So with the release of Flash #9 (the first issue in “The Road to Flashpoint”) and the trade collection of The Flash: The Dastardly Death of the Rogues this week, DC is starting to unleash Flashpoint mania in full force.  And, you know what?  I think we here at IoM are too.  We’re excited about Flashpoint (some of us, anyway), and we’re going to help you get ready for the big event by reviewing important Flash storylines, talking about the history of the Flash and maybe, just maybe (if I can find some like minded individuals), do a special Funnybooks episode about The Flash!

Today at Dallas’ big Comics Pro Convention (a comic convention specifically for Comic retailers, where many huge merchandise announcements are made), DC unveiled multiple big plans for Flashpoint!  Starting with the solicitation copy for the event, which starts on May 11:

FLASHPOINT #1
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art and cover by ANDY KUBERT
1:25 Variant cover A by ANDY KUBERT
Variant cover B by IVAN REIS and GEORGE PEREZ

Everything You Know Will Change in a Flash!

Not a dream, not an imaginary story, not an elseworld. This is a Flash Fact: When Barry Allen wakes at his desk, he discovers the world has changed. Family is alive, loved ones are strangers, and close friends are different, gone or worse. It’s a world on the brink of a cataclysmic war – but where are Earth’s Greatest Heroes to stop it? It’s a place where America’s last hope is Cyborg, who hopes to gather the forces of the Outsider, the Secret 7, S!H!A!Z!A!M!, Citizen Cold and other new and familiar-yet-altered faces.

It’s a world that could be running out of time, if The Flash can’t find the villain who altered the time line!

Welcome to FLASHPOINT!

On sale MAY 11 = 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US = Rated T

Yup, the comic will be $3.99, but with 40 pages.  It was also announced that the tie-in mini series and one-shots will be priced at $2.99.  It’s been long known that the world of Flashpoint would involve some kind of changes to the past that would result in an alternate timeline in the present.  What’s new about the solicitation text is the fact that Barry Allen knows the world is different.  Still no word on whether DC will publish all of its other titles during Flashpoint, or give some of them a break during the alternate universe stuff like they did with the Amalgam stuff years ago.

What else was announced?  Well, not only will “Flashpoint edition Flash rings” be available at comic book shops this June, with the release of Flashpoint #2, but, to coincide with the release of Flashpoint mini series, DC Comics will also be creating exclusive buttons, featuring the reimagined superhero logos of Flashpoint.  Nine logos have been revealed thus far (see below), but there will be one to coincide with each series.  Wonder if Marvel will capitalize on this one with another Deadpool variant giveaway thing.  Oh, and don’t forget the Flashpoint action figures.

Perhaps the most exciting news?  Dan Jurgens is returning to Booster Gold with issue #44, a Flashpoint prelude story!