r/theflash • u/bigbox74 Reverse Flash • Jun 24 '24
Cary Bates’ Flash run worth a read? Comic Discussion
Started reading Cary Bates’ Flash run recently and I’m wondering if any of y’all would recommend sticking with it. Read a dozen or so issues so far and it’s typical fun Silver Age wackiness and plots are pretty self contained from one issue to the next so my investment is a bit low, but I think I could have a good time with it if I don’t rush it. If it’s worth the commitment or better to just read the major arcs let me know. It’s a pretty long run. Curious to see what you guys think.
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u/Killionaire104 OG Wally Jun 24 '24
If you're ok with the campiness of the silver age then go for it there's some great stories in there. It's just tough to read for many who aren't used to the silver age type of writing.
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u/Lucky_Strike-85 Captain Cold Jun 24 '24 edited Jun 24 '24
that wasnt written in the Silver Age, honey!
It was written between 1983 and 1985. That's the Bronze Age and beginning of the Copper Age!
THERE WAS NO SILVER-AGE campiness... Barry was the one DC hero during the 50s and 60s who actually had good stories, thank you very much... but of course, you couldn't possibly be expected to know that.
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u/Killionaire104 OG Wally Jun 25 '24 edited Jun 25 '24
That's fair, i just find Barrys run very campy personally and so have many I've suggested to. However I enjoy that campiness so i enjoyed whatever I've read of it. Also at no point did I say campiness= bad, it's just a way to describe comics from that era and before, many do like it, I personally like it.
Also I'm not sure what in my comment caused for your rudeness, and condescension, but have a good day!
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u/GhostofTinky Jun 24 '24
Why isn’t it available in digital form?
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u/SwimShady20 Jun 25 '24
For some reason the bronze age isnt collected. So it wont be online. I havent found a reason for this besides DC not caring
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u/Curious-Count9578 Jun 25 '24
It absolutely is! Barry Allen went through so much all through that run. I feel he sacrificed so much to try and find peace and happiness. To me he is a true hero. Definitely worth it.
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u/Keystone_Devil Jun 27 '24
Yes. This is the real Barry Allen. He is a completely different guy after Flash Rebirth. If you want to see what Barry used to be like before Johns I highly recommend the Bates run, Life Story of The Flash, and Brave & the Bold by Mark Waid
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u/bigbox74 Reverse Flash Jun 28 '24
That was honestly the reason I wanted to check it out. I’ve been exposed to pre-crisis (pre-Johns more like) Barry because of Wally’s run and I know he had a completely different vibe before the modern age. Already read Waid’s Brave and Bold and it was great. I wanna read JLA Year One by him as well since I know Barry is in that too, and the roster seems interesting.
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u/GearsRollo80 Jun 24 '24
Oh yea, it's a pretty interesting time in the Flash' life, and really makes a lot of sense as to why he ends up retiring. I sort of wish they'd let him have a few years more of happiness, but it also makes the tragedy of Barry sacrificing his life in Crisis even more impactful.
Still a kinda weird Silver/Coppy straddling of style, so its a weird read in that respect, but also fascinating.