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dantastic's review
3.0
This contains the first year and a half to two years of Silver Age Flash stories. As we all know, The Flash blazed into existence in Showcase #4 and ushered in the Silver Age of super hero comics. Yes, I'm aware there was a Silver Age Dr. Fate story shortly before Flash but come on.
Anyway, this is pretty good shit. It feels like a Silver Age Marvel book at times. John Broome and Robert Kanigher don't waste any time getting all the pieces on the board. By the end of this volume, most of the Flash mythos is established. We get the origin of The Flash, Iris West, Mr. Elelement/Doctor Alchemy, Captain Cold, The Pied Piper, the Trickster, Gorilla Grodd, and Kid Flash all in this volume. The stories are above average for Silver Age DC books. Like I said, they feel almost like Marvel books at times. Carmine Infantino is in top form and his art is iconic.
So why did I give it a three? Remember, three means I liked it. Anyway, I felt like the stories started repeating themselves right out of the gate. Three Gorilla Grodd stories in one year is too much, even if gorillas do equal money. While I love Infantino's art, his running poses always feel boring to me. They aren't dynamic and that's because old Carmine used real runner photos for reference. People don't look cool while running and neither does Carmine's Flash.
I'm glad I read this for historical purposes and had some fun with it but I doubt I'll read it a second time. Three out of five stars.
Anyway, this is pretty good shit. It feels like a Silver Age Marvel book at times. John Broome and Robert Kanigher don't waste any time getting all the pieces on the board. By the end of this volume, most of the Flash mythos is established. We get the origin of The Flash, Iris West, Mr. Elelement/Doctor Alchemy, Captain Cold, The Pied Piper, the Trickster, Gorilla Grodd, and Kid Flash all in this volume. The stories are above average for Silver Age DC books. Like I said, they feel almost like Marvel books at times. Carmine Infantino is in top form and his art is iconic.
So why did I give it a three? Remember, three means I liked it. Anyway, I felt like the stories started repeating themselves right out of the gate. Three Gorilla Grodd stories in one year is too much, even if gorillas do equal money. While I love Infantino's art, his running poses always feel boring to me. They aren't dynamic and that's because old Carmine used real runner photos for reference. People don't look cool while running and neither does Carmine's Flash.
I'm glad I read this for historical purposes and had some fun with it but I doubt I'll read it a second time. Three out of five stars.
abeckstrom's review
4.0
Silly Silver Age stuff introduces the Barry Allen Flash, Wally West (Kid Flash), and most of the Rogues Gallery.
ferrisscottr's review
3.0
This is Silver Age so the art is cheesy and the stories are cheesy but I enjoyed it from the perspective that I was able to read the first stories of Flash, Captain Cold, Grodd, Mirror Master.
If you want to read the earliest stories of the Flash then this is where to go.
If not, then skip this one.
If you want to read the earliest stories of the Flash then this is where to go.
If not, then skip this one.
apersonfromflorida's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Gun violence and Violence
ellagewerwhite's review
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
birdmanseven's review
4.0
This was a great collection of classic, early Flash issues. You get the introduction of the Rogues as well as Wally West's Kid Flash. The set even includes the Kid Flash solo backup stories, so that was nice touch.
We discuss this run over on Comic Book Coffee Break: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ic9N3lKkm88
We discuss this run over on Comic Book Coffee Break: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ic9N3lKkm88
didyousaybooks's review
4.0
I haven't read many Flash comics before, and it was my first time reading Silver age stuff.
As you can expect from the 60s and older stories, they were a bit (much more ;) silly than the over serious tones of nowadays but it's so endearing.
Reading decades old stories just brings you the cultural history view and lots of fun!
I loved that this volumes includes lots of Flash villains, and that I got to see the paper view on Captain Cold and Gorilla Grodd, and also KID FLASH!!
The running jokes about Barry always being late for his dates with Iris cracks me up ;)
Sometimes she's definitely brutal with him, it's so funny!
In all I really enjoyed it all and will happily pick up more Flash in the future, to complement Barry's adventures on the small and big screen I already love!
As you can expect from the 60s and older stories, they were a bit (much more ;) silly than the over serious tones of nowadays but it's so endearing.
Reading decades old stories just brings you the cultural history view and lots of fun!
I loved that this volumes includes lots of Flash villains, and that I got to see the paper view on Captain Cold and Gorilla Grodd, and also KID FLASH!!
The running jokes about Barry always being late for his dates with Iris cracks me up ;)
Sometimes she's definitely brutal with him, it's so funny!
In all I really enjoyed it all and will happily pick up more Flash in the future, to complement Barry's adventures on the small and big screen I already love!
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