The Flash Jumping Point

[Gryphon]

If i want to start reading the flash, can i start with john's first run? and if so what is the first trade to get? and if there is another run i should start with which is it and what trade should i get?

[Captain Comet]

My personal Geoff Johns Flash reading order:

Final Crisis: Rogues Revenge
The Flash: Rebirth
Blackest Night: The Flash
Flash: Secret Files and Orgins
Flash #1-onwards

Also, reading Final Crisis and Blackest night wouldn't hurt.

[Ullar]

My personal Geoff Johns Flash reading order:

Final Crisis: Rogues Revenge
The Flash: Rebirth
Blackest Night: The Flash
Flash: Secret Files and Orgins
Flash #1-onwards

Also, reading Final Crisis and Blackest night wouldn't hurt.

That's how you should go, You could probably skip Rebirth and just wiki it but Rouges Revenge is good and it kind of sets up the rouges for the new run.

[Blue Blazes]

My personal Geoff Johns Flash reading order:

Final Crisis: Rogues Revenge
The Flash: Rebirth
Blackest Night: The Flash
Flash: Secret Files and Orgins
Flash #1-onwards

Also, reading Final Crisis and Blackest night wouldn't hurt.

thats what ive done and im enjoying it all so far...

[Gryphon]

My personal Geoff Johns Flash reading order:

Final Crisis: Rogues Revenge
The Flash: Rebirth
Blackest Night: The Flash
Flash: Secret Files and Orgins
Flash #1-onwards

Also, reading Final Crisis and Blackest night wouldn't hurt.

umm, i thought he had a previous flash run, thats what i want to read

[DonC]

He did. That was with Wally West as the Flash, though.

[Gryphon]

He did. That was with Wally West as the Flash, though.

i know, thats what i want to read. and what are other good trades of wally as flash?

[JakeJarmel]

i'm reading Johns' run now. check the posted link and scroll down. I started with Wonderland.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wally_West

[Mainline]

http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showpost.php?p=10941420&postcount=2

[Gryphon]

nad what are good runs besides johns's

[Mainline]

nad what are good runs besides johns'sMark Waid's run was the big game changing arc for Flash in his maturation as a hero and in taking his powerset to the cosmic level. The stuff before it is good and readable, but less essential compared to what Waid did.

In all honesty, though, that's what made modern volume 2 Flash great... Wally's only been written by a handful of writers who worked on the book for a long time. You can't say that about most of the other big DC heroes (and, unfortunately, can't say that about Flash of late). So his story as a whole was much more consistent and building than almost any other post-Crisis On Infinite Earths Big-7 hero.

[Gryphon]

Mark Waid's run was the big game changing arc for Flash in his maturation as a hero and in taking his powerset to the cosmic level. The stuff before it is good and readable, but less essential compared to what Waid did.

In all honesty, though, that's what made modern volume 2 Flash great... Wally's only been written by a handful of writers who worked on the book for a long time. You can't say that about most of the other big DC heroes (and, unfortunately, can't say that about Flash of late). So his story as a whole was much more consistent and building than almost any other post-Crisis On Infinite Earths Big-7 hero.

allright thanks then

[Fryarfryar]

I've started to gain an intrest in comic books and I want to know where to start for my all time favourite hero The Flash. Please and Thank You

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

Flash #1 came out last week.

It's a pretty sweet issue, and fine as a jumping on point - I hadn't been following him before this, everything you need to know is there.

You even get a free flash ring with it!

[Apathy Lad]

Flash just started, and if you're new you won't care about the Barry-Wally wars, so you should try that.

[Fryarfryar]

Thank you and I was wondering if it would be possible to get it online?

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

Thank you and I was wondering if it would be possible to get it online?

Not legally.

There's a preview here for download (http://dccomics.com/dcu/comics/?cm=14481), but you have to pay to get the rest.

[Fryarfryar]

Yep thankyou very much, I greatly appriecate it

P.S. Would this be released on a monthly basis?
P.P.S. Is it released in australia?

sorry for all the questions

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

It's monthly, and I got my copy in Australia, so I'd imagine you could get one too.

Just need to find a comic shop.

[Wildbird]

P.S. Would this be released on a monthly basis?

Yes.

P.P.S. Is it released in australia?

Where in Australia do you live? If you live in Sydney, you can try Kings' Comics or Comic Kingdom. My LCS is the Phantom Zone in Parramatta (I live on the outskirts of Western Sydney, so...). Kinokuniya has a large collection of TPBs and hardcovers.

If you don't live in Sydney...well, can't really help you there, but this might (http://www.the-master-list.com/International/Australia_&_New_Zealand/index.shtml).

Oh, and comics/comic-related stuff is released on our Thursdays, ie. the day after that listed on official sites/shipping lists/whatever, which corresponds to Wednesdays for the US.

Pricing per issue might depend on your LCS, but mine is generally $4.95 for one marked $2.99 and $6-7.00 or so for one marked $3.99.

[RockinRobin182]

The new Secret Origins and Files gives somenice background for the new series. It's a very good time to start getting into the Flash.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

If you live in Sydney, you can try Kings' Comics or Comic Kingdom.

Skip Comic Kingdom, that place became like the one on the simpsons years ago, and the opening hours are appalling.

Kings is much better, and generally a bit cheaper.

$6.26 is what mine cost me there (though I have a discount card), and there's a free flash ring thrown in.
(Which I thought was a bit nerdy, till I got one, and now I think it's a pretty cool bit of geek kitsch. )

[Wildbird]

To be honest, I wouldn't know what the CBD ones are like, I've only heard anecdotal reports.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

To be honest, I wouldn't know what the CBD ones are like, I've only heard anecdotal reports.

Kings is like a book shop, Comic Kingdom is a cliché come to life.

[YoungG03]

what happen to wally

[Blue Blazes]

what happen to wally

he is still around, however for the "new" Flash series Barry is the main focus. At some point I think DC will have a Wally second feature, however, i think that's on hold until next year though.

[Zach J.]

I just wanted to pop in and say that I've never read a Flash comic before but I picked up #1 last Wednesday and you honestly don't need to read anything else to get the story. It's self-contained and very good.

[Karl O'Neill]

Try out the new Flash series that started last week.

[shrike]

You could also check out Pre-Crisis Flash tales in the SHOWCASE series.

http://www.amazon.com/Showcase-Presents-Flash-Vol-1/dp/1401213278

http://www.amazon.com/Showcase-Presents-Flash-VOL-02/dp/1401218059/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b

http://www.amazon.com/Showcase-Presents-Flash-Vol-3/dp/1401222978/ref=pd_sim_b_1

They are generally inexpensive and give you a lot of bang for your buck.

[Onlyindeath878]

Yea I completely agree, I'm new to cmics to and actually picked up the flash #1 and it was great, it's biweekly in the US and I actually got some recommendations on some other threads that it'd be good to start with secret origins, but I couldn't find it anywhere : /

I also got some replies to check out the 6 issue story arc of the green lantern rebirth and the flash rebirth. Is that a good place to start???

[Peter Svensson]

Flash: Secret Origin hasn't come out yet. So that's why you can't find it. If you like Geoff Johns' writing on the Flash, you'll probably also like his run on Green Lantern, which started with "Green Lantern: Rebirth"

His current run on the Flash really starts with

Final Crisis: Rogue's Revenge
then
Flash: Rebirth
and then
Blackest Night: Flash
and then
Flash #1.


If you're enjoying Flash #1, you might want to backtrack to at least Flash: Rebirth because that's what set it up.

[VeesFistOfDeath]

what if you wanted to get completely ionto the whole flash mythos? where would someone want to start from?

[Onlyindeath878]

Sorry I ment green lantern secret origins and what's flash mythos?

[VeesFistOfDeath]

Myth or Mythology
The shared elements, characters, settings and themes in a set of works, e.g. Cthulhu Mythos

[RockinRobin182]

what if you wanted to get completely ionto the whole flash mythos? where would someone want to start from?

The recently released Secret Files has biographies on every member of the Flash family, where they operate, their powers, etc., and it's all completely up to date. I'd read that, jump in on the new Flash #1, and otherwise, Wikipedia is your friend.

[Buried Alien]

what if you wanted to get completely ionto the whole flash mythos? where would someone want to start from?

Years ago, a TPB titled THE GREATEST FLASH STORIES EVER TOLD collected some notable stories from the Jay Garrick era, the first Barry Allen era, and the early Wally West era. It's not the easiest book to find, but if you can locate a copy, it's a decent collection of the Flash's historic "greatest hits."

Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

[Fryarfryar]

All comic book stores would have this issue in wouldn't they if they were listed on masterlist?

[Peter Svensson]

All comic book stores would have this issue in wouldn't they if they were listed on masterlist?

Most good comic shops should have Flash #1 in stock. If they sold out, they should be able to reorder it for you.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

Yea I completely agree, I'm new to cmics to and actually picked up the flash #1 and it was great, it's biweekly in the US


No it isn't - it's monthly.

Two other series that are about to begin are monthly - Brightest Day and Justice League - Generation Lost.
Flash has a brightest day banner across the top, as it ties into that series, but it isn't that series.
(They don't want to make it too easy for newcomers!)

[Fryarfryar]

I'd like to thank everyone here for the awesome help, I'm now currently tracking down a store.

[Rob.H]

Where are you from?

If you're in Melbourne, Alternate Worlds is a fantastic store with very helpful staff. If you're in Syd, Kings is also great.

[Fryarfryar]

Where are you from?

If you're in Melbourne, Alternate Worlds is a fantastic store with very helpful staff. If you're in Syd, Kings is also great.

I'm actually in the geelong area and the store I'm currently looking at is "Gifts for Geek" and they've said they've ordered said comic in.

[Onlyindeath878]

No it isn't - it's monthly.

Two other series that are about to begin are monthly - Brightest Day and Justice League - Generation Lost.
Flash has a brightest day banner across the top, as it ties into that series, but it isn't that series.
(They don't want to make it too easy for newcomers!)

are you sure the flash isn't biweekly??? I couldve sworn it was...

[Peter Svensson]

are you sure the flash isn't biweekly??? I couldve sworn it was...

It's not. Sorry man.

[Fryarfryar]

I've gotten The Flash Chornicals vol. 1, Flash Rebirth and Brightest Day Flash #1 and read them in that order, and I think they're great, the Chornicals give me a baisc look on most of the rogues, Rebirth to understand The Flash mythos better and Brightest Day to go on by, good idea?

[CYOTI]

Better reference source: WIKIPEDIA.

You just wasted $10.

[Doug Side]

Better reference source: WIKIPEDIA.

You just wasted $10.

Yeah, reading comics is a waste, best to just read the spoilers and save the money.

[another_version]

Yeah, reading comics is a waste, best to just read the spoilers and save the money.

Agreed. I have never used Wiki.

If I want to know that bad, I will hunt the book down and read the story behind the plot points.

[CYOTI]

Yeah, reading comics is a waste, best to just read the spoilers and save the money.

Talk about completely missing the point.

I was referring to him spending money on the reference material for the Rogues.

[BatMarv]

Any time you can enjoy reading a good comic book is a good idea.

Have fun discovering everything you can about the Flash.

[Will.S]

I've gotten The Flash Chornicals vol. 1, Flash Rebirth and Brightest Day Flash #1 and read them in that order, and I think they're great, the Chornicals give me a baisc look on most of the rogues, Rebirth to understand The Flash mythos better and Brightest Day to go on by, good idea?
I have the Flash Chronicles book myself as well.

If you have all 3 already and you've read them all then you have a good idea of Barry's past, transitional phase, and possible future.

Personally speaking, I didn't find there to be a whole lot of relevant development or information in Flash Rebirth outside of Reverse Flash so if you have Flash Chronicles and Flash #1 you should be fine.

[superlantern1987]

Hey, what flash trades do you guys recommend? I've been meaning to get into Flahs, but don't know where to start, or which story arcs kick ass!!

[Rob.H]

Good choice!

The Flash: The Return of Barry Allen
The Flash: Terminal Velocity
The Flash: Emergency Stop (Grant Morrison)
The Flash: The Human Race (Grant Morrison)
The Flash: Volumes 1 - 6(Geoff Johns)
The Flash, Vol. 7: Rogue War

The Flash: Rebirth - I still haven't read it and I haven't heard the best reviews.

[superlantern1987]

Cool, i'm definately going to check them out.

I've heard both positive and negative comments about rebirth. A-lot of readers are complaining that Geoff is wanking Barry too much. I'm still going to give it a try, but later on in the future when its cheaper at Amazon. :biggrin:

Anyway, thanks for help. I really appreciate it.

[Ribbonz]

The Return of Barry Allen is my favourite Flash story ever!

[marshal99]

"The return of Barry Allen" - the only flash story that got me jaw dropping on the last page prior to the storyline as because i hasn't read the advance solicitations so i didn't know , i had just enjoyed the nice christmas story of Jay & Wally , their first interaction since COIE and then boom ! Last page , at the door - Barry Allen.

[sendingsignal]

the recommendations above are all good. If you want some classic flash history, it's worth finding a copy of Crisis On Multiple Earths: The Team Ups Vol. 1 (http://www.tradereadingorder.com/dc-comics-universe/crisis-on-multiple-earths-the-team-ups-vol-1/) which has the first meeting of golden age and silver age flash. I think it's the same arc in the DC Comics Classic Library (http://www.tradereadingorder.com/series/dc-comics-classics-library/) release The Flash Of Two Worlds (http://www.tradereadingorder.com/dc-comics-universe/dc-comics-classics-library-the-flash-of-two-worlds/).

Great stuff, I thought.

[Spac3Monkey]

Hi All

I just read the first issue of Flash Rebirth and think it's great. I'm going to buy the book but was wondering where the best place to start with the Flash character would be, I want to go right back to the start

Thanks in advance

Craig

[Uxas]

Geoff Johns' old Flash run, with Wally West...and I guess his new run with Barry Allen.

[DarkKnghtJared]

A good place to start is the recent Flash: Secret Files & Origins one-shot, which gives you everything you need, and then you can just read the current run with no problem.

[Professor Arkham]

The current run is only 3 issues in, and you don't need any background to understand it....I had never read a Flash story before this volume kicked off, and it is now my favourate title along with Batman & Robin.....

Obviously up to you if you want to go into back issues, but I don't think you need to at all...

[DK-Y2Y]

I know the origins of Jay Gerrick ( The Flash who wobbles his head to do a blur,Lol) , Wally West, Bart Allen and Barry Allen. Guys, I've never read any Flash graphic novel. I want to know which is the best Flash story to get.

Any suggestion?

[dumbstruck]

Terminal Velocity
Return of Barry Allen
Life Story of the Flash

[DK-Y2Y]

I really want Blitz, but that is very rare.

[DK-Y2Y]

I heard that the Flash is awesome. So I wanted to try some of his graphic novels. I know the origins of Jay Gerick, Barry Allen, Wally West and Bart Allen.

But I wanted to know some good graphic novels to show any Flash start to becoming a superhero.

Any suggestions?

[Lancerman]

The Return of Barry Allen
Terminal Velocity

Those are the two best Flash stories ever.

[Desaad]

Was Terminal Velocity the Cobalt Blue storyline? I thought that was kind of uneven.

Return of Barry Allen, Blitz, and the Wonderland arc that started Johns' run on the book were probably my favorite Flash stories.

[daveageallen]

you could just start buying the current flash series. its on issue 3. and there was a 0 type issue before hand that was filled with background stuff about the characters.

you dont to read much else to understand the current awesome stuff.

but if you wanna know about older stuff, read the other suggestions given. blitz might just be my favorite flash story ever.

[Ilash]

Blitz is sort of a weird place to start. There was a lot of stuff that Geoff Johns set up that led up to that point in the series. In fact, I kind of think that was the beginning of the end of Johns' run on the Flash. A certain event happens that changes the book and it never fully recovers from it.

I would start with Waid's Wally stuff anyway. I would say just read the first 60-odd issues of his run but Born to Run, Return of Barry Allen and Terminal Velocity are the big three must reads and have at least been collected in trade.

For Barry, it's more complicated. I would recommend picking up DC: New Frontier, JLA: Year One and Flash/ Green Lantern: Brave and the Bold to get a good taste of the character written with more modern sensibilities. You could also, of course, just start with issue 1 of the new series but I'm still underwhelmed by Johns' take on Barry, which is far more bland than in the ones I listed above by Mark Waid and Darwyn Cooke.

Don't get Flash: Rebirth though. Not only is it totally awful, the current series has very little to do with it anyway.

[Desaad]

It should be mentioned that "New Frontier" is essentially a perfect take on every character featured therein.

The Hal Jordan, Barry Allen, King Faraday and J'onn J'onnz are especially resonant and featured, but it's also the best Wonder Woman, Rick Flagg and Losers I've ever seen, and had perfect moments Batman, Superman, Aquaman, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Challengers of the Unknown, Ted "Wildcat" Grant, and pretty much anyone you can shake a stick at.

For your own edification, you need to buy New Frontier.

[Lancerman]

Was Terminal Velocity the Cobalt Blue storyline? I thought that was kind of uneven.

Return of Barry Allen, Blitz, and the Wonderland arc that started Johns' run on the book were probably my favorite Flash stories.

No it was the one where the speed force idea was introduced. It's considered one of the best Flash stories evah.

[Jimmy Bond]

Was Terminal Velocity the Cobalt Blue storyline? I thought that was kind of uneven.

No, that's Chain Lightning. Terminal Velocity is the Speed Force story. I thought it was awesome.



Return of Barry Allen, Blitz, and the Wonderland arc that started Johns' run on the book were probably my favorite Flash stories.


Grant Morrison and Mark Millar's run on the Flash was good. I liked The Human Race. I think there's also Born to Run from Waid's run.

Anything aside from Chain Lightning, Wild Wild Wests, and Bart Allen's book are good, I think.

[Wildbird]

If you want to read about Bart, be sure to pick up Impulse: Reckless Youth and Mercury Falling. And do try to get any other issues of his series (Impulse - 89 total) in anyway you can, because it's awesome.

[Hibbleton]

I just got Johns's first collected (but second overall) run "Blood will Run" and it was pretty good. I now get why people like Wally so much.

Slightly off topic: Does anyone else find it ridiculous that Wally got his powers as Barry was showing him how he got his? I read it in the first showcase presents the flash. Wow, coincidence is one thing but jeez.

[Desaad]

I just got Johns's first collected (but second overall) run "Blood will Run" and it was pretty good. I now get why people like Wally so much.

Slightly off topic: Does anyone else find it ridiculous that Wally got his powers as Barry was showing him how he got his? I read it in the first showcase presents the flash. Wow, coincidence is one thing but jeez.

One wonders how even back in the Silver Age that was an acceptable origin.

In the modern age they explained it brilliantly (along with Barry's origin itself), but that was how many decades that his origin was just absurd?

[DK-Y2Y]

Blitz is sort of a weird place to start. There was a lot of stuff that Geoff Johns set up that led up to that point in the series. In fact, I kind of think that was the beginning of the end of Johns' run on the Flash. A certain event happens that changes the book and it never fully recovers from it.

I would start with Waid's Wally stuff anyway. I would say just read the first 60-odd issues of his run but Born to Run, Return of Barry Allen and Terminal Velocity are the big three must reads and have at least been collected in trade.

For Barry, it's more complicated. I would recommend picking up DC: New Frontier, JLA: Year One and Flash/ Green Lantern: Brave and the Bold to get a good taste of the character written with more modern sensibilities. You could also, of course, just start with issue 1 of the new series but I'm still underwhelmed by Johns' take on Barry, which is far more bland than in the ones I listed above by Mark Waid and Darwyn Cooke.

Don't get Flash: Rebirth though. Not only is it totally awful, the current series has very little to do with it anyway.
Thanks man! I got the perfect answer.

And Wildbird thanks for Bart Allen comics suggestions.

[dupersuper]

Anything aside from Chain Lightning, Wild Wild Wests, and Bart Allen's book are good, I think.

While I agree it wasn't as good as most of the other stories mentioned, I rather enjoyed Chain Lightning.