This is by far and wide the strongest issue of The Flash so far and Manapul and Buccellato are really in sync. I can't wait to see where they take the speedster next. Read Full Review

Manapul has previously done a great job using dynamic paneling to show the intense speed of the Flash, but this issue allows him to break out of conventional molds and create a truly unique experience. He sculpts a bizarre place that causes a sense of vertigo and makes the reader lose all sense of gravity. The land of the Speed Force definitely does not look how I thought it would. Turns out it has floating rock staircases and a sky made of faded memories. Given everything we know about The Flash, I guess I was expecting at least a little bit of lightning. Read Full Review

The series' thin character and plot work is finally catching up to its super-speed pace, leaving it only slightly better than your average comic, soon not to be even that if things go on this way. Read Full Review

The Flash continues to impress with its final issue of the first arc, leaving us on a tantalizing cliffhanger and giving us more of an insight into how exactly everything that has happened before is tied together. Whilst this may be the end of the arc, it shows no sign of slowing down as everything flows swiftly into the next storyline. Manapul and Buccellato's artwork is unparalleled, and this issue highlights their strengths in combining art and story just as much as the previous issues. Read Full Review

The Flash has always been a beautiful book, with Barry Allen speeding around everywhere. But in this issue, with Barry only walking around, Manapul and Buccellato bring us a beautiful world. The transparent faces and scenes behind them are simply gorgeous on every level. It's easy to get lost in this book each and every month. Much like the Flash, Turbine's powers look great. Readers can see and feel the speed that Turbine is cranking out. The quick shots of King Grood and his world are great as well. Manapul packs a great amount of detail into them; with the reader being able to see every hair on their body. Seeing issues like this can make one nervous that Manapul or Buccellato would have to take a month off to achieve this level of detail. Read Full Review

Examining the Speed Force in this level of detail is for continuity enthusiasts only, and draws out the story so far that Barry doesn't really do enough. This detour looks good, and it's clever enough, but it's still a detour " I'm hoping that with the latest cliffhanger, Manapul and Buccellato will leave the explanations at the door and let Barry Allen hit the ground running. Read Full Review

I have to admit that I didn't buy Flash #7 until this issue hit shelves. I don't remember my reasoning for not picking it up, didn't want to read good comics that day I guess. But after catching up and reading this issue I'm here to proclaim that I will once again be buying this regularly. Francis Manapul and company are creating an enjoyable read, and with that ending hook how could you not come back for the next installment? The explanation of the wormhole creation has me slightly confused, but overall it was a fun time so I'm giving Flash #8 3.5 out of 5 stars with high expectations in the future. Read Full Review

That doesn't mean the comic doesn't have its bright spots. Manapul's art is again terrific, and even if the ideas aren't as well fleshed-out as I'd like they do open the doors for further discovery down the line. I'm less pleased with the new Grodd and New 52 version of Gorilla City both of which were going to get plenty of in next month's issue. Worth a look. Read Full Review

As I said at the start, this is a book that is a lot of fun. It's not perfect, but it doesn't have to be. There's nothing wrong with playing fast and loose with things sometimes, and Manapul and Buccellato are doing just that. They also seem to finally be pushing their Flash into new territory, and I'm excited to see what we'll find. Especially when the whole thing looks this good. Read Full Review