Hot Off The Comics Press: Flashpoint week

With Marvel Comics’ big event, Fear Itself, garnering mixed reviews from critics and readers, the first issue of DC’s monumental story arc, Flashpoint, arrives in stores on 11 May. Written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Andy Kubert, Flashpoint is far more ambitious than previous DC events, such as Blackest Night and the proceeding Brightest Day. Indeed, this Flash-centric storyline is a colossus compared to Marvels summer event as, along with the five-issue title series, there are no fewer than 16 miniseries and 4 one-shots to accompany it. With the accompanying titles set for June releases, this DC event could span an incredible 47 issues companywide.

DC’s official synopsis reads:

Not a dream, not an imaginary story, not an elseworld. This is 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!

This may seem like overkill to a number of fans and that a huge gamble is being taken both on the quality of the story and how it will be received by the readers. However, DC recently opened up a number of positions within its publishing schedule due to the cancelation of several low-selling monthly titles. Will Flashpoint be a success? There is only one way to find out.