The Flintstones #6 (2016) – Comic Breakdown & Review
ð Genre
Satirical Comedy, Social Commentary, Adult Humor, Reimagined Classic
ðĨ Main Characters
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Fred Flintstone – The everyman of Bedrock, struggling with morality and modern cave-life.
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Wilma Flintstone – Fred’s thoughtful and artistic wife, often the voice of reason.
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Barney Rubble – Fred’s best friend, loyal and occasionally clueless.
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Betty Rubble – Supportive and wise, Betty balances out Barney’s antics.
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Mr. Slate – The profit-driven quarry owner who values productivity over people.
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The Great Gazoo – An alien observer evaluating human behavior with a cynical eye.
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Gerard – The deity of the Church of Gerard, invoked as part of a critique on religious commercialism.
✍️ Writer
Mark Russell – Known for his sharp wit and political satire, Russell reinvents The Flintstones with poignant and biting humor, turning cartoon nostalgia into sociopolitical commentary.
ðĻ Artist
Steve Pugh – Pugh breathes life into Bedrock with expressive characters, gritty textures, and layouts that balance comedy with emotional weight.
ð️ Editor Details
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Editor: Marie Javins
Marie Javins lends editorial finesse, ensuring the story’s satirical message remains impactful while retaining character-driven heart.
ðĒ Publisher and Brand
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Publisher: DC Comics
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Brand: Hanna-Barbera Beyond
This modern reboot falls under DC’s Hanna-Barbera Beyond imprint, which revitalizes classic cartoons with mature, nuanced storytelling.
ð Release Year
2016
ð Brief Plot Summary
In this issue, The Great Gazoo continues his intergalactic assignment of observing human society, and things aren’t looking good. Giving humanity a failing grade so far, Gazoo watches as Bedrock spirals into chaos. The newly founded Church of Gerard begins selling Indulgences, allowing people to buy forgiveness for sins—a biting satire of historical religious practices.
As Bedrock embraces greed and self-indulgence, society devolves into violence, corruption, and apathy. Amidst the moral decay, a miner becomes trapped in Slate’s Quarry, highlighting the lack of compassion in a society too busy buying virtue to actually practice it.
Fred and Barney are faced with the choice between personal comfort and civic duty. The question lingers: can integrity survive in a civilization still learning what it means to be human?
ðĨ Notable Arcs or Storylines
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“Church of Gerard & Indulgences” Arc – A satirical jab at organized religion’s monetization of morality.
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Gazoo’s Progress Report – A recurring element through the series, Gazoo’s perspective offers a mirror to modern humanity’s flaws.
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Slate’s Quarry Disaster – A powerful subplot symbolizing the human cost of capitalism and negligence.
ð§ Fan Theories or Interpretations
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Gazoo as Humanity’s Conscience – Some readers interpret Gazoo as a symbolic conscience or extraterrestrial embodiment of divine judgment.
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Bedrock as a Modern Mirror – Fans often see Bedrock as a satirical mirror of our own world, reflecting issues like commercial religion, greed, and moral ambiguity.
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Fred Flintstone’s Evolution – Fred's character arc is increasingly seen as a journey toward understanding empathy and societal responsibility.
ð Review Summary
The Flintstones #6 excels as both a comedy and a critique. Mark Russell’s writing is razor-sharp, delivering a potent mix of absurd humor and sobering truths. Steve Pugh’s artwork captures the raw emotion behind the satire—every grimace, eye-roll, and cave-dwelling meltdown is beautifully rendered.
The issue balances laugh-out-loud moments with a heavy undercurrent of social decay, showing how easily societies can trade compassion for convenience. Fred and Barney’s roles as reluctant heroes are especially compelling, making this a standout chapter in the series.
Verdict: A thought-provoking and hilarious evolution of a classic—The Flintstones has never felt more relevant. ðĶīð ️ð
Comic Resource / Read Online (External Source)
