Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art by ANDY KUBERT and SANDRA HOPE
1:25 Variant cover
FLASH FACT: The war between the Amazons and the Atlantians has arrived. The battle between Diana of Themyscira and Emperor Aquaman will tear this world apart - unless The Flash can fix it!
IMPORTANT NOTE: Because of its impact on the DC Universe, FLASHPOINT #5 is the only title that DC Comics is soliciting in this catalogue to arrive in stores on August 31.
Date Available: 08/31/2011
BONUS REVIEW by SHANNA BERRY
**HUGE SPOILERS**
Fun issue, overall FLASHPOINT was a fantastic out-of-time event, and I would like to see more events like this, without the threat of it changing everything. Now here's my step-by-step analysis, spoiler rich.
I liked the twist between Barry and Thawne, best part of the issue. The weight of this cataclysm of time is all Barry's fault. Nice. Two thumbs up. Great moments can be picked out easily: loved batman saying had he the choice he would have done the same thing as Barry (initially going back in time to try to save his mum). Everything was going GREAT in this issue, until Superman shows up. He does absolutely nothing except brush the villains out of the panel. Waste of a great setup. Next enter awkward moment where Aquaman says "I've had enough" but nothing happens: did Johns get confused or something? Then heroes start disappearing – but why? They are just vanishing, but Barry hasn't even done anything yet. Then the dramatic moment Geoff has been building too: "They're…gone. I have to… RUN." So now Barry finds himself with his momma, pouring his heart out over what a mess he made. His mom references a lightning rod, sort of out of place since she knows nothing of his powers. But moving on to tears, Barry knows what he has to do: stop himself from going back. Here's the moment this entire reboot is depending on…the converging on timelines. Enter mystical lady to justify this change in 4 simple word balloons. Thank Goodness that wrapped up so conveniently. Boom, we're back. Quick visit to Batman. Spill the beans to Bruce, back to normal. And here's the last irritating occurrence: Flash hands Batman a letter from his pops. Writers sometimes concern themselves so much with the dramatic moment, forgetting the honest nature of the character. Batman would recognize it's his father's handwriting and would not open it in Barry's presence. AFTER Barry leaves, only then would Bruce read it, possibly shed tears, and say to himself, Thank you Barry. But come on, stop making Batman cry! I guess this new 52 has a cry-baby batman. Huh.
But this picky fan still LOVED Flashpoint
