Buy Pile Report: The Flash

Yes, a special early Buy Pile Report, just for the three issues (which turns out to be just two issues) dealing with the big Flash event that came out today. The rest of today's goodies will be reported later.

And I warn you right off the bat, this one has more spoilers than McDonald's has Chicken McNuggets.

First off, I found out quickly in Flash: The Fastest Man Alive #13 that I had made an error... on the cover to this issue was not a decomposed older Flash, but rather "Black Flash," who shows up whenever a Speedster is about to die. Kinda like a Watcher in the Marvel U, only with very specific tastes.

And, I'll be upfront about it, Bart Allen dies. And he definitely dies, for the first time (to my knowledge) DC has killed a Speedster without an easy out. And the issue is pretty well done. While I have not been reading the first few parts of this arc, the conclusion did not have me lost in the woods.

What it lacked was real emotion. Whether it was because I haven't read much of this series lately, or because it was just not well done, I did not feel very much emotion for the death of a character I liked. What it had going for it was some very good action, and even better misdirection. For the briefest of moments, Gugenheim tries to get you to believe Black Flash is there to observe Inertia's death and not Bart's -- it's not a long enough moment to really convince you, just long enough for good natural storytelling.

But in the end, Bart is beaten to death. What we don't get from this issue is who the next Flash will be...

That comes in Justice League of America #10, the conclusion of the "Lightning Saga." A fantastic ending to the five-part JLA/JSA crossover includes the seven Legion members managing to bring WALLY WEST and family back to New Earth.

Not Barry Allen. Even though the issue leads you to believe it will be. Batman is the most visibly disappointed when he finds out Wally has returned and not Barry, making for a very good human moment from the Caped Crusader. On the other hand, Hal and Roy are thrilled to see Wally. I would think Hal would rather Barry as well, but maybe he was just happy to have ANYONE back. And, of course, Wally was immediately offered League membership.

Personally, if I were Wally I'd be up for a little R&R after all this time... maybe leave the kids with Jay for the weekend and take the wife out to the Caribbean? But nope, its right back to work.

And, just to touch on the Lightning Saga proper -- Starman is staying with the JSA (yay! Sloppy Joes!), and Val is staying on New Earth (though he doesn't know why).

Finally, Countdown #45, which was supposed to include current DC events, including the Flash stuff... Well, not only does it not have anything having to do with Bart, or Barry or Wally, it isn't even up to date on the Lighting Saga! It's like 1 month and a half behind!

I'm kinda enjoying Countdown, this issue is a little dull, but overall it's been good... But if this "Spine of the DC Universe" is not up on current events, then how is it a Spine at all? Half the pages in this issue is far far out of date useless filler.

Oh, and the cover of the issue, which would indicate that, following current events Val joins the JLA, makes NO SENSE AT ALL!

So, to Sum up it all: A little over a year ago, Wally West was removed from the picture and Bart was forced to grow up rapidly and become the new Flash. Now, that character, a GREAT Teenage character but dull grownup, has been killed just to bring Wally West back.

Am I the only one saying "What the %*&$?!?"