For the second month in a row, Manapul and Buccellato give us a satisfying conclusion to their Flash run. Though The Flash #25 does not showcase the character's trademark skillset, it does show us the strength of Barry Allen lies beyond the red suit. Read Full Review

This all ends up spiraling into a story of police corruption, which seems like something we've seen way too many times before. While it certainly isn't a bad thing is this issue, it feels like a concept that is a little worn out and maybe Buccellato and Manapul could have done something a little different. Regardless, that isn't what this story is truly about. This issue is a showcase of Barry Allen being a hero, even without superpowers. It's about what it truly means to be a hero, and that is a theme that has been present since the start of this run on The Flash. While it would have been great to see it be continued for years, the duo are moving on to other things, and at least they made their send off one of the series' strongest issues. Read Full Review

Good read and definitely among the best I've read this month! Read Full Review

Visually, Sprouse does some great work on art duties, though the switch to Manapul on page twenty is more than a little jarring. Consistency has been The Flash's strong suit since day one of the New 52, so the aesthetic change is perhaps more noticeable. All in all, it's one of the more interesting tie-ins to come out of Zero Year, as the creative team focuses less on exploring archetypal character origins and more on showcasing the kind of person Barry is, with an eye on the man he'll one day become. Read Full Review

Despite the complaints, this was still an excellent book and a nice send off for the creators as they begin work on Detective Comics. Being a “Zero Year” tie-in you might be apprehensive to pick this one up in case it disappoints. Thankfully, this book doesnt. In fact, Batman doesnt even appear in its pages. This is good because the story stayed focused on Barry and showed readers hes a hero even without the speed force. Read Full Review

I'm going to miss Manapual's beautiful kinetic style that fit the character perfectly. And given the continuing disappointment of much of the rest of the New 52 I'm a little scared to see where The Flash goes from here. Worth a look. Read Full Review

This issue marks the end of Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato's run on the series. We get an interesting look at Barry before he obtained his powers but it does feel a little weird having a look back to Barry's past be their final issue. The art has it's highs and lows but Manapul delivers on the final pages and we get Buccellato's colors throughout the issue. This may be the end for the two but it also gave us an interesting look at Barry's beginnings. Read Full Review

Final note: I'd be surprised if Icarus isn't a big part of Manapul and Buccellato's Detective Comics run. Read Full Review

This is a good send-off to arguably one of the best creative teams as they move to another title. It was an awesome start to the Flash before he actually was. It's just what comics should be about. Read Full Review

The Flash #25 was a good issue, presenting a possibility for what the future will be like when the team moves to Detective Comics. It's enjoyable, well characterized, and sweet at points. If you want one last dose of Flash with these two on board, give this a shot. Read Full Review

Manapul and Buccellato has a fun detective story that makes me want to follow more adventures of powerless Barry Allen or Harvey Bullock. Sprouse brings fun and cartoony art that I would enjoy seeing more of and would flourish if he drew an issue or two of Batman Beyond. Not a strong artistic finish but the story keeps this issue above average. Read Full Review

Once upon a time, this sort of adventure would have filled the back-up story slot in a comic like "The Brave & the Bold," or filled the pages of an eighty-page giant or "Secret Files" issue. With Batman being DC's figurehead and arguably most recognizable property, any Bat-tie-in makes good hay for the company. The procedural aspect makes this a fine issue of "Barry Allen: CSI" and holds true to the character fans love in the pages of "The Flash," but "The Flash" #25 lacks, well, The Flash. It's a nice diversion and a fine character study, and in the end quite an enjoyable comic book. Knowing that Buccellato and Manapul are winding down their time chronicling the adventures of Barry Allen, I find myself hoping against hope that this is a tryout issue for Chris Sprouse, who is more than welcome to return to "The Flash" anytime. Read Full Review

The art is great, but it is very jarringly split between two pencillers. Chris Sprouse and Francis Manapul are both amazing, yes, but they have totally different and incompatible styles, and the switch mid-issue happens is so clunky that it really detracts from the story. They might have been better off having a different artist finish the book (Im assuming it was Sprouse who couldnt get his pages done, though thats just a guess on my part) that was more in keeping with Sprouses style. Read Full Review

I keep supporting this comic, despite its shortcomings - but I keep wishing it would live up to its potential, and so far, I've been disappointed every single time. Read Full Review

Overall, a pretty decent issue. Would have been an okay "final issue" for some, which is never a good option for a comic company to present. But I'm interested in seeing what this creative team does when they take over Detective Comics and give a new character who's actually likable a try. I'm hoping for the best. As it stands, I'll be giving this issue a few more issues to save itself. After all, I've already given it over two years. What's the worst that can happen? They bring back Wally? Oh, man" Now I'm mad again! Read Full Review

There was a lot of uncertainty had when I sat down to read The Flash #25, but I ended up enjoying the finished product quite a bit. It's a nice done-in-one story showcasing Barry Allen and what makes him heroic and a tie-in that succeeds in trying something different. While some plot points are weak and the shift in artists drastic, possibly because of the slight page increase (resulting in a $3.99 price tag), the issue is definitely worth a read. The Flash #25 earns 3 out of 5 stars. Read Full Review

Zero Year has had a mixed effect, and for the most part, this issue is inoffensive if unnecessary. It doesn't do anything particularly wrong, but it doesn't do anything special enough to really warrant its inclusion in either the Zero Year narrative or the ongoing Flash story either. Plus, the whole story isn't even resolved, making the entire issue a bit of an exercise in futility. Read Full Review

The Flash #25 is an unnecessary and ridiculous Zero Year Tie-in.  The art is stellar and Manapul and Buccellato do their best to explain why Barry is in Gotham, but it doesn't ring true.  I'll pretend that issue #24 was the end of their New 52 Flash run because it was too great to end like this. Read Full Review

This could have been a really good detective story" and that actually gives me a lot of hope for what this team does when they come to Detective Comics in 2014. However, trying to squeeze this kind of plot into a single issue probably wasn't the right direction to take and it plays even worse when the backdrop is Zero Year. Read Full Review