The Flash #12

This is where it all happens, THE FLASH title takes a break at the number 12 and the beginning of Flashpoint starts now. "It Changes. It All Changes" - The Reverse Flash. With those words, Flashpoint officially began with the reshaping of the entire world! How will Barry Allen stop the Reverse Flash this time? And does he have what it takes to finish his greatest foe of all time once and for all? Written by Geoff Johns with artwork by Francis Manapul and Scott Kollins. "Today the world changes" - Geoff Johns

The Good

The Flash title has been really interesting. Having built up to this issue here, THE ROAD TO FLASHPOINT, ends here and the beginning of Flashpoint is now! The Flash #12 is not the final issue of the series, #13 of the Flash will conclude Flashpoint and begin the next title after Flashpoint. So if The Flash #13 isn't the end issue, there is still hope that the series will continue to grow strong. In this issue, it has been stated that Barry Allen has been distant since his mother died and him trying to capture the Reverse Flash. The Reverse Flash's intentions are explained and it is interesting to see that the Reverse Flash can not kill Barry Allen, he considers him to be an equal. However strange this might be, It all makes since. Barry Allen is the only person in the world who understands how Thawne thinks. But this is ended on how Thawne kills the Alternate Barry Allen. Geoff Johns does an excellent job at taking the speed force further than it has ever been used. Thawne unlocking the true potential of the Speed-Force is really awesome, and how he can age himself to look old or young. What else can the Speed Force do? Other than reshaping the world, the Speed Force is clearly a major key at the heroes/villains returning from the grave.

Seeing how this follows right into Flashpoint #1, this should be read before the first issue. There are also a lot of things to consider in Flashpoint! Who will die, who will live, and what will the consequences of the events of Flashpoint in the end? DC has said that this will effect all of the comics continuity in their market, so who knows what characters we will be not seeing anymore!

The artwork by Francis Manapul is really amazing, he has been the artist on the book multiple times with Geoff, and his artwork always captures the tension of the moment. Scott Kollins worked on the artwork a bit more than Manapul, that is totally understood as Francis is probably working on other Flash titles for Flashpoint.

The Bad

Scott Kollins is a good artist, but his artwork is more of a silver/golden age of comic drawings. How he draws his characters is good and really cool, but Francis Manapul is the artist that should have drawn the entire comic. Some information on the Flash title questions get answers, however there should have been more time for the unexplained to make it's way into the light before Flashpoint.

The Verdict

This should be bought by all Flash fans and should be read before Flashpoint #1, as I have mentioned before. Overall this is a 4 out of 5.