Flashpoint Reading Order

FP = Flashpoint

WoFF = World of Flashpoint Featuring
DatFG = Deadman and the Flying Graysons
DatCotR = Deathstroke and the Curse of the Ravager
FatCotU = Frankenstein and the Creatures of the Unknown
WWatF = Wonder Woman and the Furies
LLatR = Lois Lane and the Resistance
*see tie-in notes below

Overview

Flashpoint (Review) is a cornerstone DC Comics event centered around fluctuations within the DC Multiverse. The event effectively reboots the mainstream DC Universe and merges it with the Wildstorm Universe and the Vertigo Universe, thus starting the New 52 era. Though it mostly focuses on the Flash (Reading Order), it also tells the story of an entire alternate universe, known as the Flashpoint Universe.

Everything required to understand Flashpoint is told through the main event series. However, there are also a number of tie-in issues which expand upon the Flashpoint Universe and, occasionally, answer questions that go unanswered in the main narrative.

Reading Suggestions

As mentioned above, the entire narrative of Flashpoint (Review) is told through the main event series, with the tie-ins serving as a way to simply expand upon this world. Because of this, this reading order does not present the events of Flashpoint in exact chronological order, as reading this event in chronological order would be a logistical nightmare and would result in a highly fragmented reading experience. Instead, this reading order suggests reading the main Flashpoint series first and then reading the tie-in issues as a way to expand on it. This also prevents tie-ins from spoiling twists in the main narrative and keeps it as compelling as possible.

Tie-Ins

To make this process as simple as possible, this reading order separates the tie-ins into two groups:

The first group of tie-ins directly relate to the main event. They either build upon the main storyline, deal with major players from this storyline, or reveal otherwise unrevealed information.

The second group of tie-ins is less directly related to the main event. Issues from this group typically focus on a single character and show how they are reacting to the main event or simply show random pieces of the Flashpoint Universe.

A detailed description of the tie-in issues, broken down by category, can be seen here:

Flashpoint: Reverse-Flash

This issue follows the Reverse-Flash's recent activities and is immediately relevant to the entire Flashpoint event.

Flashpoint: Grodd of War

This issue effectively introduces the Flashpoint version of Grodd and explains what is happening in Africa. However, Grodd has no impact on this event and this issue simply serves to expand the world of Flashpoint.

Flashpoint: The Legion of Doom

These issues focus on a few Flashpoint versions of DC villains. They appear to take place before the increase in tension brought on by the start of the main event but have very little connection to the main event.

Flashpoint: Green Arrow Industries

This issue introduces the Flashpoint version of Green Arrow and introduces a weapon that is seen later in the event. However, besides the presence of this one weapon, the one-shot has no impact on the main event.

Flashpoint: Deadman and the Flying Graysons

These issues contain the only appearances from the Flashpoint versions of Dick Grayson and Boston Brand and also highlight Europe's status during the event. They appear to take place before the increase in tension brought on by the start of the main event but have very little connection to the main event.

Flashpoint: The Canterbury Cricket

This issue introduces and focuses on a few members of the Resistance. In some ways, it serves as a prelude to Flashpoint: Lois Lane and the Resistance but is definitely not necessary to understand that tie-in.

Flashpoint: Secret Seven

These issues explain what the Secret Seven did during the main event. They clearly take place after the actions of Flashpoint #1 and help set up the actions of Flashpoint #4.

Flashpoint: Citizen Cold

These issues focus on the Flashpoint version of Captain Cold, Citizen Cold. Citizen Cold's brief cameo in Flashpoint #1 indicates that this tie-in occurs after that issue. However, besides this one connection, this tie-in has almost nothing to do with the main event.

Flashpoint: Deathstroke & the Curse of the Ravager

This tie-in explains what happened after Deathstroke's brief appearance in Flashpoint #2. However, besides expanding on this one point, these issues have almost nothing to do with the main event.

Flashpoint: Batman Knight of Vengeance

This issues significantly expands upon the Flashpoint Batman, his connection to the Flashpoint Joker, and the status of Gotham City. The issues appear to take place in a brief reprieve from the action during the main event. However, besides the Flashpoint Batman making references to an alternate universe, there are almost no connections between this tie-in series and the main event.

Flashpoint: Frankenstein & the Creatures of the Unknown

These issues focus on the Flashpoint Frankenstein and a group of his associates. The events of this tie-in directly reference something that happens in Flashpoint #3 but, besides this, have almost no connection to the main event.

Flashpoint: Emperor Aquaman

This tie-in immensely expands upon the conflict between Atlantis and Themyscira by placing a heavy focus on the Flashpoint versions of Aquaman and Wonder Woman. It helps directly set up the events of Flashpoint #4 and significantly complements the events of Flashpoint: Wonder Woman and the Furies.

Flashpoint: Wonder Woman and the Furies

This tie-in immensely expands upon the conflict between Themyscira and Atlantis by placing a heavy focus on the Flashpoint versions of Wonder Woman and Aquaman. It helps directly set up the events of Flashpoint #4 and significantly complements the events of Flashpoint: Emperor Aquaman.

Flashpoint: Hal Jordan

These issues explain the Flashpoint Hal Jordan's situation and expand upon his role in the event. The first two issues mostly take place at non-specific points in time but the third issue directly ties in to what happens in Flashpoint #4.

Flashpoint: The Outsider

This issue effectively introduces the Outsider and explains his role in the world of Flashpoint. Actions taken in this tie-in reflect actions seen in Flashpoint #1 and Flashpoint #4. However, the Outsider does not play a huge role in the event as a whole so this issue mostly just expands upon the world of Flashpoint rather than the action of the event.

Flashpoint: Lois Lane and the Resistance

These issues help further explain Lois Lane's role in the main event, which is mentioned at a few points. The story in this tie-in's final issue is then directly continued in Flashpoint: Project: Superman #3.

Flashpoint: Project: Superman

This tie-in follows the Flashpoint version of Superman and significantly expands upon his character outside the main event. The first two issues take place before the events of Flashpoint but the final issue directly continues the story from Flashpoint: Lois Lane and the Resistance #3 and occurs during the event's finale, which is why this reading order places this tie-in directly after Lois Lane's tie-in and during Flashpoint #5.

Booster Gold

These issues mostly follow the pre-Flashpoint Booster Gold as he is unexpectedly pulled into the Flashpoint Universe. The conclusion of this crossover is referenced in the Flashpoint: Project Superman tie-ins and takes place at the same time as Flashpoint #5. However, outside of these quick references, this crossover has little to no impact on the main event.

Flashpoint: The World of Flashpoint

These issues tell a single story centered around the Flashpoint version of Traci 13. This story is mostly isolated from the main event. The exception to this is the third issue, which shows Traci 13's role in the event's finale and is why this reading order suggests pairing this tie-in with the event's finale issue.

Flashpoint: Abin Sur – The Green Lantern

These issues focus on Abin Sur's actions in the world of Flashpoint. Most of these actions occur before the main event or at non-specific times during it. The exception to this rule is the third issue, which shows Abin Sur's role in the event's finale and is why this reading order suggests pairing this tie-in with the event's finale issue.

Flashpoint: Kid Flash Lost

This tie-in focuses on the pre-Flashpoint version of Kid Flash by continuing story elements from the "Case Two: The Road to Flashpoint" story arc from The Flash Vol. 3 #9-12, collected in The Flash Vol. 2: The Road to Flashpoint, but has few connections to the main Flashpoint event. The exception to this is the third issue, which shows Kid Flash's role in the event's finale and is why this reading order suggests pairing this tie-in with the event's finale issue.

Before Reading

Flashpoint (Review) receives a prelude through The Flash Vol. 3 #8–12, collected in The Flash Vol. 2: The Road to Flashpoint. In addition, a cliffhanger from Time Masters: Vanishing Point #6 gives hints about what will happen in Flashpoint.

However, the comic that proves most helpful in understanding the storyline running through this event is The Flash: Rebirth. This story arc explains Barry Allen's current situation in life and introduces many plot points which go on to have a large impact in this event.

After Reading

The mysteries surrounding Pandora (Reading Order), introduced at the conclusion of Flashpoint (Review), are continued on throughout the Justice League series up to the Trinity War (Reading Order) crossover-event, which finally answers those mysteries.

After this, Flashpoint receives a spiritual sequel through the DC Universe: Rebirth event. While Flashpoint started the New 52 era, DC Universe: Rebirth closes it and starts the Rebirth era. Plus, DC Universe: Rebirth explains some previously unexplained elements from the conclusion of Flashpoint.

In addition, concepts from the Flashpoint universe are seen later on in the Convergence (Reading Order) and Batman/Flash: The Button (Reading Order) events. Though neither event is a formal sequel to Flashpoint, they are some of the only comics containing elements from the Flashpoint Universe.

Finally, the conclusion of Flashpoint reboots the DC Universe and has an impact on nearly every character and team within it. ComicBookWire suggests picking any of our DC Comics reading orders and reading the "New 52" era in order to see the impact of Flashpoint on that character, team, or concept.