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The Flash (1987) (Single Issues) #177-200
Flash Omnibus By Geoff Johns HC Vol 2
It's the second hardcover volume collecting all the issues of THE FLASH written by comics superstar Geoff Johns! In this massive collection featuring issues #177-200 and DC FLASH/SUPERMAN #1, a
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First published April 3, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 19, 2015
This was massive!
In case you didn't realize this, comics can get especially unwieldy once they hit a certain size. And anytime it physically hurts to lug a book around, I get nervous. Luckily, I have two very sweet boys who always offered to carry my bag to and from the pool, so that I didn't throw my shoulder out lugging that thing back and forth. Bless their little hearts!
Their mamma must have raised them right...just sayin'.
Whoops! Hang on while I pat myself on the back for a bit.
Ok, I've returned, feel free to applaud.
Now, I enjoyed volume 1 of this omnibus collection, but it was pretty much a fluffy volume of stories. This one has quite a bit more meat on the bone. That's not to say that this is a gritty or dark, but there were moments, especially at the end, that made me feel like I'd been punched in the gut!
One of my favorite storylines from this one was the stuff with Gorilla Grodd.
Jesbus! That is such a scary-ass monkey!
Unlike a lot of Flash's Rogues, Grodd has no redeeming qualities. And when he shows up on the scene, he wreaks total havoc and leaves nothing but destruction in his wake. Including, but not limited to, totally destroying one of Wally's close friends.
Which leads us to the grand finale storyline!
I was totally into this behemoth for the whole time I was reading, but Grodd & Reverse Flash (or Zoom, if you prefer) kicked this sucker up about 20 notches! I was literallynot literally glued to the pages during their stories!
And the ENDING!
Yeah, I did not see that coming. I still don't know how to feel!
Recommended!
In case you didn't realize this, comics can get especially unwieldy once they hit a certain size. And anytime it physically hurts to lug a book around, I get nervous. Luckily, I have two very sweet boys who always offered to carry my bag to and from the pool, so that I didn't throw my shoulder out lugging that thing back and forth. Bless their little hearts!
Their mamma must have raised them right...just sayin'.
Whoops! Hang on while I pat myself on the back for a bit.
Ok, I've returned, feel free to applaud.
Now, I enjoyed volume 1 of this omnibus collection, but it was pretty much a fluffy volume of stories. This one has quite a bit more meat on the bone. That's not to say that this is a gritty or dark, but there were moments, especially at the end, that made me feel like I'd been punched in the gut!
One of my favorite storylines from this one was the stuff with Gorilla Grodd.
Jesbus! That is such a scary-ass monkey!
Unlike a lot of Flash's Rogues, Grodd has no redeeming qualities. And when he shows up on the scene, he wreaks total havoc and leaves nothing but destruction in his wake. Including, but not limited to, totally destroying one of Wally's close friends.
Which leads us to the grand finale storyline!
I was totally into this behemoth for the whole time I was reading, but Grodd & Reverse Flash (or Zoom, if you prefer) kicked this sucker up about 20 notches! I was literally
And the ENDING!
Yeah, I did not see that coming. I still don't know how to feel!
Recommended!
February 5, 2014
This wrist-strainer continues Geoff Johns' very good run on Flash, very nicely bringing together a lot of the threads introduced in the first volume. Aside from some quick one-shot adventures here and there, there are two main stories in this one-- in one, the Rogues have gathered together under the leadership of Blacksmith to lay the smack-down on Wally, but things are complicated by the simultaneous attack by The Thinker. Wally has to deal with both threats at once to save both Keystone City and Central City. The second big story is darker-- Rogue profiler Zolomon Hunter is transformed into Zoom, a sort of "anti-Flash", bent on destroying Flash's life in order to make him a "better hero". The whole thing ends on a bit of a down note that leads into volume three.
There are many things I like about Johns' take on Flash. In many ways, Wally West is the classic super hero, a centered and mentally healthy young man always intent on doing the right thing and being the best he can be. That's pretty refreshing in this age of angsty men in tights. But sometimes Johns' likes to hit us over the head with it; Wally is forever going on about how he's just a working class fella, a "blue collar super hero", and after a while it becomes groan-inducing. But the events always unfold at a lightning fast pace (as befitting Flash, I guess) and Johns really knows how to keep us interested in the Rogues and all the supporting characters.
Scott Kolins' art is a huge selling point here. It's hyper-detailed (maybe even a little too busy, if you wanted to be critical about it) and he draws Flash in a really dynamic and appealing way.
Not ground-breaking or surprising, but solid super hero fare.
There are many things I like about Johns' take on Flash. In many ways, Wally West is the classic super hero, a centered and mentally healthy young man always intent on doing the right thing and being the best he can be. That's pretty refreshing in this age of angsty men in tights. But sometimes Johns' likes to hit us over the head with it; Wally is forever going on about how he's just a working class fella, a "blue collar super hero", and after a while it becomes groan-inducing. But the events always unfold at a lightning fast pace (as befitting Flash, I guess) and Johns really knows how to keep us interested in the Rogues and all the supporting characters.
Scott Kolins' art is a huge selling point here. It's hyper-detailed (maybe even a little too busy, if you wanted to be critical about it) and he draws Flash in a really dynamic and appealing way.
Not ground-breaking or surprising, but solid super hero fare.
May 17, 2021
Unfortunately, I just don't think Geoff Johns is for me. At least not his early stuff. Having now powered through his JSA, Hawkman, Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. and now The Flash, I think I can easily make the call that his style is not for me. I'm giving up on reading any of his other stuff, except Green Lantern, which I know is widely adored. I've just reached a point where reading this feels like a chore, and it's simply too long for me to keep that up. Life's too short, y'all!
Johns' earlier stuff is just exceedingly mediocre. The storylines are repetitive and tepid, never seeming to want to upset the status quo or try anything new. The villains are just maniacs who want to take over a city or kill Flash or whatever. There's no depth of character, or building arc or storyline, or creativity in terms of the approach to these very silly, borderline comedic characters (that are never played for laughs). These are just, plain and simple, comic books. Not particularly good, not particularly bad. I personally zone out reading them, but I'm just some guy on the Internet. In any case, I gave it a valiant effort in my attempt to see what all the fuss was about, but unfortunately I still have not decoded the fuss. Oh well! To each his own!
Johns' earlier stuff is just exceedingly mediocre. The storylines are repetitive and tepid, never seeming to want to upset the status quo or try anything new. The villains are just maniacs who want to take over a city or kill Flash or whatever. There's no depth of character, or building arc or storyline, or creativity in terms of the approach to these very silly, borderline comedic characters (that are never played for laughs). These are just, plain and simple, comic books. Not particularly good, not particularly bad. I personally zone out reading them, but I'm just some guy on the Internet. In any case, I gave it a valiant effort in my attempt to see what all the fuss was about, but unfortunately I still have not decoded the fuss. Oh well! To each his own!
September 27, 2012
So as you can see I started this a long time ago. I didn't have time to finish it before I went to Spain so I took it out again when I came back, of course while I remembered most of what I had read I could not figure out where I was when I left so I ended up starting all over again.
I only knew the basics when I started reading this volume of the Flash. It did take me a little while to stort out all of the family members and friends, but once I got the hang of everything I have to stay that I really enjoyed this book. The Flash is a great character. The extended Flash family and their dynamic is interesting and so are a number of the rogues. I have already requested the next volume b/c I can't wait to see where this story is going.
I only knew the basics when I started reading this volume of the Flash. It did take me a little while to stort out all of the family members and friends, but once I got the hang of everything I have to stay that I really enjoyed this book. The Flash is a great character. The extended Flash family and their dynamic is interesting and so are a number of the rogues. I have already requested the next volume b/c I can't wait to see where this story is going.
August 7, 2018
I didn't particularly like the first omnibus of Flash by Geoff Johns so I waited a few years before tackling this second one. I was a lot more entertained by this one. I think a lot of that had to do with Scott Kolins and his art. He was a wonderful fit for Flash. Very "clean" art (which I call cartoon-y) in the sense that there is less lines and shadows. What we still get is very complex art but one that fit perfectly with the tone of the book. I have never been as big a Johns fan as other comic book readers seem to be. I recognize his strengths at developing characters and dramatic storylines - I just don't think those characters and storylines are particularly interesting. They pay homage to the history of the character and his supporting characters but aren't exceptionally clever, especially in terms of how the hero resolves the challenges. In this omnibus those weaknesses are masked by some great art and very fast moving stories. The pace is fast enough we're on to another adventure before we can over analyze the weaknesses in the last adventure. Oh...this omnibus ends on a weird cliffhanger that conjures up comparisons Spider-man's Brand New Day (but this series did it first). Oh..oh! I was interested to see how the TV series Flash "borrowed" some ideas from the Reverse Flash story in this volume. The villain pushing Flash to be better.
Having read the Morrison Flash collection I have to say I preferred that one BUT I would still recommend this collection to Flash fans. It is fun and the art is great.
Having read the Morrison Flash collection I have to say I preferred that one BUT I would still recommend this collection to Flash fans. It is fun and the art is great.
March 8, 2021
If the second omnibus volume of Geoff Johns’ time on the flash proves anything, it’s this; Wally West is the best Flash, and has the best relationships with his villains.
This volume was so dang compelling, and occasionally legitimately gut-wrenching. I found volume one a little slow at times (ironic) but this one fires on all cylinders and doesn’t let up, delving into Wally’s sometimes strained relationships with the other heroes of the DC Universe, and going up against the Rogues in events that shake his convictions to the core.
Zoom. Just. Zoom. Zoom, may be the best incarnation of the Reverse Flash, he is certainly the most personal. He is twisted, deranged and fun as all hell to read.
The art team on this book is consistently great, and Geoff Johns is Geoff Johns....so you know you’re being guided through this chapter in the Flash’s life by one of the most capable writers of super-heroic blockbusters that still bring the drama.
Can hardly wait for the reprint of Vol. 3
This volume was so dang compelling, and occasionally legitimately gut-wrenching. I found volume one a little slow at times (ironic) but this one fires on all cylinders and doesn’t let up, delving into Wally’s sometimes strained relationships with the other heroes of the DC Universe, and going up against the Rogues in events that shake his convictions to the core.
Zoom. Just. Zoom. Zoom, may be the best incarnation of the Reverse Flash, he is certainly the most personal. He is twisted, deranged and fun as all hell to read.
The art team on this book is consistently great, and Geoff Johns is Geoff Johns....so you know you’re being guided through this chapter in the Flash’s life by one of the most capable writers of super-heroic blockbusters that still bring the drama.
Can hardly wait for the reprint of Vol. 3
November 26, 2020
Geoff Johns legendary run on The Flash continues and probably hits its high point. The Crossfire arc and then Blitz were fantastic. Johns' handling of the Rogues has always been done well and its showcased here. Scott Kollins art was very good and I'll always remember him as "my Flash artist". My only issues with this book were the muted colors that weren't dynamic enough for a Flash book. Also, I think the book would have been better served with a slower pace. These issues were all tremendously quick reads. Overall, a very good read that I think would be a great book for new Flash readers.
December 2, 2019
This omnibus represents modern super hero comics at their best. There is a shocking amount of plot, character development and social commentary crammed into each sparse issue of this collection and Scott Kollins artwork is simple, bright and perfect.
August 9, 2021
This one stepped it up a notch. More i looking stories about his villains gallery as well as a new take on a classic Flash Villain. The Reverse Flash aka Professor Zoom!
December 10, 2012
I have always been a Geoff Johns fan and it was his comics that really got me into the DC side of comics. But for some reason I never read his Flash run where he really broke out as a popular writer. This was just some decent superhero stuff for most of the book. The Gorilla Grodd arc was fun, but the real highlight was the debut arc of the new Reverse-Flash, Zoom. I read some other Johns comic with him and I always like the character. So it was great seeing his origin finally. I am excited for Volume 3 as I expect it will only get better.
Read
April 25, 2015Compared to the first Mirror arc from Geoff Johns, this set of issues is a big improvement. Actually very enjoyable stuff, I love the variety of villains in the Rogues and all the backstories. I also really enjoyed the way the Flash interacted with them. Art was great and very enjoyable.
March 5, 2013
This second omnibus actually had a solid story line, unforgettable moments and made me sad.
10x better than the first volume.
10x better than the first volume.
January 8, 2016
That was soul-crushing.
November 15, 2014
One of those books you wish you could give a sixth star.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews