Darkseid’s children battling either, as they each work through their own individual narrative. With all of this happening each character is grown in an interesting way, making the most of the short time they appear in the story. The final twist is also extremely noteworthy and the places this will take countless characters involved is very exciting and reinvigorating for many who have been stuck in the same mold for a long time. This is the real strength of this issue. Each character is at an interesting cross roads and waiting to see where they go next makes every subsequent issue that much more exciting.
Although, the large amount of characters does cause many people to be pushed to the side. Shazam, Steve Trevor, and Cyborg are almost completely ignored during the battle and Power Ring’s scene does not really introduce anything new we have not known about her before this point. Also, there is a very forced cameo of the Joker in the beginning that seems very out-of-place and adds nothing to the narrative. With this many characters and limited space, those panels could have been used to grow the actual people involved in the war. The final issue with this comic, is that there is a bit of heavy retreading of past stories in Wonder Woman’s inner monologue that seemed to be describing what the art was showing rather than letting the artwork speak for itself.
That artwork is the normal Justice League, Jim Lee, DC house style that we have seen since the Justice League relaunched with the new 52. It is by no means bad, but it is what we have come to expect. The action does look phenomenal and, with so much going on, and so many characters in certain panels, artist Jason Fabok does a great job keeping it all contained and organized. The layouts work very well to help build the tension and sense of dread as the Justice League continues to fight for the Universe’s survival once again.
Overall, this is not a perfect comic book by any means but, there are so many strong character moments, and such an intriguing ending, that Justice League #44 becomes a must read. If for no other reason then to set yourself up for what comes next.
Story: Geoff Johns Art: Jason Fabok
Story: 7.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy
Wednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in!
We’re bringing back something we haven’t done for a while, what the team thinks. Our contributors are choosing up to five books each week and why they’re choosing the books.
Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this Wednesday.
Brett
Top Pick: Princeless: Raven, the Pirate Princess #1 (Action Lab Entertainment) – The excellent series Princeless gets its first spin-off series focused on Raven, the Pirate Princess. The fundamentals are here, this time looking at swashbuckling tales. Raven must seek revenge against her brothers who have stolen her rightful place out from under her.
Archie #1 (Archie Comics) – This is huge! Archie is kicking off a whole new era with Mark Waid and Fiona Staples at the helm. This is one folks will be talking about.
Invader Zim #1 (Oni Press) – Jhonen Vasquez’s creation is back in a new comic. This is one I’ve been waiting for ever since it was announced. It’s kind of hard to not like the cartoon it’s based on, and expect this to be a hit.
Star Wars: Lando #1 (Marvel) – Everyone’s favorite scoundrel is back and in his own mini-series. Marvel has been killing it when its come to their Star Wars comics, and I expect no difference here.
Transference #1 (Black Mask Studios) – This is an interesting time travel series that is a hell of a mind bender in the first issue alone. There’s subtle things throughout the first issue that makes it stand out from the other special teams as time travelers story. A solid first issue.
Alex
Top pick: The Fox #4 (Dark Circle Comics) – If you’re not reading The Fox, you’re missing out. Plain and simple, this is one of the best comics on the rack every month.
Batman #42 (DC Comics) – Although I’m not a big fan (yet) of the Bat-bunny-mech suit, I’ve got more than enough faith to see how Snyder plays this out.
Edward
Top Pick: Wonderland #37 (Zenescope) – There has hardly been a misstep in this series since the change of direction under the new creative team. The series never fails to impress and surprise and that will continue here with a new story.
Archie #1 (Archie Comics) – There is finally a lot of buzz for this publisher, and it comes in the form of a revamped Archie. No one quite knows what that means yet, but we will know soon.
Bloodstrike #1 (Image Comics) – Rob Liefeld causes a riot any time he works on comics, as he has fans and others who are pretty much the opposite of fans. This is his best setting though, with nothing to prove and his imagination to fuel him. How will the new sci-fi series work out for him?
Civil War #1 (Marvel) – One of Marvel’s most contentious crossovers meets the Secret Wars world. The mix is not an obvious one, but neither have a lot of crossovers that have involved strange mixes thus far.
Gotham Academy #8 (DC Comics) – Olive returns to Gotham’s most interesting school. A one issue break (plus the break for Convergence) means that she has been gone for a while, and it will be interesting to see what her return means for this series.
Elana
Constantine the Hellblazer #2 (DC Comics) – Funny, pretty, creepy, creative and hey everyone— it stars a bisexual character who’s not treated as a joke or fetishized! More please!
Also props on the diverse creative team behind the comic, which may have something to do with the diversity inside the comic. PS, co-writer Ming Doyle was one of our podcast’s all time best guests. Go listen to her!
Gotham Academy #8 (DC Comics) – This book is one of the most creative things coming from DC. This issue is Olive’s mysterious Mother’s funeral. I’m gonna say it’s all Batman’s fault because he has a terrible track record with people with mental health issues.
Princeless: Raven, the Pirate Princess #1 (Action Lab Entertainment) – The name says it all. Charming, feminist, racially diverse. The number one book for kids of all ages including kids with mortgages. The new art is stronger then ever!
Storm TPB Vol. 2 (Marvel) – Storm’s first solo series was groundbreaking. If you like Storm at all, or just want to see more comics featuring women of color buy this! The story explores her personality, playing her off against some interesting foes and even more interesting friends. And the Gambit team-up is so much fun it’s criminal!
Paul
Top Pick: Age of Apocalypse #1 (Marvel) – I collected every issue of Age of Apocalypse when this storyline came out a million years ago. This, to me, was one of the best X-Men runs ever released. And I cannot wait to see the AoA region of Battleworld. I know it won’t be exactly like the original run…but I am so excited to see these versions of the X-Men again.
Civil War #1 (Marvel) – Another storyline given a region in Battleworld, and I’m looking forward to it. So much happened in the original run of Civil War, so I’m looking forward to reading a story where the war never ended; see what allegiances were formed, which fell apart…and who survives to see it end.
Runaways #2 (Marvel) – I really enjoyed the first issue of this series. I’ve always enjoyed books focusing on the younger heroes of the MU (New Warriors, Young Avengers, Runaways), and I liked how this tie-in to Secret Wars took some of my favourite heroes (Cloak and Dagger especially) and took them back to school, literally, to find their way in this new Battleworld.
Mr. H
Top Pick: Batman #42 – Capullo. Snyder. Every issue in this run has been white hot. I have no reason to believe the train will slow down. I don’t even want to buckle in!
Batman/ Superman #22 (DC Comics) – Gordon vs. Kent round 2. Can these two get on the same page so the World can have a Finest again?
Civil War #1 (Marvel Comics) – Where it all went wrong the first time, I’d like to see how they try to correct their mistakes or are they doomed to repeat themselves?
Spider-Man: Renew your Vows #2 (Marvel Comics) – This is the Spider-Man that I have waited for since the return of Norman Osborn wayyy back in the pages of Spider-Man #75. Last issue was very disappointing. I’m hoping Slott gives Peter the reunion with his daughter he deserves. Give him a happy ending for once!
TMNT Color Classics Series 3 #47 (IDW) – Classic Eastman/ Laird in color? Hell yeah. Loving this trip down memory lane!
Pharoah
Star Wars: Lando #1 (Marvel) – Definitely had my interest piqued when I saw it in Previews for this month’s solicitations. He is probably one of the coolest characters within the Star Wars Expanded Universe, and now he gets his own graphic treatment, the only thing I can say truly, it is about time!!!
1872 #1 (Marvel) – I love the exploration of alternate universes with familiar characters, and this is definitely one to watch out for, as they got the Avengers living in the Wild Wild West
Archie #1 (Archie) – When you have the top talents of Mark Waid of Empire fame and Fiona Staples of Saga fame, working on one of comics’ most iconic characters, it is more than worth a look.
Providence #2 (Avatar) – Alan Moore and Jacen Burrows, are reviving Lovecraft in the most exciting way possible, as he has made the mythology scary again for all of us. I have not loved a Moore series as much as I loved this one, definitely his best work yet.
Star Trek/Green Lantern #1 (DC Comics/IDW Publishing) – This team up has been creating a huge amount of buzz since it was first announced and as a fan of both franchises, it reminds me of the Batman/Spawn crossover.
