Writer Wanted: Artists and Colorists Need Not Apply
The Flash kicks off with some very kinetic and appealing art from Francis Manapul as we get a look at the new Barry Allen. Unfortunately, the book does not really have a writer writing it, and frankly, that really shows.
Having not really even said anything yet, I already feel like I am being mean here. I could go on and on about how great I think the art is on this issue. It's even better than it was on the previous volume of this title. Flash looks great even with all his seams, which if you spend too long actually looking it will possibly drive you mad with their ridiculousness. Manapul even plays a little with layout designs and reminds me of the kind of thing J. H. Williams III does so well on Batwoman. It will be interesting to see Manapul continue to play with that.
Manapul also writes this book, though. It's a problem.
It becomes obvious early on that Manapul is an inexperienced writer, because he's lacking even when it just comes to the fundamentals of storytelling. It is kind of hard to tell at first glance because the art is so nice, but when actually reading this book, it really is a mess. Scene transitions are choppy as all hell. The bad guys come crashing down from the skylight. Wait, everyone is immediately going back up to the roof now. Later, Flash is suddenly having a one-page Batman and Commissioner Gordon-esque rooftop scene with some scientist. Then he is inexplicably allowed to borrow something so valuable that the bad guys tried to steal and has no problems using it in his living room to perform a complex DNA analysis in no time. Finally, Barry Allen starts coming to these abrupt conclusions about what is going on from out of nowhere as if we are supposed to have any clue how or why he is figuring this all out. I know this is the Flash, but it's the main character who is supposed to move at jarring and confusing bursts of speed. Not the story.
There are also many moments where the dialogue reads as stilted or fake. No one really has a voice of their own in this issue. It's never terrible or overdramatic, but it's very standard at best.
I think the problem here is that Manapul is still relatively new and inexperienced even just as a comic book artist. He hasn't yet worked with enough writers to get a good enough feel for how they do what they do. He's still getting a feel for the basics, much less picking up on any real tricks of the trade.
Character-wise, this isn't too bad, but Manapul would clearly rather be writing Wally West. He is writing the Flash with that looseness and humor that is far more attributed to Wally than Barry. Besides his appearance and the somewhat ridiculous technical expertise, there doesn't feel like there is even very much of Barry Allen in here. Some may find Barry boring, yes. But he does have character traits of his own. You just won't find many of them on display here. Yet, there is also no reference at all to Wally West here. That's not surprising. We are introduced to a new love triangle with Patty Spivot and Iris West, though. Iris, sadly, still comes off as a complete Lois Lane clone. But even worse, Patty creepily comes off as a Barry Allen clone with a chromosome nip and tuck.
The Flash really is all about the art. It's the only part of this issue that really makes it a treat to read, and I really do hope Manapul tries out more inventive layouts since he seems to have a good feel for doing that. But this book needs a writer. Manapul's Mob Rule idea has potential to it, but it seems unlikely he has the writing skill to pull it off. The storytelling here ranges from awkward to generic, and there's nothing special going on with character dynamics. I also don't think making Barry much more like Wally is going to do anything to appeal to those unhappy fans of Wally West.
