The Flash by Joshua Williamson

The Flash (2016) - see below for volumes and creative team

Joshua Williamson is responsible for the character of The Flash in the DC Universe Rebirth event, and he does a stellar job.  A word to the wise: Flash is a character that can be hard to follow.  Flash's abilities, similar to Superman in the 1978 movie, allow him to time travel by running really, really fast.  So there are a lot of time and space jumps, and a lot of those jumps include references to other storylines in other comics.  Not to worry - this doesn't mean you have to buy all of them.  Savy readers can use context clues to figure out characters they don't know, or there's always Google.

Anyway, to the actual review now.  This Flash series start off with a ton of other Flashes and how Barry Allen not only has to cope with other super speedsters, but how he has to train them to use their powers for good.  At first it's great.  Barry doesn't have to be everywhere saving everybody, but of course all good things must come to an end.  Some of his students break off from his altruistic teaching and fight against his good intentions.  Compounded on that, some old enemies creep back up, and Barry definitely has his hands full in a time he thought he'd get some more sleep.

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This run of The Flash is full of the whimsical humor that comes with other Flash books, but it can also have some touching, serious moments.  Flash comics, similar to other DC titles, aren't afraid to tackle issues that are parallels of what is happening in our world.  While there are mentions of other characters and villains from previous runs of the Flash, this is a good place to pick up and get immersed in Barry's storyline.

Sara's Rating: 8/10
​Suitability: Grades 7-12

Creative Team
Vol 1, Lightning Strikes Twice: illustrated by Carmine Di Giandomenico, colored by Ivan Plascencia, lettered by Steve Wands
Vol 2, Speed of Darkness: illustrated by Jorge Corona, Felipe Watanabe, Oclair Albert, colored by Chris Sotomayor and Ivan Plascencia, lettered by Steve Wands
Vol 3, Rogues Reloaded: illustrated by Carmine Di Giandomenico
Vol 4, Running Scared: illustrated by Carmine Di Giandomenico, colored by Ivan Plascencia
Vol 5, Negative: illustrated by Gus Vazquez, Neil Googe, Pop Mhan, Carmine Di Giandomenico, Christian Duce Fernandez
Vol 6, A Cold Day in Hell, illustrated by Pop Mhan, Howard Porter, Christian Duce Fernandez
Vol 7, Perfect Storm: illustrated by Dan Panosian, Carlos D'Anda, Carmine Di Giandomenico, Christian Duce Fernandez
Vol 8, Flash War: illustrated by Howard Porter, Scott Kolins
Vol 9 Reckoning of the Forces: illustrated by Scott Kolins, Christian Duce Fernandez

Tags: Rating: 8/10, Suitability: Middle School, Suitability: High School, Comicbooks, Superheroes