And Then I Read: FLASHPOINT 1

Images © DC Comics, Inc.

This new DC crossover event reads a lot like an Elseworlds story, where familiar characters are in a world or setting with major differences from the one we know, differences that have changed the course of their lives and careers. Barry Allen, the Flash in our world, is dropped into this reality created, I believe, by the Reverse Flash through his going into the past and making crucial changes in the world these super-characters know. Geoff Johns headlines this event once again, where for instance Batman is a major casino owner, and the Green Lantern is Abin Sur rather than Hal Jordan. Naturally there are many dark deeds going on in this dystopian reality, but Barry Allen finds he is NOT The Flash in this world, and while he has some happy surprises, like his mother still being alive and well, he's also in for quite a few unhappy shocks.

The art by Andy Kubert and Sandra Hope is great, no complaints there. I don't know that I can get very involved in this storyline, though, knowing that it will be short-lived and probably will have no effect once DC relaunches their entire line in September. I certainly don't plan to read many of the myriad spinoff books, but will probably look at a few of them. This all feels more like a stunt than an important event to me, though.

Mildly recommended.