New Trinity
I never would have thought in a million years that a series with The Flash, Thomas Wayne, and Cyborg would be so engaging. Blackest Night suffered from too much carnage, too little going on, and not enough focus on character. Here we get Geoff Johns at his best. The pace really works for the halfway point we get enough progression and teases to make the issue a success, and it strays from the usual temptation to show more alternate versions of characters. I enjoyed how Batman realistically cuts to the chase in his manipulation of Cyborg. It's not just to speed up the narrative but it really defines Thomas Wayne and Batman as cunning strategists.
The opening actually works, it's not just gratuitous self-harm by Barry Allen, its a powerful and painfully compelling scene. After being burned and bloodied, we see Barry Allen rise again in order to save restore the natural order of things. We see what makes Barry a hero. He doesn't quit and once again we see he's ready to put his life on the line for the greater good. It's these character defining moments that I love, like Thomas Wayne's pain over the loss of his family (and his background as a doctor being utilized well), or the idealistic Cyborg who must deal with the burden of no one having faith in him. It's a team of underdogs and I just love how they work together.
Cyborg in particular is a character that I have a real interest in since he's going to be a part of the DC relaunch's Justice League. For a character who's getting a main boost, he's been noticeably absent or undefined in the past issues and tie-ins. However, I really got a real strong sense of who he is and what he's capable of. I really want to invest in a character who's been associated with the Teen Titans to finally get his chance to shine, so hopefully Johns will continue to make him intriguing. Again, it's the small things that I enjoy in this issue.
One of the series's strengths are the surprises that the tragic reveal of what happened to Krypto, the enigmatic scene with Elemental Woman, the introduction of a new character (to this universe), and the mysterious version of Flashpoint Superman.
There must be some good coordination with the tie-ins, because there's a good amount of convergence and new material. However, it's crucial these plot threads get resolved soon, without being just filler for the tie-ins. Surprisingly enough, there's a lack of Aquaman and Wonder Woman despite there being an epic war between them.
I must really commend Andy Kubert for this issue. It's got the most dynamic, cohesive, and fluid work I've seen from him. He has the difficult job at showing having to conveying so much information to the reader with little space. Flashpoint Superman is recognizable but really creepy and off putting to look at.
I would definitely recommend this issue, it's Johns and Kubert at their best, there's a great mix of action and drama, and it's full of surprises. Tonally, this series, especially in how they deal with government and heroics, seems like the Marvel comics version of the DC universe. I have to say it's not bad, I think with especially with the Thomas Wayne tie-in, I would've liked to see more before the relaunch in September.
