"...And the clocks were striking thirteen"

Greetings, my name is Jordan! Last time, we talked about the Watchmen and Legion of Superheroes, and some background information relating to each. This time, we are finishing up The Button, with Part Four in The Flash #22.

For starters, I was rather underwhelmed with the finale of this four part crossover. I feel like there was more that could have been done with the story, but the creators instead opted for a quasi-philosophical feel. This is not to say I was displeased. The story was actually very good, I had my hopes up for a more impactful ending/reveal.

About the issue, though: We begin following Reverse Flash through the time stream, with Flash and Batman chasing after him. When RF reaches his destination, however, he sees something he is not supposed to see. Having pulled ahead of the other two, they miss how Reverse Flash is killed. The audience gets a view of the killer: a light blue, phantasm entity swirling around, vaporizing Thawne's flesh. Barry and Bruce hear a scream, and the treadmill breaks down. It was at this point that I thought we would have the reveal: Dr. Manhattan is the glowing being, and the Watchmen are behind everything. That was not the case.

Throughout the issue so far, a voice has been calling to Barry, but he has been ignoring it. Since the reader knows the cover, and has seen Flash from the Golden Age era on it, they know who the voice is. Jay Garrick, the original Flash, is attempting to contact Barry Allen, to be saved as Wally West was in DC Universe Rebirth. Since Flash and Batman are trapped in the Speed Force, Flash must call the name of Jay Garrick to return home, which he eventually does, setting Jay free.

Unfortunately, Jay is not free. When Flash touches him, he disappears in the same blue light that killed Reverse Flash, except nothing is left of Jay at all. Then we cut to the graves of Thomas and Martha Wayne, and the two heroes discuss the events that occurred over the crossover in civilian clothes. Bruce's supposition is that God is behind the events that transpired, and nothing is resolved as the friends leave the cemetery. It was this lack of resolution that left me vexed. Was there nothing more for them to talk about? They just took everything as it was, and leave, as if nothing happened. Luckily, the greatest part of the crossover happened afterward.

Bruce remembers what his father said, and does nothing about the Batcall. Obviously, the journey he and Barry underwent has affected change in him. This is nothing, however, for what came next:

Dr. Manhattan is finally revealed, even if not in full form. Not only that, but we now have two names: Adrian, from DC Universe Rebirth, and Laurie, from here. This confirms the involvement of both Ozymandias (Adrian Viedt) and Silk Spectre (Laurie Juspeczyk), and added to the Comedian's badge, only Nite Owl and Rorschach are missing. The Epilogue topped even this, with the badge floating through space.

The juxtaposition between the button and Superman's insignia is fantastic, hopefully foreshadowing the involvement of Superman in the story (and, by default, the rest of the Justice League/DC Universe, as Superman can be considered the face of the both). The quote, by August Strindberg, is fitting, as it explains the issue currently facing Batman and The Flash, in that ten years has been stripped from their world, and they cannot see it. Equally applicable is the man behind the quote. Strindberg was a playwright, novelist, and poet of Sweden. He took influence from Neitzsche, and had anarchist beliefs. This is a perfect fit for the Watchmen foreshadowing. Nihilism and anarchy are prevalent in the original story of Watchmen, so should transfer over to the "DC Rebirth" run.

Anyway, hopefully you enjoyed this synopsis and speculation of The Flash #22 The Button: Part Four. Tune in next time for a post that, as of yet, has no topic selected. Thank you for reading!

Flashback

Greetings, my name is Jordan! Last time, we talked about Batman 22: The Button Part Three. While this post was originally going to be about the final installment in the four-part saga, it is instead going to be about the background of specific characters/teams: The Watchmen, and the Legion of Superheroes.

Watchmen is a comic series of twelve issues, written by Alan Moore, with illustrations by Dave Gibbons. The series was published from 1986-1987, and eventually was turned into a graphic novel. As a graphic novel, the book has won a Hugo award, and been featured on a TIME list of top 100 books. In 2009, a movie directed by Zack Snyder was released.

The story of Watchmen centers around a group of costumed superheroes: Ozymandias, Nite Owl, Silk Spectre, Dr. Manhattan, and Rorschach. The Comedian, the final member of the group, is killed at the beginning of the story, which sets the events following it into motion. Set in 1985, during the Cold War, the book provides an alternate history, something that could have happened had these characters been around. Throughout the series, Rorschach investigates the death of the Comedian, learning of a plot to kill off all costumed heroes and end the threat of nuclear war. While I am yet unsure the Watchmen's involvement in "DC Rebirth", I believe Dr. Manhattan may have been the one to mess with the timeline, and in so doing, open the DC world to a parallel world, containing the Watchmen.

The Legion of Superheroes was created in 1958, originally published in Adventure Comics #247, following a large team of 30th century heroes. There have been four versions as of yet (1958, 1994, 2004, 2007), along with a "New 52" version. The series follows numerous heroes, such as Superboy, Saturn Girl, Brainiac 5, Bouncing Boy, Karate Kid, and Dream Girl.

I hope that the "DC Rebirth" mentions/appearances of some of these characters means that the Watchmen messing with the timeline has somehow transported the Legion to the present. As they have time travel capabilities, it would be very interesting to see the Legion of Superheroes trapped in the past later on in the current universe.

Anyway, hopefully you enjoyed the short background information on two organizations that I have been mentioning since the first post. Tune in next week for the true finale of The Button.

"Waynes never stay down..."

Greetings, my name is Jordan. Last time, we talked about Flash 21: The Button Part Two. This time, Batman 22: The Button Part Three. This post shall provide a synopsis with some key points of the issue, and some speculation on the next issue.

The issue begins with Thomas Wayne as Batman, narrating the aftermath of Flashpoint. He is about to kill himself, along with Wonder Woman and Aquaman's armies, to escape the alternate history that should have ended. However, two men appear in his cave: Barry Allen, the Flash, and Bruce Wayne, the Batman. We see the end of the previous issue from Thomas' perspective. Thomas doubts that his son is real, attacking Flash until Barry provides some information about what is going on. Flash states that there is some power keeping Flashpoint going, even after it should have ended. The audience already understands that this is most likely the doing of the Watchmen, so the dramatic irony continues.

Flash begins fixing the cosmic treadmill, and both Bruce and Thomas fight against the oncoming armies. The scene is impressive: Batman from Flashpoint, and from the true timeline, fighting together. Once Flash fixes the treadmill, the two Waynes talk about the time Bruce fell into the cave as a child. The city begins crumbling as this happens, and Flash says they must depart, stating that whatever had held Flashpoint together decided to quit. I do wonder about this as of reading the issue: Why would the Watchmen want the two heroes to meet Thomas Wayne in Flashpoint? What purpose could it serve later on?

Thomas pushes Bruce onto the treadmill, parting with one piece of advice: Quit being Batman. With that, we see the two disappear into time, and Thomas runs into light. Bruce wishes to run back, but Flash says it is impossible, as there is no longer a Flashpoint. We do know that it had been held together before, so maybe it will be seen later on; perhaps Flash is wrong. Though there is little time to ponder this, as Reverse Flash runs past the two, still holding the Button. Batman and Flash tell him he shall die if he continues running, yet he does not heed the warning, running instead to face the Watchmen.

I really enjoyed this issue. It was nice to see the two Batmen fighting together, for however brief a time. I cannot wait to see how the Reverse Flash dies, as I'm sure it shall be shown, since the two superheroes are following him through time. My guess is that in the next issue, we shall see the Watchmen for the first time...or I hope so, at least. It shall be interesting to learn the motivation behind what they do. Would it follow their original story in some way? Are they all working together to carry out some plan? Is this after their main story? Since we only have confirmation of Adrian and Dr. Manhattan as of yet, there is a possibility that this is set after the graphic novel's story.

Anyway, thank you for reading! Tune in next time for a look at Flash 22: The Button Part Four, and its impact on the DC Universe.