darylnash's review against another edition
2.0
Meh. Felt like the Hal Jordan Green Lantern reboot, except this time with the Flash. The Speed Force has always seemed kind of silly to me, and this didn't change my perspective. Apparently this will lead into DC's big crossover event for the year. Either I'm tired of mega-continuity yankfests or I'm bored with superheroes in general.
gohawks's review against another edition
2.0
Honestly, I was very disappointed with this one. There were a lot of parallels to bringing back Hal Jordan and Barry Allen - purposefully so. But the whole speed force thing was very convoluted in this storyline. For example, first it's thought that Barry Allen is the killer/problem, then it's the speed force itself, then it's ... something else - I don't want to give it away. But I love Johns and aside from some of his Justice Society/League stuff earlier in his career, this is my least favorite. And I love Flash. Van Scriver's art serves the story, but it is never anything that makes you excited or appreciative.
sonofthe's review against another edition
2.0
Wow. If this is one of the best Flash stories out there, I'm not sure how many more mainstream comics I'll be reading.
I recently looked up a few best-of lists online and picked up four stories from the library. I had to stop the first before I even got to the halfway point. At least with this one I made it to the end.
In the 20+ years that Flash was gone, the art and writing got somewhat better, but Rebirth still doesn't match some of the comics I've been reading from medium and small comics houses (like Image and Top Shelf). I can see how someone might get into these stories over time, but for someone like me who was never a regular comic reader, read some great stand-alone stories, and finally started looking into the classic Marvel and DC lines, they just don't stand up.
I might give some of these stories a chance if I already know and trust the writer, but otherwise, I'll be steering clear of all them and all their decades of baggage.
I recently looked up a few best-of lists online and picked up four stories from the library. I had to stop the first before I even got to the halfway point. At least with this one I made it to the end.
In the 20+ years that Flash was gone, the art and writing got somewhat better, but Rebirth still doesn't match some of the comics I've been reading from medium and small comics houses (like Image and Top Shelf). I can see how someone might get into these stories over time, but for someone like me who was never a regular comic reader, read some great stand-alone stories, and finally started looking into the classic Marvel and DC lines, they just don't stand up.
I might give some of these stories a chance if I already know and trust the writer, but otherwise, I'll be steering clear of all them and all their decades of baggage.
sodope's review against another edition
5.0
This was my very first Flash comic, I can't criticize it too much just for the fact that I didn't read West's flash and some others, but I suppose this was a good chance to start with this great DC character, in this story we see all the other Flash characters and the reverse flash.
rhganci's review against another edition
4.0
The Flash is the coolest superhero in the world right now (well, maybe Cap has him beat), and this seems like essential reading for just about everybody who is currently who is enjoying his story, in any of its forms.
Geoff Johns loves The Flash. That much is clear, and at no point moreso than the current Rebirth movement at DC Comics, a movement that Johns has championed for over a decade. In this particular Rebirth, Johns recaps the entire history of the character even as he introduces the classic Flash in Barry Allen. Every speedster makes an appearance in some form or another, and Ethan Van Sciver brings them all to life uniquely and in incredible detail.
The story works to really make what follows works, as the essence of Barry Allen and his principal role as the moral conscience of the entire DC Universe really comes clear here as Johns shakes the 25 years of dust off of one of comics' best characters and tells an outstanding and memorable story that is as much about the character's history as it is about the character's return.
Geoff Johns loves The Flash. That much is clear, and at no point moreso than the current Rebirth movement at DC Comics, a movement that Johns has championed for over a decade. In this particular Rebirth, Johns recaps the entire history of the character even as he introduces the classic Flash in Barry Allen. Every speedster makes an appearance in some form or another, and Ethan Van Sciver brings them all to life uniquely and in incredible detail.
The story works to really make what follows works, as the essence of Barry Allen and his principal role as the moral conscience of the entire DC Universe really comes clear here as Johns shakes the 25 years of dust off of one of comics' best characters and tells an outstanding and memorable story that is as much about the character's history as it is about the character's return.
jhstack's review against another edition
3.0
Good enough to keep my interest, but not quite the lighthearted Barry from the TV series that I'm most familiar with.
booksandpops4000's review against another edition
4.0
it was the first comic i ever read! I think i need to try and start a character from the start. i am going to try the next selection of stories and see f i like it better.
howattp's review against another edition
5.0
This was my first foray into The Flash, a character in whom I've never been interested.
And I was a little blown away.
In a good way.
It's a complex mythology, a broad universe populated by a wide variety of interconnected characters. Geoff Johns does what he did with Green Lantern: Rebirth and brings back the title's iconic character to be front and center. He does it in a believable way, creating a slightly altered mythology that broadens what could be at stake.
Further review pending.
And I was a little blown away.
In a good way.
It's a complex mythology, a broad universe populated by a wide variety of interconnected characters. Geoff Johns does what he did with Green Lantern: Rebirth and brings back the title's iconic character to be front and center. He does it in a believable way, creating a slightly altered mythology that broadens what could be at stake.
Further review pending.
lilmatt050's review against another edition
4.0
I just finished watching the season finale of The Flash and desperately needed more Barry Allen in my life. The show and its graphics are spectacular and really makes the storytelling of this iconic superhero come to life. I researched as to what graphic novel should I read for a novice fan of The Flash and everyone proclaimed that you should read this graphic novel.
I dislike comics and graphic novels from the Golden Age because the storyline is cheesy, less graphic details, and to be honest it's boring. But this graphic novel was action pack and I love how the illustrators were able to illustrate the speed force, the different costumes for each speedster, and could accurate portray Barry Allen when he runs and fights combat. The issue I have with this storyline is there is so much backstory history that will not make sense for a novice.
Barry Allen supposedly died or join the speed force and Wally West became the Flash. It's been 23 years since Barry has left the comic universe and now he has returned to Central City but cannot explain why the speed force has brought him back. Everyone is excited that he is back and they want to throw parties and get to see their friend again everyone from Justice League, Hal Jordan, to Iris West and the rest of the speedsters.
At first Barry is reluctant towards reunited with his friends and loved ones and believes he needs to solve the murder of his mother. But during his run into the speed force a villain named Savitar comes out his lightning suit and when Barry touches him, he disintegrate into dust and Barry knows something is wrong. His friends and loved ones try to help him but ultimately they meet the villain of the story which is Eobard Thawne aka the Reverse Flash.
It was predictable that they would bring him back and now that he is alive, he seeks to ruin Barry in every which way possible. Barry needs all the speedsters help to put an end to Thawne before he destroys the fate of the speedster.
In all honesty if it weren't for the television show I would be completely lost and I don't recommend this for everyone who doesn't know about the Flash and their iconic characters. For the storyline I would rate this about 3 stars or 3.5 but I have to admit that the graphic were beyond my expectations and I thought they were going to do a horrible job with the illustrations and the storyline but I was wrong.
I cannot wait to read more about Barry Allen and hopefully read better storylines in the mere future.
I dislike comics and graphic novels from the Golden Age because the storyline is cheesy, less graphic details, and to be honest it's boring. But this graphic novel was action pack and I love how the illustrators were able to illustrate the speed force, the different costumes for each speedster, and could accurate portray Barry Allen when he runs and fights combat. The issue I have with this storyline is there is so much backstory history that will not make sense for a novice.
Barry Allen supposedly died or join the speed force and Wally West became the Flash. It's been 23 years since Barry has left the comic universe and now he has returned to Central City but cannot explain why the speed force has brought him back. Everyone is excited that he is back and they want to throw parties and get to see their friend again everyone from Justice League, Hal Jordan, to Iris West and the rest of the speedsters.
At first Barry is reluctant towards reunited with his friends and loved ones and believes he needs to solve the murder of his mother. But during his run into the speed force a villain named Savitar comes out his lightning suit and when Barry touches him, he disintegrate into dust and Barry knows something is wrong. His friends and loved ones try to help him but ultimately they meet the villain of the story which is Eobard Thawne aka the Reverse Flash.
It was predictable that they would bring him back and now that he is alive, he seeks to ruin Barry in every which way possible. Barry needs all the speedsters help to put an end to Thawne before he destroys the fate of the speedster.
In all honesty if it weren't for the television show I would be completely lost and I don't recommend this for everyone who doesn't know about the Flash and their iconic characters. For the storyline I would rate this about 3 stars or 3.5 but I have to admit that the graphic were beyond my expectations and I thought they were going to do a horrible job with the illustrations and the storyline but I was wrong.
I cannot wait to read more about Barry Allen and hopefully read better storylines in the mere future.