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POTW Archive:

• August 28, 2013 - Batman / Superman #3
• August 21, 2013 - Wonder Woman #23
• August 14, 2013 - Thor: God of Thunder #11
• August 7, 2013 - Quantum and Woody #2
• July 31, 2013 - Indestructible Hulk #11

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Story by Geoff Johns
Art by Howard Porter
Inks by Livesay
Colors by James Sinclair
Letters by Pat Brosseau

Published by DC Comics | $2.25

I know you may not believe it, but I actually do buy and read a whole lot of comics. I spend close to $30 a week at my local store on individual issues alone, not even any TPBs. And yet, every third week, you can pretty much bet I’m either going with a book with “X” or “Bendis” associated with it — or the oft enjoyed, rogue DC love of mine, The Flash.

Sadly for you, this week was no different.

Sure I enjoyed Blood of Saints #3 and The Amazing Spider-Man #509. I was perplexed by Excalibur #2 and slightly confused by Superman #206. For a while, it looked like Astonishing X-Men #2 was going to be this week’s Pick, but in the end, it was the classic super hero storytelling of Geoff Johns and Howard Porter in The Flash #211 that won me over.

I’ve raved about Johns run on The Flash on these pages before, so this should come as no surprise. But the recent addition of Howard Porter on pencils, whom I loved on JLA, has made a great book that much better. A feat I didn’t think was possible, especially after the great run that Johns had with artist Scott Kolins. Not that Kolins isn’t as good as Porter — they’re both great. Who would have thought that we’d be treated to quality art on a title for so long and from multiple artists? We didn’t even have to deal with any stupid manga inspired fill in artists!

In regards to the story, we’re still reeling from the erasing of The Flash’s identity/existence to the world as done by The Spectre. Wally West has embraced his role as The Flash again and has filled in his hero peers, which led him to some confrontation/explaining with his best friend, Nightwing. The friendship rekindling is interrupted by Gorilla Grodd and… well they fight. The Flash museum gets destroyed, and while Nightwing — who was critical of The Flash museum and the way Wally has handled his role as The Flash, comparing it to himself and Batman’s path being so dramatically different — questions the need for a museum, Wally reasserts himself in his role realizing that he is needed and an important person for the people of Keystone City.

In classic Johns fashion, story threads continue in the background and we KNOW that Hunter Zolomon, the new Zoom, is just lying in wait in prison, on the precipice of coming back to haunt Wally. And we end with another patented Johns story device, the cliffhanger!

This single issue really represents what good super hero comics are all about.

That said, there were a few notable things from the other books on my pile I’d like to note:

• Astonishing X-Men #2 – GREAT fight scenes. AWESOME confrontation between Kitty and Emma. Despite the hype, this book is a must read for X-Men fans.
• The Amazing Spider-Man #509 – I saw something I haven’t seen in a LONG time in a Marvel book: an Editor’s Note with the issues a flashback was referring to. Finally, it feels like home again
• Blood of Saints #3 – This is a great indie book that you’re probably not reading. I’m not really into horror, but this one has me hooked. It’s probably the cute girls and not the zombies.
• Excalbur #2 and Superman #206 share the “What The?” award this week. Anyone who can make heads or tails of these books, please let me know.

Did you read The Flash #211? Add a comment and tell everyone what you think about this week’s comics!