In 2011, every DC Comics fan was told of a major event happening in that a massive reboot of the entire DC Universe was going to occur and that it would all be in part to a storyline guided by the character of Barry Allen/The Flash.
With the last major story having been the Blackest Night and the Brightest Day, Flashpoint would be the last actual story of the Post-Crisis DC Universe. All in part to the machinations of the Flash.
Barry Allen finds the world that he had known before has changed from how had remembered. With Barry Allen having been dead for years and then resurrected his memories are muddled. But he is not the only one back from the dead but also his futuristic rival Eobard Thawne/The Reverse-Flash. Barry realizes that his power in tapping the speed force has it so that he cannot change the past, Eobard's power with the negative speed force is different in that change has happened. With Eobard having harmed Barry's own family. This, in turn, causes Barry to try his hardest to change it back. Unfortunately, he wakes up to a world far worse than he could have known.
A world in which he would have saved the life of his family but his friends either fail to become heroes or become villains. As this story goes on for Barry attempting to change back the world to the way it was before it was changed, he races against time as the rest of the world goes on to its eventual destruction.
Eventually, it does return, or should I say reform to what we know as the New 52 DC Universe. Flashpoint becomes an epic read. With a miniseries dedicated to the horrific world that no longer exists. Readers gain incredible insight into just how bad yet at the same time how unique this world was.
Each collection of this miniseries has the change known as the Flashpoint effect occurring for each of its heroes in various ways. Like it was said in the animated movie, “Ripples of distortion radiated out through that point of impact shifting everything just a tiny bit. But enough. Enough for events to happen slightly differently.”
This world of Flashpoint is with the Flash. Well, everything that is Flash-related from Barry Allen and others. Starting it off is Eobard Thawne, who is instrumental in causing Barry Allen to cause Flashpoint. In many ways, this part of the story is more of a direct follow-up to what had happened in “The Road to Flashpoint” story. This story has a disgraced Eobard Thawne going as far back to “Flash: Rebirth” as to how he eventually decided to hurt Barry, from attempting to kill Barry or prevent him from becoming the Flash. Attempting to kill Iris to successfully killing others in his life.
The second part of this story deals with how Barry Allen not being the Flash ended up causing Leonard Snart to pose as Central City’s great hero living up the life as the upstanding Citizen Cold while getting rich off disposing criminals while secretly being a killer and a thief. So instead of openly being a criminal like he was in the original universe, in Flashpoint, he’s a fraud and murderer. It's pretty cool but I wish this had him being a hero. It's still a well-written story, from Snart fighting the Rogues instead of working with them. As well as seeing Barry Allen not having met either Iris or Wally. Wally's also not a speedster but Pied Piper is still his friend and the real hero of the story.
The third part of the story deals with Mick Rory, Snart’s longtime partner in crime still a raving pyromaniac but never having met Snart. In this case, he’s a violent criminal that kills a superhero and is sent down to a top-secret prison alongside other criminals. But what makes this story strong is that it involves Plastic Man as a vicious criminal instead of the good man that he was in the real universe. As well as seeing how Cyborg is the greatest hero in the Flashpoint Universe. This is a man who is a real leader, well versed and capable in taking the fight to the enemy. He can and does deserve to have his comic as well as being upgraded to the Justice League. Still, I do miss his friends in the Teen Titans as well as those close to him like Sarah, who isn’t in this story.
The fourth part of the story involves a world where Gorilla Grodd not only rules the Gorilla City but in his insatiable appetite for power he ends up ruling all of Africa. But despite all that he’s conquered, he’s become bored. So, when it turns out that there is a conflict between the Amazons and Atlantis, he is eager to join the fight.
The final part of the story answers the question that I have wondered? What happened to all the other speedsters? Barry Allen and Wally West are answered but what happened to Jay Garrick, Max Mercury, and Bart Allen in Flashpoint? This story answers it but its answer left me feeling very sad. Barry Allen screwed it up. This story essentially ends Flashpoint as well as ends a much-beloved set of characters that will not be seen again in the New 52 Universe. For some unknown reason, Bart Allen aka Kid Flash ends up living in the aftermath of the destruction of the Earth alongside another person, Patty Spivot. The world is taken over by the Superman villain Brainiac. Flashpoint has happened as well as the Amazons and Atlanteans having destroyed the world, and in a world without a Superman to lead him to Earth, Brainiac eventually takes over a wasteland with only these two people. I can only presume that Bart and Patty survive because they were experimenting with the Speed Force around the same time Flashpoint was created and it somehow led them to a strange future. Patty and Bart stop Brainiac and, in the end, must travel back in time to help Barry make sure that Flashpoint is erased.
It ends tragically but at the same time beautifully, as beautiful as it was when Barry saved the world in Crisis of Infinite Earths.
It was an interesting read and I do like how this managed to fit in explanations to other members in the life of the Flash Family, the Rogues, other criminals, former Teen Titans, and even Young Justice. This could be read as a prelude but also a fitting ending to the Post-Crisis.
Great collection.
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Follow the Authors
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
Frequently bought together
$27.99
Get it as soon as Tuesday, Oct 17
Only 2 left in stock - order soon.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Similar items that may ship from close to you
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Top reviews from other countries
Cliente de Amazon
Buenas historias para complementar el mundo de Flashpoint
Reviewed in Mexico on August 9, 2018
Sagar Rachala
Must read for hardcore flash fans!!
Reviewed in India on March 26, 2018Jens Due Ohlsen
God product and god service.
Reviewed in Germany on October 27, 2020
