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The Flash (2016)
The Flash, Vol. 1: Lightning Strikes Twice
Part of the most critically acclaimed, best-selling, all-new line of volume one graphic novels, DC Universe Rebirth!
His name is Barry Allen, and he’s the Fastest Man Alive. But he’s also so much more.
As he learns more about the Speed Force that fuels his incredible powers, the Flash is also discovering secrets about his past beyond anything he’d ever dreamed-how he created a Flashpoint that changed history and helped create a new world, watched over by forces unknown.
And when the same Speed Force that flows through him is unleashed all over Central City, striking cops, criminals and ordinary civilians alike, it’s up to the Flash to train this new wave of speedsters to use their amazing abilities wisely.
But while some may become his partners in crime-fighting-forming a true “Speed Force”-others will use their godlike powers for a more sinister purpose. And the Flash is about to learn that there’s some evil even he can’t outrun…
The race is on as writer Joshua Williamson (DEATHSTROKE) and artist Carmine di Giandomenico (All New X-Factor) present THE FLASH VOL. 1: LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE-the starting line of a bold new era for the Scarlet Speedster, bursting from the blockbuster DC Universe Rebirth event! Collects THE FLASH: REBIRTH #1 and THE FLASH #1-8.
His name is Barry Allen, and he’s the Fastest Man Alive. But he’s also so much more.
As he learns more about the Speed Force that fuels his incredible powers, the Flash is also discovering secrets about his past beyond anything he’d ever dreamed-how he created a Flashpoint that changed history and helped create a new world, watched over by forces unknown.
And when the same Speed Force that flows through him is unleashed all over Central City, striking cops, criminals and ordinary civilians alike, it’s up to the Flash to train this new wave of speedsters to use their amazing abilities wisely.
But while some may become his partners in crime-fighting-forming a true “Speed Force”-others will use their godlike powers for a more sinister purpose. And the Flash is about to learn that there’s some evil even he can’t outrun…
The race is on as writer Joshua Williamson (DEATHSTROKE) and artist Carmine di Giandomenico (All New X-Factor) present THE FLASH VOL. 1: LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE-the starting line of a bold new era for the Scarlet Speedster, bursting from the blockbuster DC Universe Rebirth event! Collects THE FLASH: REBIRTH #1 and THE FLASH #1-8.
207 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 24, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 338 reviews
June 17, 2017
This one was a bigger win for me than I thought it would be!
Rebirth hasn't been as awesome as I had hoped, but the new Flash title really held my interest. I'd already read (and liked) the Rebirth issue that kicked it all off, but I didn't know if Williamson could keep up the momentum.
Turns out, he could! At least in my opinion.
Flash's rogues are pretty important to his overall storyline, so the introduction of the brand new Godspeed (<--what fucking cool name, right?!) was the best part of this volume for me!
The assload of new Speedsters scared the shit out of me at first, but I like the way it all resolved itself at the end. Wally (the new one) was awesome, and I'm looking forward to Barry having a teenage sidekick again! And Flash's new love interest (while still not Iris) was far cooler than Patty. *gags*
Was it perfect? No.
This was so goddamn stupid my eyes rolled out of my head...
But, overall, I did enjoy reading this quite a bit.
Recommended for Flash fans!
Rebirth hasn't been as awesome as I had hoped, but the new Flash title really held my interest. I'd already read (and liked) the Rebirth issue that kicked it all off, but I didn't know if Williamson could keep up the momentum.
Turns out, he could! At least in my opinion.
Flash's rogues are pretty important to his overall storyline, so the introduction of the brand new Godspeed (<--what fucking cool name, right?!) was the best part of this volume for me!
The assload of new Speedsters scared the shit out of me at first, but I like the way it all resolved itself at the end. Wally (the new one) was awesome, and I'm looking forward to Barry having a teenage sidekick again! And Flash's new love interest (while still not Iris) was far cooler than Patty. *gags*
Was it perfect? No.
This was so goddamn stupid my eyes rolled out of my head...
But, overall, I did enjoy reading this quite a bit.
Recommended for Flash fans!
February 6, 2017
Honestly, I don’t think Flash is for me – I simply cannot see what it is that some people love about this character. He runs fast, yellow lightning surrounds him, I fall asleep – it’s the same with every Flash book whoever the writer is! Flash is one of the blandest superheroes ever created and, six decades later, he’s still chasing after a personality!
Flash Rebirth starts by recounting two of the biggest reveals from DC Universe Rebirth #1 – SPOILSIES if you haven’t read it – with Flash reunited with white Wally West – an emotional reunion apparently but I’ve been more emotional looking at a stapler – and he and Batman stare at the Comedian’s Smiley Face badge with Batman saying they should probably investigate it. Will this book explore either storyline any further? Nope! White Wally West’s return is covered in Teen Titans Rebirth and the Batman/Flash/Watchmen investigation will be a miniseries called The Button out later this year. (I say “white” Wally West because New 52 black Wally West is also in this book. So there’s now two Wally Wests in this world. Shrug.)
What we get in this book instead is a lorra nothing! Woohoo…. It literally takes 50 pages before something happens. Random folk are getting hit with Speed Force lightning, turning them into Speedsters. Except one of them, Godspeed, is a bit of a tosser, killing new Speedsters for their Speed Force because he wants their power zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz………. Let’s say speed a few more times because I haven’t said it enough already. Speed, speed, speed. Flash is so speeding dull.
At 180 pages, this book is the longest Rebirth volume I’ve read so far while also annoyingly having the least going on. Barry teaches the new Speedsters how to use the Speed Force, he fights Godspeed, and that’s basically it. Not that that stops writer Joshua Williamson from loading up the pages with dreary narration and unexciting dialogue that reads like wading through mud. Ironically for a book about the fastest man alive it has an agonisingly slow-moving story. Godspeed’s a weak and unoriginal Flash villain too – he’s just another evil Speedster like Reverse-Flash, Zoom, Fast Bastard, Savitar, and Speed Demon (I made one of them up).
Carmine Di Giandomenico’s art was quite good. Appropriately for the character, he draws motion well and the fight scenes between Flash and Godspeed were pretty damn spectacular, very… flashy (yukyukyuk)! Sometimes the panels were laid out quite imaginatively too to emphasise the character’s speed.
I suppose this is an ok introductory book for new readers. You find out who the Flash/Barry is, you get a strong understanding of his powers and a bit of his complex history too - whether you’ll want to read more of him after all that though is another matter! The scenes where Flash is teaching the new Speedsters to use their newfound abilities were surprisingly decent too, particularly when he showed the teen Speedster how to be grounded; mostly though this was a really tedious, frustratingly long-winded and very uninteresting read.
I’m probably not going to bother with Flash comics anymore regardless of people insisting that this latest one is really good, not like the others; I just end up wanting to blow my brains out from boredom well before I get to the end. This one’s only gonna appeal to that unfathomable sub-set of comics readers, Flash fans.
SPEED!
Flash Rebirth starts by recounting two of the biggest reveals from DC Universe Rebirth #1 – SPOILSIES if you haven’t read it – with Flash reunited with white Wally West – an emotional reunion apparently but I’ve been more emotional looking at a stapler – and he and Batman stare at the Comedian’s Smiley Face badge with Batman saying they should probably investigate it. Will this book explore either storyline any further? Nope! White Wally West’s return is covered in Teen Titans Rebirth and the Batman/Flash/Watchmen investigation will be a miniseries called The Button out later this year. (I say “white” Wally West because New 52 black Wally West is also in this book. So there’s now two Wally Wests in this world. Shrug.)
What we get in this book instead is a lorra nothing! Woohoo…. It literally takes 50 pages before something happens. Random folk are getting hit with Speed Force lightning, turning them into Speedsters. Except one of them, Godspeed, is a bit of a tosser, killing new Speedsters for their Speed Force because he wants their power zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz………. Let’s say speed a few more times because I haven’t said it enough already. Speed, speed, speed. Flash is so speeding dull.
At 180 pages, this book is the longest Rebirth volume I’ve read so far while also annoyingly having the least going on. Barry teaches the new Speedsters how to use the Speed Force, he fights Godspeed, and that’s basically it. Not that that stops writer Joshua Williamson from loading up the pages with dreary narration and unexciting dialogue that reads like wading through mud. Ironically for a book about the fastest man alive it has an agonisingly slow-moving story. Godspeed’s a weak and unoriginal Flash villain too – he’s just another evil Speedster like Reverse-Flash, Zoom, Fast Bastard, Savitar, and Speed Demon (I made one of them up).
Carmine Di Giandomenico’s art was quite good. Appropriately for the character, he draws motion well and the fight scenes between Flash and Godspeed were pretty damn spectacular, very… flashy (yukyukyuk)! Sometimes the panels were laid out quite imaginatively too to emphasise the character’s speed.
I suppose this is an ok introductory book for new readers. You find out who the Flash/Barry is, you get a strong understanding of his powers and a bit of his complex history too - whether you’ll want to read more of him after all that though is another matter! The scenes where Flash is teaching the new Speedsters to use their newfound abilities were surprisingly decent too, particularly when he showed the teen Speedster how to be grounded; mostly though this was a really tedious, frustratingly long-winded and very uninteresting read.
I’m probably not going to bother with Flash comics anymore regardless of people insisting that this latest one is really good, not like the others; I just end up wanting to blow my brains out from boredom well before I get to the end. This one’s only gonna appeal to that unfathomable sub-set of comics readers, Flash fans.
SPEED!
March 8, 2018
This was pure awesomeness!!
I really enjoyed reading this graphic novel.
Before I got my hands on a digital copy, I knew nothing about Flesh, his story and his mission, and even though this is not the first Flesh novel ever, I had no problem catching up on everything.
I had a great time while reading and would recommend it to everyone who enjoys superhero stories.
Now I just can't wait for the movie to come out (with my gorgeous Ezra MIller as Flesh)!
I really enjoyed reading this graphic novel.
Before I got my hands on a digital copy, I knew nothing about Flesh, his story and his mission, and even though this is not the first Flesh novel ever, I had no problem catching up on everything.
I had a great time while reading and would recommend it to everyone who enjoys superhero stories.
Now I just can't wait for the movie to come out (with my gorgeous Ezra MIller as Flesh)!
July 22, 2018
The art and coloring were fantastic. Di Giandominico does a bang up job of drawing speedsters. And while the coloring in the Rebirth issue was iffy looking, in the rest of the issues the coloring melded perfectly with the art.
I liked the general premise of the story. What happens when a bunch of normal people get super-speed? Some will abuse those powers while others wouldn't even want them in the first place. It allows us to see a nice cross-section of humanity. I also liked seeing Barry get a partner. It opens up a lot of possibilities. August's portrayal with him constantly wanting to take the law into his own hands really bugged me. The dude's a cop. I feel he'd want to follow proper procedure to make sure he gets justice for his brother's murder.
I'd love to see Barry bring in more of his forensic work to his crime fighting. After all he is a detective. Let's see him follow the evidence as he tracks down supervillains.
I do feel having 2 Wally West's is going to get confusing really quick, especially when one of them is also going by The Flash. Someone needs to start going by a nickname quickly. All in all a good start after Venditti and Jensen's subpar run.
Received an advance copy from DC and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I liked the general premise of the story. What happens when a bunch of normal people get super-speed? Some will abuse those powers while others wouldn't even want them in the first place. It allows us to see a nice cross-section of humanity. I also liked seeing Barry get a partner. It opens up a lot of possibilities. August's portrayal with him constantly wanting to take the law into his own hands really bugged me. The dude's a cop. I feel he'd want to follow proper procedure to make sure he gets justice for his brother's murder.
I'd love to see Barry bring in more of his forensic work to his crime fighting. After all he is a detective. Let's see him follow the evidence as he tracks down supervillains.
I do feel having 2 Wally West's is going to get confusing really quick, especially when one of them is also going by The Flash. Someone needs to start going by a nickname quickly. All in all a good start after Venditti and Jensen's subpar run.
Received an advance copy from DC and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 2, 2021
This one was so good!
Barry must deal with his new friend August Heart becoming a speedster but before the reunion with Wally after Rebirth one shot and from there we have him training his friend and a whole lotta other speedsters including Meena and Avery but when a new villain Godspeed comes in and starts taking out people or their speed, Barry must find a way to stop this monstrosity named Godspeed and discover his origins and real identity and his connected to Barry but what he finds will change his world and an epic confrontation! Also enter Kid Flash!
Its an epic volume and I remember reading it in single issues and now reading it in trade its so much better and like makes for a great read and I love the way Williamson writes this new villain showing him to be lethal and also not giving Barry any respite and his motivations are so well fleshed out plus the arc with Meena was well done and certain hints given too. Plus the art makes it look all the better now.
Barry must deal with his new friend August Heart becoming a speedster but before the reunion with Wally after Rebirth one shot and from there we have him training his friend and a whole lotta other speedsters including Meena and Avery but when a new villain Godspeed comes in and starts taking out people or their speed, Barry must find a way to stop this monstrosity named Godspeed and discover his origins and real identity and his connected to Barry but what he finds will change his world and an epic confrontation! Also enter Kid Flash!
Its an epic volume and I remember reading it in single issues and now reading it in trade its so much better and like makes for a great read and I love the way Williamson writes this new villain showing him to be lethal and also not giving Barry any respite and his motivations are so well fleshed out plus the arc with Meena was well done and certain hints given too. Plus the art makes it look all the better now.
January 7, 2017
You know what? I ended up really enjoying this. Kudos to Joshua for giving us a REAL Barry. Sorry but the New52 Barry wasn't cutting it.
So the first 8 issues are all about tons of Speedsters coming into play. You got kids, adults, old people all getting struck by lighting and become speedsters just like Barry. The difference? They don't know how to use it.
It all starts with Barry's friend getting his, and it's cool to see Barry have a partner helping him out. It's like Kid Flash, but not a kid, a grown adult. Yet as the story progresses some big revelations happen.
I will be honest the twist I didn't love. Very easy to see coming, I felt they could have grown that character out more. Also the name Godspeed felt a little iffy to me. I hated it to be honest. I mean it's superheroes so sometimes names don't work, that was one of em.
The goods really come from great cast of characters. Everyone has fun dialog and I enjoyed that. The art, while sketchy, is still pretty damn good. Like every speedster looking Super Saiyan 2 with the lighting around them. The ending was solid and made me want more for the future. Oh, did I mention Barry is back to being a actual fun character? Yep!
Overall this is a real solid start. I'd go with a 3.5 but closer to a 4 than a 3. Hope to see more!
So the first 8 issues are all about tons of Speedsters coming into play. You got kids, adults, old people all getting struck by lighting and become speedsters just like Barry. The difference? They don't know how to use it.
It all starts with Barry's friend getting his, and it's cool to see Barry have a partner helping him out. It's like Kid Flash, but not a kid, a grown adult. Yet as the story progresses some big revelations happen.
I will be honest the twist I didn't love. Very easy to see coming, I felt they could have grown that character out more. Also the name Godspeed felt a little iffy to me. I hated it to be honest. I mean it's superheroes so sometimes names don't work, that was one of em.
The goods really come from great cast of characters. Everyone has fun dialog and I enjoyed that. The art, while sketchy, is still pretty damn good. Like every speedster looking Super Saiyan 2 with the lighting around them. The ending was solid and made me want more for the future. Oh, did I mention Barry is back to being a actual fun character? Yep!
Overall this is a real solid start. I'd go with a 3.5 but closer to a 4 than a 3. Hope to see more!
December 29, 2021
Full disclosure, I’m a big The Flash fan from way back and I really like Joshua Williamson’s writing on this so – I’m biased and I’m likely going to rate this high.
That said, and here’s me like a screaming Beatles fan trying to nonetheless be objective, this really was a very cool GN.
Collecting the first eight issues of the WAY COOL rebirth, Williamson takes off on what would become a four plus year run writing The Flash and he was out of the gate with a pseudo-reboot of the origin story, really just a refresher, and the introduction of GODSPEED.
If you’re going to produce a key issue, or issues, the creation of an awesome new character is usually the best way to go about that. While Barry and Wally and Jay and the rogues are all awesome, the inclusion of the wildcard, loose cannon Godspeed was a flash in the pan for this series (like what I did there?)
Good times for the REBIRTH of a new Flash series.
That said, and here’s me like a screaming Beatles fan trying to nonetheless be objective, this really was a very cool GN.
Collecting the first eight issues of the WAY COOL rebirth, Williamson takes off on what would become a four plus year run writing The Flash and he was out of the gate with a pseudo-reboot of the origin story, really just a refresher, and the introduction of GODSPEED.
If you’re going to produce a key issue, or issues, the creation of an awesome new character is usually the best way to go about that. While Barry and Wally and Jay and the rogues are all awesome, the inclusion of the wildcard, loose cannon Godspeed was a flash in the pan for this series (like what I did there?)
Good times for the REBIRTH of a new Flash series.
June 23, 2018
There is a hint of goodness somewhere deep inside Josh WIlliamson's first volume of Flash. Something that is apparent in one scene of interaction between Barry Allen and the girl who just got speed powers and doesn't know what to do with herself. Unfortunately, those few nice character moments are entirely bogged down by Williamson's clunky writing overwhelmed by dull narration and exposition, a lethargic and trite story (who is not yet sick of the argument about whether heroes should kill the bad guys or not?! It always goes the same fucking way and is absolutely pointless!), and Godspeed, the worst super-villain in comics since Jeph 'The Hack' Loeb's Hush. Carmine Di Giandomenico's butt-ugly art fits the story perfectly, with poorly put together backgrounds and terribly disfigured bodies and faces — though I do admit that he does fluid and fast motion really well, and his paneling is occasionally quite inventive. Still, this is the first comic in recent memory where fill-in artists did a substantially better job than the main artist, and I would enjoy this volume much more if it was drawn entirely by either Neil Googe or Felipe Watanabe. This is all quite disappointing, because I kept hearing for the last two years how good this Flash run is, and now I'm baffled and confused because I just can't see it. Mediocre, poorly written superheroics exactly like thousands of other forgettable comics? Sure. But that's about it.
August 25, 2017
Some good and some illogical and some fully.
World: I am sorry but I have to say it, Carmine Di Giandomenico's art is not for me. It's scratchy and rough not in a good way. The facial expressions are weird and the framing is meh. The book is just not pretty to look at. The world building is solid and interesting with ties to the past and also rebooting it for a new audience. The Wally stuff is good as is the tie into Flashpoint. Solid.
Story: This is where the book falls apart. The premise of Godspeed and the Speed Force storm is interesting and the idea of tying the new speedsters with the internal need for Barry to have a teammate is an interesting premise but the execution is sloppy and full of internal logic holes. I know for a Flash book one needs to suspend belief for the sake of the story but there is just a hella lot of inconsistencies. The biggest one is the how speedsters steal each others speed when they run too close...yeah but we've just seen panel after panel of speedsters running together....and let's not forget about the academy...stupid. That logic flaw is just too big to ignore. Add to the fact that one page Barry does not want Meena to go with him and the next page Barry says he's okay with it in his internal monologue...sloppy. The idea of Godspeed is nothing new and the idea has been seen before in countless books but I will say that the design is pretty fantastic. This book should have been better but poor writing makes this an already meh story into something more meh...
Characters: The character design of Godspeed is great. Now in future stories have a better motivation and don't telegraph who he is so very early in issue 2. His motivations are basic and cliché. Barry is good, his personal voice is solid and his plight is good. There are some inconsistencies in terms of character motivations at some points but mostly he's done well and his want for a partner is done well. The rest of the cast is also okay with Wally handled well and Iris also. I really miss Patty. Meena is okay but a but too perfect and too one dimensional, let's hope for more depth in the future.
A good idea poorly executed and fugly art makes this a disappointment and just okay.
Onward to the next book!
World: I am sorry but I have to say it, Carmine Di Giandomenico's art is not for me. It's scratchy and rough not in a good way. The facial expressions are weird and the framing is meh. The book is just not pretty to look at. The world building is solid and interesting with ties to the past and also rebooting it for a new audience. The Wally stuff is good as is the tie into Flashpoint. Solid.
Story: This is where the book falls apart. The premise of Godspeed and the Speed Force storm is interesting and the idea of tying the new speedsters with the internal need for Barry to have a teammate is an interesting premise but the execution is sloppy and full of internal logic holes. I know for a Flash book one needs to suspend belief for the sake of the story but there is just a hella lot of inconsistencies. The biggest one is the how speedsters steal each others speed when they run too close...yeah but we've just seen panel after panel of speedsters running together....and let's not forget about the academy...stupid. That logic flaw is just too big to ignore. Add to the fact that one page Barry does not want Meena to go with him and the next page Barry says he's okay with it in his internal monologue...sloppy. The idea of Godspeed is nothing new and the idea has been seen before in countless books but I will say that the design is pretty fantastic. This book should have been better but poor writing makes this an already meh story into something more meh...
Characters: The character design of Godspeed is great. Now in future stories have a better motivation and don't telegraph who he is so very early in issue 2. His motivations are basic and cliché. Barry is good, his personal voice is solid and his plight is good. There are some inconsistencies in terms of character motivations at some points but mostly he's done well and his want for a partner is done well. The rest of the cast is also okay with Wally handled well and Iris also. I really miss Patty. Meena is okay but a but too perfect and too one dimensional, let's hope for more depth in the future.
A good idea poorly executed and fugly art makes this a disappointment and just okay.
Onward to the next book!
November 27, 2016
What was the New 52 Flash missing?
Villains? nope, almost every major villain was used.
Good Writer? nope, Francis Manapul had quite a good run.
Artist? NOOO, Manapul an Booth drew Flash for the most part.
What it was missing, was Barry Allen. What it was missing, was emotions. once in a while, a villain would appear, Barry would run, do some colorful stuff, he'd save the day, that's it. The hope that the name Barry Allen spread, was not there. The Flash was not an inspiring figure. THAT, is where this book is so successful.
Joshua Williamson, the famous serial-killing comic writer (heh) turned Flash into the symbol of hope he always was. He showed the inner struggles of Barry, he captured the spirit of the man, who despite having severe childhood traumas, helps everyone in every way he can, from just the pure good ness of his heart.
The story is not very ambitious. At times, it felt like Godspeed was being tailor-made just so he could appear in TV series. But then, around issue #5/6, he turned into a very interesting character. what was his identity was not the main interesting thing here, what was intriguing was his motives. Joshua Williamson made him a mirror image of Barry in such a way, we had to feel almost sorry for him. And till the last moment, he didn't to anything 'villainy', giving Barry a hard moral fight.
The art from Carmine Di Giandomenico is very very expressive. add the colors, and the battles between Flash & Godspeed were so beautiful to watch.
All in all, why this book stands out? Because it recaptures what The Crimson Comet (Did i use that right?) stands for.
5/5
Villains? nope, almost every major villain was used.
Good Writer? nope, Francis Manapul had quite a good run.
Artist? NOOO, Manapul an Booth drew Flash for the most part.
What it was missing, was Barry Allen. What it was missing, was emotions. once in a while, a villain would appear, Barry would run, do some colorful stuff, he'd save the day, that's it. The hope that the name Barry Allen spread, was not there. The Flash was not an inspiring figure. THAT, is where this book is so successful.
Joshua Williamson, the famous serial-killing comic writer (heh) turned Flash into the symbol of hope he always was. He showed the inner struggles of Barry, he captured the spirit of the man, who despite having severe childhood traumas, helps everyone in every way he can, from just the pure good ness of his heart.
The story is not very ambitious. At times, it felt like Godspeed was being tailor-made just so he could appear in TV series. But then, around issue #5/6, he turned into a very interesting character. what was his identity was not the main interesting thing here, what was intriguing was his motives. Joshua Williamson made him a mirror image of Barry in such a way, we had to feel almost sorry for him. And till the last moment, he didn't to anything 'villainy', giving Barry a hard moral fight.
The art from Carmine Di Giandomenico is very very expressive. add the colors, and the battles between Flash & Godspeed were so beautiful to watch.
All in all, why this book stands out? Because it recaptures what The Crimson Comet (Did i use that right?) stands for.
5/5
December 29, 2018
Boring old Barry.
Not great, not terrible. Much like most Flash stories, it’s super-focused on whether a Flash is the fastest or if a villain is faster, not to mention the rest of the tired cliches - Barry’s late, he’s a fuckup at work, Speed Force Speed Force Speed Force!
Dialogue is pretty comick-bookey, and while the crisis of Barry taking responsibility is in keeping with his B-grade Spider-Man status, the story itself is not terribly well-crafted. It’s probably as good a first supes story as I’d do but nothing to heavily recommend it.
And to me, Barry’s inner monologue is Just. So. Tired. Does he ever struggle with morality? Make us wonder if he’s ever had a dark thought in his life? No - he’s a guy who always takes the high road, never takes his problems out on anyone or anything, probably goes back and unbends blades of grass he runs on. Do I see myself in anything here, wonder what it’d be like, maybe fantasize about having his powers? Nope, one of the unreachable “Gods Looking Down” in DC land, just doesn’t give me a way in. Boring.
Not great, not terrible. Much like most Flash stories, it’s super-focused on whether a Flash is the fastest or if a villain is faster, not to mention the rest of the tired cliches - Barry’s late, he’s a fuckup at work, Speed Force Speed Force Speed Force!
Dialogue is pretty comick-bookey, and while the crisis of Barry taking responsibility is in keeping with his B-grade Spider-Man status, the story itself is not terribly well-crafted. It’s probably as good a first supes story as I’d do but nothing to heavily recommend it.
And to me, Barry’s inner monologue is Just. So. Tired. Does he ever struggle with morality? Make us wonder if he’s ever had a dark thought in his life? No - he’s a guy who always takes the high road, never takes his problems out on anyone or anything, probably goes back and unbends blades of grass he runs on. Do I see myself in anything here, wonder what it’d be like, maybe fantasize about having his powers? Nope, one of the unreachable “Gods Looking Down” in DC land, just doesn’t give me a way in. Boring.
February 19, 2022
Should've read what triggered the REBIRTH FIRST BUT Flash is my fav so a 4 < 3
also TALK ABT A PLOT TWIST
also TALK ABT A PLOT TWIST
February 7, 2017
[Read as single issues]
The New 52 Flash didn't end very well, so it's nice to get a fresh take on the character as new writer Joshua Williamson takes over the title for Rebirth.
When a Speed Force storm strikes Central City, the Flash suddenly has his hands full training speedsters, as well as the new Kid Flash; and when one of the new speedsters turns out to be a serial killer named Godspeed, things go from bad to worse.
Williamson juggles a hell of a lot in this eight issue arc, and does a really good job with almost all of it. There's one reveal that feels a bit obvious, but it's not the reveal that's important but the motivation behind it, so that counterbalances it. His take on Barry is refreshing, and the work he's doing with Kid Flash is very promising. It's no wonder that DC are trusting him with the more Rebirth-related storylines.
The majority of this arc is handled by Carmine Di Giandomenico, whose thick lines and lightning-filled panels are awesome. There's an issue or two with a fill-in, like Neil Googe or Felipe Watanabe, but these are asides from the ongoing storyline, so the fact that they don't look very much like Di Giandomenico make sense.
I'm surprised The Flash started with an 8 issue arc; it's the only Rebirth book that did it. But then again it was the only one in the New 52 to do it too, so maybe it's a trend. Either way, this is another in a long line of awesome Rebirth books you should be checking out.
The New 52 Flash didn't end very well, so it's nice to get a fresh take on the character as new writer Joshua Williamson takes over the title for Rebirth.
When a Speed Force storm strikes Central City, the Flash suddenly has his hands full training speedsters, as well as the new Kid Flash; and when one of the new speedsters turns out to be a serial killer named Godspeed, things go from bad to worse.
Williamson juggles a hell of a lot in this eight issue arc, and does a really good job with almost all of it. There's one reveal that feels a bit obvious, but it's not the reveal that's important but the motivation behind it, so that counterbalances it. His take on Barry is refreshing, and the work he's doing with Kid Flash is very promising. It's no wonder that DC are trusting him with the more Rebirth-related storylines.
The majority of this arc is handled by Carmine Di Giandomenico, whose thick lines and lightning-filled panels are awesome. There's an issue or two with a fill-in, like Neil Googe or Felipe Watanabe, but these are asides from the ongoing storyline, so the fact that they don't look very much like Di Giandomenico make sense.
I'm surprised The Flash started with an 8 issue arc; it's the only Rebirth book that did it. But then again it was the only one in the New 52 to do it too, so maybe it's a trend. Either way, this is another in a long line of awesome Rebirth books you should be checking out.
September 27, 2016
Yawn! So lets keep this short I have other good series to go read! I'll cut to the chase and say I did not like this one! As I read through it, the story was mediocre and predictable; it was average though, so I wasn't hating it, till a new villain was introduced called Godspeed; and guess what ladies and gentlemen??? He's another evil speedster! (Slow Clap) I mean really, how many evil speedster villains is this now? Reverse Flash, Zoom, Black Racer, and now this! Isn't the Speedforce suppose to be limited; and just by having Flash and Reverse Flash alone; puts strain on it? Either way, come on guys, if your going to introduce a new villain, introduce another member for the rogues or something; but not another damn speedster!
February 4, 2017
Honestly, I'm a little disappointed, but I think only because I wanted so badly for this to be good. I love the Flash TV show, and I especially love Barry on it, and I really, really want the Flash comic to be great. And this wasn't great. To be fair, it wasn't by any means bad, either, and my high hopes might be getting in my way. I have no complaints with how Barry is written, I just couldn't get interested in the story. It was a bit too predictable, and I admit that I didn't like that it didn't concentrate on Wally's return at all. Apparently, that's the job of another book, but it just seems strange that it isn't happening here at all. But did I mention that I really, really like Barry? Because I do, at least enough to give this book another volume.
October 17, 2016
Hey I thought it was good. The story didn't seem too original - betrayal, opposite political beliefs amongst best friends, proteges, romance taken away - but the writing kept me hooked. Joshua Williamson, whose writing I've become accustomed to in Nailbiter, writes some good heart-pumping fast-paced comics dialogue filled with all the standard cliffhangers and just enough flirtatious character tension to transcend the surrealism of a superhero comic book. I'm glad to be interested in DC again, and I think this whole Rebirth thing will work out if people give it a chance. I'm quite excited to see all these new characters come to life.
January 13, 2018
Flash takes on new villain Godspeed, assists the random Central City denizens - Avery and her 'speed-talking' is a hoot - suddenly blessed / cursed with super-speed, and even starts dating the knock-out Dr. Meena Dhawan (I'm intrigued by her) at S.T.A.R. Labs. All in a day's work for our scarlet speedster, right? Absolutely nothing could go worng here . . .
Another solid entry in DC's Rebirth line. It kept me interested enough in the story-line that I read the book in one sitting with my morning coffee. Yes, I'm hooked now and I'd like Flash to run to the library to get me Vol. 2, thankyouverymuch.
Another solid entry in DC's Rebirth line. It kept me interested enough in the story-line that I read the book in one sitting with my morning coffee. Yes, I'm hooked now and I'd like Flash to run to the library to get me Vol. 2, thankyouverymuch.
June 30, 2017
Didn't care for the story or the art. The concept was great just not executed.
January 1, 2017
I received this from Edelweiss and DC Comics in exchange for an honest review.
This was ridiculous. A city full of people with powers from the Speed Force? A bad guy with power from the Speed Force called "Godspeed"? Terrible!
This was ridiculous. A city full of people with powers from the Speed Force? A bad guy with power from the Speed Force called "Godspeed"? Terrible!
October 13, 2017
I love the Flash! Has always been one of my favourite heroes growing up. This was a great volume. Filled with action packed fights, twists and turns. I don't know what's in store for him and his team, but I'm excite to continue on with the series!
February 10, 2017
3.5 stars
It didn't blow my mind, but I enjoyed it and look forward to the next in the series.
It didn't blow my mind, but I enjoyed it and look forward to the next in the series.
August 30, 2019
I love this book, this is what started my love for dc last year.
First off the story is amazing, I love Godspeed, I love how he’s written and how eager he is to finding the killer of his bro that he kills the guy he ‘thinks’ killed his bro but in the end it wasn’t that guy. The art is just.. MUAH, I want to go to carmine di giandomenico and kiss him I love his art.
But some flaws for me was Meena dying really early in the story, I felt they could have build up her character more and The start of the book was pretty confusing for me since when I read it I was still just starting dc.
Overall really good book
First off the story is amazing, I love Godspeed, I love how he’s written and how eager he is to finding the killer of his bro that he kills the guy he ‘thinks’ killed his bro but in the end it wasn’t that guy. The art is just.. MUAH, I want to go to carmine di giandomenico and kiss him I love his art.
But some flaws for me was Meena dying really early in the story, I felt they could have build up her character more and The start of the book was pretty confusing for me since when I read it I was still just starting dc.
Overall really good book
January 28, 2018
Awesome!
My first introduction to The Flash and I'm pretty impressed. Barry is an interesting guy.
Easy to get into and very creative storylines.
Really digging it!
Vol. 2 here I come...
My first introduction to The Flash and I'm pretty impressed. Barry is an interesting guy.
Easy to get into and very creative storylines.
Really digging it!
Vol. 2 here I come...
February 18, 2017
How does The Flash fare in the Rebirth era?
Lightning Strikes Twice opens with an expanded version of the Barry Allen/Wally West reunion from the Rebirth special, this time approached from Barry’s perspective. It cues up Barry’s involvement in the bigger Rebirth mystery, but also reawakens Barry’s fondness for having a superhero partner and his geek joy in teaching others about the Speed Force. Barry runs afoul of the Black Hole, a science-based terrorist group that engineers a “Speed Force storm,” which bestows super speed on dozens of new people. Included are Barry’s police detective friend Augustus and STAR Labs scientist Meena, who become his newest allies. Also affected is the second, teenaged Wally West, who’d already established a Speed Force connection before the storm. While dealing with the Black Hole, Barry and friends run afoul of Godspeed, a super-fast vigilante who steals the speed from others affected by the storm, killing them in the process. The final conflict between Barry and Godspeed takes a personal toll on Barry, but also gives him reason for optimism in the form of a new Kid Flash.
Joshua Williamson has a lot going on in Lightning Strikes Twice. In addition to pushing forward the stories of the book’s existing characters, he also has several new ones to integrate. At the same time, he has the Rebirth mystery to nudge forward as gently as possible while setting up some longer term plot threads focused on Barry and his circle. Overall, Williamson does a very good job keeping all those balls in the air. Barry goes through some ups and downs, but Williamson manages to keep the inherent optimism that is the character’s best trait in the forefront. The “Speed Force storm” is an interesting concept that lets Williamson explore Barry as a teacher and mentor. It’s also a subtle way to use the return of the original Wally as a character motivator, making use of the bigger Rebirth mystery, lacing in some strands without playing that too heavily.
Iris West and the younger Wally get some solid development in this arc, too. After the New 52 mostly avoided it, Williamson slowly begins moving Barry and Iris toward a romance. Wally’s journey to becoming the new Kid Flash is one of the arc’s high points and Williamson demonstrates quite nicely how impactful having two Wallys around can be. The Black Hole is a solid new threat with long-term potential. And even if the revelation of Godspeed’s identity isn’t quite the shocker the plot wants it to be, the character is a decent addition to the Flash Rogue’s Gallery, one with whom Barry has a particularly complicated relationship. Overall, Williamson gets the series off on the right foot.
Carmine Di Giandomenico is the artist for most of Lightning Strikes Twice. He has an interesting approach, full of angular compositions that give the book a lean, sleek feel. Di Giandomenico has a good design sense and comes up with some clever visual ways of conveying the appearance of speed and motion. Occasionally his figure work can become a tad distended, but on the whole he gives the book a distinctive personality that works. Felipe Watanabe subs in on one issue, doing some complementary work that looks quite good. Colorist Ivan Plascencia is a true rock star on the book. With a variety of bold colors and complex effects, he gets a real workout and shows off his skills with maximum impact.
The Flash: Lightning Strikes Twice is a decent opening arc that sets the book up for success. It’s a good jumping on point for newcomers that’s also rewarding for long-time fans.
Lightning Strikes Twice opens with an expanded version of the Barry Allen/Wally West reunion from the Rebirth special, this time approached from Barry’s perspective. It cues up Barry’s involvement in the bigger Rebirth mystery, but also reawakens Barry’s fondness for having a superhero partner and his geek joy in teaching others about the Speed Force. Barry runs afoul of the Black Hole, a science-based terrorist group that engineers a “Speed Force storm,” which bestows super speed on dozens of new people. Included are Barry’s police detective friend Augustus and STAR Labs scientist Meena, who become his newest allies. Also affected is the second, teenaged Wally West, who’d already established a Speed Force connection before the storm. While dealing with the Black Hole, Barry and friends run afoul of Godspeed, a super-fast vigilante who steals the speed from others affected by the storm, killing them in the process. The final conflict between Barry and Godspeed takes a personal toll on Barry, but also gives him reason for optimism in the form of a new Kid Flash.
Joshua Williamson has a lot going on in Lightning Strikes Twice. In addition to pushing forward the stories of the book’s existing characters, he also has several new ones to integrate. At the same time, he has the Rebirth mystery to nudge forward as gently as possible while setting up some longer term plot threads focused on Barry and his circle. Overall, Williamson does a very good job keeping all those balls in the air. Barry goes through some ups and downs, but Williamson manages to keep the inherent optimism that is the character’s best trait in the forefront. The “Speed Force storm” is an interesting concept that lets Williamson explore Barry as a teacher and mentor. It’s also a subtle way to use the return of the original Wally as a character motivator, making use of the bigger Rebirth mystery, lacing in some strands without playing that too heavily.
Iris West and the younger Wally get some solid development in this arc, too. After the New 52 mostly avoided it, Williamson slowly begins moving Barry and Iris toward a romance. Wally’s journey to becoming the new Kid Flash is one of the arc’s high points and Williamson demonstrates quite nicely how impactful having two Wallys around can be. The Black Hole is a solid new threat with long-term potential. And even if the revelation of Godspeed’s identity isn’t quite the shocker the plot wants it to be, the character is a decent addition to the Flash Rogue’s Gallery, one with whom Barry has a particularly complicated relationship. Overall, Williamson gets the series off on the right foot.
Carmine Di Giandomenico is the artist for most of Lightning Strikes Twice. He has an interesting approach, full of angular compositions that give the book a lean, sleek feel. Di Giandomenico has a good design sense and comes up with some clever visual ways of conveying the appearance of speed and motion. Occasionally his figure work can become a tad distended, but on the whole he gives the book a distinctive personality that works. Felipe Watanabe subs in on one issue, doing some complementary work that looks quite good. Colorist Ivan Plascencia is a true rock star on the book. With a variety of bold colors and complex effects, he gets a real workout and shows off his skills with maximum impact.
The Flash: Lightning Strikes Twice is a decent opening arc that sets the book up for success. It’s a good jumping on point for newcomers that’s also rewarding for long-time fans.
June 24, 2017
Read this review and more on my blog.
I received a free copy of The Flash Volume 1: Lightning Strikes Twice from DC Comics in exchange for my honest opinion.
Well I enjoyed this way more than I thought that I would. I know that I am not the greatest fan of the Flash, I do not watch the TV show as I found it boring and enjoyed the grittier version of Arrow that was on at the time (what can I say, I know that he is not comic book accurate but like Nolan's Batman, he seems realistic I guess). Lightning Strikes Twice has completely convinced me to start watching the show.
Lets start with what I enjoyed about Lightning Strikes Twice; it has an well thought out storyline that flowed extremely well from one issue to another. I am struggling to find many gaps in logic. We find Barry having to deal with the speed force hitting not just one other person, but what seemed like a good hundred people in Central City. He has to deal with being a forensic scientist at the police department, the Flash and now being a mentor to these new speedsters.
The only thing that I wish was better was the art style, in the last couple of issues, either I had gotten used to it or it had started to grow on me but compared to other comic books that I have read, it just was not up to par. If I could only give one recommendation as to what to change for it to be so chunky would be to not make the faces so harsh, they seemed to be made of many solid lines and at times I was guessing the facial expression as they were not displayed in an easy to recognised way.
If you enjoy The Flash TV show, then you are bound to enjoy this comic book.
I received a free copy of The Flash Volume 1: Lightning Strikes Twice from DC Comics in exchange for my honest opinion.
Well I enjoyed this way more than I thought that I would. I know that I am not the greatest fan of the Flash, I do not watch the TV show as I found it boring and enjoyed the grittier version of Arrow that was on at the time (what can I say, I know that he is not comic book accurate but like Nolan's Batman, he seems realistic I guess). Lightning Strikes Twice has completely convinced me to start watching the show.
Lets start with what I enjoyed about Lightning Strikes Twice; it has an well thought out storyline that flowed extremely well from one issue to another. I am struggling to find many gaps in logic. We find Barry having to deal with the speed force hitting not just one other person, but what seemed like a good hundred people in Central City. He has to deal with being a forensic scientist at the police department, the Flash and now being a mentor to these new speedsters.
The only thing that I wish was better was the art style, in the last couple of issues, either I had gotten used to it or it had started to grow on me but compared to other comic books that I have read, it just was not up to par. If I could only give one recommendation as to what to change for it to be so chunky would be to not make the faces so harsh, they seemed to be made of many solid lines and at times I was guessing the facial expression as they were not displayed in an easy to recognised way.
If you enjoy The Flash TV show, then you are bound to enjoy this comic book.
February 20, 2021
5 stars
Nice to see Barry in his own comic. Good that he got some action with Meena. What happened to her? Hope August will tell Barry who the Leader of the Black Hole is. Also hope Barry will get together with Iris. Glad to see Wally again.
Can't wait to read The Flash: Speed of Darkness!!!
Nice to see Barry in his own comic. Good that he got some action with Meena. What happened to her? Hope August will tell Barry who the Leader of the Black Hole is. Also hope Barry will get together with Iris. Glad to see Wally again.
Can't wait to read The Flash: Speed of Darkness!!!
July 24, 2017
*crying emojis*
August 5, 2025
3.5 rounded up to 4.
This is gonna be long I apologize! Here are my pros and cons of this volume as someone who’s only watched the cw flash show and has never read a comic of his before.
Pros:
-hot take but I enjoyed the art style, I think the speed is really hard to capture well in both art form and live action so I was impressed with how it was done and while I think some of the more panel-heavy pages were lowkey a lot it didn’t turn me off too badly
-pushing the narrative that barry needs help / a partner and can’t do this alone (I was wondering if he had like a team or anything going into this but it seems like that’s a no). I feel like with so many reboots and changes it’s probably hard to maintain a solid team for barry besides the justice league and with the og wally gone there needed to be other characters to spice things up so i was glad more speedsters were introduced and barry got to be a mentor to them
-i think barry was written well for the most part and the chaos of his double life and how he’s struggling to keep up with his work stuff was properly handled — I definitely love the irony of him being late to things in his personal life (heavily capitalized on in the cw show) and how his speed makes him believe he can handle all of these responsibilities but he can’t actually be everything to everyone and it lowkey kills him bc he’s #just like me
Cons:
Cons:
-The speed force storm just selecting people to turn into speedsters and then them giving their powers away by the end made me a little like ??? And I was confused about the logistics of being able to take the speed force from each other sometimes but then they still run side by side other times like normal but I didn’t care too much
-the fact that Godspeed figured out how to be in two places at once on his own I thought stuff like that took crazy amounts of training to master 😭😭
-not enough iris west ❤️
-some of the narration felt a little forced and I wasn’t blown away by the writing but for a first volume of a reboot I thought overall it was entertaining and I understood it as someone who didn’t read anything prior
This is gonna be long I apologize! Here are my pros and cons of this volume as someone who’s only watched the cw flash show and has never read a comic of his before.
Pros:
-hot take but I enjoyed the art style, I think the speed is really hard to capture well in both art form and live action so I was impressed with how it was done and while I think some of the more panel-heavy pages were lowkey a lot it didn’t turn me off too badly
-pushing the narrative that barry needs help / a partner and can’t do this alone (I was wondering if he had like a team or anything going into this but it seems like that’s a no). I feel like with so many reboots and changes it’s probably hard to maintain a solid team for barry besides the justice league and with the og wally gone there needed to be other characters to spice things up so i was glad more speedsters were introduced and barry got to be a mentor to them
-i think barry was written well for the most part and the chaos of his double life and how he’s struggling to keep up with his work stuff was properly handled — I definitely love the irony of him being late to things in his personal life (heavily capitalized on in the cw show) and how his speed makes him believe he can handle all of these responsibilities but he can’t actually be everything to everyone and it lowkey kills him bc he’s #just like me
Cons:
Cons:
-The speed force storm just selecting people to turn into speedsters and then them giving their powers away by the end made me a little like ??? And I was confused about the logistics of being able to take the speed force from each other sometimes but then they still run side by side other times like normal but I didn’t care too much
-the fact that Godspeed figured out how to be in two places at once on his own I thought stuff like that took crazy amounts of training to master 😭😭
-not enough iris west ❤️
-some of the narration felt a little forced and I wasn’t blown away by the writing but for a first volume of a reboot I thought overall it was entertaining and I understood it as someone who didn’t read anything prior
January 6, 2018
I read this following Rebirth, expecting it to follow up on what began in the Rebirth book. The first issue does, and it then immediately abandons that mystery for a new and unrelated plot. The new story is fine, kept my interest and has no major flaws. It feels like a story that would please fans of The Flash. But I am not a fan of the Flash, and felt cheated by the bait and switch of story arcs. So, points lost for dishonesty and because I am mostly indifferent to the character, but by no means a bad book.
March 19, 2018
As a #1 volume it just felt overwhelming. I found myself skimming this book which I never do because I just wasn't enjoying it. First off, too many speedsters...it really diminishes the flash himself. This book tackles I think 2-3 stories really, its not overly complex I just wasn't invested into any of them. I did like godspeed but he was pretty much lost in the rest of the speedsters. The art was also not to my liking, it was average at best. I dont think I will read vol.2
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