REVIEW: ‘The Flash’ Issue #6

The Flash #6 is published by DC Comics, written by Simon Spurrier, with art by Mike Deodato Jr, colors by Trish Mulvihill, and letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. Barry Allen returns to Wally’s life at the same time that the walls between dimensions seem to fracture across the globe.

This plot of the issue is messy right from the beginning. Wally and Linda’s date night derails due to an emergency. Inter-dimensional disturbances and frightening creatures are bursting into their world. Unsettling and uncomfortable, the book is constantly throwing Wally and the readers off. The pacing is breakneck, which has both positive and negative consequences. There’s no time to dwell on what’s happening, despite the excitement. The concepts introduced in this series are difficult to grasp without introducing more rules crafted by Spurrier.

A group of abstract beings that preside over a universal force known as The Stillness continually appear. Their motives are mysterious, and their statements only lead to more questions. But it seems like the over-complication of the concepts is purposeful. It is supposed to be daunting to make the Flash feel like he is barely on the cusp of understanding what is happening. It’s almost beyond the realms of comprehension. But there are tensions with the individual characters that readers can use to hang on to and anchor the story. The final page is familiar and provides much more clarity as to why things are going wrong for the Flash.

Everything seems uneasy within The Flash #6. Wally is discontent and awkward. Those closest to him are drawing away or snippy towards him. Characters are keeping secrets. The whole book is shaky, and that feeling sits in the stomach as you read. The strength of the comic comes from the family and relationships. Wally and Barry are as close as possible, and Wally and Linda have always been in sync. But something isn’t clicking with any of them. Barry is instantly at odds with his former protege, making their attempts to control the situation more complicated.

Spurrier displays his talents as a master wordsmith. It isn’t even in the dialogue where that is most evident but in the narration. The narration is pure prose and is stunning. There is a considerable variation within the layers of the dialogue as well. Between the mortals, there are attempts at humor that intentionally sting, considering the chaos of what’s happening. The banter seems nasty and spiteful. Then, the Stillness is a race of otherworldly creatures. The way they speak is often one of bemusement and condescension. They treat Wally like a toy or, more accurately, a specimen. The various levels are beneficial in giving the readers something to hold onto and understand.

The art is magnificent. Deodato Jr takes these cosmic concepts and creatures and put them on paper.  The Arc Angels and the Uncoiled have been appearing throughout the series and are intensely creepy. They are fleshy and undulating, coming from somewhere Wally dubs “The Blobverse.” They are haunting and repulsive. Other versions have those vicious spikes on them that scream danger. More beings are new to the series and just as horrifying as the others. This is the first time in this run that Barry is seen as The Flash, which creates an exciting complication. Barry and Wally are the Flash, and there aren’t drastic differences in their costumes. It’s tough to tell them apart, but it gets easier once those unique features are identified.

The colors are powerful and essential to the storytelling. The Flash costumes are the most potent shades in the book, with the signature red and gold standing out in every panel. Then, around them, there is a different tone and a completely separate texture. There is a dotted effect on characters and elements that have emerged from other dimensions. The lettering continues to be the most creative in comics.

The Flash #6 celebrates confusion. The book is at an impasse. Spurrier is telling a cosmic horror story within the confines of the forces that control the Flash. And while reading it is mesmerising, comprehension of what is happening is on the verge of slipping away. Everything about this comic is mindblowing, from the plot to the script to the art, which maintains interest in the book. However, the creative team must be careful not to alienate the audience completely.

The Flash #6 is available where comics are sold.