For few days (months), I have been cursing myself and making plans one after other to sit and read a book or comics, Due to work schedule and having a one and a half cute angel to handle the plans never comprised to reality. Sometimes the certain wait is worth and could have a reason to which we might not know at that time. I believe all those waits were to read FLASHPOINT. After many years, I had a chance to read a hardcopy English comics. Quite an experience, Thanks to my friend Sai for the book. Picked the book to read at 11 pm and the journey ended at around 1 pm. There were few pieces of stuff which I felt missing but on a whole it was a good book to read from start to end.
The story starts with Flash waking up in his office desk and soon realises things have changed around him including him being powerless. I am not going to say what all have changed because each change is emotionally woven into each other and if you are someone who has been following Flash for a while you can relate to a different level. That different level is what the plus of the book. Soon, Flash realises the current changes are happening with his past memories and everything is going through a reset, the world is at the brink of end due to the war between Atlantis and Amazons. Rest of the story is whether Flash is able to find the reason behind the changed timeline, is he able to get his power back, is he able to save the current world and is he going to change the timeline again?
Through this course of this journey, we come across various heroes and how they all play their part in the events to appear. The surprise bonanza in the story would be Batman. Of course, if you are bringing in Batman it will be out and out him. Such a character he is and always ensure to makes his presence felt. In this too, Batman makes his presence felt but the real surprise part is the version of Batman, This one is not our normal Batman. He is bit different and his story behind is different. Same way, we come across many heroes whom we know in a different version and throughout the story comes in a different way. Someone whom we always knew is shown up in a different version which makes us see them on a whole different level. This is another key success of this story, As it gives the same heroes in a different version so in the back of our mind we try to differentiate te version appearing in Flashpoint with our known versions. Super cool and fun it is.
However, the real best part of the story is the emotional content that is woven beautifully. It is not too glaring to make us twitch but is presented in a subtle way where we can relate and see the story at a different level, The loss of love life by Barry or getting his mother love back, Captain Thunder's hint on life, Cyborg's reason behind the fight and of all the Batman's father-son relationship it is the real icing on the cake. Wait for the ending scenes between Flash and Batsy. Personally, this is one of the best scenes in DC universe after the conversation between Batman and Superman in Injustice God Among us when Supe says Louis is pregnant. If I ever get a chance will make a poster of this two scenes and will frame it in my home.
The artworks are so brilliant and there are times where you would love to go back and see the panels which you have already crossed. Certain panels make us go through it twice or thrice. The Batman and Joker chase for instance or when batman supports Barry to walk to the roof. I was also gifted to notice a specific shot where Batman's family photo is seen in the background and Batman's face comes in the frame replacing his image so that his rest of his family shown. Awesome touch. Like this, there are different panels to go deep inside and enjoy them and that is the best of comics. We are given hints here and there and it si up to us to find and process them. Love comics for giving this experience. You read a dialogue and then you see the panel where you can see stuff relating to the dialogue and much more.
For a first time user or someone who haven't followed Flash and DC world or haven't seen Flashpoint Paradox movie this might even turn out to be an average or below average read. Fortunately, I have been following Flash for a while and have seen the Flashpoint Paradox movie so was able to relate and understand many scenes that are shown very very subtly in this book. I believe the movie did a better justification to Flashpoint than the book. Was bit disappointed on not seeing the origin story of Batman and Joker (best one in Flashpoint world), reason behind Aquaman and Wonder Woman fight but of all this si Flashpoint and the whole emphasis should be on Barry and his mom which I felt the book didn't justify but it concentrated more on whether barry getting his power and if he changes the timeline, If the above said parts were covered at least in a bit of more significant way the book would have given a complete feel and even a first timer would have loved the book.
However, there is a place where the book completely outscored the movie, The place where Reverse Flash explains how he himself has become a paradox and have clearly explained how Flash and Reverse Flash are different and their powers too. Also, there are many differences between the movie and book which again leads to comparison and gives a feel to see the same scene in different versions.
On the whole, Flashpoint is a great book to read and if you have seen the Flashpoint Paradox movie then the experience this book offers is something different. It touches you emotionally and will ensure the love for Flash and Batman increases many bounds. That is the success of the book. it makes us love our favourite characters a bit more and get closer to them.
Watch the movie first and then read the book an emotional journey to remember is guaranteed.
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