X-Lapsed, Episode 360 - Wolverine #21 (2022)

X-Lapsed, Episode Three Hundred Sixty

Wolverine (vol.7) 021 (July, 2022)
"Glory Daze"
Writer - Benjamin Percy
Art - Adam Kubert
Colors - Frank Martin
Letters - VC's Cory Petit
Design - Muller, Bowen
Head of X - Deadpool
Edits - Baumgartner, Basso, White, Cebulski
Cover Price: $3.99
On-Sale: May 18, 2022

Deadpool continues stumpin' for a spot on X-Force, while Wolverine... well, he pretty much just sighs and seethes, which is probably the right response to x-tended Deadpool dialogue!

A fun issue, full of action and actual humor!  Worth your time (unlike this program).

Plus: A dip into the Mailbag to chat up s'more Knights of X!

--

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X-Lapsed, Episode 350 - Wolverine #20 (2022)

X-Lapsed, Episode Three Hundred Fifty

Wolverine (vol.7) #20 (June, 2022)
"Trigger Warning"
Writer - Benjamin Percy
Art - Adam Kubert
Colors - Frank Martin & Dijjo Lima
Letters - VC's Cory Petit
Design - Muller, Bowen
Edits - Baumgartner, Basso, White, Cebulski
Cover Price: $3.99
On-Sale: April 20, 2022

We've finally arrived... it's the landmark, milestone three hundred fiftieth episode of X-Lapsed!  That said, it should come as no shock to anyone that our focus today will be on Wolverine!  The Canucklehead never fails to pop up when it's a nice round number!

We're taking Logan into the Destiny of X era, and a fun team-up with Deadpool.  Also: Curmudgeon Chris makes an appearance to complain about continuity errors, CGC slabs, and hashtag-x-spoilers!  Are you just as curmudgeonly as I am... or are you a bit more fun at parties?  I'd love to know!  Please share your thoughts!

Huge thanks to everyone who has come along on this three hundred and fifty part journey with me.  I do not have the skill to put into words what it truly means to me!

--

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X-Lapsed, Episode 268 - Wolverine #16 (2021)

X-Lapsed, Episode Two Hundred Sixty-Eight

Wolverine (vol.7) #16 (November, 2021) [LGY#358]

"Ill-Gotten Gains"

Writer - Benjamin Percy

Art - Adam Kubert

Colors - Espen Grundetjern w/Frank Martin

Letters - VC's Cory Petit

Design - Tom Muller

Head of X - Hickman

Edits - Amaro, Basso, White, Cebulski

Cover Price: $3.99

On-Sale: September 29, 2021

Welcome friends, to the October Finale of X-Lapsed... X-Men Unlimited notwithstanding!

Today we will discuss a rather unspectacular issue of Wolverine... and the X-Books Sales Charts for July, 2021!  It's a fun discussion I had with myself here, I hope you decide to check it out!

--

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X-Lapsed, Episode 253 - Wolverine #15 (2021)

X-Lapsed, Episode Two Hundred Fifty-Three

Wolverine (vol.7) #15 (October, 2021) [LGY#357]

"Deceiver"

Writer - Benjamin Percy

Art - Adam Kubert

Colors - Frank Martin

Letters - VC's Cory Petit

Design - Tom Muller

Head of X - Hickman

Edits - Amaro, Basso, White, Cebulski

Cover Price: $3.99

On-Sale: August 25, 2021

Wolverine and Seyvr Blackmore talk... and fight... then talk again...

That's really about it!

It's not BAD or anything... but, there isn't much more to say about it!

Plus - Mailbag, Shout-Outs, Thank Yous, and X-Men Green???

--

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X-Lapsed, Episode 239 - Wolverine #14 (2021)

X-Lapsed, Episode Two Hundred Thirty-Nine

Wolverine (vol.7) #14 (September, 2021) [LGY#356]

"The Unusual Suspects"

Writer - Benjamin Percy

Art - Adam Kubert

Colors - Frank Martin

Letters - VC's Cory Petit

Design - Tom Muller

Head of X - Hickman

Edits - Amaro, Basso, White, Cebulski

Cover Price: $3.99

On-Sale: July 28, 2021

It's the first Anniversary of X-Lapsed... and somehow Wolverine has weaseled his way into yet another X-Lapsed Milestone!

Today, friends... the comic is basically secondary, thankfully it's just Wolverine doing Wolverine things in Madripoor anyway, so, it's not like there's much to say anyway!

The real "meat" of this episode is the discussion of the genesis of X-Lapsed, and a celebration of the community we've built together over the past year.

Thank you all for helping me to get here... trust me when I say, I couldn't have done it without you!

--

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X-Lapsed, Episode 170 - Wolverine #10 (2021)

X-Lapsed, Episode One Hundred Seventy

Wolverine (vol.7) #10 (April, 2021) [LGY#352]

"Mercenaries"

Writer - Benjamin Percy

Art - Adam Kubert

Colors - Frank Martin

Letters - VC's Cory Petit

Design - Tom Muller

Head of X - Hickman

Edits - Amaro, Basso, White, Cebulski

Cover Price: $3.99

On-Sale: February 24, 2021

Wolverine and Maverick flee Madripoor (it's a lawless place, donchaknow!) and try to talk each other into leaving their way of life.  Wolverine would dig it if Mav came to live on Krakoa... while Mav thinks it would be cool if they teamed up as Mercs again.

Today they're going to go on one "last" caper together...

--

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X-Lapsed, Episode 156 - Wolverine #9 (2021)

X-Lapsed, Episode One Hundred Fifty-Six

Wolverine (vol.7) #9 (March, 2021) [LGY#351]

"Bidding War"

Writer - Benjamin Percy

Art - Adam Kubert

Colors - Frank Martin

Letters - VC's Cory Petit

Design - Tom Muller

Head of X - Hickman

Edits - Basso, White, Cebulski

Cover Price: $3.99

On-Sale: January 27, 2021

Place your bids, gang - it's time for an auction!

Logan's at Legacy House... and there's an interesting assortment of items up for grabs, indeed -- including his old running buddy with the funny-looking noseless mask!

Also: In lieu of a Mailbag Segment - we're taking a stab at fantasy-booking the replacement members of the Krakoan Quiet Council!

--

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X-Lapsed, Episode 145 - Wolverine #8 (2021)

X-Lapsed, Episode One Hundred Forty-Five

Wolverine (vol.7) #8 (February, 2021) [LGY#350]

"The Past Ain't Dead"

Writer - Benjamin Percy

Art - Adam Kubert & Viktor Bogdanovic

Colors - Antonio Fabela & Matthew Wilson

Letters - VC's Cory Petit

Design - Tom Muller

Head of X - Hickman

Edits - Amaro, Basso, White, Cebulski

Cover Price: $4.99

On-Sale: December 30, 2020

It's a Mutant Milestone!

Today we indulge in some good ol' Marvel "voodoo math" in order to get our titular hairy hero up to his 350th issue!  Here, believe it or not... Wolverine has to deal with someone from his past!  Also, a very interesting concept in the Legacy House Auctions... 

All that and our always great mailbag!

If you're digging the show... or at least appreciate the effort put into it, please consider spreading the word!  Thank you!

--

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X-Lapsed, Episode 080 - Wolverine #3 (2020)

X-Lapsed, Episode Eighty

Wolverine (vol.7) #3 (September, 2020)

"You Didn't See Nothing"

Writer - Benjamin Percy

Art - Adam Kubert

Colors - Frank Martin

Letters - VC's Cory Petit

Design - Tom Muller

Head of X - Hickman

Edits - Robinson, White, Cebulski

Cover Price: $3.99

On-Sale: July 22, 2020

Today we wrap up the first story arc of this Dawn of X volume of Wolverine... and answer such questions as: "Wouldn't it be funny if... Magneto got completely wasted and had his helmet stolen?"

Spoiler Alert: No.  No, it wouldn't.

--

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X-Lapsed, Episode 072 - Wolverine #2 (2020)

X-Lapsed, Episode Seventy-Two

Wolverine (vol.7) #2 (May, 2020)

"Your Own Worst Enemy"

Writer - Benjamin Percy

Art - Adam Kubert

Colors - Frank Martin

Letters - VC's Cory Petit

Design - Tom Muller

Head of X - Hickman

Edits - Robinson, White, Cebulski

Cover Price: $3.99

On-Sale: March 25, 2020

In which your stumblin', fumblin', humble host hits his personal "tipping point" as it pertains to mutant deaths.  Sure, the Resurrection Protocols of the HoXPoXDoXSoX era have changed the "rules"... but, with this issue, it's almost turned to parody.  We'll talk a lot about that today...

Also: More great listener mail!

--

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X-Lapsed, Episode 059 - Wolverine #1 (2020)

X-Lapsed, Episode Fifty-Nine

Wolverine (vol.7) #1 (April, 2020)

"The Flower Cartel"

"Catacombs"

Writer - Benjamin Percy

Art - Adam Kubert & Viktor Bogdanovic

Colors - Frank Martin & Matthew Wilson

Letters - VC's Cory Petit

Design - Tom Muller

Head of X - Hickman

Edits - Robinson, White, Cebulski

Cover Price: $7.99

On-Sale: February 19, 2020

Welcome friends, to Wave Two of the Dawn of X line (also the 400th Program uploaded to the Chris and Reggie Channel)!

Today we've got a Wolverine two-fer - two complete stories... well, two complete "part ones", to kick off the berzerker's seventh (oi) volume.  One's got some Drug Cartel stuff... the other is all about vampires.  Woof.  Plenty of good conversation will be had, and there is some great listener mail to boot!

--

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Action Comics #846 (2007)

Action Comics #846 (February, 2007)
"Last Son, Part Three"
Writers - Geoff Johns & Richard Donner
Artist - Adam Kubert
Color Artist - Dave Stewart
Letterer - Rob Leigh
Associate Editor - Nachie Castro
Editor - Matt Idelson
Cover Price: $2.99

We're really taking our time getting through "Last Son", huh?  I guess I'm just trying to make this as similar an experience today as it was ten years ago.  With our delays here, we're getting the "genuine" Last Son experience... delays aplenty!

I think by this point, the delays weren't so out of hand yet... but there will come a point where they fit whole story arcs between the chapters just to keep Action Comics on the shelves!  Of course, that doesn't matter to we folks in the enlightened future... but, back in the day... boy howdy was it annoying.

We get the impression that comic creators don't sweat the delays these days... due to the fact that everything gets a "collected edition".  While that's not incorrect... it's just so dismissive of the core-monthly-reader.  Being one of those monthly readers... it often makes me wonder why I take funnybooks so seriously, when the folks being paid to produce 'em don't seem all that interested.

Anyhoo... there's a rant for another day!  Let's get on with today's chat.

--

We open the same way we've opened the previous couple of chapters of "Last Son", right in front of the Fortress of Solitude projection of Jor-El.  This time, however, he's not being summoned by his son... but General Zod and the gang!  Zod decides to ask "Jor-El" to spill his digital guts about... General Zod.  The projection then gives us the quick and dirty on the Phantom Zone.

Zod takes exception to his being referred to as a criminal, and claims that had Jor-El listened to him Krypton wouldn't have suffered the fate it had.  The trio then take a quick tour of the facilities... and note both Kal-El's apparent sentimentality... as well as nabbing the Phantom Zone Projector!  Worth noting, we can see that Mon-El currently occupies the space.

Back in Metropolis, Lois and Clark try to get their story straight about "Chris" Kent.  In a cute bit, they pop a pair of glasses on his head and hope for the best.

Inside, just as the Kents are chatting up Jimmy Olsen... the Daily Planet Building is attacked by heat-vision a'plenty!  Jimmy sets off his Signal Watch as Clark rushes off to "supe up".  Before he can, however, he is attacked from behind by Non.

Superman hits the ground and finds himself knelt... before Zod.  Thankfully they don't say that though.  Zod is surprised to find that he doesn't need to introduce himself... Kal's done his homework on Krypton's history.  It's pretty clear that this is intended to be their first face-to-face encounter, which kinda sucks... because that undoes a pretty important post-Crisis story arc.

Back inside the Planet, Ursa confronts Lois and "Chris"... and insists that her Son, Lor-Zod be returned to her.

Outside, Zod and Superman do the old pro-wrestling "test of strength" thang while they shout at each other.  Zod claims that he will turn Earth into a "New Krypton"... and introduces us all to his Army... including a scientist named Jax-Ur, who thanks the quick and dirty "Phantom Zone 101" we just got, we know he was the first Kryptonian to have been exiled.

With Superman disoriented, Zod decides to play his trump card... he reveals that Jax-Ur is carrying a Phantom Zone Projector, and uses it to banish the Man of Steel.

To be (duh) continued...

--

Another very good chapter of "Last Son".

Before going into the... whatever it is we do under the second set of hyphens, I just want to express my relief that Johns and Donner fought the urge to include a "Kneel Before...".  I was bracing for it, I'm not gonna lie.  It was definitely a pleasant surprise not to be "memed" here.  I think "Kneel Before Zod" is up there with "One Punch" in overused, overrated, and just plain annoying things about DC Comics.  The less we see/hear both, the better.

As for the chapter... we get a fair amount of forward momentum, and have a question or two answered.  We know that Chris Kent is really called Lor-Zod, and we get clarification on some post-Crisis events that never actually happened... or happened with other criminals?

Gotta remember, this is that era I refer to as the "Nebulous Interim"... that time between Infinite Crisis and Superman: Secret Origin, where everything is kind of "up in the air" (pun!).  Nobody knew for sure what was coming along from the post-Crisis status quo into the post-(other)Crisis.  I may not dig that the final John Byrne arc has been retconned out (or just plain erased), but was happy for any clarification we received at this point.

Overall... a fun, action-heavy issue.  Might not be the best read on its own, but as part of the "Last Son" story arc, it's a really good time.  Adam Kubert really shines here, and uses some very interesting and dynamic panel-placement.  Definitely worth a look.  Available digitally.

--

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Action Comics #845 (2007)

Action Comics #845 (January, 2007)
"Last Son, Part Two"
Writers - Geoff Johns & Richard Donner
Artist - Adam Kubert
Colorist - Dave Stewart
Letterer - Rob Leigh
Associate Editor - Nachie Castro
Editor - Matt Idelson
Cover Price: $2.99

It's been a little while since we discussed Part One of "Last Son"... guess I got sidetracked by other stuff.  Kinda poetic in a way though, considering how the story itself was plagued by infuriating delays the first time around too!  Hey-yooo...

Anyhoo, delays aside... I think this will be a fun one to revisit.  Let's do it!

--

We open at the Fortress of Solitude where Superman is presenting the recently-arrived Kryptonian Boy to the crystal computer simulation of Mr. Oz.  He's looking for answers, unfortunately... the Jor-El simulation doesn't have any.  I mean, whattaya expect?  Anyhoo, Superman then asks the lad (in Kryptonese... translated Kryptonese!) if he'd like to learn how to fly.

We move ahead to Smallville... where Lois and Clark are chatting up the Kents about what they ought to do with the little feller.  Pa suggests that they... adopt him.  Lois doesn't appear too keen on the idea, though Clark seems to be on board immediately.  The lad floats into the Kent kitchen and asks Lois why she doesn't feel like she and Clark could be his parents... and he does so, in English!

Later and Elsewhere, Lex Luthor is attempting to tap a phone call between Superman and Sarge Steel.  He manages to break through, and learns where the pair are going to meet and decide the fate of their strange little visitor.  Lex then frees his "backwards friend"... that, ya know... the cover has already spoiled.

We shift ahead to the meeting site, which to Sarge Steel's surprise... is a full-blown press conference.  This makes complete sense, as it inhibits Sarge's ability to conduct himself in an underhanded manner.  Smart stuff here!  Unfortunately, just as Superman is about to announce his plan for the Super-boy... an uninvited guest appears to crash the party.

In a really brutal bit, Bizarro scans the crowd looking for the Super-boy.  He grabs one, believing it to be the right one... and snaps his arm to test him!  When the bone breaks, Bizarro realizes he's got the wrong one... and so, he just hurls him away!  I really like this... it ups the danger-factor on Bizarro in a big way.  This isn't the (almost) lovable goof Bizarro... this is a scary monster!

Following some mighty impressive panels depicting Bizarro's city-wide rampage, he hurls a school bus in Superman's direction.

The bus... gets some really good hang time... flying through a nearby building, and landing right on top of the Super-boy!

Lois approaches the crushed bus and finds the Super-boy standing inside... he is unharmed, but clearly shaken.  Nearby, Bizarro attempts to break his own car-toss record by hurling a truck at the Daily Planet globe...

Acting fast, the new Super-boy leaps into action... catching the Daily Planet globe before it crushes Lois Lane.  By this point, Superman has already neutralized Bizarro... using his super-breath to freeze him where he stands.

Shifting ahead, we rejoin Lois and Clark in the park (rhyme!).  Lois has come around to the idea of adopting the lad... and even gives him the name Christopher.  I think that's a mighty fine name... and thankfully, so does her husband.

We close out this chapter... with the arrival of Chris Kent's biological parents... General Zod and Ursa... the (no longer dead) Phantom Zone Criminals.

--

The thought that keeps flashing through my head is that this is "Decompression Done Right".

Sure, there's a bit of padding here (you could probably read it in less than five minutes)... but also, more than enough actually happens in the issue to make it feel worthwhile.  I mean, I could've done without the Fortress of Solitude/Jor-El crystal computer pages... and the four-pages spent on introducing General Zod were a bit much, but still... we actually got a fair amount of story-progression here.

I'm not going to mention... or, at least I'm going to try not to mention all of the delays this story faced a decade ago.  Anybody tracking these issues (or trades) down today won't have the proper frame of reference for that anyway.  When we discuss "Last Son", I'm going to try and focus the commentary on only what's inside the book.

So... what do we get?  Let's start with Bizarro.  A character I feel I really need to be "in the mood" for.  I really don't get the gag... and I gotta be looking for a certain type of story to really appreciate him.  Here, however... he's depicted as goal-oriented and scary!  He has his orders... and goes so far as to break a young boy's arm just to see if he's the Super-boy he's looking for!  That's a scary villain... and illustrates the potential (non-silly) Bizarro stories really have!

The adoption story... kinda just happens.  It's been... a long time since I read this last, so I don't remember how/if they explain it.  It's not that I have a real problem with it... it's not like it's permanent.  Even back in ye old 2007, I think we knew that.  Although... Kon-El was dead at this point... and we didn't actually have a Super-boy in the world.  Also... Superman himself was adopted... so there is a parallel there.  Ehh... maybe there is an argument to be made... and maybe some folks thought it might be permanent.

We get a look at just how, I dunno... small the DCU is perceived to be.  Lois and Clark worry that people will connect the dots between the Kryptonian castaway and their new adoptive Son.  I mean, aren't there millions of people in Metropolis alone?  Noting (and running with) commonalities like this is taking an awfully big leap.  Maybe it's just me.  I think these are "coincidences" that we readers should notice... but really shouldn't be brought to light inside the books.

My only complaint would be that the scene transitions feel a bit disjointed.  I'm not sure if this was a Donner thing... where he was picturing a movie transition, which might be accompanied by sweeping camera work and a soundtrack... because this feels unlike a "normal" Geoff Johns book in this regard.  It didn't completely pull me out... but I did notice the wonkiness.

Overall... this was a fine chapter... featuring some wonderful Adam Kubert art.  It's the cliche "feast for the eyes"... discounting Clark (and Bizarro's) emo haircut, this was really great stuff!  I think I'd certainly give this storyline a recommendation.  It's well worth a look.

--

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Flashpoint #1 (2011)

Flashpoint #1 (July, 2011)
"Flashpoint, Chapter One of Five"
Writer - Geoff Johns
Penciller - Adam Kubert
Inker - Sandra Hope
Colorist - Alex Sinclair
Letterer - Nick J. Napolitano
Editors - Adam Schlagman & Rex Ogle
Executive Editor - Eddie Berganza
Cover Price: $3.99

Welcome friends to our SEVEN HUNDREDTH Daily Discussion!  Dassa lotta days... in fact in one month (plus one day) we'll be at this thing for two solid years!

Now, for these milestone posts I like to take a look at "important" books... important to DC/Comics history, or important to my fandom.  They're usually books that helped embolden my fan-hood... but today, we're going to go the other direction.

Flashpoint was the event that nearly drove me away.  Not so much for the story, but for everything surrounding it.  Summer shelves absolutely flooded with tie-ins that wouldn't mean anything come the Fall (checklist below)... and of course, that whole flushing 70+ years of history down the toilet for short-term gain thing.  Honestly, if you were to tell me back in the Fall of 2011 that I'd still be this invested in DC Comics in 2018... I doubt I'd believe it.

Now, I haven't re-read this since the very day it came out.  I still remember where I was... I was working on-the-road for a windshield repair company, and I was sitting in a dirt driveway up in New River, Arizona waiting for a customer to come home.

I was really excited to see what this was all about... gotta remember, we didn't have all the information on The New-52! yet.  All we knew for sure was "new #1's"... and that things were going to be different coming out the other end.

Well... they say time heals all wounds, so let's peel off the cast and see if we got any scars after a half-decade.

--

We open, and if it wasn't already clear from the title and cover... this is a Flash story.  We get a quick and dirty on Barry's childhood, his relationship with his mother... her murder, and his chemical-n-lightning bath.  From there, we get an even quicker and dirtier look at his adulthood... his marriage to Iris, and the formation of the Flash family (including one of the few times we see Wally's daughter in her Impulse duds).

We pop into the present, as Barry is shaken awake at the precinct.  Turns out Miss Alchemy is on the loose... and Central City's greatest hero, Citizen Cold is on the case.  Wait, what?  If you think we're confused... just look at Barry.  He offers that Captain Cold is a member of the Rogues... a group that, well... nobody's heard of.

Our man rushes off to check what's going on... and finds that he's not moving as quick nor as gracefully than he's accustomed.  He trips, falling down a flight of stairs... landing at the feet of, his mother?!

After a reunion scene, which I'm sure is supposed to be far more touching and emotional than it appears, Barry reveals to his mother that he is the Flash.  She... never hoid've him.  Other things Nora has no clue about... the Justice League and Super-Man.  She does know Batman though... because, c'mon... you think Batman's not going to be front and center during a DC Comics event?!  Don't be re-deek-u-los.

Sticking with Batman for a moment, we catch him "rooftop chasing" a colorful character named Yo-Yo... an associate of the Joker, who has just kidnapped Judge Dent's twins.  Hmm, I remember a long time ago Harvey Dent kidnapped a pair of twins.  Anyhoo, she tells Batman that the kids are likely already dead... and so, he tosses her off the edge of the building!

Lucky for her, she lands in Cyborg's waiting arms.  Batman didn't appear to know he was there though... so, it's quite likely he was planning for her to die.

Now Vic is there because "they" need Batman's help.  It's here that we meet hologram versions of all the heavy-hitters of the Flashpoint Universe.

Back with Barry, he decides to pop in on Iris before heading to dinner with his mother.  Nora isn't familiar with any "Iris", and asks if it's some new friend of his.  Inside the offices of the Central City Citizen, we see that Iris has already got a man.  Barry ain't tryin' to hear that, see... so he runs back outside... just as ol' Nora is briefly greeted by a familiar-looking yellow-and-red blur.  Barry asks if he can borrow his mother's car... because he's gotta git.

Back in Gotham, the "heroes" of the Flashpoint Universe continue their hologram-conference... discussing how they might work together to fight off the warring Amazons and Atlanteans.  It's here that we learn that Aquaman and Wonder Woman aren't all that friendly in the here-and-now.  Oh yeah, also... Western Europe isn't a "thing" anymore.  Well, that's not entirely true... it's just not a thing above sea-level anymore.

Now the Flashpointers are a rag-tag bunch of characters... and don't seem to get along all that well.  They understand the threat before them... but still don't entirely trust one another to do the right thing.  Rac Shade's Secret Seven put it to a vote... and agree to throw in.

Then the Batson Clan decide to defer to Captain Thunder.  He appears, wearing a scarred (at the hands of Wonder Woman) face... and so, he's down to throw down on Diana.

Batman, however, still isn't convinced.  He informs Cyborg of his chances before splitting.  The holograms are rightfully annoyed... and Vic is left all by his lonesome.

We rejoin Barry as he's entering Gotham City.  He heads directly to Wayne Manor... finding it in complete disrepair.  He makes his way passed the grandfather clock and into the Batcave... which is also comparably desolate.

It's not long before Barry finds himself jumped by Batman.  He tries to talk him down by referring to him as "Bruce"... which, doesn't really work all that well.  Batman informs our man that Bruce is dead.

It's now that Barry realizes he's talking to a different Wayne altogether... Bruce's father Thomas.

--

Well, well, well... ya know what?  I really dug this!  Without all of The New-52! baggage (and my own sour grapes), this was an awesome way to introduce us to this crazy Flashpoint Universe and short-term status quo.

For an event... this is a really interesting study.  This feels not entirely unlike Marvel's House of M from the mid-2000's.  While nothing will ever convince me that The New-52! was the "plan all along", I don't doubt for a second that Flashpoint was always going to "shake up the status quo".  House of M ended with "No More Mutants", which changed the Marvel landscape for years... I'm sure Flashpoint would have had a similar result before The New-52! edict came down from on high.

The mystery here is very well crafted... and manages to touch on some very uncomfortable situations for Barry.  Let's start with his loss of speed.  His ability to run is second nature... now, gone.  Then... he reunites with his mother.  It's... uneasy.  I mean, sure he's happy to see her... but he knows that something's not right.  It's not supposed to be this way.  Then... Iris.  She's no longer his wife... and, in fact, never was!  It's kinda Twilight Zone-light... however, if you're a reader with any history with Barry... this is quite riveting!

The Flashpoint "heroes"... I can take or leave.  Some of the redesigns and reimaginings are cool, but it feels kind of like an afterthought.  Just filling space... and facilitating the skatey-eight hundred disposable miniseries that spun out this Summer (again, checklist below).

I dug Cyborg taking the lead here, though.  From all of the New-52! promotional images, we knew that Vic was going to be thrust into the spotlight as a member of the Justice League... replacing Martian Manhunter as a founder, even!  I didn't see any problem giving him a bit of a "shine" here... and though he'll always be a Titan to me, I've grown to accept Vic in his new role.

The Thomas Wayne reveal at the end... I don't remember if this was much of a shock back in the day.  I'm struggling to remember how much of this was spoiled for us in solicits... or by the comics "press" clawing and climbing over one another to "break" things first.  I always thought it would have been neat to end this with Thomas actually meeting the "real" Batman... and having a touching reunion with him... only to have it later revealed that he'd actually met Dick Grayson (who was also Batman at the time).  I think that could've been an interesting vein to tap.

Now, as a simple status-quo shake-up (as I'm 99% sure it was originally intended to be), I would have had no problems with this event.  I think we comics fans get a bad rap... creators and editorial like to razz us about "demanding change" all the while "resisting" the changes they make.  I'd like ya to look back on the last thirty-plus years of comics history... and think about just how often things change.  There really is no status quo anymore... and there hasn't been one in ages.  

I swear Marvel has been using cut-and-paste press releases for well over a decade.  "Shake the Universe to it's foundations" "everything you knew was wrong" "threatening to break the internet in half" "hero versus hero" "shocking new direction".  It's all the same stuff... disguised as change... sort of as a shield, so they can blame the fans for "refusing to accept" when it all goes to hell.  Which it does, year after year.

That's not entirely fair to Marvel though... at least they didn't toss their entire history into the dumpster for short-term gain and brief "mainstream" exposure.  I grew up a Marvel kid... so, I knew there'd always be a "home" for me in comics.  There would always be X-Men books worth checking out.  Boy, if I knew then what I know now... yikes.  Seriously though, it was Marvel that kept me coming back to the shop week after week post-Flashpoint.  If not for them, I'd almost certainly have given up.

Now... if the Marvel of today was around when DC did The New-52!... I can safely say that I probably would have walked away from comics altogether.  Right now, for the first time in thirty years I have zero Marvel books on my pull-list... and back in the Fall of 2011, I went from picking up just about every DC release to... maybe four books.  Yeah, I think I'd have probably fallen off altogether.




Reggie and I discussed the Summer of 2011 at length during a "Real Comics History" bit earlier this year (above)... and, I kvetched about all the DC betrayal... which wasn't entirely focused on loss of the lore.  I was also annoyed by the amount of money I had spent during 2010-2011... on books with Brightest Day emblazoned across the top.  We were promised that this was all headed somewhere... and, it just kinda fizzled out.  Of course, I bought every single issue of every single tie-in off the rack... at full price... but, whattayagonnado?

Also, I was suspicious about the timing of the deluge of tie-ins.  Unlike when DC ran Convergence in 2015, back in 2011 the tie-ins were released alongside the already running (limping) ongoing titles.  I have a sneaking suspicion this was done to tank sales of the ongoings... to make the sales of The New-52! launches look even more impressive.  That's just me though... and doesn't really affect all that much.

So... is Flashpoint worth reading?  Sure.  It's a good story, with fantastic art.  Would I still recommend it if Rebirth never happened?  Who's to say?  For what it is... I'd say it's worth at least a flip-through.  It's been collected and is available digitally.  Also available digitally FOR FREE is the Flashpoint Companion.  I understand there's also been an animated feature based on this... which I cannot really speak to, but if that's you're thing... you might just dig it!

Now... for my usual sappy milestone thank you's.  A lot of stuff can happen in 700 days.  Since starting this humble blog, I've finished college... had a house built... I wouldn't have bet that I'd make it seven days straight, much less seven-hundred.

It's because of the friendships I've made in the comics fan community that I keep doing this... and have been afforded the opportunity to expand my reach via podcasting, and contributing on other sites that will have me.  I won't lie, there are times where it feels like a self-imposed chore... but, I'm very happy that I've kept at it.

As always, I'm hesitant to "name names" because I'm afraid I'll leave somebody out.  If you're reading this far... you're on the list!  If you've given me a follow, a read, a share... or reached out to say "hey", I humbly and sincerely thank you.  I don't do this for money, or "cred"... I do this because I genuinely love sharing comics... and stories of my comics fandom.  It's in sharing our fandom that we get the most out of these longboxes.  Now, I can't lie... there are times it feels like I'm just talking to myself... but, I suppose there are worse fates.

I think I've gone on long enough... and have greedily taken several minutes of your day that you'll never get back.  So, I'll wrap it up here... with one final THANK YOU.

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