Flashpoint #3 of 5 - Comic Book Review

Reviewed By: Ian Mintz

Publisher: DC Comics
Writers: Geoff Johns
Artist: Andy Kubert
Colorist: Alex Sinclair
Genre: Comic Book
MSRP: $3.99 USA
Rating: T (Teen)
Release Date: Available Now

This summer’s Flashpoint series is really starting to turn out to be one of DC Comic’s more intriguing and thrilling events that will eventually lead into a very promising DCU reboot that all of us here in this office cannot wait to check out. However, as far as this mini-series is concerned, what started off as an exciting beginning is – with issue #3 of Flashpoint – starting to feel rushed to the point that the story is getting too big to pile on the surprises.

This third issue in the series finds Barry Allen in real bad shape as he attempted and failed to recreate the lightening-induced event that turned him into the Flash in the first place. Barry is troubled by the fact that his old memories are slowly being replaced by those of this new reality so, obviously, he’s worried that he would forget everything about his old life and the people in his life that helped shape his life. When I say bad shape, I also mean physically because the flesh from his body looks worse than fried chicken.

Meanwhile, the President of the United States can no longer wait for Cyborg to pull off the ultimate miracle of banding all super-powered heroes together. With the Resistance never receiving the message from Colonel Trevor, the President suspects that maybe Cyborg’s recruit, The Outsider, might have been traitor that intercepted the message. As far as the American government is concerned, Cyborg is left out to hang and relieved of his duties.

Still, Barry isn’t one to give up and has Batman assist him for another attempt and this time the results are quite different from before. The hero we know as The Flash is back again and he’s even healing thanks to his power being restored … although, personally speaking, he looked damn cooler in his burnt up state. He even manages to make his old costume but Batman brings up a good point about his powers that should very well be at the same level as Reverse-Flash.

While he’s healing up nicely, his power isn’t fully regenerated yet to pull off a feat like turning back time. Instead, he suggests they find more allies … something that is becoming harder due to events having changed to the point that even the Green Lantern known as Abin Sur never passed on his ring to Hal Jordan. This leaves only one of the most powerful heroes he has ever known … Superman. Of course, the Man of Steel hasn’t made an appearance in this reality and Barry Allen wants to know why.

As it turns out, the ship that brought Kal-El to this planet didn’t quite land where it was suppose to and, as a result, the American government got their hands on him. Batman believes that the government might have this powerful being so he turns to the only person capable of accessing the government files … Cyborg. In an interesting twist, Batman strikes a deal with Cyborg if the Detroit hero could help them find the hero Barry calls Superman.

What Cyborg finds is a top-secret government project known as Project Superman and his exact location … an underground base somewhere in Metropolis. So the three heroes join together to break into an installation with some shocking revelations Superman fans will immediately recognize. Fighting off armed security the break into a vault holding a frail, pale figure who Barry Allen recognizes … to his horror. I will say no more about the thing that’s been locked away because you really have to see it for yourself. Let’s just say that you’ve never seen Superman quite like this.

There’s more as we get a glimpse of Lois Lane searching for The Resistance while trying to avoid being spotted by Wonder Woman’s soldiers. She manages to find them but I have to say that it’s not very impressive unless you’re a Canterbury Cricket fan or like The Grifter. In fact, I was somewhat disappointed how Lois Lane in England, err, New Themyscira was handled. It felt a bit rushed, like the rest of this issue’s story.

And this is the problem, the story is pushed ahead to obviously meet the five-issue demands but the story suffers for it slightly. I might be being a little nitpicky but this new reality is so interesting that it should take its time to sink into the readers’ minds. Sure, the Flashpoint event is linked to other comic book series but this series was meant to be the big picture. Geoff Johns is one of our favorite writers so I suppose we expected much more from him.

Flashpoint #3 isn’t a bad issue at all considering the big reveal that is Project Superman and Batman and Cyborg coming to an agreement is good stuff but it all just seems to be crammed in to the point that it kills the story. Still, this is the third issue so we hope the remaining two will keep up on the edge of our seat and yes, we want to see how this Superman will play a role in the tale.

COMIC REVOLUTION RATING BREAKDOWN

STORY: C+
Attempting to regain his Flash powers, Barry Allen makes yet another attempt with Batman by his side and it’s a success. However, he still isn’t strong enough to attempt changing the damage Reverse-Flash has caused the world and realizes what they need is the most powerful man on Earth. With the help of Cyborg, Batman and the Flash find the location of Project Superman and what they find is very surprising, indeed.

ART: A
Andy Kubert has been a favorite of everyone in this office and it’s no surprise he continues to make this series 100% pure satisfying eye candy. Add Alex Sinclair’s coloring work and Sandra Hope’s inking and you have a trio made in comic book heaven.

OVERALL: C+
The Flashpoint event is something worth savoring so trying to cram in as much as possible holds back this particular five-part series and it becomes evident in this issue. Sure, the Project Superman part of the story is awesome but other events seem mishandled. We love Geoff Johns but Flashpoint #3 could have been a lot better than what is seen here.

Review copy provided by DC Comics