I’m not sure where to even start with this incredibly meta-fictional tale. Flex Mentallo was, as far as I know, first introduced in Grant Morrison’s run on Doom Patrol, where he was revealed to be a fictional creation of a small boy, brought to life by psychic powers. In this collection of a four issue mini-series, he finds the calling card of his old friend (and fellow crime-fighter and fictional creation, who wasn’t brought to life) The Fact. This should be impossible, but as the story progresses, it appears that nothing is impossible in this world. Interleaved with this story is that of a rock star on the phone to the Samaritans who may, or may not, have taken an overdose and be dying, while rambling about comic books.
As I said, the whole book is a musing on meta-fiction as well as superheroes and cynicism, wrapped up in a Morrison-esque bundle. Short, weird but enjoyable (as long as you know what to expect). And for those who want to think in more depth, there’s the Annotated Flex Mentallo.
