In "Chapter One: Inherit the Wind," Wally West and the Reverse Flash clash over the fabled Cobalt Blue gem in the late 30th century, setting off a chain of events that reshapes the timeline. With the recruitment drive concluded and the original Cobalt Blue seizing control of Jay Garrick, the stage is set for a climactic showdown between Jay and Barry in the mid 30th century. Written by Mark Waid and Brian Augustyn, with dynamic art by Paul Pelletier and inks by Vince Russell, this issue delivers a high-stakes, time-bending journey through the Flash legacy—complete with a striking cover by Steve Lightle.
Contains 34 stories
Chapter One: Inherit the Wind
5 pp · Superhero
Barry Allen [Flash]
Chapter Two: Thunderstruck
8 pp · Superhero
Iris West AllenProf. Ira WestBarry Allen [Flash]
Chapter Three: A Bolt from the Blue
7 pp · Superhero
Iris West AllenBarry Allen [Flash]
Chapter Four: Life in the Fast Lane
7 pp · Superhero
Iris West AllenFlash [Barry Allen]Martian ManhunterAquamanBlack Canary [Dinah Lance]Green Lantern [Hal Jordan]Elongated ManDexter Myles
Chapter Five: Lightning Strikes Twice
4 pp · Superhero
Flash [Barry Allen]Kid Flash [Wally West]
Chapter Six: Rogues Gallery
6 pp · Superhero
Flash [Barry Allen]Paul GambiCaptain ColdMirror MasterCaptain BoomerangTopHeat WaveTricksterPied PiperMr. Element [also as Dr. Alchemy]Weather WizardGorilla GroddAbra KadabraReverse-Flash [Professor Zoom]
Chapter Seven: Stolen Thunder
6 pp · Superhero
Flash [Barry Allen]Flash [Jay Garrick]Joan GarrickShadeFiddlerThinker
Chapter Eight: 'Til Death Do Us Part
11 pp · Superhero
Flash [Barry Allen]Iris West Allen
Chapter Nine: Flash Forward
6 pp · Superhero
Flash [Barry Allen]Iris West AllenCharlie ConwellStacy ConwellBarney SandsProfessor Ira West
Chapter Ten: Sudden Death
5 pp · Superhero
Flash [Barry Allen]Iris West AllenReverse-Flash [Professor Zoom]
Chapter Eleven: Faster Than Light
1 pp · Superhero
Iris West Allen
Chapter Twelve: Running from the Past
3 pp · Superhero
Flash [Barry Allen]Reverse-Flash [Professor Zoom]Mack NathanTroy NathanFiona Webb
Chapter Thirteen: Swift Justice
4 pp · Superhero
Flash [Barry Allen]Reverse-Flash [Professor Zoom]Fiona Webb
Chapter Fourteen: The Trial of the Flash
6 pp · Superhero
Flash [Barry Allen]Iris West AllenFiona WebbAbra Kadabra
Chapter Fifteen: The Speed of Life
3 pp · Superhero
Flash [Barry Allen]Iris West Allen
Chapter Sixteen: Race to Save the Universe
4 pp · Superhero
Flash [Barry Allen]Iris West AllenAnti-MonitorPsycho-PirateKid Flash
Chapter Seventeen: Carrying the Torch
4 pp · Superhero
Iris West AllenTornado Twins [Don AllenDawn Allen]XSImpulse [also as Kid Flash]Max MercuryFlash [Wally West]Jesse QuickFuture Flashes
Epilogue
2 pp · Superhero
Flash [Barry Allen]Iris West AllenFlash [Wally West]Impulse
A Run of Luck
24 pp · Superhero
Flash [Jay Garrick]Flash [Barry Allen]Flash [Wally West]Iris West AllenProfessor ZoomImpulseFlash [John Fox]
Burning Secrets
14 pp · Superhero
Flash [Barry Allen]Kid Flash [Wally West]Cobalt Blue (introduction)
In "Burning Secrets," Flash and Kid Flash face off against Cobalt Blue, a speedster who drains their power with chilling precision. As the battle pushes them to their limits, a sudden reversal of the Speed Force energy forces a reckoning neither expected.
The Sacrifice
8 pp · Superhero
Flash of the 28th Century [Blaine Allen]
The Speed of Life
10 pp · Superhero
Flash [Wally Westalso as Kid Flash]Mary WestRudolph WestFrances Kane [Frankie Kane]Linda ParkIris West AllenImpulse [Bart Allen]
Get Me to the Church on Time
23 pp · Superhero
Flash [Wally West]Linda ParkKobraImpulseDonna TroyRoy HarperGarthDick GraysonMax MercurySupermanWonder WomanMartian ManhunterPlastic ManGreen Lantern [Kyle Rayner]Iris Allen
Fast Forward
22 pp · Superhero
Flash [Wally West]Captain Marvel [Billy Batson]Captain Marvel, Jr. (Tanist)Commander Cold (853rd century)Heatwave (853rd century)
In "Fast Forward," Wally West is hurled into the 853rd century to compete in futuristic games marking Superman’s return, where he must team up with that era’s Captain Marvel to face off against the twisted descendants of Captain Cold and Heatwave on the scorching surface of Mercury. Mark Waid crafts a pulse-pounding adventure that blends time-bending stakes with the enduring spirit of heroism.
Like Wildfire
22 pp · Superhero
Flash [Wally West]Flash [Jay Garrick]Cobalt Blue [Malcolm Thawne]Flash [Barry Allen] (flashback)Angela Margolin
Nature vs. Nurture
22 pp · Superhero
Flash [Wally West]Linda ParkCobalt Blue [Malcom Thawne]Flash [Barry Allen] (cameo)
Chain Lightning, Chapter One: The Gathering Storm
22 pp · Superhero
Flash [Wally West]Angela MargolinFlash [Jay Garrick]Impulse [Bart Allen]Jace AllenJesse Quick [Jesse Chambers]Max MercuryCobalt BlueTurmoil 13
In "Chain Lightning, Chapter One: The Gathering Storm," Wally West rallies the speedsters to stop Cobalt Blue’s scheme to usurp Barry Allen’s legacy, launching a desperate race across time to warn the next generation of Allens and Wests. Mark Waid’s pulse-pounding tale weaves urgency and legacy into a high-speed mission that stretches the very fabric of the Flash family’s history.
Chain Lightning, Chapter Two: Time Like a River...
22 pp · Superhero
Flash [John Fox]Impulse [Bart Allen]Jace AllenJesse Quick [Jesse Chambers]Max MercurySela AllenKid Flash [Iris West]Angela MargolinCobalt BlueProfessor Zoom (cameo)
Chain Lightning, Chapter Three: Shooting the Rapids
22 pp · Superhero
Flash [Wally West]Flash [Jay Garrick]Flash [John Fox]Impulse [Bart Allen]Jace AllenJesse Quick [Jesse Chambers]Max MercuryKid Flash [Iris West]Sela AllenAngela MargolinCobalt BlueReverse-Flash [aka Professor ZoomEobard Thawne]
Chain Lightning, Chapter Four: Undertow
22 pp · Superhero
Flash [Wally West]Flash [Jay Garrick]Flash [Barry Allen]Flash [John Fox]Dawn AllenDon AllenImpulse [Bart Allen]Jace AllenJesse Quick [Jesse Chambers]Kid Flash [Iris Allen]Max MercurySela AllenXs [Jenni Ognats]Angela MargolinCobalt BlueProfessor ZoomChameleon [Reep Daggle] (cameo)Cosmic Boy [Rokk Krinn] (cameo)Saturn Girl [Imra Ardeen] (cameo)Ultra Boy [Jo Nah] (cameo)
Chain Lightning, Chapter Five: Whirlpool
22 pp · Superhero
Flash [Wally West]Flash [Jay Garrick]Flash [Barry Allen]Flash [John Fox]Dawn AllenDon AllenImpulse [Bart Allen]Jace AllenJesse Quick [Jesse Chambers]Kid Flash [Iris West]Max MercuryPariahSela AllenXs [Jenni Ognats]Cobalt BlueAnti-Monitor (cameo)Batman [Bruce Wayne] (cameo)Green Lantern [Hal Jordan] (cameo)Psycho-Pirate [Roger Hayden] (cameo)Superman (cameo)Wonder Woman [Diana] (cameo)
In "Chain Lightning, Chapter Five: Whirlpool," Wally and Barry push hard to stop Cobalt Blue’s escalating threat, but when Cobalt refuses to surrender, the stakes spiral beyond control—leading to a devastating loss that fractures the multiverse. The consequences ripple through time and space, setting the stage for a Crisis that no hero may survive.
Chain Lightning, Finale: Finish Line
38 pp · Superhero
Flash [Wally West]Flash [Barry Allen]Flash [Walter West]Captain Marvel [Billy Batson]Firestorm [Ron Raymond]HarbingerJ'Onn J'OnzzJade [Jennie-Lynn Hayden]Anti-MonitorCobalt BlueCaptain Atom [Nathaniel Adam] (cameo)Dr. Light [Kimiyo Hoshi] (cameo)Firehawk [Lorraine Reilly] (cameo)Flash [Jay Garrick] (cameo)Grodd (cameo)Jace Allen (cameo)Jesse Quick [Jesse Chambers] (cameo)Johnny Quick [Johnny Chambers] (cameo)Max Mercury (cameo)Mirror Master [Sam Scudder] (cameo)Power Girl (cameo)Ray [Happy Terrill] (cameo)Sela Allen (cameo)Superman (cameo)Wonder Woman [Diana] (cameo)
In "Chain Lightning, Finale: Finish Line," Wally West pushes beyond the limits of time and speed, racing through fractured moments to alter the fate of his mentor Barry Allen. As he confronts the weight of legacy and loss, Wally makes a choice that reshapes his destiny—and the future of the Flash. The story closes with a haunting glimpse of a new, darker presence emerging from the Speed Force.
The Case of the Screaming Skull!
4 pp · Superhero
Flash [Jay Garrick]Max Mercury
The Central City Flash Museum
6 pp · Superhero
