Why is Everyone Freaking Out Over 'The Flash' Prequel Comic?
It looks like even the Ezra Miller controversy can't stop the hype.
Warning: the following article contains spoilers for 'The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive #1'
Fresh out of the oven, 'The Flash' prequel comic 'The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive #1' appeared to have boosted the buzz around the Ezra Miller- led movie about the scarlet speedster. Despite the questionable aura the upcoming Warner Bros. blockbuster currently has due to the legal troubles faced by its lead, it looks like the prequel comic managed to draw attention to the movie's actual story.
The prequel comic delves into the history between Miller's Flash and Ben Affleck 's Batman, hinting at what can be expected from the upcoming movie, where Affleck returns back to the role of the caped crusader – to the surprise of many fans.
Another revelation is that it was apparently Batman who gave Barry Allen his Flash ring, as well as the new suit it stores. Are we the only ones to feel some Spider-Man and Tony Stark vibes from this?
"Flash's next villain will be a former Wayne employee," Twitter user WonderWoman8223 joked, apparently referring to how the majority of Marvel villains would always turn out to be ex-Stark Industries staffers who got some issues with Tony Stark.
This is where some fans started to feel disappointed, blasting the creative decision as a Marvel rip-off, and arguing that Barry always created his stuff by himself.
Still, the prequel has actually got the majority of fans thinking that 'The Flash' might be a really good movie if the creators follow the path set in the comic – and, of course, if they find a sensible way to promote the film amid the ongoing controversy.
Among other things, the prequel reveals a completely new villain that Miller's Barry Allen will have to face – Girder, a steelworker named Tony Woodward who was thrown into a vault of molten steel, which turned him into a terrifying creature of living metal.
The comic has been confirmed to be a canon prequel to the movie, which is set for release on June 23, 2023 after being delayed in the wake of the ongoing controversy around Ezra Miller. The lead actor, who uses they/them pronouns, has been accused of harassment, grooming, and kidnapping. In a recent official statement, Miller pledged to seek help, arguing that they suffer from mental health issues. The promotion campaign for 'The Flash', already severely undermined by the scandal, remains in an unclear position, but with the premiere being more than a year away, things might soon change.