2011 Gift Guides: Gifts for a journalist.

Since I've been doing gift guides, I can't help but do one for my own profession.

6. Tyvek Wallet - Newsprint design. The perfect gift for any journalist that carries a wallet, it's practical and fitting of the profession. This can be picked up at vinylled.com.

5. Mmm, Chocolate Pie...Chart. Yes journalists love statistics and figures, and what's better to show off those numbers than a beautiful pie chart? How about if that pie chart were made of chocolate. Available for about $20 from maryandmatt.net.

4. USB Microphone. It turns your computer into a recording device, and allows the journalist to be able to upload the audio content directly to a website as needed. Available at planetheadset.com.

3. Bulletproof Polo Shirt. Perfect for the journalist that is on a crime beat, or that works in a bad neighborhood. No longer will you have to worry about your favorite journalist getting shot and dying if they are wearing this shirt. Available at freshpolos.com.

2. Crime Scene Scarf. Another fun, yet practical gift for the journalist that works in a cold weather climate. These are available on perpetualkid.com.

1. Mobile Portable Bar. What's the one thing all journalists have in common? A drinking problem, and the need for mobility. This gift combines both, so it's perfect for your favorite journalist. Available at kegworks.com.

The Flash: The Dastardly Death of the Rogues.

Writer: Geoff Johns

Artists: Francis Manapul (main story) and Scott Kolins

Publisher: DC Comics

Collects: The Flash #1-7; The Flash: Secret Files and Origins 2010

The Flash is generally the post boy for upbeat fun within comics, he's always joking and laughing and generally just having fun.

The Dastardly Death of the Rogues is an excellent example of just how much fun both the Flash and his series can be, without sacrificing gravitas.  An outlandish time-travel murder mystery wrapped around some not-too-heavy drama and lovable character moments.

Of course recently resurrected Barry Allen doesn't think that anything could force him to commit cold blooded murder. Eventually the future "cops" or renegades and they name themselves convince him that yes if certain things were to happen he could be driven to kill.

The rest of the book focuses on the rogue cop that told him what he supposedly would do, and why, and the events that lead up to the next big event in the DC Comic Universe, Flashpoint.

I would have liked to have seen more made of Barry's first reunion with the Rogues, especially Captain Cold, and I don't think I love the Renegades quite as much as other readers, but the ever-moving forward plot was engrossing at every step, including some surprise (Geoff Johns) Johnsian twists (how does he get us every time!?), and still left us with little moments to enjoy in between. Aside from the difference behind the mask, this felt like the good old days. And, like those bygone tales, we are left with a few irresistible breadcrumbs of things to come.

4.25/5 on this one.