The Flash recommended reading for a new reader

[Vlad]

Hello folks,

I've recently taken a shine to the Flash, and I'm looking for some good recommended reading.

I see plenty of TPB's out there, but I'm looking for more Wally or whatever gets me more current with the Flash.

Thank you for any assistance that you may offer.

[Flash's Lightning]

You're in luck, Superman and Flash I have a lot of knowledge about. If you'd asked about JSA or something, you'd be out of luck. :tongue:

Terminal Velocity is my favorite.

Some stories aren't collected by trade, unfortunately, so you might want to pick up some single issues.

My recommendations would be:

Most of Waid's run.

89-90 for a good Kadabra story

91 is a great 1 parter that follows up on some of the issues from 89-90 and also shows what happens when Wally taps into the power of the Speed Formula on top of the Speed Force.

92-100 introduces Impulse, but even better the Speed Force, and not to mention Max Mercury's origin.

136-138 is The Human Race, and a cute story with a lot of heart. A great read.

Most of what happened after that, I didn't like as well, so I'll let others who actually did recommend out of it.

PS Pick up Impulse issues, the entire series was great

"So...have you seen Spot run?"

[Magneto Rocks]

If you're looking for a general idea of a TPB to start... I hear "Born to Run" is good, but I can honestly say this: I first got into "The Flash" heavily only a year or two ago, and the first TPB I picked up was "Secret of Barry Allen" from the Geoff Johns run. I'd recommend ANY Flash by Geoff Johns as the best place to start, but it's best read in chronological order.

"Wonderland" is a good introduction to Wally and two of his main Rogues as well as a more unconventional story. "Blood Will Run", the TPB after that, is when things pick up and Johns begins introducing the new supporting cast, the larger role of the Rogues, his take on Keystone etc. It's all very accessible and some of the best Flash around.

The Waid stuff which Flash's Lightning talked about is phenomenal stuff, but only fragments of it are collected in TPBs and it's very disjointed to go from one to another, and in my view, not great for a new reader- once you've read up on the Flash though, it's very worth reading.

[Flash's Lightning]

The Waid stuff which Flash's Lightning talked about is phenomenal stuff, but only fragments of it are collected in TPBs and it's very disjointed to go from one to another, and in my view, not great for a new reader- once you've read up on the Flash though, it's very worth reading.

Very true. I gave a highlight of some very good stories, but your points are valid. Someone wanting a quick intro would turn to the ones you listed.

Just as long as they come back to the Waid stuff... :cool:

[FortKnox]

Pickup Flash: Born To Run it's pretty much Wally West: Year One. It shows you just have much being a hero means to Wally. And you get to see someone get powers and have FUN with them. You don't see that much anymore.

And pickup Impulse: Reckless Youth. It one of the funniest books you'll ever read. It's pretty much a comic book that wants to be a cartoon.

[Kelson]

I've got a list of Flash trades (http://www.hyperborea.org/flash/) on my website to help you get started. I'd recommend just about any of them, but for starting out, I'd suggest (in no particular order):

Blood Will Run
Terminal Velocity
Dead Heat
The Return of Barry Allen


"The Return of Barry Allen" is regarded as the storyline in which Mark Waid really hit his stride on the book, and marks a major turning point in Wally's character development. Though it probably has a little more impact if you're already familiar with Wally and Barry. "Terminal Velocity" sets the stage for the Speed Force concept and the rest of Waid's run on the book. "Blood Will Run" establishes Geoff Johns' excellent run.

Incidentally, it looks like we might be getting the Morrison run (http://speedforce.org/2008/06/morrison-millar-collection/) collected soon!

[Vlad]

Thanks everyone for their answers. Now I'll have plenty of reading to do while on vacation. :smile: