Once Upon a Geek

Dude … Friggin’ Sweet!  Mattel keeps finding ways to get my money!  They are planning to put out quite possibly the coolest Aquaman figure of all time!  In 1986, there was a fantastic Aquaman mini-series by Neal Pozner and Craig Hamilton.  In this series, they gave Aquaman a new costume (supposedly designed to be underwater camouflage).  Regardless of the reasons for the new suit, the design was great.  This was a costume that looked like it belonged on a water-based hero.  While the mini-series is still fondly remembered by just about everyone, the costume did not last.  Tempest (formerly Aqualad) now wears a modified red version of this suit.  Nice job, Mattel!  As long as you keep making quality figures like these, I’ll keep buying them!

My thanks to Rob over at The Aquaman Shrine for the heads up on this new figure.  Here is the whole group of Mattel DC Universe Classics figures they showcased at San Diego Comic Con.  The Blue Beetle figure looks great!  Also, check out these awesome JSA figures from DC Direct!

Thanks to everyone who stopped by during FLASH WEEK.  Based upon comments and unique visitors, it appears to have been well received.  Just a few additional pieces worth mentioning that came up after last week …

Flash Companion by TwoMorrows Publishing

The highly-anticipated Flash Companion was recently published by TwoMorrows (the company that puts out the magazines “Back Issue” and “Alter Ego”).  I just picked up my copy on Monday.  I flipped through it quickly and was thoroughly impressed.  If nothing else, it’s worth it for Craig Rousseau’s artistic tribute to Mike Wieringo on page 167 (yes, I teared up like a sissy when I saw it).  It’s full of interviews and analysis on all the various incarnations of the Flash.

You can also hear some of the inside scope on this book by listening to my buddy Michael Bailey’s podcast, “Views from the Longbox“.  He interviewed the editor Keith Dallas and had a great discussion; well worth your time.

• Views from the Longbox: The Keith Dallas Conversation Part 1
• Views from the Longbox: The Keith Dallas Conversation Part 2

Update on the future of Wally West

During a recent Comic Book Resources interview, Ethan Van Sciver (artist of the upcoming “Flash: Rebirth”) mentioned he’s working on a redesign for Wally’s costume.  So I guess that confirms that Barry will retain the classic Flash costume, while Wally will undergo some form of alteration to his uniform.  Kind of bums me out.  I just hope Wally’s new uniform doesn’t look goofy.  It wouldn’t surprise me if Wally ends up with an open cowl exposing his red hair (like he had in his Kid Flash costume).

Are there any changes in store for current Flash Wally West’s costume?

“I’m redesigning Wally West’s costume right now, and it’s terrifying.” While Sinestro’s costume, with its seemingly random blue color and “jester collar,” was ready for a redesign in Van Sciver’s eyes, “Wally West is the most perfectly designed costume ever, aside from Green Lantern’s costume, in my opinion.” Van Sciver said the challenge was to redo the costume without either making it less cool or more cool than Barry Allen’s and thus implying that one character is better than the other.

Noting some audience member’s skepticism about bringing Barry back at all, Van Sciver explained his motivation for doing so. “I want Barry to come back and be King Arthur. He’s the most straight-laced, perfect Flash, rigid in his morality and his ethics,” making the looser, cooler, more laid-back Wally a Lancelot figure. Van Sciver told the audience “Kick me in the ass if I fail.”

Speed Force.org

Finally, my thanks to Kelson over at Speed Force.org for pimping FLASH WEEK here at ONCE UPON A GEEK.  I really enjoy his blog and appreciate his support.  If it weren’t for his blog, I wouldn’t have heard about the Comic Book Resources interview with Ethan Van Sciver above.  I also agree whole-heartedly with his recent post, “What I want to see after Flash: Rebirth“.

If you like the themed week concept, drop me a line.  I’m considering doing more based around other characters.  As always, thanks for reading!

About two weeks ago I wrote a post about FINAL CRISIS: REQUIEM and the relationship between Martian Manhunter & Hal Jordan. You may recall I felt that Martian Manhunter and Hal Jordan didn’t really have an established strong relationship and I felt some scenes in REQUIEM rang hollow. Well… the webmaster of “The IDOL-HEAD of DIABOLU, a Martian Manhunter blog” follow-up on my thoughts and expounded upon them in a post of his own.

Wow!  Frank Lee Delano (the webmaster of IDOL-HEAD) really knows his stuff!  He took my thoughts and really ran with them.  He reinforced my opinion with numerous facts and history between these two characters.

Stop by the IDOL-HEAD of DIABOLU and check it out!  While you’re there, take a look at all the other great posts about the history of Martian Manhunter.

FLASH WEEK concludes here at ONCE UPON A GEEK…

Okay, first let me say that I’m in New Orleans and smashed as hell.  Seriously, I’m friggin’ hammered right now.  I’m drinking my second hurricane, after several drinks (which included a “hand grenade”).  I sorta kinda can’t feel my face right now.  So whatever I say in the next few paragraphs may be stream of consciousness.  Needless to say, I’m feeling pretty good right now.  

In regard to the future of the Flash:

First, there is the current monthly Flash comic that will continue for at least a while longer.  You can see upcoming issues at DC Comics.com.

From what Geoff Johns said during interviews, Bart Allen will return in “Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds“.  It wouldn’t surprise me if he becomes the Flash of the 31st century going forward.  You could retroactively squeeze this time in his last issue as the Flash.  After he figures out he’s going to die, and before the rogues kill him.  Or it may be revealed that the adult Bart was from a parallel Earth.

“Flash: Rebirth” starring Barry Allen is on the horizon.  It’s coming our way, whether we like it or not.  So watch for this mini-series by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver.

It’s pretty much an accepted assumption that there will be a subsequent monthly series to follow-up on “Flash: Rebirth”.  The real question is who this series follows. Will it strictly follow the adventures of Barry Allen, or will it alternate between Barry, Wally, and Jay?  Also, which Flash will be a member of the JLA?

Additionally, there have been LOTS of discussions recently about the potential live-action “Justice League” movie,  This project has been on and off again … so who knows what will happen.

Looking forward, Wally’s daughter (Iris West) eventually took on the mantle of Kid Flash during Kingdom Come.  She currently appears in the Flash comic.  Whether she eventually graduates to the “Kid Flash” role remains to be seen.

John Fox is the Flash of the Justice Legion Alpha.  He’s the Flash of the future that spent some time in our era.  Cool character.  

Wrapping up FLASH WEEK here at ONCE UPON A GEEK, here are a few web sites of interest:

Flash: Those Who Ride the Lightning

Crimson Lightning

Speed Force

Long live the fastest men (and women) alive!

FLASH WEEK continues here at ONCE UPON A GEEK…

Today I decided to highlight some of Flash’s exploits captured for television.

This first clip is probably the best TV Flash moment ever! It stars the Wally West Flash from the Justice League Unlimited episode “Divided We Fall”. The voice was provided by Michael Rosenbaum.

This next one is from “Justice League: New Frontier” starring the Barry Allen Flash.  The voice was provided by Neil Patrick Harris.  Yup, that’s Doogie playing the fastest man alive!

This next one is the opening of the 1960’s animated series.  If you play this one, be aware that the first few seconds are just a black screen.

The opening & closing credits from the 1990 live action “Flash” TV series starring John Wesley Shipp.  Love that Danny Elfman theme!

Here is a nice clip of Impulse on Smallville played by Kyle Gallner.

Normally I don’t go in for the fake music videos on YouTube, however, the following is a good one that showcase’s Kid Flash on the recent “Teen Titans” cartoon. The voice for Kid Flash was done by Michael Rosenbaum, the same guy who did the voice of the Flash on the Justice League cartoons.  By the way, an added bonus to watching this music video is that I didn’t have to suffer through an actual episode of “Teen Titans”. 

And I’d be remiss if I didn’t include a clip from the totally camp 1979 “Legend of the Superheroes”.  Wow, this is really terrible.

Sorry that I’m missing a few clips of the Flash, however, I have my reasons:

• I couldn’t find any decent video recordings to post that highlighted the Flash character in the “Justice League” live-action failed pilot from 1997.  However, here is an image of Kenny Johnston in costume from the show.  Be thankful this pilot failed.
• I was surprised that I wasn’t able to find any decent scenes starring the Flash from the Super Friends cartoons.  Very disappointed in that.
• I didn’t include the Flash appearance from ”Superman: The Animated Series” and/or “The Batman” cartoon.  I felt he was too similar to the Justice League version to merit posting a video of it here.

Enjoy!

FLASH WEEK continues here at ONCE UPON A GEEK…

Today we’re talking about my Flash collecting and spotlighting some of my favorite covers.

As I mentioned on Monday, I didn’t start collecting the Flash comic faithfully until 1992 with Mark Waid’s run.  However, I had managed to pick-up several issues here and there prior to 1992.  I always liked the Flash, but for whatever reason the comics didn’t captivate me enough to merit collecting on an ongoing basis.  I was actually surprised when I counted the other day and realized I owned 37 issues of the Barry Allen run of the Flash.  The bulk of my run was from issues 289 - 309; this was primarily because of the Firestorm & Doctor Fate back-up stories in those issues.  Here are a few of my favorite covers from that series.

Death of Iris issue, and it features a guy dressed up as the golden age Sandman on the cover.  Awesome!

Gotta love some Firestorm action!  After appearing as a back-up for several issues, Firestorm actually got to team-up with Flash in this one.

Carmine Infantino is credited with the following cover, but I swear that looks like a Keith Giffen Doctor Fate.  My suspicion is supported by the fact that Keith Giffen drew the Doctor Fate back-up in this issue.

By the way, did I ever tell you that I’m a big Trickster fan?  Love that character!

I’m also a big Justice League of America collector.  I have nearly every issue from 100 of the original series onward (that’s over 400 comics).  Here are a few of my favorite JLA covers featuring the Flash (I even threw in one JLE cover for good measure).  Going through this recently, I was surprised the Flash wasn’t prominently featured on more JLA covers. 

For Wally’s run of the Flash, I’ve managed to go back and get lots of issues prior to Waid’s run.  Out of the 242 issues published so far, I’m missing 56 issues (some in the 30’s, some in the 50’s, 160’s, 170’s, and 180’s).  Sadly I have to admit that I missed out on the first part of Geoff John’s Flash run.  About the time Mark Waid finished his run, I was looking to cut back on my monthly spending.  I saw a good “jumping off” point with Flash, so I took it.  Obviously I now regret that decision.  I’m in the process of picking up the trades for the early Geoff Johns issues.  Here are some of my favorite covers from Wally’s Flash series.

My all-time favorite Flash cover.  Drawn by the late Michael Turner.  Say what you will about his art, I think this cover is awesome!

 A nice creepy cover from Wally’s early days as the Flash.

Another great cover by another fantastic artist taken too soon… Mike Wieringo.  It honestly took me a little while to warm to his style.  But once I “got” his style, I couldn’t get enough.

I’ve always loved the cover above.  Interestingly enough, I didn’t realize until today that this was actually a tribute to an old Barry cover.

Not a lot of good things I can say about Bart’s run as the Flash.  While the series did improve about halfway through, it really doesn’t stand out.  Here is one particular cover that I liked and some Impulse-related covers.

This next one is Bart’s first appearance.  I love how they positioned the word “Kid” just above Flash, especially since he went by Impulse back then.

I chose this next one because it is by Ethan Van Sciver (artist on the upcoming “Flash: Rebirth”), and this was the first issue in a run where Bart started to take his superhero role more seriously.  I think this helped eventually play into him becoming Kid Flash and then Flash.

 Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t showcase some Jay Garrick covers that I like.

The following cover is from the last issue of the short-lived, but fantastic, Justice Society of America series in 1992.  Once again, another great artist that was taken before their time… Mike Parobeck.   

Alex Ross is the best thing to happen to comics in the last 20 years.

Gotta respect the oldies…

Love me some Jerry Ordway and the 1980s portrayal of the WWII era.

The return of Jay’s old enemy called the Rival.

While I don’t own every issue I highlighted here, I do own most of them.  If you can think of any other fantastic Flash covers I missed, feel free to share!

Come back for more Flash action tomorrow…

FLASH WEEK continues here at ONCE UPON A GEEK…

Sorry if this is spoiling it for you, but Barry Allen came back from the dead in issue #2 of Final Crisis.  I’ve been ranting about this for a while here at ONCE UPON A GEEK and on THE UNIQUE GEEK list serv.  Since this is my blog, I’m going to continue to rant a bit more.

It was recently announced that in early 2009, there will be a “Flash: Rebirth” mini-series by Geoff Johns & Ethan Van Sciver (the guys who did “Green Lantern: Rebirth” and “Sinestro Corps War”).  This comic is going to reintroduce Barry Allen as the Flash to the DC Universe.  Geoff Johns has said that all the different Flashes will be touched upon in this mini-series (i.e. Jay Garrick and Wally West).  It’s also assumed this mini-series will lead into a monthly Flash book with Barry Allen in the lead role.

I have no doubt these comics will be well-written and be drawn excellently.  I’m envisioning a sort of superhero version of “CSI: Central City”.  My issue is with the lack of necessity in bringing Barry Allen back from the dead and the impact on Wally West.  I feel that bringing Barry back after being gone for 22 years is simply to satisfy the writer’s sense of nostalgia, rather than a story that grew naturally from the recent plotlines in the DCU.  Wally West was a very strong character that made an excellent Flash.  There is no denying that he was handled poorly since Infinite Crisis, but just like any other comic book problem it could have been fixed.  Instead now Barry Allen is going to take the spotlight as the primary DCU Flash, while Wally and Jay take a back-seat.

This really bums me out as the character of Wally West spent the past 20 years growing out of the shadow of Barry Allen and trying to live up to the heroic ideal that Barry represented.  Now with Barry back, Wally’s hero will once again be the Flash.  Why would Wally continue to be the Flash, and in the same costume as Barry?  Will Wally retire and simply raise his kids?  Will he continue on as the Flash and look like a carbon copy of Barry?  Will Wally change his codename and/or costume?  Will he become the Nightwing of the Flash family?   Or will he be more like Connor Hawke; same superhero name, but different costume than his namesake.  For me personally, any of these options are a disappointment.  Wally represented growth in the DC Universe.  Here was a young hero suddenly left on his own to make his way.  He idolized Barry, strived to be like Barry, and eventually surpassed Barry in abilities (at least that is how he was portrayed during Mark Waid’s initial run).  Wally’s journey to become a hero was a fantastic tale to follow.  Now with Barry returning to the primary Flash role, it feels that Wally’s journey was simply clocking time.

I also get the sense from reading interviews with Geoff Johns and Grant Morrison that they feel Barry Allen “deserves” to be the Flash more than Wally.  That statement hasn’t been in print, it’s just my gut instinct from reading their interviews.  It’s like they feel that Barry is the “real” Flash, while Wally has simply been keeping the legacy alive.  I take issue with Barry “deserving” to be the Flash more than Wally.  As I mentioned above, during Mark Waid’s initial run Wally surpassed Barry in abilities.  Does that mean Wally deserves to be the Flash more than Barry?  If you base the decision solely upon publication history, then it’s not really clear.  Yes, Barry obviously came before Wally as the Flash.  However, the amount of time each of them have been the primary Flash has been very similar.  See below…

• Barry Allen had a 247 issue run; Flash (volume 1) 104-350.
• Wally West has had 242 issues so far as the Flash (and will go at least a few more); Flash (volume 2) 1-242 (and still going).
• Barry Allen was the Flash from 1956 to 1986 = 30 years.
• Wally West has been the Flash from 1986-2008 = 22 years.
• Barry Allen was a member of the Justice League for 232 issues; Justice League of America (volume 1) 1-232.  While Barry wasn’t in every issue, he was around for the majority of issues.
• Wally West has been a member of the Justice League as the Flash for 205 issues; Justice League Europe 1-68, JLA 1-125, and Justice League of America (new series) 12-23 so far.  While Wally wasn’t in every issue, he was around for the majority of issues.

If you’ve been following the recent “Flash: Rebirth” thread over a THE UNIQUE GEEK, you can see several sides to this.  My buddy Michael Bailey and I are pretty much in-synch on this issue.   My friend Terry believes that a title can carry multiple characters as the Flash.  While I agree conceptually, the title will eventually select one individual to be the lead character.  As of right now, that looks to be Barry Allen.  So Wally West and Jay Garrick may continue to call themselves “The Flash”, but DC comics will be pushing Barry Allen as the primary Flash character.  Another alternative would be to launch a “Flash Corps”-like title, but I’m not sure that would be successful.

Okay… I’ll get off my soapbox now.  Truth is, I’m going to buy the ”Flash: Rebirth” mini-series and the subsequent ongoing.  I’m probably going to love both because Geoff John’s is a brilliant comic book writer.   I’m even over my previous issue of Barry being boring.  My friend Terry convinced me that is the fault of previous writers, rather than a fault with the character.  While I’m sure I will enjoy Barry’s new adventures, I’ll always be sad that Wally has lost his place as the premier Flash in the DCU. 

It’s FLASH WEEK here at Once Upon a Geek! I’ve been on the road quite a bit in the last two weeks (Tampa, Montgomery, and Nashville). Additionally, at the time this post is published I’ll be on the road to New Orleans. All this driving got me thinking, “Wouldn’t it be great to just run at super-speed to my destination, rather than wasting hours in a car?” Couple that with the recent news about “Flash: Rebirth” (more on that later this week) and I decided to dedicate a week to the fastest man alive!

The Flash is my #5 favorite comic book superhero of all time. I’ve always been fascinated with super-speed. Even as a child, when asked what super power I’d want I always picked super-speed. For me it was the running that attracted me to super-speed; not the ability to assemble a lego set in .04 seconds. Just being able to open up and haul butt at unbelievable speeds sounds so cool to me, even to this day! I still get a buzz when on an airplane as its speeding along the runway just before takeoff. I love that sense of pure acceleration!

I bought the occasional Flash comic book in my youth and enjoyed the episodes of the “Super Friends” that included him, but didn’t really start collecting the Flash comic book on a regular basis until 1992. Mark Waid’s run on the book is what really grabbed me. Ever since then, I’ve loved the characterization of Wally West as the Flash.

Pictured above are some of the various toys I’ve acquired over the years that are Flash related. My personal favorite is the Reverse-Flash figure that was a Toyfare exclusive based upon the Total Justice Flash mold. I came very close to buying the new Professor Zoom figure from Mattel’s DC Universe Infinite Heroes collection. I had it in my hand and was set to buy it, but then I really looked at the molding and paint job and decided it wasn’t worth it to me. So I bought “The Goonies” on DVD instead. I think I came out better with the DVD. Other figures of note above include the DC Direct PVC posed mini-figures from the Flash collection, JLA, and JSA collection. Then you’ve got the Tasmanian Devil as the Flash from some kids happy meal, some DC Direct figures, some Total Justice figures (included the evil hologram Flash from Grant Morrison’s fun on JLA), and more. It’s amazing the things you pick up over time.

More on the Flash to come this week…

If you’re like every other comic book reader in the aughts, you’ve been reading Bill Willingham’s “Fables” from Vertigo. He has managed to create a real masterpiece within the comic book industry. This is a comic that many treasure and won’t soon forget once it’s gone.

Willingham’s done a fantastic job taking these characters of lore, combining them with a compelling story, fantasy elements, and great art. Many of you may not realize that this isn’t the first time Bill Willingham has tackled these concepts. As he honed his craft, he made prior attempts to combine those same great elements. I now proudly present to you the true origin of “Fables”…

Hee hee. Remember those Dungeons and Dragons ads from the back of comic books in the early 80’s? I used to love those ads! Believe it or not, this ad and several others were drawn by Bill Willingham. Personally, I find it really funny that the wizard and the fighter are clearly staring at the girl’s butt in second panel. You can view all of these old D&D ads at Propeller.com.

I read “Final Crisis: Requiem” and one thing is really bothering me. There are three pages where Hal Jordan and Oliver Queen grieve together over Martian Manhunter’s body. Hal talks about the rage he’s feeling and the revenge he wants to inflict because of his friend’s death. What bothers me is that I don’t believe historically there has been a really strong connection between Hal Jordan and Martian Manhunter.

If you look at their respective JLA appearances, they don’t actually overlap much. Both were founding members of the League, however, Martian Manhunter left the League with issue 71. Of those 71 issues, Martian Manhunter only appeared in 43 of them. After that, every run of the JLA that featured Martian Manhunter as a member, Hal was not a member at the same time. If you add up Martian Manhunter’s time in the Detroit League, the JLI, Justice League Task Force, and the JLA (Grant Morrison’s series), that’s something like 230 issues that he didn’t appear with Hal Jordan.

I just feel that the writer is shoehorning Hal Jordan into the grieving, whereas there are many other characters that Martian Manhunter appeared with more frequently that would have made more sense. I think I know why they are using Hal Jordan.. to prepare for “Blackest Night” where numerous dead superheroes are supposed to come back. That is probably where we’ll see Martian Manhunter next, so it makes sense from a plotting point of view to use Hal Jordan. I just feel as a fan of Martian Manhunter, it could have been other folks. Maybe there were some nice character moments between Martian Manhunter and Hal at some point in history, I just don’t happen to remember them. There are many other characters they’ve shown time and time again to have a close bond with Martian Manhunter. For example, characters that have starred in the JLA with Martian Manhunter more frequently and have been shown to have a bond with him include: Batman, Vixen, Gypsy, Superman, and Wonder Woman. Believe it or not, even Kyle Rayner have appeared with Martian Manhunter more often than Hal Jordan. While Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman did feature prominently in this story, the big emotional scene was given to Hal and Ollie. I just didn’t work for me.

Okay, rant over. “Final Crisis: Requiem” was a decent read, its just this one point really stood out to me. I admit part of my rant probably comes from the fact that I’m still bitter they brought Hal back to life.

Oh yeah, it’s also worth mentioning that Aquaman had a really strong bond with Martian Manhunter and appeared more frequently with Martian Manhunter than Hal. However, Aquaman is current dead. Interestingly enough, apparently death wasn’t enough to stop Aquaman from coming to the funeral. Check out the Aquaman Shrine for details on this.