Reddit mentions of The Flash: Rebirth

For Barry:

• The Flash: The Silver Age Volume 1
  
  
• The Flash: Rebirth (2009)
  
  
• The Flash Vol. 1: Move Forward
  
  
• DC Universe: Rebirth and The Flash Vol. 1: Lightning Strikes Twice
  
  
  For Wally:
  
  
• The Flash by Mark Waid Book One
  
  
• The Flash by Geoff Johns Book One (where I started)
  
  
• DC Universe: Rebirth and Titans Vol. 1: The Return of Wally West
  
  By the way, these are just starting points. I'll help you with an actual reading order if you need.

A great place to start is with the current book it's being written by a die-hard Flash fan and has been knocking it out of the park with every issue (its on issue 11). Also, if you can find it I would suggest getting that in tandem with with New 52 Vol 1 "Move Forward" that book is a great introduction into Barry Allen as the Flash

A big part of the Flash is their legacy so I'll briefly explain that for ya. There have been four Flashes to date: Jay Garrick (Flash I), Barry Allen (Flash II), Wally West (Flash III), and the short lived Bart Allen (Flash IV). There are also members of the Flash family that go by different names like Max Mercury and Jesse Quick; additionally Bart Allen originally went by Impulse.

A small bit of history that may be helpful if you go and read some of the Pre-New 52 Flash books is that Barry Allen is dead. He sacrificed his life in Crisis on Infinite Earths to save the universe. That's all you need to know from that event, you may even recognize this homage from the finale of season 2. The effect of his death weighs really heavily on Wally for the first part of his time as Flash. However, Wally's time as Flash is the one with the most well regarded stories. Barry does eventually come back in another event 25 years later, those events are detailed in Flash: Rebirth (2009)

The rest I'll let you learn, but we love answering any questions you may have over on r/theFlash. Moreover, to find the official list of our recommendations check out the subreddit's wiki located on the top bar.

Here is a synopsis...

The Flash, Volume 2 (1987-2009):

• Born to Run by Mark Waid: #62 to #65. Quintessential origin story for Wally. It sets the tone for the rest of Waid's work and firmly defines Wally's character.
  
  
• The Return of Barry Allen by Mark Waid: #73 to #79. Wally deals with the shadow of being the "unworthy" successor to the great Barry Allen.
  
  
• Reckless Youth by Mark Waid: #92 to #94. Impulse's debut! Wally gets a sidekick and learns more about the late Barry Allen's legacy.
  
  
• Flashing Back by Mark Waid: #0. An interlude in Waid's grand epic, Issue #0, takes Wally for a run down memory lane reliving his greatest moments. One of the single best issues of the Flash. In other words its a must read.
  
  
• Terminal Velocity by Mark Waid: #95 to #100. (you might want to read a couple issues prior to #92 to understand what the "Speed Formula" is and why Wally has it). While training the young Impulse and thwarting crime Wally's speed begins to malfunction and only the 'Zen Guru of Speed' knows why; The Speed Force is introduced into the DC landscape.
  
  
• Dead Heat by Mark Waid (this one is a little weird, order wise): #108, #109, Impulse #10, #110, Impulse #11, #111 for all six parts. (Impulse is Bart's own title, obviously a spin-off of the Flash). Speed Force Lore, Savitar, and ninjas! Thats the 90's for ya. It's still a good read.
  
  
• Race Against Time by Mark Waid: #112 to #118. Fun time travel shenanigans.
  
  
• Emergency Stop by Grant Morrison and Mark Millar: #130 to #132. Wally West gets crippled + Speed Force Lore.
  
  
• The Human Race by Grant Morrison and Mark Millar: #136 to #138. This story is beyond ridiculous. I'm talking aliens, I'm talking space. I'm talking running REAL fast. You should read it.
  
  
• The Black Flash by Mark Millar: #139 to #141. The nasty side of the Speed Force.
  
  
• Chain Lightning by Mark Waid: #145 to #150. (The previous three issues are needed to fully understand this story). Oh, you thought Human Race was crazy? Think again. THE FLASH FAMILY RUNS TO EVERY CORNER OF TIME TO GATHER ALLIES FOR A BATTLE. I'M TALKING WIBBLY WOBBLY TIMEY WIMEY SHENANIGANS. That's all I'll say. It's really fun and a great read, an epic if you will.
  
  
• The Dark Flash Saga by Mark Waid: #152 to #160. Alternate Future Wally comes back in time, but he has a dark secret! (Also Wally gets married!)
  
  Johns run starts at #164, and is more of a collection of one-shots, team-ups, and "Rogue Case Files" from #164 to #191. The later being an individual study on each of Flash's rogues John's wishes to flesh out and give an origin. John's does create a few of his own Rogues as well. Plainly put, John's is far better than Waid at creating villains while Waid excelled at writing Wally and the Family. I recommend getting them all, they are not only necessary but a real joy to read.
  
  
• Birth Right by Geoff Johns: #175 to #176. The Weather Wizard is pissed. This is more or less a two-part Rogue Case File but I just love it so much I wanted to break it out into its own thing.
  
  
• Crossfire by Geoff Johns: #184 to #188. Keystone and Central City are under siege by two different entities both wanting the other's side but more importantly, Wally's life. Wally is stuck in the crossfire with no allies.
  
  
• Grodd Returns by Geoff Johns: #192 to #194. Dredeuced calls it this and I quite like it. This is pretty important, not just because of Grodd...returning, but because something snaps inside of Hunter Zolomon which leads up to #197 and their conflict. (I recommend reading the issues between Grodd Returns and Blitz! to fully understand Zolomon and his perspective.)
  
  
• Blitz! by Geoff Johns: #197 to #200. Enter Zoom. This is Wally's worst day of his life; his life is torn asunder by not only Zoom but by the choices he has made. This is one of the single most important things to happen to Wally. While there have been arcs that pushed Wally's life and powers forward--Return of Barry Allen for instance--none like this one. Read it and literally weep.
  
  
• Ignition by Geoff Johns: #201 to #206. Kind of a glue arc, connecting Blitz to Identity Crisis to Rogue War.
  
  
• Identity Crisis: Flash / The Secret of Barry Allen by Geoff Johns: #207 to #217. Wally learns about his predecessors darkest hour, one that is tearing the super hero community apart.
  
  
• The Rogue War by Geoff Johns: #220 to #225. A war that begins as the Old Rogues versus the New Rogues quickly spins out of control and becomes to big for one Flash to handle.
  
  
• Personal Volume 2 Favorites: #0, #54, #73, #91, #134, #175-176, #209, Speed Force #1, JLA #4
  
  *Flash Fact!: these are all about Wally's time as Flash.
  
  Barry's resurrection and takeover of the Flash solo titles begins with
  
  Flash: Rebirth (2009) by Geoff Johns: #1 to #6. This story flings Barry back into the forefront of the Flash Family revealing secrets about the his origin, powers, and the Speed Force. This can be very confusing so its best understood with the knowledge from the previous books.
  
  The Flash, Volume 3 (2009-2010):
  
  
• The Dastardly Death of the Rogues by Geoff Johns: #1 to #6. Barry is back! but a group of people from the future calling themselves the Renegades have appeared attempting to arrest Barry for a crime he hasn't even committed yet? It's Rogues vs. Flash vs. Renegades. (This arc actually has supplemental material you can read before hand: "The Flash: Secret Files and Origins" (2010) #1
  
  Flashpoint (2011) by Geoff Johns: #1 to #5. Following the devastating news revealed in Flash Rebirth, Barry attempts to go back in time only to find out by doing so he has changed the entire world. With no powers Barry must find a way to undo his most desired wish.
  
  The fallout of Flashpoint leads to the creation of The New 52. a line wide reboot, making Barry the only Speedster in the Flash Family.
  
  The Flash, Volume 4 "The New 52" (2011-2016):
  
  
• New 52 Vol 1-4 by Brian Buccellato and Francis Manapul. See a young Barry once again have to learn the ropes of being a super hero and the Fastest Man Alive!
  
  
• Personal Volume 4 "The New 52" Favorites: #2, #10, #12, #21, #25, #26, Annual #2
  
  Flashing forward to today, a new event has spawned, and the information revealed explains the absence of members such as Jay and Wally. Wally has been trapped in the Speed Force! and the entire world forgot who he was. His return to the DC landscape was accompanied with certain people recovering their lost memories and discovering a new threat, the one who stole them!
  
  All this is detailed in DC Universe: Rebirth followed by Flash: Rebirth #1 (2016) and the current run with issue 11 coming out next week. If you'd like to follow the exploits of the returned Wally West read Titans (2016-) you can also check out Teen Titans (2016-) to explore Kid Wally's development. Pick it up on Comixology or your local comic book shop!
  
  *Flash Fact!: During the New 52 a different Wally West is revealed to be black (I call him Kid Wally, others call him Chocolate Wally). In DC Universe: Rebirth he is also revealed to be the white Wally's (as I call him Adult Wally, others Strawberry Wally) cousin! Today the Flash Family is 3 members strong once again!
  
  The Flash, Volume 5 (2016-):
  
  
• Lightning Strikes Twice by Joshua Williamson: Flash Rebirth #1, #1 to #8. Following Barry and Wally's reunion in DCU: Rebirth an overwhelmed Barry begins to realize he misses having a partner and his wishes are soon answered when a Speed Force Storm appears over Central City granting powers to everyone it hits! However, from the storm a villain emerges. Meet Godspeed.
  
  
• Personal Volume 5 Favorites: Flash Rebirth #1, #9
  
  
  Titans, Volume 3 (2016-): (Optional)
  
  
• The Return of Wally West by Dan Abnett: Titans Rebirth #1, #1 to #6. Wally West is back! After visiting with his old mentor, Barry Allen, Wally rushes off to gather his closest friends in an attempt to figure out what or who made everyone he knows forget about him. All the while he is desperately trying to rekindle the love he once had.
  
  
• Personal Titans, Volume 3 Favorites: Titans Rebirth #1

This is the reading order for a modern Barry Allen. If you're interested in the best of the best Flash stories and the greater Flash mythos, Flash in the 90's to mid 2000's is the best era of the Flash. Mark Waid's Flash currently has 1 trade out with trade 2 coming out May 2nd. The first trade is an origin story about Wally West, the second trade is a story called "The Return of Barry Allen" which is the best Flash story of all time. Waid's run is the best Flash run of all time and the third trade is coming out in the Fall. Grant Morrison and Mark Millar wrote a short zany run in the middle of Waid's run. It's one trade long and worth the read. Lastly, Geoff Johns Flash run is phenomenal. It's the second best of the three and there are currently three trades out. It's a bit more serialized than Waid's run, which is a plus. Waid writes Wally a lot better than Johns but what Johns has over Waid is phenomenal and relatable villains.



Flash Rebirth brings Bary up to speed with the world and shows him dealing with being a man out of time.




The Flash Dastardly Death of The Rogues is the best Barry Allen story, it is a must read




Flash: Road to Flashpoint. This story is pretty alright, the collected version has a lot of interesting one shots and such and it directly leads into Flashpoint. This doesn't get recommended often, but I enjoyed it and I think it should be at least mentioned




Flashpoint kicks off the New 52 and is a decently written Barry Allen story. This leads into the New 52 series




The Flash New 52 Vol 1-4 Collected in this omnibus. This has absolutely stunning art and it's the same art team that did Dastardly Death of the Rogues, the artists also double as the writers and they capture a good Barry Allen in my opinion. This run is great but everything after is pretty mediocre




DC Universe Rebirth is a great story and Barry and a certain other speedster are very relevant to the story




The Flash Rebirth (2016) is the current ongoing, you can digitally purchase it or buy the issues individually from Midtown Comics (The website) or your LCBS. I'm linking the first volume of this run.

Check out The Flash: Rebirth. Next, read the series by Geoff Johns, Francis Manapul, and Scott Kolins (2010-2011). It's collected in two volumes. After that, read Flashpoint, and then read the New 52 series.

Here's a breakdown:

• Flash: Rebirth
  
  
• Flash: The Dastardly Death of the Rogues
  
  
• Flash: The Road to Flashpoint
  
  
• Flashpoint
  
  
• Flash Vol.1: Move Forward
  
  
• Flash Vol.2: Rogues Revolution
  
  
• Flash Vol.3: Gorilla Warfare
  
  
• Flash Vol.4: Reverse
  
  
• Flash Vol.5: History Lessons
  
  
• Flash Vol.6: Out of Time
  
  In addition to these, you can check out a list of some more recommended Barry Allen reads here.
  
  EDIT: Don't be discouraged if you find The Flash: Rebirth very continuity-heavy - it is. This was one of the first non-Batman comics that I read when I was getting back into comics, and I had no clue what was going on. The thing is, that frustration only encouraged me to dig deeper and understand more about this world. I hope you (or anyone for that matter) takes that approach when something comes along that doesn't seem to make sense.

We got the Return of Barry Allen, featuring Reverse Flash and Dead Heat featuring Savitar, both from Mark Waid's run. During Geoff Johns's run, there was Blitz, featuring Zoom (which is a fan favorite story) and Flash: Rebirth, featuring Reverse Flash. If you want something more recent, the New 52 series features a new iteration of Reverse Flash by the name of Daniel West, the Future Flash, and a heavily retooled version of Eobard Thawne (that last one is a bit more controversial among fans but it's worth a shot.)And lastly, the DC Rebirth series (different series from the one I mentioned up above) featuring a new speedster by the name of Godspeed.

My local shop has a section of used TPBs which are in good condition but are normally about 50% off. You can also check Amazon ($9.43 right now) or InStockTrades ($8.24 right now).

When I was a kid my parents gave me $5 a week for allowance, but I helped out around the house (cooking, cleaning, etc.). You could offer to do the same. $5 may not seem like much now, but if you're shopping InStockTrades that's about 2 books per month.

I have yet to meet a parent that would argue against their kid reading more. Tell her it costs about as much as a movie but you'll get to enjoy the artwork and the story for as long as you own the book.

Geoff Johns had two runs on the Flash

One on Wally West starting from here. There are three omnibi, but this is the first

Or Barry Allen Flash which includes this [this] (http://www.amazon.com/Flash-Vol-Dastardly-Rogues-Comics/dp/1401231950/ref=pd_sim_b_5?ie=UTF8&refRID=1BVB4GQBM31399T5XNVT) and [this] (http://www.amazon.com/The-Flash-Vol-Flashpoint-Comics/dp/1401234488/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y) ending with [this] (http://www.amazon.com/Flashpoint-Geoff-Johns/dp/1401233384/ref=pd_sim_b_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=01YDR9NHFX8JAG9HQYS5)

Barry Allen started his carrier in the comics in 1956 until 1985 and then he was absent on until 2009. His modern-age series called The Flash: Rebirth when he returned. After that 2 trades came (In comics, a trade paperback (often shortened to trade) is a collection of stories originally published in comic books, reprinted in book format, usually capturing one story arc from a single title or a series of stories with a connected story arc or common theme.) called The Flash Vol. 1: The Dastardly Death of the Rogues and The Flash Vol. 2: The Road to Flashpoint.

After these, a HUGE event came that changed everything called Flashpont that "reset" the continuity and started the New 52 age and it's first story-line called The Flash, Vol. 1: Move Forward or alternatively The Flash: Starting Line (DC Essential Edition (collecting the first 2 trades in 1 book) This series (New52) lasted till Spring 2016 and collected 9 trades (the show you watched is based on this era).


In early 2016 DC Rebirth came (only name change, everything is continued from New52) but a huge exception: a long missing character came back to the grand scene who was missing for so long. Rebirth's first trade is The Flash Vol. 1: Lightning Strikes Twice and currently the latest is The Flash Vol. 9: Reckoning of the Forces, but that's not the end, the series is still ongoing. Alternatively you can buy "The Flash Rebirth Deluxe Book(s)" that collect 2 trades per book in an affordable price/way.


So if you are interested in Barry (overall) start with The Flash: Rebirth and move onward to Flashpont, but you can just start with The Flash, Vol. 1: Move Forward or DC Rebirth followed by The Flash Vol. 1: Lightning Strikes Twice, then read everything up to today. (the current story-arc called Year One coming out just right now, starting with issue #70)

But if you are interested in old material, the best place to start is The Flash: The Silver Age Vol. 1, the first comics where Barry showed up. (but beware, the art and the story is really different than what's today's standard)

(there is an omnibus on sale at the moment (a collection of multiple trades) called The Flash By Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato Omnibus that collects the first 4 trades of the New 52 era.

Title | Writer | Issues | Note
---|---|---|---
The Flash (v2) | Mark Waid | #62-129, 142-162 | Wally West
The Flash (v2) | Grant Morrison & Mark Millar | #130-141 | Wally West
The Flash (v2) | Geoff Johns | #164-225 | Wally West
The Flash (v3) | Geoff Johns | Rebirth, #1-12 | Barry Allen, Flashpoint
The Flash (v4) | Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato | #1-25 | Barry Allen, New 52
The Flash (v5) | Joshua Williamson | #1-ongoing | Barry Allen, Rebirth

Additional resources:

Comic Book Herald

/r/DCcomics Flash Recommended Reading

Comics Alliance

EDIT1: added Mark Waid issues. Thanks /u/TheStealthBox

First step is to figure out what characters you think you might like, then find out what the recommended reading is for those characters.

The sidebar is a good resource for that.

My person recommendations:

Batman: Death of the Family: You can't go wrong with Batman, and this is a great Joker story. It is the third Volume of Batman New52, this collects Issues #13-17. #1-13 is also worth your time if you're a Batman fan.

Batman Eternal Vol.1: A great on-going series, following the wake of Forever Evil, which was a recent big event.

Green Arrow: The Kill Machine: Vol. 4 of Green Arrow New52, this collects #17-24, and is a great arc, Vol. 5 Outsiders War collects #25-31 and is also amazing. Other essential Green Arrow books: Year One, Longbow Hunters.

Flashpoint: This is a large scale book, it is the event that led to the creation of the New52 universe, worth checking out, but if you want to save time, there is an animated DC movie that covers this story pretty reliably. Justice League: War is another decent DC movie which covers Vol. 1 of Justice League new52.

Stories outside of the New52 world:

Batman: The Killing Joke: an amazing Batman/Joker story from Watchmen writer Alan Moore.

The Flash: Rebirth: This is an essential pre-new52 Flash story that covers Barry Allens return to comics after being dead for a very long time.

Kingdom Come: A very interesting older book. Good story, and unique art.

Injustice: Year One: This is a comic based on the video game Injustice: Gods Among Us, but it has turned into so much more. Absolutely amazing on-going elseworlds book.

If you're looking for darker themed books, check out:

Hellblazer, Vol. 1 Original Sins: Very different from classic hero comics, in this series Constantine deals with magic, demons, etc.

The Sandman Vol. 1 Preludes & Nocturnes: Another great book, this follows the story of Dream, younger brother of Death, and sibling to the other Endless.

Lucifer: Book One: Lucifer Morningstar started out as a side character in Sandman, but received his own book later. This series begins where his character left off in Sandman, having resigned his post and abandoning his kingdom of Hell he lies low on Earth, however things change when he receives an offer from his father, God himself.

I'll add some more if I think of anything, or if you even find this helpful. I imagine it is pretty overwhelming. Good luck.

Sadly, I can't speak for DC Rebirth. I haven't read any of it. I can say that I loved the New52.

Batman list, in order of what I would read first.

• Batman, Year One is a great story of Bruce's first year as the Batman. I loved seeing the way Batman evolved & the lessons he learned. I highly suggest this as your first read.
  
  
• The Long Holloween was also a fantastic story. It reads a lot like a mystery novel. The ending is surprising and all around, this book is satisfying.
  
  
• Batman New52 is a great storyline. It is a "reboot" aka a nice starting point for a series. If you love this story, read on with the New 52 & slowly get the "iconic" other stuff later.
  
  
• The Dark Knight Returns is an interesting spin on things. Bruce is old and has hung up his mantle. But for reasons mentioned in the book, he dons the cape yet again. This, in my opinion, is a really great read after Year One & The Long Halloween. Those three just flow nicely IMO.
  
  
• The Knightfall series (Vol1 Vol2 & Vol3) explain why Bane is one of the greatest villains Batman has ever had. If you're looking for a complete story arc, this is where you want to start.
  
  Staples for Batman
  
  
• The Killing Joke is an iconic storyline that I would put on a must read list for Batman.
  
  
• Hush is also a very great mystery story.
  
  
• A Death in the Family is a pivotal story for the Bruce Wayne Batman.
  
  
• Arkham Asylum is a really cool & unique story about Batman going into Arkham Asylum after it is taken over (sounds a lot like the first batman game of the recent trilogy). It is a really cool perspective & you should read it at some point.
  
  Flash list (I don't know as much about the Flash)
  
  
• The Flash: Rebirth is a really great place to start. The world is established but this is a nice way to jump into the comics.
  
  
• Flash New52 is where I would go after reading Rebirth. They flow nicely. I would read Vol 2 & Vol3.
  
  
• Flashpoint, as you know if you watch the CW series, is a big moment for Barry. It's a similar story but done in a very different way. Reading this will feel fresh, even if you know the tv show.
  
  Batman/Flash related things
  
  
• Catwoman New52 is amazing. I'm not sure if you're a huge Catwoman fan or if you hate her (seems most Batman fans go one of those directions) but if you are, her series is one of my favorite New52.
  
  
• Justice League New52 was pretty cool.

If you ask me, the best way to begin with Flash is to start with Flash:Rebirth. It is a bit confusing at first, but it gives a great look into Barry Allen's origin, his connections with the other 3 flashes, and his enmity with Reverse Flash. It will make things in the first episode seem so much clearer once you read.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Flash-Rebirth-Geoff-Johns/dp/1401230016

If you want the complete history of Barry Allen, then I'd suggest:

• The Two Silver Age graphic novel collections available right now
  
  
• Crisis on Infinite Earths
  
  
• Final Crisis
  
  
• The Flash Rebirth
  
  
• Flashpoint
  
  
• The New 52 Flash run
  
  
• DC Universe Rebirth
  
  
• and now Flash's DC Rebirth Series

I have to say; many, many people consider wally west to be "their" flash. Barry was dead for over 20 years. During that time, Mark Waid wrote flash. Recently DC has been releasing book collecting his run. The first book in that series is a great opening for anyone wanting to start flash ("The Flash by Mark Waid: Book One")

If you wanna stick with just Barry Allen, I'd suggest the Flash: Rebirth from 2011. Dealing with Barry Allen's resurrection, this book introduces flash back into the DCU but still has some deep Flash lore not suitable for new fans.

Superman: Red Son

All Star Superman

Superman: American Alien

Batman and Superman Number One

Throne of Atlantis from Justice League and Aquaman

If you haven't yet Watchmen is a must for any reader, comics or not

Anything Geoff Johns wrote for Green Lantern (Frankly anything he's written for DC). He has 3 Omnibuses (Very Large Collections with MANY stories). Particularly look for:

Green Lantern Rebirth

Flash Rebirth

Flashpoint


Blackest Night

In Brightest Day

Geoff Johns Omnibuses

Or always Peruse other Trades/Omnibuses to see what piques your interest

Also, I know it's a DC sub, but if you're okay with adult themes: Saga

i meant the old flash rebirth the one where barry returns

here have a look

http://www.amazon.com/Flash-Rebirth-Geoff-Johns/dp/1401230016

http://images.wikia.com/marvel_dc/images/3/3b/Flash_Rebirth-_Vol_1_6.jpg

http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/marvel_dc/images/9/9b/Flash_Family_002.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20100212061823
http://comicmad.com/wp-content/gallery-bank/gallery-uploads/o_19d8asf816ohi55n2o1keb1of10.jpg

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/cmx-images-prod/DigitalPage/323515/4cec2c5311ae7._SX640_QL80_TTD_.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/LsydLiJ.jpg

It's in stock on Amazon for $9.95 and free shipping with prime (physical copy):

Link

You can even have it in your mailbox tomorrow for an extra cost (at least for me).