Flash



The Flash is published by DC Comics. Current price per issue is $3.99.

Last Issue

 * The Flash #6: 22 Feb 2012

Current Issue

 * The Flash #7: 28 Mar 2012

Next Issue

 * The Flash #8: 25 Apr 2012

Status
Published monthly.

Main Characters

 * The Flash/Barry Allen

Enemies

 * The Rogues - a team of the Flash's foes, the roster includes Captain Cold, armed with a cool freeze gun, Mirror Master, wields an arsenal of mirror based weapons, Trickster, a insane young boy who uses a bag of tricks as his weapons

Minor Characters

 * Iris West - A local reporter.

The Flash #7
This is the current issue, and therefore no story information will be posted about this issue. Please check your local comic shop for copies of this issue.

The Flash #230
The final issue of the series has Flash triumphing once again over Vandal Savage and realizing the importance of his family. He goes so far as to consider giving up the life of a super-hero. He manages to defeat Savage by reversing the impact of the weapon Savage stole from him, sending Savage into orbit on a meteor that was about to collide with Earth.

The Flash #228
Part 2 of "Finish Line." Wally recruits the help of his close friend Nightwing in tracking down the weapon stolen from the Flash Museum. He also reveals to Dick that he has been having vivid nightmares about something terrible happening to his family. Dick and Wally track down the weapon to Cyborg, who has "borrowed" it to see what it does, as it's original purpose was never revealed. Wally ignore his friends' requests to know more about it before giving it to strangers, but Wally's desire to protect his family (and his natural impulsiveness) get the best of him as he takes the weapon and heads to the parisioners wanting to use it to return to their utopian homeworld.

The Flash #227
The first part of the "Finish Line" story arc that will conclude The Flash: Volume 2 series. Wally has been experiencing some terrible dreams as of late, and we learn one of the negative side effects of being the "Fastest Man Alive" is that in a single night of sleep, his mind can make up a hundred different scenarios. The stress of watching a thousand imagined horrors happening to his family begin wearing on the speedster, and looking for relief, he turns to Linda's parents and their newfound religious peace.

Agreeing to give it a chance, Wally visits their church to find a group of predominantly super-powered individuals trying to return to their other-dimension homeworld. Wally just begins to feel sympathy for them, they say they need only one more thing to make their journey to Utopia complete: a weapon from the Flash museum. They agree to let Wally join them in their new civilization if he will get it for them, but when he goes to the museum to get it, he find it has been stolen.

The Flash #226
"down time" - Wally takes a mountain climbing trip, but develops altitude sickness because of his side trips as The Flash. Despite his sickness he manages to rescue the other climbers when disaster strikes.

The Flash #225
"Rogue War" part 6 of 6. Barry & Wally battle both Zooms through time and space, defeating them, and Barry takes Prof. Zoom back to the future. During the course of the battle, Wally ends up back at the time when Zoom caused Linda to miscarry, and interferes with those events, altering the timeline. Back in the present, Linda gives birth to twins, and The Rogues decide to take up Luthor's offer to join the Secret Society.

The Flash #224
"Rogue War" part 5 of 6. The Reverse-Flash (Eobard Thawne) arrives from the future on a cosmic treadmill, and together with Zoom they battle Flash, Jay Garrick, and Kid Flash. They battle at super-speed through the streets of Keystone City, then through time via the cosmic treadmill, until finally Barry Allen arrives on a cosmic treadmill.

Hardcovers

 * DC Comics Classics Library: Flash of Two Worlds - Collects vol. 1 #123, 129, 137, 151 & 173. "Learn how police scientist Barry Allen, The Flash of the 1960s, first crossed paths with his predecessor, Jay Garrick." - WorldCat - ISBN 1401222986


 * The Flash Omnibus by Geoff Johns, vol. 1 - Collects vol. 2 #164-176, plus The Flash: Our Worlds at War #1, The Flash: Iron Heights & The Flash Secret Files #3. "Wally West finds himself without his super speed in a darker, mirror version of Keystone City. Can a powerless Flash defeat Captain Cold and Mirror Master to save the city he loves? Plus, The Flash is shocked to learn that a strange cult is killing all the people he has ever rescued." - WorldCat - ISBN 1401230687


 * The Flash Omnibus by Geoff Johns, vol. 2 - Collects vol. 2 #177-200, plus DC First: Flash/Superman #1. "An old friend of Wally West becomes the portal to another universe and Gorilla Grodd goes wild in Keystone City! Plus, don’t miss the Fastest Man Alive’s clashes with members of his infamous rogues gallery, including Captain Cold, The Trickster, the Pied Piper and more!" - WorldCat - ISBN 1401233910


 * The Flash Omnibus by Geoff Johns, vol. 3 - Collects vol. 2 #201-225, plus Wonder Woman vol. 2 #214. - WorldCat - ISBN 1401237177 - (forthcoming, August 2012)


 * The Flash: The Wild Wests - Collects vol. 2 #231-237. "Wally West returns to active duty as the Flash - with the addition of his two children - guest-starring the Justice League! What's his dark, dark family secret - the one that's helping him keep the peace in Keystone? This volume also includes 'The Fast Life,' the compelling tale of the West family's life on a Flash-friendly alien world." - WorldCat - ISBN 1401218288


 * The Flash: Rebirth - Collects Rebirth #1-6. - WorldCat - ISBN 1401225683


 * The Flash: The Dastardly Death of the Rogues - Collects vol. 3 #1-6, plus The Flash Secret Files 2010. "The Fastest Man Alive must solve the murder of one of his greatest villains and protect his other foes from an elusive killer." - WorldCat - ISBN 1401229700


 * The Flash: The Road to Flashpoint - Collects vol. 3 #8-12. "Make way for Hot Pursuit – the latest speedster to come out of the Speed Force! He’s here to make sure no one breaks the speed limit – hero or villain!" - WorldCat - ISBN 1401232795


 * The Flash, vol. 1: Move Forward - Collects, vol. 4 #1-8. "The Flash knows he can't be everywhere at once, but he has seemingly met his match when he faces DC Comic' hottest new Super Villain, Mob Rule, who really can be everywhere at once! As Mob Rule wages a campaign of crime across Central City, including an electromagnetic blast that plunges the city into darkness, The Flash learns the the only way he can capture Mob Rule and save Central City is to learn how to make his brain function even faster than before - but as much as it helps him, it also comes with a steep price." - WorldCat - ISBN 1401235530 - (forthcoming, November 2012)

Trade Paperbacks

 * Showcase Presents: The Trial of the Flash - Collects vol. 1 #323-327, 329-336, 340-350 (in B&W). "Following the murder of The Flash’s wife by The Reverse-Flash, the two foes are locked in a round-the-world battle that ends in the death of the evildoer." - WorldCat - ISBN 1401231829


 * The Flash: Born to Run - Collects vol. 2 #62-65, Annual #1 & 80-Page Giant #1, plus Speed Force #1. "When Wally West, the adolescent nephew of the Flash's fiancée, accidentally gained powers of super speed, he became the Scarlet Speedster's sidekick. Growing up as his hero's protégé, Kid Flash had a childhood of amazing action and adventure. But on the day that the Flash died, Wally's carefree adolescence abruptly ended and his life as an adult began. The Flash: Born to Run looks back at Wally's earliest days as the Kid Flash and explores the gamut of his emotions and experiences from his first day as a child hero to his succession of Barry Allen as the new Flash. A journey full of humor and drama, this story shows just how much Wally West loves being Italic textthe Fastest Man AliveItalic text." - WorldCat - ISBN 1563895048


 * The Flash: The Return of Barry Allen - Collects vol. 2 #74-79. "Current Flash Wally West faces his uncle Barry -- seemingly back from the dead -- with open arms. But what is the incredible secret behind his reappearance?" - WorldCat - ISBN 1563892685


 * Impulse: Reckless Youth - Collects vol. 2 #92-94, plus Impulse #1-6. "The teenage grandson of the Flash, Impulse was born and raised in a "video game" virtual environment in the 30th century. But when the rash teenager was transported back to the 20th century, his entire life changed. This humorous book profiles Impulse's earliest adventures in rural Alabama under the tutelage of elder speedster Max Mercury. Oblivious to the concept of actions having consequences, the reckless youth must come to terms with both his incredible powers and the absurd situations that their use can result in, all the while trying to cope with the innate insanity of high school." - WorldCat - ISBN 1563892766


 * The Flash: Terminal Velocity - Collects vol. 2 #0, 95-100. "As a result of the events in Zero Hour, Flash achieved Italic textthe speed of lightItalic text, and in so doing was flung headlong on an odyssey of self-rediscovery. He encountered, for the first time, the mysterious force on the Other Side of Light, a strange energy that in time would cause him to transcend all previous limits, transforming Wally West into the quintessential fusion of humanity and velocity." - WorldCat - ISBN 1563892499


 * The Flash: Dead Heat - Collects vol. 2 #108-111, plus Impulse #9-11. "The ruthless Savitar attempts to take control of the Speed Force, an indefinable energy field that is the source of all speedsters' powers. Learning that every one of his allies, including Impulse and Jesse Quick, has lost their speed, the Flash rushes to take on this new menace. But when the Scarlet Speedster confronts Savitar, he learns that his enemy has diligently studied the Speed Force and can use it in ways that Flash never dreamed of. Up against a foe who is more than his equal, Flash's only chance of victory now lies in the desperate self-sacrifice of one of his dearest friends." - WorldCat - ISBN 1563896230


 * The Flash: Race Against Time - Collects vol. 2 #112-118 "In this sequel to The Flash: Dead Heat, the Flash finds himself lost in time after defeating the evil Savitar. Trapped in the 64th century, the Scarlet Speedster encounters inconceivable horrors in a future he could never have imagined. Hoping to use the love that he shares with his girlfriend as a beacon, Flash tries to find his way back to his own era. Unfortunately, a new speedster named Johnny Thunder, who is trying to usurp his identity and steal his girlfriend, has convinced Linda that he is dead. Now Flash must overcome the complexities of time and the machinations of a new enemy in order to reclaim his life." - WorldCat - ISBN 1563897210


 * The Flash: Emergency Stop - Collects vol. 2 #130-135. "Confined to a wheelchair after a run-in with the mystery villain known only as The Suit, how can The Flash protect Keystone City from evil run amok?" - WorldCat - ISBN 1401221777


 * The Flash: The Human Race - Collects vol. 2 #136-141, plus a story from Secret Origins #50. - WorldCat - ISBN 1401222390


 * The Flash: Wonderland - Collects vol. 2 #164-169. "Wally West finds himself without his super speed in a darker, mirror version of Keystone City. Can a powerless Flash defeat Captain Cold and Mirror Master to save the city he loves?" - WorldCat - ISBN 1401214894


 * The Flash: Blood Will Run - Collects vol. 2 #170-176. "Cicada, the charismatic leader of a deadly cult, makes his first appearance as he bastardizes the Flash's lifetime of heroic acts. Cicada's cult has been systematically murdering every person that the Flash has ever saved in Keystone City. Now as the fastest man alive comes to realize that he is indirectly responsible for the death of some many innocent people, he must shed his guilt and face Cicada head-on before any more blood is shed in his name. But when he discovers that someone special from his past is one of Cicada's devoted followers, the Flash finds himself on the verge of a catastrophic breakdown." - WorldCat - ISBN 1563898799


 * The Flash: Rogues - Collects vol. 2 #177-182. "Keystone City is on the brink of destruction again, and only The Flash can save it. But can he handle Captain Cold and the Mirror Master as well? Throw the Plunderer, Gorilla Grod and the Pied Piper into the mix, and it's a recipe for disaster!"- WorldCat - ISBN 1563899507


 * The Flash: Crossfire - Collects vol. 2 #183-191. "The Flash has opposed many costumed villains in his career, but when they team up under the control of a new criminal known as Blacksmith, things go from tough to impossible! And when the artificial intelligence known as the Thinker makes his presence known the Flash finds himself in a crossfire between the two sets of villains." - WorldCat - ISBN 1401201954


 * The Flash: Blitz - Collects vol. 2 #192-200. "Featuring the stories 'Run Riot' and 'Blitz!' In this collection, the Fastest Man Alive may not be fast enough to survive an attack from Gorilla Grodd and then prevent an attack by Zoom that's both deadly and intensely personal!" - WorldCat - ISBN 1401203353


 * The Flash: Ignition - Collects vol. 2 #201-206. "A series of bizarre incidents helps police mechanic Wally West discover that he is the Flash! Can he relearn his powers in time to solve a series of murders in Keystone City?" - WorldCat - ISBN 1401204635


 * The Flash: The Secret of Barry Allen - Collects vol. 2 #207-211, 213-217. "The Flash teams with Nightwing to face Gorilla Grodd! And a dark decision from Barry Allen's past is revealed, leading Wally to make some difficult choices of his own." - WorldCat - ISBN 1401207235


 * The Flash: Rogue War - Collects vol. 2 #1/2, 212, 218, 220-225. "The brewing contest between the original rogues gallery and the newest rogues ignites into a conflagration that may result in the destruction of Keystone City and the death of the Scarlet Speedster!" - WorldCat - ISBN 1401209246


 * The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive — Lightning in a Bottle - Collects The Fastest Man Alive #1-6. - WorldCat - ISBN 1401212298


 * The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive — Full Throttle - Collects The Fastest Man Alive #7-13 and a story from the DCU Holiday Special. "Bart must battle his dark twin, Inertia, who is intent on outracing his nemesis at any cost. Plus, the Rogues are back, determined to end the legacy of The Flash." - WorldCat - ISBN 140121567X


 * The Flash: Rebirth - Collects Rebirth #1-6. - WorldCat - ISBN 1401230016


 * The Flash: The Dastardly Death of the Rogues - Collects vol. 3 #1-6, plus The Flash Secret Files 2010. - WorldCat - ISBN 1401231950

History
'Jay Garrick In the 40s, The Flash was a scientist named Jay Garrick, who inherited his ability from a chemical experience gone awry. Although the idea of being given super-speed from a failed "hardwater experiment" may seem a bit far-fetched to today's sentiments, it was enough to give Jay Garrick a 9 year-run as a star in the comic books Flash Comics and All-Flash Quarterly. His regular series was ended as comic book sales nationwide sagged in the post-World War II climate of extreme conservatism.

Barry Allen The concept of The Flash was reimagined and released in 1956 with Showcase #4, when Barry Allen made his debut as a police scientist who had been given the gift of speed. Because it was so well-received by the public, Barry Allen took over his own book, The Flash, starting where the original Flash Comics series ended, number 105.

The reintroduction of the Flash came with several changes, and several similarities to the Golden Age's Jay Garrick. The Flash was still a mild-mannered scientist, who's real-life persona seemed to be chronically late. He was then transformed while working in his laboratory and managed to keep his secret-identity from those closest to him. While Jay was only a scientist, Barry Allen worked as a forensic scientist for a police department. It was while working in his police lab that a bolt of lightning crashed through a window and struck Barry, forcing him into a shelf full of chemicals. This chemical bath endoed mild-mannered Barry Allen with the gift of super-speed and the ability to fight for justice outside the sterile environment of his lab.

Barry's personal life was centered around his relationship with Iris West, his fiancee and eventually, his wife. Strong and somewhat independent, Iris was always frustrated with how her fiancee never seemed to be able to get anywhere on time. Iris had a nephew who was a huge fan of the Flash, named Wally West. Wally the president of his city's Flash Fan Club, and was thrilled to learn that Aunt Iris's boyfriend could arrange a meeting with the Scarlet Speedster. Bored with the boring police scientist and anxious to meet his idol, Wally was only half-listening to Barry as he recounted the accident which gave the Flash his powers. In the middle of the story, however, the unthinkable happened when the same accident reoccurred, granting Wally the same super powers it gave Barry. And thus, in The Flash #110 "Kid Flash" was born.

Eventaully, Iris and Barry were married, and the Flash began considering whether it was time to share his secret with Iris. Perhaps she would be a bit more understanding of his chronic tardiness if she knew that he was fighting crime as the Flash. Barry knew he somehow had to tell Iris his secret life as the Flash, but he wrestles with the how and when for quite sometime. In a rather amusing and awkward issue, he finally reveals to her who he is, only to find out Iris has known since they were married, because Barry talked outloud in his sleep.

The success of thie "new" Flash spurred DC to start revamping it's lineup, recreating many of the golden-age characters, such as Green Lantern, Hawkman, and others. With all the reintroductions and reimaginings, it was only logical for both fans and writers alike to wonder: what would happen if the new characters met their classic counterparts? Once again, DC used the Flash to explore new territory to examine exactly what it might be like for contemporary heroes to meet the Golden Age versions of themselves. In The Flash #123, DC opened up the concept of Earth-1 and Earth-2, two planets in two separate dimensions, one that was home to all of the Golden Age versions of their superheroes, another one with all of the contemporary versions.

This concept fueled the DC Universe for decades, for more information on it, see the page on the History of the DC Universe. Eventually, Barry's character became the epitome of a hero: an excellent father-figure to Kid Flash, the perfect husband, an example of clean living and an upstanding role-model. However, perfection does not inspire interesting storylines. To keep a comic from growing stale, DC had learned there must be constant conflict, or eventually Barry Allen would suffer the same fate as Jay Garrick. And so, in The Flash #276, Iris Allen was murdered Flash's archnemsis, Dr. Zoom: the Reverse Flash.

This of course devastated Barry, who briefly suffered a mental breakdown and was unable to tell friend from foe. Eventually, though, he regained his clarity and, through the help and support of his friends, was able to resume his life, both personally and professionally. However, his world was turned upside-down. He was eventually able to love again, and Barry began seeing a woman by the name of Fiona Webb. They dated seriously and eventually were engaged. Dr. Zoom once again surfaced and made an attempt to kill Fiona, but at the last minute Flash was able to grab Zoom, accidentally killing him.

Thus began the Trial of the Flash. Flash was tried for murder in the criminal justice system, but in true comicbook form, time anomalies and futuristic science were able to not only reunite Barry and Iris, his one true love, but also allow him to be seen as a vindicated hero in the eyes of the world. Still devastated by the recent events of his life, Flash left our time to be with his love, Iris, in the 30th century. His regular series ended with issue #350. Iris and Barry lived together outside of out time until Barry was once again called on to protect and serve, this time on a grander scale. In Crisis on Infinite Earths Barry was called on by the executives at DC to resolve a multiversal crisis which had its roots in his "discovery" of Earth-2. The crisis saved the lives of countless millions, combining alternate dimensions into a streamlined single DC Universe, but at the cost of his own. He died a hero, and in his life and death, inspired many others to be a hero as well. in all in all he still the fastest man that ever lived!!

Publishing History

 * volume 1: #1-350, 1940-1985 (#1-104 as Flash Comics)
 * volume 2: #1-247, 1987-2009 (#1-100 as Flash)
 * volume 3: #1-12, 2010-2011
 * volume 4: #1-, 2011-present

Future Publication Dates
Dates subject to change at the whims of the publisher or distributor. Please see the Diamond Shipping Lists for current information.


 * The Flash #8: 25 Apr 2012
 * The Flash #9: 23 May 2012
 * The Flash #10: 27 Jun 2012
 * The Flash Omnibus by Geoff Johns, vol. 3 HC: 29 Aug 2012

News & Features

 * 22 Feb 2012 - Flash Team Revamping Rogues, Speed Force On Road to Annual
 * 23 Nov 2011 - Spoiler Sport: Flash Creators Explain End To #3
 * 26 Oct 2011 - The Flash Part 2: Manapul & Buccellato Tease the Future
 * 24 Oct 2011 - The Flash Creative Team On Writing Barry Allen, Part 1
 * 20 Oct 2011 - Manapul & Buccellato Talk Flash @ NYCC 2011 (video)
 * 26 Sep 2011 - Manapul and Buccellato Race The Flash into the New 52
 * 07 Jul 2011 - Francis Manapul on Artistic Influences, Cultural Heritage and Adding “Writer” to his Resume (video)
 * 29 Jun 2011 - Reader’s Guide to the New DC Universe: The Flash
 * 03 Jun 2011 - Manapul & Buccellato Barry, Barry Happy to Be on DCNu Flash
 * 28 Apr 2010 - Faster Francis: Artist Francis Manapul Talks The Flash
 * 15 Apr 2010 - Manapul & The Point of The Flash
 * 15 Apr 2010 - Geoff Johns Prime: Brightest Day & The Flash
 * 10 Dec 2009 - Geoff Johns has a running plan for the Flash: "It's superhero CSI"
 * 28 Oct 2009 - Tour De (Speed) Force: Francis Manapul
 * 14 Oct 2009 - Geoff Johns Prime: Rebirth
 * 21 May 2009 - Word Balloon: Geoff Johns on Blackest Night, Flash & Lo3W (audio)
 * 14 Apr 2009 - Spoiler Sport: Geoff Johns on Flash: Rebirth #1
 * 10 Apr 2009 - Geoff Johns Talks The Flash: Rebirth (video)
 * 08 Apr 2009 - Geoff Johns' Universe
 * 03 Apr 2009 - Word Balloon: Ethan Vansciver: Flash & Black Lanterns (audio)
 * 02 Apr 2009 - Geoff Johns on Barry Allen's Rebirth
 * 01 Apr 2009 - Flash Favorites: Pros Pick 10 of the Best Flash Stories
 * 30 Mar 2009 - Replacement Heroes: The Flash
 * 10 Feb 2009 - NYCC 2009: Geoff Johns - Flash Rebirth (video)
 * 08 Oct 2008 - Ethan Vansciver on Flash: Rebirth, "Blackest Night" and More
 * 23 Sep 2008 - The Final Run? Talking Flash with Alan Burnett
 * 27 Aug 2008 - Van Sciver: The "Rebirth" of Cool
 * 25 Aug 2008 - DiDio talks Return of Barry Allen and Plastic Man
 * 08 Aug 2008 - Word Balloon: Ethan VanSciver - Flash, GL & More (audio)
 * 26 Jul 2008 - CCI: Ethan Van Sciver: Rebirth
 * 24 Jul 2008 - CCI: Johns, Van Sciver Present The Flash: Rebirth
 * 24 Jul 2008 - SDCC '08 - Johns & Van Sciver Talk Flash: Rebirth
 * 02 Jul 2008 - Burnett Runs with The Flash for Four Issues
 * 11 Jan 2008 - Back with a Flash: Johns & Kolins Talk Flash: Rogue's Revenge
 * 04 Jan 2008 - Flashing Back & Forward: Waid on Leaving Flash, The B&B to Come, and Boom!
 * 03 Jan 2008 - Talking Flash with Tom Peyer
 * 02 Jan 2008 - Keith Champagne on His Atom & Flash Fill-ins
 * 27 Dec 2007 - Gone in a Flash: Waid Out, Peyer in for The Flash
 * 15 Nov 2007 - Williams II on the Fast Track with Flash
 * 17 Oct 2007 - In-Depth with Artist Freddie E. Williams II
 * 10 Oct 2007 - The Flash's New Man: Freddie Williams II
 * 04 Sep 2007 - Talking Flash with Mark Waid
 * 14 Aug 2007 - Waid Brings the Ultimate Fanboy Back to The Flash
 * 04 Jul 2007 - Marc Guggenheim on Flash #13
 * 02 Jul 2007 - DC FLASHBACK: The Flash
 * 15 Jun 2007 - Heroes Con/WW Philly '07: Mark Waid Returns to The Flash
 * 31 May 2007 - Flash's Unlucky 13
 * 03 May 2007 - Speeding to the Top: Talking Flash with Guggenheim
 * 15 Apr 2007 - Reflections: Talking with Marc Guggenheim
 * 27 Mar 2007 - Marc Guggenheim: Charting The New Flash's Course
 * 26 Mar 2007 - Guggenheim's Plans for Flash

Links

 * DC Comics - Publisher Website
 * Flash - GCD entry
 * Flash (comics) - Wikipedia entry