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The Flash (1987) (Old Editions) #8
The Flash, Vol. 1: Wonderland
collects "The Flash" # 164-169 (2000-2001)
Wally in Wonderland
The fastest man alive, The Flash, finds himself on s parallel Earth much like his own, but with one big difference... there is no Speed Force. Without the energy source that fuels all super speedsters, this world where Flash never existed has become dark habitat for anyone who wears a mask. Powerless and hunted by the law, the only way Wally West can survive and escape is to accept help from those he trust the least... his own Rogues Gallery.
Wonderland collects the first story arc by writer Geoff Johns, who would go on to write Wally's adventure for another half-decade! It also features the stunning artwork of Angel Unzueta and Doug Hazlewood, as well as covers by comic book legend Briand Bolland.
Wally in Wonderland
The fastest man alive, The Flash, finds himself on s parallel Earth much like his own, but with one big difference... there is no Speed Force. Without the energy source that fuels all super speedsters, this world where Flash never existed has become dark habitat for anyone who wears a mask. Powerless and hunted by the law, the only way Wally West can survive and escape is to accept help from those he trust the least... his own Rogues Gallery.
Wonderland collects the first story arc by writer Geoff Johns, who would go on to write Wally's adventure for another half-decade! It also features the stunning artwork of Angel Unzueta and Doug Hazlewood, as well as covers by comic book legend Briand Bolland.
144 pages, Paperback
First published October 10, 2003
8 people are currently reading
556 people want to read
About the author
Geoff Johns
2,718 books2,409 followersGeoff Johns originally hails from Detroit, Michigan. He attended Michigan State University, where he earned a degree in Media Arts and Film. He moved to Los Angeles in the late 1990s in search of work within the film industry. Through perseverance, Geoff ended up as the assistant to Richard Donner, working on Conspiracy Theory and Lethal Weapon 4. During that time, he also began his comics career writing Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. and JSA (co-written with David S. Goyer) for DC Comics. He worked with Richard Donner for four years, leaving the company to pursue writing full-time.
His first comics assignments led to a critically acclaimed five-year run on the The Flash. Since then, he has quickly become one of the most popular and prolific comics writers today, working on such titles including a highly successful re-imagining of Green Lantern, Action Comics (co-written with Richard Donner), Teen Titans, Justice Society of America, Infinite Crisis and the experimental breakout hit series 52 for DC with Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid. Geoff received the Wizard Fan Award for Breakout Talent of 2002 and Writer of the Year for 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 as well as the CBG Writer of the Year 2003 thru 2005, 2007 and CBG Best Comic Book Series for JSA 2001 thru 2005. Geoff also developed BLADE: THE SERIES with David S. Goyer, as well as penned the acclaimed “Legion” episode of SMALLVILLE. He also served as staff writer for the fourth season of ROBOT CHICKEN.
Geoff recently became a New York Times Bestselling author with the graphic novel Superman: Brainiac with art by Gary Frank.
His first comics assignments led to a critically acclaimed five-year run on the The Flash. Since then, he has quickly become one of the most popular and prolific comics writers today, working on such titles including a highly successful re-imagining of Green Lantern, Action Comics (co-written with Richard Donner), Teen Titans, Justice Society of America, Infinite Crisis and the experimental breakout hit series 52 for DC with Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid. Geoff received the Wizard Fan Award for Breakout Talent of 2002 and Writer of the Year for 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 as well as the CBG Writer of the Year 2003 thru 2005, 2007 and CBG Best Comic Book Series for JSA 2001 thru 2005. Geoff also developed BLADE: THE SERIES with David S. Goyer, as well as penned the acclaimed “Legion” episode of SMALLVILLE. He also served as staff writer for the fourth season of ROBOT CHICKEN.
Geoff recently became a New York Times Bestselling author with the graphic novel Superman: Brainiac with art by Gary Frank.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
May 27, 2021
This was an epic volume! Wally wakes in an alternate reality confused as to whats going on only to find everything is twisted and he is a criminal until he teams up with Captain Cold and Mirror Master to find out what actually happened and how it came to be this way and he has to battle against Plunderer and Thinker and get out of that dimension and save Keystone city and also facing off against Brother Grimm and the twisted origin tale of their enmity! This was such a great volume and just shows that Johns gets these character so well and the way he makes you feel nostalgic for wally and his family and city and everything and by the end the villains he teams up with or faces also make a decent mark on one's memory! And the art is really good, 90s high octane energy and some scenes with his wife were just wow!
November 23, 2014
MINI REVIEW: in which the Flash discovers he is in an alternative world in which he and other elements do not exist. In order to solve the problem and regain his powers (there is no Speedforce to grant him his speed) he must work with old Flash villains. Interesting narrative structure. Artwork/panels was somewhat good to good. OVERALL GRADE: B to B plus.
January 1, 2018
Wow, and I thought that present-day Johns is bad. This Flash book is one of his earliest comics, and it is just a bunch of nonsense that feels like it was written by a small child playing with his action figures, making up the story as he goes along.
Despite the lack of any coherent plot, Johns is doing some pretentious crap here by inserting quotes from Lewis Carroll at the beginning of every issue. What was even the point of that?
And it's insane that this was written in 2000, because I could swear that it's from the late 80's-early 90's with its ugly exaggerated artwork and pages upon pages of excruciatingly dull narration.
I'm torn. Johns's Flash run is considered one of the all-time best for the character, but this was clearly a terrible book. Does his run get much better after the first volume, or is Flash just a character who doesn't really have any good comics about him? Ugh... Should I try volume 2? Should I check out Waid, Morrison and Millar's stuff instead? I'll think about it.
Despite the lack of any coherent plot, Johns is doing some pretentious crap here by inserting quotes from Lewis Carroll at the beginning of every issue. What was even the point of that?
And it's insane that this was written in 2000, because I could swear that it's from the late 80's-early 90's with its ugly exaggerated artwork and pages upon pages of excruciatingly dull narration.
I'm torn. Johns's Flash run is considered one of the all-time best for the character, but this was clearly a terrible book. Does his run get much better after the first volume, or is Flash just a character who doesn't really have any good comics about him? Ugh... Should I try volume 2? Should I check out Waid, Morrison and Millar's stuff instead? I'll think about it.
December 4, 2011
My first exposure to some of the earliest Johns writing. It's not nearly as creaky and overdone as his work on The Avengers - the plotting is almost kinetic when things are moving - but it still grinds to a halt to explain (rather than show) what happened. It's not unlike reading Asimov, Clancy or Crichton - they just can't help to show you in excruciating detail how clever smart they are as people, rather than entertain as writers.
I'm told Johns is very highly sought after these days, so I'm assuming he sheds this amateur habit and gets more "show" than "tell" (and his work on 52 seems to bear that out). So I'm sticking with his stuff to see how it improves.
The stories are inventive, and Johns is certainly putting his stamp on Wally West. Now let's get down to business.
Nice covers, but the art (while well-executed) is awfully cartooney.
I'm told Johns is very highly sought after these days, so I'm assuming he sheds this amateur habit and gets more "show" than "tell" (and his work on 52 seems to bear that out). So I'm sticking with his stuff to see how it improves.
The stories are inventive, and Johns is certainly putting his stamp on Wally West. Now let's get down to business.
Nice covers, but the art (while well-executed) is awfully cartooney.
March 30, 2016
I had to struggle with this. It isn't terrible, but is dated and just not very interesting.
The first story arc has the Flash caught in some type of alternate reality (I'm leaving out spoilers). It's pretty generic and uninspired. The art is very odd to me: lots of odd angles of perspective, slightly distorted anatomy.
The second arc has a better story but the art is kind of boring. They even dulled down the color palette, I assume to have the Flash stand out more, but it makes the whole setting drab and pull all the life out of it.
The last story is probably the best with the most "modern" looking art and coloring, but it still wasn't enough to really make me want to keep reading.
I believe this volume is basically the same contents of The Flash Omnibus by Geoff Johns V1.
The first story arc has the Flash caught in some type of alternate reality (I'm leaving out spoilers). It's pretty generic and uninspired. The art is very odd to me: lots of odd angles of perspective, slightly distorted anatomy.
The second arc has a better story but the art is kind of boring. They even dulled down the color palette, I assume to have the Flash stand out more, but it makes the whole setting drab and pull all the life out of it.
The last story is probably the best with the most "modern" looking art and coloring, but it still wasn't enough to really make me want to keep reading.
I believe this volume is basically the same contents of The Flash Omnibus by Geoff Johns V1.
March 15, 2019
V pohodě průměr, kresba je strašná.
December 6, 2017
I'm not a great fan of The Flash but as I really enjoyed Johns work on Hawkman I jumped on over to his Flash run and started reading it. I think I originally started about half way through it and what I read I found really interesting and quite innovative. I found myself really liking the Wally West character and the supporting cast even more so.
Now years later I decided to read through the whole run from start to finish, probably the first time I have actually read the whole thing in order.
I think I can safely say that if I had read this first volume when it came out back in the day I would never have got any further. Considering how good Johns gets from the next volume on I am staggered as to how unenjoyable this is. It isn't just the art to, it doesn't matter who it was in this volume as Kolins really does an amazing job on the art after this so whoever did this is going to pale against him. The art here really does nothing for me and unusually for the early work of Johns (Hawkman and JSA are both great series) the story is just plain boring. Even the use of the wonderful Captain Cold doesn't liven anything up.
For me I would suggest ignoring this volume and just consider Volume two as the start of Johns run!
Now years later I decided to read through the whole run from start to finish, probably the first time I have actually read the whole thing in order.
I think I can safely say that if I had read this first volume when it came out back in the day I would never have got any further. Considering how good Johns gets from the next volume on I am staggered as to how unenjoyable this is. It isn't just the art to, it doesn't matter who it was in this volume as Kolins really does an amazing job on the art after this so whoever did this is going to pale against him. The art here really does nothing for me and unusually for the early work of Johns (Hawkman and JSA are both great series) the story is just plain boring. Even the use of the wonderful Captain Cold doesn't liven anything up.
For me I would suggest ignoring this volume and just consider Volume two as the start of Johns run!
April 7, 2020
The 90s art took some getting used to, but actually fits the idea really well. I liked the Alice in Wonderland references each issue, and the idea of an alternate Central City was cool, especially when it focused on the Rogues whilst pulling in other classic Flash characters. However, Barry's unheroic, random anger and the odd medieval setting for the finale reduced this book from a character/ location exploration to your average comic. Definitely read though if you're curious about Flash's world.
January 4, 2016
Pretty interesting start into these Wally West stories written by master scribe Geoff Johns. I got to say I've enjoyed seeing the strange detente that happens whenever Flash and Captain Cold run into each other. But I do find it interesting the amazing power of Mirror Master. Never much of a fan of this character until I finally was able to see what made him so dangerous.
The whole idea of someone using the physics of optics to create illusions, and dimensional rifts is pretty creepy and makes for a potent weapon for the Flash. Truly no other villain has that capability - making him a pretty cool opponent.
I find these stories well told for the most part as I slowly go through the rise of Wally West as the Flash. C+
The whole idea of someone using the physics of optics to create illusions, and dimensional rifts is pretty creepy and makes for a potent weapon for the Flash. Truly no other villain has that capability - making him a pretty cool opponent.
I find these stories well told for the most part as I slowly go through the rise of Wally West as the Flash. C+
March 31, 2014
I've seen this volume described as a "prelude" to Johns' Flash run or volume 0, and one can see why: it's just not up to the quality of the rest of the run. The writing is a bit slow and the beautiful artwork done by Kollins hasn't appeared yet. Also the idea of jumping from one alternate reality to another really doesn't help the story which mainly spins its wheels for 6 issues without any continuing plots or continuing characters.
With that said, this is still a somewhat important story plotwise. It introduces Plunder and it puts the focus on the Rogues, as Johns will continue to do throughout his run.
So, not the best Flash arc, but an important one.
With that said, this is still a somewhat important story plotwise. It introduces Plunder and it puts the focus on the Rogues, as Johns will continue to do throughout his run.
So, not the best Flash arc, but an important one.
February 19, 2013
Again reading Geoff Johns feels like I'm missing something, but less so than normal. I think Alternate universes are always a good place to start for story arcs of long established characters because it gives a good jumping off point.
I might pick up more of the Flash and see how it goes because I definitely enjoyed this arc more than i've enjoyed any of the other Flash stories I've tried to pick up.
I might pick up more of the Flash and see how it goes because I definitely enjoyed this arc more than i've enjoyed any of the other Flash stories I've tried to pick up.
March 10, 2017
Trapped in a mirror world, Wally needs the help of two rogues to return home.
Seeing the Flash team up with Mirror Master and Captain Cold was very interesting, especially because I'm new to Flash comics so it helped me learn more about their characters. This was a pretty good first volume but the mirror worlds became a little bit confusing to me sometimes. Still not a bad start to the series and I'm looking forward to the rest of Geoff Johns run on The Flash.
Seeing the Flash team up with Mirror Master and Captain Cold was very interesting, especially because I'm new to Flash comics so it helped me learn more about their characters. This was a pretty good first volume but the mirror worlds became a little bit confusing to me sometimes. Still not a bad start to the series and I'm looking forward to the rest of Geoff Johns run on The Flash.
August 14, 2020
I enjoyed the first part of this volume, with the dark mirror version of Keystone City, and The Flash having to team up with Captain Cold and Mirror Master. Once the story changes into a weird fairytale, it kind of lost me. I hear volume two is where things really start to get good though, so I'm looking forward to it.
February 17, 2017
I love Geoff John's storytelling. He manages to keep the Flash interesting without getting overly melodramatic. And the covers combine the best of the modern style with the old Julius Schwartz teaser cover style.
September 4, 2019
I have always been a fan of Geoff Johns' run on Green Lantern and Teen Titans, so I was excited to dive into his run on the Flash. The Flash has always been one of my favorite characters, especially the Wally West version. I really enjoyed the theme of Alice and Wonderland and alternate dimensions. Johns has a great grasp on Wally, and I really loved his take on Captain Cold and Mirror Master. I can't wait to continue reading this series!
May 8, 2021
(Re-read) This volume is Johns working out the kinks on his take on the Flash and the Rogues.
Two storylines with the first, in the mirror world of Keystone City being better.
It feels like Johns is picking up from someone else’s story by throwing you in the middle of a cast of characters and world that hasn’t been introduced.
Johns gives the Rogues a prominent place in this volume but doesn’t have them quite figured out yet. This volume still feels like the Rogues are just versions of Batman’s rogues gallery (the Alice in Wonderland storyline really shows that).
For a lot of people, Wally West is their favourite Flash. That’s from Wolfman and Perez’s run on the New Teen Titans, Waid and Johns’ runs on the Flash, as well as the Justice League cartoon. We just don’t get much characterization of Wally in this volume.
Two storylines with the first, in the mirror world of Keystone City being better.
It feels like Johns is picking up from someone else’s story by throwing you in the middle of a cast of characters and world that hasn’t been introduced.
Johns gives the Rogues a prominent place in this volume but doesn’t have them quite figured out yet. This volume still feels like the Rogues are just versions of Batman’s rogues gallery (the Alice in Wonderland storyline really shows that).
For a lot of people, Wally West is their favourite Flash. That’s from Wolfman and Perez’s run on the New Teen Titans, Waid and Johns’ runs on the Flash, as well as the Justice League cartoon. We just don’t get much characterization of Wally in this volume.
July 4, 2024
I like the intertextuality of ‘Alice Through the Looking Glass’ and starting each chapter with a Lewis Carol quote. The last few chapters were pretty unique and interesting as well with the backstory being told through a mid-evil tapestry, but overall I wasn’t super thrilled with this one.
You can tell this is Geoff John’s first outing with Wally and The Rogues, there’s definitely his potential on display, but probably his weakest Flash story.
You can tell this is Geoff John’s first outing with Wally and The Rogues, there’s definitely his potential on display, but probably his weakest Flash story.
June 9, 2024
Y por qué esta clase de cosas es por la que Wally West es y siempre será el personaje legado por excelencia
Ser tú mismo sin olvidar el peso y responsabilidades que cargas ≠ Ignorar lo que te corresponde por mero egoísmo y deseos personales
Ser tú mismo sin olvidar el peso y responsabilidades que cargas ≠ Ignorar lo que te corresponde por mero egoísmo y deseos personales
September 9, 2025
I’d have proceeded more time at the ren faire than mirror world but maybe that’s just me. Wally is the most interesting flash- and John’s really does have fun with those rogues- and I’m happy for it. Keep it up please
February 3, 2019
Didn’t really care for this at all. I’m going to carry on with Geoff Johns’ run on the flash cause I’ve heard it starts rocky but gets really good.
February 1, 2022
Good story. Not my favorite but it’s still really good. I really liked how he had to join with Captain Cold and Mirror Master to survive.
December 3, 2022
I can tolerate a bad story if it has good art but each new page made my eyes hurt.
December 19, 2022
Really rounded out story, cool to read.
June 28, 2024
A superb start to the new Johns run on flash.
June 15, 2020
I can see why this collection wasn't printed until after Geoff Johns became DC's superstar writer. It was fine, no more and no less. It had some interesting moments, but Johns was clearly still trying to find his voice on the Flash.
March 18, 2009
I picked this one as the jumping on point for Geoff John's run on Wally West's Flash. It's a good fast (lack of irony) read, telling a complete arc and involving some of my favorite Flash rogues - captain cold, the mirror master. I did find it sort of disturbing how easily Linda, Wally's wife, was led astray by the villain and that Wally didn't hold it against her at all. But that's what makes Wally Wally I guess - like other legacy characters, he has a lot of joy in his heart.
July 10, 2010
Reprints Flash #164-169. Flash finds himself in a world where the Flash never existed and is forced to team with Captain Cold and Mirror Master to save Keystone City. The story seems really drawn out and just has too many generic fights which seem like filler. The Rogues have always been one of the better part of the Flash series and the team-up of Flash with Cold and Mirror Master is fun.
April 19, 2010
Geoff Johns begins his classic run on The Flash with this great tale where The Flash re-examines himself and his relationships, using a nifty 'Alice In Wonderland' story device. Captain Cold is particularly well written.
February 15, 2015
Comienzo la etapa de Flash de Geoff Johns como una revisión del Universo DC que no conozco para nada, así que bien. Un primer tomo entretenido pero que no llega a ser gran cosa. Eso sí, me ha gustado mucho el personaje de Captain Freeze :P
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews