Comic Book Review – Flash: Rebirth #1
Context
Barry is back.
Story
In a recent interview with IGN, Geoff Johns responded to a question about the differences between bringing back Hal Jordan and Barry Allen. His response summed up this first issue well.
“… It was a lot different because Barry Allen returning is a pretty clean return as far as where he came from…We’ll get into how Barry came back and why Barry came back throughout Rebirth…The idea is to kind of take everything that’s come before and push it forward into a new direction…You’re supposed to have a hundred questions after reading Flash: Rebirth #1, and as we move forward those questions will be answered.”
I did have a hundred questions after reading this issue. After being burned by a few of DC’s recent events, I am more hesitant than usual when I read an issue and have to take a wait and see attitude. The difference here is the proven track record of Geoff Johns. His Green Lantern: Rebirth and subsequent work on the Green Lantern title gives me a little more patience – I will see where he is going with this. For the most part, this issue simply shows that Barry is back – although he is a little out of sorts. The rest of the issue revolves around members of the Flash community and their reactions to Barry’s return.
Art
Ethan Van Sciver is a fan of super tight details much like artists, George Perez and Phil Jimenez. Van Sciver tends to skew into Brian Bolland territory as well. His use of detail is excellent and some of his figures even cross into photo realism. The only drawback here is that his figures can be a little static at times when the story shifts into discussions between characters. Not every panel can be action filled but my eye does get a little bored in spots.
Van Sciver brings an event feel to the book and I am glad to have an upper tier talent like his on Barry’s return. Johns stated that he wants to take everything that had come before and move it in a new direction. This theme is also present in the book’s art. Ethan takes classic Flash artistic elements like speed lines and multiple images, combines them with more contemporary add-ons like the speed force lightning and still manages to give Barry a new look.
What to look for
Bart is also back and has apparently been converted into the voice of the fanboy!
What might put you off
There are questions and then there are things that just make me worry – Iris’s age and a new element to Barry’s origin are chief among these worries.
Recommendation
Some fans, like Bart, are upset about Barry’s return. If Barry has to come back – and it was inevitable in my mind – there is really no better person to do it than Johns. This needs to be on your pull list.
Credits
Title Flash: Rebirth
Issue Number 1
Publisher DC
Release Date 4/1/2009
Writer Geoff Johns
Artist Ethan Van Sciver
Letterer Rob Leigh
Colorist Alex Sinclair
Editor Joey Cavalieri
Reviewed by Geoff Jolliff
Related posts:
- “GREEN LANTERN: REBIRTH” #1 SELLS OUT
- FLASH: REBIRTH #2
- DC Brings Back Barry Allen
- “Green Lantern: Rebirth” #1 Gets Fourth Printing
- A few links of note: THE QUESTION, FLASH: REBIRTH
[...] Gamer’s Circle – “Some fans, like Bart, are upset about Barry’s return. If Barry has to come back – and it was inevitable in my mind – there is really no better person to do it than Johns. This needs to be on your pull list.” [...]