Earlier this week, you took my hand and I showed you some new Francis Manapul artwork from the new FLASH series. It takes two to tango on a comic - - writer and artist - - so, today, straight from the Source, we have some choice quotes from Geoff Johns regarding his plans for the series and his collaboration with Mr. Manapul.
So speaks Johns…
“Francis Manapul brings a renewed energy to the world of the Flash and in particular Barry Allen. We’re really looking at this book as taking place firmly in the present (unless the cosmic treadmill is involved) and moving the Flash, his supporting cast and the Rogues into the future. Francis is key to that… the energy he’s given the Flash… is undeniable. His Flash never stops. [And] you’ll have to be patient to see the other heroes and villains who tap into the Speed Force show up. There’s a story, a big one, but we won’t get there right away. I love long term planning and this is a book I have a story to tell. More will be clear in issue #1.”
“I love long term planning.” Now that’s the understatement of the decade, brother. Johns is like a prime minister with a five year plan. We’re just wrapping up BLACKEST NIGHT and the whole story’s really been brewing since the resurrection of Hal Jordan in GREEN LANTERN: REBIRTH however many years ago.
“But what kind stories and themes can we expect from the Flash, Mr. Johns?” you ask, oh curious Comic Vine community.
So answers Johns…
“Barry Allen, for me, represents that optimism and forward thinking that reignited superheroes in the first place. Our approach to the book isn’t what a lot of people will expect, especially with that story title of the first arc - CASE ONE: THE DASTARDLY DEATH OF THE ROGUES. There are a lot of mysteries here and a lot of crimes to solve and crimes to stop. There’s an exploration of speed and what it does to us today, how we can succumb to it or be seduced by it. What do we have time for in our ‘busy’ lives? Are we really too busy we have to send text messages instead of calling someone? Or is it easier to keep in touch with our loved ones that way? Do we need more hours in the day or do we need to stop overfilling up the hours we have? What is speed? What is time? What does it all mean to us in our lives day-to-day and year-to-year?”
A resonant theme, I deem. My sisters are ten years older than I am, so I’m always comparing how my life is today to what theirs were when they were my age. Before cell phones, high speed internet, Facebook, twitter in the like… devices that are supposedly supposed to save time and increase communication. But have they?
Ponder this while speeding at 100 miles per hour in the Flash #1, oh rush-rush-rushing Comic Vine community. In the spirit of that, I have a NO-PRIZE for whomever COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE FIRST!!!
-- Tom Pinchuk is the writer of UNIMAGINABLE for Arcana Comics and HYBRID BASTARDS! for Archaia Comics. Watch out for the HYBRID BASTARDS! hardcover collection this March - - available for pre-order now on Amazon.com.
Log in to comment