The Flash: 100 Greatest Moments, by Robert GreenbergerFlash: 100 Greatest Moments by Robert Greenberger

The Flash: 100 Greatest Moments, by Robert GreenbergerFlash: 100 Greatest Moments (2020), by Robert Greenberger, is a browser’s reference book that doesn’t stint on illustrations, always a plus for this sort of subject.

As the title says, it’s a look at a (obviously subjective) list of highlights from the eight or so decades the character has been around.

While some fans might quibble here and there, the list as a whole is most likely going to find general consensus.

As noted, while one can read it cover to cover, it’s more a browsing kind of book. I say that because it doesn’t go in chronological order, nor does it go into a deep dive in any particular area.

So it’s not meant to be read as an analysis, say, of the character’s changes over time. One picks up on those changes while reading, but as the entries shift around in time, it’s not a unified, linear exploration.

Instead, Greenberger has organized the entries by the categories listed below, along with some of their included content.

  • “The Fastest Man Alive:” Scenes involving the multiple Flashes over the years, from the original Jay Garrick to Barry Allen to Wally West, to Bart Allen
  • “Flash Facts:” Marriages and children
  • “The Cosmic Treadmill:” various stories, most of which involve the device Flash uses to enhance his abilities
  • “The Flash Museum:” Founding of the Justice Society and Justice Leagues, Teen Titans, several races with Superman
  • The Rogues:” description of the many villains Flash has faced
  • “The Speed Force:” explanation of the speed power, connections between the various Flashes

Each single entry is typically 3-4 paragraphs long, with a small illustration often accompanying them. Each category usually has a few good size covers scattered within its section, then each one is followed by full-page excerpts from the discussed comics, ranging from a single page to several pages. Having so many multi-page excerpts was a pleasant surprise and gives the reader a true sense of reading the comic as opposed to the usual single representative images. Even better, it allows you to get a strong sense of the range of artistic choices made by the various illustrators over the years.

The non-linearity can feel a bit chaotic/random; as noted it’s hard to get a sense of unity or cohesive big picture look, though the division into segments helps somewhat with that. And I confess that in the running “war” between the two titans of superhero comics, I long ago enlisted in the Marvel camp, though in my earliest comics reading days I did have a short period of time reading a few DC ones, including The Flash. Some of these moments reminded me of why I enjoy Marvel more, but some evoked some nostalgic memories, and others made me think I might have missed a few good stories here and there by giving up DC (I stand happily by my choice though). As a non-fan, Flash: 100 Greatest Moments was an interesting and fun read. Fans will, I’m sure, enjoy it even more.

The Flash: 100 Greatest Moments, by Robert Greenberger

Published in October 2020. The Flash. The Fastest Man Alive. The Scarlet Speedster. Whatever you call him, his most iconic comic book adventures are celebrated in Flash: 100 Greatest Moments. First appearing in 1940 and represented by a slew of different speedsters, the Flash has been a DC mainstay for most of their publishing life.  He’s been part of the Justice LeagueJustice Society of America, and Teen Titans. Able to break the barriers between dimensions and to reverse time when he’s runs fast enough, to say that the flash is going (and has gone) places doesn’t even cover it. Speedsters are powered by the speed force and while there are a slew of superheroes faster than the average man in the DC Universe, the particular mantle of ‘The Flash’ has been donned by Jay GarrickBarry AllenWally West, and Bart Allen. Each of them are represented with their own moments to shine and they each bring a new perspective to the character over the Flash’s decades long run. Enclosed in these pages are 100 moments that chronicle all of the Flash’s greatest feats. Flash’s loveshis childrenthe allies like Batman and Superman that help him out in his time of need, the Rogues that give him the most trouble, other nefarious speedsters villains like Reverse Flash and Professor Zoom, and many more key characters are paid homage. Flash has been a key player in events like Flashpoint and Crisis on Infinite Worlds, making him integral to understanding the worlds built by DC Comics. Although Flash has been on the big screen, syndicated television, and cartoons, a lot the iconic moments seen on screens found their origin in his comic books. Whether you need a recap (in a flash) or you’re curious about the comic book events that inspired your favorite TV and movie moments, Flash: 100 Greatest Moments will guide you through all of the Scarlet Speedster’s history:

  • Flashpoint
  • Wally West winning the lottery
  • Returning from the dead
  • Marrying Iris West
  • The Cosmic Treadmill
  • Meeting Editor Julius Schwartz
  • Red Flash vs. Black Flash
  • Defeating Zoom
  • House of Heroes
  • Barry Allen fights Godspeed for the first time
  • Returning Wally West rom the Speed Force
  • Run ins with the Trickster

Lace up, strap in, and enjoy Flash: 100 Greatest Moments. This gift edition comes in a convenient portable size, perfect for catching up with your favorite speedster when you’re on the go. Also available from the 100 Greatest Moments of DC Comics series, explore the greatest moments of: Justice League, Super Heroines, Super-Villains, and Batman.

Author

  • Bill Capossere

    BILL CAPOSSERE, who's been with us since June 2007, lives in Rochester NY, where he is an English adjunct by day and a writer by night. His essays and stories have appeared in Colorado Review, Rosebud, Alaska Quarterly, and other literary journals, along with a few anthologies, and been recognized in the "Notable Essays" section of Best American Essays. His children's work has appeared in several magazines, while his plays have been given stage readings at GEVA Theatre and Bristol Valley Playhouse. When he's not writing, reading, reviewing, or teaching, he can usually be found with his wife and son on the frisbee golf course or the ultimate frisbee field.