The Flash #1

In "Lightning Strikes Twice Part One: Deus Ex Machina," Barry Allen grapples with the weight of his dual roles as the Flash and a crime scene investigator, stretched thin trying to save everyone he can. When a fire demands his immediate attention, he's forced to choose between two urgent crises—one at a burning building, the other at S.T.A.R. Labs, where a rogue group known as the Black Hole clashes with police, including his friend Detective August Heart. Written by Joshua Williamson and illustrated by Carmine Di Giandomenico, with colors by Ivan Plascencia and letters by Steve Wands, this 2016 issue captures Barry’s relentless struggle with the limits of speed and sacrifice. The cover by Karl Kerschl perfectly frames the moment’s tension.