WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for ABSOLUTE POWER: TASK FORCE VII #5!

The Flash’s intangibility power, which allows him to phase through solid objects, is one of the most unique and coolest abilities in a speedster's arsenal. While DC has given a basic explanation of how this power works—matching the vibration of his body to the vibrational frequency of the matter he's moving through—Barry Allen’s Flash has now provided a more in-depth explanation of this ability and why it is his most dangerous.

Iris West can be uniquely credited with helping Barry Allen's Flash—and his successors—master the ability to phase through matter effectively.

In Absolute Power: Task Force VII #5 by Alex Paknadel and Pete Woods, one of the most intense speedster races in years takes place as Amanda Waller’s Flash-inspired Amazo, Velocity, relentlessly pursues Barry Allen across the globe in an attempt to drain his powers.

At one point during their chase, Barry leads Velocity into the Speed Force, temporarily trapping him there. While trapped, the Amazo witnesses some of Flash’s core memories, including a moment where Barry teaches a young Wally West how to phase through matter. During this memory, fans are given Barry's explanation of how this iconic power works.

Barry Allen’s Flash Reveals That His Intangibility Power Requires an Emotional Anchor

Wally West Reveals Phasing Through Matter Can Have the Unintentional Consequence of Making Things Explode

Velocity witnesses a memory of Kid Flash struggling to phase through a wall, failing time and again. Just as Wally is about to give up, Barry steps in with a personal tip: “...when I want to phase through something, I picture someone I really want to see on the other side.” He explains that this mental image turns the object into a door rather than a barrier. As Velocity watches, he realizes that the Flash’s intangibility power hinges on an emotional connection, making it a uniquely personal and powerful ability.

This memory also underscores why the Flash’s intangibility power is so perilous. In one scene, Wally’s failed attempt to phase through a wall causes the wall to explode, highlighting the inherent risks. Phasing through matter is particularly dangerous, especially when it involves living beings. The gravity of this danger is emphasized in another memory where Barry, shot in the chest, must phase through his own body to remove the bullet. A misstep could have led to his chest exploding, ultimately resulting in his death.

Barry Allen’s First Successful Use of His Intangibility Power Was All Thanks to Iris West

"I Was Always Running to You”: Iris West Is Barry Allen’s Emotional Anchor

The memory of Barry with a bullet in his chest is particularly significant because it marks the first time he successfully phased through matter without causing an explosion. This breakthrough is implied to be due to Iris West, Barry’s new girlfriend at the time. The emotional anchor of surviving to see Iris again enabled Barry to successfully remove the bullet. Consequently, Iris can be uniquely credited with helping Barry Allen's Flash—and his successors—master the ability to phase through matter effectively.

Absolute Power: Task Force VII #5 is available now from DC Comics!