The Flash by Mark Waid Omnibus Vol. 1

The Flash by Mark Waid Omnibus

by Mark Waid, Greg LaRocque (Illustrator), Mike Wieringo (Illustrator)

Mark Waid's classic run on The Flash begins here! The Flash is here and he is born to run!

Collecting some of the most iconic tales from Mark Waid's run this first volume of the omnibus collection is one you cannot miss! Starting with a reimagining of the first meeting between Wally West and Barry Allen—and their first adventure together where Barry gives Wally his own Flash costume! This omnibus collects The Flash #62-91; The Flash Annual #4-6; Green Lantern #30-31, #40; The Flash Special #1; and Justice League Quarterly #10.

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics, Graphic Novels, Graphic Novels Comics, Fiction

1088 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1994

About the author

Mark Waid is an American comic book writer widely known for shaping modern superhero storytelling through influential runs on major characters at both DC Comics and Marvel Comics. Raised in Alabama, he developed an early fascination with comic books, particularly classic stories featuring the Legion of Super-Heroes, whose imaginative scope and sense of legacy would later inform his own writing. He first entered the comics industry during the mid 1980s as an editor and writer for the fan magazine Amazing Heroes, before publishing his first professional comic story in Action Comics. Soon afterward he joined DC Comics as an editor, contributing to numerous titles and helping shape projects across the company. After leaving editorial work to focus on writing, Waid gained widespread recognition with his long run on The Flash, where he expanded the mythology of the character and co-created the youthful speedster Impulse. His reputation grew further with the celebrated graphic novel Kingdom Come, created with artist Alex Ross, which imagined a future DC Universe shaped by generational conflict among superheroes. Over the years he has written many prominent series, including Captain America, Fantastic Four, Daredevil, and Superman: Birthright, bringing a balance of optimism, character depth, and respect for comic book history to each project. Waid has also collaborated with notable artists and writers on major ensemble titles such as Justice League and Avengers, while contributing ideas that helped clarify complex continuity within shared superhero universes. Beyond mainstream superhero work, he has supported creator owned projects and experimental publishing models, including the acclaimed series Irredeemable and Incorruptible, which explored moral ambiguity within the superhero genre. He later took on editorial leadership roles at Boom Studios, guiding creative direction while continuing to write extensively. In subsequent years he expanded his involvement in publishing and digital storytelling, helping launch online comics initiatives and advocating for new distribution methods for creators. His work has earned numerous industry awards, including Eisner and Harvey honors, reflecting both critical acclaim and enduring popularity among readers. Throughout his career Waid has remained a passionate student of comic book history, drawing on decades of storytelling tradition while continually encouraging innovation within the medium. His influence extends across generations of readers and creators, and his stories continue to shape the evolving language of superhero comics around the world today through enduring characters imaginative narratives and thoughtful reinventions of familiar myths within popular culture and modern graphic storytelling traditions.

Reviews

[Rumi Bossche · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Flash by Mark Waid omnibus vol 1.

I like my comics dark and gritty. I grew up with the social commentary and under lying themes in the X-Men,  dudes like Daredevil and Batman are huge favorites of me. I like dark and twisted villains. And when stuff gets dark and broody. I somehow also really like The Flash, with its happy lighthearted style and zany villains. I shouldn't but i really do. This omnibus was just so damn chill to read i really devoured it. Its a great mix between classic old skool comics and the newer ones, it fits right in between. It has fantastic artwork, cool team ups and really goes by in a flash, no pun intended. This was really so much better then i expected. And so far the best omnibus i have read in awhile.

[Blake Hurt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some really great issues here, and overall worth it for those wanting to dive in Wally West. I personally would have given the latter half of the book 4 stars, just thought the beginning issues included were a little dry (some of which weren’t written by Waid anyway and I have no clue why they were included). Not a comic expert however so take this review with a grain of salt.

[Blindzider · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read quite a bit of Mark Waid’s work, I had an idea of what to expect from this book. Most of his stuff is middle of the road, solid stories, but only occasionally reaching the next tier. I knew that many of the aspects of the Flash mythology came from his run and they don’t have quite the impact now as I’m sure it did back then.

Overall, I was pleased with the stories. While I haven’t read a lot of solo Flash stories, most of them were with Barry and never really got why people liked Wally so much. This volume starts off with a few issues showing how Wally and Barry got started, then the rest is almost all Wally taking on the mantle. He’s likable but also fallible, whereas Barry was always so perfect, at least early on. I don’t think this is too much of a spoiler but at some point Barry “dies” (not in Crisis) which gets Wally to take over. It would have been nice if at least some of that was included. It’s referred to a couple times with maybe a panel or two but that’s it.

The art is also mostly average. At some point Mike Wieringo starts and it was neat to see the evolution of his art. It was clear he had a gift and his own style, probably best exemplified but his later run with Waid on the Fantastic Four.

Not sure yet if I’ll continue this. Looks like 2 more volumes and while I’m curious, I'm hesitating to invest the money and space.

[chrysa · Rating 3 out of 5]

his name is wally west. he is the fastest man alive kinda funny actually
my first time reading the flash and though i wish i had started with barry allen i still enjoyed the character's post-crisis origin story. a hero is as good as the villains he fights (in comics, at least) so the first half was kinda slow but linda, the crossovers and the incredible jay/barry/wally arc in the second half made up for it. i have high hopes for the next waid omnibus

[Neal Compton · Rating 4 out of 5]

To me the definitive Wally West run. I’d probably consider it the definitive Flash run.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily some of the best flash writing I’ve read and when Wally wins you really feel the pay off too

[Nicolas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first Flash media I’ve read, and going into it I was very excited to see all about the scarlet speedster I’ve looked up to since I was little. Mark Waid’s run of Wally’s Flash not only met my expectations, but exceeded them.
Wally as a legacy character was amazing. Even not having read any Barry stories, I could still feel how big the shoes were to fill for Wally. Waid did a great job in conveying that in this run, as well as making the dialogue feel fun and real. And next to the fantastic stories in this, I felt this was an all around perfect read.
I’m very excited to read the next volume, whenever I get the chance to pick it up, and learn more about the speed force!

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

The DEFINITIVE Wally West Flash run. I read a chunk of this run years ago in high school but only remember a couple of the bigger arcs and didn't fully appreciate it as much as I should have. Mark Waid wrote Wally for nearly a decade (which is so unprecedented for comics today) and had the task of making Wally earn the mantle from Barry. Waid did that and more, 30 years later, he is still the best writer for Wally West. Reading this omnibus reminded me of how much I sorely missed pre-New 52 DC. During this time, DC editorial was more likely to let characters grow under the same writer and also establish stable continuity without constant reboots and retcons. Within this first of three Mark Waid Flash omnibuses, the reader is really given time and space to care about Wally, his cast, and his city in this surprisingly self-contained run (only a couple non-intrusive hero team-up and one event crossover included here). Just one of my favorite DC runs ever for arguably my favorite superhero ever. So much wacky comic book fun, with lots of heart, genuine stakes, and strong development for Wally. And the climactic arc of this first omnibus is still amazing even to this day! Excited to read the next two omnibuses of this run.

9/10

[Shazne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterclass of the genre! Did not expect to love it the way I did. Wally West is The GOAT Flash. Looking forward to the release of Volume 2. A MUST READ.

[Kamil Zawiślak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark Waid is a really good writer and this is the proof. Collections like this can't escape some filler team-up issues and convoluted annuals' plots, but this one nonetheless has not one, but two of the best annuals I've ever read in a superhero comic book world. When we finally get to the main epic story, it gets really good, like '90's-top-tier-superhero' good. I love how clean it is, almost mimicking the order and clarity that some of 60's books had. So when it finally hits, it packs a completely earned punch, with a real feel of emotions, resolution and character growth.

Recommended, but it does have some fillers and there's a drop in seriousnesa after the epic storyline.

7/10

[James Fichera · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are some VERY retro 90’s stories in this omnibus (The Flash wearing a scuba suit). And like a lot of books of the time written by men the females characters don’t have much interiority. But A: this is SEMINAL Flash and if you want to know anything about the character this book is a must and B: The Wally Origin and the Return of Barry Allen arcs are both worth the price of admission.

Plus as a huge fan of Max Mercury you get some good stuff with him as well.

Waid is an essential stepping stone of The Flash lore and this omni is a lot of fun. I just hope DC releases the next volume of Waids run soon!