Joshua Williamson

Batman and Robin Vol. 1 (2023-2024)

(This probably won't be as long as my Flashpoint Beyond Review, but I'll still try to be thorough)

So we're on the same page about where I'm coming from with this book, I really like the Rogues. I have since I was a kid and I read the Rogue War storyline from the Geoff Johns Flash run. (Still one of my favorites to this day) The idea of a team of supervillains who were more like a gang of normal criminals than an anti-Justice League was something I latched onto, as I have a soft spot for small-scale villains. And the idea of them having a determined moral code that prevents them from being complete monsters was one I found particularly interesting. So the idea of the Rogues getting a solo story was one I was on board for, especially since Williamson did such good work in his Flash run. So I read it, and it was... almost as good as I expected.

First, let's get something out of the way. This is definitely not the first comic to give someone the "character but old" treatment. Dark Knight Returns popularized it. Old Man Logan gave it a resurgence, and there have been plenty of others. (one that was even coming out at the same time that I'll review in a few days) It's definitely retreading familiar ground, but I'm willing to forgive that if the story is good, which it was.

Williamson's script is generally good, with only a couple weird lines, which has been my experience with him on other books, and it doesn't make the book worse, so I don't mind. Especially because some lines are trying to be cheesy on purpose. (I assume that because any time someone makes a cold pun the letters are blue) Leomacs' art was pretty good, but I think it's trying to be intentionally ugly sometimes, and that won't be everyone's thing.

But what I really liked about the story was that it had such a good understanding of the characters. Admittedly, they all have such clear-cut personalities that it's hard to mess them up, but it's still nice to see everyone feel so in-character. And the way that it explored how their negative traits build off each other, and how a lot of them were actually happy while retired, before Snart comes in and ruins their lives again was very interesting to me.

Character choices are something I think about with team books, and this was a good mix of characters. You've got plenty of classics, plus Magenta and Golden Glider to add a splash of variety, and even the unconventional apprach of using Bronze Tiger, which turned out to be a good decision later, as he provides an interesting moral compass for the group. Separate from the main Rogues, I also thought the decision to include Sam Simeon was very fun. I don't know why specifically, but there's just something I think is fun about obscure characters being implemented into a story well. Grodd was kind of a basic villain, and a little bit too goofy in an unintentional way, but the deep dive into the Rogues as characters made up for it for me.

This might be a superficial thing, but I really liked the look of Gorilla City. It was simultaneosly advanced and depressing. It would probably be unfair to compare this book to Blade Runner, but that's what I think of when I see what Grodd has done to Gorilla City in this. On top of the dystopian imagery, the mixing of Gorilla City's culture and the culture of the western world was fun from a world-building perspective. But I'm a nerd for visually distinct fictional locations, so I'm biased.

My one big complaint with this book is that the ending is pretty unsatisfying in one specific area. It doesn't kill the book, because it does make sense, it's just not the ending I would have wanted to see. It's one of a few moments where it feels like the book can't decide whether it wants to be fun or depressing. And maybe the intention was always to break up the heaviness with humorous moments, but I feel like if that's the case it could have been executed better.

But in spite of that one issue, I don't really have a lot that drags this one down for me. Granted, a lot of it comes down to my subjective enjoyment and how much I like the characters, but I think I have a good enough ability to separate my interest in a character from observable quality if a book is bad, so I don't think my credibility is affected too harshly by my interest in the characters. I would probably give this an 8/10. It would be a 9/10 if not for the one isue I have with the ending that I won't spoil.

Have you read this book? If so, what did you think about it?

Now that I finished the run (it was a great ride) I'll make my final ranking of it. I changed a lot of stuff here and there and added the last 4 arcs into the mix.

Disclaimer: This isn't the definitive ranking it. It's just my opinion. So I hope you'll enjoy it!

1. Finish Line #758-762

This was the perfect final for an amazing run. There were sooo many epic moments. I am happy that I could sit through it in one 'session' and didn't have to wait 2 weeks for every new issue. This arc was really great. Finally introducing The whole Flash Family into Prime Earth. For real every Flash Family member joined it. Even the Tangent Comics one. Joshua wrote everyone of them great! With this great ending to the Eobard Thawne character I wouldn't mind if this would be the last appereance of him. The ending is so beatifuly written that I was really happy and sad at the same time while reading it. Right now I really don't know what I should think about reviving Godspeed. Also the Renegades are alive again and I want to know if they're ever going to really appear again.

2. Flash War #46-51

This storyarc was really hyped up among Flash Fans. And with really I mean really hyped up. It was really really good. The Return of Hunter Zolomon aka. Zoom was excellent in my opinion. I liked the fact that Wally got more 'screentime'. All in all a very good arc. Especially if you are a Wally fan. Wally remembering his kids again is really heartbreaking and I love Flash Forward for bringing them back

3. The Flash Age #88-755

Paradox was a fresh and interesting. His points maid sense and you could understand his anger. Showing that people died because of Barry and he dosn't even know about it is strong. The team up of Barry, Eobard and August was great and the ending (Spoiler!) where Eobard snaps Godspeeds neck was so suprising that my mind decided to leave and jump out the window. Seeing Reverse-Flash not killing Paradox in the end was great.

4. Running Scared #25-27

Man have I waited for this. The Reverse-Flash is my favourite villian and I couldnt wait to see him in the Flash series again, yes He appeard in the Button but that wasn't enough to statisfy me. When he appeard in the end of #24 I lost my mind. And the storyarc couldnt be better. I loved everything about it. You also get the backstory of Eobard Thawne (Reverse Flash) and how he and Barry first and why he got evil in the first place. To be honest I really understand Thawne and can indentify myself with him. (I dont know if that's a bad sign 😅)

5. Perfect Storm #38-45

The return of a classic villian: Gorilla Grodd. I didnt like Grodd here really that much as a villian and he definetly has seen better arcs. What I loved here was to see every Speedster at that moment (even Godspeed) fight together. It just let the Speedster Fanboy in me cry. Then I loved how Barry was really vulnerable and selfish without his powers. He feels like he is worthless without his powers which is completely understandable. When you read Finish line and see him say "it's just a power" I had to think back to perfect storm. It's a perfect example of character growth/ character development.

6. Greatest Trick of all Time #66-69

The Return of the original Trickster! It couldnt be a better written Trickster. This storyarc was teased a few issues ago but I hadn't any idea what Williamson was going to do. It turned out to be great! Williamson wrote the Trickster as twisted and as a mastermind as He only coud be. It's a deserved third place.

7. Lightning Strikes Twice #1-8

The second half of the first storyarc are a banger! Godspeed is a great Antagonist aka. Anti-Hero in my opinion. The thing that holds this one back is the first half, which is not bad, but its a little bit boring in the comparsion with the second half.

8. Cold day in hell #36-38

This arc was teased issues before it finally came. It handled the rogues pretty good and it was very exciting. I liked the aspect of Snart being a crime boss in jail and Godspeeds role in this. Sadly (Spoiler warning for the beginning of the arc) Tom Turbine was killed. I really liked him. Guess you cant have everything.

9.Rogues Reign #82-87

The Year of the villian arc was better than I expected. The idea of the Rogues dividing Central City upon themselves is great. I loved the fact that most of the rogues and the Flashes teamed up to fight Captain Cold. I really didn't want Commander Cold to die, but as he is now back alive with the other Renegades I'm okay with it. The new character designs were really dope.

10. Rogues Reloaded #14-17

The first appearance of the rogues in this run and it was a pretty nice ride. Barry was definetly too naive in this arc but I think its a part of his character because he always sees the good in people. I also really want to say that I want the Fiddler to be part of the rogues. He is a very interesting antagonist. All in all this was a good and entartaining arc.

11. The Button #21-22 (Crossover with the Batman Series)

This crossover was the first step towards Doomsday Clock. Seeing The Reverse Flash beat the hell out of Bruce was great and I loved to see Jay Garrick again.

12. Legion of Zoom #756-758

This was the transition form 'Flash Age' to 'Finish Line'. It was nice seeing Eobard recruiting Flash Villians from older timelines and how Eobard got control over Barrys Body was a little bit weird. But it gave me my favourite storyarc in this run so I'd rather not complain.

13. The Colour of Fear #23-24

I love the friendship of Hal and Barry. Their interactions are great. The ending of this arc was a big cliffhanger and I lost my mind when I saw the Reverse-Flash.

14. The Hunter and The Hunted #80-81

I really liked that after about 30 issues Hunter Zolomon (or The 'real' Flash how he calls himself).reappeard. All in all it was pretty fun to read and I really liked the ending, but I'm not going to spoil anything in the case If you didnt read it (Do that now!!!!!).

15. The Death of the Speedforce #76-79

This storyarc wich also got an adaption in CW's The Flash series is an interesting storyline. The Speedforce dying wasn't a threat because we all know they are going to fix it but the dynamic of all the other force users with Barry really got me. I liked all of them because they were all 3 dimensional characters (except maybe Steadfast but I still liked him though). The thing that really annoyed me is that it felt way too Long. I knew we had the Year of the villian rogues stuff going in in the background, but I really more needed variety. And finally Barry got with the other Flashes along, it really annoyed/annoyes me that Kid Flash was/is a solo hero.

16. Force Quest#58-63

I dont know, but I dont really like this New Forces aspect. It took too much issues (18!) and just kept dragging. I found myself grinding these three storyarcs too finally get some variety. In the beginning it was entartaining but it was sometimes really boring and too much new forces. (I hope things Change especially after #81 wich should be the end of the new forces thing.)

17.The Reckoning of the Forces #52-57

Like I said too much and this arc in particular was really boring. Especially after Flash War which was great.

18. Speed of Darkness #10-12

This 'mini arc' was fun and entartaining but nothing special. I like seeing Wallace (Kid Flash) and Barry working together. I really like the antagonist though.

19. Black Hole Rising #34-35

Man I was happy that the Negative Flash thing ended. This mini arc was also pretty entartaining. I really like the dynamic between Wallace and Barry and really wanted to see more of it (which didnt happen).

20. Negative #28-32

After coming from a really strong arc the series got really boring. The Negative Flash thing was an interesting concept, but the only exciting thing that happened was Bloodworks intrudoction which I really liked.

21. Sins of the father #18-19

This Mini Arc was about Wallace wanting to know what happened to his father (New 52 Reverse-Flash/ Reverse-Flash II). As I read his article on the wiki before this arc (I didn't know Williamson will be explaining Wallace's backstory later in the series) so I knew what happened to him (won't spoiler anything), because of this there wasn't a real catch and it was a nice and Shirt entartaining 'adventure'. I hoped Captain Boomerang would be a Flash Antagonist again but I guess we wont get more with him as his appearance in this issue.

22. The Price #64-65 (Crossover with the Batman Series)

The Price was okay dealing with the Aftermath of Heroes in Crisis. It was really depressing seeing Flash like this. Gotham Girl is an okay Antagonist not Bad but Not really interesting. I see those issues as sort of filler

So that was it. Did anyone even read that till the end? I figured it would be better to write a few things about every arc than just the ranking. Did you read Joshua Williamson's The Flash Run? If yes, what are you're favourite arcs/issues? If you didn't read it then go and read it. Now. This was the first Run I ever read in my life so it will always hold a special place in my heart and I'll never forget reading the Flash for the first time in my life.

P.S.: for me a storyarc is a plotline/storyline that lasts more than one issue.

As I am a big fan of Joshua Williamsons The Flash run (The Flash Vol. 5 and vol 1. aka The Flash (2016-) #01-761) I wanted to review rank it, and since @Sisu138 did something simillar I figured I'd also do so.I've only done till #81 because I haven't read the rest (and it would take way to long)😅. Also I love all of this run, when I talk about something in a Negative way than because it cant hold up with the other arcs in this run. And please keep in mind that this is my opinion, feel free to comment your List of this arcs (or even only how good they sound even if you haven't read them). So let's begin:

1. Running Scared #25-27

Man have I waited for this. The Reverse-Flash is my favourite villian and I couldnt wait to see him in the Flash series again, yes He appeard in the Button but that wasn't enough to statisfy me. When he appeard in the end of #24 I lost my mind. And the storyarc couldnt be better. I loved everything about it. You also get the backstory of Eobard Thawne (Reverse Flash) and how he and Barry first and why he got evil in the first place. To be honest I really understand Thawne and can indentify myself with him. (I dont know if that's a bad sign 😅)

2. Perfect Storm #38-45

Again the return of a classic villian: Gorilla Grodd. I didnt like Grodd here, that much and he has definetly Seen better arcs. What I loved here was to see every Speedster (even Godspeed) fight together. It just let the Speedster Fanboy in me cry. Then I loved how Barry was vulnerable without Powers. He was the bad guy really often in this arc. His actions were absolutely selfish in this arc.

3. Greatest Trick of all Time #66-69

The Return of the original Trickster! It couldnt be a better Trickster. This storyarc was teased a few issues ago but I hadnt any idea what Williamson was going to do. It turned out to be great! Williamson wrote the Trickster as twisted and as a mastermind as He only coud be. It's a deserved third place.

4. Flash War #46-51

This storyarc was really hyped up among Flash Fans. And with really I mean really hyped up. It was pretty good, but the hype was definetly too much wich sadly holds the story a little Bit down for me. The Return of Hunter Zolomon aka. Zoom was exent in my opinion. I liked it very much that Wally got more 'screentime'. All in all a very good arc. Especially if you are a Wally fan.

5. The Hunter and The Hunted #80-81

These issues are the most recent I read. I really liked that after about 30 issues Hunter Zolomon (or The 'real' Flash how he calls himself).reappeard. All in all it was pretty fun to read and I really liked the ending, but I'm not going to spoil anything in the case If you didnt read it (Do that now!!!!!).

6. The Flash: Year One #70-75

The origin of the Flash. I really really liked Turtle as an Antagonist. I hated him. I also liked that this distopic future felt like a real threat. The relationship with Iris was much better than in the rest of the series (except in the storyarc 'Speedforce Quest' and after that she barely appeard). I really enjoyed that trip and this is the jumping on point for beginners. Although I recommend reading the storyarc from the Rebirth Special.

7. Lightning Strikes Twice #1-8

The second half of the first storyarc are a banger! Godspeed is a great Antagonist aka. Anti-Hero in my opinion. The thing that holds this one back is the first half, which is not bad, but its a little bit boring in the comparsion with the second half.

8. A Cold Day in Hell #36-38

This arc was teased issues before it finally came. It handled the rogues pretty good and it was very exciting. I liked the aspect of Snart being a crime boss in jail and Godspeeds role in this. Sadly (Spoiler warning for the beginning of the arc) Tom Turbine was killed. I really liked him. Guess you cant have everything.

9. Rogues Reloaded #14-17

The first appearance of the rogues in this run. It was a pretty nice ride. Barry was definetly too naive in this arc but I think its a part of his character because he always sees the good in people. I also really want to say that I want the Fiddler to be part of the rogues. He is a very interesting antagonist. All in all this was a good and entartaining arc.

10. The Button #21-22 (Crossover with the Batman Series)

This crossover was the first step towards Doomsday Clock. Seeing The Reverse Flash beat the hell out of Bruce was great and I loved to see Jay Garrick again.

11. The Death of the Speedforce #76-79

This storyarc wich also got an adaption in CW's The Flash series is an interesting storyline. The Speedforce dying wasn't a threat because we all know they are going to fix it but the dynamic of all the other force users with Barry really got me. I liked all of them because they were all 3 dimensional characters (except maybe Steadfast but I still liked him though). The thing that really annoyed me is that it felt way too Long. I knew we had the Year of the villian rogues stuff going in in the background, but I really more needed variety. And finally Barry got with the other Flashes along, it really annoyed/annoyes me that Kid Flash was/is a solo hero.

12. Force Quest#58-63

I dont know, but I dont really like this New Forces aspect. It took too much issues (18!) and just kept dragging. I found myself grinding these three storyarcs too finally get some variety. In the beginning it was entartaining but it was sometimes really boring and too much new forces. (I hope things Change especially after #81 wich should be the end of the new forces thing.)

13.The Reckoning of the Forces #52-57

Like I said too much and this arc in particular was really boring. Especially after Flash War which was great.

14. Speed of Darkness #10-12

This 'mini arc' was fun and entartaining but nothing special. I like seeing Wallace (Kid Flash) and Barry working together. I really like the antagonist though.

15. Black Hole Rising #34-35

Man I was happy that the Negative Flash thing ended. This mini arc was also pretty entartaining. I really like the dynamic between Wallace and Barry and really wanted to see more of it (which didnt happen).

16. Negative #28-32

After coming from a really strong arc the series got really boring. The Negative Flash thing was an interesting concept, but the only exciting thing that happened was Bloodworks intrudoction which I really liked.

17. The Price #64-65 (Crossover with the Batman Series)

The Price was okay dealing with the Aftermath of Heroes in Crisis. It was really depressing seeing Flash like this. Gotham Girl is an okay Antagonist not Bad but Not really interesting. I see those issues as sort of filler.

18. Sins of the father #18-19

This Mini Arc was about Wallace wanting to know what happened to his father (New 52 Reverse-Flash/ Reverse-Flash II). As I read his article on the wiki before this arc (I didn't know Williamson will be explaining Wallace's backstory later in the series) so I knew what happened to him (won't spoiler anything), because of this there wasn't a real catch and it was a nice and Shirt entartaining 'adventure'. I hoped Captain Boomerang would be a Flash Antagonist again but I guess we wont get more with him as his appearance in this issue.

So that was it. Did anyone even read that till the end? I figured it would be better to write a few things about every arc than just the ranking. Did you read Joshua Williamson's The Flash Run? If yes, what are you're favourite arcs/issues? If you didn't read it then go and read it. Now.

P.S.: for me a storyarc is a plotline/storyline that lasts more than one issue.