10 Best Flash Starting Points For First-Time DC Fans

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The DC Universe boasts many legendary superheroes, and Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman are its most famous. Beyond that core group, there are countless other amazing stories, and The Flash is a standout character with a particularly rich history. It’s important to know The Flash isn’t just one person – Jay Garrick, Barry Allen, and Wally West have all been The Flash, each bringing their own style to the role. Plus, people often underestimate his abilities, thinking he simply runs fast. His powers, fueled by the Speed Force, actually extend far beyond just speed and involve manipulating time itself.

First appearing in 1940, The Flash is a comic book legend with a history spanning over seven decades. He’s remained a prominent figure in cartoons, TV shows, and movies – a feat very few characters achieve. With the recent changes at DC Studios, a new Flash is sure to become a key part of the DC Universe soon. If you’re new to The Flash and want to learn about his past, there’s a wealth of material available. Here are some recommended stories to help you discover why he’s one of DC’s most iconic heroes.

Jay Garrick’s Debut in Flash Comics #1

Although Barry Allen is the Flash most people know today, he wasn’t the original. The very first Flash, Jay Garrick, appeared in comic books in January 1940 with the release of Flash Comics #1. Created by Gardner Fox and Harry Lampert, Jay Garrick was a college student and football player who gained super speed after an accident in a laboratory.

The very first issue of Flash Comics wasn’t just the beginning for the Flash; it also introduced other famous heroes like Hawkman in a separate story. This initial issue laid out the classic origin story of the Fastest Man Alive and ultimately helped change the landscape of comic books.

Barry Allen Kicked Off the Silver Age With Showcase #4

Following World War II, comic books needed a fresh start, and the 1950s brought a major change, particularly highlighting The Flash. A key issue from this period introduced Barry Allen as the new Flash. The story explained that Barry, a police scientist who was always running late, gained superpowers when lightning struck his laboratory.

Once Barry Allen discovered his superpowers, he took over as the Flash, inspired by his idol, Jay Garrick. He debuted a now-iconic red suit. The story of Barry Allen didn’t just begin in Showcase #4; it also launched a bold new direction for comic books, fully incorporating science fiction and a hopeful outlook that would influence many future DC comics.

The Flash #123 Invented the Multiverse Concept

The idea of a multiverse – multiple universes existing alongside our own – has become hugely popular in Marvel and DC movies and TV shows. Interestingly, the concept actually originated with DC Comics and a character named The Flash. It all started with The Flash #123, published in September 1961, which creatively combined older and newer versions of the character by introducing the multiverse and uniting Barry Allen and Jay Garrick.

For Barry Allen, the Flash, Jay Garrick was originally a character in comic books. But when Barry traveled to Earth-Two, he met Jay as a genuine, real-life hero. This particular issue of The Flash wasn’t just an important moment for the character—it became one of the most influential comics ever made, helping to popularize the idea of the multiverse in superhero stories. The Flash #123 broke new ground in how superhero tales were told, and its innovative approach still resonates today.

Mark Waid’s Flash Run Built Up a New Hero

The idea of a multiverse led to the famous 1985 comic book storyline, Crisis on Infinite Earths, where the character Barry Allen, also known as The Flash, seemingly died. But that wasn’t the end of The Flash’s story—it actually launched one of the most popular periods in the character’s history. Writer Mark Waid began his celebrated run on The Flash with issue #62 and continued for an impressive 100 issues.

Mark Waid’s time writing The Flash was pivotal in establishing Wally West as a strong hero. After Barry Allen’s death, Wally took over as The Flash, but other writers had difficulty distinguishing him as a character. Waid, however, successfully portrayed Wally as a flawed individual, ultimately making him a beloved version of The Flash for many fans.

The Flash Was a Standout in the Beloved Justice LeagueAnimated Series

The Flash first gained popularity through comic books and later appeared on animated DC television shows, beginning in 1967. Many fans consider his best animated portrayal to be in the early 2000s’ Justice League series, which was part of the acclaimed DC Animated Universe. He was initially introduced in this universe during the fourth season of Superman: The Animated Series, specifically in the 17th episode, “Speed Demons,” featuring the Wally West version of the character.

Wally West, as The Flash, became a popular and engaging member of the Justice League animated series, greatly expanding his story. The series introduced the hero to a new audience and featured several memorable episodes starring The Flash, including “Flash and Substance,” “Comfort and Joy,” “Divided We Fall,” and “The Brave and the Bold.”

Geoff Johns Brought Barry Allen Back in The Flash: Rebirth

For many years, Wally West was known as The Flash in comic books. However, in 2009, Barry Allen came back in a new series created by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver. This series, called The Flash: Rebirth, brought the character back to life and reintroduced the most well-known Flash to readers.

Using the power of the Speed Force, Barry unexpectedly reappeared in a world where time had passed. He reconnected with his wife, Iris West, and other members of the Flash family, but also had to confront his arch-enemy, Reverse-Flash, in a six-part comic book storyline.

FlashpointHas Become One of the Scarlet Speeder’s Most Iconic Stories

Between May and September 2011, Geoff Johns added a significant chapter to The Flash’s history, bringing Barry Allen back into the spotlight. The story, called Flashpoint, has become incredibly popular and has been adapted into animated shows, TV series, and movies.

By rescuing his mother, Barry Allen inadvertently created an alternate reality where the Justice League never formed. In this new world, Aquaman and Wonder Woman are enemies, and Thomas Wayne, instead of his son Bruce, became Batman after tragedy struck. This pivotal event, with The Flash at its heart, has become a landmark moment in the character’s long and complex history.

The New 52 Marked a New Beginning for The Flash and DC

After the events of Flashpoint, DC Comics completely revamped its universe in 2011. As part of this relaunch, which included 52 new titles, The Flash was created, written by Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato.

The Flash was revamped in the New 52 comics, portraying Barry Allen as a young hero still haunted by his mother’s murder and his father’s unjust imprisonment. This version is a great place for new readers to jump in, and it’s also known for having some of the most visually stunning artwork in the character’s long run.

The FlashPut Its Stamp on Superhero Television

The Flash had a brief TV show in the 1990s, but it wasn’t until the superhero craze of the 2000s that a new version appeared on The CW. Barry Allen first returned to live-action in Season 2 of Arrow, with the episode “The Scientist” serving as a test run for his own series.

This episode showed Barry’s life as a forensic scientist before the accident that gave him superpowers. It then transitioned into the beginning of The Flash, which became the most popular show in the Arrowverse. The series brought many iconic moments from the comics to life, and Grant Gustin’s performance as Barry Allen has become well-known to a new generation of fans.

The Flash’s Long-Overdue Solo Film

As The CW developed its own series based on DC Comics characters, Warner Bros. aimed to achieve similar success to Marvel Studios with the DC Extended Universe. After a long development process, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League finally brought The Flash to the big screen, starring Ezra Miller in a unique take on the character of Barry Allen.

DC finally gave the Flash his own movie, reimagining the famous Flashpoint story and bringing back Michael Keaton as Batman. While The Flash was a divisive film, it still offers touching scenes, humor, and an important place in the history of DC movies, making it worth seeing.

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2025-11-09 05:13