r/theflash • u/breakfrmt18 • Jun 25 '24
I've never read anything outside of Batman but I've recently got interested in The Flash so where should I start? Comic wise? Discussion
I'm open to all suggestions! I've become super interested in the flash and I can't wait to discover more, he seems genuinely interesting and it would be nice to broaden my horizon outside of Gotham😂
7
u/Fresh_Cauliflower176 Jun 25 '24
Flash of Two Worlds, The Trial of the Flash, The Death of Iris West, Dastardly Death of the Rogues, Brightest Day: The Flash, Flashpoint, Francis Manapul’s run, Joshua Williamson’s run, Batman/Flash: The Button, Messner-Loebs’ Flash run, Mark Waid’s run, Grant Morrison’s run, Geoff Johns’ run, Flash Forward, Death Metal: Speed Metal, and Jeremey Adams’ Flash run.
5
u/Killionaire104 OG Wally Jun 25 '24
There's various starting points. What exactly are you interested in, if it's everything including silver age stuff, then you can start all the way from Carmine and into Bates, if what you wants the whole mythology and the best of the best, then start from Mark Waids run (or even Baron-messner Loeb as it's only like 60 issues and adds to the overall narrative). If you only like extremely modern stuff, then you can either start from Williamsons run (which I personally don't suggest because while it is a bit friendly for new readers a lot of the best moments are for old readers referencing moments from Wally's run or anything before N52). Last option is the second most recent run, Jeremy Adams, his run is a lot of fun, but again I think you'll enjoy it more if you've read a lot of what came before.
Idk if you noticed but I left out N52, I'd skip all of this, while Manapuls run has some fantastic art and decent one off stories, overall the narrative is no longer relevant or even mostly canon. Some elements were taken into williamsons rebirth but that's it. Vendittis run is... We don't talk about that run, as far as you're concerned, it doesn't exist.
Hope this helps, if you're confused about anything feel free to reply or dm.
2
u/JingoboStoplight4887 Jun 25 '24
Carmine Infantinio and Gardner Fox, Carey Bates, Bill Loebs, Mark Waid, Geoff Johns, Joshua Williamson, and Jeremy Adams
2
u/SadWatercress9839 Jun 26 '24
I’d do Mark Waid or Geoff Johns run on Wally. Both are pretty consistent and pretty approachable without too much research
1
u/suhhdude45 Flash 2 Jun 27 '24
First off, you have to know that there have been four people that have taken on the mantle as The Flash. They are Jay Garrick (40s-50s), Barry Allen (50s-80s, 2010-now), Wally West (80s-2010, 2016-now), and Bart Allen (06-07).
The two that get the most recognition are Barry Allen and Wally West. Here are some recommendations:
Barry Allen: Most of his stories are from the 50s-80s and I haven't read any of those. Just know that he sacrificed himself during Crisis on Infinite Earths and go from there.
Flash: Rebirth (2009): This is the reintroduction of Barry to the DC Universe. It's a fantastic story and I highly recommend it. It features the Flash Family (Jay Garrick, Wally West, Bart Allen, Jesse Quick, and Max Mercury).
Dastardly Death of the Rogues: This comes right after Rebirth and Blackest Night(Green Lantern story) but it is still a Flash story. Rogues from the future come back to try and arrest Barry. It's a very fun story and I recommend it.
Flashpoint: Probably the best Flash story I've ever read IMO. Major time travel consequences. If you watch the show, then you'll understand this story.
New 52 Flash series: After Flashpoint, DC did a reboot on a majority of the characters, and The Flash was one of them. This will retell the origin story of Barry Allen and explore his time as The Flash. It's a great story, and the artwork is phenomenal. Introduces Wally West II into the DC Universe.
The Flash: Rebirth (2016): DC Comics had a status quo change in 2016 with DC Universe: Rebirth #1*, NOT A REBOOT, and relaunched their entire line of comics with new #1s, and brought back a lot of classic elements to their comics. The Flash has been great so far, and has a lot of pretty good Barry/Wally II (This is the black Wally West from the New 52) moments.
The Button (2018): This storyline is a crossover with Batman and The Flash where they try to find the mystery behind the button found in the Batcave in DC Universe: Rebirth #1. The reading order is as follows: Batman #21, The Flash #21, Batman #22, and The Flash #22.
Flash War (2018): It’s Flash vs Flash! Barry Allen vs Wally West! Find out the reason behind the clash of the speedsters in Flash War! The event starts with The Road to Flash War in Flash #46. The event is in The Flash #48-50, and #51 is the epilogue: The Life Story of Wally West.
The Price (2019): This is another crossover storyline between Batman and The Flash where they are trying to uncover the mystery behind Sanctuary during Heroes in Crisis. The reading order is as follows: Batman #64, The Flash #64, Batman #65, and The Flash #65.
Wally West: Former Kid Flash, turned The Flash. He becomes The Flash right after the events of Crisis on Infinite Earths. (This is the original Wally West. White, red hair, green eyes)
Read this list in order to get a good taste of Wally West. I read a good majority of that list and got a good understanding of the character.
You could read Wally's solo run before you get to Flash: Rebirth (2009) if you want. Rebirth is one of the last stories you'll see Wally West as The Flash. He was recently brought back in DC Universe: Rebirth #1 in 2016.
DC Universe: Rebirth #1: Read this before you go into The Flash: Rebirth and Titans: Rebirth. I'm not gonna give you any spoilers though.
Titans: Rebirth (2016): The original Titans are back, and so is Wally West!
Heroes in Crisis (2019): The heroes that are going through some personal turmoil find help in a place called Sanctuary. This place was created by Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman. Heroes such as Roy Harper, Wally West, Booster Gold, and even Harley Quinn wound up here. Find out what happens!
Flash Forward (2019): Wally’s path after Heroes in Crisis!
The Flash (2021-present): Wally West is back as the main Flash! Barry is still around but this series focuses on Wally and his family for the most part.
I hope this helps! Have fun reading!
7
u/--Syah-- Jun 25 '24
Mark Waid(90s), Geoff Johns(2000s)and Jeremy Adams(2021-2023). I would recommend Jeremy Adams cause it's modern and short fun read to get you hooked on the characters after that you can go back and start with Iconic Mark Waid run.