Flashpoint Reading Order

Flashpoint is one of the biggest DC-wide crossover event in recent years and had huge implications following its publishing. Flashpoint marked the end of the storylines which started with Crisis on Infinite Earths (1985) and the beginning of the New 52 (2011). Flashpoint is by no means essential to get into DC’s modern day comics as one of the goals of Flashpoint was to make it a bit more accessible to new readers. You could quite easily get into the New 52 without reading Flashpoint but if you’ve been reading DC comics from before 2011 then Flashpoint may help flesh things out for you.

However, there are some references to Flashpoint in the New 52 and Rebirth, particularly for Batman New 52/Rebirth.

Scope

Flashpoint is an event with a wide range of implications, it can be enjoyed in a couple of issues but also in tens of them, for purists there are 61 issues in total – how you’d like to enjoy them is up to you. Geoff Johns has helmed quite a few big events and this is one of his biggest and his writing steers everything with guest writers chipping in with tie-ins.

Overview

The premise of Flashpoint surrounds Barry Allen’s efforts to fix time itself which is being affected by unknown forces. In his efforts, many universes crossover before a new status quo emerges (New 52). Tie ins and one shots focus on how other CD characters are affected by the tempering by both Barry and the forces trying to change them.

Flashpoint Trade Reading Order

The Omnibus

The easiest and cheapest way to enjoy ALL of Flashpoint is with the 10th anniversary hardcover Omnibus which contains the Road to Flashpoint (The Flash #8-#12) and all 56 tie-in issues. This is the ultimate way to read it and you won’t miss out on a single thing.

Trades

1. Flash Rebirth

The very beginnings, collects Flash Rebirth #1 to #6. Not to be confused with 2016’s Rebirth.

2. Flash: The Road to Flashpoint

This is where the Flashpoint is directly referenced and the proper way to start. Collects The Flash #8 to #12.

3. World of Flashpoint (Flash)

There are several World of Flashpoint tie in books but this is the one with Flash as the featured character. Collects Grodd of War #1, Kid Flash Lost #1 to #3, Legion of Doom #1 to #3, Reverse Flash #1 and Citizen Cold #1 to #3. Essential for purists.

4. Time Masters: Vanishing Point

Time Masters fits more with Final Crisis but the very end does link to Flashpoint and even Metal. Collects issue #1 to 6 of this mini series.

5. Flashpoint

Here it is, the main event written by Geoff Johns and the crucial part of the Flashpoint reading order. Collects Flashpoint #1 to #5. A book which can be read on its own for a summary of the entire arc for those who just want to skim through.

The tie ins now begin. The below tie ins contain issues which are based before, during and during the World of Flashpoint so refer to the issue by issue reading order at the bottom to see how these trades should be read.

6. World of Flashpoint (Superman)

This is the very beginning of Flashpoint, to the point where Barry Allen wakes up to it. Collects Booster Gold #44 to #47. You read that right.

7. World of Flashpoint (Wonder Woman)

Wonder Woman and to an extent Aquaman’s side of the Flashpoint story. Not essential to the core reading order. Collects Emperor Aquaman #1 to #3, Outsider #1 to #3, Lois Lane and the Resistance #1 to #3 and Wonder Woman and the Furies #1 to #3.

8. World of Flashpoint (Batman)

Same and above, really. Not a part of Batman’s main continuity. Collects Batman: Knight of Vengeance #1 to #3, Deadman and the Flying Graysons #1 to #3, Deathstroke and the curse of the Ravager #1 to #3 and Secret Seven #1 to #3.

9. World of Flashpoint (Green Lantern)

Same again. Collects Hal Jordan #1 to #3, Abin Sur #1 to #3, Frankenstein and the creatures of the Unknown #1 to #3 and Green Arrow Industries #1.

That’s it! All 9 trades, which can be quite expensive so we still recommend the Omnibus to save money and still have the proper Flashpoint reading order.

Full Issue by Issue Flashpoint Reading Order

1. Flashpoint: Reverse Flash #1
2. Flashpoint: Project Superman #1
3. Flashpoint: Project Superman #2
4. Flashpoint: Wonder Woman and the Furies #1
5. Flashpoint: Green Arrow Industries #1
6. Flashpoint: Wonder Woman and the Furies #2
7. Flashpoint: Lois Lane and the Resistance #1
8. Flashpoint: The Canterbury Cricket #1
9. Flashpoint: Deadman and the Flying Graysons #1
10. Flashpoint: Deadman and the Flying Graysons #2
11. Flashpoint: Deadman and the Flying Graysons #3
12. Flashpoint: Grodd of War #1
13. Flashpoint: Legion of Doom #1
14. Flashpoint: Legion of Doom #2
15. Flashpoint: Legion of Doom #3
16. Flashpoint: Abin Sur: The Green Lantern #1
17. Flashpoint: Hal Jordan #1
18. Flashpoint: Abin Sur: The Green Lantern #2
19. Flashpoint: Hal Jordan #2
20. Flashpoint #1
21. Flashpoint: The Outsider #1
22. Flashpoint: Secret Seven #1
23. Flashpoint: Citizen Cold #1
24. Flashpoint: Secret Seven #2
25. Flashpoint: Secret Seven #3
26. Flashpoint: Citizen Cold #2
27. Flashpoint: Citizen Cold #3
28. Flashpoint: Deathstroke and the Curse of the Ravager #1
29. Flashpoint #2
30. Flashpoint: Deathstroke and the Curse of the Ravager #2
31. Flashpoint: The Outsider #2
32. Flashpoint: Batman: Knight of Vengeance #1
33. Flashpoint: Batman: Knight of Vengeance #2
34. Flashpoint: Batman: Knight of Vengeance #3
35. Flashpoint: Deathstroke and the Curse of the Ravager #3
36. Flashpoint #3
37. Flashpoint: Lois Lane and the Resistance #2
38. Booster Gold Vol. 2 #44
39. Booster Gold Vol. 2 #45
40. Booster Gold Vol. 2 #46
41. Flashpoint: Frankenstein and the Creatures of the Unknown #1
42. Flashpoint: Frankenstein and the Creatures of the Unknown #2
43. Flashpoint: Frankenstein and the Creatures of the Unknown #3
44. Flashpoint: The Outsider #3
45. The World of Flashpoint #1
46. The World of Flashpoint #2
47. Flashpoint: Hal Jordan #3
48. Flashpoint: Emperor Aquaman #1
49. Flashpoint: Emperor Aquaman #2
50. Flashpoint: Wonder Woman and the Furies #3
51. Flashpoint: Emperor Aquaman #3
52. Flashpoint: Abin Sur: The Green Lantern #3
53. Flashpoint #4
54. Booster Gold Vol. 2 #47
55. The World of Flashpoint #3
56. Flashpoint: Lois Lane and the Resistance #3
57. Flashpoint: Project Superman #3
58. Flashpoint: Kid Flash Lost #1
59. Flashpoint: Kid Flash Lost #2
60. Flashpoint: Kid Flash Lost #3
61. Flashpoint #5

Last update on 2023-09-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API