What is an Unpopular Opinion You Have About The Flash’s “Reverse Plot Armor”?

Many discussions about The Flash often revolve around the idea of ldquo;plot armor,rdquo; the concept that characters in media are protected by the storyrsquo;s narrative. However, one might argue that The Flash is not fully protected from peril as the termrsquo;s implications align, but rather he often encounters unexpected vulnerabilities and defeats that are more typical of anti-plot armor scenarios. This article delves into the argument that The Flash, despite his incredible speed and abilities, often displays signs of reverse plot armor.

Understanding Plot Armor

Typically, plot armor refers to a characterrsquo;s invulnerability to death or serious harm, granted by the plotrsquo;s necessity to maintain the storyrsquo;s arc. However, this concept can be expanded to include any character that avoids or barely survives dangerous situations regardless of the risks. It goes without saying that even based-on-a-true-story characters retain some form of plot armor because the real person is still alive, or the story is constrained by real-life limitations.

Call to Question Plot Armor for The Flash

My personal take is that The Flash is actually a prime example of reverse plot armoror anti-plot armorrather than plot armor. Take, for instance, the confrontation between Flash and Deathstroke. If Deathstrokersquo;s strategy led him to a particular position, would the Flash not be expected to dodge each attack with ease? This question highlights how the character often encounters defeats that are inopportune and disproportionate to his abilities.

Examples of Reverse Plot Armor

Throughout many episodes and series, there are several instances where The Flashrsquo;s abilities seem to be underutilized or misrepresented, causing him to suffer unexpected losses or knockouts. Consider the following examples:

Fast but not Fast Enough: In The Flash 2016, Episode 54, The Flash runs faster than light but still cannot save someone before a building collapses. This scene emphasizes the unnecessary and unrealistic limitations of his powers.

Identity Crisis 3: Similarly, in Identity Crisis 3, The Flash, despite his incredible speed, is easily defeated by a character in close combat. This demonstrates his relative vulnerability when not using the full power of his speed.

Reverse Feats: The Flash is renowned for his power, yet he is often presented as weak in comparison to other heroes. For instance, in Batman 2016, Episode 42, The Flash is defeated by Batman in a straightforward manner, highlighting his sometimes underwhelming prowess.

Furthermore, even when discussing Speed Force abilities, many of The Flash's feats, such as phasing, time travel, and speed lending, are often overlooked or not widely known. For instance, in The Flash 1987, Episode 101, The Flash phases through objects, an ability that is not well-documented in the context of his current storyline.

Unfavorable Treatment in the Universe

The Flashrsquo;s portrayal in-universe also reflects a less favorable and more vulnerable character. While he possesses infinite power, he is rarely considered among the most powerful beings in DC comics. Instead, he is often overshadowed by characters like:

Superman and Martian Manhunterboth known for their immense power and reliability in combat.

Wonder Womanwho is celebrated for her unique abilities and strategic prowess.

Batmannot only for his intelligence but also for his contingency plans and combat skills.

However, there are notable exceptions where the Speedster is respected or has a significant impact. For instance, in Titans 2016, Episode 19, Flash participates in critical missions, showing his importance as a speedster. Furthermore, in comic books and graphic novels, other powerless speedsters like Superboy-Prime express fear of Flash, indicating his power and importance in certain scenarios.

Conclusion

So, while The Flash is a hero with incredible abilities, his treatment in stories and its portrayal in the media often goes against the expectations of a fully invincible character. The Flashrsquo;s vulnerabilities and underwhelming moments reveal a reality that challenges the notion of plot armor. This interpretation suggests that The Flash is, in a way, a contender for reverse plot armor, a phenomenon where a characterrsquo;s weaknesses are just as prominent as, or even more so than, their strengths.

In summary, the argument is that The Flash's abilities should be recognized and appreciated, but his story needs to balance this with realistic challenges to maintain a more authentic and engaging narrative.