4 1/2 stars to be exact.
I can never get enough Flash. I have always been fascinated by the concept of a human having incredible speed, and the abilities that he would manifest as he discovered how speed could allow him to do the unimaginable.
I love the conflict between the characters in this graphic novel and the story was not only engaging and gripping, it also was plausible/believable in the context of this created world scenario (s). There were no "cheats" to resolve the issues that were faced. I recommend the read.

The art style and the story line were enjoyable. I like how dark and sketched the art is throughout the graphic novel The colors and contrasts were really nice too. There are some great characters that make an appearance in here, like some of the Justice League members. I can't wait to see what comes next. A recommended read for any Flash fans out there.

ARC from Netgalley.
I'm a little iffy on this one. Feels very over-hyped to me.
In regards to overall impact, this Volume is vital to the current run of The Flash, as well as those that came before. Highlights:
- Most of this Volume is about a 4 way battle between Barry, Wally, Reverse-Flash (Eobard Thawne) and Zoom. The villains are trying to set up two main events: 1) Barry running fast enough to break the Speed Barrier, which release other forces, which I'll talk about later. 2) Wally running through the Speed Force to save his wife and kids who didn't come out with him when he re-emerged.
- We find out about 3 additional forces that exist alongside the Speed Force: The Sage Force, which grants the user massive enhancements to their mind; The Still Force, which allows the user to negate all motion; and The Strength Force, which gives the user enhanced strength and durability.
- Ultimately, Barry and Wally end up causing damage with their speed. They release 3 new Forces into the universe, they break their ability to time travel, Wally has a breakdown which sends him off to "Heroes in Crisis"(see that story for details), but... Bart Allen gets released from the Speed Force, so we have another Speedster who will come with tons of memories.

(I wonder how the "Doomsday Clock" series will factor into everything....)

Not a horrible story, but I think I bought too much into the hype. It does change a lot, so it can't be missed, but don't go crazy either.
Recommend... but stay away from the hype!

Wally and Iris are having memory issues - conflicting memories for two lives. Then Zoom interferes by sending in the 25th Century Renegades to bring Iris West to the future to stand trial for killing Eobard. Temporal change comes about erasing the future. What will the Speedsters do when Zoom makes his play and breaks the Speed Force? Read and see Superman loose a race! Will Speed Force ever be the same?

I enjoy reading Flash since the first volume, it's amazing and entertaining and this volume was no exception. I love Joshua's work in general, he's a great writer. What I don't like really really much is the art. But still - awesome!

It takes a bit of bok before we readers get to the Flash War from the subtitle. The beginning is an interesting set up. Rogues that aren't Rogues, a Reverse Flash, the future, the present.

That was the part of this TPB that I liked. As we got to the 'war' between the Flashes part, I liked it a bit less. From the other forces, really, to a character coming back that really, really confused me. I just wasn't as invested in that part of the story as I was in the beginning.

Honestly, like with other DC character titles, I wish that for awhile between each of these humongous life ending stories they'd give a bunch of down to earth character driven ones like they used to. But, I know that's not to be unfortunately.

I received this book via Netgalley thanks to DC Entertainment.

I have a lot of respect for writer Joshua Williamson, who seems honestly very enthusiastic about the Flash mythos and Barry Allen; it's great too that Williamson's Flash is now intersecting with Scott Snyder's Justice League. It's an utter joy in Flash Vol. 8: Flash War that Howard Porter provides art, and bookended with chapters by Scott Kolins. Porter's hip, grimy Iris West gearing up a motorcycle is a particularly smart take on the supporting character.

The texture of what constitutes the end of the world on a grand scale or for a character can take on many forms. Plausibility is a big factor but motivation also takes on an inherent importance as well. Within the context of “The Flash Vol 8: Flash War” [Joshua Williamson/DC/160pgs], the battle is for a sense of loss primarily between Barry Allen and his ward per se: Wally West. Both have endured hardships and loss but the it is the extrusion of alternate timelines that can be affected by their speed aka Speed Force which opens up a diametric element of conflicting elements. The 25th Century comes off a bit “Bill & Ted” while the essence of other superheroes and really their inability to affect any change is related to a secondary structure. The essence of family is strong but also the motivation of different characters to do “what is right”. Wally has lost his children per se in a world that now believes they never existed. However this is all motivated by unrealistic expectations in a slightly unreal world. Ultimately it leads to the unraveling of space time and a villain whose initial motivations were a ruse and the fairly superficial, even in plot, machinations. The resolution is ultimately satisfying, if not undone simplistically despite some great art and tension when a race is on that no other human being can stop but The Flash.

B-

By Tim Wassberg

'The Flash, Vol. 8: Flash War' by Joshua Williamson is a big epic story about Barry Allen and Wally West that includes time travel and lost memories. I should have liked it more.

Wally West has been found alive, and while he is debating whether to tell Iris, he gets caught up in a time adventure kicked off by the recent death of Eobard Thawne. A group of heroes, including Captain Cold, is sent to collect Wally for questioning. Another speedster named Hunter Zolomon tricks Wally into thinking he can help Wally find his missing kids. This sets Wally off with Barry trying to stop him. Along the way, events occur that may change things in the Flash universe for a while.

The art is pretty mediocre. The story is long in narrative, and the way these two supposed heroes are written makes them jerks and unlikeable. Issues leading up to this one don't lead me to believe Barry and Wally would suddenly act this way towards each other.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from DC Entertainment and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

This volume really highlights what I don't like about this Flash run. Both Barry and Wally are both shown to be petty and selfish. Neither of them are really heroes at all in this. That's been my problem with Barry Allan with in general as part of the New 52. He constantly does whatever he wants without thinking about the consequences. Wally West is my Flash after reading those fantastic Mark Waid and Geoff Johns runs in the 90's. The way he grows from a selfish screw-up into a noble hero that ultimately surpasses Barry Allen is fantastic. None of that is on display here. Yes, Williamson may reference some of that run, but he can't seem to grasp Wally's character at all. And then there's Wallace West who seems to be bipolar, with his love/hate relationship with Barry. His last scene in this story was especially dumb. The book ties in with what Scott Snyder is doing over in Justice League and I can say I'm not a fan. These other forces are unnecessary and just silly.

Comic writing is an unenviable profession when you are writing about characters that have a strong fan following. The two contemporary Flashes of Barry Allen and Wally West probably have overlapping fans, but I can see the reader having a favorite between the two depending when said reader started reading comics.. That being said, Wally West has had a terrible time post-Flashpoint. I feel for Wally when he is trying to find his way in the new world and when he is coming to terms with what he has lost. Joshua Williamson has had to take the situation with Wally and move it forward. I felt like Williamson cared about what happened to characters and how they felt.

This volume was also enjoyable to see Howard Porter and Scott Kolins both return to art duties with the Flash.

This story are was so good but so incredibly heart-breaking. And knowing what comes after for Wally West is depressing. Ultimately a great read.

Zoom plots against Barry and Wally, who’s just escaped the Speed Force. Williamson has plenty of good ideas and he continues to surprise the reader. That said, I can see a casual reader or Flash occasional reader scratching head while trying to understand flashbacks and back stories. I’m not thrilled, but I like the direction in which Flash evolves under Williamson and his creative team.

Fast-paced and interesting, Flash War shows the conflict that arises between the several Flashes.
The artwork is really good and matches the fast pace of the text.
At first, things didn't quite make a lot of sense. Some events would take place and the explanation for them would not be sufficient, but that improved later on.
However, it felt like were there too many characters in the volume. It confuses things a bit, having all these different superhero groups in 140 pages.

On the whole, it was a good read.

I LOVE superheroes, movies or comic books. :) My favorite one from DC is Flash, he is fun and has amazing powers. :

I enjoyed reading The Flash, the storyline is complex, there are future and present intertwining, cool villains and a lot of action. The artwork is amazing. :) Just perfect!

The Flash Vol 8: Flash War describes the human feelings driving some of the Flash Family to despair.

The holiday season is when you get together with your family and remember those who were taken too soon. The Flash Family is no different. Wally has the holiday blues and is missing his family especially his twin children, Jai and Irey. Hunter Zolomon, aka Zoom, exploits Wally’s feeling to his own ends. Like most, or at least my, family gatherings, the relatives begin to squabble. However, if you’re a superhero, that leads to a Flash War.

There isn’t much action in The Flash Vol 8: Flash War. It is solely about feelings and emotions. While I like the change of pace, I missed an obvious villain like Gorilla Grodd. However, the art is as bright and clear as always. This volume does set up some interesting things for the next volume, Heroes in Crisis. 4 stars!

Thanks to DC Comics and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

One and a half stars for an inanely convoluted advert for the Flash wiki page. Nobody else will be able to follow this dross. It livens up at times when it becomes clear it's a sequel to all the Flashpoint nonsense (for which, of course, seeing how great that publisher-wide reboot was, we're eternally ungrateful), and yes it seems to make a major change to some aspect of the whole DC universe, but it does it in a way that will make absolutely zero people care.

Nice illustrations, art and story woven into one. This would be the 2nd time this year that I am reviewing a graphic novel. While it is a deviation from my to read list, reading graphic novel is one way for me to add variety to my readings.

This book is about Barry Allen and Wally West, whose misunderstanding resulted to cataclysmic changes in the multiverse.

This volume was excellent. It told such a great story, and the artwork was incredible too.
The Flash has been one of my favourite heroes for a few years, and the reverse flash storylines have always intrigued me.
In short, this was a joy to read.

The Flash Vol.8 finds Zoom plotting against Barry and Wally. Wally is struggling after escaping the speed force and trying to recover memories. Time travel and suffering the effects of the Flash point, the Flashes take off and race as each tries to do what he thinks is necessary. The art looks like a throwback to 80's or 90's graphics. The story is fast paced and action-packed with a guest appearances from the Justice League for a page turning good time. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.