The Flash: 7 Best Comic Issues Of The 1980s | ScreenRant - Screen Rant

When it comes to The Flash comics, the 1980s was dominated by Barry Allen as the scarlet speedster with occasional appearances by Jay Garrick. Most of The Flash storylines back then were one-shot stories with some major multi-issue storylines like The Trial of the Flash and The Death of Iris West.

However, the most important event in The Flash's history for this decade would be the ambitious crossover event Crisis on Infinite Earths. This particular series went on to have longstanding consequences on not only The Flash but also the entirety of the DC universe.

7 Crisis On Infinite Earths (Limited Series)

The cover image for Crisis on Infinite Earths

The titular Crisis in this limited series (along with numerous tie-ins) refers to a Multiversal catastrophe that lead to the destruction of several parallel universes. Flash played a major role in this event as it takes place right after the time he settled in the 30th century with Iris. Captured by the Anti-Monitor and teleported back to 1985, Barry Allen sacrifices himself in the Crisis.

While Kid Flash (Wally West) follows his legacy, Barry Allen would return years later in several 2000s Flash comic book issues. Crisis On Infinite Earths is monumental for Allen's death and the creation of an antimatter universe. The CW series The Flash has also dedicated some major episodes to this storyline.

6 One More Blip And You're Dead (The Flash Vol 1 #304)

The cover of The Flash 304 featuring The Flash trapped in a video game

This amusing one-shot story finds The Flash digitized in a video game. In a Mario and Pacman-like setup, he must fight off a villain's digital minions to run out of the computer screen. If this wasn't enough, he cannot even run at superhuman speed inside this game.

The premise is absurd and a fascinating product of its time, serving as a time capsule for the gaming craze of the 1980s. Barry's digital tussles begin when he buys a portable video game for his colleague's son. Now, in the new age, with immersive VR gaming a new norm, it is interesting to read such stories that imagine uniting technology with reality.

5 The Death Of Iris West (The Flash Vol 1 #270-284)

The trigger event in this storyline is quite evident from its title itself, making for one of the most heartbreaking deaths in The Flash comics. With his wife's death, Barry Allen is naturally distraught and desperate to find out the killer. This is one of the first moments when The Flash is desperate enough to turn back time despite knowing the disastrous consequences of using the speed force for time travel.

Reverse-Flash's reveal as the perpetrator of the crime unleashes not just his ruthlessness but also his massive time-altering powers. The storyline definitely made The Flash's character arcs much darker than before. And of course, its importance also stems from the fact that The Death of Iris West gave way to The Trial of The Flash which marked the end of The Flash Vol 1.

4 Mishmash (The Flash Vol 1 #282)

Green Lantern and The Flash fighting on the cover of the Flash 282

The cover of Mishmash finds The Flash facing off against Green Lantern. As it is set within The Death of Iris West arc, the issue ends with the reveal that Green Lantern's combatant is none other than Reverse-Flash. Barry, on the other hand, is traveling back in time to unravel the mystery behind Iris's death.

It makes for an interesting chapter within The Death of Iris West storyline as the issue right after it finally reveals Reverse-Flash to be the killer. Green Lantern's cameo adds more flavor to the comic. Moments like him creating a sofa from his power ring to lift Flash also add to the '80s-era absurdism.

3 The Trial Of The Flash (The Flash Vol 1 #323-350)

When Reverse-Flash is revealed to be Iris West's killer, Barry has nothing but revenge on his mind. But he seemed to move one when he decided to marry Fiona Webb. However, the marriage was doomed when Reverse-Flash decided to kill her too. The scarlet speedster's limits are tested and he ends up snapping his foe's neck. This is what resulted in the long-running manslaughter trial.

The Trial of the Flash is a significant storyline to showcase Barry's human side. Serving as his city's protector is already a tedious job. And with his enemies not even allowing him to have a personal life enrages him further. None of the Justice League's leaders and members thought that The Flash could ever resort to homicide. For this reason, his relationships with the League also get strained.

2 Grodd And Angelo Torres (The Flash Vol 1 #329-331)

Angelo Torres standing with arms akimbo while The Flash holds his head and Gorilla Grodd stares from behind

The juvenile delinquent Angelo Torres was introduced in this subplot within the larger The Trial of the Flash storyline. Starting with the issue titled Simian and Son, Gorilla Grodd resorts to his telepathic powers to defeat The Flash and carry out a sinister plan. He controls Angelo's mind and uses him as a pawn to take down the speedster.

While these three issues do touch upon Barry Allen's mental stress and legal troubles, they also take an emotional look at young Torres. When he starts getting violent daydreams of killing his mother, he tries to do away with his evil ways only for Grodd to control him more. The story also shows the sheer evil that Grodd is capable of. Regardless of their age, humans don't matter to him at all.

1 Flash Flees (The Flash Vol 1 #350)

Cover of Flash Flees featuring several characters lookinga at Flash walking away

The final issue of The Flash's first volume Flash Flees finds Barry teaming up with the villain collective Rogues Gallery. The antagonists are willing to help him to set the timeline back to its normal course after Professor Zoom wreaked havoc. The teary finale also finds Barry traveling to an alternate 30th century to meet Iris West.

This issue is of historic value given that it marked the end of an era. And otherwise too, the reunion with Iris makes for one of the most emotional Flash scenes from the time. After a constant wave of troubles, he finally takes a breather and continues to live in the 30th century.

NEXT: 10 Most Powerful Versions Of The Flash

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Next Venom: 10 Best Comic Issues Of The 2010s

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Shaurya Thapa (539 Articles Published)

Shaurya Thapa is an Indian freelance journalist who mostly dabbles in writings on cinema, music, and human interest features. When it comes to Screen Rant, he writes lists on a wide array of subjects ranging from international films to mainstream Netflix series and comic book trivia. He also hosts a podcast called 'BhindiWire', an Indian parody of IndieWire.