The Flash (Wally West) Reading Order

This reading order is designed to give an outline of major storylines featuring the Flash (Wally West) throughout DC Comics. It may not encompass every one of his appearances but is an outline of the major ones and the stories that affect them.

The continuity details relating to each specific storyline are explained in the “Review” of each storyline. Every “Review” link will provide a detailed continuity breakdown of that story and will explain any reference the story makes to other aspects of the DC Universe. All of this can be found under the “Continuity” section of each link.

Jump to: New 52 – Rebirth

New 52

Wally West does not actually appear in this era. The DC Universe’s history and continuity were reset in the Flashpoint (Reading Order) event and this reset appears to have removed Wally from reality altogether. He is not mentioned through this era and characters seem to have no memory of him ever existing. A different Wally West (Reading Order) is introduced here yet this character is distinct from the first Wally West.

However, in the Titans Hunt series, clues hint at Wally’s return in the next era. This series sees the Titans reform and begin to remember aspects of a forgotten past, all of which sets up the new Titans series in the next era.

Notes

1. Wally does not actually appear in this series yet his existence still has a subtle impact on the plot. Specifically, the Titans Hunt collected edition includes panels that specifically show Wally's impact here.

Rebirth

Wally West is reintroduced to the DC Universe at the very start of the Rebirth era. He enters this era almost entirely unaffected by the multiversal changes brought about by Flashpoint (Reading Order) and the reset that occurred when the New 52 reality was born. He remembers the pre-New 52 reality and most of its history. His return also returns some memories of the DC Universe's pre-New 52 history to others, specifically characters like Barry Allen (Reading Order) and the members of the Titans (Reading Order).

Wally's progression through this era mostly occurs in the Titans series, where he maintains a starring role. There he participates in adventures with the Titans while also exploring the new reality he has found himself in. Later on, Wally's role in The Flash series becomes more pronounced and helps to directly prelude what he does in the next era.

Titans issues are from the Vol. 3 series
Flash issues are from the Vol. 5 series
Nightwing issues are from the Vol. 4 series
Teen Titans issues are from the Vol. 6 series
Deathstroke issues are from the Vol. 3 series

Notes

1. Wally has a small role in this issue that depicts his first meeting with Wallace West (Reading Order), the current Kid Flash.
2. This issue is mostly about events currently taking place in Nightwing's (Reading Order) life. However, Wally makes a small appearance that emphasizes the friendship between these two characters.
3. Though still primarily focused on Nightwing, this issue is essentially a team-up between Nightwing and the Flash. It is Wally's most significant appearance in the Nightwing series.
4. Only the "Hope for the Holidays" story from this issue is relevant to this reading order.
5. Though this issue features Wally as a main character, it doesn't exactly fit into the current continuity. It makes changes to Wally's relationship with Linda Park and the structure of the Flash Family that do not reflect what is going on in any other comic. Because of this, the entire issue is not essential to his progression in this era.

All DC Comics Reading Orders