A review by supeskenobi
Flashpoint by Geoff Johns
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Well what can I say? Perhaps the most consequential comics of the last fifteen years. The send off to the Pre-52 era of the D.C. Universe and (for better or for worse) the ushering in of the New-52, and yeah; it was good. Do I think it's the best thing to happen to comics since Frank Miller's 'Batman: The Dark Knight Returns'? No, but it's still an enjoyable read nevertheless. Now perhaps because it's taken me eleven years since becoming a comic book fan, to finally read it, I wasn't that blown away by the story. Again this could be due to me knowing about the story and the main plot beats through general osmosis, but it didn't take my breath away as much as it probably would have done had I read it ten or so years ago.
With Barry waking up in a universe where everything has changed, his mother being alive, Bruce Wayne was gunned down and Thomas Wayne becomes Batman instead etc, I never truly feel like the concepts of an altered timeline are explored to their fullest extent. Now that isn't to say that it isn't; hell having two members of the Justice League being responsible for a war that slaughters millions is a huge "wtf" moment, but for want of brevity; Johns doesn't truly allow the story to explore more of the world in which it is set in. I understand that Barry is the main focus of the story, but it just feels like window dressing more than anything; especially the few pages we get with Thawne until he is unceremoniously yeeted out of the story.
Again, this is a good and enjoyable story; but I do feel that the last decade has lifted it to a level of status that maybe it doesn't entirely deserve. Or maybe I came to the bloody thing too late? Who knows? Yet what I do know is that my to favourite elements of this comic, were: Thomas Wayne's Batman, a far more menacing character than his son's (and this isn't just because of his red eyes or homicidal tendencies) and the stunning artwork by Alex Sinclair and Andy Kubert.
Perhaps I ought to read some of the other Flashpoint titles, or seek out the animated adaptation 'Flashpoint Paradox', or watch this year's (2023) 'The Flash' movie. All in all, an enjoyable if rushed and crowded story; that might not be as legendary as it's status makes it out to be.
With Barry waking up in a universe where everything has changed, his mother being alive, Bruce Wayne was gunned down and Thomas Wayne becomes Batman instead etc, I never truly feel like the concepts of an altered timeline are explored to their fullest extent. Now that isn't to say that it isn't; hell having two members of the Justice League being responsible for a war that slaughters millions is a huge "wtf" moment, but for want of brevity; Johns doesn't truly allow the story to explore more of the world in which it is set in. I understand that Barry is the main focus of the story, but it just feels like window dressing more than anything; especially the few pages we get with Thawne until he is unceremoniously yeeted out of the story.
Again, this is a good and enjoyable story; but I do feel that the last decade has lifted it to a level of status that maybe it doesn't entirely deserve. Or maybe I came to the bloody thing too late? Who knows? Yet what I do know is that my to favourite elements of this comic, were: Thomas Wayne's Batman, a far more menacing character than his son's (and this isn't just because of his red eyes or homicidal tendencies) and the stunning artwork by Alex Sinclair and Andy Kubert.
Perhaps I ought to read some of the other Flashpoint titles, or seek out the animated adaptation 'Flashpoint Paradox', or watch this year's (2023) 'The Flash' movie. All in all, an enjoyable if rushed and crowded story; that might not be as legendary as it's status makes it out to be.