Flash #1
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Flash #1

Writer: Francis Manapul, Brian Buccellato Artist: Francis Manapul Publisher: DC Comics Release Date: September 28, 2011 Cover Price: $2.99 Critic Reviews: 21 User Reviews: 16
8.1Critic Rating
7.8User Rating

The Fastest Man Alive returns to his own monthly series from the writer/artist team of Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato! The Flash knows he can't be everywhere at once, but what happens when he faces an all-new villain who really can! As if that's not bad enough, this villain is a close friend!

  • 10
    Comic Vine - Tony 'G-Man' Guerrero Sep 28, 2011

    DC's 'The New 52' books are meant to be fun and exciting while re-introducing characters to new and old readers. Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato have succeeded in that objective. Barry Allen is still the same character except some tiny changes have been made. Some of his past continuity may have been wiped out but the energy put in here more than makes up for it. Manapul and Buccellato do a great job making this a beautiful comic. The colors and effects used when Flash is in action is something you'll want to show to even your non-comic reading friends. You'll want to look over this issue again and again. With a new villain and possible new direction in his personal life adds to the excitement of this new series. Don't let this issue race past you to a sell out. Read Full Review

  • 9.6
    The Fandom Post - Chris Kirby Sep 29, 2011

    The new Flash seemed like it would be the trickiest series to handle simply because of Flashpoint. This book could've gone wrong as a number one by focusing on and addressing events from Flashpoint and spending too much time on just how different Barry's world is. Instead this first issue handles everything perfectly; by ignoring Flashpoint entirely…for now. It's focus is introducing us to the characters, getting us to like the character, and having us see the Flash in action while setting up a cliffhanger that is definitely interesting and peculiar. The Flash is a must pickup for anyone interested in a good story and/or the Flash. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    A Comic Book Blog - Phillip Carson Oct 13, 2011

    Overall this was a solid first issue, showing none of the forced awkwardness we've been getting from other artists who think they can write. It was classic superhero fun with some varied characterization and glorious artwork. The only thing I'm concerned with is Manapul's ability to keep on a monthly schedule. The last Flash book was hilariously famous for being late (the fastest hero gets the slowest book). And really I like this book too much so far for it to be burdened with delays. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Fox Force Five News - Keven Skinner Sep 25, 2015

    Mark Hamill has his OWN segment in here. That alone is a win. The screen test was fascinating to see how early on Gustin was destined to become this character (screw anyone else thinking they can play The Flash in another adaptation….). The fact that they included the 2014 Comic-Con panel that not only had The Flash, but Gotham, Constantine and Arrow as well is cool. If you were worried that having a packagewith over 20 episodes would skimp out on the bonus features then fret no more fellows – The Flash delivers here, making this collectionone of the best of the year so far in terms of television releases. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Heretical Jargon - Heretic Oct 6, 2011

    The Flash is off to a good start! Barry Allen has everything he needs with a mystery to boot. Iris will undoubtedly make the moves on Barry eventually, causing some interesting relationship turmoil to stir up, as well as other personal strife. Looking forward to more excitement in the world of the Flash! Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    DC Comics News - Steven Brown Nov 23, 2015

    Overall I thought Gorilla Warfare was a great and solid episode. We saw the return of Henry Allen, the revelation of more heroes to come through Cisco's vibe, and also we see a glimpse of Gorilla City- which hopefully means Grodd's return. The writers of The Flash continue to not disappoint me and I'm definitely glad that we se Earth 2's Dr. Wells sacrifice to save Caitlin's life. I hope that this changes the interaction between himself and the rest of the team. Will Grodd return? Does Dr. Wells finally have a way of stopping Zoom? I promise you that you'll be asking the same questions right after you see the show credits. Read Full Review

  • 8.4
    Chuck's Comic Of The Day - Chuck Oct 3, 2011

    So, this series is off to a fair start - one of the better of the "New 52" - but the creative team still has a ways to go to prove itself. Read Full Review

  • 8.4
    Outer Realm Comics - Shawn Morrissey Dec 29, 2011

    Note to self: don't vibrate using that frequency. Read Full Review

  • 8.4
    Outer Realm Comics - Davy Dec 7, 2011

    The variant by Ivan Reis is decent stuff as well, but it doesn't pop the way the main cover does. The third variant, a sketch version of Manapul's, still looks great, but the Flash needs to be enveloped in crimson and gold. Perhaps like no other character in the DCU, the Flash demands to be in colour. Read Full Review

  • 8.4
    The Fandom Post - Chris Beveridge Apr 20, 2011

    I had a lot of issues with the Flash Rebirth series when I finally go around to reading it as it didn't make Barry all that interesting of a character and he felt, appropriately enough, left behind by how the world changed. With this series, he's still not any more relatable, but he's not quite as stern and serious either, which helps immensely. Putting him back into a work setting was a big positive and letting the story evolve slowly over the course of the issue was a definite plus as it works with his Rogues gallery and avoids all other connections to the DC Universe. Geoff Johns has crafted a basic but good story here that hints at where it can go, brings in classic characters in different forms and adds the fun of time travel, which can be a crutch at times. Tying it with Manapul's solid artwork and we have an opening issue that is leaps beyond the Rebirth miniseries and has me actually interested to see where it will all go. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    cxPulp - Adam Chapman Sep 30, 2011

    This is a fun, fresh take on Barry Allen and his adventures, in-keeping with the general tone started pre-New 52, but at the same time representing a fresh beginning. The artwork suits the writing quite well, not surprising, again, because Manapul is both writer/artist on this series. Although I still have my doubts about the fate of the greater Flash-family post-Flashpoint in the New 52, when I move that from my mind and focus simply on this issue as presented, what's on the page and not what ISN'T, this is an enjoyable fun issue. Highly Recommended! Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Major Spoilers - Stephen Schleicher Oct 3, 2011

    I thought The Flash was going to be one of the continuity baggage titles for the DCU. Glad I was wrong. While this isn't the Silver Age Flash, or the Wally West Flash, or even the shudder inducing Bart Allen aged Flash, Barry Allen is a new Flash for a new time, and I hope that the character can remain fresh and interesting for a long time to come. Barry still comes off as a little too goody-goody, but the story is paced well, the characters are interesting, and this book is one worth picking up. Flash #1 is a good way to end the first month of new number ones from DC Comics, earning 4 out of 5 Stars. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Pastrami Nation - Nolan Smith Nov 11, 2015

    The season keeps getting better and better, and now the question is: who is Zoom? Whoever he is, he is a force to be reckoned with, a force that, as of right now, our hero doesnt stand a chance against. Another strong episode, The Flash isnt just winning the race, hes running the marathon of greatness as well. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Weekly Comic Book Review - Minhquan Nguyen Sep 27, 2011

    It doesn't exactly hold your interest in its fist, but it keeps a hand on your shoulder, just enough to lead you back for a few more issues. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    ComicBuzz - johnlees Oct 20, 2011

    So, The Flash #1 is an aesthetic triumph, and Manapul and Buccellato do a good enough job with the writing that the absence of Geoff Johns is not felt too sorely. I was expecting this to be a comic Id be dropping after issue #1, but it looks like Ill at the very least be back for issue #2. Read Full Review

  • 7.5
    Comic Book Bin - Garth the Geek Sep 29, 2011

    Overall, it was a decent first issue with an unfortunately weak ending. The artwork was amazing, though. Read Full Review

  • 7.4
    Crave Online - Blair Marnell Oct 1, 2011

    But you can't miss this artwork. It really is something special. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    IGN - Erik Norris Sep 28, 2011

    I feel like The Flash #1 is going to be a divisive comic due to Barry and Iris' unexplained split. It doesn't help that this is established on the book's opening page, which might make longtime fans of the character instantly brush this book aside. But if you can get past the continuity hiccups, The Flash #1 has a fun story to offer. And if I'm being honest, I'd happily spend $2.99 on the book's art alone. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Eye On Comics - Don MacPherson Oct 2, 2011

    I've been reading comics " and DC comics in particular " for decades, and Barry Allen's always been a married guy, or someone about to be married (Iris was "dead" and Barry was wooing a character named Fiona Webb in the first Flash comic I ever bought). Seeing him as a single guy, awkward with women and trying to find his footing on a date was actually a lot of fun. Often, the character's been defined by his relationships, and my hope here is the writers will explore him as an individual for a change. The plot is fun, and there's a light, playful tone to the storytelling that's a nice change from some of the darker, intense leanings one can find in many other of the new/relaunched titles from DC. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Razorfine - Alan Rapp Oct 3, 2011

    Even with some questionable changes (including the suit that now comes in pieces?) the first issue gets a lot right and does give us a fun Flash story, and let's face it, given the events of Flashpoint it's been awhile. Of all DC's characters Flash is one that should have one of the broadest appeals to readers of all ages. I'm hoping Manapul keeps things fast-paced and fun and, as soon as possible, gets Barry and Iris back together. Worth a look. Read Full Review

  • 4.0
    Comics Bulletin - Matthew Z. Rios Oct 2, 2011

    Yes, the book looks gorgeous and is packed with cool images but it doesn't work for me. Read Full Review

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