What do you think?
Rate this book
The Flash (2016)
The Flash, Vol. 8: Flash War
The Fastest Man Alive continues his monumental run in The Flash Vol. 8: Flash War!
One of the biggest Flash adventures starts here, with a special story starring the classic Wally West, who's conflicted over whether to let Iris West know he is alive--and he'll need the help of the Flash to figure out what to do! But when Magenta, Wally's old love, needs his help, the Flash returns home to Keystone City, where he is confronted with violent memories of an unknown world. It's a major turning point for the Flash family!
Join Wally West, Barry Allen and other DC Universe characters as they join together for the ultimate race against time. Writer Joshua Williamson (Justice League vs. Suicide Squad) continues his smash-hit run on the Fastest Man Alive with The Flash Vol. 8: Flash War! Collects The Flash #46-51 and a story from Annual #1.
One of the biggest Flash adventures starts here, with a special story starring the classic Wally West, who's conflicted over whether to let Iris West know he is alive--and he'll need the help of the Flash to figure out what to do! But when Magenta, Wally's old love, needs his help, the Flash returns home to Keystone City, where he is confronted with violent memories of an unknown world. It's a major turning point for the Flash family!
Join Wally West, Barry Allen and other DC Universe characters as they join together for the ultimate race against time. Writer Joshua Williamson (Justice League vs. Suicide Squad) continues his smash-hit run on the Fastest Man Alive with The Flash Vol. 8: Flash War! Collects The Flash #46-51 and a story from Annual #1.
160 pages, Paperback
First published December 18, 2018
53 people are currently reading
302 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
July 11, 2019
This volume really highlights what I don't like about this Flash run. Both Barry and Wally are both shown to be petty and selfish. Neither of them are really heroes at all in this. That's been my problem with Barry Allan in general as part of the New 52. He constantly does whatever he wants without thinking about the consequences. Wally West is my Flash after reading those fantastic Mark Waid and Geoff Johns runs in the 90's. The way he grows from a selfish screw-up into a noble hero that ultimately surpasses Barry Allen is fantastic. None of that is on display here. Yes, Williamson may reference some of that run, but he can't seem to grasp Wally's character at all. And then there's Wallace West who seems to be bipolar, with his love/hate relationship with Barry. His last scene in this story was especially dumb. The book ties in with what Scott Snyder is doing over in Justice League and I can say I'm not a fan. These other forces are unnecessary and just silly.
Received a review copy from DC and NetGalley. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned
Received a review copy from DC and NetGalley. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned
June 16, 2019
The Flash War is here, and it's Wally and Barry at each other's throats.
This was building up for awhile. I kind of love that Wally has been having his memories slipping back into him. After the loss of not only his wife but kids, we need some freaking story for that. This isn't a simple wipe the slate clean. So when his memories return he is going crazy and every single time they come back into his head he begins to have these speed force mini explosions. Which help put Heroes in Crisis in a newer light for me. ON top of that we also have Barry trying his best to keep his family together but it's not so easy.
This is high end action packed adventure with a lot of cool moments. The art is sketchy as always but works well in action. Besides the last issue I enjoyed the art a lot. On top of that watching Wally get a lot of the spotlight was nice since he is easily my favorite Flash. The ending is also a big "OH SNAP" moment. The exposition dumps were a bit annoying at times though and the villains kind of came up a little on the disappointing side.
A 3.5 out of 5, almost a 4. I'll bump it to that because believe Flash is in a good place.
This was building up for awhile. I kind of love that Wally has been having his memories slipping back into him. After the loss of not only his wife but kids, we need some freaking story for that. This isn't a simple wipe the slate clean. So when his memories return he is going crazy and every single time they come back into his head he begins to have these speed force mini explosions. Which help put Heroes in Crisis in a newer light for me. ON top of that we also have Barry trying his best to keep his family together but it's not so easy.
This is high end action packed adventure with a lot of cool moments. The art is sketchy as always but works well in action. Besides the last issue I enjoyed the art a lot. On top of that watching Wally get a lot of the spotlight was nice since he is easily my favorite Flash. The ending is also a big "OH SNAP" moment. The exposition dumps were a bit annoying at times though and the villains kind of came up a little on the disappointing side.
A 3.5 out of 5, almost a 4. I'll bump it to that because believe Flash is in a good place.
November 2, 2021
THIS WAS SO GOOD!
I loved this one! It starts with a prelude as to what happened with Zoom aka Zolomon and how he came to be like this and continues from a panel of Johns Flash run of 2010 and he realizes he has to make the Flash-es fight and he tells Wally of his children and well a father realizing what he has lost goes to break the force barrier but well its a fight between Wally and Barry and its epic and I love the way its done and it just feels surreal and epic in every sense of the word like just wow!
I love the way it happens and Williamson gives it his all and has so many references to the story from Wally's history and well new concepts like Force barrier and all and now its upto Barry and Wally to team up and stop this new Zoom Flash and its an epic fight through hypertime and when its over it has unforeseen costs aka high ones!
Its an epic volume and delivers so many things that it promises and never slows down and its like one of the best work of Porter's career and I loved it! Wally fans will be satisfied with this but it also sets the stage for new enemies and new concepts/villains which will be interesting to see! One of the best flash stories ever for sure and I love the focus on Iris here in narration and it brings the whole circle together!
I loved this one! It starts with a prelude as to what happened with Zoom aka Zolomon and how he came to be like this and continues from a panel of Johns Flash run of 2010 and he realizes he has to make the Flash-es fight and he tells Wally of his children and well a father realizing what he has lost goes to break the force barrier but well its a fight between Wally and Barry and its epic and I love the way its done and it just feels surreal and epic in every sense of the word like just wow!
I love the way it happens and Williamson gives it his all and has so many references to the story from Wally's history and well new concepts like Force barrier and all and now its upto Barry and Wally to team up and stop this new Zoom Flash and its an epic fight through hypertime and when its over it has unforeseen costs aka high ones!
Its an epic volume and delivers so many things that it promises and never slows down and its like one of the best work of Porter's career and I loved it! Wally fans will be satisfied with this but it also sets the stage for new enemies and new concepts/villains which will be interesting to see! One of the best flash stories ever for sure and I love the focus on Iris here in narration and it brings the whole circle together!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2019
Goofy time travel? Power of love trumps all? Strange new, universe redefinging forces left unused and unexplained? So yeah, a typical rebirth Flash comic.
July 15, 2020
A low point in Williamson’s run so far. Too many Flashes, too much Speed Force, too much reliance on old continuity stuff I couldn’t relate to. I’m hopeful that since the whole Wally West storyline seems to be resolved the next volume will allow for some more original ideas.
August 27, 2018
Illogical and simply poorly written.
World: The art I’m sorry to say is fugly, it’s scratchy, the colors are flat and there are no personalities coming out from the art, the tone and feel of the art is 80s budget. The world building is also spotty at best and illogical and stupid at worst. It’s in bits and pieces that come up and enter the story and then leave, add to that the crazy timey wimey science bullshit that does’nt even have rules. I know Flash books are crazy, I like crazy but there needs to be at least some internal logic and the story and the world being consistent with that, but it’s not here. Things happen becasue the story needs it to and that is shitty world building and writing. I’m not even go into the pieces that were brought into play in this war, and the new characters that were introduced which make me really happy but at the same time with this writer, I know it’s gonna be bad and unearned.
Story: A mess of a story that makes little sense and follows no rules. I hate it when books need to create conflict and drama through contrived ways. Much like what Marvel did with Carol Danvers in Civil War II, making her so out of character from her stand alone book that it ended breaking the story. This is the case with Flash War, the contrived conflict between Barry and Wally and the ideas of family and change and all that good family stuff. Yet it’s done poorly here cause the dialog is terrible, the drama is contrived and Wally and Barry don’t act like they should. These characters that Williamson has created (I’ll get into it more below) are just bad characters. Then there’s the story of the conflict and the motivation and the crazy science involved with the new forces that suddenly get sprung to us instead being a good writer and hinting at them and allow it to be a thing until boom it’s upon us. Nope, all these unheard of forces suddenly appear and we have info dumps from Zoom to explain it to us and even then it’s making little sense. With Snyder and what’s he’s been doing with the Titans and the Forces of the universe and then the emotional spectrum and the Red and Green and Mold and all the other Swamp Thing powers and the magic, adding another mythical power right now is just going to muddy the waters and this writer does not know how to do a good job at that. Yeah this story is a mess and further evidence that Williamson can’t write characters and Barry and Wally are characters with heart cause the book is about heart.
Characters: Wow these characters are terrible. It’s like Williamson has mind wiped all the DC characters in the Flash universe and is doing whateve the fuck he wants with them with no respect for what each character at their core is. The entire idea behind Flash War is predicated on the dumb conceit of hw Barry and Wally react to the ‘drama’ created by the twins. It’s absolutely ridiculous how they react and how this entire story plays out cause nothing that they do in this entire arc and even in the recent runs since Rebirth is heroic at all. Barry and Wally are heart characters for the DC and what Williamson has done with these characters is make them unreliable, impulsive, selfish, entitled characters. Add to that the janky young Wally West and his bipolar swings in moods all the time makes for really bad reading. These characters are rubbish.
I hate this event, and I really am loathing this run now, nothing of it I feel should be part of canon from this run, it’s just badly written.
Onward to the next book!
*read individual issues*
World: The art I’m sorry to say is fugly, it’s scratchy, the colors are flat and there are no personalities coming out from the art, the tone and feel of the art is 80s budget. The world building is also spotty at best and illogical and stupid at worst. It’s in bits and pieces that come up and enter the story and then leave, add to that the crazy timey wimey science bullshit that does’nt even have rules. I know Flash books are crazy, I like crazy but there needs to be at least some internal logic and the story and the world being consistent with that, but it’s not here. Things happen becasue the story needs it to and that is shitty world building and writing. I’m not even go into the pieces that were brought into play in this war, and the new characters that were introduced which make me really happy but at the same time with this writer, I know it’s gonna be bad and unearned.
Story: A mess of a story that makes little sense and follows no rules. I hate it when books need to create conflict and drama through contrived ways. Much like what Marvel did with Carol Danvers in Civil War II, making her so out of character from her stand alone book that it ended breaking the story. This is the case with Flash War, the contrived conflict between Barry and Wally and the ideas of family and change and all that good family stuff. Yet it’s done poorly here cause the dialog is terrible, the drama is contrived and Wally and Barry don’t act like they should. These characters that Williamson has created (I’ll get into it more below) are just bad characters. Then there’s the story of the conflict and the motivation and the crazy science involved with the new forces that suddenly get sprung to us instead being a good writer and hinting at them and allow it to be a thing until boom it’s upon us. Nope, all these unheard of forces suddenly appear and we have info dumps from Zoom to explain it to us and even then it’s making little sense. With Snyder and what’s he’s been doing with the Titans and the Forces of the universe and then the emotional spectrum and the Red and Green and Mold and all the other Swamp Thing powers and the magic, adding another mythical power right now is just going to muddy the waters and this writer does not know how to do a good job at that. Yeah this story is a mess and further evidence that Williamson can’t write characters and Barry and Wally are characters with heart cause the book is about heart.
Characters: Wow these characters are terrible. It’s like Williamson has mind wiped all the DC characters in the Flash universe and is doing whateve the fuck he wants with them with no respect for what each character at their core is. The entire idea behind Flash War is predicated on the dumb conceit of hw Barry and Wally react to the ‘drama’ created by the twins. It’s absolutely ridiculous how they react and how this entire story plays out cause nothing that they do in this entire arc and even in the recent runs since Rebirth is heroic at all. Barry and Wally are heart characters for the DC and what Williamson has done with these characters is make them unreliable, impulsive, selfish, entitled characters. Add to that the janky young Wally West and his bipolar swings in moods all the time makes for really bad reading. These characters are rubbish.
I hate this event, and I really am loathing this run now, nothing of it I feel should be part of canon from this run, it’s just badly written.
Onward to the next book!
*read individual issues*
April 9, 2019
One of the best decisions of Rebirth was to bring back the twenty(!) years of history of Wally West as the Flash, including much of the best writing ever for the Flash comics, by Geoff Johns and Mark Waid. This volume of The Flash succeeds because it's set right in the middle of that rebirth, focusing on Wally West, what he's lost, and his place in the world.
But it's also great because it feels more like a Geoff Johns Flash comic than anything since when he left at the end of his Wally West run. It's not just that we get West back, but also one of his greatest foes, Zoom, continuing on right where we got dumped out 15+ years ago.
And besides that, it's a good comic that has fun with many Flashes and many forces and all the rest, just like the best Flash comics by Waid did.
Of course with this also acting as prelude to Heroes in Crisis, I may decide none of this was worthwhile, but we'll see where that mini-series actually ends up.
But it's also great because it feels more like a Geoff Johns Flash comic than anything since when he left at the end of his Wally West run. It's not just that we get West back, but also one of his greatest foes, Zoom, continuing on right where we got dumped out 15+ years ago.
And besides that, it's a good comic that has fun with many Flashes and many forces and all the rest, just like the best Flash comics by Waid did.
Of course with this also acting as prelude to Heroes in Crisis, I may decide none of this was worthwhile, but we'll see where that mini-series actually ends up.
April 2, 2019
Barry vs Wally, Wally vs Barry and just didnt seem to end. The extra powers were a touch too much. Solid without being great. This run needs to pick up for me to get back enjoying Flash.
May 9, 2020
Flash vs Flash vs Flash atd.... Je to pořad dobrý a tentokrát lepší než obvykle.
October 25, 2018
[Read as single issues]
In the far-flung future, Hunter Zolomon plots the demise of not one but two Flashes, and his scheme sends the Renegades, the law-abiding, future dwelling versions of the Rogues, into the past with one goal – capture Iris West for the murder of Eobard Thawne! As if dealing with one life-shattering problem was bad enough, Hunter also reveals the fate of his children to Wally West, with a tantalizing promise – if he runs fast enough to break the Speed Force, Jai and Irey can live again. But Barry doesn’t trust Zoom, and isn’t willing to risk the Speed Force, even for Wally’s kids, so when two Flashes collide, a Flash War erupts!
Most of DC’s longest running Rebirth series have hit fifty issues by now, and almost all of them have had big events take place to mark the occasion, like Batman’s wedding for example, but considering the Flash is just coming out of Perfect Storm, which was basically the culmination of everything since the beginning of the run, you’d think we might slow down a bit. You’d be wrong though, because slow is not something the Flash does easily, so we get the cataclysmic Flash War arc instead.
This is another one of those storylines that manages to be driven at its core by character drama, with the superheroics almost incidental to the plot. With Barry and Wally metaphorically at each other’s throats, the Flash War is a war of ideals that writer Joshua Williamson manages to make convincing even when it’s clear who’s on the right side – Wally’s children are in the balance, and even though he’s obviously being duped by Zoom (which he really should realise) being blinded by fatherly obligation is a good enough motivation to keep the animosity between he and Barry from falling into the unbelievable, especially in this comic climate where companies (naming no Marvel names) like to throw heroes at each other for almost no reason at all sometimes.
Even though anyone can enjoy this arc, this is definitely a story for long-time Flash fans – the references to past continuity are rife, from the obvious like Wally’s kids to the little nods in the Flash Museum of the future and Zoom’s throwaway comments. If you’ve been missing the things that made Wally West a great character in the 90s, then Flash War may not give them back to you exactly, but it does remind you that DC haven’t forgotten about them, and that they’re on the horizon even if they’re not quite here just yet. And of course, there’s the end of issue 50 which brings back a fan favourite character who has been missing for far too long, but I’ll say no more because if you don’t know yet, I’m not going to spoil the surprise.
The prelude and epilogue issues are pencilled by Scott Kolins, who is a name basically synonymous with the Flash after his lengthy runs with Geoff Johns previously, while the prelude from Flash Annual #1 and the main four Flash War issues (including the super-sized issue 50) are pencilled by Howard Porter, who I think is literally a machine at this point given how much detail he packs into each panel while still keeping the action flowing and the issues churning out on time.
Flash’s last two story arcs have been something else. Flash War is high octane action with a heart made of Flash history that will please longtime readers of the Rebirth era and even further back. The artwork is by industry legends (and Flash mainstays, in Kolin’s case) and Williamson is making a strong case for standing alongside Geoff Johns and Mark Waid as an essential Flash writer.
In the far-flung future, Hunter Zolomon plots the demise of not one but two Flashes, and his scheme sends the Renegades, the law-abiding, future dwelling versions of the Rogues, into the past with one goal – capture Iris West for the murder of Eobard Thawne! As if dealing with one life-shattering problem was bad enough, Hunter also reveals the fate of his children to Wally West, with a tantalizing promise – if he runs fast enough to break the Speed Force, Jai and Irey can live again. But Barry doesn’t trust Zoom, and isn’t willing to risk the Speed Force, even for Wally’s kids, so when two Flashes collide, a Flash War erupts!
Most of DC’s longest running Rebirth series have hit fifty issues by now, and almost all of them have had big events take place to mark the occasion, like Batman’s wedding for example, but considering the Flash is just coming out of Perfect Storm, which was basically the culmination of everything since the beginning of the run, you’d think we might slow down a bit. You’d be wrong though, because slow is not something the Flash does easily, so we get the cataclysmic Flash War arc instead.
This is another one of those storylines that manages to be driven at its core by character drama, with the superheroics almost incidental to the plot. With Barry and Wally metaphorically at each other’s throats, the Flash War is a war of ideals that writer Joshua Williamson manages to make convincing even when it’s clear who’s on the right side – Wally’s children are in the balance, and even though he’s obviously being duped by Zoom (which he really should realise) being blinded by fatherly obligation is a good enough motivation to keep the animosity between he and Barry from falling into the unbelievable, especially in this comic climate where companies (naming no Marvel names) like to throw heroes at each other for almost no reason at all sometimes.
Even though anyone can enjoy this arc, this is definitely a story for long-time Flash fans – the references to past continuity are rife, from the obvious like Wally’s kids to the little nods in the Flash Museum of the future and Zoom’s throwaway comments. If you’ve been missing the things that made Wally West a great character in the 90s, then Flash War may not give them back to you exactly, but it does remind you that DC haven’t forgotten about them, and that they’re on the horizon even if they’re not quite here just yet. And of course, there’s the end of issue 50 which brings back a fan favourite character who has been missing for far too long, but I’ll say no more because if you don’t know yet, I’m not going to spoil the surprise.
The prelude and epilogue issues are pencilled by Scott Kolins, who is a name basically synonymous with the Flash after his lengthy runs with Geoff Johns previously, while the prelude from Flash Annual #1 and the main four Flash War issues (including the super-sized issue 50) are pencilled by Howard Porter, who I think is literally a machine at this point given how much detail he packs into each panel while still keeping the action flowing and the issues churning out on time.
Flash’s last two story arcs have been something else. Flash War is high octane action with a heart made of Flash history that will please longtime readers of the Rebirth era and even further back. The artwork is by industry legends (and Flash mainstays, in Kolin’s case) and Williamson is making a strong case for standing alongside Geoff Johns and Mark Waid as an essential Flash writer.
August 16, 2023
In one corner we have KSI... sorry I meant WALLY WEST and In the other corner we have LOGAN PAUL... god what’s wrong with me sorry BARRY ALLEN THE FLASH.
basically Wally’s getting his memories back but is also having seizures so Hunter Zolomon takes advantage and tricks Wally into thinking he wants to help Wally get his family back but instead hunter just wants Wally to ray to go into the speed force causing Barry to chase after Wally then breaking the force barrier releasing new forces such as the sage force, the still force and the strength force. Barry and Wally duel and find out what hunters plan was all along. If you watched the good place season one this might ring some bells. In the end hunter wins. Also commander cold (dude from the future) goes back in time to arrest iris but is stuck in the 21st century because when Wally and Barry were chasing hunter in hyper time the hypertime broke so time travel was also broken so commander cold is stuck in the past. Also the cliffhanger at the end with Bart Allen is amazing.
Honestly while reading this I came to love Howard porters art because previous flash artists not including carmine di giandomenico were really bad and Howard is really good in this. I also really liked the justice league issue but I felt like they could’ve done more with it.
Overall great book
basically Wally’s getting his memories back but is also having seizures so Hunter Zolomon takes advantage and tricks Wally into thinking he wants to help Wally get his family back but instead hunter just wants Wally to ray to go into the speed force causing Barry to chase after Wally then breaking the force barrier releasing new forces such as the sage force, the still force and the strength force. Barry and Wally duel and find out what hunters plan was all along. If you watched the good place season one this might ring some bells. In the end hunter wins. Also commander cold (dude from the future) goes back in time to arrest iris but is stuck in the 21st century because when Wally and Barry were chasing hunter in hyper time the hypertime broke so time travel was also broken so commander cold is stuck in the past. Also the cliffhanger at the end with Bart Allen is amazing.
Honestly while reading this I came to love Howard porters art because previous flash artists not including carmine di giandomenico were really bad and Howard is really good in this. I also really liked the justice league issue but I felt like they could’ve done more with it.
Overall great book
November 17, 2018
The Flash Vol.8 finds Zoom plotting against Barry and Wally. Wally is struggling after escaping the speed force and trying to recover memories. Time travel and suffering the effects of the Flash point, the Flashes take off and race as each tries to do what he thinks is necessary. The art looks like a throwback to 80's or 90's graphics. The story is fast paced and action-packed with a guest appearances from the Justice League for a page turning good time. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.
August 28, 2018
This thing had it's bigs ups and downs, sadly, they couldn't truly get all the potential that a Wally West rebirth story could get. Lots of throwbacks to the past (the pre-Flashpoint Flash family) but it just isn't enough to throw a lot of nostalgia to get a great story.
So far, nobody has been able to get him right, not Titans and not even The Flash. Now we just have to wait to see what happens in Heroes in Crisis.
So far, nobody has been able to get him right, not Titans and not even The Flash. Now we just have to wait to see what happens in Heroes in Crisis.
May 29, 2020
This probably deserves closer to 3.5 stars, but doesn't quite make it to 4.
This volume attempts to resolve the after effects of Flashpoint and the New 52 Universe on Wally's life. Not being aware of all of it, the stories in here give enough background that you at least understand what is going on and for those that grew up with Wally being the Flash, this will have a profound impact for you. It's also a prelude to Heroes in Crisis. One thing I am happy about is that almost every story so far had to do with the Speed Force Storm and the consequences of it. That idea and concept has grown really old.
I really do like Porter's art better than the other rotating artists on this series. There's something about his panels and how he fills them that I enjoy. However, I've started to notice his anatomy is a little off, with short legs, muscles out of proportion and rib cages looking weird.
Still, the series is a solid read that's fun and Williamson is able to always add some heart to the stories.
This volume attempts to resolve the after effects of Flashpoint and the New 52 Universe on Wally's life. Not being aware of all of it, the stories in here give enough background that you at least understand what is going on and for those that grew up with Wally being the Flash, this will have a profound impact for you. It's also a prelude to Heroes in Crisis. One thing I am happy about is that almost every story so far had to do with the Speed Force Storm and the consequences of it. That idea and concept has grown really old.
I really do like Porter's art better than the other rotating artists on this series. There's something about his panels and how he fills them that I enjoy. However, I've started to notice his anatomy is a little off, with short legs, muscles out of proportion and rib cages looking weird.
Still, the series is a solid read that's fun and Williamson is able to always add some heart to the stories.
December 30, 2018
This had a rocky beginning, but it was so good! The book is about: Hunter Zolomon convinced Wally West that he could save his kids if he broke the speed force barrier. When they ran so fast and broke the speed force barrier it released all these new forces. Such as the Saga force, the Strength force and the Still force. When Wally West released his temporal energy to stop Zoom it stopped time travel. I wasn't planning on giving this book 5 stars but the race was amazing. It was so intense and emotional. I loved all the talks, Barry gave to Wally. The race was really written so well. I also loved Howard Porter’s drawings. My flaws were: that Wallace West was bratty and it got annoying. I think they didn't give him anything to do. They should have used him more. Also at the end, it kinda felt dragged. Overall great book! I rate it 4.7/10. Consider buying this.
October 3, 2022
If you've been reading this book, you know that Wally West has been having a tough time as of let. He keeps getting these memories of a life that was erased by the Flashpoint. But it all comes crashing down on him in this volume, as he remembers people who are very important to him that are now lost.
As much as this book is about superheroes and Hunter Zolomon trying to take down the flashes, and breaking through speed barriers, at the core of the story - its a character study on Barry and Wally. I've always been more of a Wally fan, so to see what Joshua Williamson is doing with the character, is very interesting. He is slowly peeling back the layers of Flashpoint, to where you have this incredibly powerful character coming to terms with what he lost and fighting the urge to fix it all. Williamson does a great job of making Wally relatable and also somewhat tragic. It is disappointing to see Wally go through so much but it makes for great comics. Not to spoil it too much but
On the other side of things we have Barry. This run is such an indication that Barry is a dick to me. I mean he does whatever he wants, and only he can do it I guess because now that Wally is trying to do something for himself, Barry spends half the volume trying to stop it... even though he did it a few volumes back. I think that's the one thing that bugs me about this series, the main character is very unlikable - to me at least.
However, this definitely felt like a Flash title with more and more of the Flash team slowly beginning to show up. I'm eager to see where the Flash title takes things from here.
As much as this book is about superheroes and Hunter Zolomon trying to take down the flashes, and breaking through speed barriers, at the core of the story - its a character study on Barry and Wally. I've always been more of a Wally fan, so to see what Joshua Williamson is doing with the character, is very interesting. He is slowly peeling back the layers of Flashpoint, to where you have this incredibly powerful character coming to terms with what he lost and fighting the urge to fix it all. Williamson does a great job of making Wally relatable and also somewhat tragic. It is disappointing to see Wally go through so much but it makes for great comics. Not to spoil it too much but
On the other side of things we have Barry. This run is such an indication that Barry is a dick to me. I mean he does whatever he wants, and only he can do it I guess because now that Wally is trying to do something for himself, Barry spends half the volume trying to stop it... even though he did it a few volumes back. I think that's the one thing that bugs me about this series, the main character is very unlikable - to me at least.
However, this definitely felt like a Flash title with more and more of the Flash team slowly beginning to show up. I'm eager to see where the Flash title takes things from here.
October 5, 2020
Collects The Flash issues #46-51 and a story from The Flash Annual #1
This. Was. Great.
Even though I haven't read a lot of stories pre-"Flashpoint" (relative to how many DC stories I've read post-"Flashpoint"), this Rebirth Era is making me realize what a big fan I am of the original Wally West. I did watch the "Justice League" and "Justice League Unlimited" animated series featuring Wally West as The Flash, but otherwise, I've been exposed to many more stories featuring Barry Allen. All that to say, Wally West and his forgotten history are heavily featured in this collection, and I love the story being told. Maybe I am attracted to this because I love multiverse stories. Either way, Wally West is looking for his two kids that have been erased from this timeline, and I was really on his side in this story. Barry didn't seem to totally understand where Wally was coming from, but Barry has also forgotten that these kids exist, so, in my mind, it wasn't fair for him to question Wally's actions. The end of this collection sets up "Heroes in Crisis," which I've already read. I've also read what comes after that event, the awesome miniseries "Flash Forward," starring Wally West. I would recommend both of those stories as a follow up to this volume.
This. Was. Great.
Even though I haven't read a lot of stories pre-"Flashpoint" (relative to how many DC stories I've read post-"Flashpoint"), this Rebirth Era is making me realize what a big fan I am of the original Wally West. I did watch the "Justice League" and "Justice League Unlimited" animated series featuring Wally West as The Flash, but otherwise, I've been exposed to many more stories featuring Barry Allen. All that to say, Wally West and his forgotten history are heavily featured in this collection, and I love the story being told. Maybe I am attracted to this because I love multiverse stories. Either way, Wally West is looking for his two kids that have been erased from this timeline, and I was really on his side in this story. Barry didn't seem to totally understand where Wally was coming from, but Barry has also forgotten that these kids exist, so, in my mind, it wasn't fair for him to question Wally's actions. The end of this collection sets up "Heroes in Crisis," which I've already read. I've also read what comes after that event, the awesome miniseries "Flash Forward," starring Wally West. I would recommend both of those stories as a follow up to this volume.
April 26, 2025
The Flash Vol. 8: Flash War
In the twenty fifth century, Iris West is wanted for the murder of Eobard Thawne. Going with her, Barry Allen, Wally West and Wallace West try to work out how Iris could have killed a man. When Zoom persuades Wally that the Speed Force has trapped parts of his past, Wally tries to break the Speed Force barrier, with devastating consequences.
Fabulous story development and excellent writing allows readers to feel Wally's pain, which helps us to understand how much he is willing to risk to save his family. The crossover work is handled deftly. If you have the extra books, there is greater depth to the events leading to Wally's crisis, but the story still works well in isolation.
In the twenty fifth century, Iris West is wanted for the murder of Eobard Thawne. Going with her, Barry Allen, Wally West and Wallace West try to work out how Iris could have killed a man. When Zoom persuades Wally that the Speed Force has trapped parts of his past, Wally tries to break the Speed Force barrier, with devastating consequences.
Fabulous story development and excellent writing allows readers to feel Wally's pain, which helps us to understand how much he is willing to risk to save his family. The crossover work is handled deftly. If you have the extra books, there is greater depth to the events leading to Wally's crisis, but the story still works well in isolation.
November 20, 2025
It was… an okay comic at best. Why?
If you’re going to tackle something as bold as a Flash War and focus on a philosophical clash between two Flashes, then the conflict and its resolution need to feel grounded. The big showdown at the end just didn’t land for me.
And what about Barry and Wally’s character development? Honestly—a total mess.
Also, why does there always have to be a villain? Why can’t the Flashes simply disagree and come to blows on their own terms?
If you’re going to tackle something as bold as a Flash War and focus on a philosophical clash between two Flashes, then the conflict and its resolution need to feel grounded. The big showdown at the end just didn’t land for me.
And what about Barry and Wally’s character development? Honestly—a total mess.
Also, why does there always have to be a villain? Why can’t the Flashes simply disagree and come to blows on their own terms?
August 13, 2021
Wiliamsonův Flash mě prostě baví. Je vidět, že se Williamson ve flashovských postavách vyzná a umí s nimi pracovat. Motivace všech charakterů jsou uvěřitelné a člověk se do nich dokáže vcítit. Akorát moc nemusím to zmatené cestování v čase a nesmyslné (aspoň pro mě) dialogy o zdroji rychlosti, multiversu atd. Ale to není problém jen Flashe ale bohužel celého DC.
November 20, 2018
This volume was excellent. It told such a great story, and the artwork was incredible too.
The Flash has been one of my favourite heroes for a few years, and the reverse flash storylines have always intrigued me.
In short, this was a joy to read.
The Flash has been one of my favourite heroes for a few years, and the reverse flash storylines have always intrigued me.
In short, this was a joy to read.
March 4, 2021
5 🌟
Barry and the Flash family go the 25th century and fight Hunter Zolomon.
Barry and the Flash family go the 25th century and fight Hunter Zolomon.
June 27, 2019
Not bad but so tired of time travel, Reverse Flashes, arguing, Barry being apologetic, and yet another DC "war." Plus Porter's art is horrendous.
December 19, 2018
The Flash Vol 8: Flash War describes the human feelings driving some of the Flash Family to despair.
The holiday season is when you get together with your family and remember those who were taken too soon. The Flash Family is no different. Wally has the holiday blues and is missing his family especially his twin children, Jai and Irey. Hunter Zolomon, aka Zoom, exploits Wally’s feeling to his own ends. Like most, or at least my, family gatherings, the relatives begin to squabble. However, if you’re a superhero, that leads to a Flash War.
There isn’t much action in The Flash Vol 8: Flash War. It is solely about feelings and emotions. While I like the change of pace, I missed an obvious villain like Gorilla Grodd. However, the art is as bright and clear as always. This volume does set up some interesting things for the next volume, Heroes in Crisis. 4 stars!
Thanks to DC Comics and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
The holiday season is when you get together with your family and remember those who were taken too soon. The Flash Family is no different. Wally has the holiday blues and is missing his family especially his twin children, Jai and Irey. Hunter Zolomon, aka Zoom, exploits Wally’s feeling to his own ends. Like most, or at least my, family gatherings, the relatives begin to squabble. However, if you’re a superhero, that leads to a Flash War.
There isn’t much action in The Flash Vol 8: Flash War. It is solely about feelings and emotions. While I like the change of pace, I missed an obvious villain like Gorilla Grodd. However, the art is as bright and clear as always. This volume does set up some interesting things for the next volume, Heroes in Crisis. 4 stars!
Thanks to DC Comics and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 2, 2019
This was a giant mess where DC Comics is finally confronted with its sins of retconning the Flash every five seconds, but the only people who end up paying are the fans. Why can't they just tell a Flash story without everything being a crisis, war, point, event, etc? Can we just have some character development? It doesn't mean anything to have the character's life fall apart if we don't care anything about the character, because they have as much backstory as the random crowd person you drew in the background to look terrified as the building starts to fall on them. The Flash is a great character and he deserves a lot better than this book.
October 2, 2018
চমৎকার হইছে এটা।
February 17, 2019
I found it an investing take comparing Wally to Barry..their mistakes and their takes on family.
And how does it feel to be the forgotten Wally (which could be either).
And how does it feel to be the forgotten Wally (which could be either).
January 30, 2019
Flash War collects a pivotal arc in the current Flash series, with major emotional stakes and developments that provide hints of where DC’s overarching story is headed.
Wally West has had his memories of the pre-Flashpoint world restored, clashing with his present reality and tormenting the young hero. His Flash mentor Barry Allen and aunt Iris West struggle to help him, even as old foe Zoom spins a complex web to prey on the vulnerable Wally. He restores Wally’s memories of his missing children and convinces him he can bring them back if he shatters a hole in the Speed Force. A distraught Wally makes the attempt, with Barry dogging his heels in an attempt to slow him down. But Zoom is manipulating Wally’s movements to unleash two powerful new forces into the world, transforming Zoom into a twisted new Flash for a showdown that has big consequences the DCU.
Writer Joshua Williamson has been building to Flash War throughout his Rebirth run. It’s an emotionally potent story that’s steeped in the family dynamic of Barry, Iris and their two nephews named Wally (the younger now referred to as “Wallace” to distinguish him from his older cousin). The suppressed memory of his erased children has been the sword dangling over Wally since his return in the Rebirth special and Williamson plays it here to devastating effect. More than any of DC’s other franchises, Flash has been centered on the concept of family and how it can be both a hero’s biggest strength and greatest weakness. It’s both in this story and the impact on the characters is significant. Williamson has a strong grasp of the various personalities and their dynamic, making the family drama every bit as compelling as the superhero action. The return of a long-missing family member at the climax is a welcome development.
Williamson brings a lot of ideas to the table here. The 25th Century Renegades (time cops based on the present day Rogues) provide an interesting foil to the Flashes and the advancement of the greater Rebirth story plays out gratifyingly. The new universal forces are a smart expansion of the Speed Force concept and the tease of the return of a devastatingly powerful villain sets up drama to come. Williamson also makes excellent use of Zoom and his unique bond with Wally, investing a lot more into the plot than a typical “villain’s revenge” scenario. Wally’s emotional collapse with Barry and Iris in the coda will move even the hardest hearted reader (though the twist Wally’s journey would take in the Heroes in Crisis story caused outrage for good reason). A momentous step forward for Barry and Iris at the arc’s end almost gets lost in the shuffle, but will please long-term fans of that relationship.
Howard Porter, an artist with a history with Wally, handles most of the arc, turning in dynamic, expressive pages that capture the spirit of constant motion, kinetic action and time-bending drama. He’s joined by another Flash vet, Scott Kolins, whose similar style bookends the arc with some well-done contributions. The complex color work from Hi-Fi nails the variety of intricate effects and tones needed to give the visuals the zip they demand. The art team nails the constant motion of the story and works a few neat visual metaphors to underline some of the plot beats. It’s strong work from a reliable team.
For anyone who’s been following Flash in recent years, especially fans of Wally, Flash War is required reading. Its clues for DC’s future and help in pushing the Rebirth plots toward their climax make it worth checking out for casual fans, too.
Wally West has had his memories of the pre-Flashpoint world restored, clashing with his present reality and tormenting the young hero. His Flash mentor Barry Allen and aunt Iris West struggle to help him, even as old foe Zoom spins a complex web to prey on the vulnerable Wally. He restores Wally’s memories of his missing children and convinces him he can bring them back if he shatters a hole in the Speed Force. A distraught Wally makes the attempt, with Barry dogging his heels in an attempt to slow him down. But Zoom is manipulating Wally’s movements to unleash two powerful new forces into the world, transforming Zoom into a twisted new Flash for a showdown that has big consequences the DCU.
Writer Joshua Williamson has been building to Flash War throughout his Rebirth run. It’s an emotionally potent story that’s steeped in the family dynamic of Barry, Iris and their two nephews named Wally (the younger now referred to as “Wallace” to distinguish him from his older cousin). The suppressed memory of his erased children has been the sword dangling over Wally since his return in the Rebirth special and Williamson plays it here to devastating effect. More than any of DC’s other franchises, Flash has been centered on the concept of family and how it can be both a hero’s biggest strength and greatest weakness. It’s both in this story and the impact on the characters is significant. Williamson has a strong grasp of the various personalities and their dynamic, making the family drama every bit as compelling as the superhero action. The return of a long-missing family member at the climax is a welcome development.
Williamson brings a lot of ideas to the table here. The 25th Century Renegades (time cops based on the present day Rogues) provide an interesting foil to the Flashes and the advancement of the greater Rebirth story plays out gratifyingly. The new universal forces are a smart expansion of the Speed Force concept and the tease of the return of a devastatingly powerful villain sets up drama to come. Williamson also makes excellent use of Zoom and his unique bond with Wally, investing a lot more into the plot than a typical “villain’s revenge” scenario. Wally’s emotional collapse with Barry and Iris in the coda will move even the hardest hearted reader (though the twist Wally’s journey would take in the Heroes in Crisis story caused outrage for good reason). A momentous step forward for Barry and Iris at the arc’s end almost gets lost in the shuffle, but will please long-term fans of that relationship.
Howard Porter, an artist with a history with Wally, handles most of the arc, turning in dynamic, expressive pages that capture the spirit of constant motion, kinetic action and time-bending drama. He’s joined by another Flash vet, Scott Kolins, whose similar style bookends the arc with some well-done contributions. The complex color work from Hi-Fi nails the variety of intricate effects and tones needed to give the visuals the zip they demand. The art team nails the constant motion of the story and works a few neat visual metaphors to underline some of the plot beats. It’s strong work from a reliable team.
For anyone who’s been following Flash in recent years, especially fans of Wally, Flash War is required reading. Its clues for DC’s future and help in pushing the Rebirth plots toward their climax make it worth checking out for casual fans, too.
November 23, 2019
Cuando comencé a leer Flash Rebirth, que principalmente lo hice por The Button ya que estaba leyendo Batman y también por el personaje de Godspeed que me llamaba la atención; a los pocos tomos vi que habría un arco llamado Flash War. En mi mente, una guerra de velocistas, contra policías temporaltes, etc. Era algo que había imaginado mucho y que había creado mis propias historias con esa temática.
Lamentablemente, el planteamiento no es tan impresionante, quizá, como pudo haber sonado o como pudo haber sido.
El tomo retoma un poco lo que vimos con Flash y Grodd en el tomo anterior, además de que este arco explora realmente las consecuencias de lo que hizo Iris contra Flash Reverso. Creo que donde todo esto se pone complejo es con la aparición de Zoom, otro Flash Reverso. La historia de Wally como Flash, previo a Flash Point y posterior a Crisis Infinitas, no me es muy familiar. Por lo que pude entender en el tomo, Zoom es el Flash reverso de Wally mientras que Thawne es el Flash Reverso de Barry. Al menos lo explican así de sencillo aquí.
Lo que mueve la trama hacia adelante es el descubrimiento de Wally de que algunos de sus recuerdos están equivocados y que tuvo una familia antes de todo el desastre que causó Barry al tratar de salvar a su mamá y crear Flashpoint. Obviamente, cuando Barry se da cuenta de esto, se enoja mucho con Barry y trata de hacer todo lo que puede para salvar a su familia. Y eso es la guerra Flash. Barry contra Wally. Nada más, realmente, aún con los giros del final, podríamos decir que eso es todo.
Lo que más me gustó del tomo es que a mitad del arco, Barry y Wally se la pasan corriendo a tal velocidad que causan muchos estragos en el mundo y la Liga de la Justicia los trata de detener. La conversación que tienen y el arte de lo que está sucediendo me gustó mucho.
Las motivaciones de Zoom no me convencieron. Eso de que lo que en realidad quieren tanto Zoom como Thawne es que Barry y Wally liberen todo su potencial y se vuelvan los héroes más grandes que puedan, se me hace raro. Difícil de creer.
Al final hay una revelación interesante y una consecuencia tangible al universo, que de cierta manera se conecta con lo que sucedió después de Metal y lo que está sucediendo en Green Lantern. Están apareciendo nuevos metales con poderes nuevos, nuevas energías ocultas en la energía de la velocidad (que no me convencen pero habrá que ver qué sucede) y nuevos espectros de colores de las linternas. Todo esto se explora mucho en el run de Snyder en Liga de la Justicia por si quieren saber más sobre eso. Pero seguramente también nos mostrarán mejor lo que sucedió con la barrera de la velocidad en el siguiente tomo.
Me hubiera gustado leer esto antes de Heroes in Crisis pero este tomo si me hizo sentir aún más empatía por Wally y Heroes in Crisis me parece aún más trágico.
Lamentablemente, el planteamiento no es tan impresionante, quizá, como pudo haber sonado o como pudo haber sido.
El tomo retoma un poco lo que vimos con Flash y Grodd en el tomo anterior, además de que este arco explora realmente las consecuencias de lo que hizo Iris contra Flash Reverso. Creo que donde todo esto se pone complejo es con la aparición de Zoom, otro Flash Reverso. La historia de Wally como Flash, previo a Flash Point y posterior a Crisis Infinitas, no me es muy familiar. Por lo que pude entender en el tomo, Zoom es el Flash reverso de Wally mientras que Thawne es el Flash Reverso de Barry. Al menos lo explican así de sencillo aquí.
Lo que mueve la trama hacia adelante es el descubrimiento de Wally de que algunos de sus recuerdos están equivocados y que tuvo una familia antes de todo el desastre que causó Barry al tratar de salvar a su mamá y crear Flashpoint. Obviamente, cuando Barry se da cuenta de esto, se enoja mucho con Barry y trata de hacer todo lo que puede para salvar a su familia. Y eso es la guerra Flash. Barry contra Wally. Nada más, realmente, aún con los giros del final, podríamos decir que eso es todo.
Lo que más me gustó del tomo es que a mitad del arco, Barry y Wally se la pasan corriendo a tal velocidad que causan muchos estragos en el mundo y la Liga de la Justicia los trata de detener. La conversación que tienen y el arte de lo que está sucediendo me gustó mucho.
Las motivaciones de Zoom no me convencieron. Eso de que lo que en realidad quieren tanto Zoom como Thawne es que Barry y Wally liberen todo su potencial y se vuelvan los héroes más grandes que puedan, se me hace raro. Difícil de creer.
Al final hay una revelación interesante y una consecuencia tangible al universo, que de cierta manera se conecta con lo que sucedió después de Metal y lo que está sucediendo en Green Lantern. Están apareciendo nuevos metales con poderes nuevos, nuevas energías ocultas en la energía de la velocidad (que no me convencen pero habrá que ver qué sucede) y nuevos espectros de colores de las linternas. Todo esto se explora mucho en el run de Snyder en Liga de la Justicia por si quieren saber más sobre eso. Pero seguramente también nos mostrarán mejor lo que sucedió con la barrera de la velocidad en el siguiente tomo.
Me hubiera gustado leer esto antes de Heroes in Crisis pero este tomo si me hizo sentir aún más empatía por Wally y Heroes in Crisis me parece aún más trágico.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews