Flashpoint - Atop the Fourth Wall

Welcome to Atop the Fourth Wall, where bad comics burn. Event Comics Month concludes with a look at the DC event Flashpoint!

Originally released May 30th, 2017.

ORIGINAL INFO: Short for, "Flash, what was even the point?"

[jameshowlett]

So in the Flashpoint universe, Superman's arrival devastated Metropolis and Batman's a violent murderer?  Dammit, Barry, did you create the DCEU too?!

[Fuzzy_Barbarian]

Thomas Wayne is still a better Batman than Crazy Steve

[Zenn_Chan]

I love the scene between Bruce and Barry at the end. It really makes the whole event feel worth happening (as a stand-alone, not the new-52 change)

Bruce validating Barry by saying “yeah, I would’ve done it too” not only shows his kindness as a friend, but also shows more of Bruce not being perfect. It’s maybe one of my favourite scenes in DC. I love the personal stuff.

[DarkwyndPT]

The worst part of Barry coming back is that a lot of younger writers now tend to write Barry with Wally's mannerisms and personality. Case in point, Barry Allen in the upcoming Justice League movie.

[reaperproductions]

I just realized... Flash was brought back in final crisis, Flash caused Flashpoint which caused the new 52 and would lead to rebirth...Final Crisis is connected to Countdown.

So every bad comic following Flashpoint can all be linked back to countdown: The Culling, Red Hood and The Outlaws, New 52 Blue Beetle, Batman: The Dark Knight, The Gift, and Heroes In Crisis

[ndLife]

I'm Deathstroke, I'm going to be *King of the Pirates*!

[phoenixshadow]

I think Geoff Johns in a commentary for the Flashpoint Paradox animated feature said that this was not going to be a reboot until the powers that be said it was to be a reboot.

[zoeybedenbaugh]

30:10 Despite it being all of a single scene, Kevin Conroy honestly deserves some sort of award for his reading of this scene in the Flashpoint animated movie. After 30 years of him being the definitive voice of Batman, that emotional connection to the way it goes down is just heartwrenching. The music really makes the scene even more powerful, because it intentionally uses the Batman TAS style music but segues into a bit of piano at the end and it really just feels like the proper Batman getting closure.

[Chrisy]

“If your mom have been killed by a supervillain from the future and altered your past, you’ve probably wanna hug her when she shows up alive again too”

Lucina knows that feeling right there.

[benjamin_burke]

22:09 Wait, Captain Marvel is six kids combined? But does each one become Captain Marvel, or do they fuse into one Captain Marvel? Or . . . maybe they summon Captain Marvel!
Let our powers combine! Earth! Air! Fire! Water! Heart! Teenage Attitude! *Vshuuu* With your powers combined, I am CAPTAIN MARVEL!!!

[IceDragon]

"Batman? Well of course I've heard of Batman."

"Actual conversation from inside one of DC's executive offices."

Oh god, that's the hardest I've laughed since Guardians Vol. 2.

[shawn-raymulder]

Given how insanely popular Batman and Wolverine both are for their respective companies, I’m honestly shocked that Marvel and DC haven’t figured out a way to make Dark Claw a regular ongoing

[SMAXZO]

Flashpoint: ALL YOUR FAULT, BARRY! ALL YOUR FAULT!

Seriously, Barry..you know time travelers. Ask them why they don't go back and rescue their loved ones from death? Hell, ask Booster Gold what happened when he rescued Ted from getting shot by Max. Seriously, World's Fastest Man...slowest thinker in comics.

[malcomalexander]

The worst part is that it wasn't supposed to lead to a reboot. It was suppose to be a placeholder while DC moved offices, then that move got delayed. So New 52 was an unplanned reboot.

[tanasaky]

I saw the animated movie Flashpoint. And I liked it. A lot. It integreted the side stories very well and made me care about this alternate world. It doesn't look like the comic did so tho. I am a casual comics fan, but I am looking to rectify that.

P.S. Cyborg gorillas?! Yes please, more!

P.S.S. Hey DC, stop putting Batman in everything! He is my favorite hero, but even I am getting sick of him. Batman in Justice League Dark?! Why?? He was useless!

[andriygriffin]

I do see the Batman in this as sort of a dig to the DC executives: "If he's not involved who cares", "He's super-duper powerful", etc. Don't get me wrong, I love Batman, but while Marvel give the likes of Ant-Man, Black Panther, and the Guardians of the Galaxy a chance with their own movies, DC needs to realise there are so many others outside of the Dark Knight. For crying out load, even Superman doesn't seem to be of importance anymore! :(

[GeneralKenobi]

You know, an alternate reality where Thomas and Bruce die and Martha becomes a Batwoman would be awesome! Makes more sense than her becoming the Joker.

[SMAXZO]

23 years? Linkara..Barry didn't die...he lost his memory, went to Marvel under the name Buried Alien aka Fastforward.

[AlexisVolk]

I think the animated movie ended up "cleaner" so to speak, the main series is fine but the tie-ins are what truly shine for me. But that may just be because this was my jump on point to comics.
Anyways awsome work this month mister Lovhaug.

[homuraakemi]

Never use time travel to fix your problems. It never goes well...