At DC, The Flash speeds forward to big event

Anything can change in a flash.

Readers of DC Comics' "The Flash" series are about to find that out as the publisher gradually unveils "Flashpoint," a story arc that features 15 separate miniseries, a series of one-shot issues and more that will range from Gotham to around the world and bring the Scarlet Speedster to the forefront of the DC Universe.

DC is keeping mum about it all, offering a few hints and teasers that show some of its major characters — Batman among them — in similar costumes but with subtle yet direct differences.

The series is written by Geoff Johns, the company's chief creative officer.

A preview of sorts is offered in the new edition of "The Flash: The Dastardly Deaths of the Rogues," which Johns wrote and Francis Manupaul illustrated. It was released this week in comic shops and will be in book stores next week.

It details Barry Allen's return to the hustle and bustle of Central City, his wife Iris and his job as a forensics investigator. But the story pivots an unusual hinge: Allen, it seems, will kill a villain, and law enforcement from the 25th century is out for him, dead or alive.

How it plays into "Flashpoint" is a secret DC will not reveal, but Manapul has breathed new life into the Scarlet Speedster, with art that is both vibrant and evocative of the velocity that has always surrounded The Flash.

The 31-year-old Toronto resident said it's been more than a joyride illustrating the ongoing series.

"I've actually been a longtime Flash fan since high school and the very first time I talked to (DC co-publisher Dan DiDio) about working with DC, one of the very first projects that I asked for was The Flash," said Manupal, who got to draw the character when Johns brought Flash back last year and the new series started.

The partnership has blossomed.

"It's better to work with writers that you admire and that you mesh with. The story is ultimately what is important," Manupal said. "Through our experience working on 'Adventure Comics,' the collaboration worked out really well. And when Geoff came back to The Flash, he brought me along with him."

Manapul's goal has been to incorporate everything fast about The Flash and the series.

"Just that one word. We wanted to make it fast again," he said.

Speed and velocity now envelop The Flash series, with dizzying effects showing Allen hurtling down streets, rapidly disassembling a falling car, running along the blade of a helicopter in flight and other stunts.

Like the character, his Central City is fast, too. Bigger, louder, always in motion.

And that's not going to change as The Flash moves forward and faster.

"It's all building to this big crossover with Flashpoint which takes the central character of The Flash and makes him the focal point of the DC Universe," Manapul said.

I'll continue reading The Flash, but won't be checking out any of the tie-ins.

I'll go case by case according to creators. Secret Seven with George Perez? I'm in.

C'mon. Does this mean that we get a 12-month long trial for Barry again after FLASHPOINT?

Why bring Barry back just to have him kill a bad guy again?

...a story arc that features 15 separate miniseries, a series of one-shot issues and more that will range from Gotham to around the world...

FLASHPOINT THURSDAY Noon Eastern Edition, Live from ComicsPRO

Solicitations for our May books break Monday, which means we can provide another big peek behind the curtain: the solicitation for FLASHPOINT issue 1.

FLASHPOINT #1
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art and cover by ANDY KUBERT
1:25 Variant cover A by ANDY KUBERT
Variant cover B by IVAN REIS and GEORGE PEREZ

Everything You Know Will Change in a Flash!

Not a dream, not an imaginary story, not an elseworld. This is a Flash Fact: When Barry Allen wakes at his desk, he discovers the world has changed. Family is alive, loved ones are strangers, and close friends are different, gone or worse. It’s a world on the brink of a cataclysmic war – but where are Earth’s Greatest Heroes to stop it? It’s a place where America’s last hope is Cyborg, who hopes to gather the forces of the Outsider, the Secret 7, S!H!A!Z!A!M!, Citizen Cold and other new and familiar-yet-altered faces.

It’s a world that could be running out of time, if The Flash can’t find the villain who altered the time line!

Welcome to FLASHPOINT!

On sale MAY 11 = 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US = Rated T

The five issues of the core FLASHPOINT series are oversized, 40 page books priced at $3.99 each, while the other mini series and the one shots will be priced at $2.99.

A lot of planning has gone into place to make sure that this series delivers on all of it’s earth shattering potential. It is a project as ambitious in scope and execution as anything I’ve been a part of in my six years at DC Comics.

It bears repeating: Everything You Know Will Change in a Flash!

I'd feel better about these 15 miniseries if I were writing one of them.