The Flash is a truly iconic figure in the world of comics. While the idea—a hero with super speed—is straightforward, writers have consistently reinvented the character in ways that connect with readers. For nearly 90 years, different heroes have taken on the role of the Flash, delivering some of the most memorable stories ever told. He’s had a huge impact on the comic book landscape, and it’s been especially exciting to follow the adventures of the fastest man alive in recent years.
The Flash has had a remarkable 26-year run, often being a central figure in the DC Universe. The character’s stories have consistently been strong, and particularly since the year 2000, creators have produced some truly exceptional comics. Here are seven of the very best Flash issues and story arcs from that time, all worthy of being considered classics.
7) The Flash: Rebirth
While not flawless – the artwork isn’t the strongest, and some plot choices are questionable – The Flash: Rebirth, by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver, is a fantastic Flash story. It marks Barry Allen’s first proper adventure after returning in Final Crisis, focusing on reconnecting with friends and facing his arch-enemy. Although Barry’s 21st-century return had some issues that began here, this story is a truly memorable and celebratory moment for the character, showcasing everything that made him iconic.
6) DC Rebirth #1
DC Rebirth was a thrilling moment for DC Comics, and it began with this story by Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis, Gary Frank, Ethan Van Sciver, and Phil Jimenez. Focusing on the Flash Family, it reintroduced Wally West after a long absence and explored the entire DC Multiverse. Although some of the storylines hinted at didn’t fully deliver, the story itself is fantastic – full of energy and promise. It expertly uses the emotional weight of years of Flash comics and provides a satisfying payoff, making it a truly great Flash story.
5) The Flash (Vol. 2) #182
Geoff Johns took over The Flash comic book after a highly acclaimed run by Mark Waid, and while Johns’ stories were solid, they didn’t quite reach the same heights. This period still featured many strong issues, several of which are highlighted on this list. Johns often wrote single-issue stories focusing on The Flash’s enemies, the Rogues, and really explored their motivations. The best of these is arguably The Flash (Vol. 2) #182, a collaboration between Johns and Scott Kolins. This issue centered on Captain Cold, giving readers a deeper understanding of the character and making him more relatable. It helped a new generation of fans appreciate why he’s such a compelling villain, boosting his popularity significantly in the 21st century.
4) The Flash (Vol. 1) #774-779
Many fans consider Wally West to be the best Flash, so his full return to the role in 2021 – though he’d been using the name since 2016 as a secondary Flash – was a welcome sight. A particularly well-received period of his run, written by Jeremy Adams with art by Christian Duce, Fernando Pasarin, and Brent Peeples, spanned issues #774-779 of The Flash (Vol. 1). These six issues weren’t just one story, but a series of connected narratives that built to a showdown with Eclipso. It’s a classic portrayal of Wally West as the Flash, with stories that expertly utilize his past and the characters around him.
3) “One-Minute War”
The Flash Family is arguably the greatest superhero team, and their story “One-Minute War” – illustrated by Roger Cruz, George Kambadais, Fernando Pasarin, Lisandro Estherren, and Serg Acuna – is a standout. In it, Earth is attacked by the Fraction, aliens who drain worlds of the Speed Force, turning them lifeless. Only the Flash Family possesses the speed to fight back, but even their combined power may not be enough. This epic showcases everything fans love about the Flash, highlighting the strength of family and the incredible power of the Speed Force.
2) “Blitz”
Geoff Johns’ work on The Flash (Vol. 2) really put him on the map as a writer, and it featured one of his early career highlights: the “Blitz” storyline. It introduced Hunter Zolomon, a former FBI agent who became paralyzed while working with the Keystone Police. He asked the Flash (Wally West) to travel back in time and prevent the accident that ruined his life, but Wally refused. Driven to desperation, Hunter used the Cosmic Treadmill himself, transforming into the villain Zoom. With incredible time-manipulating powers, Zoom decided to push Wally to his limits, believing it would make him a stronger hero. This led to a devastating loss for West. The story is a thrilling action sequence, finally giving the Flash his own version of the Reverse-Flash and his biggest challenge in years. Even knowing the tragic outcome, it remains a powerfully emotional read.
1) “Rogue War”
Geoff Johns significantly developed the Rogues, transforming them into arguably the greatest group of villains in comic books. This culminated in his final story arc on The Flash (Volume 2), titled “Rogue War.” The Rogues had been fractured after it was discovered that the Top had been secretly manipulating them for years, leading to increasing tension and eventually a major conflict. This storyline featured the return of several important characters from The Flash‘s past. Johns, along with artist Howard Porter, delivered a thrilling story packed with the action fans expected from their work on The Flash.
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2026-05-30 02:17