Flash Annual #1 sets up Flash War extremely well and is some of Joshua Williamson's best work on the title yet. Read Full Review

I loved Geoff Johns' run on The Flash so it does my heart good to see Wally taking center-stage in this annual and the story bringing back a character from that time period. This issue also brings back one of Johns' original Rogues, who it appears will have a major role in Flash War. Couple that with the fantastic artwork of Howard Porter, Christian Duce and Hi-Fi and you have a perfect comic! Read Full Review

Flash War Prelude was a fun afternoon with Wally West while planting the seeds that will pay off for readers in the months to come. With Wally back in Keystone city, Williamson is bringing the character back to form one step at a time allowing him to a place of his own in this world. The last page reveal alone will keep readers speculating as the countdown to Flash War continues. Read Full Review

I feel fairly confident asserting that anyone who reads this annual will feel compelled to pick up the Flash War. How could anyone resist? Read Full Review

This Annual has got me so pumped for the Flash War!  Joshua Williamson gives readers a great issue that centers on Wally West, the overall Rebirth mystery, a future crime (that already happened) and much more!  The art is great and Joshua Williamson continues making me glad I'm a Flash fan. Read Full Review

The Flash Annual #1 is something fans of the iconic character should definitely read. My main complaints about this issue have to be some of the art and exposition, but those are only some nitpicks. This is a story that will affect the future of the main Flash in the DCU, and I'm very excited to see who comes out on top. The final reveal of Hunter Zolomon is pretty exciting and it's gonna be interesting to see him force Wall and Barry to go to war. Read Full Review

This story reminds me of how much I miss Wally's comic and the supporting cast that was written out of the DC canon with the New 52 reboot. It gives me hope that many of those characters are going to be coming back soon. I am also reminded of how much I miss seeing Barry and Wally working together. I hope this storyline isn't leading to one or the other giving up the Flash identity, but rather to affirm that there is room in the DCU for two Flashes (or three once Jay Garrick returns). Read Full Review

As the ‘Flash War' prelude, The Flash Annual #1 was a satisfying set-up for this supposedly big Flash story of 2018. By the end of this issue it was clear as to what this turning point would be for the Flash family, and while its hard to assume what would set those wheels into motion for there to be a Flash War, there is only one kind of person who could dare. This story is as bold as it gets, and I hope the creative team for this approaching War will think on their feet about what will separate this from anything else involving messing with time. Read Full Review

This annual gives us an emotional yet fun adventure for Wally West in the prelude to Flash War. Read Full Review

The Flash Annual #1 touches on so many of the right buttons for me, and wraps up not only its first arc, but loose threads left from other projects. It's a wonderful throwback to comics of old, but with the creators' talent teeming with the refined modernity of our time. With heart, humor, and spectacle, this issue hits all the right beats. Read Full Review

If you're not currently reading the ongoing Flash comic, this annual issue is as get a jumping-on point as any. It finally touches base with the original Wally West and makes the most of his lonely, unhappy status quo. At the same time, it also sets the stage for what promises to be an epic conflict in "Flash War." If only the wait for the rest of this storyline weren't so long... Read Full Review

This issue is an effective setup for what looks like it could be one of Williamson's defining Flash stories. Read Full Review

A good annual that takes a deep dive into Wally's return and how it can affect the people in his life. Great artwork as well. Read Full Review

The Flash Annual #1will appeal to all readers regardless of whether or not they are current with the Flash or are new to the series;for die-hard Flash fans this is a must read as it lays the ground work for the upcoming Flash Wars. Read Full Review

For the most part I loved the artwork for this issue. They've followed the establish art style for the Flash comics, and continued to make the two red Flash suits clear (one being Wally the elder and Barry), which is greatly appreciated. Sometimes the outfits have me wondering " how can a suit that's so tight that it shows every muscle and bend be flexible enough to allow for all the fighting they do? Mostly this criticism is directed at Tornado-Man; the dude was oddly ripped (even though all he did was fly inside a mini-twister). Read Full Review

Joshua Williamson has a good handle on what makes Wally West relatable to the readers -- his connectedness to people and how the lack of that would impact him deeply. The artwork from Howard Porter and Christian Duce is crisp and neat, with a lot of background detail to flesh out the story without getting in its way. All indications are that this is a pretty good jumping on point for the big FLASH story arc to come. Read Full Review

This book represents the first material attempts to confront several important issues since the start of Rebirth. Read Full Review

In some ways, this story is just a massive tease for Flash War event coming up in a few months time. Yet it's also a story that's been well over a year in the making, concentrating on the pre-Flashpoint Wally West and his return to the world. Read Full Review

While Joshua Williamson and company are gearing up for a full-on "Flash War," they prove that they haven't lost sight of character and emotions in The Flash Annual #1. Read Full Review

Joshua Williamson has delivered a very effective annual and prelude. If this issue doesn't get you pumped for "Flash War" I don't know what will. The Flash is fast, but the wait for May will be slow. Read Full Review

This is was a strong, surprising annual and continues to exemplify how Joshua Williamson is becoming one of the best writers to take on the duties of the Flash. Read Full Review

So when do we get the conflict in this prelude? Is it what to eat next at the taco truck? Read Full Review

The most frustrating thing about this book is that I really want to read Flash War but I have to wait another three months. While I understand that this is to allow people to have a taste before the books go up for pre-orders I feel like starting to read the main Flash title now would be like running in place. Read Full Review

Flash Annual #1 is a very underwhelming entry. While it is nice to see the book turn its attention to the elder Wally West, the flaws of the series, namely excessive padding, corny dialogue, and overly dramatic characters, weigh down the positives. Duce, Porter, and Hi-Fis art is very good, but it doesnt salvage the book. Give it a pass. Read Full Review

A must for og Wally West fans!

Absolutely great in every possible way. This is the Flash story I want to read and I cannot wait for May, when we are getting a continuation of this.

Total Surprise!

I hope that at the end only one wally west will stay

There are two storylines together within this one issue. The first takes place in the 25th century and the second in modern time. The modern time storyline centers on Wally West (elder) and his struggle in having a personal life outside of being the Flash since his return from the speedforce. This storyline was just ok imho. It was nice seeing some references and characters from the 1986 Flash series when Wally was the main man. The future storyline was boring until the reveal at the end. The reveal was great and really peaked my interest as to what will come next. I'm now excited for "Flash War!"

Return of Wally West kickstarted the entire Rebirth soft reboot, and arguably, could have also triggered a chain reaction turning DC Comics on the right track, after so many missteps done during New 52 days. However, while Wally's return was a very emotional and very acclaimed moment, it didn't really lead his character anywhere.

This issue focuses solely on that problem, and finally gave him a purpose, a new direction he could go on with his life, and characters to share his time with. I welcome that, a lot in fact - being hero is one side of a coin, and the other is his alter-ego. Sure, in some cases one is not needed - Joker could serve as the biggest and clearest example, but additional depth or potential for future development is always a good thing, and Wally, in a span of just one issue, got that. He's portrayed as flawed human, who wants to be a hero, but at the same time is lonesome, disconnected from the new, altered reality he ended up in. All that, naturally, makes him more fleshed out and relatable.
Another very pleasant surprise was the return of Frankie Kane. She wasn't just a deus ex machina, existing just for the sole purpose of pushing Wally in intended direction. Nope - she's had personality, past and quite frankly, future (let's hope for that, at least). That's the beauty of Rebirth - it keeps bringing back what was great in pre New 52 DC Comics, and makes them feel like we've never lost them. more

I haven't read a Flash book lately and thought an annual would be a good starting point, but it seems I was wrong this time. While the story can be understood easily without any prior knowledge of the character, a lot of details are not clear and hard to follow (How many flashes can there be???). Despite this, the connection between the 3 main protagonists is well established. The story is well made and eady to follow and the art is very detailed and not confusing even in the most action packed sequences. What bugs me though, is that the conflict that seems to spark the much advertised "flash War" is defused so quickly and easily that the "prelude" part of it all is almost far-fetched. In the end, it's still a good Wally West story with enough to keep the reader interested. more

I have a feeling that after the war original Wally may get his own book. I think that would be really cool.