Modern Flash Key Issues: Crisis #8 (1985) to Flashpoint (2011)

The Flash is one of the few DC characters whose modern history begins with a death. In November 1985, Crisis on Infinite Earths #8 saw Barry Allen sacrifice himself to save the multiverse — the Scarlet Speedster disappeared for 23 years. His successor Wally West took over from 1987, then the Geoff Johns saga reintroduced Barry in 2009 before Flashpoint (2011) restructured the entire DC Universe. These four chapters — death, succession, resurrection, reboot — form the backbone of any modern Flash collection.

This guide sticks to the verifiable: eBay medians from our estimator (eBay.fr + eBay.com, June 2026) and facts documented by GoCollect, PriceCharting and specialist press. Where a precise price cannot be publicly confirmed, we say so and stay qualitative rather than invent a figure. Note: our eBay tool returns 14 active listings for Flash #1 (vol.2, 1987) and none for Crisis on Infinite Earths #8 (indexed under a separate series) — both below the threshold for a reliable median.

Five modern Flash keys (real data, June 2026)

For issues published between 1985 and 2011, our eBay estimator has varying coverage. The table below summarises available data and documented facts.

Sources: GoCollect, PriceCharting, IGN, DC Comics, Diamond Comic Distributors.

Crisis on Infinite Earths #8 (1985): the death of Barry Allen

Published in November 1985, Crisis on Infinite Earths #8 was written by Marv Wolfman and drawn by George Pérez. Barry Allen destroys the Anti-Monitor's antimatter cannon by running at full speed around it, dissolving into the Speed Force to save billions of lives. His death remains one of the most significant in comics history — Barry was absent for 23 years, making it one of the rare "permanent" deaths in the DC universe before his return in 2009.

This issue is indexed under the Crisis on Infinite Earths series on eBay, separately from vol.1 Flash comics — our tool returns no usable listings. CGC 9.8 and 9.6 copies are actively traded on eBay and at auction, but no precise, publicly verified sale record could be confirmed for this specific issue at the time of writing. In low raw grade, presentable copies trade for a few tens of euros; high-grade CGC slabs occupy a different pricing tier entirely.

Flash vol.2 #1 (1987): the Wally West era begins

Published in June 1987 by Mike Baron (writer) and Jackson Guice (artist), this issue opens the second Flash solo series — and it is Wally West, former Kid Flash and Barry Allen's nephew, who carries the mantle. The series took a distinctive approach: Wally has no secret identity, is a public figure, and suffers from hypermetabolism, consuming vast quantities of food to sustain his speed. This more flawed, humanised take on the character remains one of the franchise's most celebrated narrative pivots.

Our eBay estimator returns only 14 active listings for this issue — below the 15-listing threshold needed for a reliable median. A CGC 9.2 copy reportedly sold for approximately $16,500 in 2012, but that figure is over a decade old and does not reflect the current market. High-grade CGC 9.8 copies trade in specialist channels at meaningful premiums. Raw low-grade copies remain accessible for a few tens of euros.

Flash: Rebirth #1 (2009): Barry Allen returns

Flash: Rebirth is a six-issue limited series (April 2009 – March 2010) written by Geoff Johns and drawn by Ethan Van Sciver. Issue #1 sold out at Diamond Comic Distributors on the very first day of release — five printings were ultimately required to meet demand. The series gives narrative structure to Barry Allen's resurrection, first glimpsed in Final Crisis (2008), formally establishing the Speed Force as the metaphysical engine behind his powers. It restored Barry to the forefront of the DC universe and set up Flashpoint directly.

Our eBay tool does not cover this miniseries (indexed under a separate entry). On the secondary market, raw copies in good condition trade for under €20; variant covers and CGC 9.8 slabs command higher prices in specialist channels. This is above all a narratively essential issue — the hinge between the Wally West era and the modern Barry Allen continuity.

Flashpoint #1 (2011): the Flash who rebooted DC

Flashpoint is a five-issue limited series (May–September 2011) written by Geoff Johns and drawn by Andy Kubert. In the story, Barry Allen wakes in an alternate timeline — no Superman, no Justice League, Amazons and Atlanteans at war — created by his own time travel to save his mother. The final issue connects directly to the September 2011 launch of the New 52, making Flashpoint #1 the opening chapter of one of the most radical restructurings in DC's publishing history. The event formally ended New Earth continuity and created Prime Earth.

This status as "the issue that started the reboot" gives it enduring narrative importance. On the secondary market, raw first-print copies remain very accessible at a few euros, making it an affordable entry point into the modern Flash collection.

Flash New 52 vol.4 #1 (2011): the Manapul relaunch

Launched in September 2011 as part of the New 52, the fourth Flash series #1 was both written and drawn by the team of Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato. Barry Allen appears younger and single — his marriage to Iris West never happened in the new continuity — and Manapul's immediately distinctive art style made this one of the most visually recognisable books of the New 52 era. The duo received widespread critical praise for their two-year run setting a fresh status quo for the Scarlet Speedster and his rogues gallery.

On the secondary market, this issue remains very affordable in low raw grade. Variant covers and CGC 9.8 copies attract more focused collector interest among those building a complete modern Flash run.