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After many delays and behind-the-scenes issues, The Flash movie is finally set to hit theatres this year. With universe-shattering expectations and the return of Michael Keaton as Batman, fans eagerly await the Scarlett Speedster’s solo film debut. Little is known about the film’s plot, but it looks as if the film will serve as the reboot point for the DC universe going forward. With this in mind, we have compiled a list of ten DC Comics featuring The Flash that fans can read in preparation for the new movie.
10. Showcase #4
As with many characters, the best place to start is the beginning. The Flash movie will feature Barry Allen as the titular hero. While there have been several characters to take the mantle of The Flash, Barry is arguably the best known. Barry made his debut in 1956 in DC Comics Showcase issue 4. The comic introduces Barry Allen, a police scientist who gets himself into an accident. After being covered in chemicals and struck by lightning, Barry discovers he can move at incredible speeds. Naming himself after his favorite comic book hero, The Flash, Barry uses his newfound abilities to fight crime. While this issue is brief and simple, it serves as a great introduction to the character of Barry Allen.
9. Nobody Dies
Like the previous entry, this story is simple and nonworld-threatening. Still, it manages to show how Flash is willing to do whatever it takes, even when the odds are stacked against him. A flight attendant gets sucked out of an airplane while in the air. Wally West must spring into action before she falls to her death. While he manages to grab her, he can’t simply run while in freefall. This requires Flash to think fast and figure out how to creatively tap into the speed force before plummeting to the ground. This isn’t one of the must-read DC Comics, but it does show how clever the character of The Flash is, not to mention Barry utters the phrase “Nobody dies” in the latest trailer.
8. Terminal Velocity
While Barry Allen is arguably the best-known Flash, Wally West is a close second. In fact, one of the most important stories in The Flash’s history sees Wally at the center. Terminal Velocity sees Wally push himself beyond his limits to save someone close to him. In doing so, he runs faster than the speed of light, officially introducing the Speed Force into the canon. The Speed Force had been named dropped, but this is the first time readers saw exactly what it was and saw it in action. Many modern comics feature the Speed Force as a dangerous yet powerful tool. It has been shown to be able to reverse time as well as travel dimensions. The Speed Force gives Speedsters their powers and will cause Barry to change reality in the upcoming movie.
7. Flash of Two Worlds
One thing that is clear from the marketing for The Flash movie is that there will be at least two Barry Allens. The first time two characters used Flash in one comic was Flash of Two Worlds. Barry finds himself in another dimension while performing party tricks. He soon realizes he has landed in a dimension where Jay Garrick, his favorite comic book hero, is real; Jay is the original Flash and the place where Barry took the inspiration for his hero name. Meeting his once-thought fictional hero is the first of many times more than one Flash met and is a perfect way to prepare for the movie.
6. The Trial of the Flash
Barry Allen’s life is nothing if not tragic. One of the lengthiest stories in DC Comics is The Trial of the Flash, which ran for two years. The story sees Barry seeking vengeance for the death of Iris West. This death was courtesy of his arch-nemesis, Reverse Flash. Barry finally captures him and impressions him in another dimension. Barry slowly begins to move on with his life, even finding a woman to marry. Just when things are looking up, Reverse Flash escapes, leading to Barry accidentally killing him. Barry must now stand trial for the murder, with his livelihood as a superhero at stake. This iconic story is one of the best featuring Bary, and it shows exactly the kind of hero he is.
5. The Return of Barry Allen
After Barry Allen sacrificed himself in the Crisis on Infinite Earths event, Wally West took over the mantle of Flash. He is finally settling into his new role when a fully alive Barry arrives on his doorstep. Ecstatic to once again fight alongside his mentor, Wally welcomes Barry with open arms. Things aren’t as jolly as they seem, however, as Barry is far more violent and impulsive than he ever was. Using the help of Jay Garrick, Wally sets out to discover the secret of Barry’s return. This comic would serve as a great companion to the film, as it shows the impact that Barry has on others and just what he is willing to do to save multiverses.
4. Rebirth
Not connected to the DC Comics reboot of the same name, The Flash: Rebirth helps to reintroduce Barry Allen to readers. After returning to the land of the living, Barry realizes the events of his life may not be as random as he was led to believe. Using help from other speedsters, Barry sets out to discover the truth of his origins and the secret as to why he is once again alive. When it comes to Barry Allen-led Flash titles, this is frequently mentioned as one of the best. While the movie may not take direct inspiration from the comic, it may take beats from the revamped origin story.
3. Flash of the Lightning
The eighth part of the legendary Crisis on Infinite Earths series is one of the best known. Barry Allen finds himself face-to-face with the Anti-monitor. Faced with the destruction of multiple Earths across multiple dimensions, Flash must run faster than he ever thought possible to destroy the Anti-monitors anti-matter machine. Running around the device’s core several thousand times in a matter of seconds, Barry successfully destroys the machine. In the process, however, Barry dies. The Flash gave his life to protect not just his home but the multiverse as a whole; seeing as how the upcoming movie deals with the multiverse, this comic shows just how far Barry will go to save others.
2. The Button
One aspect of The Flash movie fans are most excited about is the return of Michael Keaton as Batman. Going off of the trailers, it looks like The Flash will be teaming up with Batman to save the multiverse. Another time the two teamed up for a similar goal was in the event The Button. Doomsday Clock saw the world of Watchmen crossover into the wider DC universe. The Button was the precursor to this event, and it saw Batman and Flash find a familiar button in the wall of the Batcave. The story reveals that Dr. Manhattan, from the Watchman series, is the orchestrator of the New 52 era of DC. Having stolen ten years from everyone in history. This story does well at standing on its own and gives fans a taste of Batman and Flash’s dynamic in the movie.
1. Flashpoint
When mentioning Flash stories, Flashpoint is almost always brought up; used to rest the DC Comics, Flashpoint seems to be the main basis for the upcoming movie. Desperate to reverse the death of his mother, Barry runs back in time to save her from her death. In doing so, he returns to a future that is unknown to him. Superman is a weak shell of the hero Barry knows. Aquaman and Wonder Woman are at war; Bruce Wayne was killed on that fateful night as opposed to his parents, causing his father, Thomas, to take the mantle of Batman. Barry must team up with this universe’s Batman to save this new reality and return to his own. Flashpoint has become the gold standard for multiversal stories and is the perfect basis for a movie.