Gr. 9-12. The Flash is one of comic books' most durable heroes--or, more precisely, concepts--since the name Flash, as well as the ability to move at blinding speed, has been applied to three different characters since 1939. What the various incarnations share, in addition to swiftness, is a rogue's gallery of colorfully costumed supervillains. In this story arc from the monthly Flash comic, eight of those rogues have joined forces to take over Flash's town of Keystone City. As if that weren't enough, the Thinker, an artificial intelligence with a personality--a walking computer virus of sorts--is attempting to absorb the minds of the city's inhabitants, including Flash's. Writer Johns demonstrates his ability to reinvigorate the series' classic elements, although the nearly nonstop battling leaves almost no room for subplots. The artwork, mostly by Scott Kolins, is detailed and dynamic, with the fight scenes--the crux of this arc--particularly well choreographed. Teens will appreciate it as mainstream superhero fare, executed with complexity and flair. --Gordon Flagg Copyright 2004 Booklist