Changes in Flash Creative Team?

[xBarryxAllenx]

An article on Bleeding Cool's site contains some speculation and rumor at this point, and I certainly hope it is incorrect...but it bears further discussion here. It concerns several potential creative changes on DC titles....possibly including The Flash.

There are no further details, so we don't know whether a change is coming, and if so whether it involves both Manapul and Buccellato or just one of them...but no matter what I would be most sad to see a change at this point as M&B have provided a truly wonderful ride for The Flash so far. Here's the link - please add your thoughts below:

www.bleedingcool.com/2012/11/30/will-gail-simone-leave-batgirl-and-other-changes-in-the-next-few-months/

[jonqcitizen]

I read that article as well, and sighed. I am loving this creative team, and (in my opinion) have noticed a "let down" whenever Manapul isn't doing the art or Booch isn't doing the colors.

That said, if I had to choose.....I'd rather see Manapul stay.....and if I had to choose further, I'd rather see Manapul doing art and have someone else do the writing rather than him write and someone else on artwork. I know it's selfish, and I'd much rather keep things as they are, but I suppose it's just life and the business.

[xBarryxAllenx]

UPDATE: It appears that at least part of the article from Bleeding Cool may be just rumor. On Gail Simone's Tumblr, she replies to a question from an anonymous fan (Gail's reply is in bold):

"Anonymous asked: Is it true that you are leaving Batgirl? Rumors is going around by bleedingcool. I can't imagine you leaving this book by choice. I hope is not true since you have been doing great. Is selling will too. I don't want DC messing it up.

I have not left Batgirl. And thanks."
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That doesn't mean there aren't changes coming...Gail may be taking on additional projects, as noted in her response to my own question (Gail's reply again in bold):

"barryallenvsm asked: Heard you may be picking up a new series...whatever it is I'm buying. I love the voices you give to your characters. I would buy a Ma Hunkel series if you were writing it (not that there's anything wrong with the original Red Tornado). But, I would terribly miss the voice you give Barbara if you left Batgirl. Whatever you will be doing, best wishes!

That is wonderfully kind, thank you!

There’s a lot up in the air but all indications are quite a FEW cool new things in the next year. I’m surprised by the opportunities!"
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Here are the links to those posts:

gailsimone.tumblr.com/post/37033442262/is-it-true-that-you-are-leaving-batgirl-rumors-is

gailsimone.tumblr.com/post/37034811970/heard-you-may-be-picking-up-a-new-series-whatever-it-is
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btw - I wasn't just kissing up to Gail Simone in my question. I really would buy a Ma Hunkel series (or any other series) if she was writing it. Batgirl and Flash are my two top titles.

TLDR: All this is to say that at least some of the rumors are being debunked. We may yet see changes in The Flash's creative team - I certainly hope not - but at least we know that not all of the story is accurate at this point.

[speedster]

Bleeding Cool has a notorious reputation of skewing "articles" and twisting words in an attempt to get more clicks.

Something to consider is that this report claims that the changes are coming around issue 20. Wasn't it earlier reported that either Manapul or Buccellato are going to take a two issue break around that time before the "Reverse Flash" arc?

Also, while anything is possible, I would doubt that DC would let them discuss their near-future plans with the press if they were going to be replaced.

[jonqcitizen]

Thanks for the update....and Ms. Simone is a great writer, no doubt!! "YAY" for things hopefully staying as they are!

[xBarryxAllenx]

UPDATE FROM BOOCH - PUTS RUMORS TO REST

On the CBR forums, Brian Buccellato posted the following:

"Hey guys... Francis and I aren't going anywhere for a while. He's taking 18 and 19 off completely so he can recharge and then we will be doing our next big arc, which will probably be 5-6 issues... and will focus on REVERSE FLASH."

There are prior interviews where M&B have spoken of staying with The Flash for a while longer, and this certainly seems to confirm that nothing has changed, in spite of the "inside source" quoted by Bleeding Cool. Glad to be able to put this to rest, at least for the foreseeable future.

Here's the link to Brian Buccellato's post (it's at the bottom of the page when you follow this link):

forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?434295-Rumored-Creative-Team-Changes/page7

One last note - thanks to Eric Q at the ComicBloc Forums for posting that link to CBR. His post guiding me to the above link came from this thread:

comicbloc.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1803611#post1803611