liberty's Crisis on Infinite Earths #8 - A Flash of the Lightning review

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    Project 500: Barry should have stayed dead.


     Barry's ultimate sacrifice.
     Barry's ultimate sacrifice.
    Welcome ComicVine's to this the eighth installment of Project 500. As you may know Project 500 was the idea of legendary reviewer Silkcuts.  This is in honor of his 500th review.  (Congratulations)  He saw a need that there were no reviews for the most famous DC Comics crossover ever.  The Crisis on Infinite Earths or the First Crisis as I like to call it.  He gathered some of the best reviewer's, and minds (modesty) for a Jam session style reviews on the first issue of the series.  Then asked for voulenteers to write a review for each issue.  One by one he got the reviewers to tackle issue after issue in a baton style.  It is my turn to take that baton and run with it.  
     
    Now I think Silkcuts gave me the eighth issue to review because I am his 8th closest friend on the vine.  (Just kidding)  The real reason I assume is my passion on the particular subject of comic deaths.  In this issue we have the biggest death of a hero ever.  I say this because he was replaced for decades and not brought back in some long drawn out market driven return.  After this issue he is dead. 
     
     Running to the end.
     Running to the end.
    The death of a superhero or a long standing villain need to be done right.  In other words a death in a comic should be used for something other than.  " I want to make this bad guy look tough/merciless...Who can I kill?"  It is by far my biggest pet peeve.  They have only done it correctly a few times.  There should be a set of rules.   Like...
    1. Is this a good story? (Ice, Yolanda, Anima, Baby Wildebeest, Bushido, Dolphin, Trickster, Big Barda, Mister Miracle, Tasmanian Devil.)
    2. Is this good for the over all plot of the story? (Johnny Quick, Maxima, Rocket Red, Steel, Spoiler)
    3. How will this effect the universe in the long term? (Elongated Man, Hawk(s), Dove(s), Guy Gardner, Firestorm, Hawkgirl/Hawkman(s), Triplicat Girl)
    4. Will this character stay dead?, For How long? and Is it worth it? (Captain America, Batman, Superman, Hal Jordan, Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, Superboy)
    5. Does the character have a protege to take up the mantle?  (Blue Beetle)
    6. Is the character/powers of the the character being used properly or are they just being put out a sacrificial lambs? (Crimson Fox, Amazing Man, Kilowog)

     This just in...
     This just in...
    These are superheroes not red shirted Enterprise crewmen.  THEY ARE NOT FODDER.  Some of these deaths are so bad it would be the equivalent of Superman dieing in a car accident.  Heroes need heroic deaths.  I don't need a comic telling me anyone can die of cancer. (The Question, Black Canary, Captain Marvel, Lex Luther, Iron Fist, Amazing Man)  I can see that just by my friend who died last week.  In real life sometimes heroes die pointless and sad deaths.  Superheroes/fictional-heroes need the heroic deaths or their saga falls flat. 
     
    Sorry about the rant.  The big question of this issue is did Barry's death mean something?  Was it done right?  I would say yes because he was gone so long.  When he came back he wasn't needed.  We don't need two Flashes.  It is like Batman having five different Robins.  Unless Batman is 70 he is going through these sidekicks at a quick pace.  
     
     The Ultimate Universe
     The Ultimate Universe
    I focused a lot on Barry's death because it was really the only thing beside exposition in the whole story.  The art of course was great and it is truly one of the most historical comics ever.  I gave the book four stars and now I must pass the baton to the next reviewer.  Thanks for reading.

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