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Flash Essential Reads Checklist

Ten Flash storylines that together map the character across every DC era. Showcase #4 reopened the superhero genre in 1956 and started the Silver Age; Flashpoint rewrote the entire DC Universe in 2011. Between them, the Flash mythology built the Multiverse, the Rogues, the Speed Force, and every legacy-hero succession pattern DC has used since. Entries are ordered chronologically and mix single issues with story arcs. If you only read two, read Showcase #4 and Flashpoint — the bookends of the Silver Age and Modern Age Flash.

10 picks

  1. Showcase #4 cover by Carmine Infantino, first appearance of Barry Allen as the Flash Key

    01 · October 1956

    Showcase #4

    First appearance of Barry Allen as the Silver Age Flash. The book credited with starting the Silver Age of superhero comics outright. Created by Robert Kanigher and Carmine Infantino.

  2. The Flash #110 cover, first appearance of Wally West as Kid Flash Key

    02 · January 1959

    Flash #110

    The Flash #110

    First appearance of Wally West as Kid Flash. The first superhero sidekick in the Silver Age. Wally inherits the Flash mantle in 1986 and holds it for roughly two decades.

  3. The Flash #123 cover, Flash of Two Worlds Key

    03 · September 1961

    Flash of Two Worlds

    The Flash #123

    First Silver Age appearance of Jay Garrick (the Golden Age Flash), first reference to Earth-Two, first crossover between DC's current and Golden Age continuities. The issue that invented the Multiverse.

  4. The Flash #139 cover, first appearance of Professor Zoom Key

    04 · September 1963

    Flash #139

    The Flash #139

    First appearance of Eobard Thawne, the Reverse-Flash / Professor Zoom. The character who would eventually kill Iris Allen and who defined the Flash's reverse-mirror antagonist archetype.

  5. The Flash #155 cover, the Rogues assembled for the first time

    05 · 1965

    Flash #155

    The Flash #155

    The Rogues team up against Flash for the first time. Captain Cold, Captain Boomerang, Mirror Master, Heat Wave, Pied Piper, and the Top. The Rogues as a coordinated team originates here.

  6. Superman #199 cover, first Superman vs Flash race

    06 · August 1967

    Superman #199 / First Superman-Flash Race

    Superman #199

    The first race between Superman and Flash. Inconclusive by editorial design; the race repeats across Flash #175 and later. A template the comics, animation, and film adaptations keep returning to.

  7. The Flash #275 cover, The Death of Iris Allen

    07 · July 1979

    The Death of Iris Allen

    The Flash #275

    Iris Allen is murdered by Professor Zoom. Barry's grief and subsequent trial-of-Flash arc define the late-Bronze Age Flash story. Iris later returns; the death itself is the pivotal character moment.

  8. Crisis on Infinite Earths #8 cover, death of Barry Allen Key

    08 · November 1985

    Crisis on Infinite Earths #8

    Marv Wolfman and George Perez. Barry Allen dies saving the multiverse. Stays dead for roughly 23 years. Wally West takes over the Flash title in 1986. One of the most consequential deaths in superhero comics.

  9. The Flash: Rebirth #1 cover by Ethan Van Sciver Key

    09 · 2009

    Flash: Rebirth

    The Flash: Rebirth #1-6

    Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver. Brings Barry Allen back permanently, integrates Wally West, Jay Garrick, and Bart Allen into a single Flash family, and formalizes the Speed Force mechanics. Sets up Flashpoint.

  10. Flashpoint #1 cover by Andy Kubert Key

    10 · 2011

    Flashpoint

    Flashpoint #1-5 + tie-ins

    Geoff Johns and Andy Kubert. Barry Allen breaks the timeline; the resulting alternate present leads into the New 52 line-wide reboot. One of DC's two modern line-wide reset events (the other being Crisis).