A Beloved DC Hero is Now a Major Villain

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In a groundbreaking move, the Universe Absolute has redefined familiar heroes drastically, and “Absolute Flash” continues to push boundaries with this approach. Rather than the Speed Force, an unidentified energy source is now in play, and characters like Barry Allen and Jay Garrick, once prominent speedsters, have met their ends. To add to the intrigue, the latest issue hints that a once revered hero could potentially be a malevolent force. The demise of Barry Allen was unexpected, but what’s more mind-boggling is that before his death, Barry had turned into an antagonist, and there are signs he might continue to be one in the future.

Barry Allen the Villain

From the very beginning of issue #1, hints emerged suggesting that Barry wasn’t the beloved hero we are accustomed to. While he appeared friendly and protective towards Wally, there were instances where his behavior seemed slightly off-kilter. For example, his confrontation with Wally’s father over showing him around. At the time, it was simple to dismiss these incidents as Barry seeing potential in Wally and being overzealous in nurturing it. However, viewed from a villainous perspective, these moments take on an unsettling tone.

It wasn’t until issue #6 that the most significant hint emerged, as the history of the Rogues was unveiled. Originally, they were a military unit led by Colonel West, but they betrayed him and took a bribe from an adversary, getting caught in the act. Dishonorably discharged, they later encountered Colonel West again, this time with Project Olympus offering them a second chance to ride again. Barry Allen and Elenore Thawne welcomed these soon-to-be superhumans, explaining that the technology they’d use would turn them into deities. When inquired about the tech’s origin, Barry paused before subtly hinting that information was confidential, knowing that Elenore’s ancestor and Jay Garrick had developed the project, only for the old Thawne to kill Jay to keep the experiment alive.

I, finding myself confronting Barry, was met with a chilling response when I questioned if we were putting our lives on the line without knowing the details. He retorted, stating that we had no other option, and if we wished to avoid incarceration, we would sign the waivers. Essentially, he was coercing us into becoming test subjects for his unknown experiments, disregarding our feelings or well-being entirely. This cold, calculating behavior is a far cry from the Barry Allen I knew. His new attitude, coupled with his apparent disregard for alien bodies that Colonel West discovered, hints at a mad scientist mentality. This transformation is worrying, to say the least.

Barry Isn’t Who He Seems

It’s apparent that Barry is primarily focused on his peculiar research, seemingly disregarding most else, save for a brief moment of concern towards Wally during an experiment which ultimately led to his demise, though this empathy might have been feigned to gain trust. Regardless, it seems that Barry isn’t done with the narrative yet and has some connection with Wally. If his behavior is malevolent, then it strengthens the theory that he’ll reappear as the Black Flash someday. However, there exists another plausible explanation for Barry’s unusual actions, one which could drastically alter our understanding of him if true.

Absolute Flash #6 is on sale now!

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2025-08-23 04:42