Flashpoint: Reverse-Flash # 1 2011 VF+

Flashpoint: Reverse-Flash #1 is a crucial tie-in one-shot comic book published by DC Comics on June 22, 2011. Written by Scott Kolins with artwork by Joel Gomez, this issue serves as a critical companion piece to the main Flashpoint miniseries, peeling back the layers on Eobard Thawne's (Professor Zoom) deep-seated hatred for Barry Allen. 

Though positioned as a tie-in to an alternate timeline crossover, the story acts as a psychological portrait detailing how the Reverse-Flash systematically ruined Barry's life.

Core Plot & Synopsis

The issue is heavily narrated by Thawne himself, chronicling his fractured, centuries-spanning timeline:

• The Broken Idol: The story touches upon Thawne's 25th-century origin, tracking his initial obsession with and adoration of Barry Allen. When his delusions of becoming the lone Flash fail and lead to conflict with his former idol, his love twists into absolute, burning hatred.
• The Paradox of Revenge: After unlocking the Negative Speed Force, Thawne realizes a painful scientific reality: his own existence is paradoxically tied to Barry's. If he simply kills Barry Allen, the Flash will never exist to inspire the speed-tech Thawne used to gain his powers, erasing Thawne from history.
• The Death of Nora Allen: Prevented from killing Barry, Thawne shifts his tactics to psychological warfare. He travels back to Barry’s childhood to subtly torment him—pushing him down the stairs, making him miss a base catch, and erasing his childhood best friend from existence. This cruel campaign culminates in his ultimate act of malice: the brutal murder of Barry's mother, Nora Allen, and framing Barry's father for the crime.

Significance to the Flashpoint Event

For readers of the main Flashpoint event, this issue provides essential dramatic context. It frames Thawne as the ultimate antagonist who taunts Barry in the altered world. He thrives on the knowledge of how deeply he has scarred the Allen legacy, misdirecting Barry about who really shattered reality to create the Flashpoint universe.