Story: Andrew Kreisberg
Script: Kai Wu & Lauren Certo
Penciler: Phil Hester
Inker: Eric Gapstur
Colors: Kelsey De Gennett
Double signed by Phil Hester and Eric Gapstur.
Based directly on the hit CW television series, The Flash: Season Zero bridges the gap between episodes of the show’s first season, telling canon adventures that expand Barry Allen’s earliest days as Central City’s Scarlet Speedster. Co-written by executive producer Andrew Kreisberg, the series was designed to fit seamlessly into the television continuity, making it one of the few licensed superhero comics written by members of the television show’s own creative team.
This original art page comes from Chapter 12, “Shark Gait,” a story that introduces one of the series’ most memorable original metahuman threats. The mystery centers around a series of brutal attacks connected to a shark-like metahuman created by the S.T.A.R. Labs particle accelerator explosion. Barry Allen races to identify the remaining victims before another innocent person is attacked, combining forensic investigation with superhero action in the same style that made the television series a worldwide success.
This page perfectly captures the detective aspect of Barry Allen’s character. Reviewing police files, Barry learns that five individuals were experimented on, meaning multiple people remain in danger. Rather than relying solely on his speed, Barry pieces together the clues as a forensic scientist. The page culminates in one of Barry’s defining moments when he quietly resolves, “I don’t have to be,” choosing to put himself in harm’s way rather than allow another innocent victim to become bait. It is a subtle but powerful demonstration of the selflessness that defines the Flash.
One of the page’s greatest strengths is its emotional storytelling. Phil Hester builds the tension through restrained facial expressions and quiet conversations before delivering a striking oversized final panel featuring a close-up of Barry Allen with the shadowed figure of The Flash looming behind him. The composition beautifully illustrates the duality of the character—Barry Allen’s compassion and intellect are what truly create the hero behind the mask.
Within the broader DC landscape, The Flash: Season Zero occupies a unique place in publishing history. Released during the height of the CW’s enormously successful first season, the series served as an official extension of the Arrowverse and was written by members of the television show’s creative staff. These stories expanded the universe between episodes while remaining faithful to the continuity established on screen. “Shark Gait” also predates the live-action introduction of King Shark, making it an early exploration of shark-themed metahuman threats in the Arrowverse.
Artistically, Phil Hester delivers expressive, cinematic storytelling that has made him one of comics’ most respected sequential artists. His clean layouts and emphasis on character acting make Barry’s decision resonate emotionally, while Eric Gapstur’s polished inks provide crisp finishes that closely match the visual style of the television series. A particularly desirable feature of this page is that it is double signed by both penciler Phil Hester and inker Eric Gapstur, enhancing its appeal as a complete creative team piece and adding an extra level of authenticity for original art collectors.
For collectors, this page represents a compelling crossover between comic books and television history. It features Barry Allen during one of the CW series’ most popular eras, showcases a memorable character-driven sequence rather than a generic action scene, and comes from an officially sanctioned chapter of the Arrowverse. Original art from The Flash: Season Zero rarely appears on the market, and examples signed by both artists are even less common.
