The Flash: Starting Line (DC Essential Edition)

“The Flash – Starting Line” collects issues #0-12 of the New 52 Flash series, previously collected in two volumes, the first of which I gave a 4-star review, but the second only a 3. The Flash Volume 1: Move Forward TP (The New 52) Flash Volume 2: Rogue's Revolution TP (The New 52) (Flash (DC Comics Numbered)) The Flash v1 – Move Forward (4-stars - issues #1-8)As with a modern TV series, there are the ‘stories of the day’ with the guest star/villain and the big budget effects, while the sub-plots and character development run through each episode, which is what drives the stories here.Among the sub-plots are such diverse elements as Barry and Patty Spivot’s growing romantic relationship; Barry and the Flash’s growing professional relationship with Iris West; Barry’s relationship with the Speed Force and Dr Elias the scientist helping him investigate it; the Speed Force apparently causing time warps when the Flash operates at full capacity, along with the occasional EMP burst; and a bright red uniform.There is also a sub-plot involving talking Gorillas, but that is scheduled for development in volume three, and there are also hints at a deep backstory involving Barry’s parents.The ‘main’ stories, are actually so intertwined with the sub-plots above that the action doesn’t appear to stop, just the baddies change over, every few issues; the first ‘Mob Rule’ storyline, involving Barry’s childhood best friend runs for five issues, though Captain Cold and the Rogues make their prison break during issue #5, just as Iris is interviewing said Captain; then the Captain’s story runs through issues #6 & #7, though during #7 Iris, doing her best Lois Lane impression, manages to fall through one of the wormholes which have also been running through the stories, leading the Flash to use Dr Elias’s new ‘cosmic treadmill’ to leap through the light barrier into the Speed Force, which in issue #8 leads to a meeting with Turbine, who has been trapped in there since 1944, and wants to go home, and who may have been responsible for some of the turbulence in the storyline; we also get a few snapshots of Barry’s mysterious past.All the above might sound complicated, but it all runs together seamlessly, each scene leading into the next, each plot-thread leading into the next, and things being revealed in a natural progression, which might not have been so noticeable if you were reading individual issues. And there’s a lot more going on than I have mentioned, but it all runs together in a continuous blur of movement; no seams are visible. The storytelling is a perfect Flash experience.My only complaint is one of personal taste, as the artwork was slightly too cartoony for me, but only slightly.The Flash v2 – Rogues Revolution (3-stars - issues #9-12, issue #0 and Annual #1)I found this to be an uninspiring collection compared to the first volume for some reason. Fortunately, I read Library copies, so I haven’t spent money on it; however, I have spent time.The story opens in Gorilla City, where King Grodd has just come to power, and the Flash has dropped out of the speed force just in time for the victory banquet. He has lost his memory (the Flash that is), and the gorilla elders reveal the history (but not the mystery) of the speed force to him, which restores his memory of Iris and the others still trapped in the Force, who we then don’t see for the rest of the volume.Making his escape from Gorilla City, the Flash returns to Keystone City, where he looks for somewhere to live and work in his new life, Barry Allen now being believed to be dead. Would you believe his first job is in the very bar where the Rogues regularly rendezvous? Anyway, they have had a falling out over something Captain Cold has done to them (with the help of Doctor Elias, who is setting himself up as the next Lex Luthor), to boost their powers, and the rest of the book is the escalating battle between the Rogues, with the Flash and the Pied Piper caught in the middle, with a side order of Doctor Elias becoming an anti-vigilante crusader.This all keeps the Flash to busy to think about Iris and the others, though he does get to help Patty solve her cold case, though she joins the anti-vigilante crusade to show her thanks.The story is actually quite reasonable, and the scripting is good; but the art is just too cartoony, which makes everyone look far too young, as if they are the cast of a Japanese animated cartoon. I suppose all the high-definition ultra-realistic artists are all busy on the Justice League and other Geoff Johns titles.Anyway; after all my grumbling, it is still a readable comic book, but it could have been better.Issue #0 looks at events surrounding the death of Barry Allen’s mother, the lightning flash that linked him to the speed force, his relationship with his father, and his links with Captain Frye, who adopted him after the murder.