10 Greatest DC Comics Of The 21st Century, Not Starring Batman

For over 20 years, Wally West had been the Flash. The death of Barry Allen had been momentous, as he died saving the universe during Crisis on Infinite Earths, but in the pages of Final Crisis in 2008, Barry returned to take back the mantle of the Flash.

Written by Geoff Johns, this story introduces Barry Allen to an entire new generation of fans. DC had been struggling to make the Flash relevant for some time. Wally's story had evolved and seen him become a happy family man, and Bart Allen was killed after only being the Flash for 13 issues. The Flash: Rebirth is exactly what was needed for the Flash's legacy at the time.

The art by Ethan Van Sciver is gorgeous. He makes the Flash's speed look amazing, really conveying his fluid motion. Rebirth also brings in the majority of the Flash's allies from the past 70 years, giving readers a crash course in Flash history. Van Sciver is able to give all of the speedsters a distinct look and feel on the page.

For those who like the Flash's current television iteration, it's worth noting that a lot of inspiration came from this series. It's a must read for any Flash fan.