Flashpoint #2

Issue: Flashpoint 2
Arc: Flashpoint
Publisher: DC
Released: June 1, 2011
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Andy Kubert
Inker: Sandra Hope
Colorist: Alex Sinclair

Rating: 70% (7 positive 3 negative

Critical Consensus: With the introduction of the new versions of Batman, Aquaman, and Wonder Woman, Flashpoint's suspense builds, or does it? Your mileage may vary.

Comic Vine 4.5/5 (Fresh) Tony Guerrero Geoff Johns and Andy Kubert keep you on the edge of your seat

with amazing visuals and kick ass dialogue. The best part is the interaction between Barry Allen and this world's version of Batman. If you've ever had an interest in DC Comics and plan on reading them, you really need to be here for this. With the little peeks at some of the other characters in this world, it does feel a little like a tease for the mini-series but there's no denying the feeling of reading a comic universe again for the first time.

IGN 8.5/10 (Fresh) Erik Norris By the time you reach the final page, you'll be begging for it to be next month. The cliffhanger of Flashpoint #2 hits like a wrecking ball, and fittingly, might tear down all your expectations for where this series is headed. I was disappointed with Flashpoint #1, but after issue #2, I'm onboard for the duration.

Furiousfanboys.com (Fresh) Jeremy Conrad Flashpoint will change the DCU forever, and while we do know some of the end result, the journey there is still great.

Acomicbookblog.com 85/100 (Fresh) John Barringer Overall, this issue is a bit of a disappointment given the last one.  It’s more about setting the stage for what’s to come and meeting characters we’ve heard about than it is actually doing anything.  Perhaps all this information reinforcement is a necessary evil, laying the foundations and such, but I’m hoping something really exciting happens next issue, and we don’t just keep treading water.

Major Spoilers 3/5 (Rotten) Matthew Peterson Unfortunately, even as it’s interesting, it serves to remind us of how ridiculous The Flash’s origin actually is, and even after the issue recovers from Steve’s exposition, we end with a quiet “OMG?” feeling.  The intent of these types of stories is always to disorient us, to put familiar faces in the wrong places, but then bring them back together at the end to prove your thesis.  We’re theoretically 40% of the way through the main story, and we’re just now getting to the action and the reveal of the strange new status quo of our heroes.  I think the greatest failing of the issue for me is the realization that you WILL have to read other supporting material to get a full story.

Too  Dangerous for a  Girl! (Fresh) Martin Gray This issue usefully adds meat to the bones of the story laid out last month. It's good to move around this changed world, and see villains Aquaman and Wonder Woman, rather than simply hear about them. And the Flash/Batman sub-story takes a very interesting turn once writer Geoff Johns quits indulging his taste for brutality.

Cosmicbooknews.com (Fresh) Chris Bushley This was a fun read that had interesting ideas and new concepts, ones that get you excited for not only the next issue but for the future of the DCU as well. See, you don't always need a reboot or "younger" characters to make a great book -- you just need a good story and an expertly talented artist! If you are not reading the core Flashpoint book, you are missing out on a great read. So get in line and be the next to ride the lightning into the world of Flashpoint!

Weekly Comic Book Review B- (Fresh) Minquan Nguyen Considering how quickly this storyline wants to move, it seems we’ve already hit the deadly Big Fat Middle of the plot, where things seem to slow down, despite obvious attempts to speed things up.

CBR 1.5/5 (Rotten) Greg McElhatton "Flashpoint" is going to end up being a curious footnote in DC Comics history. If it wasn't for September's reboot, I have a feeling that it would turn out to be a crossover that was largely forgotten like, say, "Genesis" or "Final Night." Now, it's going to serve as the end of an era. Sadly, it's heading more towards a whimper than a bang.

Comics Bulletin 3/5 (Rotten)  Chris Kiser For the past couple years, a steady decline has been evident in the quality of Johns-penned comics, and Flashpoint fits that bill as well. It’s good fun, but not great fun. Maybe-read, but not must-read. The core concept just isn’t brilliant enough for Johns to get away without having to do some heavier lifting.

Next: Spinoffs and minseries

Booster Gold #44 (Turbulence Part 1)

Issue: Booster Gold 44
Arcs: Flashpoint, Turbulence
Publisher: DC
Released: July 1, 2011
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Artist: Norm Rapmund
Letterer: Carlos M. Mangual
Colorist: Hi-Fi

Rating: 90% (9 positive 1 negative)

 Critical Consensus: Dan Jurgens makes a big return to Booster Gold and continues to expand upon the Flashpoint universe while introducing his creation to new readers.

Comic Vine 4/5 (Fresh) Mat Elfring New story and a great jumping-on point! If you've never read a Booster Gold book, this would be a great place to jump on. This book always delivers on fun. Booster fits very well into the Flashpoint world.

CBR 4/5 (Fresh) Doug Zawisza  Jurgens’ return to this book not only marks the start of “Flashpoint” and a keenly-designed welcome mat and open door to this series, but it also sees the return of something far more important: all ages reading. Jurgens is a modern master of delivering stories that have retro sensibilities. Each issue that Jurgens crafts carries itself strongly, offers a good story, and a smart introduction to the world of “Booster Gold.”

Too Dangerous For A Girl (Fresh) Martin Gray This issue should give Booster his best sales figures since the early issues. I hope plenty of the first-timers stick around. If quality counts, they will.

Comic Revolution A- (Fresh) Eden Zacharias If Flashpoint #1 didn’t sell you on the Flashpoint event then Booster Gold #44 will definitely do the trick. On top of that, this is a great way to introduce Michael Jon Carter to new readers who have wanted to jump in on this great series. Without a doubt, this is an issue you seriously do not want to miss if you’re considering giving Booster Gold a try or following the Flashpoint event.

Comics Bulletin 3.5/5 (Fresh) Matthew Rios While I’m glad to see Jurgens back on the character and book he made so popular, I am sad to see the quick-wit and heartfelt emotional situations of Giffen and DeMatteis go. This issue was a bit off due to the packing in of required details but I’m sure over time things will straighten out again, so help me Gog.

Inside Pulse 6/10 (Rotten) Grey Scherl By the end of the book…it’s not a bad title, it’s just disappointing. The art is great, and the characterization is great, but nothing really happens and just as the book heats up to the ‘good part’, we get  to a be continued and it’s just over. Now, obviously, i can’t wait to read the next issue, I just expected more out of this one.

Sciencefiction.com (Fresh) Brian Tudor  I know there are a lot of titles when it comes to Flashpoint, but I really think you will be happy to add Booster Gold to your monthly pull list. He is going to be very important to the Flashpoint story. Looking forward to next month, hopefully Skeets makes it through and Booster is ready to go toe-to-toe with Doomsday! Flashpoint rages on!

Comicimpact.com (Fresh) Simon Daoudi Booster Gold is the book to watch out for, as it will make an impact in the Flashpoint storyline. I hope they people who pick up this book because Flashpoint will stay on and go for the ride. DC Comics has officially announced that there will be a second printing of Booster Gold #44 this June. I know I can’t wait for the next one, as this was one of my favorite comics for the month of May.

Bangpowzap.com (Fresh) Stephan Sigurjons The return of Dan Jurgens to Booster Gold comes right in time for the universe to flip on its head.

The Comic Book Catacombs (Fresh) Chuck Wells Thankfully, Jurgens & Rapmund are back at home in the very place they need to be to produce some fun comics. I enjoyed their previous Booster Gold work and this chapter of Flashpoint bodes well for their welcome return to this title.

Sorry, but IGN didn't publish a review of this issue. Next: Flashpoint #2 and more miniseries and one-shots.

Flashpoint #1

Issue: Flashpoint 1
Arc: Flashpoint
Publisher: DC
Released: July 1, 2011
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Andy Kubert
Inker: Sandra Hope
Colorist: Alex Sinclair

Rating: 90% (9 Fresh 1 Rotten)

Critical Consensus: Great talent in Johns and Kubert leads to a great start to the DC event of the summer. It's not perfect, but then nothing is as it seems in the Flashpoint universe.

Comic Vine 4.5/5 (Fresh) Tony Guerrero  Flashpoint is finally here. Everything does indeed change. Forget about the DC Universe you know and enjoy the story by Geoff Johns and Andy Kubert. We've seen the numerous teasers and now we can get ready for this crazy ride.

IGN 6.5/10 (Fresh) Erik Norris Flashpoint #1 is probably the rockiest start to a DC event in years. If DC had held back on the marketing push prior to launch, maybe a lot of the moments found within would have had more punch. But when you break it down, it's essentially a glorified version of the various press releases that lead up to this first issue's release and offers nothing new.

CBR 3/5 (Fresh) Doug Zawisza This is, however, the first issue of what will be, once complete, well over fifty) comics that tell the story of this new world. To judge the entire story on this initial step would be folly. To commit to the entire story based on what is given to us here would be insanity.

Too Dangerous For A Girl (Fresh) Martin Gray This is how to begin an event. Surprises, mysteries, strong artwork, sharp dialogue ... any doubts as to whether I'd follow Flashpoint have been wiped away with this first issue.  

Geeksofdoom.com (Fresh) Hunter Camp It’s a little difficult to follow because of reasons like that, but with blockbuster events like this, the pieces of the puzzle don’t really starting making sense until further down the line. It was a strong first issue with beautiful art from the amazing Andy Kubert, so the series is on the right track, so let’s just see if it keeps this pace up.

Cosmic Book News (Fresh) Chris Bushley Johns and Kubert converge on a story that burns brighter than Brightest Day, has the tenacity of Blackest Night and the pure adrenaline of Emerald Warriors! Get in on the ground floor of DC's next big summer event, one that promises to astound and excite readers for the next few months

A Comic Book Blog 95/100 (Fresh) Phillip Carson Overall, Flashpoint is shaping up to be a fun story, devoid of the angst and info-dump that was Blackest Night.  It’s good to see the Flash take point as the lead in an Event book.  Here’s hoping he gains his powers back pretty quick, and starts kicking butt next issue.

iFanboy 2.5/5 (Rotten) Paul Montgomery Summarily, I think Flashpoint is the perfect runner. Coiled, roiling potential energy just waiting for the starter pistol. Then? I'm not sure. A poor night's sleep? A flash of a camera? Something happened to sully the execution of that run. And there's a stutter step. Race ain’t over though.

The Weekly Crisis (Fresh) Kirk Warren Great issue that hooked me instantly and never let go.  After one issue, I want, no, need to know more about this world and these characters and am already picking out various tie-ins I want to try out simply because of how engaging and interesting this world and story is so far. 

Weekly Comic Book Review  B+ (Fresh) Minhquan Nguyen  A very strong, promising start to DC’s most talked-about storyline, though much depends on the follow-up

Ultimate Spider-Man #160 (Death of Spider-Man Part 5)

Issue: Ultimate Spider-Man 160

Arc: Death of Spider-Man (Part 5)

Publisher: Marvel (Ultimate)

Released: June 22, 2011

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis

Artist: Mark Bagley

Inker: Andy Lanning

Colorist: Justin Ponsor

 

 

Rating: 90% (9 Fresh 1 Rotten)

Critical Consensus: One of Marvel Comics' most beloved characters goes out with a bang. But will Ultimate Spider-Man continue to be the flagship of the Ultimate Universe?

   

IGN 7.5/10 (Fresh) Jesse Schedeen When you come right down to it, the appeal of reading the finale to Ultimate Spider-Man doesn't lie in learning whether or not Peter Parker dies.

CBR 5/5 (Fresh) James Hunt Not a hoax! Not an imaginary story! Admittedly, it is happening in the Ultimate Universe so it isn’t the real Peter Parker, but still: the Death of Spider-Man.

Geek Speak (mySA) (Fresh) Rene Guzman For months, Marvel has hung “Death of Spider-Man” over comic fans’ heads like this glossy dark specter with its grim, albeit sensationalistic promise of killing off such a major superhero from its pocket Ultimate universe. At last, Ultimate Spider-Man No. 160 delivers that death blow to Ultimate Peter Parker and a fine comic series in spectacular fashion.

Adamreisinger.com (Fresh) Adam Reisinger But like I said, I've been trying to ignore all that, and just enjoy these issues for what they are, which are incredibly well-written, well-drawn stories that bring the tale of "Ultimate Spider-Man" to a natural conclusion.

Newsarama (Fresh) Colin Bell The clue was in the title, everyone! Not a metaphorical death, or a retirement of the identity of Spider-Man as some had guessed; this is the issue where Peter Parker faces down the Green Goblin: One. More. Time. With fatal results!

Comic Vine 4/5 (Fresh) Tony Guerrero  The end of the Death of Spider-Man arc is here. After months of waiting, will this be the final appearance for Ultimate Spidey?

Big Shiny Robot  Jeff Vice (Rotten) They really did it. “They,” of course, are the folks behind the “Death of Spider-Man” story line in the Ultimate Comics version of the title

Multiversity Comics  10/10 (Fresh)Matthew Meylikhov This is it: the Death of Spider-Man is here. In this polybagged issue from the creative team behind Ultimate Spider-Man #1, we're given the first "boundary pushing" storyline from the Ultimate universe in quite some time. And boy, are things tense right now.

The-ush.com (Fresh) Ben Mayfield This is it, ladies and gentlemen.  After months of twists and turns and ominous banners, the fateful moment arrived for Peter Parker in a polybag-covered comic book this past week.  I’m sure if you went to a local comic shop already, you probably saw a few people you normally don’t see in the shop, most being curious to see whether Marvel “would really do it”.

Comicbookrevolution.net 7.5/10 (Fresh) Kevin L. This is it. After 160 issues of Ultimate Spider-Man the big end to The Death of Spider-Man is here. Brian Bendis and Mark Bagley have promised something big and with the title of this arc there is a good idea what that is. But after being not only the flagship of the Ultimate line, but also one of the best books at Marvel, are Bendis and Bagley actually go through with what the title of the arc teases?

Coming soon: Flashpoint, Flashpoint, and more Flashpoint...