The Flash

It's recently occurred to me that the Flash is the only major traditional superhero, by a certain definition, whoose book I haven't read at some point. I've seen him, or more accurately them, in the JLA and other team books and I have a decent handle on the various personalities and a vauge history of the character.

What I don't know is how his regular comic works. How is he handled by various writers, which runs are considered high points? This has suddenly become irritating to me because although I've never read much Wonder Woman, for example, I know where to start if I wanted to, and what to expect.

Interestingly I visited the biggest comic book shop anywhere near me today and they had very few Flash graphic novels. I skimmed the latest ongoing they had, but it seemed like this recent series might not be representative of the catalouge as a whole.

So in brief I don't need a biography of the character, but more of a real world history of his various series.

The perfect place to begin is with Wally West's series (vol. 2), specifically issue #62. It begins the storyline "Born To Run", which is a retelling of his origins. So it quickly gives you a good base, and then you can just keep reading from there. Mark Waid was the writer on that series for like 80 issues, and his run is fantastic. Shortly after he left, Geoff Johns came on and also had a spectacular run on par with Waid's.

I'd read "The Return of Barry Allen," too. This was a little bit after Wally West had taken over from the (then deceased) Barry Allen and fans were still asking when Barry was coming back. So Mark Waid gave them exactly what they asked for in the worst way possible and it was awesome.

Well yeah, that's included in Waid's run. I mean to start with "Born To Run" and then follow the series forward from there, so eventually he'll read Flash vol. 2 #62-243 (or something).

Thankyou. Just for my general knowledge, is there any extremely unpopular runs, or any base breaker? Its just that I know that information about most prominent characters.

I'd recommend the Messner-Loebs run, too, which preceded Waid's.

You may want to read the graphic novels Rogues, Crossfire, andBlitz.

Yeah - The Flash: Fastest Man Alive (2006-2007), when Wally West was Put on a Bus and his young cousin Bart (Kid Flash) Allen was aged up to become the new Flash, going from a fun kid to a whiny adult. Probably the worst direction the book ever went in. Bart was later turned back into a kid again, thankfully.

Also, the first few issues of the Wally West run, before William Messner-Loebs came on, were pretty lackluster.

so which Flash is the most popular?

Hmm, Wally West?

He's my personal favorite, but then again, he's the only one that I have read a comic about(If you don't count Barry Allen's brief but awesome appearance in Crisis On Infinite Earths}

edited 10th May '11 4:48:05 PM by dontcallmewave

Barry Allen is the one most non-comics readers know about from Pop-Cultural Osmosis, but Wally West's series gained more fans and critical acclaim.

I thought the DCAU might have changed that though. I can't remember which name I heard first though, in fact it might hve been both at the same time.

Wasn't the Flash from the DCAU unspecified?

Nope it was definately West. But from what I (thought) I knew of the Flash before I started this thread it was pretty obvious just from his personality anyway. Of course since I haven't had a chance to buy any your recommendations yet I might be wrong.

There's an episode where Batman goes Wally West, Clark Kent, and then Bruce Wayne before unmasking.

And in the episode "Flash and Substance," it's definitely Wally West.

But he has some elements from Barry Allen, The job, for example.And I dont think he had the same personality in the comics.

edited 11th May '11 12:18:41 PM by dontcallmewave

DCAU Wally is based on his personality from his Kid Flash years, and earlier in his Flash career before he matured.

So who is you're favorite rogue?

I thought so. And I knew he was confirmed as such in Starcrossed.

I honestly don't think most people, if they even know who the Flash is, would be able to give any real name for him. I learnt both at the same time by reading a very short biography that was in the Avengers United reprint of JLA/Avengers.

In "Flash and Substance," the news reporter is Linda Park, Wally's love interest (and later wife) in the comics.

I know this is the worst necro-bump of ALL TIME, but I gave The Trial of the Flash a trope page that could use filling out.

Captain Cold is my favorite Rogue. For Flash villains in general it's still Cold with Thawne taking 2nd place.

The Rogues were the first comic book villains I really liked. And I think Captain Cold's an interesting villain. I did, however, get sick of Johns giving Cold the Mary Sue treatment.