The Flash #23.2 is a really good issue.  We get the back story of the Reverse Flash and find out he is a pretty sympathetic character.  The main writing team of Manapul and Buccellato do a great job, but it probably would have been better served as The Flash #24 and not a Villains Month issue. Read Full Review

Ignoring the goings-on of Villains month, this Reverse Flash storyline is hitting its peak and, from that last page, I really can't wait to see where this goes. As a fan of a lot of time travel stories, I know you shouldn't mess with the past, so what damage is Daniel going to create in his attempt to fix his life? Read Full Review

It may be a long time before we see Wally West again, but there is a West who is now a Flash, if that helps. Foreshadowing, maybe? Read Full Review

One of the downsides of this issue was, and on this I am pretty disappointed, is that Manapul was not able to contribute to the art side of this issue. Not after "Mob Rule" has Manapul been able to complete one arc all the way through and given the importance of this one it's disheartening. His substitute, Scott Hepburn, is competent and creates some incredibly lavish spreads throughout the issue " helped out by Buccellato's fantastic colors. This issue could have done more, but given that it had only one focus " did that one focus spectacularly. It's now up to next month's issue to bring it all the way home " and so it pretty much has the world on it's shoulders. At the end, I just hope that Manapul and Buccellato land on their feet and end on a good note. Read Full Review

The cards are on the table and the Reverse Flash's origin is revealed in time for Reverse to come to a conclusion next month. Even if the artwork isn't as good as it could have been, the story is as always tightly plotted and well thought out, creating a supervillain origin that makes sense, whilst humanizing Daniel's character so that, even if we don't agree with his extreme methods, his reasons for murdering people make at least a little sense. Read Full Review

Villains Month continues to be a success for fans of the Scarlet Speedster, with quality books published in consecutive weeks. While there is one more installment to go with next weeks Rogues-centric issue, Buccellato and Manapul make a strong push towards the end of Reverse by pulling back the curtain on one of the biggest mysteries of the New 52. The Flash #23.2 does not disappoint. Read Full Review

Note: I thought the 3D version of this issue was pretty groovy. You gotta love that Manapul art. Read Full Review

While the narrative might not be as strong as the regularly numbered issues that have preceded it, the art is on par with the title's standard of excellence. Hepburn and Buccellato (the latter provides colors as well as words) maintain the inventive aesthetic that has made The Flash a standout title, while twisting it to dovetail with Reverse Flash's troubled psyche. The art alone is enough to recommend the book, though it does set the story up nicely for the final clash between speedsters in The Flash #24. Read Full Review

The final page of the issue, not going to lie, is very interesting. I wonder how things are going to turn out now that young Daniel running into older him killing his father. Maybe the future will change forever, and Daniel will never become Reverse Flash. Read Full Review

Manapul and Buccellato wrap up their run on "The Flash" in November (with a new, yet-to-be-announced title for DC Comics waiting for them in 2014), and while their run has had some ups and downs, it's nice to see "The Flash" #23.2 tying the bulk of their two-year tenure together. They've had a cohesive, long-term plan for the book, and at the moment it's paying off. All in all, a nice addition to DC's villains month. Read Full Review

Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato's Flash has been a joy to read. But their origin for an all-new Reverse-Flash leaves me wanting. It treads familiar supervillain origin ground but the dramatic tension is supposed to be elevated by the new Reverse-Flash's close proximity to Barry's regular life. It feels forced Read Full Review

All in all, this issue really did go by in a flash. There was nothing wrong with the book, which is to be expected when the team of Manapul and Booch are involved, but there really wasnt a whole lot extra added to the world of The Flash. Sure, we got to see the origin of the Reverse Flash, but it might have been better served on its own as The Flash #24 if we didnt have to deal with the whole villains month gimmick. At the very least, this continued to, even if only incrementally, move their Reverse Flash arc forward and if you ignore the other Flash books this month that break up the current arc, it still works well as an in between real issues filler book. Not bad, but not great. Itll be nice to get back on track next month with the finale to this amazing arc. Read Full Review

If you are following Barry West, then yes this issue is essential, if you just want a good Villains story for the month, this isn't your bag, however the art is worth paging through in the comic store. Read Full Review

I would say that if you're a Flash completionist and you're going to get it anyway, it's worth the extra dollar for the awesome cover. Excluding that, though, I'd save yourself the extra buck. And if you're finding yourself disappointed with recent issues (and this new character "twist" especially), go ahead and just skip the issue completely. Barry Allen needs a new creative team, fast, and with recent news of that very thing happening in the near future, DC just successfully inspired this reader to stick around for a few more issues. But seriously. This series is a chore to read each and every month. Or, in this case: week. Read Full Review

I'm actually glad DC decided not to use Professor Zoom for the new version of the character as I can only imagine how angry I'd be if DC Editorial turned him into something this pathetic. Pass. Read Full Review