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The Flash: One-Shots
The Life Story of the Flash by Iris Allen
Follows the Flash from his humble childhood to his noble death, detailing his transformation from medical police scientist to dynamic superhero
96 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1997
6 people are currently reading
229 people want to read
About the author
Mark Waid
3,193 books1,280 followersMark Waid (born March 21, 1962 in Hueytown, Alabama) is an American comic book writer. He is best known for his eight-year run as writer of the DC Comics' title The Flash, as well as his scripting of the limited series Kingdom Come and Superman: Birthright, and his work on Marvel Comics' Captain America.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 17, 2020
It's a clever idea to publish this as the book referenced to in many of Waid's Flash stories. Unfortunately, the combination of prose and traditional sequential art is bland. This is probably the only Flash story Mark Waid has written that I don't really care for.
May 21, 2023
A well-made summation and origin for Barry Allen's Flash, doing as good a job as possible of taking many of those old Silver Age and pre-Crisis/post-Crisis stories and trying to make a grand design of it all. Unfortunately, the stories themselves are often just too silly to take seriously, but good on the attempt to make it all like this in "book" form.
July 13, 2023
The Life Story of The Flash is a DC Comics graphic novel written by Mark Waid and Brian Augustan with art by Gil Kane, Joe Staton, and Tom Palmer.
The Life Story of the Flash is designed to as if to be written by Iris Allen, wife of Barry Allen, the Silver Age Flash. The book is a combination of newspaper-like prose writing and comic book panels. The book acts as a biography and covers many of Barry Allen/Flash’s biggest life moments.
This book was written well into Wally West’s run on The Flash and acts as a recap of Barry Allen’s life. Some of the story lines covered are laughably bad, but that is Silver Age comics for you - It was a very mixed bag. This book is referenced many times throughout Mark Waid’s time writing The Flash ongoing series. If you want a refresher on Barry’s Allen life (prior to Flash Rebirth, New 52, and DC Rebirth) and don’t want to read through Wikipedia articles, give this a read.
The Life Story of the Flash is designed to as if to be written by Iris Allen, wife of Barry Allen, the Silver Age Flash. The book is a combination of newspaper-like prose writing and comic book panels. The book acts as a biography and covers many of Barry Allen/Flash’s biggest life moments.
This book was written well into Wally West’s run on The Flash and acts as a recap of Barry Allen’s life. Some of the story lines covered are laughably bad, but that is Silver Age comics for you - It was a very mixed bag. This book is referenced many times throughout Mark Waid’s time writing The Flash ongoing series. If you want a refresher on Barry’s Allen life (prior to Flash Rebirth, New 52, and DC Rebirth) and don’t want to read through Wikipedia articles, give this a read.
April 21, 2017
An interesting graphic novel / written memoir hybrid that, for the most part, works.
October 29, 2016
This unique book is one of those graphic novel / novel hybrids that combines illustrations, comic sections, and text to tell the "life story" of the Flash. (The conceit of the whole thing is that Iris West, Flash's wife, is writing the book. Readers of the FLASH comic at the time also saw this book as a major plot point in several of the storylines in the series.) So, this book serves as a hint of things to come and a bit of a "greatest hits" of Barry Allen's time as The Flash. Mark Waid and Brian Augustyn, who wrote a long, strong run on the Flash comic, do a nice job of revisiting the past and making the whole book entertaining. They capture Iris's voice well, and balance the goofy nature of the villains with the human story of Barry and Iris's romance. I'm not sure how well it would work for people that aren't familiar with The Flash and his mythology, but it worked quite well for this fan.
February 11, 2018
This is my favorite Flash story. It posthumously tells his story from his wife’s perspective. Poignant story that will make you a fan, if you aren’t already.
August 4, 2025
This was a great catch up to start any reading of Post Crisis The Flash. It basically is a historical account of everything that happens during Barry’s era as The Flash. Cool stuff expect that its pretty dry and a bit of a slow burn until everything is all thrown at you at once. And then it’s pretty convoluted.
Some of this is written in novel and other as comic and I truly think a comic would have been just fine because I’m not sure what Iris West’s narrative voice adds to this. Nevertheless I got the info and that’s the purpose.
Some of this is written in novel and other as comic and I truly think a comic would have been just fine because I’m not sure what Iris West’s narrative voice adds to this. Nevertheless I got the info and that’s the purpose.
September 18, 2025
Reminds me of the better days before the life of Barry Allen was retconned beyond recognition in the 21st century - though it's funny that this book also highlights just how many retcons he'd already gone through.
The book itself is great, if a little short. I would've killed for a real fake biography rather than this half-graphic novel, but this is the next best thing. I'm glad that the writers recognised that the story of Barry is also the story of Iris. You really can't have one without the other.
Having about 30 years of comics history distilled like this does show up some of the silliness of comic books. You can very clearly pinpoint the moment Gwen Stacey died and every other long-form comic immediately started doing darker and edgier stories.
The book itself is great, if a little short. I would've killed for a real fake biography rather than this half-graphic novel, but this is the next best thing. I'm glad that the writers recognised that the story of Barry is also the story of Iris. You really can't have one without the other.
Having about 30 years of comics history distilled like this does show up some of the silliness of comic books. You can very clearly pinpoint the moment Gwen Stacey died and every other long-form comic immediately started doing darker and edgier stories.
July 20, 2008
Good for what it is: An origin story of The Flash, a.k.a., Barry Allen, and how Allen's Flash was linked to the 1940s Flash (Jay Garrick), and unexpectedly participated in the origin of his successor Flash, Wally West.
Iris Allen is the fictional biographer. Flash fans will know her as the Barry Allen Flash's wife, and Wally West's aunt. She was also an investigative journalist, before Zoom put an end to her life. Then again, this is a comic book universe, and when a character dies you have to wonder if she really dies. Iris, as the narrator of this book, is obliged to tell us how she survived her own death.
Not something she could do for Barry Allen (though some recent comics have possibly hinted at his return).
For a better Wally West as the Flash origin story, check out Mark Waid's THE FLASH: BORN TO RUN.
Iris Allen is the fictional biographer. Flash fans will know her as the Barry Allen Flash's wife, and Wally West's aunt. She was also an investigative journalist, before Zoom put an end to her life. Then again, this is a comic book universe, and when a character dies you have to wonder if she really dies. Iris, as the narrator of this book, is obliged to tell us how she survived her own death.
Not something she could do for Barry Allen (though some recent comics have possibly hinted at his return).
For a better Wally West as the Flash origin story, check out Mark Waid's THE FLASH: BORN TO RUN.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2017
A Pretty good store in the Flash, entertaining for fans of him like me, and good for people who have never read about him to get to know his story better.
January 4, 2020
This was basically written to catch people up to speed on Flash history before they read Mark Waid's main Flash run. Judged by that intention, it works very well. It is essentially a summary of the entirety of Barry Allen's career as the Flash, up to and including the events where the more well-known Wally West takes the mantle. Because of this, it's not really one story, but a cramming of multiple decades of goofy Silver Age bullshit into one book. Thankfully, the framing device provides cohesion, preventing it from becoming a cacophony of loosely assembled nonsense.
It's not going to change your life, but it's well done and a good prologue to Waid's Flash run for those whose pre-Crisis knowledge is lacking. The only thing I really disliked is that several random pages stop the comic format in favor of paragraphs of prose. I've never seen this done before but it was deeply offputting and lazy.
I actually recommend reading up to just before the chapters detailing Crisis, because it ends rather nicely there. You can then read Crisis on Infinite Earths itself, no summary required, for the full emotional impact. Then read Flash: Born to Run (the true start to Waid's run), then the rest of the Waid run (with a break in the middle for the short Morrison/Millar run, of course). Up to you!
It's not going to change your life, but it's well done and a good prologue to Waid's Flash run for those whose pre-Crisis knowledge is lacking. The only thing I really disliked is that several random pages stop the comic format in favor of paragraphs of prose. I've never seen this done before but it was deeply offputting and lazy.
I actually recommend reading up to just before the chapters detailing Crisis, because it ends rather nicely there. You can then read Crisis on Infinite Earths itself, no summary required, for the full emotional impact. Then read Flash: Born to Run (the true start to Waid's run), then the rest of the Waid run (with a break in the middle for the short Morrison/Millar run, of course). Up to you!
May 7, 2017
I'd like to read this again, written and published about the Barry Allen Flash - in the voice of his (late) wife, Iris - when his character was still dead from the Crisis on Infinite Earths. Ink artist Tom Palmer has shared some of his original art on his Tumblr blog. Highly recommended.
May 31, 2018
A unique combination of comic-book illustration and prose, this super-hero biography follows the Flash from his humble childhood to his noble death, detailing his transformation from medical police scientist to one of the DC Universe's most dynamic heroes.
August 20, 2020
4.5 stars. A fun, fast paced story of Barry Allen's complete life (not in continuity). Puts superheroes in real life - problems with marriages and love, regrets, issues of trust - emotionally charged at times. One as a Flash fan I'm glad I own and will be keeping to re-read.
February 11, 2023
This is a cute idea to have a full bio for Barry Allen and his story written by Iris. It’s very chintzy and really highlights the absurdity of these characters, but it’s great for first time readers as a crash course on The Flash
October 18, 2020
It's great
June 26, 2023
Mark Waid is a silver age fanboy so having him retell Barry Allen’s history in one condensed novel was fun! I like how it gave us the highlights and streamlined the wired stuff into a good narrative. The framing device of Iris writing Barry’s biography was done very well and was a really cool idea. The art was great. Very evocative of the silver age Flash and just cool all around. Just a cool little history.
August 6, 2018
I have to say right off the bat that I've been a fan of the Flash/Barry Allen ever since I saw the CBS TV Series. Since then I have read some stories on the Flash from the point of views of other Flashes from Jay Garrick, Wally West and Bart Allen. But for the most part I have been ignorant of most of his history until I read this story.
Nice bit on Mark Waid writing this in Iris West's name. Basically this short story is a brief history on Iris West from the time she was born and most especially from her coverage of the Flash. You get most of it in 96 color pages taken from various issues of note. From Barry becoming the Flash, a recollection of his Rogues from Captain Cold, Heat Wave, Pied Piper, Weather Wizard, The Trickster and most of all the Reverse Flash.
Reading it from Iris' perspective is interesting as you get in touch with how she felt at the time of knowing Barry's secret up until her supposed death. I have to say that as a character I finally realize why certain media depictions of Iris are not that strong. In many ways she's as bad as Lois Lane in the way she feels that she needs to know Barry's secret. Even worse is the unexpected revelation that she was born in the future - basically giving the unspoken possibility that she shouldn't have belonged in the life of the Flash. I also find it interesting seeing her jealousy of Fiona Webb/Beverly Lewis prior and after the events of the Trial of the Flash.
After the last event in which Barry is reunited with Iris only to die in the events of the Crisis of Infinite Earths. From here Iris writes about her family in Wally West/Flash III, Jay Garrick/Flash I and others.
This is a great read for a novice as well as fans wondering on the character of Iris West. A-
Nice bit on Mark Waid writing this in Iris West's name. Basically this short story is a brief history on Iris West from the time she was born and most especially from her coverage of the Flash. You get most of it in 96 color pages taken from various issues of note. From Barry becoming the Flash, a recollection of his Rogues from Captain Cold, Heat Wave, Pied Piper, Weather Wizard, The Trickster and most of all the Reverse Flash.
Reading it from Iris' perspective is interesting as you get in touch with how she felt at the time of knowing Barry's secret up until her supposed death. I have to say that as a character I finally realize why certain media depictions of Iris are not that strong. In many ways she's as bad as Lois Lane in the way she feels that she needs to know Barry's secret. Even worse is the unexpected revelation that she was born in the future - basically giving the unspoken possibility that she shouldn't have belonged in the life of the Flash. I also find it interesting seeing her jealousy of Fiona Webb/Beverly Lewis prior and after the events of the Trial of the Flash.
After the last event in which Barry is reunited with Iris only to die in the events of the Crisis of Infinite Earths. From here Iris writes about her family in Wally West/Flash III, Jay Garrick/Flash I and others.
This is a great read for a novice as well as fans wondering on the character of Iris West. A-
March 8, 2015
The Life Story of the Flash is a fictional biography about the life of the Barry Allen Flash, written by his wife Iris West Allen. It gives a history of the major events that happened in Barry's life but also the impact that he had on others.
In case you didn't know Barry Allen was a police forensics scientist, who one day was struck by lightning and doused in chemicals that gave him the ability to run at amazing speeds. From then on, he took on the identity of "The Flash".
Mark Waid manages to blend the comics perfectly with the biographical aspect of this graphic novel. He also manages to make the complex history of the Flash comprehensible and understandable without making it perplexing.
It is interesting to see the depth of the character and how he interacted with other people in the DC Universe.
As a person relatively new to the Flash, I definitely recommend this to those who want to know more about the character.
In case you didn't know Barry Allen was a police forensics scientist, who one day was struck by lightning and doused in chemicals that gave him the ability to run at amazing speeds. From then on, he took on the identity of "The Flash".
Mark Waid manages to blend the comics perfectly with the biographical aspect of this graphic novel. He also manages to make the complex history of the Flash comprehensible and understandable without making it perplexing.
It is interesting to see the depth of the character and how he interacted with other people in the DC Universe.
As a person relatively new to the Flash, I definitely recommend this to those who want to know more about the character.
July 14, 2008
I remember this book was less than what it could have been. Written as if the author were the widow of Barry Allen (aka Flash II), it details the legacy of the Flash, from Jay Garrick to Wally West, and even a bit of Bart Allen (Impulse).
My issue was this: the combination of novel format with graphic novel format just made for an awkward feeling sometimes. If Iris Allen supposedly wrote this, then are we to assume that she's drawing all these comic panels, too? I wasn't sure what the point was in crediting her as the author on the cover if the content wasn't entirely hers. I guess it was just inconsistent, and it bothered me.
The art is slightly sub-par as well -- very mechanical and lifeless at times.
Anyway, it's a good read if you need a starting point for getting to know who the various Flashes are/were and their characters. It just could have been more.
My issue was this: the combination of novel format with graphic novel format just made for an awkward feeling sometimes. If Iris Allen supposedly wrote this, then are we to assume that she's drawing all these comic panels, too? I wasn't sure what the point was in crediting her as the author on the cover if the content wasn't entirely hers. I guess it was just inconsistent, and it bothered me.
The art is slightly sub-par as well -- very mechanical and lifeless at times.
Anyway, it's a good read if you need a starting point for getting to know who the various Flashes are/were and their characters. It just could have been more.
April 7, 2012
Ah, the novelty of reading a fictitious book. Put this on the shelf right next to Kilgore Trout's Venus on the Half-Shell.
All kidding aside, this books was a very interesting reading experience. Comic book panels and straight up text are woven together to tell this fictional biography. This in not the first time I've seen such a mix of reading media, but it is the first time I've seen it used to tell one flowing narrative.
Mark Waid and Brian Augustyn, through the character of Iris Allen, tell super hero story that is every bit as colorful and fantastic as super heroes should be, but is far more poignant than they typically are. Barry Allen's story comes off as sad and triumphant as that of a real life police officer or fire fighter.
If anyone wonders how people can be inspired to greatness by fictional characters, reading this story might clear that up for them.
All kidding aside, this books was a very interesting reading experience. Comic book panels and straight up text are woven together to tell this fictional biography. This in not the first time I've seen such a mix of reading media, but it is the first time I've seen it used to tell one flowing narrative.
Mark Waid and Brian Augustyn, through the character of Iris Allen, tell super hero story that is every bit as colorful and fantastic as super heroes should be, but is far more poignant than they typically are. Barry Allen's story comes off as sad and triumphant as that of a real life police officer or fire fighter.
If anyone wonders how people can be inspired to greatness by fictional characters, reading this story might clear that up for them.
March 27, 2009
This book still holds up well even after a decade later. It provides an intimate look at the story of Barry Allen...who he was and how he affected the lives of those around him. With Barry Allen soon to return in Flash: Rebirth, any reader wanting to get to know who Barry Allen is should pick up this book.
December 2, 2016
Pretty good. I adore Mark Waid's writing, and since this book was actually referenced in a number of issues of Waid's run on the Flash, it was an interesting read. The little bit at the end about the future made me wonder if it was actually meant to go later than in the chronology where I read it (I sorted my Wally!Flashes by published date) or else Waid is one of those long-planning authors.
October 23, 2014
Pretty comprehensive about the history of the Flash. Initially I was unsure about Iris as a narrator, but in the end, I think it really worked out. You never hear from the superhero's significant other's point of view. Great.
September 15, 2015
Where Mark Waid proves he can make Barry interesting, but more importantly, made me love Iris.
October 13, 2014
A wonderful bio of DC's Fastest Man and arguably, their greatest hero.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews