This volume hit all the notes I wanted. From "Flash of Two Worlds" to every Elongated Man team-up and Kid Flash issue, this was pure joy to read. I love the silly puns and outrageous situations that Barry has to deal with, as the Flash and as himself. Seeing the JSA was amazing (I cannot wait to dive into those!) and we get our first glimpse of Reverse Flash/Professor Zoom. It's nice to have a bit of levity and see a hero who enjoys their job.
Some of these stories are honestly pretty dull, but it does have the classic Flash of Two Worlds story and the first Reverse Flash (among some other Rogues' stories) so that elevates it a little. The majority of the writing is about what you'd expect from this period in DC, but there's a few high notes that just weren't found in a lot of other books at the time. Those are the ones checking out, but a lot of these are easily skippable.
A very hefty collection of Flash comics from the Silver Age... this collects a bunch of average Flash vs Villain stories, and then a few special ones as well, including the meeting between Barry Allen and Jay Garrick, the original Flash, and several subsequent team-ups between the two. There are a few stories with Kid Flash, and honestly a plethora of villains; he faces just about everybody, not only the Rogues but also various one-time villains, and then a few fun Rogues team-ups, like the Trickster and Captain Cold, and then even Vandal Savage.
A fun mix, but honestly EXTREMELY thick- good for reading in small doses. I'm not a big fan of the Silver Age style, but it's still a fun read. I didn't read every issue, instead just going through the ones I thought sounded/looked the most interesting, and so I'd say it's a good read, primarily for Flash fans though.
FYI: First appearance of the "multi-verse" in DC Comics, so there's another reason to read.
Part of the general trouble with early 60's DC comics, a lot of long winded dialogue, one shot issues, dumb plot resolutions, unmoved characters.
But I guess I like Barry Allen/Flash more than most. He has a fiancee, so that's pretty fun, and he has a pretty reliable if hokey relationship with a lot of villains with super powered guns and toys and such, making for some fun.
They brought back Jay Garrick, i.e. Golden Aged flash with the silver hat, in this volume, and he's a nice yin yang for Barry. They're both nice do gooders, but Jay is a little more wary as an older Flash, and they make for a good team.
Solid writing with a lot of dumb limitations that Marvel had already passed by in this era. Oh well.