The Flash: Rebirth Paperback – May 3, 2011

What happens when you've been dead for several years, and then come back to life? That is an odd question, but in comic books, that is a question that is worth asking. It is said that in comic books “death is cheap”. Most comic deaths, with the exception of Bruce Wayne's parents and Spider-Man's Uncle Ben, will eventually be reversed by a later storyline, if they haven't been reversed already.One of the characters who has stayed “dead” the longest is the second Flash, Barry Allen, at 23 years before his return. Eventually, even he came back. During the events of the “crisis crossover” *Final Crisis*, Barry suddenly appeared alive and well, and helped the heroes finish killing the evil god Darkseid. As *The Flash: Rebirth* begins, all of Barry's friends, family, and other heroes in the Justice League of America and Justice Society of America, are celebrating the second Flash's return. No one quite understands what happened, but they all accept it with joy. All of them except for Barry, of course. He can't shake this uneasy feeling that he should be dead still. That there is something wrong with the way that death has been so “cheap” for heroes in the DC Universe.Though much of Barry's struggle is spiritual and emotional, as he needs to accept his life with his wife Iris, and with his friends, he is not entirely unjustified in his paranoia. There is a sinister mind at work, using Barry to cement it's own power. A mind that needs Barry alive, but is obsessed with torturing him at the same time. If Barry does not defeat this villain, then his life will be destroyed, and every other speedster but himself and the villain will be dead.The art here is more difficult to judge than in other comic series. It is not vivid, but more understated. However, that more “understated” design is part of the charm of the series. This fight in the story is a battle that involves other characters, but it is mainly Barry's battle to accept coming back. This is revealed in the fact that his wife Iris is drawn very simply, but as a stunning character. Indeed, she is the only one besides Barry and other speedsters that gets any great detail. It's almost like we are seeing the story through Barry's eyes, and see the importance that his friends, family, and especially his beloved wife, have for him.The story was actually a plausible retcon of the previous mythos of the *Flash* comics. That is about all I can say without giving too much away. Then again, given how goofy some of these major comic book industry “events” can be *cough*CountdowntoFinalCrisis*cough*, that is meant as good praise.A great story for any Flash and comic book fan, but accessible enough for some new fans.Highly Recommended.

Once again, writer Geoff Johns proves himself as an immensely talented writer for DC Comics!I admit that I was skeptical about Barry Allen returning from the dead after he had been gone for so many years (especially since I had grown up with Wally West being the Flash in both the comics and on 'Justice League' and 'Justice League Unlimited '), but this story was just so exciting and enthralling...all my doubts were immediately thrown out the window! And when I saw how much influence this story had on 'The Flash' TV series, I got excited again (and was not dissapointed).I loved this one Flash story so much that I actually bought the digital copy for my Kindle so I could take it everywhere with me (and even though I own the original printed 6-issue series). That alone should tell you how great it is!

I love the book , the art and the character

I wanted the hard cover one but this one is not a disappointment, is good quality. The story moves quickly and each issue on it has its own purpose looking forward to the end. The art is really well done.This is my first ever read flash story. I didn't know there were so many characters in it. So that's why I think is a bit overloaded. But still entertaining.

Geoff Johns, the same creator behind Green Lantern Rebirth and who rehabilitated Hal Jordan does it again with The Flash Rebirth. Here's what I think makes it so great:(1) Unlike most comic book resurrections, which are quick and cheap, Johns was very careful with how he treated Barry Allen. Barry stayed dead for much, much longer than other characters typically do (about two decades), and you can tell Johns was not going to bring him back on a whim without a story to tell. In the same way that Johns gave Hal a bit more gravitas in returning to his former self, Barry's return from death is not just simple triumph and fanfare. There's an unease and discomfort with being pulled back to life that is both more interesting and understandable then just a skip and a jump back into the hero life.(2) Johns' gift for rebooting characters, which continues on to this day, is that he's very deft and providing context, exposition, and background in light and organic ways so that new readers can understand what's going on. Each new story he takes on, including this one, performs a fine dance between retreading old information and introducing new elements which is really hard to pull off well. Johns does it.(3) Because of 1 and 2 above, I think this a great book for newcomers to learn more about Barry Allen, but also about the Speed Force and the legacy of the Flash on a more general level. It was one of the first full Flash stories I read, and it was a pretty smooth introduction.All in all this is a great Barry Allen/Flash story and I strongly recommend it to people interested in learning about the character.

This was a crazy and amazing story. There was a lot of emotion, and speedsters, in this story. It focuses on Barry Allen, and the things he’s dealing with in his life. He’s coming back as The Flash, but is having issues with it. His old enemy, The Reverse-Flash, comes back as well, and is determined to destroy Barry Allen. There’s so much happening in this story, it’s hard to look away from it.

Story, art, everything was cool. Exactly as described and shipped on time.

The comic was delivered in great conditions and the story is magnificent and emotional. Barry Allen's inner disourse and the psychology implied by his dialogue as he returns is very interesting.