The Flash

[ryjo30]

I am new to comic books and am interested in The Flash I was wondering what stories I should pick up to get his origin story and any other of his stories you would suggest?

[Kiryu]

I am new to comic books and am interested in The Flash I was wondering what stories I should pick up to get his origin story and any other of his stories you would suggest?

Born to Run is totally the best Flash origin. Also The Life Story of the Flash.

Anything by Mark Waid is worth reading. Specifically The Return of Barry Allen and Terminal Velocity.

Blitz by Johns was solid too.

[Apathetic-piggy]

I am new to comic books and am interested in The Flash I was wondering what stories I should pick up to get his origin story and any other of his stories you would suggest?

The new ongoing starts in April, and the Secret Files next week, I think. The latter should be a good way to catch up with Barry Allen, and the former will continue his adventures.

As for Wally West, I think "Born to Run" by Mark Waid is still his cannon origin, so you may want to look into that. I'm primarily a Wally fan, so I'd recommend Waid's first run on the title, as well as Geoff Johns' if you find yourself interested in Wally. The Waid run, if I'm not mistaken, also pioneered the Speed Force which is now a significant part of of all things Speedster related in the DCU.

But if you just want to get on track for the ongoing, just pick up the Secret Files book coming out and then the ongoing. You COULD get Rebirth, but it was underwhelming. There's also this great website you can use as a resource, http://www.hyperborea.org/flash/, which I believe is run by a user on this very board, Kelson.


Hope I've been of some help, but if not, this board has several helpful posters who will point you in the right direction.

[Seven_Ride]

I've never read the Barry Allen origin from the 50s and 60s, so I can't help you there. But as noted, Born to Run is a pretty good story if you want to read Wally West's origin.

I was underwhelmed by Flash: Rebirth and wouldn't recommend it, unless you got it on the cheap. But the upcoming Flash title actually looks pretty good, so you might just start there; it should be new-reader friendly.

And there will be a new Barry Allen 'Secret Origin' book either later this year or next, so you could read the new ongoing and just wait for that.

[Apathy Lad]

Mark Waid's Flash is often considered a classic in comic books, so there's that.

Geoff Johns is relaunching The Flash with the old Flash Barry Allen, but Rebirth sucked, so be wary.

[daveageallen]

rebirth kinda was lame. but people said the same about green lantern rebirth also.

the new flash series looks gorgeous. cant wait.

johns wrote for flash previously and it collected in a big trade paper back called rouge wars. and its not bad. oh a the 3 issue rouge revenge is a great comic of the flash villains. its amazing.

just wait till next week with the flash secret files to come out. then get the new monthly from there.

[Wildbird]

Secret Files got delayed to the 7th.

[jtjr26]

I guess the long term Flash fanboys enjoyed the return of Barry Allen but for me Wally is the best Flash.

[weeks]

most of the stuff i have read from flash has been the john's stuff with wally. rogue wars was probably my favorite from that run, but rogue's revenge out of final crisis is my favorite story dealing with the flash.

really looking forward to the new series. love me some manapul art!

[Ilash]

Count me in as another guy who recommends Waid's run. Johns was great too until Scoot Kollins left, after that things weren't so great.

[barryallenfan]

Buy the Life Story of Barry Allen by Mark Waid.
Buy the new Secret Files that is coming out
Buy the new series
If you buy the 1st 2, you'll be right up to speed for the Barry Allen Flash series..which is what it is

[The Question Mark]

I would say start with Crisis on Infinite Earths #8.

PS Wally West has been the Flash for 25 years. I just don't get or see the appeal of bringing back Barry Allen. One of the best deaths ever in comics, and his return does nothing for me.

[daveageallen]

anyone else think johns missed a good thing by not naming the book 'all-flash' like orginanlly stated. he said it would have the whole family in it. kinda bummed there will be no rouge backup like stated to

[Ben Akers]

Like others have suggested, definetly pick up the Life Story of the Flash book by Mark Waid. I think it's out of print, but if you can find used some where, it's a really good primer on Barry Allen.

[Wilder Midnight]

any story where he *has* to race.

[Apathy Lad]

anyone else think johns missed a good thing by not naming the book 'all-flash' like orginanlly stated. he said it would have the whole family in it. kinda bummed there will be no rouge backup like stated to

Well that'd be the smart thing, and we can't have something like that while we're trying to rub nostalgia into our faces now can we?

[BlingLantern]

any story where he *has* to race.

Superman vs The Flash is the first to come to mind for me.

[Dave Hackett]

Really, for all it's dated Silver-Age Flair, that first volume of "Flash Chronicles" is actually pretty decent and gives you a pretty good look at Barry and most of his major villains. There's a reason it ushered in a new age of comics.