Everyone has their own way of getting into comics. Some like to just jump into the deep end and try a series, while others are a bit more cautious. I think I fall into the latter. I prefer to start from the beginning if possible, but I'm not totally against just jumping in and getting back issues if I can find them. However, superhero comics are a different beast altogether. I find that I get distracted if I don't know at least WHO the characters are that are appearing in the story. To remedy this, I like to do some preliminary research and try to find the best point to jump in at, without having to read years and years of material. The Flash is a perfect example.

Last spring I was seeing ads for a "new" Flash series and figured now would be as good a time as ever to check it out seeing as how I like Geoff Johns and the Francis Manapul art looked awesome in the previews. I had never read any Flash stuff before, and so I figured a little background reading would be beneficial to my understanding, so I picked up Flash: Rebirth and the Secret Files and Origins book that followed it. I'll be honest, they sat for a while in my stack, but after a while I got to them...and I have to say I liked both very much. I was a little confused at first, but I trusted in the Johns and let the Flash unfurl before me. Since I just reread the Secret Files and Origins issue as I am starting reading the new series, I figured I should give my report on its contents.

Story:

There's not much for your typical story going on here, but what is here serves the reader well. Geoff Johns, with a little help from Sterling Gates, does a very simple and effective job of introducing all of the relevant background material on the characters, places, and some of the important plot points of the Flash "universe". In addition, they do a great job of providing a little teasing for the upcoming series with lines like "yet" and "so far". The rogue bios are particularly interesting and gave me some confidence going into the main series. I think I am also going to go back and reread the Rebirth mini-series again as some of the points I found confusing should now be a little better.

Art:

Scott Kolins and Francis Manapul on the same book = magical art orgasms! I've heard a couple people say that Kolins draws a great rogue's gallery and I have to agree. His kinetic and messy style is awesome and contrasts perfectly with Manapul's sections of the book. Manapul has a style like no one else in comics and the pages with the Flash running are awesome. The lack of real inking on his work makes his page feel even more like art and less like comics, which is something I love. Oh, and the fact that most of the art is full page and two page spreads doesn't hurt either. As always, the colorists on this book deserve a well-earned pat on the back, especially Brain Buccellato (as Manapul's art cannot be easy to color).


Overall:

If you are looking to get into the Flash and know very little about the character, this book (along with Rebirth) is an invaluable resource. This issue along with the first 6 issues of the new series can be had in hardcover form for just over 12 bucks at instocktrades!

8/10