By Francis Manapul - The Flash Volume 2: Rogues Revolution HC

The Flash (2011)

by Francis Manapul

Struck by a bolt of lightning and doused in chemicals, Central City Police scientist Barry Allen was transformed into the fastest man alive. Tapping into the energy field called The Speed Force, he applies a tenacious sense of justice to protect an serve the world as The Flash!The Flash's Rogue's Gallery are back--but they are more powerful than ever and they're each looking to take down the Fastest Man Alive! Who is behind their sudden organization and why are they also after their former leader, Captain Cold? The Flash must think fast if he can outrun and survive their attack!Collecting : The Flash 0, 9-12, Annual 1

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

Hardcover

First published September 1, 2012

About the author

Francis Manapul is a comic book artist living in Toronto, Canada currently working for DC comics. His list of credits include the forthcoming Adventure Comics, and Superman Batman. In the past he's worked on titles like Legion of Super-Heroes, Iron and the Maiden, Necromancer, Sept Guerrieres, Tomb Raider, Darkness, G.I Joe and of course Witchblade.

Photo by Luigi Novi.

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I totally loved this!
But.
My opinion is biased by the fact that I read it with my son.
See, he's almost 14.
If you're a parent, then you know that by the time your kid gets to 14, you are no longer cool.
Hanging with Mom?
*snort*
As if.
Which is normal...I get it.
Still, from Mom's point of view, it sucks.
Hard.
I used to be the go-to guy (or gal) when he wanted to have a good time.
As in:
Read me a story, Mom!
Play Legos with me, Mom!
Watch tv with me, Mom!
Alas...no more.
Now, he's an evasive creature that only a seasoned photographer for National Geographic could catch on film.
So when he stuck his head over my shoulder, grabbed some chips and salsa, and asked if he could read it with me?

I slowly nodded, and gently turned the page...convinced that big movements would startle the skittish animal.
By the time we finished, I was convinced that my hand was going to be permanently cramped into the shape of a claw, and my stomach was gurgling from all of the salsa.
Totally worth it.
"Cool.", it said.
*insert my dorky mental fist pump here*
Then the elusive beast slithered silently off to it's cave.

So, there you have it. Best book I've read all year!

The majority of this volume is about introducing us to the new stuff about Flash's Rogues gallery.
I get why they changed up their stories, 'cause let's face it, Flash has always had the lamest group of villains. In the New 52 version of things, they are slightly better. Captain Cold 'n Company all have real powers now...instead of gadgets.
Stop complaining. It needed to be done.
On a side note, does anyone else find Flash's bad guys sort of endearing? Loveable, even?
Well, except for Grodd.
Damn dirty ape!

I think the only thing I really didn't like was the side-story about his girlfriend, Patty.
I don't like her, and I can't wait till Iris finally gets out of the Speed Force/Twilight Zone. Either that or tell Patty that you're still alive, Barry! The whole reasoning behind why he doesn't is stupid.
Oh no! I couldn't bear to burden her!
Huh?
Burden her with what, exactly? Not having to grieve over her lover is a burden?
It's an overused attempt to keep a superhero's identity safe. I'd appreciate it if they could just for once say, I'm pretty sure you're not gonna last, so I don't trust you with this really big secret. You know, just in case you get possessed by some cosmic superpower that wants to kill me...or something.

Flash isn't anywhere near a favorite of mine, but this was a pretty enjoyable book. Definitely going to keep reading this title!

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been awhile since I read the first volume of this run, but this second volume was very good which is a surprise as so much of the New 52 is terrible. This story went really well.

We start out with the Kingdom of Apes and Grodd which was pretty stupid really and then we get back to Central City (it’s a hard cut and not a real transition) and the city has changed and the Flash is harassed now. He goes undercover and finds his way to a villains bar. We are introduced to the Rogues. I have to say that they are entertaining and decent villains. I had fun with this and I thought it was a good story. I’m actually excited to read the next one. I have to get it quick before the library gets rid of it. The first of the year, they ax a whole lot of old titles. It’s pretty brutal.

Barry is fast as ever and fun here. The last chapter seemed to be left on a stupid cliff hanger with Grodd again which doesn’t please me. We also get some weird flashback to Barry’s dad that I didn’t think was really needed, but if the Rogues stay around, then I’m excited for more. This worked really well.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Manapul puts his own spin on the Rogues, getting rid of their gadgets and giving them powers instead. The storytelling is very scattered. A lot happens off panel, which is confusing and makes for a disjointed story. Manapul still makes the book sing artistically. The fill in artists do a good job as well, but Manapul makes the other artists look like they are using crayons.

[Donovan · Rating 4 out of 5]

While still exciting and beautifully illustrated, Rogues Revolution is less focused than Move Forward due somewhat to the sophomore slump.

The Rogues story arc feels kinda quick, but it does in fact tie in to the larger story. The "subtly" named Dr. Darwin Elias uses his genetic recoder to give the Rogues their powers in order to orchestrate the assassination of Flash's social character. At first his supposed ally, it's obvious now that Elias is more Flash's enemy.

Elias' motivation is a bit cloudy, however, explaining it away as a random social experiment. But science isn't random, as he also explains, because the scientific method and experiments have very clear procedures and objectives. I'm thinking this may be explained in later volumes, because it's been years since I've read this series.

There's also the feeling of distance from Volume 1, like the events happened long ago. The vortexes created by Turbine, those who are lost in the Speed Force, Grodd and Gorilla City, the E.M.P. blackout. I know that Manapul and Buccellato are doing a slow burn here, and laid plans for several plot lines in Volume 1, but they're burning VERY slowly in this volume and fall to the background of the Rogues' reintroduction.

That said, it's a fun if less consequential story. The Rogues have a lot of backstory that's quickly covered and reworked, Barry continues to grow in speed, power and character, and right at the end the Guerilla Gorilla War crashes into Central City. Another solid entry in this series.

[Lashaan Balasingam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unlike the first volume, Francis Manapul pulls the storyline towards the introduction of The Flash's rogue gallery, Rogues. What this does is that a lot of the subplots that were left hanging in the first volume and seemed to be there in the purpose of teasing bigger things to come were under-utilized and severely neglected throughout the story. An attempt to develop those elements only felt like a sabotage mission to what this volume ended up focusing on.

If we look at the introduction of the Rogues, it was fun, but also quickly dealt with each time. From Captain Cold to Mirror Master, the Rogues are an interesting squad of criminals who once had rules, but then were abandoned after a tragic event that changed each of their lives. The origin story of the Rogues proved to be interesting and still gives us a nice look at some of The Flash's most memorable and common villains, and Francis Manapul does a wonderful job in creating a story that utilizes each of their powers in a creative way.

Dr. Elias' story was also finally demystified, but when it came the time to tell us what happened to him, all I felt was an overwhelming feeling of disappointment. It's not the worse thing ever, but it did feel lazy.

Speaking of lazy, The volume incorporates two extra issues, a #0 and The Flash Annual #1, and were truly killers of momentum to the volume's pacing. The origin story of The Flash in #0 was still pretty good and covers all the basis of what we know about The Flash and what his powers mean to him now.

Francis Manapul's artwork still continues to excel with his unique style and is again what makes this series so far such an entertaining ride. Everything feels fast-paced, electric and flashy, and honestly, I can't wait for when things get dark and crueler villains drop by. At least I hope that will occur sometime soon!



Yours truly,

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

[Subham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another awesome read!

It starts with Barry fighting against Grodd in gorilla city and I love the twist with him here and like their confrontation and then on his search for Patty after last volume, he comes to the Mardon estate and we learn what happened to Mark's brother and how Patty ties into it and his battle with Weather Wizard is so awesome and the whole thing is just insanely well written and drawn. And how that story leads into the battle with Captain Cold and Heatwave and how it further involves the other rogues and what happened to them exactly and how it all ties together, Rogue war and the flash stuck in the middle and how Dr Elias is involved and Central city in danger and what not. Just insanely well written and its becoming one of my fav Flash stories. Plus that ending omg, it leads so well into the next arc!

Its an epic voume and has lots of cool moments and does well to use the Rogues in a manner that will make you love them and just relate to Barry so much more and the trials and tribulations he will be going through plus the secret origins issue with what happened to him 5 years ag and how he became the flash will make you love him! Ahh its so good, I love it. Probably one of the best flash volumes, the art is just so good here and no words can compliment it enough.

[Lesia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Його звати Баррі Аллен і він - найшвидша людина на землі⚡️

Флеш - мій улюблений супергерой із всесвіту DC. Доклався до цієї симпатії однойменний серіал від CW. Правда, я його закинула на половині другого (здається) сезону, але думаю, що якось ще повернуся до перегляду, бо незважаючи, що він слабенький, дуже вже симпатичні актори та їхні герої.

Окремо не можу не згадати Езру Міллера, який чудово зіграв Баррі у кіновсесвіті DC. У честь його камео у «Загоні Самогубців» ми з братом на прем‘єру (3 роки тому?) прийшли у футболках з логотипом (ну звісно!) Флеша 😁 Поява Езри була ефектною і це був чи не найкращий момент фільму 😅

І ось нарешті познайомилась із оригінальним (оригінальнішим?) Флешем. Та ще й рідною мовою. І урочисто оголошую, що на перший двох книгах не зупинятимусь та чекатиму видань наступних частин.

І хоча ці дві книжечки не мої, а подарунок від Миколая двоюрідному брату мого коханого чоловіка, останньому також сподобалось читати комікси і він урочисто оголосив, що скуповуватиме й інші 😱

[Scott Foley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the Flash. I’ve loved the Flash since childhood. I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again: I especially loved Mark Waid and Geoff Johns’ runs on the Flash. I loved Barry, then I loved Wally, and then I loved Barry again (and I’m anxiously awaiting Wally’s return).

The New 52 felt unnecessary when it came to the Flash. After all, Barry Allen had only recently returned to the role and Geoff Johns went to a lot of trouble to adapt the Flash’s world to accommodate Wally, Jay, and Barry. But, even with that said, I didn’t mind the (sort of) reboot. Comics are a perpetual medium, and companies must freshen things up as a whole every so often.

I’m telling you all of this because I like the Flash. I really like the Flash. I want to like the Flash. And while I love The New 52 Flash’s art and its dedication to interesting layouts and an unrelenting sense of forward momentum, I can’t help but feel the stories are a step behind.

For me, and this is only my opinion, this volume of The Flash feel frenetic, and that’s good when it comes to art depicting the Fastest Man Alive, but not helpful when it comes to coherence. The plots are rushed, the characterization is spotty (Barry’s a bartender now?), and the dialogue … Well, that’s one of my main sticking points. The dialogue is clunky. I really hate to criticize, but all of the characters’ sounded the same to me. I did not get a sense of a distinct personality from any of them.

Finally, granting the Rogues super powers is another step in the wrong direction. I believe part of the Rogues’ charm was their ridiculous technology. Next to Batman, Flash has some of the best villains out there, but unlike the Batman, they were really just crooks with some nifty gadgets. Did anyone ever really think they stood a chance against a man who can move in the blink of an eye? Johns did a wonderful job of conveying this irony during his first run on the title. I understand the intent may be to make them more of a challenge to the Flash, but giving them super powers isn’t the way to achieve it. I would instead have perhaps amped up their equipment, given it a more modern touch somehow, or, perhaps, rounded out their characterization. Again, between Waid and Johns, it would be hard to add more depth to them, but simply giving them powers seems too easy and, ultimately, boring.

Now, I admit that I could be wrong. Perhaps there is a master plan in the works here, maybe I’m jumping the gun a bit. Perhaps Manapul and Buccellato are playing the long game, and what seems haphazard and disjointed will ultimately be a complex, interwoven tale that satisfies. As of right now, though, I’m hesitant to believe this is the case.

Will I keep buying The Flash? Probably, because I love the character, the art is some of the best in the industry, and, from what I hear, creative changes are looming. I’ve followed this character since the early 80s and I see no reason to stop now, even if the actual storytelling isn’t my cup of tea at the moment.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a bit a novice when it comes to The Flash. My knowledge of the character comes from his portrayal in various television programs -- both live action and animated. But I'm interested enough by what I've seen in those portrayals to want to go back to the source material and learn more.

This second collection of the New 52 Flash is an interesting one. While many of the characters are familiar, I don't know enough about their history to definitively say whether what happens here is good, bad or somewhere in between. Back in Central City, the Flash faces overwhelming anti-Flash public sentiment, whipped up by one of his old friends. Couple that with several adversaries coming back into town, all with a new take on their old weapons and you've got a very interesting dilemma for the Scarlet Speedster.

I find it interesting that a comic book series would spend a run of issues delving into the minds and psyche of our heroes various foes as this one does. Most of these faces are familiar from the just completed first season of the show and I'll admit I found myself having to separate what we saw there from what we get here.

I also found it a bit confusing to come across a massive cliffhanger and then go into a storyline that gave us the capsule history of the Flash and had no ties to said cliffhanger. I understand these collected editions are meant to put together a couple of months worth of continuity, but a little more explanation might have left me not scratching my head as I wondered just how and when the flashback to our hero's origin was going to come into play. I guess this is my Marvel bias showing through because it feels like Stan Lee used to give us a reminder of everyone's origin every two to three years as a way to welcome in new readers.

Overall, this was an interesting little story. I'm sure to pick up the next installment simply because the cliffhanger left me curious as to where things might go next.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of the weaker Flash tales with good artwork.

OVERALL GRADE: C plus.

[max · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is getting better! The Rogues are so badass, they're definitely my type of villains.

[James DeSantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another solid book but nothing groundbreaking. Maybe I should start with the old Flash stories, but getting into him with New52 hasn't been as amazing as I hoped. You get to see the rogues fighting each other, while also featuring the ending surprise cliffhanger of Grodd, but then another twist happens at the end of this one. Overall, it's fun, and cheesy, but it won't be staying with me just like volume 1. Good stuff but should be great.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I get it that he's the Flash,but this book is way to quick to jump around before even finishing an event. What happened to saving the people trapped in the speed force? seems too inconsistent.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

To check out all my reviews: http://dancinginth3dark.blogspot.com

True Rating: 4.5

After reading this 2nd volume I have to admit that the storyline has excel considerably compare to the first book in the series but I have to admit that the writers are negligent when it comes to providing background information when it comes to certain characters and their conflicted issues with the Flash. I am an amateur when it comes to superheroes comics and I am not going to invest countless hours trying to study every single character and their origin story and that issue can be fixed efficiently with only a few pages of backstory in the comics.

I am delighted that we finally get to learn about Barry Allen's past specifically when it comes to his parents and how his mother got killed (Even though I know this already thanks to the television show) but we still are left out of the loop when it comes to villains like Captain Cold, Heatwave, Captain Glider and others.

Periodically when it comes to comics, these issues get answered later or not at all but between the artwork and the action scenes, these questions often get put aside and in this book this issue is transparent. I do not know why we have this elephant in the room but I hope the issue gets fixed because when the creators/writers do not provide the essential details it comes across that they don't care about the readers and it ruins the experience of reading our favorite heroes.

Now back to the story... The Flash discovered the speed force and trapped inside this vortex is a man named Turbine who appears to be causing the raucous of ripping the fabric of time whenever Flash reaches high levels of the speed force. Turbine wants to escape and thanks to the Flash he has found his escape and both him and Flash get sucked back into Earth except Flash meets a civilization of sophisticated gorillas who has a new leader called Grodd. Apparently this source of lightening has been trying to find an individual who can use these powers effectively and throughout civilizations every time this flash of electricity has shined on a certain tribe it either flourished for a certain period of time or wreaks havoc because they cannot handle this power.

Before Barry Allen received his powers, this group of Gorillas got shot by lightening and the aftermath of this incident has lead these Gorillas to become intelligent beings who the likes have never been seen by humans and they realized that Barry is the messenger that their time on Earth has ended since they have become a savage society under their ruler and Grodd cannot accept and wants to kill the Flash.

The other storyline that develops is these groups of villains known as Rogues are now taking advantage and causing chaos in the city which the Flash needs to take care of asap. I admire tremendously the amount of handwork these illustrators put into the graphics and making the story believable with a superhero who runs at the speed of light and they make the effort look smooth. I have absolute no clue what is the direction this comic is heading but I have faith that the storyline will improve the further we venture along in the series. I would recommend this graphic novel to those who love the television series and need their daily dose of Barry Allen.

[Ricky Ganci · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.5 stars) The thing that I liked best about this second volume of THE FLASH was the way in which Manapul and Buccellato pull all of the plot threads together into single core narrative that can go anywhere from here--all details, characters, motivations, and dialogue are significant, and as questions come up, the story answers them in due time. The control that the two book-runners show over the story impresses and entertains, setting up a third volume in which the stakes continue to rise.

If volume 1 puts the pieces on the table, this volume sets them up, and then puts them into motion. There are quite a few plot threads running around, from Grodd to Captain Cold, from Patty Spivot's grief to Iris West's internment inside the Speed Force, and others. What this volume does, without resolving all of them too quickly, is weave them together to a point of convergence at which the reader sees them as all connected to Barry's dual identity. The V1 discussion of CC's sister seemed inconsequential at the time, but becomes crucial in V2, as it not only extends the story of the Rogues but also clarifies dialogue that seems at the moment of utterance to be only context, but is actually part of a larger concern, and is probably the overarching conflict that the Flash is dealing with at the current moment--it's also one that came as a terrific surprise in this volume. It's hard to pull off evil mastermind stuff in storytelling, but Manapul and Buccellato do it effortlessly, weaving a series of stand-alone stories together to a terrific conclusion (that also contains a wildly plotty cliffhanger). Well-structured stories are the best kind in my opinion, and this volume, though not a complete story by any stretch, represents a particularly well-structured sequence of comic books.

As good as the current Flash plot is, however, the #0 issue that is included at the end of the volume might be the single best issue of the New 52 that I've yet read. Without forsaking the current emotional and personal state of Barry Allen, Manapul and Buccellato investigate and clarify his history as a scientist, police officer, and of course as the Flash himself, piecing together an artfully-structured explanation of his first moments as The Fastest Man Alive. As an entre-acte between volumes 2 and 3 in which Barry's identity is at a crossroads, this brief look back is a terrific reminder of the Flash's absolutely moral nature and a validation of the statement that Batman makes in Justice League: Barry is a police officer and doesn't like to work outside the law. His code of ethics stems from the search for justice within the law, and as Central City prepares for a new challenge, this is material that makes this collection more than the sum of its parts. A terrific read, a great story, and standout artwork makes this volume of THE FLASH the exact step forward that the book needs.

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought there was a slight dip in the quality of art and storytelling compared to the first volume; but then I felt there was an improvement in the development of characters and backstory in this volume, which is what I felt was lacking in the first volume.

The Gorilla Grodd issues were a little confusing, but it is clear they are just set-up for a much larger Gorilla Grodd storyline. Volume 1 pulled a similar tactic, it put a lot of puzzle pieces on the table so that Volume 2 could put them together. I'm sure volume 3 will put all of these Gorilla City puzzle pieces in order for us too.

My favourite part of this collection was the Annual. It had a pinch of origin story, a dash of retcon, a few completely new ideas that moved the larger story forward and it reassembled ALL of my favourite Flash characters. I loves me my Pied Piper and I'm anxious to find out what happens to him!!

A very enjoyable read. Not perfect, but very enjoyable.

4/5

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun ride with the Flash. We got some background on the new and improved Rogues, who are in my opinion some of the coolest bad guys. I love the art by Francis Manapul! It really brings the story to life.

[Ashley Cruzen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story definitely picked up a bit in this volume but the art is still the most enticing aspect of this series so far! So stunning!

[Anna Quilter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than Vol 1...
The Rogues revamped....Patty being annoying....Grodd (sort of).....

[Torono · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oof Barry Allen is back! And I'm glad they gave him good writing

[Rick Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm nearly to the end of all of the New 52 wave 1 volume 2's that I can get my hands on. I saved this book for the end because of how much I enjoyed volume 1.

Francis Manapul is still pulling double duty on the book serving as co-author and as artist, but this time he also has help on the art side. I'll start with that art first. Francis was the penciler on all but 2 of the issues in this volume. His characters look just as great as in the previous volume, but he still also has the one shortfall of drawing some panels from a distant view without much detail. Thankfully, such panels don't appear that often. His art has a soft feel to it. None of the details are done in heavy blacks the way most traditional comic art is. This has almost a water color or colored pencil look to it. The Flash is still the best looking character in his art. The speed effects just add to the beauty of the panels that Flash is in. Glider has replaced Patty Spivot as the next best character drawn by Manapul. Patty still looks great, but Glider looks amazing. Francis' art gets the same 4.5 stars as last time.

Marcus To has some traditional looking comic art. The black inking is done heavier on his art and stylistically looks closer to the Jim Lee/Michael Turner art style that I love. To's depictions of Weather Wizard and Captain Cold look better than Manapul's, but his version of Patty looks worse. Marcus' Flash is about equal to the one by Francis. The art of To gets 4 1/2 stars.

Ray McCarthy has art in nearly half an issue with Marcus To. Seeing McCarthy's art next to To's is like seeing a little kid sit beside their dad and copying dad's drawing. It might be good if it was drawn by a kid, but since it is drawn by an adult it isn't. This art is pretty bad. Luckily, it doesn't take up many pages and To's art more than makes up for it. Since there is so little of this art in the book, it isn't even worth rating. The overall art score for the book is 4.5 stars.

Manapul and partner Brian Buccellato picked up right where they left off in the previous arc. Flash is in Gorilla City with Grodd and Iris West and three others are still trapped in the speed force. The story in Gorilla city seems a little rushed since it only takes up one issue. By the time Flash gets home he ends up having to deal with the entire group of the Rogues. Many of the New 52 books aren't using the heroes most well known villains. It is really nice seeing that isn't the case on this book. They're dragging out all of the Flash villains already. I'm loving the stuff that the writers have done to differentiate this version of Barry Allen from the pre-New 52 version. I don't want to ruin those changes for anyone so that's as much as I'll say about them. I think that even with the changes that the writers really understand who Barry is at his core and staying true to that. Writing gets 4.5 stars. I would have given a 5 if not for the rushed beginning to the book.

I felt that this series had one of he best of all the volume #1's that came out. After reading this 2nd volume, I still believe that this book belongs right beside Aquaman, Teen Titans, Batgirl, and Red Hood and the Outlaws as the cream of the New 52 crop.

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed the first volume of this new Flash, but here in volume 2, Rogues Revolution, the flaws are more obvious. The biggest problem is the comic's frenetic nature, with the storyline bouncing from one problem to another without pause. You can understand why the authors think that'd be a good choice for a Flash comic, but there's just no time to relax, and as a result we get almost no characterization of Barry Allen. Ironically, the comic is also too slow, a problem mainly focused on the extensive dialogue and captioning — which often doesn't say much.

The comics seemed to be on an upswing for the last few issues. The Rogue plot line really gained some weight by the annual, and the zero issue was excellent, but it was a bit of a trudge to get there.

[Lost Planet Airman · Rating 3 out of 5]

As much as I truly, truly like the Barry Allen Flash, I am left somewhat cold by the new stories since Flashpoint. Captain Cold is no longer a snarling villainous crook with a gun, he has powers. People are trapped in the Speed Force for issue after issue. People are trapped in the mirror dimension. People are trapped, well, dead-but-ghostly, I guess. A new scientist has come out of nowhere to alternately help and oppose The Flash.

I am only about a year into DC's "New 52" world, but I know now why there are so many who object to it.

to the bright side, I hear there is a "Rebirth" coming to DC Comics this year! (2016)

[Cale · Rating 2 out of 5]

Who are all these people? Should I know them? I'm familiar with the Rogues from previous flash collections, but in the New 52 some of them seem to be very different, and they literally appear from nowhere in the story, with little to no backstory ever evolved. This whole volume seems very ADHD - lots of ideas approached then abandoned as another tangent gets taken. It doesn't feel cohesive at all. And the number of plot threads still dangling, even from the first volume, that aren't even acknowledged, much less resolved, makes this a very unfulfilling read.

[aPriL does feral sometimes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Flash is a little too busy, but this is fine!

I think Flash Vol. 1 should be read first before reading this volume, otherwise it will be confusing. However, despite that motivations are unbelievable to me as to why the combatants are involved in struggling against each other, it is fun.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! The art is outstanding!

[Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here's a story arc all about the Rogues! The first volume had big sci-fi superhero stuff with falling planes and time hijinks and entering the Speed Force, so what's left to iron down for this "New 52" reboot of the Flash than his rogues gallery and origin story? This volume does both! Reintroduces the Rogues with some brand new status quo, and has a special #0 issue to go over the whole thing with Barry Allen's parents.

Unfortunately this volume is pretty boring. The art is the best part of New 52 Flash and Manapul isn't doing this entire volume- and when he does he gets a lot less freedom to experiment and mess around. And the Rogues have gone from having technology to fight the Flash to becoming actual meta-humans with superpowers and that takes all the charm away. Captain Cold being shunned by the Rogues and going to war with them? Yeah, I dig it, that's cool. They all have literal superpowers and they're all emotional and tortured because of it? Big pass. There's also this whole plot about everyone in-universe (at least, in his home city) hating Flash and him going undercover and it feels like a big turn-around from what generally makes the Flash such an enjoyable character to read.

This volume isn't bad, it's just... it's some pointless changes to the franchise to make it "new" and edgier, Barry Allen gets less page time and is less likable, the art is less consistent, and the story itself is less explosive. It's not terrible but it's worse than the first volume in every way, and can be downright angering if you care about who the Rogues were before this.

[Ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 🌟

Barry deals with the Rogues. He also goes to Gorilla City.

[Wing Kee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flawed, choppy but still good (just wished the art was at the quality of the first arc).

The first arc of the New52 Barry Allen was great, the art was amazing, the pacing was amazing, the story was fresh and new and PATTY SPIVOT was great. Coming into this new arc I was hoping for more of the same and further building up of the world and character of this new Flash and it's cast of characters, it does do it but with two main problems 1) Artists change throughout this arc made the quality of the art drop down a lot and 2) The story was a bit choppy in it's telling, details below:

World: The Central and Keystone City of this new Flash is similar but different, it's a good thing. It feels fresh and new but also has the nostalgia that Flash fans are looking for. In this arc we see more of Keystone but the highlights of the world building this time is Gorilla City and the Rogues (rebooted). The art is amazing when Manapul is drawing but when he is not, wow is it every ugly. I don't really think it's the temp artists fault, it's just that the standards that Manapul has set is so high that I can't see another artist drawing the Flash and framing him quite so stunningly.

Story: A lot of things happen in a short 6 issues and I think this is the biggest problem with the story, it's too choppy and rushed. Too many things happen in this arc that a lot of the emotional punch and the details are lost. Story points are throwaways and things happen not on the pages that should have (Patty being abducted is the first thing to come to mind). The entire story with Weather Wizard and Heat Wave was so sudden and so rushed that not enough time was spent on them and their motivations. Of course the story eventually leads to the Rogues Rebellion story, but I just wished this arc has happened further down the future so that each Rogue was given it's time in the spotlight to flesh them out. It looks spectacular (when Manapul is drawing) when they all show up (Golden Glider...wow) but yeah it felt rushed. The end of the story was not really an end, just another arc thowing itself into the fray...it's almost as if the storytelling is moving too fast!

Characters: Barry is great, especially the Zero Issue which dives into the past and into his crusade to find his father innocent. In this version his father is actually portrayed a bit more flawed and things are not as wonderful at home as in previous versions (I like this a lot). Patty is given a little space to develop (which I also like...she's awesome), and Captain Cold's story is awesome (wish the other Rogues also had this much time) but the rest of the cast did not have time to develop. The Rogues felt rushed, we don't really know the motivations except basic hatred, which is not enough in this modern comic book era. I will say that the Golden Glider story and Gorilla City and their Prophecy story was good, but the rest of the characters were not fully developed. I hope that this is looked into in the future.

A wonderful first arc and a good but flawed second arc. Here's hoping that the creative team can settle down and flesh out some of the story that was rushed in this arc...and have less guest artists.

Onward to the next book!

[Gavin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well this is better than Vol. 1. The art is still the strength here. I think also, this book is being marketed to teens, which is fine, as Comics wouldn't be anywhere without them, and not everything needs to be gritty, grim, dark and evil.
This did NOT start off well, as Flash shows up in Gorilla City with amnesia, and well, Gorilla Grodd is the STUPIDEST VILLAIN EVER. So dumb. Cannot take anything seriously with him in it.
Once we move away from that, it's a bit better. Barry returns home to Central City and finds that Flash is now persona-non-grata!
The next stories introduce us to the new Rogues Gallery: Weather Wizard, Glider, Heatwave, Captain Cold, Pied Piper (not really a Rogue anymore, and also, now a Gay man in a relationship with Barry's boss at CCPD...apparently DC wants to be full of gay characters, which is fine, as this one isn't done too badly, just matter of factly.) Trickster (B-list even among the Rogues Gallery) and Mirror Master.

OK wait a minute, did Stan Lee create Flash's Rogues Gallery? Gorilla Grood, Mirror Master, Weather Wizard, Captain Cold, Pied Piper...sounds just like a Marvel book.

So the Gallery is actually a little less embarrassing in their New 52 guises than they were before (shocking but this is the more realistic version of them!) as we have it explained that they all got their powers, whereas before they just had guns and devices that helped them do their crimes. But the fun part is, they're all mad at Cap Chilly because he decided that they would all get them as permanent powers, and well, there were some side effects...including the sort of death of Cap's younger sister. Mirror Master gets stuck in another dimension altogether, and Heatwave is permanently disfigured.

So someone decided to Batman-ify them and make them less pathetic losers. Now they're just mildly silly, but still kind of practical, in that they don't kill, do drugs, and only want to worry about the $$ they steal. However, there's a coup, and Cap Cold isn't in charge any more...he even ends up working WITH Flash to stop the rest of his old team.

Blah blah blah...then the Gorillas show up and everything good is flushed away in a...flash. (hehehe)

Flash #0 is included as an origin story, which works well, and also introduces some support characters (including Iris West's brother Daniel West...)

It's OK, better than Vol. 1 but still very pretty to look at, great art. Very colourful and fluid if that makes sense. very sleek lines.

like a sports car.

The Flash will work if it markets itself to a younger demo, as it's not as adult as others, not even as violent. Barry Allen is as all-American as it gets too. So if you go in knowing that, you can enjoy it.