Bedrock is becoming the new Bedford Avenue of The Flintstones world, it appears. With Kombucha-loving prehistoric hipsters moving in, will there still be room for regular joes like Barney and Fred?

While that's an important question, there are more pressing matters in The Flintstones #11 after Barney's birthday gift to Fred causes an uproar, and the Great Gazoo has to face off against the Galactic Neighborhood Association.

Published by DC Comics, and available May 3, 2017, the issue features art by Steve Pugh, cover by Jill Thompson, and variant cover by Chris Burnham. It is written by Mark Russell, who joined me to serve up an exclusive preview of the issue below, and answer a few pressing questions.

Check out what Russell has to say, peruse the preview, and if you want to dig into the rest of the issue, pick up The Flintstones next Wednesday.

Set up the action in this issue, and why it’s one to pick up?

Mark Russell: The Earth is visited by the Galactic Neighborhood Association, to determine whether the human race is a good addition to the neighborhood, or if we should, you know, be exterminated. The Great Gazoo is all that stands between the Earth and oblivion. Usually humanity's sharpest critic, he is forced into the role of becoming our defender, which I think is the only real way to get to know someone. Be honest with yourself about their shortcomings, but then try to see in them what they (and the people who love them) see in themselves. Meanwhile, the Flintstones have to deal with a hipster invasion in their neighborhood.

What is your favorite panel/page/line in this issue?

It's a bit of a background gag, but a restaurant opens across the street from the Rubbles which serves "artisanal corn". As someone who lives in Portland, it felt especially close to home to me, and it's the event that kicks off a wave of gentrification that almost destroys the Flintstones' neighborhood.

Tease how this might set up the next issue.

Having to defend the human race from the galactic snobs in the Neighborhood Association, the Great Gazoo sets the gambling odds on the survival of the human race, which he sends back to his home planet of Las Vega at the end of Issue #12.