The Flash (comic book) explained

The Flash
Ongoing:y
Publisher:DC Comics
Superhero:Flash
Main Char Team:(vol. 1, 3, 4, 5, and 1 restored)
Flash (Barry Allen)
(vol. 2, 1 restored, and 6)
Flash (Wally West)
Creators:John Broome
Carmine Infantino
Sort:Flash

The Flash is an ongoing American comic book series featuring the DC Comics superhero of the same name. Throughout its publication, the series has primarily focused on two characters who have worn the mantle of the Flash: Barry Allen, the second Flash (1959–1985, 2010–2020), and Wally West, the third Flash (1987–2008, 2021–present). The series began at issue #105, picking up its issue numbering from the anthology series Flash Comics which had featured Jay Garrick as the first Flash.

Although the Flash is a mainstay in the DC Comics stable, the series has been canceled and restarted several times. The first volume, starring Barry Allen, was canceled at issue #350 prior to the character's death in Crisis on Infinite Earths. A new series began in June 1987 with a new issue #1, starring Wally West as the new Flash. The second volume was briefly canceled in 2006 at issue #230 in the wake of the Infinite Crisis event in which Wally disappeared, and was replaced by a new series titled The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive starring Bart Allen as the fourth Flash. The following year, The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive was canceled and The Flash resumed publication from issue #231 with Wally as the Flash once again; however, this volume was ultimately canceled permanently in 2008 at issue #247.

Following Barry Allen's resurrection in Final Crisis and return to being the primary Flash in , a third volume starring Barry debuted in 2010. However, this volume was ultimately cancelled in the lead-up to the miniseries Flashpoint, which in turn led into The New 52 continuity reboot. A fourth volume was later launched in 2011 as part of the new continuity, with Barry Allen as the sole Flash; this volume ultimately concluded in 2016. A fifth volume was launched soon afterwards as part of the line-wide relaunch DC Rebirth.

In 2020, the series reverted to original numbering as of issue #750[1] by adding together all issues of The Flash from each volume. Wally West became the main character of the series again as of DC's line-wide relaunch Infinite Frontier, beginning with issue #768.[2] Original numbering continued until issue #800. A sixth volume of The Flash, also starring Wally West, began as part of the Dawn of DC relaunch in September 2023.

Publication history

Volume 1 (1959–1985)

Volume 1 starred Barry Allen as the Flash and the series assumed the numbering of the original Flash Comics with issue #105 (March 1959) written by John Broome and drawn by Carmine Infantino.[3] Comics historian Les Daniels noted that "The Flash" was a streamlined, modernized version of much that had gone before, but done with such care and flair that the character seemed new to a new generation of fans.[4] The Broome and Infantino collaboration saw the introduction of several supervillains many of whom became part of the Rogues. The Mirror Master first appeared in issue #105 and the following issue saw the debuts of Gorilla Grodd and the Pied Piper.[5] Captain Boomerang first challenged the Flash in issue #117 (December 1960)[6] and the 64th century villain Abra Kadabra was introduced in issue #128 (May 1962).[7] Another villain from the future, Professor Zoom first appeared in issue #139 (September 1963).[8]

Kid Flash and the Elongated Man were respectively introduced in issues #110 and 112 as allies of the Flash.[9] One of the most notable issues of this era was issue #123 (September 1961), which featured the story titled "Flash of Two Worlds".[10] In it, Allen meets his inspiration Jay Garrick, after accidentally being transported to a parallel universe where Garrick existed. In this previous continuity, Garrick and the other characters of the Golden Age only existed as comics characters in the mainline shared universe.[11] This brought about a new concept in the formative stage of what would become the DC Universe, and gave birth to the current conceptualization featuring it as a multiverse.

Barry Allen married his longtime love interest Iris West in issue #165 (November 1966).[12] Infantino's last issue was #174 (November 1967) and the next issue saw Ross Andru become the new artist of the series as well as featuring the second race between the Flash and Superman, two characters known for their super-speed powers.[13]

The series presented metafictional stories featuring comics creators appearing within the Flash's adventures such as the "Flash — Fact Or Fiction" in issue #179 in which the Flash finds himself on "Earth Prime". He contacts the "one man on Earth who might believe his fantastic story and give him the money he needs. The editor of that Flash comic mag !" Julius Schwartz helps the Flash build a cosmic treadmill so that he can return home.[14] Several years later, the series' longtime writer Cary Bates wrote himself into the story in issue #228.[15] Four months after the cancellation of his own title, Green Lantern began a backup feature in The Flash #217 (August-September 1972) and appeared in most issues through The Flash #246 (January 1977) until his own solo series was revived.[16] Schwartz, who had edited the title since 1959, left the series as of issue #269 (January 1979). Bates wrote The Flash #275 (July 1979) wherein the title character's wife, Iris West Allen was killed.[17] Don Heck became the artist of the series with issue #280 (December 1979) and drew it until #295 (March 1981).[18] The Flash #300 (August 1981) was in the Dollar Comics format and featured a story by Bates and Infantino.[19] Doctor Fate was featured in a series of back-up stories in The Flash from #306 (February 1982) to #313 (Sept. 1982) written by Martin Pasko and Steve Gerber and drawn by Keith Giffen.[20] A major shakeup occurred in the title in the mid-1980s. The Flash inadvertently kills his wife's murderer, the Reverse-Flash, in The Flash #324 (August 1983).[21] This led to an extended storyline titled "The Trial of the Flash" in which the hero must face the repercussions of his actions. Bates became the editor as well as the writer of The Flash title during this time and oversaw it until its cancellation in 1985. "The Trial of the Flash" was collected in a volume of the Showcase Presents series in 2011.[22]

Shortly before Barry Allen's death in Crisis on Infinite Earths, the series was cancelled with issue #350 (October 1985). In the final issue of Crisis on Infinite Earths, Wally West, previously known as Allen's sidekick Kid Flash, stated his intent to take up his uncle's mantle as the Flash.[23]

Volume 2 (1987–2006, 2007–2008)

Featuring Wally West as the main character, the second volume was launched by writer Mike Baron and artist Jackson Guice in June 1987.[24] The second volume originally went in a different direction from the series starring Barry Allen by making Wally West a public figure with no secret identity, as well as making him more flawed: this Flash could not constantly maintain his super-speed because of his hypermetabolism, and would consume gargantuan amounts of food in order to continue operating at top speed. This metabolic limitation would later be continued into Barry Allen's character for the brief television series The Flash broadcast in 1990–91, as well as The Flash series which debuted in 2014, though to a lesser degree.

From issue #15 (August 1988) the series was taken over by writer William Messner-Loebs and artist Greg LaRocque. The new creative team introduced many aspects to the series that would become mainstays of the character Wally West, including inventing his love interest and eventual wife Linda Park, moving him from New York to Jay Garrick's hometown of Keystone City, and reintroducing the Pied Piper (a former foe of Barry Allen) as an ally whose positive influence helps Wally become more responsible and altruistic. Issue #53 (August 1991), in which the Pied Piper is revealed to be gay, won the inaugural GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comic Book in 1992. Messner-Loebs left the title at issue #61 (April 1992).

Mark Waid began his tenure on the title with issue #62 (May 1992); LaRocque departed the title with issue #79 (August 1993) and was replaced by Mike Wieringo. To help take Wally out of Barry and Jay's shadows, Waid made him much more powerful than either of his predecessors by introducing an extradimensional energy source referred to as the "Speed Force", through which he could channel near-limitless energy; the Speed Force has since become a cornerstone of Flash mythology. More emphasis was also placed upon the legacy of speedsters throughout DC history: Jay Garrick was reintroduced as a supporting character as of issue #73 (February 1993); former Quality Comics character Quicksilver was reinvented as the elder mentor character Max Mercury in issue #76 (May 1993); Barry Allen's future grandson Bart Allen, soon to become the speedster hero Impulse, was introduced in issue #92 (July 1994).[25] Brian Augustyn became co-writer with Waid from issue #118 (October 1996) to the end of his tenure. For a period of one year, over issues #130–141 (October 1997 – September 1998), Waid and Augustyn stepped away from the series and were replaced by co-writers Mark Millar and Grant Morrison. Wally West married Linda Park in issue #159 (April 2000),[26] Waid and Augustyn's last regular issue on the title.

When writer Geoff Johns stepped aboard with issue #164 (September 2000), he refocused the character on some aspects of tales starring Barry Allen from the Silver Age of Comic Books by putting more focus on the Rogues, some of which were new incarnations of old characters, and spending single issues on building their psychology.[27] [28] Johns created Zoom, the third of the Reverse-Flashes. He also fleshed out the environmental character of Keystone City in an attempt to make it unique in comparison to other fictional DC cities such as Metropolis or Gotham City,[29] while also reintroducing Barry's hometown of Central City and having Wally split his time near-equally between the two locations. Following issue #200 (September 2003), Wally's secret identity was restored. Johns ended his run with issue #225 (October 2005).

In the wake of Wally West's disappearance in Infinite Crisis, DC canceled The Flash (vol. 2) with issue #230 (March 2006) in favor of a new series launched as part of the "One Year Later" event, starring Bart Allen as the Flash. The new series, titled The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive, ran only 13 issues and ended with Bart's death.[30] The Flash (vol. 2) resumed with issue #231 (October 2007), with the return of Wally West as the Flash; Wally and Linda's children Iris and Jai, both speedsters, became major supporting characters. Mark Waid was brought back as writer but departed after six issues, after which the series brought in new writers for each new story arc. The series was canceled again at issue #247 in late 2008 with the return of Barry Allen in the event series Final Crisis.[31] [32]

Volume 3 (2010–2011)

Spinning out of Final Crisis, writer Geoff Johns and artist Ethan Van Sciver created , a 6-issue mini-series bringing Barry Allen back to a leading role in the DC Universe as the primary Flash.[33] [34] Barry Allen is also an integral character in the crossover event Blackest Night, and had a self-titled limited series tying into the main event.[35] In 2010, DC Comics announced that after the completion of The Flash: Rebirth and Blackest Night, Geoff Johns would return to writing a new Flash ongoing series with artist Francis Manapul.[36] In January 2010, DC Comics announced that the series' opening arc would be launched under the banner of Brightest Day, a line-wide aftermath story to the crossover "Blackest Night".[37] In April 2010, DC released The Flash: Secret Files and Origins 2010 one-shot, setting the stage for the status quo of the new series. It was followed one week later with the release of The Flash (vol. 3) #1. On June 1, 2011, it was announced that all series taking place within the shared DC Universe would be either canceled or relaunched with new #1 issues, after a new continuity was created in the wake of the Flashpoint event. The Flash was no exception, and the first issue of the new series was released in September 2011.

Volume 4 (2011–2016)

In September 2011, The New 52 rebooted DC's continuity. In this new timeline, DC Comics relaunched The Flash with issue #1, with writing and art handled by Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato. As with all of the titles associated with the DC relaunch, Barry Allen appears to be about five years younger than the previous incarnation of the character. Superheroes at large have appeared only in the past five years, and are viewed with at best, suspicion, and at worst, outright hostility. In this new continuity, Barry's marriage to Iris West never took place, and he is instead in a relationship with longtime co-worker Patty Spivot. In this new series, the Flash draws deeper into the Speed Force, enhancing his mental abilities while still trying to get a full grasp on his powers, which he doesn't yet exert total control over.

As revealed in issue #0 of this series, Barry Allen's father was placed in prison for the murder of his mother. While the evidence seems to indicate his father's guilt, Barry makes proving his father's innocence a priority. The murder occurred shortly after Barry returned victorious from a school spelling bee, and Barry placed the trophy he won on his mother's grave in her memory. Barry is also part of the main cast of the relaunched Justice League series, making his debut in the series' second issue.

Writers Robert Venditti and Van Jensen and artist Brett Booth became the new creative team on The Flash as of issue #30 (June 2014).[38] This run introduced the New 52 incarnation of Wally West as a troubled twelve-year-old, and featured him first acquiring super-speed powers; it also reintroduced the original Reverse-Flash, Eobard Thawne, to the new continuity. This volume of The Flash concluded with issue #52 (July 2016).

Volume 5 (2016–2020)

The fifth volume of The Flash was written in its entirety by Joshua Williamson. As part of the line-wide relaunch DC Rebirth, Williamson's run began with the one-shot The Flash: Rebirth (vol. 2) #1 (August 2016) and continued from The Flash (vol. 5) #1 (August 2016) on a twice-monthly schedule. This volume starred Barry Allen, carrying over from the New 52 volume, but also featured various other speedsters as supporting characters. Among them was the original incarnation of Wally West, who was revealed to have been lost in the Speed Force and erased from everyone's memories; the New 52 incarnation, thereafter referred to as Wallace West, was retconned to be a separate character and gained a superhero identity as the new Kid Flash. Other new speedster characters introduced in this volume included new antagonist Godspeed, and Avery Ho as the Flash of China.

This volume of The Flash crossed over twice with Batman. The crossover event "The Button", central to the over-arcing DC Rebirth story and setting up the event miniseries Doomsday Clock, ran through issues #21–22 (June–July 2017). The story arc "The Price", a tie-in to the event comic Heroes in Crisis, ran through issues #64–65 (April 2019).

Issue #88 (April 2020) was technically the final issue of this volume, as numbering on The Flash was then reset to add together all issue counts from volumes 1–5. However, Joshua Williamson's run on the series continued under the new numbering.

Volume 1 restored (2020–2023)

Original numbering on The Flash began with an oversized celebratory issue #750 (May 2020). However, the series continued otherwise uninterrupted from where volume 5 had left off. Joshua Williamson was ultimately the longest-serving writer to stay on a given title from the beginning of DC Rebirth, concluding his run of 101 regular issues on the title with #762 (September 2020). This was followed by a four-issue story arc written by Kevin Shinick, and a one-issue installment of the crossover event "Endless Winter".

As part of the line-wide relaunch Infinite Frontier, Jeremy Adams began as the ongoing writer on The Flash with issue #768[39] as the series reverted to a monthly publishing schedule. Wally West resumed his role as the main Flash of the series, based in Central City, after Barry Allen's departure to join the multiversal team Justice Incarnate. Wally's marriage to Linda Park and his life with their children Irey and Jai was also restored to its pre-New 52 status quo. Jai took on the superhero name Surge, while Irey eventually chose the new name Thunderheart. Linda also temporarily developed super-speed while pregnant with her and Wally's third child, a boy named Wade. Meanwhile, Wally also became employed by fellow superhero Mister Terrific (Michael Holt) as an engineer at Terrifictech. Adams also introduced recurring character Gold Beetle, a time-traveler from the future destined to become superhero partners with Wally West and then Bart Allen. Barry Allen returned as a supporting character in the story arc "The Search for Barry Allen",[40] a tie-in to Dark Crisis, and he and Iris West once again became engaged to be married in issue #796 (June 2023).

The Flash returned to a twice-monthly publishing schedule with issue #790 (March 2023), at the beginning of the story arc "The One-Minute War". A tie-in one-shot comic The Flash: One-Minute War Special (March 2023) was published in the same month. The twice-monthly schedule continued until Adams' run as writer ended with issue #800 (August 2023), after which the series was relaunched with a new volume.

Volume 6 (2023–present)

In March 2023, it was announced that The Flash would be relaunched as part of the Dawn of DC initiative with a new issue #1, while retaining a legacy numbering of #801. The new run would be written by Si Spurrier with art by Mike Deodato.[41]

Collected editions

The Flash Archives

Title Material collected Pages Publication Date ISBN
Flash Archives Volume 1Flash Comics #104, Showcase #4, #8, #13–14, The Flash vol. 1 #105–108 224[42]
Flash Archives Volume 2The Flash vol. 1 #109–116 224[43]
Flash Archives Volume 3The Flash vol. 1 #117–124 224[44]
Flash Archives Volume 4The Flash vol. 1 #125–132 216[45]
Flash Archives Volume 5The Flash vol. 1 #133–141 248[46]
Flash Archives Volume 6The Flash vol. 1 #142–150 240[47]

The Flash Chronicles

Title Material collected Pages Publication Date ISBN
The Flash Chronicles Volume 1Showcase #4, 8, 13–14, The Flash vol. 1 #105–106160[48]
The Flash Chronicles Volume 2The Flash vol. 1 #107–112160[49]
The Flash Chronicles Volume 3The Flash vol. 1 #113–118 160[50]
The Flash Chronicles Volume 4The Flash vol. 1 #119–124 160[51]

Showcase Presents: The Flash

Title Material collected Pages Publication Date ISBN
Showcase Presents: The Flash Volume 1Flash Comics #104, Showcase #4, 8, 13–14, The Flash vol. 1 #105–119 512[52]
Showcase Presents: The Flash Volume 2The Flash vol. 1 #120–140 552[53]
Showcase Presents: The Flash Volume 3The Flash vol. 1 #141–161 520[54]
Showcase Presents: The Flash Volume 4The Flash vol. 1 #162–184 528[55]
Showcase Presents: The Trial of the FlashThe Flash vol. 1 #323–327, 329–336, 340–350 592[56]

The Flash Vol. 1 (1959–1985)

Title Material collected Pages Publication Date ISBN
The Flash: The Silver Age Vol. 1Showcase #4, 8, 13–14, The Flash vol. 1 #105–116424
The Flash: The Silver Age Vol. 2The Flash vol. 1 #117–132424
The Flash: The Silver Age Vol. 3The Flash vol. 1 #133–147400
The Flash: The Silver Age Vol. 4The Flash vol. 1 #148–163384
The Flash Omnibus Vol. 1Flash Comics #104, Showcase #4, 8, 13–14, The Flash vol. 1 #105–132864[57]
The Flash: The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 1Flash Comics #104, Showcase #4, 8, 13–14, The Flash vol. 1 #105–132864
The Flash: The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 2The Flash vol. 1 #133–163784
The Flash: The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 3The Flash vol. 1 #164–199800
Flash vs. The RoguesShowcase #8, The Flash vol. 1 #105–106, 110, 113, 117, 122, 140, 155144
DC Comics Classics Library: Flash of Two WorldsThe Flash vol. 1 #123, 129, 137, 151, 170, 173160
Flash of Two Worlds: Deluxe EditionThe Flash vol. 1 #123, 129, 137, 151, 170, 173160
The Flash: The Death of Iris WestThe Flash vol. 1 #270–284280

The Flash vol. 2 (1987–2006) Old Editions

Title Material collected Pages Publication Date ISBN
The Flash: Born to Run The Flash vol. 2 #62–65, Annual #8, 80-Page Giant #1, Speed Force #1128[58]
The Flash: The Return of Barry Allen The Flash vol. 2 #72–78178
The Flash: Terminal Velocity The Flash vol. 2 #0, 95–100186
The Flash: Dead Heat The Flash vol. 2 #108–111 & Impulse #10,11144
The Flash: Race Against Time The Flash vol. 2 #112–118168
The Flash: Emergency StopThe Flash vol. 2 #130–135144[59]
The Flash: The Human Race The Flash vol. 2 #136–141 and Secret Origins vol. 2 #50160[60]
The Flash: Wonderland The Flash vol. 2 #164–169144[61]
The Flash: Blood Will RunThe Flash vol. 2 #170–176, The Flash: Iron Heights, The Flash Secret Files #3240[62]
The Flash: RoguesThe Flash vol. 2 #177–182144[63]
The Flash: Crossfire The Flash vol. 2 #183–191224
The Flash: BlitzThe Flash vol. 2 #192–200224
The Flash: Ignition The Flash vol. 2 #201–206144
The Flash: The Secret of Barry Allen The Flash vol. 2 #207–211, #213–217240
The Flash: Rogue War The Flash vol. 2 #212, #218, #220–225208

The Flash vol. 2 (1987–2006)

Title Material collected Pages Publication Date ISBN
The Flash: Savage VelocityThe Flash vol. 2 #1–18, Annual #1480
The Flash by Mark Waid Book OneThe Flash vol. 2 #62–68, Annual #4–5, Flash Special #1368
The Flash by Mark Waid Book Two The Flash vol. 2 #69–79, Annual #6, Green Lantern vol. 3 #30–31, 40432
The Flash by Mark Waid Book Three The Flash vol. 2 #80–94 368
The Flash by Mark Waid Book Four The Flash vol. 2 #0, #95–105, Annual #8368
The Flash by Mark Waid Book Five The Flash vol. 2 #106–118, Impulse #10–11368
The Flash by Mark Waid Book Six The Flash vol. 2 #119–129, Green Lantern and The Flash: Faster Friends, Flash Plus Nightwing #1; material from Showcase '96 #12, DC Universe Holiday Bash #1440
The Flash by Grant Morrison & Mark MillarThe Flash vol. 2 #130–141, Green Lantern vol. 3 #96, Green Arrow vol. 2 #130; material from The Flash 80-Page Giant #1, JLA Secret Files #1334
The Flash by Mark Waid Book Seven The Flash vol. 2 #142–150, #1000000, The Life Story of the Flash; material from The Flash Secret Files #1, Speed Force #1, The Flash 80-Page Giant #1448
The Flash by Mark Waid Book Eight The Flash vol. 2 #151–163, Annual #12, The Flash Secret Files #2400
The Flash By Geoff Johns Book OneThe Flash vol. 2 #164–176, The Flash: Iron Heights #1368
The Flash By Geoff Johns Book TwoThe Flash vol. 2 #177–188, The Flash: Our Worlds at War #1, The Flash Secret Files #3, and DC First: Flash/Superman #1408
The Flash By Geoff Johns Book ThreeThe Flash vol. 2 #189–200350
The Flash By Geoff Johns Book FourThe Flash vol. 2 #201–213320
The Flash By Geoff Johns Book FiveThe Flash vol. 2 #214–225, #1/2, Wonder Woman vol. 2 #214336
The Flash Omnibus by Geoff Johns Volume 1The Flash vol. 2 #164–176, The Flash: Our Worlds at War #1, The Flash: Iron Heights, The Flash Secret Files #3448[64]
The Flash Omnibus by Geoff Johns Volume 2The Flash vol. 2 #177–200, DC First: Flash/Superman #1648[65]
The Flash Omnibus by Geoff Johns Volume 3The Flash vol. 2 #201–225, Wonder Woman vol.2 #214656[66]

The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive (2007–2008)

Title Material collected Pages Publication Date ISBN
The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive: Lightning in a BottleFlash: The Fastest Man Alive #1–6144
The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive: Full ThrottleFlash: The Fastest Man Alive #7–13, All-Flash #1, a story from DCU Infinite Holiday Special #1208

The Flash vol. 3 (2010–2011)

Title Material collected Pages Publication Date ISBN
The Flash: Rebirth #1–6168Hardcover: Softcover: Hardcover: Softcover:
The Flash Vol. 1: The Dastardly Death of the Rogues The Flash vol. 3 #1–8, The Flash Secret Files 2010228Hardcover: Softcover: Hardcover: Softcover:
The Flash Vol. 2: The Road to FlashpointThe Flash vol. 3 #8–12128Hardcover: Softcover: Hardcover: Softcover:
The Flash by Geoff Johns Book SixFinal Crisis: Rogues' Revenge #1–3, The Flash: Rebirth #1–6, Blackest Night: The Flash #1–3384

The Flash vol. 4 (2011–2016)

Title Material collected Pages Publication Date ISBN
1Move ForwardThe Flash vol. 4 #1–8192
2Rogues RevolutionThe Flash vol. 4 #9–12, #0, and The Flash Annual #1176
3Gorilla WarfareThe Flash vol. 4 #13–19176
4ReverseThe Flash vol. 4 #20–25 and #23.2: Reverse-Flash #1176
5History LessonsThe Flash vol. 4 #26–29 and The Flash Annual #2144
6Out of TimeThe Flash vol. 4 #30–35, The Flash Annual #3 and The Flash: Futures End #1208
7Savage WorldThe Flash vol. 4 #36–40 and Secret Origins vol. 3 #7144
8ZoomThe Flash vol. 4 #41–47 and The Flash Annual #4224
9Full StopThe Flash vol. 4 #48–52168
The Flash by Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato OmnibusThe Flash vol. 4 #0–25, #23.1: Grodd #1, #23.2: Reverse-Flash #1, #23.3: The Rogues #1, The Flash Annual vol. 4 #1-2709
The Flash: Starting Line (DC Essential Edition)The Flash vol. 4 #0–12, The Flash Annual #1344

The Flash vol. 5 and vol. 1 continued (2016–2023)

Title Material collected Pages Publication Date !ISBN
Paperback
1Lightning Strikes TwiceThe Flash: Rebirth #1, The Flash vol. 5 #1–8216
2Speed of DarknessThe Flash vol. 5 #9–13128
3Rogues ReloadedThe Flash vol. 5 #14–20168
4Running ScaredThe Flash vol. 5 #23–27136
5NegativeThe Flash vol. 5 #28–32128
6Cold Day in HellThe Flash vol. 5 #34–38, Annual #1128
7Perfect StormThe Flash vol. 5 #39–45184
8Flash WarThe Flash vol. 5 #46–51, a story from Annual #1160
9Reckoning of the ForcesThe Flash vol. 5 #52–57160
10Force Quest The Flash vol. 5 #58–63144September 24, 2019
11The Greatest Trick of All The Flash vol. 5 #66–69, Annual #2144February 11, 2020
Year OneThe Flash vol. 5 #70–75168November 19, 2019
12Death and the Speed ForceThe Flash vol. 5 #76–81144 June 9, 2020
13Rogues ReignThe Flash vol. 5 #82–87152 November 17, 2020
14The Flash AgeThe Flash vol. 5 #88, #750–755, Annual #3216 May 11, 2021
15Finish LineThe Flash #756–762168 October 12, 2021
16Wally West ReturnsThe Flash #763–771, 2021 Annual #1280 July 26, 2022
17EclipsedThe Flash #772–779216 December 20, 2022
18The Search For Barry AllenThe Flash #780–789, 2022 Annual #1292 June 27, 2023
19One-Minute WarThe Flash #790–796, The Flash: One-Minute War Special #1.244January 23, 2024
20Time HeistThe Flash #797–799, four stories from #800.128April 23, 2024
Deluxe Hardcovers
Batman/The Flash: The ButtonThe Flash vol. 5 #21–22, Batman vol. 3 #21–22104
Heroes In Crisis: The Price and Other StoriesThe Flash vol. 5 #64–65, Annual #2, Batman vol. 3 #64–65, Green Arrow vol. 6 #45, 48–50248
The Rebirth Deluxe Edition Book 1The Flash: Rebirth #1, #1–13336
The Rebirth Deluxe Edition Book 2The Flash vol. 5 #14–27244
The Rebirth Deluxe Edition Book 3The Flash vol. 5 #28–38, Annual #1, DC Universe Holiday Special #1264
The Rebirth Deluxe Edition Book 4The Flash vol. 5 #28–38352Canceled

The Flash vol. 6 (2023–present)

Title Material collected Pages Publication Date !ISBN
Paperback
1Strange AttractorThe Flash vol. 6 200July 9, 2024

Other collections

Title Material collected Pages Publication Date ISBN
Greatest Flash Stories Ever ToldFlash Comics #1, 66, 86, Comic Cavalcade #24, Showcase #4, The Flash vol. 1 #107, 113, 119, 124–125, 137, 143, 148, 179, DC Special Series #1, The Flash vol. 2 #2288Hardcover: Softcover: Hardcover: Softcover:
Flash: The Greatest Stories Ever ToldFlash Comics #86,104, The Flash vol. 1 #123,155,165,179, DC Special Series #11, The Flash Vol. 2 #91208
Flash: A Celebration of 75 YearsFlash Comics #1, 104, All-Flash #31, Showcase #4, The Flash vol. 1 #110, 123, 125, 174, 215, 233, 275, Superman #199, Crisis on Infinite Earths #8, The Flash vol. 2 #1, 0, 225, Secret Origins Annual #2, Flash: The Fastest Man Alive #1, Flash: Rebirth #1, Flashpoint #5, Flash vol. 3 #9472
The Flash: 80 Years of The Fastest Man Alive The Deluxe EditionFlash Comics #1, 89, 96, Showcase #4, The Flash vol. 1 #106, 110, 123, 155, 275, 300, The Flash vol. 2 #54, 91, 133, 182, The Flash vol. 4 #0, DC Holiday Special 2017 "Hope for the Holidays", The Flash Giant vol. 1 #2, previously unpublished story "The Flash: Strange Confession"400November 12, 2019
Flash Rogues: Captain ColdShowcase #8, The Flash vol. 1 #150, 297, The Flash vol. 2 #28, 182, Flashpoint: Citizen Cold #1, Flash vol. 3 #6, 17, and Flash Secret Files #3160
Flash Rogues: Reverse-FlashThe Flash vol. 1 #139, 283, The Flash vol. 2 #197, The Flash vol.3 #8, The Flash vol. 4 #23.2, The Flash vol. 5 #25, Batman vol. 3 #21, an entry from Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe #19168
Superman vs. The FlashSuperman #199, The Flash vol. 1 #175, World’s Finest Comics #198–199, DC Comics Presents #1–2208
Wonder Woman: The CheetahWonder Woman vol. 1 #6 and 274–275, Wonder Woman vol. 2 #9 and 214, The Flash vol. 2 #219, Justice League vol. 2 #13–14, Wonder Woman vol. 3 #23.1, Wonder Woman vol. 5 #8216
Justice League: Endless WinterJustice League: Endless Winter #1–2, The Flash vol. 1 #767, Superman: Endless Winter Special #1, Aquaman vol. 8 #66, Justice League vol. 4 #58, Teen Titans: Endless Winter Special #1, Justice League Dark vol. 2 #29, Black Adam: Endless Winter Special #1232Hardcover: Hardcover:
Life Story of the FlashOriginal Graphic Novel96Hardcover: Softcover: Hardcover: Softcover:
Flash & Green Lantern: The Brave and the BoldFlash and Green Lantern:The Brave and the Bold #1–6144Softcover: Deluxe Edition: Softcover: Deluxe Edition:
Flash: Mercury FallingImpulse #62–67144
Flash: Season ZeroFlash: Season Zero #1–12264

Notes and References

  1. The Flash #750 (May 2020)
  2. The Flash #768 (May 2021)
  3. Book: Irvine. Alex. Alexander C. Irvine. Dolan. Hannah, ed.. 1950s. DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. Dorling Kindersley. 2010. London, United Kingdom. 978-0-7566-6742-9 . 93. In March 1959, The Flash was back, care of writer John Broome and artist Carmine Infantino. The series continued the numbering from Flash Comics and gave Barry Allen his own title. Issue #105 also debuted the Mirror Master..
  4. Book: Daniels, Les. Les Daniels. DC Comics: Sixty Years of the World's Favorite Comic Book Heroes. Flashback The Return of the Super Hero. Bulfinch Press. 1995. New York, New York. 117. 0-8212-2076-4.
  5. Irvine "1950s" in Dolan, p. 94: "Two popular villains debuted in The Flash #106...'Menace of the Super-Gorilla' saw Barry Allen battle Gorilla Grodd...[and] in 'The Pied Piper of Peril', Hartley Rathaway...hired himself out to criminals as the Pied Piper and became Allen's nemesis."
  6. McAvennie, Michael "1960s" in Dolan, p. 101: "Writer John Broome and artist Carmine Infantino kept even the Flash off-balance when they introduced George 'Digger' Harkness and his hand-held rebounding weaponry."
  7. McAvennie "1960s" in Dolan, p. 105: "A failed stage magician from the 64th century, Abra Kadabra debuted in this story by writer John Broome and artist Carmine Infantino."
  8. McAvennie "1960s" in Dolan, p. 109: "This issue saw 25th-century criminal Eobard Thawne use his era's advanced science on an old Flash costume. The suit gave Thawne reverse super-speed."
  9. McAvennie "1960s" in Dolan, p. 100: "Editor Julius Schwartz, writer John Broome, and artist Carmine Infantino introduced the Elongated Man, a stretchable super-sleuth."
  10. McAvennie "1960s" in Dolan, p. 103: "This classic Silver Age story resurrected the Golden Age Flash and provided a foundation for the Multiverse from which he and the Silver Age Flash would hail."
  11. Fox, Gardner. Infantino, Carmine. Giella, Joe. Flash of Two Worlds!. The Flash.
    1. 123
    . September 1961.
  12. McAvennie "1960s" in Dolan, p. 119: "Barry Allen and iris West's wedding day...was [DC's] most anticipated...Writer John Broome and artist Carmine Infantino were the team behind the nuptials in the story 'One Bridegroom Too Many!'"
  13. Bridwell, E. Nelson. Andru, Ross. Esposito, Mike. The Race to the End of the Universe. The Flash .
    1. 175
    . December 1967.
  14. McAvennie "1960s" in Dolan, p. 130: "Trapped on 'Earth-Prime', the Flash knew only one man could possibly help him: DC Comics editor Julius Schwartz."
  15. Bates, Cary. Novick, Irv. Blaisdell, Tex. The Day I Saved the Life of the Flash. The Flash.
    1. 228
    . July–August 1974.
  16. Greenberger. Robert. Robert Greenberger. Green Lantern The Emerald Backups. Back Issue!. 64. 3–9. TwoMorrows Publishing. May 2013. Raleigh, North Carolina.
  17. McAvennie "1970s" in Dolan, p. 182: "Life for the Fastest Man Alive screeched to a halt after writer Cary Bates and artist Alex Saviuk played 'The Last Dance' for the Flash's wife, Iris West Allen."
  18. Book: Coates, John. Don Heck: A Work of Art. TwoMorrows Publishing. 2014. Raleigh, North Carolina. 92. 978-1605490588.
  19. Weiss. Brett. The Flash #300. Back Issue!. 69. 58–60. TwoMorrows Publishing. December 2013. Raleigh, North Carolina.
  20. Riley. Shannon E.. A Matter of (Dr.) Fate Martin Pasko and Keith Giffen Discuss Their Magical Flash Backup Series. Back Issue!. 64. 64–68. TwoMorrows Publishing. May 2013. Raleigh, North Carolina.
  21. Manning, Matthew K. "1980s" in Dolan, p. 203: "Written by Cary Bates, with art by Flash legend Carmine Infantino, the story saw...[the Flash] accidentally break the Reverse-Flash's neck."
  22. Book: Bates, Cary. Showcase Presents: Trial of the Flash. DC Comics. 2011. 592. 978-1-4012-3182-8.
  23. Wolfman, Marv. Pérez, George. Ordway, Jerry. Final Crisis. Crisis on Infinite Earths.
    1. 12
    . March 1986.
  24. Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 228: "Written by Mike Baron, with art by Jackson Guice, the Flash's new adventures began with his twentieth birthday party."
  25. Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 265: "The brainchild of writer Mark Waid and artist Mike Wieringo, Impulse burst onto the scene at quite a pace. Young Bart Allen, the grandson of the Silver Age Flash, Barry Allen, was raised in a future timeline."
  26. Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 285: "Wally West was going to marry his longtime love interest Linda Park...thanks to writers Mark Waid and Brian Augustyn, and artist Pop Mhan."
  27. Johns, Geoff. Unzueta, Angel. Hazlewood, Doug. Lightning in a Bottle. The Flash. 2.
    1. 164
    . September 2000.
  28. Johns, Geoff. Snejbjerg, Peter. Snejbjerg, Peter. Rogue Profile: Heat Wave. The Flash. 2.
    1. 218
    . March 2005.
  29. Johns, Geoff. Kolins, Scott. Hazlewood, Doug. Rogue Profile: Zoom. The Flash. 2.
    1. 197
    . June 2003.
  30. Guggenheim, Marc. Daniel, Tony. Glapion, Jonathan
    Alquiza, Marlo; Daniel, Tony
    . Full Throttle: Conclusion. The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive.
    1. 13
    . August 2007.
  31. Burnett, Alan. Barberi, Carlo
    Calafiore, Jim; Coelho, Andre
    . Eguren, Jacob
    Geraci, Drew; Coelho, Andre
    . This Was Your Life, Wally West, Part Four: Incubation. The Flash. 2.
    1. 247
    . February 2009.
  32. Morrison, Grant. Jones, J. G.. Jones, J. G.. Ticket to Bludhaven. Final Crisis.
    1. 2
    . August 2008.
  33. Cowsill, Alan "2000s" in Dolan, p. 337: "Writer Geoff Johns and artist Ethan Van Sciver...joined forces again to relaunch Barry Allen as the Flash."
  34. John, Geoff. Van Sciver, Ethan. Van Sciver, Ethan. Lightning Strikes Twice. . 1. June 2009.
  35. Johns, Geoff. Kolins, Scott. Kolins, Scott. This is the Flash. Blackest Night: The Flash.
    1. 1
    . February 2010.
  36. Web site: The Dastardly Death of the Rogues!. Alex. Segura. September 8, 2009. The Source. DC Comics. https://web.archive.org/web/20120502163759/http://www.dccomics.com/blog/2009/09/08/the-dastardly-death-of-the-rogues. May 2, 2012. live. September 22, 2012. Writer Geoff Johns would be writing a new ongoing Flash series? One thing we didn't mention was the name of his artistic collaborator. Johns will be teaming up with none other than superstar artist Francis Manapul to chronicle the adventures of the Scarlet Speedster next year..
  37. Web site: DCU in 2010: More on Brightest Day: The Flash. Alex. Segura. January 11, 2010. The Source. DC Comics. https://web.archive.org/web/20130507082300/http://www.dccomics.com/blog/2010/01/11/dcu-in-2010-more-on-brightest-day-the-flash. May 7, 2013. live. September 22, 2012.
  38. Web site: The Flash speeds into a big breakout year in 2014. Brian. Truitt. January 13, 2014. USA Today. https://web.archive.org/web/20160403015441/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2014/01/13/the-flash-comic-book-series-tv/4357593/. April 3, 2016. live.
  39. The Flash #768 (March 16, 2021)
  40. The Flash #783-785 (August – October 2022)
  41. Web site: Comments . Rich Johnston . 2023-03-10 . Si Spurrier & Mike Deodato Relaunch The Flash #1 For Dawn Of DC . 2023-03-10 . Bleeding Cool News And Rumors . en.
  42. Web site: The Flash Archives Volume 1. 9 March 2012. DC Comics. https://web.archive.org/web/20151126224430/http://www.dccomics.com/graphic-novels/the-flash-archives-vol-1. November 26, 2015. live. December 6, 2015.
  43. Web site: The Flash Archives Volume 2. 9 March 2012. DC Comics. https://web.archive.org/web/20151126225943/http://www.dccomics.com/graphic-novels/the-flash-archives-vol-2. November 26, 2015. live. December 6, 2015.
  44. Web site: The Flash Archives Volume 3. 9 March 2012. DC Comics. https://web.archive.org/web/20151106155731/http://www.dccomics.com/graphic-novels/the-flash-archives-vol-3. November 6, 2015. live. December 6, 2015.
  45. Web site: The Flash Archives Volume 4. 9 March 2012. DC Comics. https://web.archive.org/web/20151106151153/http://www.dccomics.com/graphic-novels/the-flash-archives-vol-4. November 6, 2015. live. December 6, 2015.
  46. Web site: The Flash Archives Volume 5. 9 March 2012. DC Comics. https://web.archive.org/web/20151106180026/http://www.dccomics.com/graphic-novels/the-flash-archives-vol-5. November 6, 2015. live. December 6, 2015.
  47. Web site: The Flash Archives Volume 6. 9 March 2012. DC Comics. https://web.archive.org/web/20130824092404/http://www.dccomics.com/graphic-novels/the-flash-archives-vol-6. August 24, 2013. live. December 6, 2015.
  48. Web site: The Flash Chronicles Volume 1. 9 March 2012. DC Comics. https://web.archive.org/web/20151106191706/http://www.dccomics.com/graphic-novels/the-flash-chronicles-vol-1. November 6, 2015. live. December 6, 2015.
  49. Web site: The Flash Chronicles Volume 2. 9 March 2012. DC Comics. https://web.archive.org/web/20151106162820/http://www.dccomics.com/graphic-novels/the-flash-chronicles-vol-2. November 6, 2015. live. December 6, 2015.
  50. Web site: The Flash Chronicles Volume 3. 9 April 2012. DC Comics. https://web.archive.org/web/20151113111043/http://www.dccomics.com/graphic-novels/the-flash-chronicles-vol-3. November 13, 2015. live. December 6, 2015.
  51. Web site: The Flash Chronicles Volume 4. 10 December 2012. DC Comics. https://web.archive.org/web/20151111222518/http://www.dccomics.com/graphic-novels/the-flash-chronicles-vol-4. November 11, 2015. live. December 6, 2015.
  52. Web site: Showcase Presents: The Flash Volume 1. 9 March 2012. DC Comics. https://web.archive.org/web/20150916200645/http://www.dccomics.com/graphic-novels/showcase-presents-the-flash-vol-1. September 16, 2015. live. December 6, 2015.
  53. Web site: Showcase Presents: The Flash Volume 2. 9 March 2012. DC Comics. https://web.archive.org/web/20151126092834/http://www.dccomics.com/graphic-novels/showcase-presents-the-flash-vol-2. November 26, 2015. live. December 6, 2015.
  54. Web site: Showcase Presents: The Flash Volume 3. 9 March 2012. DC Comics. https://web.archive.org/web/20150916203716/http://www.dccomics.com/graphic-novels/showcase-presents-the-flash-vol-3. September 16, 2015. live. December 6, 2015.
  55. Web site: Showcase Presents: The Flash Volume 4. 11 June 2012. DC Comics. https://web.archive.org/web/20151113041825/http://www.dccomics.com/graphic-novels/showcase-presents-the-flash-vol-4. November 13, 2015. live. December 6, 2015.
  56. Web site: Showcase Presents: The Trial of The Flash. 9 March 2012. DC Comics. https://web.archive.org/web/20151122030301/http://www.dccomics.com/graphic-novels/showcase-presents-the-trial-of-the-flash. November 22, 2015. live. December 6, 2015.
  57. Web site: The Flash Omnibus Volume 1. 22 April 2014 . DC Comics. https://web.archive.org/web/20151126231506/http://www.dccomics.com/graphic-novels/the-flash-omnibus-vol-1. November 26, 2015. live. December 6, 2015.
  58. Web site: The Flash: Born to Run. DC Comics. https://web.archive.org/web/20141105122515/http://www.dccomics.com/graphic-novels/the-flash-born-to-run. November 5, 2014. live. December 6, 2015.
  59. Web site: The Flash: Emergency Stop. DC Comics. https://web.archive.org/web/20150910204409/http://www.dccomics.com/graphic-novels/the-flash-emergency-stop. September 10, 2015. live. December 6, 2015.
  60. Web site: The Flash: The Human Race. 9 March 2012. DC Comics. https://web.archive.org/web/20151003062627/http://www.dccomics.com/graphic-novels/flash-the-human-race. October 3, 2015. live. December 6, 2015.
  61. Web site: The Flash: Wonderland. 9 March 2012. DC Comics. https://web.archive.org/web/20151117085143/http://www.dccomics.com/graphic-novels/the-flash-wonderland. November 17, 2015. live. December 6, 2015.
  62. Web site: The Flash: Blood Will Run. 9 March 2012. DC Comics. https://web.archive.org/web/20151117082117/http://www.dccomics.com/graphic-novels/the-flash-blood-will-run. November 17, 2015. live. December 6, 2015.
  63. Web site: The Flash: Rogues. 9 March 2012. DC Comics. https://web.archive.org/web/20151122111311/http://www.dccomics.com/graphic-novels/the-flash-rogues. November 22, 2015. live. December 6, 2015.
  64. Web site: The Flash Omnibus by Geoff Johns Volume 1. 9 March 2012. DC Comics. https://web.archive.org/web/20151113112628/http://www.dccomics.com/graphic-novels/the-flash-omnibus. November 13, 2015. live. December 6, 2015.
  65. Web site: The Flash Omnibus by Geoff Johns Volume 2. 9 March 2012. DC Comics. https://web.archive.org/web/20121016232105/http://www.dccomics.com/graphic-novels/the-flash-by-geoff-johns-omnibus-vol-2. October 16, 2012. live. December 6, 2015.
  66. Web site: The Flash Omnibus by Geoff Johns Volume 3. 12 March 2012. DC Comics. https://web.archive.org/web/20151113114140/http://www.dccomics.com/graphic-novels/the-flash-omnibus-by-geoff-johns-vol-3. November 13, 2015. live. December 6, 2015.