The Flash: 80 Years of the Fastest Man Alive

DC's 80th Anniversary Celebration

by Roy Thomas (Editor), Mark Waid, Paul Kupperberg

Celebrate 80 Years of the Flash with DC, as we revisit classic comics stories from the 1940s and onward, featuring some of the Flash’s greatest allies and villains, and work from some of the greatest creators ever to grace the graphic-literature medium! This book collects such seminal moments as the first appearances of Jay Garrick (FLASH COMICS #1), Barry Allen (SHOWCASE #4) and Wally West (THE FLASH #110), the classic “Flash of Two Worlds” (THE FLASH #123) and the death of Iris West (THE FLASH #275) as well as many previously uncollected gems, including stories from THE FLASH #300 (1981), FLASH #54 (1991), FLASH COMICS #89 (1947) and many more. It also features new essays and commentary from comics stars Mark Waid, Roy Thomas, Francis Manapul and more, plus a new cover by Jim Lee!

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Dc Comics, Superheroes, Fiction

373 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 12, 2019

About the author

Roy Thomas was the FIRST Editor-in-Chief at Marvel--After Stan Lee stepped down from the position. Roy is a longtime comic book writer and editor. Thomas has written comics for Archie, Charlton, DC, Heroic Publishing, Marvel, and Topps over the years. Thomas currently edits the fanzine Alter Ego for Twomorrow's Publishing. He was Editor for Marvel comics from 1972-1974. He wrote for several titles at Marvel, such as Avengers, Thor, Invaders, Fantastic Four, X-Men, and notably Conan the Barbarian. Thomas is also known for his championing of Golden Age comic-book heroes — particularly the 1940s superhero team the Justice Society of America — and for lengthy writing stints on Marvel's X-Men and Avengers, and DC Comics' All-Star Squadron, among other titles.

Also a legendary creator. Creations include Wolverine, Carol Danvers, Ghost Rider, Vision, Iron Fist, Luke Cage, Valkyrie, Morbius, Doc Samson, and Ultron. Roy has also worked for Archie, Charlton, and DC among others over the years.

Reviews

[Lashaan Balasingam · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can find my review on my blog by clicking here.

When thinking of a superhero, we often quickly have Superman springing into our imagination as his abilities cover everything essential to superheroism. Whether it’s his bullet-proof physique or his ability to fly, it’s hard to compete with the Man of Steel. However, while Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman remained the trinity of perfection and helped the comic book industry strive and know success in their early days, comics weren’t really focused on superheroes as all kinds of other genres (from mystery to humour) were explored through the graphic-literature medium. It’s with the arrival of a hero who could outrun a bullet and zip through life faster than lightning that a plethora of heroes, notably B-class heroes, saw themselves gain a significant amount of attention with their own stories. Unavoidably, The Flash became one of the most popular superheroes in popular culture as he continues to dazzle his fanbase to this day.

What is The Flash: 80 Years of the Fastest Man Alive about? Collecting various different stories marking The Flash’s saga, this beautiful hardcover deluxe edition features classic stories from the 1940s and onward where fans get to rediscover the men behind the costume throughout time and space. From origin stories for Jay Garrick, Barry Allen, and Wally West to their first encounter with iconic villains from their quirky rogues gallery, such as Gorilla Grodd and Captain Cold, this anthology gives fans the opportunity to understand what these scarlet speedsters are capable of and how they cleverly outwit their enemies by thinking fast on their feet. This collection also features some short commentaries by former Flash writers, artists, as well as editors to contextualize the birth of these heroes in the comic book industry.

DC Comics continues to celebrate more of its iconic heroes and overall success in the comic book business with The Flash knowing his 80th anniversary this year, while Superman and Batman saw theirs arrive a little while back. This fantastic collection presents us with an excellent chronological evolution of the character through every era so far. Although I have always found that the hero’s rogue gallery is a bit too wacky or simple, they still manage to push The Flash to overcome his limits and further understand his powers as he continues to save the people he loves and his city from danger. What makes this hero so interesting is also the fact that multiple characters are known as The Flash, with various different costume designs, that have quickly grown on their fanbase. To make things even better, these different heroes actually end up interacting with one another, leading us to also open up the way to the multiverse that is now so crucial to the DC universe.

From John Wesley Shipp in the 1990s live-action TV series, Grant Gustin in the 2014 live-action TV series to Ezra Miller in the Worlds of DC movie universe, Barry Allen has become a stellar icon for superhero fans around the world. His popularity grows with every year and his stories always cover a wide array of themes that are usually jovial while occasionally venturing in the dramatic, with lessons in love and death. The artwork in this volume is also a testament to the beautiful transformation of his visual style, perfectly corresponding with the era in which they are drawn. From trivial character designs, accompanied with very little nuances in colours—since papers privileged primary colours—to much more clearly-defined artwork with an attention to details, especially in regards to facial expressions and character movements, it is a wonder to see what the hero has become under different writers (such as Gardner Fox, Grant Morrison or Mark Waid) and different artists (such as Joe Kubert, Carmine Infantino or Francis Manapul) throughout time.

The Flash: 80 Years of the Fastest Man Alive is a striking and sturdy commemorative collection of stories featuring the scarlet speedsters’ most iconic moments in their dazzling saga.

Yours truly,

Lashaan | Blogger and Book Reviewer
Official blog: https://bookidote.com/

[Kole · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of Flash stories from the 40's to 2019. Lots of bad old cheesy comics with characters with dumb names/abilities. In other words, a bunch of fun cheese leading up to some brief well done modern takes that aren't in the realm of complete cheese and manage to be actually good comics, some better than others though. Never been a huge flash fan so this was all new to me and I had a good time overall. Recommended if you're new to The Flash.

3.5/5

[Brandon Skanes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't come here very often to write reviews. So, a lot of the books I read, I just end up reviewing them on Amazon. However, I got this book elsewhere. Did I enjoy it? Yes. Absolutely. Not only does this book have stories ranging from Jay Garrick's first appearance to Barry Allen's resurrection, this book also contains essays. It was pretty good. Readers will also see the societal shift in terms of attitudes, as they make their way through the content.

[Andrew Sorrentino · Rating 3 out of 5]

First appearances, rogues, amazing comics creators. There should be a lot to like in this edition. None of the issues really grabbed my interest however. Perhaps it’s tough to get a great story in just one issue from here and there. In other words, having a collected edition of a storyline would be more to my liking.

[Michael Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kind of weird to read comics just through highlight issues. Still fun to see a lot of history for a character compressed into one collection

[Tony Laplume · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great survey of Flash history. Particularly interesting was the three stories and essay explaining how exactly Jay Garrick faced the end of the Golden Age. Joshua Williamson kind of drew short shrift with his selection, which diminishes the role he had even in 2019 in the history of the character, one of three giants in the past thirty years (along with Waid and Johns). I like that a story from the Walmart giants got included, but I’m no fan of Gail Simone (I think Moby-Dick is a work of genius, thank you very much). Fun to finally read the “Nobody Dies” issue from Messner-Loebs, the most famous issue in the run immediately preceding Mark Waid’s. (For those who might be confused, and it’s weird that he otherwise doesn’t rate an appearance in the collection, much less an essay, that boy at the end of the issue representing Waid’s material would be Bart Allen, erstwhile Impulse, Kid Flash, Flash.)

[Nola Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read about two-thirds of this book through an online lending service, but I enjoyed it so much, I ended up buying my own copy to finish reading. The book collects stories published between 1940 and 2019. As you would expect, it includes the first-ever Flash story with Jay Garrick as the Golden Age Flash, and the first story featuring Barry Allen as the Silver Age Flash. We're also introduced to Kid Flash, Wally West, who eventually takes over from Barry Allen.

Although there are more Barry Allen stories than others, I was especially interested in seeing some stories with the original Flash, including three stories that feature the villain known as The Thorn. One of these, that just includes the inked outlines and no colour, was thought to be lost forever but was salvaged by junior employees who were supposed to destroy stories that weren't used. On that note, I also appreciated the short articles in amongst the comics that explained things like that.

There's a good mix of stories, from lighter to more serious ones. Essential reading for fans of The Flash, but also a good introduction to anyone interested in pop culture.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice selection of stories, including a trio of stories from the golden age featuring the original Rose and the Thorn. The biggest flaw in the collection is that there are no remembrances from long-time writers Cary Bates, who wrote Flash stories for more than a decade through the end of the silver/bronze age title in 1985, and Geoff Johns, who had a successful run following Mark Waid.

[Conor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this a lot. I am not very well versed in the Flash. It was informative, concise, and well-rounded. These 80 year volumes exist for several DC superheroes and villians, and I intend on reading more of them.

[Adam Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really cool journey through the history of the Flash as told by comics from the past 80 years as well as in the words of past and present Flash writers.

[Scotty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent look at the history of The Flash and excellent stories from all eras of The Flash's history. Really great!

[Juan Armendariz]

Grandes comics de todas las eras

Me parece una buena inversion de comics clasicos y ciertos numeros unicos, recomendada para los que sean fanáticos The Flash.

[Jordan Schroeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last couple stories give me faith in humanity.

[Roland Baldwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s okay. Has all the regular expected stories. A better focus on Wally would have been welcome. A couple of modern Jay stories too. No mention of the Flash family.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite compilation--not because the stories weren't good. Quite the opposite: The stories chosen, for the most part, were classics and very entertaining. However... if you've read ANY Flash collections at all... chances are, you've already come across these. While I understand that these stories were chosen--and have been chosen in the past--because they are ones that best showcase different eras of the Flash... it didn't exactly make this a book I couldn't put down. (Plus there was that HUGE story in the middle that was basically a recap of Flash's history which, while interesting enough, felt kind of pointless in a book that was 100-percent a recap of Flash's history.) However, the notes and stories were really interesting and provided more insight for the comics that followed them. Plus being able to read a previously unpublished comic--featuring the rare villainess Thorn--was VERY COOL. I also really enjoyed the last story. As a librarian, I personally adored that Flash loves his libraries. So, all in all, this is still a volume worth checking out... however, if you're a fan of the Scarlet Speedster and have read quite a bit, then this may not give you a ton that is new (but it will still give you just enough to really enjoy).