Flash #22

Writer: Joshua Williamson Artist: Neil Googe Publisher: DC Comics Release Date: May 17, 2017 Cover Price: $2.99 Critic Reviews: 31 User Reviews: 70
7.9Critic Rating
8.1User Rating

"THE BUTTON" part four! The cataclysmic events of DC UNIVERSE: REBIRTH #1 continue here! The Dark Knight and The Fastest Man Alive, the two greatest detectives on any world, unite to explore the mystery behind a certain blood-stained smiley button embedded in the Batcave wall. What starts as a simple investigation turns deadly when the secrets of the button prove irresistible to an unwelcome third party-and it's not who anyone suspects! It's a mystery woven through time, and the ticking clock starts here!
Retailers: This issue will ship with three covers.

  • 10
    Comics: The Gathering - Batmanaruto May 17, 2017

    In conclusion, the creative teams on all 4 of these books really managed to pull off a really great crossover, especially with a second half that was so strong. It really does set up for the next thing that is coming and gets the reader excited for the future of the DC Universe, whilst telling its own amazing story. Read Full Review

  • 10
    DC Comics News - Derek McNeil May 17, 2017

    My mind was blown by this issue. After I read it, I just had to sit and absorb it for about an hour before I could even start reviewing it. If this is indicative of where the Rebirth and Doomsday Clock storylines are headed, then I am reassured that the DCU is in good hands. Read Full Review

  • 10
    The Brazen Bull - Charlie Chipman May 17, 2017

    Everything about this issue, in my mind, is ideal. The art is fantastic, the writing, spectacular. And the prologue"everyone is going to be talking about the prologue for a very long time. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Comicsverse - Aaron Berke May 17, 2017

    "The Button" races to a spellbinding conclusion, as the grand design of DC Rebirth comes into focus. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    Nerd Church Radio - Ben DuPey May 17, 2017

    This book didn't give us a whole lot of answers, but it did give a good story. What's more important, it showed up how epic and singularly important the events of DC Universe Rebirth and the inclusion of The Watchmen characters will be to the greater DC Universe. Read Full Review

  • 9.1
    Heroes Direct - Eammon Jacobs May 17, 2017

    In all honesty, 'The Button' has been one of the best stories to come out of DC this year. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comicosity - Matt Santori May 17, 2017

    With the conclusion of The Button in The Flash #22, Joshua Williamson, Howard Porter, and Hi-Fi have given us more than simply a lead-in to Geoff Johns and Gary Franks confrontation between the Big Blue and the Big Blue. Theyve delivered a carefully pieced together character study of Barry Allen and Bruce Wayne that is illuminating in their differences, but far more provocative in how their similarities bare out. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    SciFiPulse - Patrick Hayes May 19, 2017

    More of an introduction to a larger story than one that answers burning questions, this issue of The Flash is entertaining. The circle is complete, much like a button, but there is much, much more to be revealed. In November. A classic hero returns famously and the visuals are breathtaking. Fun, but only a tease of what's to come. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Flickering Myth - Ricky Church May 20, 2017

    Overall, The Flash #22 delivered a satisfying conclusion to 'The Button' that left a lot of anticipation for what is to come. The art was a visual treat and Williamson again had a good handle on the characters. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    FanboyNation - R.C. Samo May 17, 2017

    Flash No. 22 ends with a gasp as we now have to wait until November for the Doomsday Clock to finish counting down. DC Comics, has taken its rightful post on top as the king of comic publishers. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Critical Blast - RJ Carter May 18, 2017

    FLASH 22 concludes "The Button," but it's a conclusion that brings with it little in the way of a conclusion. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    AIPT - David Brooke May 17, 2017

    A good issue that's more of a kick starter than a satisfying issue you'll reread over and over. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    NerdEnt.Net - Flame Hawk May 17, 2017

    "The Button" is not what everyone wants as it only establishes something DC fans have known for a while now"Doctor Manhattan is in the DC Universe. We will get more information in November as the ACTUAL event will enlighten us on the origins of the DC Rebirth. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    GWW - Percy Waelchl May 17, 2017

    Flash #22 is a necessary conclusion to a crossover that raised more questions than it answered. Williamson's writing and Porter's art make the journey more satisfying that than destination. Personal moments of each hero's failure and loss stick with readers well past any new tease at the larger Rebirth mystery. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    The Batman Universe - Matthew Mahar May 19, 2017

    Theres a lot to this story, and Ive barely scratched the surface. Im looking forward to giving this one multiple reads in the future, and isnt that one of the greatest compliments we can give? Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Chuck's Comic Of The Day - Chuck May 19, 2017

    This series really just accomplishes one thing: it sets up this fall's big event from DC, which is being called Doomsday Clock. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    You Don't Read Comics - Ben McElveen May 17, 2017

    I enjoyed the journey but at the end I'm left feeling disappointed. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Kabooooom - Sarah Moran May 17, 2017

    Where "The Button" lands isn't terribly surprising (DC pretty muchspoiled it by already announcing Doomsday Clock),but there's something to be said of the thrill in knowingDr. Manhattan is the one responsible for theNew 52, for rejiggering the DC Universe, and now, presumably, the Rebirth of it as well. It's weird, it's meta, it's sure piss some people off (Alan Moore, especially), but it's too intriguing to ignore. When Dr. Manhattan's hand reaches in to panel " practically incandescent in glowing Hi-Fi color " and graspsthe button, there's a palpable excitement over where this could lead. Read Full Review

  • 7.6
    IGN - Jesse Schedeen May 17, 2017

    "The Button" reaches a slightly underwhelming finish, as the story provides few answers to the mystery that's been slowly unfolding across the DCU for the past year. But the characterization shines even if the plot itself stalls out. And Howard Porter does a great job of evoking both DC Universe Rebirth #1 and Watchmen in his art. Read Full Review

  • 7.6
    Major Spoilers - Matthew Peterson May 22, 2017

    I'm of two minds about this issue, as I enjoyed a lot of it, but still found the ending incredibly awkward and frustrating. The Flash #22 brings back an old favorite in a way that I didn't expect, delivers on at least part of the premise set up by the big crossover schmageggi and does so with excellent art. Read Full Review

  • 7.5
    Graphic Policy - Logan Dalton May 19, 2017

    With art that is constantly in motion by Howard Porter along with some nostalgic imagery,The Flash#22 is a suitable end to a storyline that's only job was getting readers excited for a storyline down the road. However, Joshua Williamson and Porter make time to show Batman and Barry Allen's personal reactions to this crazy journey so it's not all sizzle and no steak. “The Button” crossover also shows the care that the Powers that Be at DC Comics are taking to restore and rebuild their history and continuity via the vehicle of relatively self-contained crossovers and slow burn mystery thrillers instead of making Superman a fascist or something. Read Full Review

  • 7.5
    Graphic Policy - Brett May 17, 2017

    The Flash #22 is an interesting one and after reading it, I'm still not 100% sure what I think. It's a bit flustering in that way because it's one that's hard to judge on its own, instead, it'll be one that's judged by what's to come. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Dark Knight News - Eric Lee May 19, 2017

    Williamson has a thankless task of putting together a middle arc to springboard future storylines. Fortunately,him and King crafted a mostly well-made, intriguing plot with excellent art. However, the ending was a tad unsatisfying. But, as long as readers come in with theexpectations that not every plot thread will be answered, they will have a fun time. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Comic Book Bin - Herv St-Louis May 17, 2017

    Howard Porter does the best he can with the thin script he was given. He continues to draw his characters with as much expression as Bart Sears and the dynamism of comics in 2017. Not many artists at DC Comics have the level of dynamism that Porter has. For this issue, he was the best pick. I do like how he redesigned Jay Garrick though. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Newsarama - Justin Partridge May 17, 2017

    The overture is now complete, and we don't really know much else that we didn't already, and that will probably end up being "The Button's" real legacy. Though chock full of mood, great character moments, and wonderful artwork, The Flash #22 stands as a particularly well made example of style over substance at the Multiversal level. Now all we have to do is wait for the clock to tick to Midnight with Doomsday Clock to find out if all this setup was truly worth it. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Weird Science - Jim Werner May 17, 2017

    The ending of the Button had some big moments as far as Rebirth goes, but I still felt a tinge of disappointment after reading it.  If you are looking for answers, you are going to have to wait until November.  We do see the big bad and the return of a great character, but in the end, we haven't gone that far since the beginning of this crossover.  I hate to say this was all a setup for the Doomsday Clock, but it feels that way right now. Read Full Review

  • 6.5
    Comic Book Revolution - Kevin Lainez May 19, 2017

    As a DC Comics fan there were a lot of very cool moments that made The Flash #22 an enjoyable end to "The Button" crossover. The set-up for Doomsday Clock further built anticipation for Doctor Manhattan's full appearance on screen. Unfortunately the fact that there was very little accomplished in Batman and Flash's investigation did make a major plot point made the story feel unsatisfying. Read Full Review

  • 6.5
    Comic Book Corps - Tim Montoya May 17, 2017

    In conclusion, I enjoyed the character building and the stories that happened in this event. But it wasn't how it was marketed or pitched to us. This was supposed to bring answers and honestly, it brought none. Of course, there is a book being solicited here called Doomsday Clock by Geoff Johns and it will supposedly feature Superman fighting Doctor Manhattan. However, after this event, I'm not really looking forward to much of anything besides Metal. Read Full Review

  • 5.0
    We Got This Covered - Eric Joseph May 17, 2017

    While it's a fun comic book on its own, "The Button" finale unfortunately ends up being little more than an ad for Doomsday Clock. Read Full Review

  • 4.0
    Nerdophiles - Jackson Adams May 29, 2017

    Since the relaunch, DC's clearly been building to something big, with a host of mysterious figures pulling strings across a number of the company's biggest series. However, "The Button" doesn't feel as significant as the rest of the mysteries the company is seeding. It's disappointing to see DC put so much weight on a storyline that offers so little new information and a lack of authorial voice but at least it doesn't harm the larger story being told. Read Full Review

  • 4.0
    Batman-News - Brandon Mulholand May 17, 2017

    We don't really learn anything we didn't already know, and no real progression occurs. Ultimately, this comic (and "The Button" in general) are little more than a teaser for the bigger story coming out in November. Not only do we end up being left with more questions than we started with but also less money in our wallets. Read Full Review

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