Flashpoint #1 (Spoilers, Beware!)

The Flash #12 and Flashpoint #1 were the first books I tore into today. You really do not need to read the Road to Flashpoint story arc of Flash issues 9 thru 12 to get into Flashpoint, but it does help and it's great storytelling by Geoff Johns. What you need to know is that our Barry Allen is the only person in the DCU who knows things are not right as Flashpoint begins, and that the Speed Force, being rooted in time itself, is the cause of everything being drastically altered.

Serious Flashpoint #1 Spoilers Ahead...

Barry immediately has to deal with Iris bearing the last name West, his mom being alive, and no one other than himself seeing that things are changed. He quickly seeks out the Batman to get some answers.

Meanwhile, we are privy to Cyborg attempting to assemble The Secret Seven, Captain Thunder, Citizen Cold, Batman, and many others to deal with the King and Queen. It seems that in this new world, Aquaman has sunk all of Europe into the seas and the Amazons have conquered Great Britain. Aquaman and Wonder Woman are established as the global supervillains of Flashpoint, being responsible for the murder of over a hundred million people.

When Barry makes his way into an abandoned and defunct Batcave, he meets the Batman (who is no joiner by the way- Cyborg's rally ends poory). While taking a beating from the Knight of Vengeance, Barry realizes that Batman isn't Bruce Wayne at all, but rather his father, Thomas. It is suggested that instead of Bruce's parents being gunned down, it was Bruce who was slain, creating a vengeful crusader out of the father.

This issue is an exciting start, bringing all the exuberence of Elseworlds to meet the tension of a real DC Universe epic told by writer Geoff Johns. The Andy Kubert artwork is astounding. This is definately the best looking superhero book on the stands right now.

Flashpoint #1 is in store today, Wednesday May 11. Alliance has all 3 covers availalbe, including the 1:25 sketch variant!