The Flash: Rebirth Deluxe Edition Book 2

The Flash (2016) #3-4

by Joshua Williamson, Carmine Di Gianmenico (Illustrator)

The next wave of THE FLASH volumes as a part of DC Universe Rebirth are collected here in hardcover for the first time ever!

Central City is quiet...a little too quiet. Which means one thing: the Rogues are up to something, and only the Flash can stop them! But first Barry Allen needs to track down his classic cadre of villains, who've vanished in advance of their greatest plan ever.

From up-and-coming writer Joshua Williamson (Illuminati, Red Skull) and illustrator Carmine Di Giandomenico comes THE FLASH: THE REBIRTH DELUXE EDITION BOOK 2! This collection features paperback volumes 3 and 4 of the series, combined to make a deluxe edition graphic novel in hardcover for the first time ever. Collects issues #14-27.

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

352 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2018

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, so this was a pretty good Flash story. Some of it seemed familiar, but I'm assuming that was probably because I've already read Batman/The Flash: The Button Deluxe Edition. Other than that, this was fresh stuff that seemed on par with all the other recent Flash Rebirth stuff I've read.



You know how The Rogues are sometimes good, sometimes bad? Well, this one has the sometimes bad version. Not a bad story, but I prefer my Rogues less evil and more morally ambiguous.



Then there's some stuff with Wally that leads into a Suicide Squad crossover/team-up, and that inevitably leads to some answers (for Wally) about what happened while Daniel (Reverse-Flash) was a member back during the New 52.

Overall, yes. I liked this installment. Would I recommend it to random comic readers? Maybe not. I think you have to be a fan of Flash and/or looking specifically for comics about this character to truly enjoy it.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting tales and some not so interesting tales.

Good to great artwork all the way through.

MY GRADE: B

[Jirka Navrátil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flash od Williamsona mě fakt baví, je to tak 3,7 z 5. Je to moc hezky nakreslené a příběh je taky fajn. Kupodivu mi nevadí žádný zaporak oproti Kungovému Batmanovy, kde mě někteří zaporaci nudili.

[Matěj Komiksumec · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flash je hrozně fajn série, líbí se mi vztahy mezi postavami. Ale ta kresba, zdá se mi že je sešit od sešitu horší a horší.

[Cale · Rating 3 out of 5]

This deluxe collection has a rematch with the Rogues that is okay but not the best (it doesn't really let many of them show off their abilities, and the story vacillates on their behavior and motivations a lot), half of the Button storyline, and then immediately undoes the death of Thawne and makes him the villain of a time-travel spanning story. It's okay stuff, but not the Flash at his best - it's another case of Flash being his own worst enemy, and spending way too much time in his own head rather than thinking his way through solutions. At least it moves the Iris/Barry relationship along a few story steps. But Thawne as a villain just gets boring, especially here, where he's a needy fanboy. It was an enjoyable enough read, but the more I think about it, the more I realize I didn't particularly enjoy it.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joshua Williamson continues his incredible run on The Flash with this second hardcover volume. Williamson reintroduces us to the Rouges who remain a colourful and engaging component of the Flash mythos. Captain Cold is the standout of the group. Throughout this volume the narrative retains an old school super hero vibe with artwork from Carmine Giandomenico being a standout.

This volume concludes with the creepy and dynamic Reverse-Flash returning to cause havoc and destruction. The contrast of this character with The Flash is a great visual. The only dud in this collection is a couple issues of "The Button" storyline that do not provide a coherent story. Despite this shortcoming I am looking forward to the next volume!

[Tony Laplume · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second volume sees Williamson use “but” less, so that was a relief. It also contains the Flash issues from “The Button,” and as such Howard Porter’s debut in the series, which means Carmine Di Giandomenico has to do less of the heavy lifting (the Rebirth double shipping ultimately asked too much of the art department, and Flash was clearly hit hard). The storytelling is a little more wobbly as Williamson seemingly didn’t expect to have been kept on the title so long, so that here he’s sometimes visibly grasping for ideas (later he has a much better grasp). We do get the Rogues and another Reverse-Flash story, plus Wally trying to make sense of life as the new Kid Flash.

One of those, coulda been worse coulda been better deals.

[José Ignacio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Josh Williamson really gets Barry

This has to come close for me as my second favorite Flash era ever.

Here Williamson shows his understanding and love for Barry Allen and the whole Flash mythos, his showcase of The Rogues especially got to me; the very brief hint of hope when Jay Garrick finally shows up again during The Button is another showcase of his love and respect for the character's history.

My big highlight here though is his take on Reverse Flash, sure there’s been stories involving him and wanting to ruin Barry's life in the past, but they weren’t done like this, this just has a certain "it" factor to it, it’s amazing. Full recommendation.

[Mathew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than vol.1
The art remains excellent and there are some fun buddy-bonding moments, but too much of the plot depended on random and highly coincidental help from the speedforce that just felt like lazy writing to me. Story wise there is still a lot up in the air, so I'm hoping vol.3 will tie everything together and take away some of the doofus moments Barry seems to have more and more of.
(also if you're a silverage fan, The Mercury helmet makes all of a 3 page appearance in the entire collection :*(

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

DC rebirth continues to be an excellent entry point into the DC universe as well as some of the best stories involving some of the company's top characters. Joshua Williamson's Flash continues this trend and the narrative established in volume 1. Great art and characterization really lend itself to a story where Williamson makes the most of a lot of the toys in the Flash's rogues gallery. Looking forward to the next volume.

[Ben McCaughtry · Rating 5 out of 5]

It can be difficult to reinvent characters that have been around for decades, but the Rogues' story felt fresh and interesting. I thoroughly enjoyed The Button story, despite not reading the Batman issues, so I'm hoping when I read the story in full, that it'll be even better! The Reverse Flash story goes in-depth into his origin and provides some context on why he hates The Flash so much, which I've never really understood. A great continuation for the Rebirth era!

[Will Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love me some Rogues. But overall I needed more from this volume. Sure Flash takes down Multiplex in literally one second and sure there is more exploration of The Reverse Flash, but the entire deluxe HC made me think it was setting us up for more. All 13 issues felt like a lead-in to something, and I need that something faster! Fast like the Flash, if you will!

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really, super-tired of Carmine Di Giandomenico's sloppy artwork.

[Lillian Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Williamson is the writer all the way through this Flash run but the artist changes. This time it's Carmine di Giandomenico, who isn't bad but the line work can be a bit sketchy. Luckily the colourist, Ivan Plascencia, is solid and more than makes up for it.

Rogues are bad is this one.

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. Way better than the first collected edition. I like the bad guys in this one better than the first!

[ISMOTU · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting Flash adventures.