DCs latest "event" story launches today with Flashpoint #1! Teased for quite some time but remaining ambiguous until now Flashpoint hopes to shed light on the DCU's greatest heroes by putting them on unusual paths. Almost like a multiversal "what if". It's a fun, simple premise. Does it work?

So far yes! The book opens with Barry Allen in the crime lab. He has fallen asleep at his desk from pulling double shifts. When he wakes up he quickly begins to realize things aren't as they should be. Captain Cold - here known as Citizen Cold - is Central City's greatest hero? Barry's mother is not dead? His wife Iris is involved with someone else? Barry no longer has his speed powers and this world does not know of Flash's existence? This isn't right! Barry rushes over to Gotham city to talk to Batman where he deduces a startling truth, Bruce Wayne is dead and Thomas Wayne is the Batman. Most fans will dwell on this twist and speculate on its significance and impact on the DCU - if it doesn't turn out to be a red herring. I for one am much more intrigued by the slightly awkward exposition we got from Cyborg of the Teen Titans. He pleads an uncharacteristically violent Batman to join the ranks of a superhero peace-keeping force he is trying to put together. You see, in this altered reality, Atlantis - home of Aquaman - has sunk most of Western Europe while Themyscira - home of Wonder Woman - has claimed the UK as their turf. Both factions have powerful allies and tensions are mounting. If all out war erupts between these two groups the whole world will suffer. I'm very pleased about this plot point! I always thought the political ramifications of the DCU having two whole geographical nations of super powered beings was under-explored. This also bodes well for Aquaman and Wonder Woman. Two great characters who occupy less mental real estate in the fan base. Not to mention that Captain Marvel implies he was injured by Wonder Woman in Europe and wants to retaliate. Could the Rock of Eternity have been compromised in this reality?

Andy Kubert's pencils are very dynamic and his story-telling is fluid and clear. Though his line is perhaps not as elegant or precise as Manapul's he brings an intensity and strength of character to his compositions that lend the pages some welcome gravitas. Kubert also seems to manage his style judiciously and by that I mean that he uses a drawing method which would theoretically allow for the books to be churned out on time. Here's hoping I'm right. DC and the Flash have a lot riding on this story.

It's hard to tell where this story will go and what repercussions it will have on the Flash and the DCU but it would seem the whole of the setup work is done with this issue. If so, the rest of the series promises to be a thrilling cosmic romp in the DC sandbox.

This review was first published at StashMyComics.com/blog