I'm a little surprised were doing Barry Allen so soon, but hey, your show. I'm sure you know what your doing. I gotta say that I really like the new opening, but I do have to say that the lack of Marville being tossed on the group of bad comics is sorely missed. Beyond that, good episode, good episode, but a bit more of your personal thoughts on the Flash would've been appreciated.
Hell of a way to kick off the 6th year of Atop the Fourth Wall. New outfit (very stylish BTW) and a new Secret Origins month. Can't wait for the origin of Ant-Man next week.
Also, in regards to Barry Allen's name being taken from talk show hosts of the time, how does Dave O'Brien sound? Hell of a lot better than Arsenio Kimmel.
*Raises a glass* Here's to the sixth year of burning bad comics, and to a show that's been consistently awesome all throughout. I salute you, good Sir!
Chemicals worked differently in the Golden and Silver Ages, didn't they?
Geez,what was that cabinet made of?! Whatever it is, manufacture buildings out of it!
The....Turtle...Man...must...be...an...ancestor...of...Captain...Kirk. Ahhh! The origins of Bullet Time! Quick, exploit it for a decent movie and two really stupid sequels, then put it in every action movie made! *MWAHAHAHA!* (Though the Flash vs the Merovignian might be interesting...)
Am I the only one that thinks the time capsule in the second Flash story looks a little...um...suggestive?
So, according to the comic, 50th Century Earth is pretty much Detroit today?
I've only read the New 52 version of Barry, but yeah, he does seem bit bland. He's constantly overshadowed by his supporting cast. The Rogues on the other hand, I hope that they get to continue their own book after Forever Evil ends, they are really interesting.
Kamen Rider Kabuto in the title card, nice! Though the show never made up its mind whether his abilities let him move really fast or they let him slow down time.
They did explain that, though much later. It wasn't a random bolt of lightning that hit Barry and then Wally, but the energy Barry was transformed into fighting the anti-Monitor. I think it was in one of the first issues of Secret Origins in the 80's. Certainly a retcon, but they did deal with it. As for "Central City"--it's a good enough name for 11 states to have one.
I found your show on Channel Awesome recently, and while exploring your archive I put on The Next 15 Screw-Ups of AT4W. I really appreciated your comments on suicide and your acknowledgment of your innapropriate treatment of the subject. It convinced to do something I don't normally bother with since I don't watch many internet shows: whitelist your site in my ad blocker. I might not give you much traffic, but I do want to support people who are willing to admit when they were wrong and raise awareness of serious mental health issues.
I'm sorta disappointed Marville wasn't finished before the costume change or was the cause of it but it still works.
I was sorta getting "Cry for Justice" vibes by what you did though and the lack of storyline stuff this month sorta feels off about what is different now besides the costume change.
The slowest man on earth? MY GOD IT'S FINALLY HAPPENED!! RUN FOR THE HILLS PEOPLE SLOWPOKE RODRIGUEZ HAS FINALLY BECOME A SUPERVILLAIN!!! Ya I know he's a turtle not a mouse but come on, even the speech is slow. Even Cecil Turtle speaks faster than that.
Why would the Flash need the boat? I know it's an origin comic, but if he could run down walls, wouldn't running on water be easier?
Great review as always. Great new opening. Hard to believe this was comic that started it all from the Justice League to Mark Hamill becoming the Joker.
Dear Linkara, I've been catching up with your wonderful show ever since the summer of 2013. I love your videos, and I can't wait until I am caught up. I just finished the Mechakara saga,and I can't wait to see what happens next! (I know what happens next in the storyline, but I can't wait to actually see it.) Have an excellent day, sir! I commend you on your writing, and I hope that I can be as good as you. Sincerely, Zachary Krishef P.S. I did not watch this video, because I want to go in order, but I did not know where else to place this comment. I am sorry if any part of this letter sounds rude or annoying.
Also, the Flash bursting through films and comics actually makes more sense in modern context, because these days he would naturally want to escape DC's horrible books and the fact that he'll be on Arrow soon.
Question: Do you resent Barry Allen for creating the new 52 timeline? I mean I know the real culprits are the mental patients running the company, but do you?
If you think the thing about the bad guy using magnetism to steal a glass beaker is stupid, I know for sure there was a late Golden Age Marvel Family story where King Kull was trying to destroy all of humanity's books so we'd lose all our knowledge. He did it with a magnet that worked on paper.
I don't know why you brought up what Barry did Linkara. I mean it almost seems like you were bitter about his time travelling erasing continuity and causing characters like Cassandra Cain and Stephanie Brown to be exiled from DC. Don't know why I brought those name up specifically. Though about Steph...she's coming back.
Wally West couldn't even catch a break in a DC animated series. Spoilers: He reunites with Artemis, who was disguised as Tigress to infiltrate The Light, only to die while attempting to deactivate an alien bomb with Barry and Bart.
Actually I think the next Flash will be made with static electricity while reading a Flash comic. That or he's 'shocked' by a flasher.
Also missed a potential ellipses gag with The Turtle Man.
And finally...Flash isn't the fastest man...that's a Clocked Up Kamen Rider Kabuto.
The new intro is awesome, your new outfit is awesome. Also including The Flash Gordon theme by Queen gets major points from me. Excellent episode Linkara!
Wasn't the lightning strike explained in Crisis on Infinite Earths as the fallout from Barry Allen stopping the Anti-Monitor, or am I remembering wrong?
huh. your opening monologue was remarkably similar to the one for Captain Flash on the DVD. seems rather appropriate, in a weird way.
i'm not a fan of any of the Flash entries, really. i don't know why, but i have this problem with characters whose only power is super-speed. yes, it can be used to GREAT effect, and i'm not blind to those examples. but running really fast is not a compelling superpower to me, not on its own. the ONLY exception i can think of is Wally West in the JLU cartoon, where he was the goofy bad-ass.
speaking of Captain Flash, you remember the other superhero who debuted in his book, right? i think someone might be working on a reboot... :)
First off, love the new outfit and opening. It sounds wrong to say "you clean up nicely," but the vest-and-tie look does really look good on you. (I admit it, it's my thing - I like "sharp dressed men.")
Next, LOVED the 'episode' opening song. :D And so many great references. And one to the theme music from the TV show! (Was I the only one who actually watched that? Mark Hamill as the Trickster! YES!)
BTW, idea for a top-15 list - the dumbest character origins. I suspect much comedy gold could be found there.
I have to say, you look good in new outfit :) West looks really stylish.
aaand, so does the Flash. I'm really into this old costume design. It is classic, but ageless- even now, Fashe's costume looks basicly the same and it still looks nice. But on some panels Barry looks like he's veeeery tired or old :) I gues an artist wanted to draw his face a little bit more realistic and ended this way :)
I get the sense that origin stories tend be bad. Contrivances one after the next, villains with poor plans who genuinely give the impression that they actually are idiots in the medical sense and heroes who strongly suggest that they're not competent enough to actually pursue criminals.
I like the new outfit for the show. I'm sure I'm not the only one that this has occurred to, but does this mean that you're the Second Linkara now, having regenerated somehow?
It was interesting to see the origins of what I'm presuming is the longest-running version of the Flash. I'm looking forward to more, as always.
Incidentally, I read The Flash: Rebirth yesterday. Other than that, I didn't know that much about Barry's origin, so this is a welcome addition. Nice episode.
I kind of expected the song The Ballad Of Barry Allen to be in this, but hey, ya can't have everything.
Nice episode, had no idea that both origins were so similar ;)
About the physics: I'm no expert, theese infos come from other shows I watched / or other sources - but breaking the sonic wall doesnt do much (or any) damage, was already tested by the mythbusters with a jet and they barely were able to break some glas.
And about the magnetism: Apparently, everything can be affected by a strong enough magnet - not just metals. It has to be quite strong to do that - but they explained it while presenting the strongest existing magnet ever built (documentary).
Oh barry allen you just are not as good character Wally. I'm glad the only one that realizes that dc hates him. I mean he is one of few people that prove that super heroes can be married. That narrative was allowed to be then dc would have to eat crow about no marriages.
@DuelX Not true. The Clock Up system lets those who use it travel faster than the speed of sound. It only looked like time slowed down to show you the fights because it'd be lame if the fights all happened in a blink. Common misconception.
Why would the Flash trust the people from the future to get him back to the right time? Not only are trying to prevent what disaster is going to befall the Earth, it is also has been showed that their time machine technology is sometimes glitchy.
As far as we know if travel via their machine, he could have ended up at the 50th century
I kind of grew up with the Barry Allen origin so the lightning bolt stuff never bothered me. The rest of the origin is so dumb that it kind of faded from continuity over the years, this is the first I have heard of the lame Turtle. I always kind of liked Flash and was very happy you used the theme to the TV show. I loved that show it was a bit underrated.
I know you want to keep the schedule and you're awesome for how often you do. You produce a weekly show 52 weeks a year plus live episodes, specials and cross-overs. We're happy to wait the day.
And thank you for puting it up the next day.
You know, it's funny, you commented how you wouldn't wear the full new costume because it was hot, versus what a lot of people, including myself, guessed that it'd be a pain to sit on the long coat. Yet I almost questioned the heat too when you reveled the new costume but then thought 'no, isn't the other reviewer coat hot too?'
Anyway, I love the new costume and the new opening. Awesome to see one of the Thing plushies on the couch with the arsenal of freedom and Pollo and that there's at least one good shot of the white Power Rangers outfit. I know you said you'd be phasing it out because it was kind of a pain to film in but that is still my favorite of the transformations.
I don't know a lot about Barry Allen, think I know Wally more from the animated series from several years back. (I think that was Wally... crap.)
Anyway, I look forward to when you've got a chance to get the live ep up.
The Flash is the only New 52 book I read. I thought this was a fair review. The Flash is a fun book historically, but it was silly. It took several Showcase appearance before he got his own book. I've got Showcase Presents Trial of the Flash and will read that some day, it's supposed to give him more pathos.
Was Barry Allen boring and white bread? Maybe. I never read his early comics. In fact, the first comic I ever read with him in it was "JLA Year One," which still remains one of my top 5 favorite comic books ever to be published by a major comic publisher in America. All I know is that in -that- comic book, he was fleshed out as an analytical introvert, who was also a police forensic scientist.
I liked your power cord idea, actually. It's a less contrived occurrence.
As for time travel; yes. That was done all the time in the Silver Age by very fast characters. Superman would, if I recall correctly, regularly travel back to prehistoric times to study the giant ape Titano, which had Kryptonite vision (not kidding at all here. He really did.) Still makes more sense that reversing the Earth's rotation like in Superman 1, though.
I guess one thing that's always charmed me about Barry Allen, and drawn me to the Silver Age in general is the overall upbeat vibe of the comics. It's just sad that the writing quality had to be so poor at times, to make up for it, but I like the upbeat attitude, and I like the weird premises. The weirder, the better.
As I once said to a friend, who was poking fun at the issue where Superman temporarily gains to ability to shoot a tiny version of himself out of his hands...
"Welcome to the Silver Age, baby! Anything, and I mean -anything,- no matter how weird, could be done to -any- character, in -any- comic, with the exception of porn, of course. If not for the generally-poor writing quality of the stories, I would have considered these to be the glory days of comic books. I do have a preference for stories that are strange and bizarre, and/or seem to turn the character's world upside-down. There's a reason I've read 'Alice in Wonderland' five times."
Yay!! Time to start of a New Year of seeing bad comics, miller time, Live ATFW, fighting crazy super villains, crossovers,and many more. *Epic Fist Pump*
Haha tripping over a power cord with allergy meds thats.. well I would say silly but nevermind. just remember what show I've been watching. & as you have shown DC, Marvel, & a few others would do that. So just clinch those teeth. Hey you had to say that about the drill. lol
Hey Lewis liked the review, just wondering have u ever watched The Flash tv series ? I know u don't that much tv anymore but if you haven't seen it, it's worth a look, it even has Mark Hamill in it !
HYPER CLOCK-UP! (sorry, saw Kabuto in the title card, had to say it)
Insane origin tale; it's like Flashes seem to keep getting spilled by random chemicals, though Barry had a bolt of lightning synthesize all of them. At least Jay's way rather wacky and didn't make me think Barry was just going to mutate into some hideous deformed creature...but hey, Silver Age and all that. And we seriously need to see that tentacle-wielding gorilla; he would work perfect on the show.
Great new opening BTW (saw Thing toy with Bear on the couch now) Oh...and next week: "Antmusic". Just "Antmusic" (or "Stand and Deliver"; there are quite a few good Adam Ant songs out there)
I don't know if you are ok with this, but since I know people might wonder about all this Kamen Rider Stuff, I'm gonna leave this here: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=272363532791153&set=a.272348802792626.81420.108261035868071&type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Ffbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net%2Fhphotos-ak-frc1%2F332251_272363532791153_7655071_o.jpg&smallsrc=https%3A%2F%2Fsphotos-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-frc1%2F301641_272363532791153_7655071_n.jpg&size=1024%2C768
Dear Linkara, Great review as always and a great way to kick off the beginning of Secret Origins month! I love this Flash and the Rogues that he fights.
Just curious, as in two years Whiz #2 (Captain Marvel/Shazam)'s 75th anniversary is coming on Feb 2015 would you do a review on Whiz 2 for a future Secret Origins month?
Great work, Linkara. Secret Origins Month is always awesome. I was actually gonna say that I'd like you to get to Barry Allen and Hal Jordan. I hope that you get to Dick Grayson soon. As soon as I saw that Barry himself read about Jay Garrick, I called bullshit on his name. You just know that the Flash Museum has to pay royalties. Oh, and I like the vest. Very nice.
Oh cool you're not wearing the great coat for the whole review; I kinda like that it's for serious "plot stuff", neat.
When Felix Baumgartner, made his freefall jump from the "Edge of Space," last year and became the first human to break the speed barrier without the aid of a vehicle it was shown that a human size object doing so would not create a very sizable sonic boom, Felix did indeed create a mini-boom but it's likely that Barry would not cause too much trouble because the amount of air displaced is relative to the size of the object.
Surprised you didn't make any jokes about Jimmy Olsen as the Turtle boy in this one.
Nice a Remo Williams shout-out, my brother used to be a big fan of the Destroyer Novels so I remember him being really excited about renting the movie; it's not great but it's a fun watch and hey it's got Kate Mulgrew so can't go wrong there.
Ouch I cringed to see Barack the Barbarian on top of the pile of bad comics, because that one gets a very undeserved bad rap. In your "Top 15 comics I'll never review," video you commented on how it was weird because it wasn't the regular political satire type comic... Though that's exactly what Larry Hama was going for, the Obama in comics trend was silly and ridiculous and what better way to make fun of it then to play it completely straight, and turn him into a comic book hero who follows comic book rules? It's a brilliant way to subvert the trend, with that said I've only read the "Fall of Red Sarah," one shot but it was brilliant.
LH: "First off, you should change it to Barack the Barbarian, and second, I'm not interested in writing a Mad Magazine style parody and that it would have to be more in line with the more polemical stuff of Swift, Twain and Voltaire (not that I can pull off anything like they could,) and third, that my own leanings are towards Barack and that would be reflected in what I write-- and Josh said 'fine.'"
LH: "I just think of it as sword and sorcery, only the characters look really familiar."
Anyway that's my take, but I'm a big Hama fangirl and I like wacky over the top ideas, I'll be interested in seeing yours assuming you are going to review it now.
Why did you skip so many Golden Age characters? Are we never going to see your thoughts on Blue Beetle's original origin, or Hawkman, or Captain Marvel? Or are you just waiting til next year.
Um, though none of these are exactly good from today's perspective, I'd say only The X-Men's origin is out and out BAD for the time of the thirteen so far covered. Spider-Man and Batman are out and out GOOD, Wonder Woman and Captain America have occasional hiccups but are mostly shockingly good origins (in the former's case, it's a shame that her villains in the comics aren't her pop cultural equal, leaving her actual adaptability into a film shockingly low), Superman, Hulk, Barry Allen and the Teen Titans have fairly even mixes of good and bad ideas and definitive portrayals would get hammered out over time and Iron Man, Fantastic Four, Alan Scott and Jay Garrick ultimately have more bad ideas than good ones (especially, in order, racist villains, overt and unreconciled ties to the space race, subtle racism and an absolutely MASSIVE plothole and all the issues with Jay Garrick's first story, even with some of the cool elements), even if you can kind of see the nugget of quality there.
Wait, why is breaking the sound barrier considered to be faster than outracing his own shadow? That would require him to run faster than light o_O !
So Golden Age heroes existed as actual comics in the Silver Age? Man, Silver Age Batman must feel creeped out - or he DID get his inspiration from the OTHER Bruce Wayne, instead of a bat flying into his room.
And Wally West should've gotten his powers like Liberty Lad from the game Freedom Force: A blood transfusion. That's a tad more likely than having the same rare event repeat itself - and on the same spot no less.
I was telling a friend of mine about this episode today, and when I asked him to guess who the first opponent of the fastest man on Earth was he correctly guessed the slowest man on Earth... and he was joking!
Really enjoyed the episode and i like the modern street punk sage look you have going with the new outfit. But i must say i do have one request. Linkara could you please add a Secret Origins Label so all the secret origins month episodes are all linked together. That would be cool!
I have to admit that I love the new outfit, Linkara. It's pretty classy; so now you and Harvey are tied as the best dressed characters on the show (I'm still a bit unsure about how to rate Boffo's attire).
Anyway, on to the review...
In regards to Barry's explanation for the costume in the ring, couldn't he have just said that it works somewhat like those little compressed cubes that change into towels when water is added only faster? I mean, I don't know of too many chemicals that work as insta-gro on fabrics (let alone being safe to put near skin).
In regards to canon:
Seeing that Linkara is still at the apartment, he did find Harvey right? I mean, the poor guy did collapse in front of the door.
New outfit, new intro, and new Secret Origins month, the first of the line-up being a review on Barry Allen, the man who launched the Silver Age . . . and rebooted the DCU after Flashpoint.
Anyway, I think I like Wally West better. He's a lot more interesting than Barry Allen.
Unfortunately, thanks to the Flashpoint reboot, Wally West (along with certain other characters) have been benched. Given the tone of the new 52, I have a feeling that if Wally West does get re-introduced, he'll be portrayed in a way that will piss people off.
Anyway, great review. I can't wait for the rest of Secret Origins Month '13.
While the introduction of the Speed Force to the Flash mythos does explain the origins of both Barry Allen and Wally West's powers I also find it odd that not once in his career did Barry stop and think about how strange that coincidence was. Though I guess it's excusable, I mean he isn't a scientist... wait.
I also love that Wally gains his powers when Barry DEMONSTRATES how he gained his powers by setting up the chemicals on the shelf again, which should have tipped off Wally that maybe his Aunt's boyfriend, who worked in the lab, could possibly have been the Flash. Though, that's the Silver Age for you.
I'm also glad that you didn't wear the new duster while sitting on the couch, I think it may have been so big that it looked like you were wrapped in a blanket or something. The vest and tie look works really well for the show, though.
"Why did you skip so many Golden Age characters? Are we never going to see your thoughts on Blue Beetle's original origin, or Hawkman, or Captain Marvel? Or are you just waiting til next year."
Beaker full of science... XD That was probably the absolute best name you could've given it.
I agree that Barry Allen is a bit boring. I liked him in the Flashpoint Paradox, though he took a backseat to the other characters, and I do read the new 52 Flash comics, even though they're kinda forgettable, and I like him in the new 52 Justice League comics (though I HATE HATE HATE what they did with Hal Jordan in that series. Seriously, WTF DC! Sorry, I have to bitch about that ever chance I get.) But otherwise, I like Wally West much better. I fell in love with that character in the Justice League cartoon. It'd be nice if they brought him back, though I don't really see that happening anytime soon. :(
What is it with DC and stupid decisions lately...
Also, are you going to do the Green Lantern origin at some point? I'd be real interested to see the golden age GL origin, since it's so completely different from the GL we have now.
"Also, are you going to do the Green Lantern origin at some point? I'd be real interested to see the golden age GL origin, since it's so completely different from the GL we have now."
Man, I am a swooning sucker for a vest and tie combo, I can definitely get used to this wardrobe.
Comic-wise... well, I wouldn't have thought of "the slowest man on Earth" as a villain ever, especially not for the fastest man... but uh, whatever Silver Age. Also boy... I... hate... a... ton... of... ellipses... in... word... bubbles... it's... really... unnecessary... since... you... read... them... in... your... head... at... normal... speed... anyway...
Also man, second year in a row I had to miss Youmacon due to some such thing or another. Definitely going to try my damndest to go next year.
I could say it was a great review but you've probably heard it a jillion times! I don't think the writing in the Silver Age was generally bad, it's just that some writers (like Kanigher)felt that they were writing comics for kids and just didn't aspire higher than that; While others took their craft seriously and wrote fun and interesting stories that any audience could enjoy. You may not like Bob Haney's stuff but I can't remember reading an outright lousy story by him but I've seen PLENTY from Kanigher. I even thought Joe "Charlton Comics Writer #1" Gill wrote better stories!
Oh, I'm glad I'm not the only one who is missing Wally West in the Flash costume! If it would have taken an OMD to keep him in the suit, I would have been all for it and I really despise OMD!
Speaking of suits, I hope that AT4W isn't gonna make you go all Bill Gates on us onto greener pastures. This is one of the few webcast programs that's actually funny! Are you still friends with the Vampire reviewer? I kept expecting her to make an appearance with you during Longbox of The Damned. I also hope you find a bad Iron Man story because I miss your "Drunken Stark" impression!
Finally, how about putting all the Origins reviews under one heading? It's kinda annoying to have to jump around. -Leader Desslok-
I'm a little surprised were doing Barry Allen so soon, but hey, your show. I'm sure you know what your doing.
ReplyDeleteI gotta say that I really like the new opening, but I do have to say that the lack of Marville being tossed on the group of bad comics is sorely missed.
Beyond that, good episode, good episode, but a bit more of your personal thoughts on the Flash would've been appreciated.
Hell of a way to kick off the 6th year of Atop the Fourth Wall. New outfit (very stylish BTW) and a new Secret Origins month. Can't wait for the origin of Ant-Man next week.
ReplyDeleteAlso, in regards to Barry Allen's name being taken from talk show hosts of the time, how does Dave O'Brien sound? Hell of a lot better than Arsenio Kimmel.
KAMEN RIDER KABUTO WAS IN YOUR OPENING TITLE CARD!!! I FREAKINGLOVE KAMEN RIDER KABUTO!!!
ReplyDeleteI would picture William Shatner as the Turtle. His knack for talking in pauses would suit the character well.
ReplyDeletePodcast? When will the podcast be out?
ReplyDeleteLove the new clips in the intro.
ReplyDelete*Raises a glass* Here's to the sixth year of burning bad comics, and to a show that's been consistently awesome all throughout. I salute you, good Sir!
Chemicals worked differently in the Golden and Silver Ages, didn't they?
Geez,what was that cabinet made of?! Whatever it is, manufacture buildings out of it!
The....Turtle...Man...must...be...an...ancestor...of...Captain...Kirk.
Ahhh! The origins of Bullet Time! Quick, exploit it for a decent movie and two really stupid sequels, then put it in every action movie made! *MWAHAHAHA!* (Though the Flash vs the Merovignian might be interesting...)
Am I the only one that thinks the time capsule in the second Flash story looks a little...um...suggestive?
So, according to the comic, 50th Century Earth is pretty much Detroit today?
Here, let me ruin your joke! :-)
ReplyDelete"The Flash is so fast, he can break through still imagery!"
...If I can show you some of my pictures sometime, can you forgive me?
OH HELL YEAH! HANK PYM IS NEXT?!
ReplyDeleteI've only read the New 52 version of Barry, but yeah, he does seem bit bland. He's constantly overshadowed by his supporting cast. The Rogues on the other hand, I hope that they get to continue their own book after Forever Evil ends, they are really interesting.
ReplyDeleteKamen Rider Kabuto in the title card, nice! Though the show never made up its mind whether his abilities let him move really fast or they let him slow down time.
Last week I commenting on trench coats looking off when sitting down in them and how you probably found a good solution for this.
ReplyDeleteYou took it off.
Simple, effective, cost efficient. Excellent solution indeed.
They did explain that, though much later. It wasn't a random bolt of lightning that hit Barry and then Wally, but the energy Barry was transformed into fighting the anti-Monitor. I think it was in one of the first issues of Secret Origins in the 80's. Certainly a retcon, but they did deal with it.
ReplyDeleteAs for "Central City"--it's a good enough name for 11 states to have one.
Yeah, this was the issue: http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Secret_Origins_Annual_Vol_2_2
ReplyDeleteAnd thus we witness DC's first re-boot
ReplyDeleteThe birth of a tradition that lasts till this day
You know, I'm pretty damn sure that if they pulled this today, the readers wouldn't let them live it down
like ever
Megan: That's more like Stevie from Malcolm in the Middle than Kirk. Kirk...starts...likethis, but...alsoalternateswithvery fast speech.
ReplyDeleteRunning the opposite direction? Linkara don't be so ridiculous. It very obvious that what he did was ran backwards.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI found your show on Channel Awesome recently, and while exploring your archive I put on The Next 15 Screw-Ups of AT4W. I really appreciated your comments on suicide and your acknowledgment of your innapropriate treatment of the subject. It convinced to do something I don't normally bother with since I don't watch many internet shows: whitelist your site in my ad blocker. I might not give you much traffic, but I do want to support people who are willing to admit when they were wrong and raise awareness of serious mental health issues.
Thank you.
-annoni-no
I'm sorta disappointed Marville wasn't finished before the costume change or was the cause of it but it still works.
ReplyDeleteI was sorta getting "Cry for Justice" vibes by what you did though and the lack of storyline stuff this month sorta feels off about what is different now besides the costume change.
The slowest man on earth? MY GOD IT'S FINALLY HAPPENED!! RUN FOR THE HILLS PEOPLE SLOWPOKE RODRIGUEZ HAS FINALLY BECOME A SUPERVILLAIN!!! Ya I know he's a turtle not a mouse but come on, even the speech is slow. Even Cecil Turtle speaks faster than that.
ReplyDeleteWhy would the Flash need the boat? I know it's an origin comic, but if he could run down walls, wouldn't running on water be easier?
Great review as always. Great new opening. Hard to believe this was comic that started it all from the Justice League to Mark Hamill becoming the Joker.
Dear Linkara,
ReplyDeleteI've been catching up with your wonderful show ever since the summer of 2013. I love your videos, and I can't wait until I am caught up. I just finished the Mechakara saga,and I can't wait to see what happens next! (I know what happens next in the storyline, but I can't wait to actually see it.)
Have an excellent day, sir! I commend you on your writing, and I hope that I can be as good as you.
Sincerely,
Zachary Krishef
P.S. I did not watch this video, because I want to go in order, but I did not know where else to place this comment. I am sorry if any part of this letter sounds rude or annoying.
Ugh, Gurren Lagaan, I hate that show >:(
ReplyDeleteAlso, the Flash bursting through films and comics actually makes more sense in modern context, because these days he would naturally want to escape DC's horrible books and the fact that he'll be on Arrow soon.
Question: Do you resent Barry Allen for creating the new 52 timeline? I mean I know the real culprits are the mental patients running the company, but do you?
If you think the thing about the bad guy using magnetism to steal a glass beaker is stupid, I know for sure there was a late Golden Age Marvel Family story where King Kull was trying to destroy all of humanity's books so we'd lose all our knowledge. He did it with a magnet that worked on paper.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why you brought up what Barry did Linkara. I mean it almost seems like you were bitter about his time travelling erasing continuity and causing characters like Cassandra Cain and Stephanie Brown to be exiled from DC. Don't know why I brought those name up specifically. Though about Steph...she's coming back.
ReplyDeleteWally West couldn't even catch a break in a DC animated series. Spoilers: He reunites with Artemis, who was disguised as Tigress to infiltrate The Light, only to die while attempting to deactivate an alien bomb with Barry and Bart.
Actually I think the next Flash will be made with static electricity while reading a Flash comic. That or he's 'shocked' by a flasher.
Also missed a potential ellipses gag with The Turtle Man.
And finally...Flash isn't the fastest man...that's a Clocked Up Kamen Rider Kabuto.
The new intro is awesome, your new outfit is awesome. Also including The Flash Gordon theme by Queen gets major points from me. Excellent episode Linkara!
ReplyDeleteWasn't the lightning strike explained in Crisis on Infinite Earths as the fallout from Barry Allen stopping the Anti-Monitor, or am I remembering wrong?
ReplyDelete"I...am...Torgo...
ReplyDelete...I...am...a...supervillain...now...
...the...Master...is...at...home...so...now...I...can..fullfill...my...dream...of...becoming...a...supervillain...
...thus...I...am...now...the...Turtle...Man...
...it...will...be...dark...soon..."
Cool review and cool new opening.
ReplyDeleteSo this entire show is pretty your way of getting verbal revenge against comic industries, eh? Should of figured.
"The man that shrinks" looks like your doing Ant Man's origin then.
I'll be seeing you this Veterans day then.
huh. your opening monologue was remarkably similar to the one for Captain Flash on the DVD. seems rather appropriate, in a weird way.
ReplyDeletei'm not a fan of any of the Flash entries, really. i don't know why, but i have this problem with characters whose only power is super-speed. yes, it can be used to GREAT effect, and i'm not blind to those examples. but running really fast is not a compelling superpower to me, not on its own.
the ONLY exception i can think of is Wally West in the JLU cartoon, where he was the goofy bad-ass.
speaking of Captain Flash, you remember the other superhero who debuted in his book, right? i think someone might be working on a reboot... :)
Now I can't help but call Barry "The Human Racecar" whenever I see him. Still worth the extra day. Keep it up. :D
ReplyDeleteFirst off, love the new outfit and opening. It sounds wrong to say "you clean up nicely," but the vest-and-tie look does really look good on you. (I admit it, it's my thing - I like "sharp dressed men.")
ReplyDeleteNext, LOVED the 'episode' opening song. :D And so many great references. And one to the theme music from the TV show! (Was I the only one who actually watched that? Mark Hamill as the Trickster! YES!)
BTW, idea for a top-15 list - the dumbest character origins. I suspect much comedy gold could be found there.
Looking forward to Year 6... :D
Pretty decent start with the new look. And next week, I'll actually be happy that my birthday is in a Monday.
ReplyDeleteyes, Ant-Man [becuase in 2015 its time to kick ass. one intch at a time. :D]
ReplyDeleteCool so Lewis is it funny that DC is making another Flash TV Seires based on barry allen almsot 20 years after the last show?
I didn't see anyone make that joke here, so...
ReplyDelete"He is the fast-est thing aliiiiiiive!"
C'mon, that one should have been pretty obvious.
I have to say, you look good in new outfit :) West looks really stylish.
ReplyDeleteaaand, so does the Flash. I'm really into this old costume design. It is classic, but ageless- even now, Fashe's costume looks basicly the same and it still looks nice. But on some panels Barry looks like he's veeeery tired or old :) I gues an artist wanted to draw his face a little bit more realistic and ended this way :)
All in all, nice review :)
Cheers!
Great episode :] I can't wait to see Han Pyms' origin. Are you going to do a v-log on Thor: The Dark World?
ReplyDeleteI get the sense that origin stories tend be bad. Contrivances one after the next, villains with poor plans who genuinely give the impression that they actually are idiots in the medical sense and heroes who strongly suggest that they're not competent enough to actually pursue criminals.
ReplyDeleteI like the new outfit for the show. I'm sure I'm not the only one that this has occurred to, but does this mean that you're the Second Linkara now, having regenerated somehow?
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting to see the origins of what I'm presuming is the longest-running version of the Flash. I'm looking forward to more, as always.
Ant Man or Atom.
ReplyDeletePlus, sweet new vest.
Incidentally, I read The Flash: Rebirth yesterday. Other than that, I didn't know that much about Barry's origin, so this is a welcome addition. Nice episode.
ReplyDeleteI kind of expected the song The Ballad Of Barry Allen to be in this, but hey, ya can't have everything.
Nice episode, had no idea that both origins were so similar ;)
ReplyDeleteAbout the physics: I'm no expert, theese infos come from other shows I watched / or other sources - but breaking the sonic wall doesnt do much (or any) damage, was already tested by the mythbusters with a jet and they barely were able to break some glas.
And about the magnetism: Apparently, everything can be affected by a strong enough magnet - not just metals. It has to be quite strong to do that - but they explained it while presenting the strongest existing magnet ever built (documentary).
Oh barry allen you just are not as good character Wally. I'm glad the only one that realizes that dc hates him. I mean he is one of few people that prove that super heroes can be married. That narrative was allowed to be then dc would have to eat crow about no marriages.
ReplyDeletei dont know... the flash was kinda cool in blackest night...
ReplyDeleteOh, my god...someone other than me has seen Remo Williams!
ReplyDelete@DuelX Not true. The Clock Up system lets those who use it travel faster than the speed of sound. It only looked like time slowed down to show you the fights because it'd be lame if the fights all happened in a blink. Common misconception.
ReplyDeleteWhy would the Flash trust the people from the future to get him back to the right time? Not only are trying to prevent what disaster is going to befall the Earth, it is also has been showed that their time machine technology is sometimes glitchy.
ReplyDeleteAs far as we know if travel via their machine, he could have ended up at the 50th century
I kind of grew up with the Barry Allen origin so the lightning bolt stuff never bothered me. The rest of the origin is so dumb that it kind of faded from continuity over the years, this is the first I have heard of the lame Turtle. I always kind of liked Flash and was very happy you used the theme to the TV show. I loved that show it was a bit underrated.
ReplyDeleteI know you want to keep the schedule and you're awesome for how often you do. You produce a weekly show 52 weeks a year plus live episodes, specials and cross-overs. We're happy to wait the day.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for puting it up the next day.
You know, it's funny, you commented how you wouldn't wear the full new costume because it was hot, versus what a lot of people, including myself, guessed that it'd be a pain to sit on the long coat. Yet I almost questioned the heat too when you reveled the new costume but then thought 'no, isn't the other reviewer coat hot too?'
Anyway, I love the new costume and the new opening. Awesome to see one of the Thing plushies on the couch with the arsenal of freedom and Pollo and that there's at least one good shot of the white Power Rangers outfit. I know you said you'd be phasing it out because it was kind of a pain to film in but that is still my favorite of the transformations.
I don't know a lot about Barry Allen, think I know Wally more from the animated series from several years back. (I think that was Wally... crap.)
Anyway, I look forward to when you've got a chance to get the live ep up.
The Flash is the only New 52 book I read. I thought this was a fair review. The Flash is a fun book historically, but it was silly. It took several Showcase appearance before he got his own book. I've got Showcase Presents Trial of the Flash and will read that some day, it's supposed to give him more pathos.
ReplyDeleteYou just had to make a Gurren Lagann joke, didn't you?
ReplyDeleteWas Barry Allen boring and white bread? Maybe. I never read his early comics. In fact, the first comic I ever read with him in it was "JLA Year One," which still remains one of my top 5 favorite comic books ever to be published by a major comic publisher in America. All I know is that in -that- comic book, he was fleshed out as an analytical introvert, who was also a police forensic scientist.
ReplyDeleteI liked your power cord idea, actually. It's a less contrived occurrence.
As for time travel; yes. That was done all the time in the Silver Age by very fast characters. Superman would, if I recall correctly, regularly travel back to prehistoric times to study the giant ape Titano, which had Kryptonite vision (not kidding at all here. He really did.) Still makes more sense that reversing the Earth's rotation like in Superman 1, though.
I guess one thing that's always charmed me about Barry Allen, and drawn me to the Silver Age in general is the overall upbeat vibe of the comics. It's just sad that the writing quality had to be so poor at times, to make up for it, but I like the upbeat attitude, and I like the weird premises. The weirder, the better.
As I once said to a friend, who was poking fun at the issue where Superman temporarily gains to ability to shoot a tiny version of himself out of his hands...
"Welcome to the Silver Age, baby! Anything, and I mean -anything,- no matter how weird, could be done to -any- character, in -any- comic, with the exception of porn, of course. If not for the generally-poor writing quality of the stories, I would have considered these to be the glory days of comic books. I do have a preference for stories that are strange and bizarre, and/or seem to turn the character's world upside-down. There's a reason I've read 'Alice in Wonderland' five times."
Yay!! Time to start of a New Year of seeing bad comics, miller time, Live ATFW, fighting crazy super villains, crossovers,and many more. *Epic Fist Pump*
ReplyDeleteHaha tripping over a power cord with allergy meds thats.. well I would say silly but nevermind. just remember what show I've been watching. & as you have shown DC, Marvel, & a few others would do that. So just clinch those teeth. Hey you had to say that about the drill. lol
Hey Linkara would you do a Thor comic?
Hey Lewis liked the review, just wondering have u ever watched The Flash tv series ? I know u don't that much tv anymore but if you haven't seen it, it's worth a look, it even has Mark Hamill in it !
ReplyDeleteHYPER CLOCK-UP! (sorry, saw Kabuto in the title card, had to say it)
ReplyDeleteInsane origin tale; it's like Flashes seem to keep getting spilled by random chemicals, though Barry had a bolt of lightning synthesize all of them. At least Jay's way rather wacky and didn't make me think Barry was just going to mutate into some hideous deformed creature...but hey, Silver Age and all that. And we seriously need to see that tentacle-wielding gorilla; he would work perfect on the show.
Great new opening BTW (saw Thing toy with Bear on the couch now) Oh...and next week: "Antmusic". Just "Antmusic" (or "Stand and Deliver"; there are quite a few good Adam Ant songs out there)
There was a surprising lack of clips from Dana Carvey's Master of Disguise once the Turtle Man showed up.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if you are ok with this, but since I know people might wonder about all this Kamen Rider Stuff, I'm gonna leave this here:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=272363532791153&set=a.272348802792626.81420.108261035868071&type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Ffbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net%2Fhphotos-ak-frc1%2F332251_272363532791153_7655071_o.jpg&smallsrc=https%3A%2F%2Fsphotos-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-frc1%2F301641_272363532791153_7655071_n.jpg&size=1024%2C768
Dear Linkara,
ReplyDeleteGreat review as always and a great way to kick off the beginning of Secret Origins month! I love this Flash and the Rogues that he fights.
Just curious, as in two years Whiz #2 (Captain Marvel/Shazam)'s 75th anniversary is coming on Feb 2015 would you do a review on Whiz 2 for a future Secret Origins month?
Great work, Linkara. Secret Origins Month is always awesome. I was actually gonna say that I'd like you to get to Barry Allen and Hal Jordan. I hope that you get to Dick Grayson soon.
ReplyDeleteAs soon as I saw that Barry himself read about Jay Garrick, I called bullshit on his name. You just know that the Flash Museum has to pay royalties.
Oh, and I like the vest. Very nice.
guess my prediction thar the new coat would be uncomfertable to shoot in was right on.
ReplyDeleteOh cool you're not wearing the great coat for the whole review; I kinda like that it's for serious "plot stuff", neat.
ReplyDeleteWhen Felix Baumgartner, made his freefall jump from the "Edge of Space," last year and became the first human to break the speed barrier without the aid of a vehicle it was shown that a human size object doing so would not create a very sizable sonic boom, Felix did indeed create a mini-boom but it's likely that Barry would not cause too much trouble because the amount of air displaced is relative to the size of the object.
Surprised you didn't make any jokes about Jimmy Olsen as the Turtle boy in this one.
Nice a Remo Williams shout-out, my brother used to be a big fan of the Destroyer Novels so I remember him being really excited about renting the movie; it's not great but it's a fun watch and hey it's got Kate Mulgrew so can't go wrong there.
Ouch I cringed to see Barack the Barbarian on top of the pile of bad comics, because that one gets a very undeserved bad rap. In your "Top 15 comics I'll never review," video you commented on how it was weird because it wasn't the regular political satire type comic... Though that's exactly what Larry Hama was going for, the Obama in comics trend was silly and ridiculous and what better way to make fun of it then to play it completely straight, and turn him into a comic book hero who follows comic book rules? It's a brilliant way to subvert the trend, with that said I've only read the "Fall of Red Sarah," one shot but it was brilliant.
LH: "First off, you should change it to Barack the Barbarian, and second, I'm not interested in writing a Mad Magazine style parody and that it would have to be more in line with the more polemical stuff of Swift, Twain and Voltaire (not that I can pull off anything like they could,) and third, that my own leanings are towards Barack and that would be reflected in what I write-- and Josh said 'fine.'"
LH: "I just think of it as sword and sorcery, only the characters look really familiar."
Anyway that's my take, but I'm a big Hama fangirl and I like wacky over the top ideas, I'll be interested in seeing yours assuming you are going to review it now.
So why'd you skip stuff like Hourman, Hawkman, and Captain Marvel? Or are you coming back and doing those next year?
ReplyDeleteWhy did you skip so many Golden Age characters? Are we never going to see your thoughts on Blue Beetle's original origin, or Hawkman, or Captain Marvel? Or are you just waiting til next year.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 4:20 PM:
ReplyDeleteUm, though none of these are exactly good from today's perspective, I'd say only The X-Men's origin is out and out BAD for the time of the thirteen so far covered. Spider-Man and Batman are out and out GOOD, Wonder Woman and Captain America have occasional hiccups but are mostly shockingly good origins (in the former's case, it's a shame that her villains in the comics aren't her pop cultural equal, leaving her actual adaptability into a film shockingly low), Superman, Hulk, Barry Allen and the Teen Titans have fairly even mixes of good and bad ideas and definitive portrayals would get hammered out over time and Iron Man, Fantastic Four, Alan Scott and Jay Garrick ultimately have more bad ideas than good ones (especially, in order, racist villains, overt and unreconciled ties to the space race, subtle racism and an absolutely MASSIVE plothole and all the issues with Jay Garrick's first story, even with some of the cool elements), even if you can kind of see the nugget of quality there.
Wait, why is breaking the sound barrier considered to be faster than outracing his own shadow? That would require him to run faster than light o_O !
ReplyDeleteSo Golden Age heroes existed as actual comics in the Silver Age? Man, Silver Age Batman must feel creeped out - or he DID get his inspiration from the OTHER Bruce Wayne, instead of a bat flying into his room.
And Wally West should've gotten his powers like Liberty Lad from the game Freedom Force: A blood transfusion. That's a tad more likely than having the same rare event repeat itself - and on the same spot no less.
I was telling a friend of mine about this episode today, and when I asked him to guess who the first opponent of the fastest man on Earth was he correctly guessed the slowest man on Earth... and he was joking!
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed the episode and i like the modern street punk sage look you have going with the new outfit. But i must say i do have one request. Linkara could you please add a Secret Origins Label so all the secret origins month episodes are all linked together. That would be cool!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I love the new outfit, Linkara. It's pretty classy; so now you and Harvey are tied as the best dressed characters on the show (I'm still a bit unsure about how to rate Boffo's attire).
ReplyDeleteAnyway, on to the review...
In regards to Barry's explanation for the costume in the ring, couldn't he have just said that it works somewhat like those little compressed cubes that change into towels when water is added only faster? I mean, I don't know of too many chemicals that work as insta-gro on fabrics (let alone being safe to put near skin).
In regards to canon:
Seeing that Linkara is still at the apartment, he did find Harvey right? I mean, the poor guy did collapse in front of the door.
New outfit, new intro, and new Secret Origins month, the first of the line-up being a review on Barry Allen, the man who launched the Silver Age . . . and rebooted the DCU after Flashpoint.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I think I like Wally West better. He's a lot more interesting than Barry Allen.
Unfortunately, thanks to the Flashpoint reboot, Wally West (along with certain other characters) have been benched. Given the tone of the new 52, I have a feeling that if Wally West does get re-introduced, he'll be portrayed in a way that will piss people off.
Anyway, great review. I can't wait for the rest of Secret Origins Month '13.
While the introduction of the Speed Force to the Flash mythos does explain the origins of both Barry Allen and Wally West's powers I also find it odd that not once in his career did Barry stop and think about how strange that coincidence was. Though I guess it's excusable, I mean he isn't a scientist... wait.
ReplyDeleteI also love that Wally gains his powers when Barry DEMONSTRATES how he gained his powers by setting up the chemicals on the shelf again, which should have tipped off Wally that maybe his Aunt's boyfriend, who worked in the lab, could possibly have been the Flash. Though, that's the Silver Age for you.
I'm also glad that you didn't wear the new duster while sitting on the couch, I think it may have been so big that it looked like you were wrapped in a blanket or something. The vest and tie look works really well for the show, though.
"Why did you skip so many Golden Age characters? Are we never going to see your thoughts on Blue Beetle's original origin, or Hawkman, or Captain Marvel? Or are you just waiting til next year."
ReplyDelete*Shrug*
Because I didn't feel like it.
Beaker full of science... XD That was probably the absolute best name you could've given it.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Barry Allen is a bit boring. I liked him in the Flashpoint Paradox, though he took a backseat to the other characters, and I do read the new 52 Flash comics, even though they're kinda forgettable, and I like him in the new 52 Justice League comics (though I HATE HATE HATE what they did with Hal Jordan in that series. Seriously, WTF DC! Sorry, I have to bitch about that ever chance I get.) But otherwise, I like Wally West much better. I fell in love with that character in the Justice League cartoon. It'd be nice if they brought him back, though I don't really see that happening anytime soon. :(
What is it with DC and stupid decisions lately...
Also, are you going to do the Green Lantern origin at some point? I'd be real interested to see the golden age GL origin, since it's so completely different from the GL we have now.
"Also, are you going to do the Green Lantern origin at some point? I'd be real interested to see the golden age GL origin, since it's so completely different from the GL we have now."
ReplyDeleteI covered Alan Scott already, actually. ^_~
http://atopfourthwall.blogspot.com/2011/11/all-american-comics-16.html
Man, I am a swooning sucker for a vest and tie combo, I can definitely get used to this wardrobe.
ReplyDeleteComic-wise... well, I wouldn't have thought of "the slowest man on Earth" as a villain ever, especially not for the fastest man... but uh, whatever Silver Age. Also boy... I... hate... a... ton... of... ellipses... in... word... bubbles... it's... really... unnecessary... since... you... read... them... in... your... head... at... normal... speed... anyway...
Also man, second year in a row I had to miss Youmacon due to some such thing or another. Definitely going to try my damndest to go next year.
I could say it was a great review but you've probably heard it a jillion times! I don't think the writing in the Silver Age was generally bad, it's just that some writers (like Kanigher)felt that they were writing comics for kids and just didn't aspire higher than that; While others took their craft seriously and wrote fun and interesting stories that any audience could enjoy. You may not like Bob Haney's stuff but I can't remember reading an outright lousy story by him but I've seen PLENTY from Kanigher. I even thought Joe "Charlton Comics Writer #1" Gill wrote better stories!
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm glad I'm not the only one who is missing Wally West in the Flash costume! If it would have taken an OMD to keep him in the suit, I would have been all for it and I really despise OMD!
Speaking of suits, I hope that AT4W isn't gonna make you go all Bill Gates on us onto greener pastures. This is one of the few webcast programs that's actually funny! Are you still friends with the Vampire reviewer? I kept expecting her to make an appearance with you during Longbox of The Damned. I also hope you find a bad Iron Man story because I miss your "Drunken Stark" impression!
Finally, how about putting all the Origins reviews under one heading? It's kinda annoying to have to jump around.
-Leader Desslok-
ReplyDeleteI'm reminded of the Weird Al Show, where he once mentioned a superhero who was the slowest man alive; Molasses Man, I think.
I love it when you use Queen! Not just the song, but the clip, too!
The new costume is... it's fine, but personally, I don't like ties.
The rest is good.
~ Mik
...anyone else read through all those elipses and start having Warrior #1 flashbacks?
ReplyDeleteAwesome review Linkara, bonus points for the Gurren Lagann reference!
ReplyDeleteLoving that Kamen Rider Kabuto in the title card.
ReplyDelete