The origin of The Flash! The loss of his mother put Barry Allen on the road to becoming a hero, but only when he gains his powers will he understand the most important lesson he must learn.

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"Originally published in single magazine form in The Flash 1-8."

THE FASTEST MAN ALIVE! Struck by a bolt of lightning and doused in chemicals, police scientist Barry Allen was transformed into the Fastest Man Alive. Now, he’s Central City’s favorite superhero, using his incredible abilities to fight crime and protect his city’s citizens as the Flash! But saving the world has earned the Flash some powerful enemies: Gorilla Grodd, the impossibly strong and intelligent King of Gorilla City, Captain Cold, Heat Wave, Mirror Master, Glider—along with the rest of the super-villains that make up the Rogues. And then there’s his most dangerous enemy of all…someone whose abilities are equal to the Flash’s, who draws his power from the same source: the mysterious energy field known as the Speed Force. The Scarlet Speedster is in for the race of his life to defeat a nemesis who represents the opposite of everything he holds dear! The acclaimed creative team of Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato reimagined the Fastest Man Alive for a brand new era, and their high-speed adventure has become an instant classic with both critics and fans alike. Now, their legendary run is collected in its entirety for the first time in this omnibus hardcover edition!

Struck by a bolt of lightning and doused in chemicals, police scientist Barry Allen was transformed into the Fastest Man Alive and Central City's hero. With stunning art and a brand new cover illustration by Francis Manapul, The Flash: Starting Line is the definitive Scarlet Speedster adventure for and an excellent jumping on point. Saving the world has earned the Flash some powerful enemies--in fact, a gallery of them. Captain Cold, Heat Wave, Mirror Master, Glider, the Trickster and Weather Wizard, a group of super-villains known as the Rogues, live their lives to pillage and steal from Central City... with only one man standing in their way. This now legendary tale from the acclaimed creative team of Manapul and co-writer Brian Buccellato reimagines the Flash for a brand new era in the most accesible graphic novels in the character's history, feauturing an exclusive new cover illustration from Francis Manapul! Collects The Flash #0-12 and The Flash Annual #1. The DC Essential Edition series of graphic novels highlights the best standalone stories the medium has to offer featuring comics' greatest characters. These trade paperback editions focus on the easiest entry points DC has in its vast library, with seminal, groundbreaking tales that transcend the printed page. Start with the Essentials.

In his hometown of Central City, The Flash—a.k.a. Barry Allen—is constantly deflecting the criminal schemes of his Rogues Gallery. Money hungry, cunning and powerful, these villains have the Scarlet Speedster running at a pace faster than even theworld's fastest man is used to. But when Gorilla Grodd and his army descend on Central City, The Flash will have to contend with a threat he's not used to: murderous, ruthless and without principle. With mammoth strength and mind-control powers,Grodd will not stop until he conquers the city with its hero's blood on his hands. Knowing full well he cannot defeat this new foe alone, The Flash will have to turn to his former enemies, the Rogues, if he wants to keep himself and Central Cityalive. THE FLASH: GORILLA WARFARE is the third hardcover graphic novel from the best-selling creative team of Franics Manapul and Brian Buccellatto. Collects THE FLASH #13-19.

The fourth volume of Brian Buccellato and Francis Manapul's New 52 breakout hit - The Flash! A mysterious and powerful Speed-Force killer has left a trail of bodies in his wake and only Barry has the power to stop him. But when the killer stays one step ahead of him, Barry finds himself face to face with the Teen Titans and Kid Flash for the first time. All this will lead to a confrontation with the Flash's most deadly foe, The Reverse Flash! Collects THE FLASH #20-25, and #23.3: REVERSE FLASH.