The biggest Flash story of the year is coming and it’s going to be an all-out war – Flash vs Flash. Tensions have been rising between Barry Allen and his former sidekick Wally West for some time, but it appears that it’s ready to blow when they get some unexpected visitors from the 25th century. Will there be a winner? Or will both sides pay the price for this conflict?
You might’ve heard the buzz around this story and are curious about checking out. To make it easy to jump in, I have put together the Flash War Reading Order Guide. In it is the reading order for this massive story, background reading details, release dates, and more.
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Who Are The Different Flashes?
If your experience of The Flash has come from the CW TV show, there are a few things that you’ll need to know going into this story. The major one is that there is more than one Flash running around the place. In fact, there are actually two heroes that go by the name of Flash. (Oh, and a Kid Flash too.)
The first one is easy to explain, Barry Allen. If you’ve seen the TV show then you’ve got the gist of who he is.
The other, Wally West, is a bit harder to explain. Without going into too much continuity, all you need to know is that he was Barry’s former sidekick who for a few decades took over the mantle of The Flash when Barry Allen died. Barry eventually returned and a little while after that Wally West disappeared from existence due to mysterious forces in the DC Universe that are still developing. Just like Barry, Wally also returned and so there are now two Flashes.
But there’s also another Wally West running around too. This Wally is the current Kid Flash and the older Wally’s cousin. He also goes by the name of Wallace West, which makes things a bit clearer.
If that sounds all too confusing, let me know in the comments. If enough people want a more in-depth explanation I might dedicate a whole article to the topic.
Background Reading
If you’re looking to read the events that have built up to Flash War then these are the comics you should read.
The Flash Volume 4: Running Scared
Written by Joshua Williamson. Art by Carmine Di Giandomenico.
Collects The Flash #23-27.
Flash Annual #1 (Flash War Prelude)
Written by Joshua Williamson. Art by Howard Porter and Christian Duce.
The Flash #39 (Perfect Storm – Part 1)
Written by Joshua Williamson. Art by Carmine Di Giandomenico.
The Flash #40 (Perfect Storm – Part 2)
Written by Joshua Williamson. Art by Carmine Di Giandomenico and Neil Googe.
The Flash #41 (Perfect Storm – Part 3)
Written by Joshua Williamson. Art by Carmine Di Giandomenico.
The Flash #42 (Perfect Storm – Part 4)
Written by Joshua Williamson. Art by Carmine Di Giandomenico.
The Flash #43 (Perfect Storm – Part 5)
Written by Joshua Williamson. Art by Carmine Di Giandomenico.
The Flash #44 (Perfect Storm – Part 6)
Written by Joshua Williamson. Art by Carmine Di Giandomenico.
The Flash #45 (Perfect Storm – Epilogue)
Written by Joshua Williamson. Art by Christian Duce.
Flash War
If you’re looking to read Flash War, then these are the issues you need to read.
The Flash #46 (The Road To Flash War)
Written by Joshua Williamson. Art by Scott Kolins.
Available from May 9th.
The Flash #47 (Part 1)
Written by Joshua Williamson. Art by Howard Porter.
Available from May 23rd.
The Flash #48 (Part 2)
Written by Joshua Williamson. Art by Howard Porter.
Available from June 13th.
The Flash #49 (Part 3)
Written by Joshua Williamson. Art by Howard Porter.
Available from June 27th.
The Flash #50 (Part 4)
Written by Joshua Williamson. Art by Howard Porter.
Available from July 11th.
The Flash #51 (Aftermath)
Written by Joshua Williamson. Art by Scott Kollins.
Available from July 25th.
Have Your Say!
Will you be reading this big Flash story? Let me know in the comments below or via Facebook or Twitter.
Hello, can I ask if where is this in the DC timeline, specifically where it is between big events? Is this after Metal? Or Death Metal?
In addition, is there an order to DCs mainline big event storylines? Like is it Rebirth to Metal to Death Metal to No Justice to ???? Thank you!
Okay so um do they explain the origins of the 2 wally wests in any other comics in the series?
And also like if i start reading the flash war starting from the annual and then directly straight into the #46 comic will i understand everything that happens even though i didnt read the comics #39,40,41,42,43,44,45 and the volume 4?
Oh one more question, im intrested to get to know more about Godspeed too Any comics you’d know having an origin story for Godspeed?
Hi Trevor. I have two questions.
Do I need to read the Background Reading to understand the main story (I haven’t read any flash story before)?
And, why is Volume 4 part of the Background Reading when Vol. 5 and 6 isn’t?
It can be read without reading the background reading, but you’ll get more out of it if you know what has happened prior.
The reason I put volume 4 in is because there are specific events in it that play into the Flash War later on.
Regarding the Wally West situation I have it broken down to the the following observation. Wally West of Earth 1 (Kid Flash/Flash) is the true Kid Flash in the current series. Wallace West (Kid Flash) is a product of Barry Allen creating the Flashpoint Universe/Timeline. When Barry Allen Returned from Flashpoint Kid Flash (Wallace West) came into the New Timeline (Dubbed New 52). After the DC Rebirth One-Shot that brought back a lot of the Characters had not been seen since the end of the Road to Flashpoint storyline in the 3rd Series of The Flash (under the Brightest Day Banner). I personally refer to Wallace West as Kid Flash – Wally West; New 52 Universe. A little long and drawn out but it helps keep the characters straight (for me).
That’s a great way of explaining it!