First off, let me say that I'm a
SUCKER for a good
SUPERMAN/FLASH race.
Superman and Barry Allen (aka Flash II) first had a showdown of speed in
Superman #199. The Result:
a tie.
Their rematch took place in the pages of
Flash #175. The Result:
a tie.
For the third race (AND the first tie-breaker) between the Leaguers, you had to pick up TWO issues:
World's Finest #198 and 199. The Result:
Flash wins.
DC Comics Presents #1 and 2 was the 4th and final showdown between the two...until
FLASH: REBIRTH #3.
I should warn you that if you're buying the book for a SUPERMAN/FLASH race of TITANIC EPIC proportions....um, this ain't the book for you. I think the race lasts about...half a panel. And honestly, I was ok with that. Speed is what makes the FLASH unique. It's not cool to be considered "THE FASTEST MAN ALIVE" if there's ANOTHER MAN LIVING SOMEWHERE FASTER THAN YOU ARE.
Geoff Johns puts that to bed, and unless Flash suffered a
massive power drain similar to Wally's once top speed of about 600 miles per hour....this will probably be the
LAST Superman/Flash race.
The artwork by Van Sciver was exceptional in this issue, and we
FINALLY get to see
Max Mercury, Johnny Quick and....oh wait. Better not spoil EVERYTHING for you. It's a cliffhangar that honestly is slightly
predictable if you read
GREEN LANTERN: REBIRTH. The arch-nemesis HAS to appear around issue #3.
I'll leave you with that.
Good read though. Pick this one up.