New 52 - The Flash

The obvious place to start the New 52 for most is probably Justice League of America, Superman or Action Comics - but since the entire New DC Universe is Barry Allen's fault (see 'Flashpoint' The pre- New 52 event where all the DC multiverses collide to make the New 52's continuum), it seems only fair that he gets our first proper look.

Although what i just said is true - it is best ignored. This version of Barry Allen is an extremely fresh look at the Flash - you may want to look at it as an introduction to the flash character (this seems to be the major theme of the New 52 thus far).

Barry is a forensic blood analyst, who has a nasty accident in the laboratory that makes him able to move faster than the entire Kenyan running team combined. He becomes the super hero 'The Flash', by using a ring that contains his costume (put this one down to comic book science, shall we?). #1 gives a fresh look at his love life, his past (in distinct and artistic flashback sequences) and his unique perspective on his powers.

The Flash stops a robbery at a science/technology convention, where the burglars are all calling each other by number. Flash retrieves the stolen 'genome converter' but one of the attackers mysteriously dies on the scene. Unmasked, the attacker is revealed to be an old friend of Barry Allen's. This begins a media furor about whether the Flash killed him, and it is up to the crime lab - including Barry - to figure out what killed the man and stop the Scarlet Speedster from being implicated. Secondly, what was Barry's friend doing as part of this heist? Not giving you any more than that, as it is an extremely exciting read and a fresh exploration of the character and his powers.

The art style is phenomenal, and the change between past and present is defined and artistic. The Flash is an
interesting experience, and will be well suited to new comic book readers and those of old. This is definitely one of my favorite New 52 titles so far - mainly for the art, but also for a fresh start with Flash.

Exclusive preview from Comicvine (Note: The comic is in full colour)
(Right click any image in this post and click 'open in new tab' for full size images)

The Flash is currently on issue #4 - any issues after this are pre-order only. Next issue is released January 25th. Remember, every comic you buy from these links is funding a comic-mad blogger!

Click on the number for the appropriate printed issue of The Flash
#1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6.
If that is going to be the cover of #6, I'm even more in love with this series.
For Digital versions of The Flash, Click here
 DC Digital Comics
Art by Frank Manapul, story by Brian Buccellato.