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THE FLASH #5

Central City in chaos! Iris West captive in Iron Heights prison!

And as Flash tries to deal with all of it, he must also try to save the life of his old friend Manuel Lago from Mob Rule, DC Comics’ hottest new Super Villain!

Written by FRANCIS MANAPUL and BRIAN BUCCELLATO
Art and cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL
Variant cover by GARY FRANK
B&W Variant cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL

Price: $2.99
iFanboy Community Pick of the Week Percentage: 4.1%

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kingdomofevan01/27/12YesRead Review
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  1. Avatar photo Flash923 says:
    January 23, 2012 at 2:31 pm

    Barry Allen I am so glad you are back among us!! I have missed this Flash and the way this title is setting this new character up I am loving it!! As for DC comics hottest new villain I beg to differ! I really liked them(him) in the begining however; they are starting to get a little boring. DC’s hottest new villian or villians: Talon and the secret order of the Owls right?
    Flash has been a incredible title and has really been beautiful to look at month in and month out. GO FLASH!!

    K

    • Dr.Casanova says:
      January 23, 2012 at 2:36 pm

      Yeah, Mob Rule definitely isn’t their hottest new villain, (much like how they said the trench would be their most talked about villains).

    • Avatar photo Flash923 says:
      January 23, 2012 at 2:45 pm

      The Trench can be some serious bad #sses and can see them popping up all over in the New DCU causing serious havok.

      K

    • Dr.Casanova says:
      January 23, 2012 at 6:15 pm

      True, actually, i found the trench to be really interesting. I was definitley hoping that aquaman #4 was the end to them as a species first and as characters second.

    • Dr.Casanova says:
      January 23, 2012 at 6:16 pm

      I meant that i hoped it was not the end for them.

    • Avatar photo sitara119 says:
      January 23, 2012 at 8:45 pm

      the trench are awesome. they’re so cool, we’re talking bout them in a flash thread.
      mob rule sucks.
      i’ll be back for some rogue action.

    • Avatar photo Flash923 says:
      January 24, 2012 at 7:24 am

      Rogues in the next story arc will be a welcome start, the Mob Rules just ok for now and I think this will just establish him(them) as new character/s with a background. Futures stories with this character should be very cool. I love this title and Flash is my favorite character of all time especially Barry Allen however; like everyone else I can’t wait for some rogues (Capt. Cold) in the next story arc and maybe a few more as well I would like closure on Wally.
      As far as I can tell there seems to be a few heroes unaccounted for since the begining and thru out Flashpoint and Wally is one of them….conspiracy?? Is this all still a different reality?? Lets see what happens…..

      K

  2. Avatar photo GaviinNansoong says:
    January 23, 2012 at 2:41 pm

    I find myself having to read this title twice each month, first time I’m just in awe of the visuals.

  3. Avatar photo adrianrigter says:
    January 23, 2012 at 3:13 pm

    enjoying this book, but i’m very much ready for the next arc.

  4. Avatar photo JimBilly4 says:
    January 23, 2012 at 4:45 pm

    I haven’t found much to interest me character-wise, but the continuing innovative art-storytelling from Manapaul will keep me coming back for a quite a while more.

  5. Avatar photo NathanNicdao says:
    January 23, 2012 at 6:57 pm

    The “missed by the bullet” thing was kind of a stretch, but I believe Manapul will hit his stride.

  6. edward says:
    January 23, 2012 at 7:08 pm

    You know that scene in Knocked Up when Seth Rogan tells Katherine Heigl that Matthew Fox is an asrehole. Why? Because of no reason at all, Matthew Fox is just too bland and nice. Remember that? that’s how i feel about this book

  7. Avatar photo TomiH says:
    January 23, 2012 at 8:04 pm

    Really not feeling this series, aside from the art. It reads like Flash’s Pal Manuel Lago: Featuring Flash!

    • Epic says:
      January 24, 2012 at 12:25 am

      I can see where you got that from issue 4, but overall I would have to disagree. I was disapointed with the last issue but I have high expectations for this one.

  8. Avatar photo mgriffith says:
    January 23, 2012 at 9:01 pm

    I’m hopping on with the end of this arc. Needs me some rogues!

  9. Avatar photo JDA190 says:
    January 24, 2012 at 7:28 am

    Captain Cold returns soon! Though without his trademark cold gun? I’m a traditionalist but the new costume is starting to grow on me. It’s updated and new but you can still instantly tell that it’s Cold. I really wonder what Manapul will do with the Mirror Master’s costume!

  10. Avatar photo ClasikRok says:
    January 24, 2012 at 1:10 pm

    Was not thrilled with this series and dropped it after issue 2. Might check it out when the Rogues make a comeback starting with my fav Captain Cold!

  11. Avatar photo Xajoshua says:
    January 25, 2012 at 1:26 pm

    Loved the arc overall, but felt the ending was only a 4. My one complaint is that Flash takes down three meta rogues in one page without breaking a sweat using just a big splash of water. How are those guys ever going to seem a credible threat? Are they just suppossed to come across as joke villains?

  12. flapjaxx says:
    January 25, 2012 at 6:07 pm

    This has been my sleeper hit of the New 52. I’ve never been a big Flash fan before, but Manapul has definitely impressed me here, especially with the writing. (I new his art would be good.)

    • Avatar photo KenOchalek says:
      January 25, 2012 at 7:47 pm

      No sleeper for me, this made my pull list from the announcement. It’s just fun comics! Manapul is fantastic on this (I want a print of that first double page spread), but don’t forget co-writer and colorist Brian Buccellato! He’s bringing the goods too!

  13. Avatar photo JNewcomb says:
    January 25, 2012 at 8:36 pm

    I had the pleasure of interviewing Brian. Nice guy! And from the sound of it this book will continue to be solid for a good while yet.

  14. Avatar photo JNewcomb says:
    January 26, 2012 at 6:56 am

    As for the story itself:

    Good stuff! Lots of plot lines converging nicely here. I can’t say the ending was a big shocker for me but I enjoyed it. I was hoping for a bit more of a surprise but the lead up to this conclusion was so great that I still loved the book. Not sure I completely buy Manuel’s transformation either. But again, it was still fun to read so I can’t fault it too much. If I had fun, that’s the pint isn’t it? My favorite part was when Patty realized what Barry means to her when she thought he might ave died. I got a bit of a case of the misty eyeballs during that scene.

  15. Avatar photo sp1dey says:
    January 26, 2012 at 11:53 am

    I have never read a Flash story before but started reading on issue #1. This has been so good. The art is great and as a new reader, it seems a good introduction to the character. This past issue left on a great ending and excited to see where it will go. Definitely a new fan.

  16. Avatar photo stasisbal says:
    January 26, 2012 at 4:48 pm

    I continue to love this. It’s easily at the top of my list of DC books.

  17. Avatar photo yyzKyle says:
    January 26, 2012 at 5:35 pm

    I have read many negative comments about Mob Rule on this website. Not that he out-right sucks, but that he isn’t a heavy hitter to launch the series etc.

    Well, with the final pages of this issue, I have to say that I think Mob Rule is awesome, I know he will return and I am excited to see that in the future. This book is great, and I am glad that Manapul got a chance to write. Good work DC.

  18. Avatar photo TheRealVenom says:
    January 27, 2012 at 1:37 am

    I know i’m probably in the minority here but this as been a pretty weak first arc. Love the art but the story just does nothign for me.

    • Avatar photo KenOchalek says:
      January 27, 2012 at 7:49 am

      It occurred to me as I was reading this on Wednesday that the main reason I’m buying it is for the art. Francis and Brian make this one of the best looking books on the stands. So given that, I can accept that story isn’t the greatest thing ever. But for two guys, not known for writing, to come out of the gate with a book that has amazing art and a more-than-adequate-but-less-than-stunning story…I’d call that a win.

      It’s rare these days for us to see a writer (or writers) find their legs on such a big book. But if one element is so above average, I can deal with another element being less than exceptional. For now (I do hope the second arc shows improvement.)

    • Avatar photo JNewcomb says:
      January 27, 2012 at 12:34 pm

      Brian revealed to me in an interview that he has been writing for 15 years, it’s just no one “knows” it. it’s less of dramatic transition that we might assume. I personally disagree that the story is less than stunning. I’d say 3 out of 5 issues had brilliant scripts. Issues 4 and 5 were a bit weaker but not short of good. I’d give the arc overall an 80%.

      We’re talking about a very involved plot containing a brand new villain with a complex back story, plus a love triangle, plus Barry’s new powers, plus a bit of an intro to the Rogues, plus a few other things. The fact that all of that is delivered in an accessible manner, reads swiftly and remains buoyant throughout is an accomplishment.

      I find little fault in this arc. And the faults I do find are really not anything more than details. Compared to the monumental fun I’m having while reading this book, my criticisms begin to seem rather nitpicky.

    • Avatar photo KenOchalek says:
      January 27, 2012 at 1:17 pm

      @jNewcomb: Totally, I don’t want to make it sound like I haven’t been enjoying this book because I definitely have! I just recognize that it’s the art and coloring more than the story that makes me happy to give my LCS $2.99 for it every single month.

  19. Avatar photo SmoManCometh says:
    January 27, 2012 at 7:50 pm

    I think people are mistaking the fact that the art is telling the story as bland writing. There is a HELL of a lot more going on story wise than people are really giving it credit for.

    • Avatar photo JNewcomb says:
      January 27, 2012 at 8:19 pm

      I’m of this opinion. This is art as script.

    • Avatar photo ResurrectionFlan says:
      January 28, 2012 at 12:23 am

      5 issues deep and I am pretty sick of Mob Rule. Don’t really have a good sense of the villain either personality wise, does he hate the Flash but like Barry still?

    • Avatar photo KenOchalek says:
      January 28, 2012 at 8:34 am

      @ResurrectionFlan:

      I think yes, Manuel hates the Flash, but still likes Barry (I don’t think he knows Barry is the Flash).

      I was having some similar feelings as yourself, so I re-read all five issues last night, and it clarified the story for me in some big (positive) ways.

      I think Mob Rule works if you look at this arc as an origin story for Mob Rule and not a “established hero vs established villain” story.

      See the tricky part with Mob Rule is that we have now had TWO versions of Mob Rule. Mob Rule 1.0 are simply the Manuel duplicates we saw through the bulk of the arc. The dupes are dying and need Manual and the gene recoder to live. Manual doesn’t want to help, so they kidnap him and steal the gene recoder. So they’re doing wrong, but their motivations aren’t terribly evil.

      Mob Rule 2.0 appears to be more villanous. Upset at the deaths of Mob Rule 1.0 (apparently due to the actions of Flash and Dr. Elias) Manual-Prime is now on board with the Mob Rule concept and is willfully creating duplicates to…..get revenge, be bad, whatever.

      Re-read the issues to date, and I think it’ll show you that this is actually a really solid arc that introduces a cool new Rogue (that has a pretty strong connection to Barry).

    • Avatar photo sitara119 says:
      January 28, 2012 at 10:02 am

      @ken
      inciteful.
      i do think that this will be a cool villain in the future, but his orgin story over this 5 issue arc has, at times, been slow moving. i found issues 3 and 4 to be pretty boring and was not going to get the 5th installment, but when i flipped through it at the CS, i couldnt resist. this issue was anything but boring and bland and wrapped things up nicely. not to mention the layouts are jaw-dropping

    • Avatar photo JNewcomb says:
      January 28, 2012 at 10:40 am

      Yup, this book does re-read differently.

  20. rocknrolla says:
    January 28, 2012 at 4:06 pm

    Like a lot of folks I’m looking forward to the second arc. As for Mob Rule c’mon it’s a bunch of terminally ill guys wielding billy clubs that ain’t exactly a credible threat to a guy like flash

    • Avatar photo JNewcomb says:
      January 29, 2012 at 12:16 pm

      A bunch of guys with the potential ability to be everywhere at the same time. Limited by only a few months. I can see this villain quickly amassing a formidable army.

    • Avatar photo KenOchalek says:
      January 30, 2012 at 8:41 am

      And the mechanics of the character elegantly avoids the “How do they get all their henchmen?” question other villains like Kobra, Cobra, Hydra or AIM are constantly subject to.

      Mob Rule does(do) raise a lot of subject-verb agreement issues. Is it singular or plural? 😉

    • Avatar photo JNewcomb says:
      January 30, 2012 at 9:31 am

      We’ve also had problems figuring out how to catalog this character in our database. Do you log him in as a team or a character? Is Mob Rules alias Manuel Lago. Anyway, that’s quite a specific and precise concern.

    • Avatar photo sitara119 says:
      January 30, 2012 at 9:39 am

      plural.
      mob rule could be an army, but they do need some more advanced tech. the billy clubs, obviously, isnt going to amount to a hill of beans against flash. maybe if they had a bunch of captain cold guns or something….
      they definitely need a little fine tuning, but they have potential if they can get some better weapons

  21. Avatar photo CrimsonBlur says:
    February 16, 2012 at 2:38 am

    SLIGHT SPOILER OF FLASHPOINT/BACK ISSUES: Loved this issue, art was great, and the end to this wonderful story arc was AWESOME! I can see Mob Rule becomeing a constant villian in the Flash Universe/Story/Rouges or what ever suits you. But since we are moveing on to the Rouges I can’t help but wonder… has Flashpoint altered the line up any? Are the original Mirror Master and Top back? Or is Scudder still dead, never became Mirror Master, Top still dead, and no new Top as of yet? And he’s not really a “Rouge”, but Flashpoint seemed to kill off Zoom for good.. but you can never count a comic book character down for the count. Whos to say he won’t find another way back? He did before. I’m not sure if all of these questions will be answered, but I have a feeling the first major event since the reboot will shed some light on alot of our ” What is still left from before Flashpoint?” questions. Why else would that mystery women from the end of Flashpoint appear in EVERY #1 issue?

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