The Bad:Mostly, the fault lies with Michael Alan Nelson. The dialogue is fun and snappy, but can be just awkward enough to distract the reader from what's going on. It's simultaneously a strong and weak suit for him. Thankfully, the rest of his writing is pretty spot-on and fun, but that's a glaring blemish that's holding him back. As it stands, it's keeping a good writer from being a great writer.

I wish I went on a double date like that.

The Bad: I don't know whether to call it irony, but for all its high points, Rebirth feels like it's moving TOO fast. There's a lot going on, and for a new reader, it could be quite disorienting. Johns switches gears and bounces around quite often, leaving the reader to play catch-up. As such, the manic attitude of the Flash is captured, but in a very distracting way that detracts from the story, rather than enhancing it.

In other words, if you don't read Thor, and you're intrigued (especially after hearing about the Kenneth Branagh-directed movie coming in 2011), start reading Thor. You may feel like you're lost in Asgard, but just remember " it's still in Utah.

Also, I'd like to know what "IRT" feels like under my feet, especially when it feels "like a monster clawing its way up my shinbones." I know it should be "DIRT", but considering that "IRT" is what made it to print, I feel like I'm missing out on an essential life experience.