Mas y Menos

Titans Tower, an excellent site that's always up to speed on the team of teenaged superheroes, has posted some new information about the Teen Titans from recent issues of the title. Teen Titans #38 reveals all those heroes who were a part of the team during the missing year leading up to the DC Universe's One Year Later. Among those familiar faces in the line-up are Mas y Menos, the Spanish-speaking speedsters from Cartoon Network's Teen Titans. As Bill Walko notes, this marks the comic book debut of the characters.

Also on offer at the Titans Tower Monitor Room is a glimpse at Wizard #180's profile of Deathstroke's new Titans East roster, a group that includes Inertia. It's been promised that the villainous speedster, an evil clone of Bart Allen, will be appearing in both Teen Titans and The Flash in the near future. Though Bart is no longer Kid Flash, it seems certain that speedsters will remain connected with the Teen Titans in the days ahead.

Teen Titans #38 revealed all the Titans that were members during the missing year! ...Mas Y Menos make their comic book debut with Teen Titans #38. The twin speedsters were created for the Teen Titans animated series, which aired on Cartoon Network from 2003-2005. They debuted in the third season episode, "Titans East [parts 1 and 2]".

Batman & Robin & Flash

Comics Continuum has posted a summary and casting details for the fourth season premier of The Batman on Kids' WB! The episode, "A Matter of Family," will introduce Robin to the series. Flash fans will want to keep an eye on the airing schedule for The Batman this season as the scarlet speedster will be making a guest appearance! The Batman season opener will air with the premiere of Legion of Superheroes on September 23rd.

Justice League Line-Up

Justice League of America #1, by Brad Meltzer and Ed Benes, is now on sale. Will Bart Allen be a part of the team? Could the Justice League function without a Flash in the line-up? In the first issue, Bart is mentioned as a possible candidate by Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. But will he make the cut? Perhaps tellingly, the Flash does not appear on Michael Turner and Peter Steigerwald's variant cover for the issue, and there's no sign of the scarlet speedster on the cover for Justice League of America #2. Only time, and future issues, will tell.

It's worth noting that the cast of characters presented on the two Ed Benes covers for Justice League of America #1 has changed since the promotional preview of the cover was first released. Among other changes, Red Tornado has taken the Flash's position on the front line. To compare the two line-ups and the various position changes, visit the Newsarama Blog.

It begins here — a bold new era for the World's Greatest Heroes by New York Times best-selling author Brad Meltzer and superstar artist Ed Benes! It's Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman...and the true roster of members who will become the new Justice League of America. Join us as we head into "The Tornado's Path."

F is for Flash

What does the letter "F" stand for in Ape Lad's One Hour Alphabet of Comic Book Folk? Why, the Flash, of course! You'll find the fastest man alive between Etrigan and Green Lantern in a line-up that runs from Aquaman to Zatanna.

Back in the U.S.A.

I've returned from my annual visit overseas, and an enjoyable and fruitful trip to the United Kingdom it was. Whilst enjoying the sights and experiences that London Town has to offer -- with no less than three trips to see Superman Returns, including one memorable visit to the BFI Imax 3D Cinema -- I was also able to pick up an array of Flash back issues at the city's various comic shops.

My favorite comic store has to be the subterranean Orbital Comics in central London, near Tottenham Court Road tube station. Blink whilst walking down Charing Cross Road and you'll miss it, but they have a good selection of modern and silver age issues and decent prices. (Plus, the place has character. They always have an amusing Top Ten List posted. You can find photos on their MySpace listing.) Of course, it takes more than one comic supplier to fill the gaps in someone's collection. I also stopped in at Forbidden Planet, naturally, and Comicana on Shaftesbury Avenue, and though I didn't pay a visit to Krypton Comics their website proved helpful in tracking down some of the more elusive installments.

On top of all this, there was a noteworthy visit to London's Cartoon Museum. The collection focuses primarily on political cartoon of the past several centuries, but their second floor offers an array of comic book related art including original pages by the likes of Dave Gibbons and Jack Kirby. It was certainly worth the visit.

Not only do I hope to return to daily updates for this blog, but the back issues I've picked up will help me to fill in some slight gaps in the Crimson Lightning issue guide and series index. I've already posted an entry for The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive #2 in an effort to keep up with the scarlet speedster. I'll simply say that you should watch the site. Some significant updates are on the way.

Hail Britannia! God save the Queen.

Now back to our regularly scheduled program...

Upcoming: The Flash #6

DC Comics has released their November solicitions, including the cover artwork and a (very) brief description for The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive #6. The issue will bring an end to "Lightning in a Bottle," the first story arc of the new series.

Written by Danny Bilson and Paul DeMeo; Art and Cover by Ken Lashley. "Lightning in a Bottle" concludes with a duel to the death on Keystone Bridge! DC Universe 32pg. Color $2.99 US. On Sale November 15, 2006.

Free Comic Book Day 2007

The date has been announced for next year's Free Comic Book Day. Look for the event to hit your local comic book stores on May 5, 2007. Once again, the annual celebration will coincide with the release of a major superhero film -- Spiderman 3. DC Comics is sure to participate, so there's a good chance you'll find the Flash in a free issue of one Justice League tie-in or another.

Free Comic Book Day is set to be celebrated around the world on May 5, 2007. Traditionally held the first Saturday in May, the event will both celebrate and raise awareness of this unique art form by giving visitors to approximately 2,000 participating comic book specialty stores a free comic book with no purchase required! Free Comic Book Day 2007 will coincide with opening weekend of Sony's North American release of the highly anticipated comic-based movie, Spider-Man 3, starring Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst.

“In today’s society, it’s our pop culture that continues to draw people together,” said Free Comic Book Day spokesperson Elissa Lynch. “Free Comic Book Day celebrates one of the major foundations of pop culture and energizes a new generation of comic book readers."

Dozens of comic book publishers will contribute a wide variety of free titles for 2007’s event, with something for every age, reading level, and taste. Many families and friends use the day as a way to explore the world of comic books in a fun-filled setting. Free Comic Book Day generates a significant amount of interest from local communities, as evidenced by the fact that 75% of comic shops report that they gained new customers as a result of the 2006 Free Comic Book Day promotion.

Free Comic Book Day was originated by comic shop retailer Joe Field, and is supported by Diamond Comic Distributors, comic shops, and leading publishers such as Dark Horse Comics, DC Comics, Image Comics and Marvel Comics as a way to celebrate the medium, unite the community, thank current readers and, most importantly, invite new readers to visit their local comics shops and explore the variety of stories available in comic form.

For updates and more information about Free Comic Book Day, including details on how to participate, check out www.freecomicbookday.com.

July Sales

Diamond Comic Distributors have released their final North American sales estimates for the month of July, and Comic Buyers Guide has posted the data. As expected, The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive has dropped on the chart since its relaunch in June. Nonetheless, the figures remain respectable. The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive #2 comes in at number twenty-five on the list, just behind the latest installment of Green Lantern and ahead of Supergirl.

21. Supergirl #7 [Res] ($2.99) DC - 81.99
22. Ultimate Fantastic Four #31 ($2.99) Marvel - 81.3
23. X-Men #189 ($2.99) Marvel - 79.19 - 79.19
24. Green Lantern #12 ($2.99) DC - 77.28
25. Flash: Fastest Man Alive #2 ($2.99) DC - 74.59
26. Supergirl #8 [Res] ($2.99) DC - 74.07
27. Ultimate Spider-Man #97 ($2.99) Marvel - 73.75
28. Eternals #2 ($3.99) Marvel - 71.41
29. Teen Titans #37 ($2.99) DC - 68.6
30. Ultimate X-Men #72 ($2.99) Marvel - 67.96