The Flash Rogues: Reverse Flash

The Flash Rogues #2

by Geoff Johns, John Broome, Cary Bates

The origin and first appearances of Reverse-Flash are captured here in The Flash Rogues: Reverse-Flash.

Jump on the Cosmic Treadmill and discover the untold origin of Reverse-Flash! Who is he, and what is his relationship to Barry Allen? Secrets are revealed and questions answered as DC Comics races through the history of Reverse-Flash. Starting with the very first appearance of Reverse-Flash that happened in 1963! Then stretching forward to the present day for the storyline "The Button," in which a bloodstained smiley button is embedded in the Batcave wall.

What starts as a simple investigation turns deadly when the secrets of the button prove irresistible to none other than Eobard Thawne, a.k.a Reverse-Flash.

Find all this and more in The Flash Rogues: Reverse Flash! Collects The Flash #139, #283, #197, The Flash "Rebirth" #8, The Flash: Reverse Flash #23.2, Batman #21, The Flash #25 and Who's Who #19.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Dc Comics

168 pages, Paperback

First published January 22, 2019

About the author

Geoff 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.

Reviews

[Dimitris Papastergiou · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok. And that's cuz I liked the artwork in this collection overall but story wise the only story I liked was Geoff Johns'.

The other stories were mediocre and the stories from back in the 60s or so were of course terrible.

The villain as a villain is interesting and overall just an obsessed stalker of Barry Allen and his life. I'd gladly read more of Reverse Flash written by Geoff Johns.

[Tony Laplume · Rating 4 out of 5]

This survey of the Reverse-Flash is a wonderful demonstration of the advancing sophistication of superhero comics over the years, as well as how storylines became more intricate. The first issue is of course the first appearance of Eobard Thawne. The second is the beginning of turning the murder of Iris Allen into the infamous “Trial of the Flash.” The third is the debut of the second Reverse-Flash. The fourth is revisiting that original origin, and setting up Flashpoint. The fifth is the New 52 version of the character. The sixth is Tom King working a connective tissue from Flashpoint to Doomsday Clock. The seventh is another revisiting of Thawne’s origin, further fleshing out his psychology. You can see how Geoff Johns and Joshua Williamson (as well as Frances Manapul and Brian Buccellato) work on existing ideas while telling compelling narratives that are far beyond the simplistic ideas inherited from John Broome. Add in Cary Bates introducing the very idea of long-running arcs, and this is quite a capsule. To understand what King is doing, you can try to put all the pieces together or you can simply enjoy the mirror image fights in his script. Which of course is how he chooses to tackle Thawne.

[Arthur Cristian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t think the story of Flash’s nemesis would make me want to discover more about the Flash himself, but here we are. The first two chapters, the older ones, really grabbed my attention. The way the artist used Futurism techniques to convey speed was a nice touch, and I also liked the overall style.
Reverse-Flash is such a great concept for a villain, and it was fascinating to see how different writers have defined him over the years.
My only wish is that the chapters presented in two parts had been fully included, not just the first half. In this day and age, it’s not difficult to track down the rest, but including them would have given the collection a greater sense of completion.
Overall, this was a surprising read that made me appreciate a superhero I’d never really paid attention to before.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't realize that I've never read a Flash comic before, so I was surprised by a lot. Definitely want to check out more, esp Geoff Johns.... his origin is retold in almost every story so that makes re-reading this unlikely.

[cyrus]

rogue profile: zoom and reverse-flash: rebirth absolutely slap. the 1 minute countdown device in the button was pretty delightful. i love when flash comics take the opportunity to visualize time in creative ways.

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Flash Rogues: Reverse Flash is a compilation of some of the best representative of Reverse Flash stories over the years centering on one of the more speedy foes in the Flash's Rouges Gallery. This collection features Reverse Flash in all his many incarnations throughout the years.

This anthology collects The Flash (1959) #139, #283, The Flash (1987) #197, The Flash (2011) #8, The Flash: Reverse Flash #23.2, Batman #21, The Flash (2016) #25 and Who's Who #19.

Eobard Thawne, otherwise known as Professor Zoom and the Reverse-Flash, is a fictional super-villain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by John Broome and Carmine Infantino, he made his debut in The Flash #139 (September 1963). The most well-known character to assume the "Reverse-Flash" mantle, Thawne is the archenemy of Barry Allen, a descendant of Malcolm Thawne, and a maternal forefather of Bart Allen, Thaddeus Thawne, and Owen Mercer.

As a whole, The Flash Rogues: Reverse Flash is a rather well collected anthology of Reverse-Flash stories. Story selection must have been difficult to say the least. Reverse-Flash has a long and varied history and has been featured or cameos in many stories over many titles and it is no easy feat to pick out the best or favorite from the masses.

The thing is those measuring sticks are subjective and will never reach perfect consensus. Actually, we all can agree that in a collection like this, we could all agree on one story: The Flash #139 – the first appearance of Reverse-Flash – the rest is debatable. This anthology served its purpose – giving the reader a nice overview of Reverse-Flash.

Regardless, I think the editors picked a somewhat nice selection, would I swapped some stories out for others – sure I have my favorites, but it is difficult if not impossible to please everyone, since everyone is different. Overall, I was happy of which stories were presented.

I do, however, have a tiny quibble – there were five people who took on the mantle of Reverse Flash – Eobard Thawne was the second and most popular. I just wished they included more issues of the other four. However, I understand the editors need to streamline the anthology.

All in all, I think The Flash Rogues: Reverse Flash is a somewhat well selection of stories that gives a nice glimpse into the psyche of one of the most fastest villain in The Flash's Rouge Gallery – Reverse Flash. It is a good anthology for both the avid and subdued fan alike. However, for the newly initiated I would recommend a collection that is more substantial and cohesive.

[Scott Waldie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I like collecting these Rogues gallery trades as I’ve done with the Batman ones, they can be a bit of a mixed bag. The Reverse-Flash one is quite sharp at picking out quality issues and to cover numerous re-imaginings of how the character’s background evolved. Maybe a bit too much origin stuff in fact, but some great issues here.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid primer about the origins of the various versions of the Reverse Flash over the years. Personally I would have completely ignored the New 52 iteration and added at least one more story about Zoom/Hunter Zolomon.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

If The Flash ever had an archnemesis, it would be the Reverse Flash. This book features the first appearance of the Reverse Flash as well as the greatest hits of Eobard Thawne and his relationship with The Flash.

What a great compilation of the Flash’s greatest enemy!

[Fonsi. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me encantan estos compendios qué reúnen todas la interpretaciones de un personaje iconico, es un goce ver como la manera de escribir historias de superheroes cambia conforme los años.