And Then I Read: THE FLASH 1 & 2

Images © DC Comics, Inc.

What an interesting choice for writers on this book: the artist and the colorist! I've been enjoying Francis Manapul's art on FLASH for some time, and Brian Buccellato does a fine job of coloring. I like to see folks broadening their creative options into other areas of comics, and came to this book hoping to enjoy it. And I did!

Flash's origin has been reset once again. Barry Allen is back in his police scientist day job, while Iris West is a reporter on the trail of his Flash alter-ego, but otherwise not involved with Barry. Flash seems to have some new tricks: a costume that forms around him in an instant, emanating from his Flash ring, for instance. He also seems to make a lot of mistakes, and feels new at this Flash thing, which is a nice touch. He's up against a gang of high-tech thieves, one of which he knows well, creating a moral dilemma for the speedster. Then there's his scientist friend Dr. Darwin Elias, who is helping Flash explore his abilities, and encouraging him to try to think as fast as he moves. I think this is a new angle for The Flash, and it's brought to life visually in interesting ways by Manapul:

His art continues to be completely charming, in a style that uses the softness of watercolors to great effect, and I guess part of that is the work of colorist Buccellato, too. Sal Cipriano's lettering also looks good, making this book a delight to read. Barry's super-speed thinking is a little hard to follow in places, but it's a much more interesting approach to his speed powers than I've seen in a while, so I'm willing to take the extra time to work it out.

Highly recommended.