Previous Post Overall I liked it. It was nice to just see a Flash story that wasn't all about changing everything. The contrast between the idealistic, Silver Age goofy-science superhero and the gritty war comic worked well to illustrate the story's central dilemma. I thought the art was a little off for the framing sequence, but it was perfect for the war story. I've written up a full review of the issue on my blog.

Couldn't disagree more. This was nothing more than twenty pages of somber naval-gazing. Dull from start to finish. What about this issue did JMS or DC think was entertaining on any level, was worth a reader plunking down $2.99?

There's no introduction to these characters within the issue--Barry Allen is one thing, but if you don't know much about The Blackhawks (like me), this issue won't clarify a thing for you. It used to be standard practice in comics to treat each issue as somebody's first. Like so many other of today's creators, JMS assumes you know everything about these folks from the get-go.

The Flash (convienently) breaks his leg traveling back through time, so of course this way JMS didn't have to write any scenes of silly superheroics. Instead we get Barry putting on a uniform to fight hand to hand. Likewise, the Blackhawks are grounded as well, without their planes. I can't remember the last time I saw a comic cover that was so misleading with regards to the actual contents.

I gave JMS two issues on B&B, but so far he seems more interested in character study than telling straightforward adventure stories.