The Flash, Vol. 1: Lightning Strikes Twice by Joshua Williamson, Carmine Di Giandomenico, Ivan Plascencia, Steve Wands, Karl Kerschl | Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.5)

A copy of this novel was provided through NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.

When I first saw the descriptions on these rebirth issues of the DC universe I was both a bit skeptical and a little hopeful. Taking on iconic characters, keeping what makes them beloved and maybe a little timeless, and then turning them into something new and refreshed is difficult. It's not an easy task and can often translate poorly. The last thing that you want is to ring a series dry and not do it justice, but this take on The Flash is true to tone and spices up a tried formula in ways that will impress old readers and draw in some new fans. 

The bad news is that, despite the good in it, it's not going to be for everyone and it certainly isn't my favourite comic to date. It has a lot of slow moments and a whole lot of repetitive things to it that will put a lot of us off but if you stick it out, it does have its more genuine moments. If you don't like The Flash--if his brand of superhero and story lines aren't your cup of tea, then don't pick it up. You won't like it if you already dislike the vast catalogue of stories that have been around for decades. Simple as that.


But if you're a fan or if you find yourself intrigued by it, chances are this is going to be a blast for you. From its colours and pacing, there's something about it that will strike a chord to a certain category of people. It connects worlds in a way that will probably confuse the fans who haven't read much in the rebirth releases and more than a few familiar faces pop up. It's a classic play out when it comes to comics and the connections will be fun for those who are long acquainted with what's been released.

Overall, I thought it was a fun and fresh take on The Flash and brought together a lot of the greatest qualities found in DC's works. There were moments that felt a bit tedious to read and it could have been better in my opinion, but it certainly wasn't awful and did its job in keeping me entertained for a period of time.