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Post by pinkfloydsound17 on Nov 11, 2014 22:29:27 GMT -5
Okay, so everyone is raving (at least the people I know) about the Flash TV show. Now, for me, I have yet to really ever get into the Flash but I think I should. The first episode intrigued me and I want to know some of the best stories, arcs or eras for the Flash.
So where do I start? Part of me wants to start in the 80's, as I think that era would be best (the older stuff is just too campy and the 70's seems hit and miss). But I need a true Flash fan to enlighten me.
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shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,871
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Post by shaxper on Nov 11, 2014 22:32:40 GMT -5
I'm not a true Flash Fan, but even I know you can't skip out on Flash #123.
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Post by Randle-El on Nov 11, 2014 22:50:26 GMT -5
I haven't read tons of Flash so I'm not too knowledgeable, but Mark Waid had a pretty lengthy run in the 90s that many consider to be a must-read. He's also one of my favorite writers in comics, so that run is definitely one I'd like to get to some day as well.
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Post by Paradox on Nov 12, 2014 7:35:36 GMT -5
Start randomly with '60s stuff, because there's little to no continuity to deal with and it was when Carmine Infantino was on the top of his art game. Flash is very much less "campy" than other comics of the era.
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fuzzyblueelf
Full Member
People of Color doesn't mean Red Plastic
Posts: 124 
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Post by fuzzyblueelf on Nov 12, 2014 10:24:12 GMT -5
I've started by reading Flash: Rogues Revolution I had vague knowledge about the Rogues but this trade actually explains who everyone is and sort of shows them going from their Pre New 52 powerless versions who were just eccentric criminals to their New 52 Versions who all have Superpowers. AND the first story was about Gorilla Grodd! which sort of gave me a Planet of the Apes vibe.
I do want to read something from every era but I'm mainly interested in the Rogues and Captain Cold in particular.
The CW series will most likely take inspiration from New 52 for their villains.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2014 10:33:13 GMT -5
Silver Age Flash is pretty great. They have an omnibus collecting all of the good stuff from that era.
Isn't the TV show based on concepts and characters from Geoff Johns' Flash run? That might be the best place to start. I believe his run began in #164 (2nd Series).
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2014 10:38:33 GMT -5
I do want to read something from every era but I'm mainly interested in the Rogues and Captain Cold in particular. Johns' first run on Flash is known for his work with the rogues gallery. |
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fuzzyblueelf
Full Member
People of Color doesn't mean Red Plastic
Posts: 124
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Post by fuzzyblueelf on Nov 12, 2014 10:48:17 GMT -5
I do want to read something from every era but I'm mainly interested in the Rogues and Captain Cold in particular. Johns' first run on Flash is known for his work with the rogues gallery.  This is the start of Johns' run I think it contains Issue #164 to #176 Did those issues feature the Rogues? |
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Post by Pharozonk on Nov 12, 2014 10:50:13 GMT -5
I'm a pretty big Flash fan of both Barry and Wally. I recommend:
For Barry Allen, read the Cary Bates run from the 80's, even the Trial of the Flash(I'm in the minority who think it's actually good). I also really like the Silver Age stories by John Broome so pick up the Showcase TPB that collects those.
For Wally West, read the William Messner-Loebs and Mark Waid runs. The Geoff Johns run is good till about issue #200, though his run is a bit more violent than Waid or Loebs' runs.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2014 10:51:17 GMT -5
Yep. From the very first story. If you go with those omnis, though, be warned the third volume has a printing error (backwards page) and I'm not sure if it ever got corrected.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2014 10:57:02 GMT -5
Actually, despite the first story involving Mirror Master, that weird cult arc (Cicada?) may take up a good chunk of that volume.
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Post by Action Ace on Nov 12, 2014 12:02:15 GMT -5
Geoff John's runs on both Barry and Wally would be a good starting point.
Mark Waid's tenure on Flash is among the best on any comic I've ever read.
Silver Age Flash is outstanding and I like it right up to the start of the 1980s, especially the Bates/ Novick era.
The New52 Flash comic was a pleasant surprise and very good on the art side.
There is also a comic called Flash: Season Zero set in the tv show universe.
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Post by fanboystranger on Nov 12, 2014 13:13:13 GMT -5
I started with the Waid run, but that whole volume of the Flash is very strong up until around 200. (It was only second to Hellblazer as DC's consistantly good continuously published book in that time frame.) I think I've actually come to like the Messner-Loebs period the best from that run. I liked the initial "Ignition" post-200 arc well enough, but after that, you get some iffy art and questionable story choices. The individual issues focusing on the Rogues are still quite good, though.
I like a lot of Silver Age Flash, too. A lot of wild, imaginative stories. Just a lot of fun.
One possible gateway that I'm thinking might be a good place to start is Waid and Gil Kane's Life Story of the Flash OGN. It's not strictly a comic as it is the autobiography of Barry Allen that plays such a big role in Waid's Flash run, but it's an interesting hybrid of text and sequential work. I think that could be a good introduction.
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Post by dupersuper on Nov 12, 2014 22:54:58 GMT -5
Most of my Flash recommendations are for Wally, not Barry. If you're into the show you'd probably want to start with Rebirth, though it introduced the dead mother origin I so hate. Personally I'm more of a Showcase reprint/Life Story of Barry Allen/JLA Year One/Flash Year One/Flash&GL: The Brave and the Bold guy.
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Post by Paste Pot Paul on Nov 13, 2014 0:21:28 GMT -5
I'm of the opinion that Wally makes a much better Flash than Barry, who I find to be absolutely bland (much like Hal Jordan).
I would strongly suggest start with Flash 1 (1980s) by Baron and Guice, so you can see more of the growth Wally goes through.
Havent read much more than a trade or 2 of the Johns or Waid runs, but they should be good, both good writers, but I never enjoyed the Rebirth stuff that brought Barry back. Didnt mind Johns doing it with Hal, but Barry should have stayed dead.
Visually the books Francis Manapul has done in the New 52 are incredible, almost Infantino'ish in design and layout, but storywise...you decide.
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