A day many of us hoped wouldn't come has finally arrived. It's time to say goodbye to Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato on THE FLASH. The combination of their writing, art and colors has made the adventures of Barry Allen a delight in the New 52.

Buccellato announced the following:

If you’ve seen the solicits for FLASH #26, you may notice that @FrancisManapul and I are not listed as the creators…

We've reached the end of our Flash run. #25 is the final chapter in what's been an incredible journey with the fastest man alive. Fun times!

Unlike some recent creative team departures, this appears to be a natural one. As Buccellato put it, they've worked on over 30 issues (counting the zero issue, Villains Month, annuals). There's not many original New 52 creative teams that are still on the title they started out on. It does appear that it's time to move on.

To further drive home the point they are likely leaving on their own terms, it is mentioned they will be working on another DC title!

@FrancisManapul and I will be moving on to a NEW regular DC series that will hit stores in MARCH 2014.

We can’t tell you what the series is (yet), but we are super excited about this new sandbox we get to play in!

There are still some Villains Month issues this month (three of them including this week's), along with #24 concluding the Reverse Flash arc and 25 venturing into the Zero Year time period.

Buccellato thanked the different creators and editors that they worked with. I'd like to thank Manapul and Buccellato for over two great years of Barry Allen stories. It won't be the same without them but I think I speak for everyone when I say March is going to be long ways to wait to see what they're working on next.

Source: BrianBooch.com

Update

Christos Gage is writing issue #26 but apparently that's just a stand alone story. We'll have to wait to find out who the new creative team is for THE FLASH.

Gutted but il follow them like they are jesus

I can't even describe how sad I am to hear this....

Any reason this got posted three times?

This sucks, these guys were the creative team that got me into Flash. Hopefully there next project will be just as awesome.

NOOOOOOOOOOO I DONT EVEN READ FLASH AND NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

So they're sticking together? If so I'm definitely interested in what they've decided to do next.

Man, that art is the main reason i read this book, well, this might save me some money every month now

NOOOOOOOOOO! D':

Just put another writer, these two are incredible artists but their writing is mediocre.

I HATE LIFE, this is the most punch-in-the-gut news i've heard in forever. So bummed man :(

First reaction - DC WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!

But, having actually read the article I'm glad to see they're leaving on their own terms given recent events. I feel like everyone (or just me?) is silently waiting for DC to announce Azz and Cliff are to be kicked off WW. That series seems too good to be true.

It was a bug.

Aww damn that sucks, still it's been a pretty long run none of which I have actually read yet but I'm very looking forward to picking up the trades, Best of luck to them on there new endeavours.

Eh, two years isn't a bad run. Curious to learn where they pop up next.

Good.Maybe I might start reading it again

Well this sucks. I'm sure ill enjoy the new team but it'll be weird for a while same goes for aquaman.

Dayum.

I'd be fine with this if it wasn't accompanied with all of the other creator shakeups I've had to deal with over the past few months from DC. This sounds like it was more on Francis and Brian, while the others were on DC. I just wish them luck going forward

edit:

also Johns is off Aquaman. Sounds like good portion of the JL books are getting creative shifts this year

No. It was because the news was so big...yeah.

Thats alright. They've had an amazing run and I look forward to the new team. The Flash is still an awesome book.

@g_man:

Thanks. The news is disappointing to say the least.

@frozenforce said:

THIS! AND JOHNS IS LEAVING AQUAMAN >.<

http://ca.ign.com/articles/2013/09/09/geoff-johns-leaving-aquaman

NOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Shame.

Very upsetting, this had become my favorite title, but I'm excited to see what they do next. Manapul is the best artist going right now I hope to see him do some covers on various titles in the mean time.

How much do you want to bet that these guys are going to be the new creative team on Aquaman? With Johns leaving at 26 I imagine there will be a fill in arc and then the real new creative team of Booch and Manapul will step in in March. There art would REALLY suit an underwater environment IMO.

Eh. Bound to happen eventually.

Aw man! This book was flopping awesome! I hope the new creative team will be good. Atleast they're staying in the DCU! I'll pick up their new book! D:/:D

NOOOOOOOO

I loved Manapul's art on Flash!

true. true.

leaving aquaman!!????!!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!?!??!!?!??!??!?!??!?!?!?!!??!?!!??!?!!??!

Is the zero year you're talking about dedicated to the flash or tired into batman?

@cyborg6971: It's what Barry was doing during the same time period as zero year.

Sad to see them go. I just got into the Flash but I love the art and they're good stories. I think I'll have to pick up whatever they do in March. Hopefully the next writer and artist can keep up the good work

Nooooo! It's truly such a melancholic story. I mean, Flash is basically my favorite series, artistically wise. And man, this team made Flash my favorite super-hero. Wish them the best, hope whoever comes now doesn't mess up.

The way I read the article, it looks like it's a brand new title, not just new for them.

A bromance of Tony and Brian's magnitude required multiple postings gentlemen. It's rumored that the creative shift was due to Brian wanting to see another writer's take on the series' breakout character, Doctor Guerrero.

Sounds like Jeff Parker's replacing Johns on Aquaman to add insult to injury.

“Sea of Storms” begins with the debut of new AQUAMAN writer Jeff Parker! The Earth’s crust is grinding to life, releasing deadly volcanoes and bizarre creatures…so humanity’s first instinct is to blame Atlantis! And as the plates pull apart, the pressures of ruling a kingdom under siege are weighing on Aquaman and Mera as well!

It's a very sad day for the Fastest Man Alive.

I'm not a Flash reader, but I hate the news for the longtime readers. Hope the new title they're going to work on is something that interests me and not Batman/Superman/Wonder Woman.

Just as I was starting to get into the Flash and heard so many good things about them ... I wish them a lot of joy and success with their new project.

Depending on the new creating team, I might give Flash another chance. This team didn't do it for me.

So nothing for Manpaul:( aw

SERIOUSLY?! Bummer :( I like there run on Flash. Maybe the book is Green Lantern/Flash? Hoping. At least this group is leaving on their own terms. If anyone looks at the solicits there making a number of changes to the books. Still first Batwoman now this in the same month? I don't read Batwoman and I still think it sucks that the guys on that book can't finish their story. I read Flash and bums me out that their leaving one of my favorite books. I haven't been this bummed out since Geoff Johns left Green Lantern.

I'm only going to be buying 3 DC books after this. Batman, Justice League and Animal Man. DC really need to come out with some more decent books soon. Even Image might overtake them.