Life Story of Flash

by Brian Augustyn and Mark Waid

Book Overview

A graphic novel which follows the Flash from his childhood to his noble death, describing his transformation from being a methodical police scientist to eventually becoming a superhero. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1563893894
• ISBN13: 9781563893896
• Release Date: October 1998
• Publisher: DC Comics
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.7" x 10.1"

Customer Reviews

Great for Barry Allen fans

Barry Allen's FLASH was always my favorite, and this well written graphic novel is a nice "compilation/biography" of his story in the DC Universe. The only drawback, however, is the unavoidable fact that Barry Allen's fictional life ultimately became so contrived and outlandish, due to the necessity of time passing and storytelling. Oh, well...most of this book is a nice, nostalgic look at the classic crimefighter known as the Scarlet Speedster.

Superlative overview of DC's sainted hero!

First, the publishing of this book was, in a way, a fulfillment of a promise then-FLASH writer Mark Waid made to fans in the conclusion to "The Return of Barry Allen" storyline, now also available in trade. I won't spoil that story for you, as it's one of the current Flash's finest moments. If I can explain, this book existed as part of that storyline, so Mark Waid et al. have written a version of the volume which exists in the comic universe, so we can read that very volume for ourselves. In the comics, this book was written by Iris West Allen, the wife of the Flash whose life story this is. The biography of Barry Allen, the second man to become The Flash, doesn't need to be read concurrently with the DC Comics series under Waid and Augustyn's direction (which lasted from 1992 until 2000, or issues #62 through 159 if you prefer), but it's interesting to note how the two dovetail and enhance each other when read in that way. For instance, the volume foreshadows the events in the storyline "Chain Lightning" with its opening line about Barry Allen being "one of twins." Similarly, it prognosticates a future meeting between Barry and Wally West, his successor, as well as a meeting between the Flash protege Impulse and his dark opposite. It's clear that the FLASH creative teams used this volume as a blueprint for adventures throughout their tenure. If you're confused by these statements, don't be: you don't need to know any of that information to be able to enjoy this volume, which traces the published career of Barry Allen from his origin to the CRISIS where he died, and has some great supplemental artwork by comic greats Gil Kane and Joe Staton along the way (with some clever re-do's of famous panels throughout the years of FLASH comics). I give it my highest recommendation.

Highly recommended to all Flash fans!

This nifty book is a biography of Barry Allen, as if written by his wife, journalist Iris Allen. The book covers everything from Barry's childhood in Fallville, Iowa, through the freak accident that turned him into the Flash, his joining the Justice League of America (JLA), the advent of Wally West (Kid Flash), the apparent death of Iris Allen, and finally on to the death of Barry Allen and his legacy. Along the way, the reader is treated to a bunch of very well done illustrations, showing highlights of Barry's life, that accompany the text.This is a very well made book. Admittedly it isn't a graphic novel, but it is so well written, that I enjoyed it immensely. If you are looking for a book on Barry Allen that contains startling new details of his life, then you will be disappointed. However, if you are look for a good solid, well-written biography of him, then you will enjoy this book. I highly recommend this book to all Flash fans!

know what your buying!

you should always know what your buying. see i thought this was a brand new story with Barry allen in it so i got it right away, but it's a look back at his whole life as told by Iris his wife, and it's a lot of text with a few pictures on each page. BUT i did like it because i did not know a lot about Barry allen since he was long dead by the time i started ot read comic books but i always seen wally west talk about Barry so this was wonderful for fans who want to leanr all kinds of things about his life .just know what your buying.

All Flash fans need this book

If you are unfamiliar with the Barry Allen Flash, as most current Flash fans are, you seriously need this book. I knew nothing about the guy before I picked this up and now I consider myself an expert. It's good readin, believe you me.