C3G Comics Guide and Theme Review

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Wally West aka Flash (Mainstream DC)


Wielder of the Speed Force
Flash (280)
Flash (Flash Family) (300)
Kid Flash (110)

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RESULTS

C3G’s Comics Recommendations

BEST INTRODUCTION
- The Flash: Chain Lightning (The Flash by Mark Waid: Book Seven)

ICONIC/MUST READS
1 Vote
- The Flash: Born to Run (The Flash by Mark Waid: Book One)
- The Flash: Crossfire (The Flash By Geoff Johns: Book Two OR The Flash by Geoff Johns Omnibus: Volume One)
- The Flash: Dead Heat (The Flash by Mark Waid: Book Five)
- The Flash: Terminal Velocity (The Flash by Mark Waid: Book Four)

HAPHAZARD CHRONOLOGY READING GUIDE FOR THE BRAVE AND FOOLHARDY

Spoiler Alert!

The Flash by Mark Waid {1990-00} - The Flash By Geoff Johns {2000-05}

[Arch-vile]

Now you're speaking my language. Wally is my favorite Flash, but Barry is fantastic as well. My recommendations for Barry:

Flashpoint - Even if you've never read Flash, this is a good starting point. It introduces an alternate dystopian universe, and the mystery is figuring out how this happened and why Barry is the only one who notices something's off. The animated movie is great too.

The entire New 52 / Rebirth run of Flash - N52 reset the whole DCU, and with it, Barry became the sole Flash of the universe. This was disliked initially, but it's a great new take on the character and the Rogues. Rebirth started introducing a lot of fun characters and bringing in old favorites from the Flash Family. What I especially love is that the Rogues (Captain Cold and co.) are followed almost as much as Barry, giving you two distinct looks on the city. Picking up the first collection of N52 Flash is another great way to start reading Barry's Flash.

The Flash TV Series - The CW shows vary widely in their quality from season to season, but season 1 of this show is amazing throughout. Lots of twists and turns, with one of the greatest villains in Reverse-Flash. The side characters are particularly good here - notably Vibe and Killer Frost.

As for designs, my favorite Flash card is Barry 1. It was an early card and nailed the character from the get-go. Seeing that 12 move was a "wow" moment for me back when I first found C3G. Easily a top 3 C3G design to me.

[Arch-vile]

Wally is the definitive Flash, to me. His era developed so many things iconic to the character. The entire Waid and Johns run is worth reading (events build on each other really well, especially because the Flash Family and the Rogues have so many characters you follow). Picking up the first Waid run and going from there is the best starting point. But if I have to limit to a few recommendations:

Crossfire - This features Blacksmith usurping control of the Rogues from Captain Cold, and leading them to conquer the city. It's a very different take on the Rogues due to the new leadership.

Dead Heat - Savitar and his cult arrive, requiring the entire Flash Family to team up to stop him.

Chain Lightning - Another Flash Family team up, this time with lots of time travel. Cobalt Blue is the main villain here.

For designs, my favorite is Flash Family Wally of course. The Flash Family are pretty fragile, but their speed lets them play pretty uniquely and they can pull off some fun tricks.

[IAmBatman]

I'll second Chain Lightning as a story run, but I'll go as far as to say you should start with the Terminal Velocity story and follow the entire Mark Waid run from there through Chain Lightning to get the best of Wally West (my favorite Flash).

All sorts of great things in that run like the Speed Force, Impulse, Max Mercury, Savitar, Blacksmith's Rogues, etc.

I think one reason the CW Flash show does so well (and I'd recommend the first season, but can't really recommend it after) is that it at least initially steals the relationship dynamic that Wally has with Linda Park and retrofits it for Barry and Iris.

Favorite card is tough. I love both the OG Flashes (Barry and Wally), have a new appreciation for the awesomeness of the JL version of Barry, but also love Family Wally and Team Flash Barry. So I'll go with Iris West for here ability to let you play multiple Flashes together well.

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Ever since catching bits of JL Unlimited as a kid, Wally has been my favorite, but I'm interested in some Barry stories too. Ezra Miller is a kinda fun Barry.

In terms of comics I've caught a bit of Wally in the og New Teen Titans, but nothing fantastic. I just finished Flash by Mark Waid Book One and am hoping to get to the Max Mercury/Johnny Quick/Speed Force stuff. Book One is still mostly Waid getting going I think, so I'm not sure I'd recommend the beginning in particular, but I enjoyed it well enough.
edit: Actually the Born to Run/Year One and ties back to Iris and Barry was an interesting enough start to the run so I will recommend it.

For designs I'll go JL Barry by a hair over the og, but it's a coin toss.
Wally I like the first 280pt one the best, but have yet to run the Flash Family one.

Not familiar enough to know any more ways they could be designed, that blue Wally looks interesting.

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JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA


The Infinite All-Stars
Atom (170)
Cyclone (170)
Damage (250)
Doctor Fate (270)
Doctor Mid-Nite (150)
Flash (220)
Green Lantern (280)
Hawkman (220)
Hourman (190)
Johnny Thunder (20)
Magog (330)
Mister Terrific (Michael Holt) (160)
Mister Terrific (Terry Sloane) (150)
Obsidian (280)
Power Girl (400)
S.T.R.I.P.E. (180)
Sandman (80)
Spectre (650)
Stargirl (150)
Starman (Jack Knight) (170)
Starman (Ted Knight) (190)
Superman (370)
Thunderbolt (330)
Wildcat (240)


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RESULTS

C3G’s Comics Recommendations

BEST INTRODUCTION
- Justice Society of America (Volume 3) by Geoff Johns (Justice Society of America Vol. 1: The Next Age)

ICONIC/MUST READS
2 Votes
- JSA All-Stars (JSA All-Stars Vol. 1: Constellations)
- Justice League of America: The Lightning Saga (Justice League of America Vol. 2: The Lightning Saga)

1 Vote
- Early JSA/JLA crossovers (Crisis on Multiple Earths Book One: Crossing Over)
- JSA (JSA by Geoff Johns Book One)
- Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. (Stargirl by Geoff Johns)

~ DCeased
~ Kingdom Come

HAPHAZARD CHRONOLOGY READING GUIDE FOR THE BRAVE AND FOOLHARDY

Spoiler Alert!

Crisis on Multiple Earths Book One: Crossing Over {1963-70} - JSA by Geoff Johns Book One {1999-00} - Stargirl by Geoff Johns {1999-00} - Justice Society of America Vol. 1: The Next Age {2006-07} - The Lightning Saga {2007} - JSA All-Stars Vol. 1: Constellations {2009-10}

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Haven't read any JSA stuff, always interesting to see what's recommended as the best.
I liked Mister Terrific (Michael Holt) in DCeased, so he's a character that I enjoy when he shows up. He kinda feels like DC's answer to Reed Richards, which is cool cause they don't have a ton of like top level geniuses like Marvel does.
Alan Scott made some appearances in Green Lantern Rebirth and Doomsday Clock, but nothing major I don't think.
Spectre and Sandman were definitely neat in Kingdom Come.

Sandman is a nifty 80pt figure with a noir feel, Holt is in a close second.

Aside from Earth Two Bats and Wondy, Atom Smasher is a character who shows up sometimes I feel like could use a card.

[IAmBatman]

It's hard to recall specific stories and what not, but in general I recall liking the Geoff Johns run on JSA. I think the Lightning Saga might've been one of the main stories?

Would definitely love to see Atom Smasher! I'd also love to see a Golden Age Hawkgirl.

[Soundwarp SG-1]

I've read most of the JSA / JSA All-Stars stuff from around like... 2009 to 2011ish or something? EDIT: 2007.

That was decent but not like super amazing. But I honestly never find like anything Superhero based super amazing.

I do really want to see Cyclone in a cartoon sometime though, she's my favorite JSA person.

My library had a collection of like 70s JSA stuff that I read once, but twas not very good.

[IAmBatman]

Cyclone is pretty sweet. Love how her design turned out.

[MrNobody]

The best part of the Lightning Saga is Karate Kid owning Batman. That’s funny.

I’ll say I really love how Damage turned out.

[Arch-vile]

I don't really recall any specific JSA stories I've read. The JSA/JLA events are fun team-ups from the pre-crisis era. Stars and STRIPE is mainly centered around Stargirl, but it involves the JSA as well and is a fun read. JSA All Stars has some good stuff. I've read some of the All-Star Squadron from the 40s and that's not really worth going back to unless you really love the oldies.

For designs, I'd love a Steel (Commander, Citizen, whichever) and Helena Wayne. Stargirl is probably my favorite of the designs.