Review: The Flash #6

Everyone knows the saying “Everything old is new again,” but is it always better? Today we get to ponder that very question as The Flash #6 debuts The New 52’s version of — Captain Cold!

I want to take a moment to thank Francis Manapul for his awe-inspiring artistic chores on this series. His page layouts and ingenious construction of panels is some of the best work I have ever seen! He incorporates ever aspect of the page, even the headlines, into something completely unique, and as a fan I am blown away each and every week!

Now on with the show! Issue six debuts the “new”Captain Cold. “New” because he looks different, but he is essentially the same old Rogues leader we know and love. He is bigger, stronger, and no longer needs to use his “cold” guns to emit freezing temperatures where he may, but the new outfit — AWFUL! It reminds me of something you would see in a Vanilla Ice video, all pun intended! Organic ice, sleeveless hoodie? The nineties are officially back kids!

But when you look past the easily mockable costume change, the story is what really counts. Manapul has been creating a great new niche in the Flash mythos over the past five issues! Making Barry responsible for tearing the very fabric of time when he taps into the speed force for too long — brilliant! It opens up new doorways for potential stories and weakens the Flash in ways no rogue could ever have. Barry finally has to adhere to a series of checks and balances which could tear the world apart if he doesn’t. Manapul is putting his personal stamp on one of DC’s greatest characters, and I couldn’t be happier!

But that “new” Captain Cold? I will use a direct quote from Barry Allen himself, “I liked him better with the guns.”