SDCC Review: Flashpoint

In a sentence?
I'm here for it.

Wait! Before you light the torches and level your pitchforks, let me diffuse a couple of things. I am well aware of how iconic a story "Flashpoint" is (and how it wasn't at all done justice on the DCTV iteration). This particular story is arguably Barry's most defining moment and it carries so much weight because of the depth of the journey it took to get there. Through the sizzling Shakespearean-esque tragedy, comes the ponderous lesson in growth and maturity; knowing when to let things lie. It's big. It's powerful. It hurts him. But he shines so brightly because of it and beneath the sacred banner of that hallowed light, we are granted the beautiful moment of friendship between Flash and Batman.

This is an incredibly high mountain peak from which to launch this character's first big screen appearance. And it screams of lessons unlearned.

I agree with the general DC Comics consensus. I don't think they should've tried to A) Launch a universe all at once or B) Lead with the most iconic stories

There's no context. Like running through the sprinklers during winter time. It's not even hot!

I get all that.
Truly.

However. The only ways to really excel in life are to get beyond what people say you can or can't do; to obsess over how the vision can be made manifest, rather than dismissing it noncommitally due to it lacking conventionality. It is clear that this direction is one that they are wholly committed to it and I got to thinking... IF this were to somehow work... what would it take? And I believe Flashpoint (if done correctly) could do it.

The "thing" that DC currently seeks is presence. During an interview with JJ Abrams, he commented on the original Star Wars film in fond recollection saying:

"You got the sense that whatever has been happening here has been happening for a long time." 

Presence. In lieu of a preemptively employed, long reaching, multi-phasic plan a la Marvel- they've strove to establish presence. If their audience can get the sense that their brand new universe has been around for decades, then the time can be cleanly redeemed. Genius. The issue is that genius ideas require precision execution of the highest caliber. DC has soooo many toys they're playing with, yet no idea how well any of them work until they hit the big screen. This is a considerably significant flaw; they thought BvS would be a smash hit and that Wonder Woman would do decently for a female superhero flick. BvS flopped. Wonder Woman broke so many records the industry had to stop evaluating it by "best for female _____" standards. Batman? Mixed reviews. They don't have an inkling how his movie will do.

Thus, in a glittering stroke of delicious irony, DC has granted themselves a singular super power. If Batman doesn't do well? They can literally Flashpoint him out of existence if need be. Grant Gustin's Flash is beloved dang near universally- if Ezra's Flash doesn't deliver? They can recast him and justify it. Batgirl misses the mark with too many "contemporary adjustments" (see "The Killing Joke")? Zip. Flashpoint effect.

"But Josh, wouldn't it be easier- and contribute more fully to the end game- for them to fix the flaw? To not need a box office test every time as a litmus for what they did or didn't do correctly?"

Yes.
Hush.

It ALSO looks like somebody over there finally read my blog (yup I'm taking credit)- Thomas Wayne Batman on the big screen? Yes. This is that depth. That presence. Reverse Flash. Bitter Aquaman. Savage Wonder Woman. Martha Wayne as Joker. Grifter. Yoyo. They have so much storytelling power placed at their disposal by simultaneously introducing multiversity and those specific characters all in one stroke. It widens the cachet of the mainline continuity while simultaneously wrenching focus back to story itself. I'll never stop saying this. Story is everything.

Note: The key to writing legacy characters isn't necessarily changing everything we know about them, or removing their critical features. The key is in crafting an excellent story around who they truly are; that way, even if you take us down an unfamiliar trail, we are still invested and don't feel robbed of either character or content.

Story is everything.

Suddenly you have people asking questions. What's life like for Thomas Wayne as Batman? Who protects Metropolis since Kal-El never became Superman? What would happen if...

And now, through the work of establishing cinematic presence alongside authentic personality as purveyor of quality story, you become a living force. The people become innately curious in whatever DC is doing, because man, they tell such good stories! 

"Josh, you're being overwhelmingly optimistic here."

I am. But what's the alternative? Lament and hyper criticize everything? It is always the right time for a new hope to arise. If it doesn't work, then you'll see me here pointing out what went wrong. But for now, they've presented a truly brilliant maneuver and I will acknowledge it as such. Despite the egregious errors don't lose sight of the fact that we still love these characters. They mean something to us. Ultimately, we want DC to do right by us. We want them to succeed.

So, yes, it's an odd place to kick off (without a doubt) and we are rightfully tepid about it. And yet (there's always an and yet) it gives them tremendous power for final fixes before settling onto a solid continuity, while powerfully raising the sails for a full speed expedition back into the open seas of excellent storytelling.

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Joshua Evans is a prolific writer and sci-fi/fantasy enthusiast who believes story is central to everything and that mythology can change the world. He currently hosts two youtube shows- The Truth About Superheroes and Comic of the Week, as well as runs a short story blogsite on medium as The Story Junkie. If you would like to further be a part of his cosmic psyche, you can join him on Twitter and Instagram or simply subscribe to this blog… and remember- sharing is caring! Cheers!