Attention, comic book enthusiasts and cinephiles alike! Prepare yourselves for a lightning-infused spectacle as the Scarlet Speedster sprints his way onto the silver screen in "The Flash" movie, zooming into theaters on June 16th. While loosely based on the acclaimed "Flashpoint" storyline, fear not, dear readers, for this film promises a mind-bending adventure that will leave you breathless with excitement.
In this electrifying tale, Barry Allen, our beloved speedster, discovers that the world he once knew has been twisted and reshaped by the forces of time itself. But hold on tight, for this isn't just any alternate reality. It's a high-speed rollercoaster ride through a distorted timeline where familiar faces have taken on new roles and unimaginable consequences await at every turn.
As Barry awakens to a world without the Justice League, his mother alive, and his father's tragic fate altered, he must navigate this topsy-turvy existence while grappling with the repercussions of his own actions. But when the past collides with the present, secrets unravel, and Barry must confront the ultimate adversary—his own inner demons - let's get into it!
In this topsy-turvy reality, Citizen Cold, the icicle-drenched hero, has replaced the Flash as Central City's savior. Barry's deceased mother, Nora, is inexplicably alive, while his father, Henry, has met an untimely demise from a heart attack. But that's just the tip of the iceberg, my friends, for in this distorted realm, the Justice League and even the mighty Superman are but figments of imagination.
Gotham City becomes our next stop on this wild ride, where Batman, the caped crusader himself, takes a plunge off a building, courtesy of the mischievous Yo-Yo. Before you can say "Holy plot twist, Batman!" Cyborg steps onto the scene, ushering in a conference of heroes to address the havoc wreaked by the Atlanteans led by Aquaman and the fierce Amazons under the command of Wonder Woman. The world is in peril, my friends, and unity seems but a distant dream.
But wait, the plot thickens! Barry Allen, with his trusty Batmobile as his steed, arrives at the Batcave only to find a not-so-friendly Dark Knight awaiting him. Surprise! It's none other than Thomas Wayne, father of Bruce, who donned the cowl after his son's tragic demise. Family dynamics can be quite complicated, wouldn't you agree?
Meanwhile, in the flooded ruins of Paris, Deathstroke the Terminator sails the high seas aboard a pirate ship, accompanied by a motley crew of villains. But their pirate escapades are rudely interrupted by Emperor Aquaman himself, who decides to play 'stabby-stabby' with Deathstroke. Fear not, for Sonar comes to the rescue, removing a trident shard from Deathstroke's chest, and just like that, our anti-hero is back in action.
Back at Wayne Manor, Barry attempts to spill the beans about his secret identity and his connection to Bruce Wayne, but the fabric of reality isn't playing nice. Memories twist and turn, revealing the shocking truth that Flashpoint isn't an alternate dimension, but a twisted version of Barry's own timeline. It's a mind-bending revelation, my friends.
Determined to right the wrongs caused by the devious Eobard Thawne, Barry decides to recreate the accident that granted him his speedster abilities. But oopsie-daisy, the initial attempt leaves him with a not-so-fashionable crispy look. Note to self: Never underestimate the power of lightning.
In the foggy streets of London, Steve Trevor finds himself in quite the pickle as he faces off against Wonder Woman and her Amazonian entourage. It's a battle of truth and lassos, my friends, and Steve spills the beans about his mission to extract Lois Lane from New Themyscira, with Cyborg's secrets hanging in the balance. Oh, the drama!
Meanwhile, back at New Themyscira, Lois Lane stumbles upon the Resistance, and a second lightning strike (or should I say a bolt from the blue?) grants Barry Allen a much-needed power boost. His burns are healed, his costume recreated, and our Scarlet Speedster is ready to rock and roll.
But wait, there's more! Barry's research into ancient newspapers reveals Thawne's sinister plot
to prevent the formation of the Justice League. And remember that rocket that was carrying baby Kal-El that crashed into Metropolis instead of Kansas? Well, hold on to your capes, because that little bundle of Kryptonian joy was snatched away by Project: Superman and given the catchy code name, Subject 1. Talk about a Super-sized surprise!
As our Scarlet Speedster teams up with Batman, Cyborg, and a feisty Element Woman, they embark on a mission to locate and rescue Subject 1. But the road to heroism is paved with explosive battles, unexpected betrayals, and even a pale, weakened version of Superman himself. Can you believe it? Our mighty Man of Steel was reduced to a shadow of his former self. It's like seeing Superman in desperate need of a spinach smoothie!
With guards hot on their heels, our intrepid heroes find themselves in a sewer showdown, desperately in need of a rescue. But fear not, for Element Woman arrives just in time to save the day. Oh, the drama! Flash's memories continue to twist and turn, threatening to erase the original timeline completely. To keep his mind from becoming a scrambled egg, Batman bestows upon our speedster an anti-epileptic that slows down his brain's electrical activity. Talk about a pill with a purpose!
As chaos ensues and the world teeters on the brink of destruction, the President of the United States reluctantly announces Cyborg's failure to unite the superheroes. The Atlantean-Amazon war rages on, and Fawcett City's very own Billy Batson, aka Captain Marvel, finds himself licking his wounds after a not-so-heroic defeat at the hands of Wonder Woman. But fear not, dear readers, for Billy has a change of heart and decides to put an end to the madness.
With the Marvel Family joining the Flash, Batman, Cyborg, and Element Woman in their quest, things seem to be looking up. Until that is, Enchantress reveals herself as a sneaky spy within the Amazonian ranks, turning the tide of battle against our heroes. Chaos ensues, explosions ripple through the battlefield, and even Billy Batson himself meets a rather explosive fate. Talk about a shocking turn of events!
In the aftermath of the devastation, as the smoke clears and wounds start to heal, Professor Zoom, the arch-nemesis of our Scarlet Speedster, makes his grand entrance. Zoom reveals to Barry the mind-boggling truth: Flashpoint was actually created by Barry himself, a result of his desperate attempt to save his mother's life. Talk about a self-induced headache! Zoom taunts Barry with the knowledge that he can now kill the Flash without erasing his own existence, but before he can savor the victory, Batman strikes him down from behind. Surprise, Zoom! You've been outmaneuvered by the Dark Knight himself.
But the battle is far from over, my friends. Subject 1, now in the mix, lends a hand to our heroes, but Thomas Wayne, still adamant about restoring history, urges Barry to set things right and undo the millions of deaths caused by the Amazon-Atlantean war. While time itself trembles on the brink of collapse, Barry realizes the point of divergence, leading him to one last desperate attempt to restore the timeline.
Traveling back in time, and merging with his younger self, Barry inadvertently creates yet another timeline, a delicate blend of Flashpoint and the original universe. As he wakes up, it's as if a deja vu moment engulfs him, just like the beginning of Flashpoint. But wait, there's a heartwarming twist! Barry remembers his father's sacrifice and the letter Thomas Wayne gave him, which he delivers to Bruce, the Batman of this altered timeline. Bruce is deeply moved by his father's sacrifice and expresses gratitude to Barry for revealing the truth.
So, my fellow comic book enthusiasts, mark your calendars for June 16th and brace yourselves for a thrilling cinematic experience that pays homage to the iconic "Flashpoint" storyline while forging its own path. And remember, for all your comic book musings, insights, and geeky banter, tune in to That! Comic Podcast from Philadelphia, delivering fresh episodes every Wednesday and Friday. Stay tuned, true believers! Excelsior!