Since the release of Green Lantern: Rebirth by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver, which brought Hal Jordan back to prominence as the “main” Green Lantern of earth and resurrected him from his death as Parallax, Green Lantern has been the title to watch at DC Comics. With years of plans coming to a head with May’s Blackest Night event, what did Johns have left to do?
How about Flash: Rebirth, with Ethan Van Sciver, which is going to bring Barry Allen back to prominence as the “main” Flash of the DC Universe and resurrect him from his death at the hands of the Anti-Monitor?
Okay, so technically Barry was already back, in Final Crisis, but the fact remains he didn’t look nearly as good there as he does in the capable hands of superstar–and former Impulse artist–Ethan Van Sciver. Blog@Newsarama sat down for a chat with Ethan, one that will kick off a monthly discussion on the impact, the art and the inevitable success of Flash: Rebirth.
Blog@Newsarama: So first off, is there any plan, with all the Flashes involved in this series, to differentiate the power usage like you did on Green Lantern: Rebirth?
Ethan Van Sciver: Maybe slightly, just because certain parts of different costumes “draw lightning” in varied ways, but the speed force doesn’t respond to personality the way Lantern rings do.
BLOG@: That’s a cool note. Is it just me or did Barry seem like kind of a jerk this issue? Maybe he was just trying to be more focused but he did seem very dismissive of Hal, and of everyone’s good intentions…
EVS: I’m not sure he was dismissive of Hal. In fact, he seemed very happy to see his old buddy again, and they shared some good-natured quips back and forth. I think he was dismissive of Hal’s idea that his return, his conquering of death, was a good thing, and that now it was party time. Something is nagging at him…
BLOG@: Is it safe to say he seems to be the new Black Flash?
EVS: Keep reading!
BLOG@: (As an aside, there seems to be a connection between Barry–brought back and thinking it’s bad for the universe–and Michelle Carter in Booster Gold doing the same. And Geoff just came off that book.)
EVS: Oh, that’s interesting.
BLOG@: Is this the last we’ll see of Savitar? He was one of the Waid/Dezago era’s great Flash villains
EVS: Savitar is dead, yes.
BLOG@: For what death is worth in comics, of course. Is Barry here the voice of the series or are we intended to be a little critical of his cynicism?
EVS: The reader can draw his own conclusions, but again, I don’t think it’s cynicism on Barry’s part, but a sense that something is very wrong. We’re not seeing the Barry we’re used to here, and there’s a reason for that.
BLOG@: Now, one thing in terms of art only–how did you approch this issue? Where Barry himself is kind of the representative of the Silver Age, the content of this book is very much a product of the post-Crisis on Infinite Earths age and Barry’s look here kind of reflects both
BLOG@: And structurally, what’s the big difference between this and the Green Lantern: Rebirth series? The last was Hal’s redemption and obviously this one has an element of Barry’s as well in terms of bringing him back from the brink into the fold. Is the panel structure discernibly different from Green Lantern: Rebirth or anything?
EVS: Answering your last question: Geoff is saying that this is kind of the opposite of the approach that he took in Green Lantern: Rebirth–and it needs to be, because Hal Jordan returned as a sinner and Barry a saint. So aside from the title being the same, there isn’t really a through line, other than revitalizing two beloved Silver Age icons and prepping them for modern day stories. I haven’t thought much about tying the two together visually for that reason. This is a Flash story. A big one. And I’m thinking about it on its own.
BLOG@: From the first issue it seems like there’s some inspiration being drawn from Identity Crisis. How are we going to differentiate this book from what’s come before it?
EVS: Where do you see inspiration being drawing from Identity Crisis?
BLOG@: Maybe not inspiration as much as—what did you say? A through line. Just starting the series with a graphic murder sequence. Maybe that’s assuming too much
EVS: Interesting! I’ve started lots of books with graphic murder sequences, but they were all Cyberfrog stories, so I guess I’m sort of numb to that kind of violence! But I think by issue #3 your question will be answered.
BLOG@: Do you feel any pressure creating a “new” look for an iconic character like Barry?
With this issue’s retcons and the general tenor of the book, he certainly seems a little darker than he was.
EVS: Well, I’m not sure I’ve given Barry a new look. I’m drawing him the way I’ve always seen him, although I’ve heard from a few Flash fans that they prefer a more slender build on him. As for his costume, it’s as classic as ever!
BLOG@: Speaking of costumes—and based on the last couple pages–will we see Jesse Quick/Liberty Belle bought back into the Speedster fold? If so, did you get to create a new costume?
EVS: Could be! Might have!
BLOG@: heh. For those of us who are Impulse fans, can you promise that Max won’t be an “aren’t we edgy?” sacrificial lamb a la Savitar?
EVS: Er…I….
BLOG@: heh. I know enough to move along after that answer! Will we get to see Ethan Van Sciver, Artist Extraordinaire, draw any more characters from the DCU besides this issue’s cameos?
EVS: How about the JLA? See issue #3!
BLOG@: Good to hear! Whose idea was it–yours or Geoff’s–to have the covers be reminiscent of classic DCU books?
EVS: The second cover, you mean? I think it’s the only tribute cover I’ve done for this series. Geoff wanted me to draw Flash running while the other speedsters suffered in the background. This seemed like a fun way to accomplish that idea and more!
April 5th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Way, way too much of this comic consisted of people standing around going “Barry is more wonderful than Jesus.”*
Then again, maybe I found it more grating because I’m pretty solidly in the “leave him dead” camp.
*Well yeah, except for Bart going “I’m going to say he’s not all that, just for contrast.” Speaking of whom, how and when did he come back? I totally missed it, and I thought I was reading more of DCs output than I should be bothering with.
April 5th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
He came back in “FINAL CRISIS: LEGION OF 3 WORLDS” #3, last month–since the book is now about 4 months late, there’s been no conclusion to that story yet to explain how Bart returned to the 21st Century–but I think we can safely assume tht Johns will handle that in some form by the end of that series in July.
Another victory for DC Editorial. Why do they try to publish these things monthly?
April 6th, 2009 at 8:51 am
“Okay, so technically Barry was already back, in Final Crisis, but the fact remains he didn’t look nearly as good there as he does in the capable hands of superstar–and former Impulse artist–Ethan Van Sciver”
How can you argue with the facts? Good thing Van Sciver saved Barry from lesser artwork by the likes of JG Jones and Doug Mahnke…
April 6th, 2009 at 9:47 am
Ethan Van Sciver’s art ROCKS! He should draw Jesus! Illustrate the Bible EVS! Jesus would look so pretty! Noah too!
April 6th, 2009 at 11:42 am
Yes, how did Bart come back? Big fan of Waid/Ramos run, and sad they killed him off old school with a major beating. So is he somehow “resurrected” or what? DC please get it together here! And please, Johns has the wrong take on Bart. Bart always saw Barry as “Grandpa” and treat his legacy with respect. This interpretation is totally off. Not to mention so far that the series seems to be really putting Wally on the sideslines seeing as how he’s had so much control and experience with the speed force and now he’s being treated like some side character just to put Barry in the spot light. So far, Flash Rebirth is disappointing.
April 6th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
RussBurlingame Says:
April 5th, 2009 at 11:08 pm edit
He came back in “FINAL CRISIS: LEGION OF 3 WORLDS” #3, last month–since the book is now about 4 months late, there’s been no conclusion to that story yet to explain how Bart returned to the 21st Century–but I think we can safely assume tht Johns will handle that in some form by the end of that series in July.
April 6th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Way, way too much of this comic consisted of people standing around going “Barry is more wonderful than Jesus.”
I don’t know why you’re surprised, this is how Johns writes everything. I mean, replace “Barry” with “Hal Jordan” and you have an accurate description of every issue Green Lantern ever written.
April 6th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
“The reader can draw his own conclusions, but again, I don’t think it’s cynicism on Barry’s part, but a sense that something is very wrong. We’re not seeing the Barry we’re used to here, and there’s a reason for that.”
See, what I think Van Sciver is missing is that there is no “Barry that we’re used to”. Lots of people picking up this comic have never read a comic starring Barry Allan and have seen him at most popping up in the occasional alternate universe/time travel guest star role. We don’t have a clear idea of his personality at all. So when he blows off all his friends, it doesn’t seem like something is very wrong so much as that the dude is kind of a jerk. This is it, our first impression of him.
I mean, he’s ignoring his wife, for goodness sakes! His wife who has been pining after his deceased self for years. Total jerk.
April 6th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Dave - “I mean, replace “Barry” with “Hal Jordan” and you have an accurate description of every issue Green Lantern ever written.”
Oooh, the bitter haters club is out in full effect. If you read Green Lantern (or do so without the hate goggles), you’d know this isn’t true.
And now back to your regularly-scheduled whine of, “Oh no, Wally won’t be the Flash when I’m geriatric. Noooooo…”
April 6th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Dave said:
“I don’t know why you’re surprised, this is how Johns writes everything.”
Where did I express surprise? Just meant that it made the book kind of tedious is all.
Matthew said:
“Lots of people picking up this comic have never read a comic starring Barry Allan and have seen him at most popping up in the occasional alternate universe/time travel guest star role. We don’t have a clear idea of his personality at all.”
You could read a whole long box full of his original silver-age issues and not come away with much more of one.
April 7th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
man that was awesome Van Sciver is a very creative man. this is going to be a great series thanks guys luv dc