Absolute Flash Almost Made This Classic Flash a Villain, But Should It?

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As a movie fan, what really struck me about The Absolute Universe was its willingness to completely reinvent characters we thought we knew. They didn’t just tweak things; they took heroes, villains, and even supporting players apart, down to their core motivations. For the heroes, it was like turning up the volume on what already made them great – making them bigger, bolder versions of themselves. The villains were flipped on their heads, designed to really make the heroes shine. But honestly, the side characters were the most fascinating – they were the ones who got the wildest transformations, and it totally worked.

So far, only one character arc—that of Barry Allen—has touched on all three major themes of the story. While Absolute Flash initially presented and then killed off Barry, seemingly setting up Wally’s journey, the story strongly hinted that Barry would become a significant villain. This was conveyed through his personality before he died, how others talked about him afterward, flashbacks, and the impression that he’s still influencing Wally. However, the story now appears to be moving away from that villainous path, as of issue #9 of Absolute Flash.

Barry Allen, Creepy Scientist Extraordinaire

From the very start of the Absolute Flash storyline, this version of Barry Allen was noticeably different from the Barry we know from the main DC universe. In the first issue, he was friendly to Wally, offering to help him out and showing him around, but even then, there was something unsettling about his behavior. Wally’s father even warned Barry to stay away from his son. This sense of unease grew as Barry conducted questionable experiments within Project Olympus. Issue #6 revealed how Barry treated the Rogues – he carelessly put their lives in danger, seemingly enjoying it, all in pursuit of turning them into something more than human.

As more information about Project Olympus surfaced, the idea that Barry was a villain became more believable. It became clear the project was deeply unethical and causing harm to people, and Barry seemed willing to sacrifice lives to achieve his goals. Combined with his unsettling obsession with Wally – which mirrored the ominous appearances of Black Flash – it was easy to see Barry as a hidden threat. However, there’s a possibility this isn’t the full story.

Not a Hero, But Not a Villain

Issue #8 of Absolute Flash significantly changed how Barry Allen’s character was portrayed. It showed more about how he joined Project Olympus, revealing that while he was still very focused on the science and willing to bend the rules to get money, he wasn’t as unsettling as previously depicted. In fact, he actually spoke out against using humans in tests with the alien energy – something he was enthusiastic about in issue #6. Instead of being a menacing figure next to Wally, Barry seemed genuinely concerned for the boy, relating to him and wanting to assist. While he wasn’t the same hero as his main timeline self, he was no longer villainous.

In issue #9, Elenore revealed she deliberately used Barry’s good nature to get him to befriend Wally – it was all part of her plan. This actually lessens Barry’s responsibility for what happened; he’s not entirely without fault, but he’s no longer a villain. He’s as much a victim of the situation as he is a cause of it. This shift in character might seem surprising compared to his early portrayal, and there’s a reason for that. Writer Jeff Lemire explained in an online Q&A that he initially intended Barry to be a full-on villain, but ultimately decided to make him a more complex, morally ambiguous character.

It feels odd to see Barry as both a monster and a better person, and this likely happened as his character was being revised during the story. While it’s great that Barry isn’t portrayed as evil – many fans will appreciate that – it unfortunately means we’re missing out on a fresh take on the classic “Return of Barry Allen” plot. Seeing Barry as the villain, manipulating events and battling Wally, would have been a unique and compelling storyline, and a direction worth pursuing.

Do you see Barry as a flawed but determined character who sometimes does wrong things to get the job done, or as someone destined to become a villain and pursue their goals at any cost? I find both possibilities interesting and I’m looking forward to seeing where his story goes either way.

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2025-12-16 00:13