Nicole Duback penned a nice back story highlighting how even a hero can't save everyone all of the time, but you can help push things in the right direction. This was the right story to tell for this second annual because Hal is away on Oa running the Lantern Corps and Flash is doing his thing on Earth with the Justice League. It may be awhile before their shenanigans can entertain us again. Read Full Review

The book is slowed down early on by an extended flashback sequence to explain the characters' current predicament, but it proves to be so joyously fun that it's hard to complain about the structural choice. Overall, The Flash Annual #2 is a solid standalone story that bucks the growing trend toward gritty realism by keeping it light and bringing the laughs. Read Full Review

The rest ofThe Flash Annual #2 is a testament to how well Buccellato knows Barry Allen and also how well he's able to write Hal Jordan without making the characters sound like a complete dick. Barry scolds Hal for not telling him about the deal and Hal gets angry at Barry for not appreciating that he saved all those kids. Barry thinks Hal is irresponsible. Hal thinks Barry is uptight. It's classic Flash and Green Lantern. And it's classic for a reason: it works. Hal and Barry are the least morose members of the Justice League. Superman and Wonder Woman have their whole stoic thing going on. Batman is Batman. Aquaman is a King, which is bound to make a guy grumpy. And Cyborg just doesn't do much else than monitor the planet and join in the fighting (at least, for now). There have been a lot of team-ups in the ‘New 52′, but not many feel as natural as Hal and Barry's. Read Full Review

The Flash Annual #2 is what I like in an annual.  We get a stand alone story that establishes the origins of two of the best DC characters.  The Flash and Green Lantern have always been a great duo and this annual shows why.  Please DC, make a Flash/Green Lantern Monthly now. Read Full Review

In the final tally, I definitely recommend that you go and pick up this book. It is worth it, and now I'm going to go and pick up the issues for the current arc, as written by Buccellato. Read Full Review

Overall this was a great Annual, in the vein of such an issue being small self-contained stories that can read aside from the main story arc. Both of the stories presented here are absolutely enjoyable in their own ways and given the rather hectic nature of the current Reverse arc, they also act as a very nice breather while that is going on. It is something like this that gets me excited for Buccellatos next solo outing, Forever Evil: Rogues Rebellion, which also calls for a big emphasis on character and dynamics. Read Full Review

The Flash Annual #2 is a great standalone issue that builds the world of the New 52 continuity. Buccellatos writing continues to improve and Basaris artwork is a joy to behold. For those of you that have not picked up The Flash, this annual is something you should check out. Its a fun and accessible comic that all annuals should strive to emulate. Read Full Review

The issue also includes a 10-page back-up story of a regular day in the life of the Flash that's mostly filler to justify The Flash Annual #2‘s $5 price tag. Of course, that's a common problem with comic book annuals. It's not awful story by any means, but compared to the main story the back-up tale has little to offer. I'd have preferred the editors to junk this back-up story and shave $1-$1.50 off the cover price. Worth a look. Read Full Review

There's still so much in the New 52 that we don't know. Seeing a flashback that touches upon the first meeting between Barry Allen and Hal Jordan was a welcomed treat. Brian Buccellato shows he fully gets the characters and does a superb job crafting the dialogue and banter between the two. This story makes me want to see a Buccellato written Flash/Green Lantern team-up book. The characters are so different yet work so well together. Sami Basri's art is great and seeing Cully Hamner's take on the Flash was enjoyable as well. THE FLASH ANNUAL is a comic everyone can enjoy. You can dive right in and get a good comic reading experience. This is exactly what a comic book annual should deliver. Read Full Review

Last year's Flash Annual set up the Rogues Revolution storyline nicely, and whilst this second annual is unrelated to the ongoing story at the moment, it doesn't stop it being just as enjoyable, if not moreso. The lead story is enjoyable and does what it says on the tin " introduces us to Hal and Barry's ever evolving friendship, and the back-up story is a heartfelt little tale that fills the space nicely. If you've been reading Flash's ongoing series you'll find the storytelling you know and love here, and if you're not, then you won't feel lost picking this up for a quick read too " and maybe it'll get you interested in the ongoing series itself. Read Full Review

The Flash Annual #2 is a fun, simple look at two of the industry's greatest characters penciled by two personal favorite artists. It'll make a fine introduction to the Flash for any readers looking to jump on or a quick taste of nostalgia for fans sick of earth-shattering consequences and needless melodrama. Read Full Review

The central concept of the backup story isn't entirely original, but the theme - how everyone and every event is interconnected, sort of a social Butterfly Effect - is interesting nonetheless. Hamner plays with some unconventional panel layouts, which works sometimes but not always. The brevity of the story works against the piece; characters aren't clearly established enough for the links suggested on the final page to be entirely discernible. The message at the heart of the plot - that the world is essentially a wonderful place and people are at their core good and of intrinsic value - is a heartening one. The positive tone of both stories is a welcome development, especially in an age in which super-heroes - especially those in DC titles - are being presented in darker ways. Read Full Review