Who is the Fastest Flash? Unveiling the Speed Force Champion
The question of who is the fastest Flash is a complex one, steeped in decades of comic book lore, numerous iterations, and the ever-evolving physics of the Speed Force. While many speedsters have donned the mantle of the Flash, one name consistently rises to the top: Wally West. He isn’t just fast; he’s considered by many to be the fastest being in the Multiverse, consistently outpacing his mentor, Barry Allen, and pushing the boundaries of what the Speed Force can achieve. While arguments can be made for other speedsters in certain contexts, Wally West is largely and officially regarded as the fastest Flash.
The Case for Wally West
Wally West, originally Kid Flash, has undergone a remarkable transformation over the years. He has not only inherited Barry Allen’s legacy but has also significantly surpassed him in terms of raw speed and mastery of the Speed Force. Here’s what makes Wally the fastest:
- Surpassing Barry Allen: Numerous accounts in the comics have demonstrated that Wally is faster than Barry. He’s broken previously considered speed limits and has achieved feats of velocity that his mentor simply couldn’t replicate.
- Unprecedented Speed Feats: Wally has achieved incredible feats, such as transporting an entire city to safety at 13 trillion times the speed of light to avoid a nuclear explosion. This is a feat that showcases his unparalleled connection to the Speed Force and the raw power he can harness.
- Outrunning Death: The most impressive testament to Wally’s speed is his ability to outrun even death itself. He is one of the few speedsters, along with Barry Allen, capable of this feat, solidifying his status as a Speed Force paragon.
- The Fastest Man Alive (and in the Multiverse): In series like Flash Forward, it’s been determined that Wally West is the fastest being in the entire Multiverse, and while he acknowledges the potential for Bart Allen to surpass him someday, for now, the title firmly rests with him.
- Speed Force Mastery: Wally demonstrates not just raw speed but an intimate understanding and command of the Speed Force. This allows him to perform intricate manipulations of speed, time, and dimension.
The Other Speedsters
While Wally reigns supreme, the Flash family is vast, and other speedsters have demonstrated incredible velocities. Here’s a look at some of the other contenders:
Barry Allen
Barry Allen, the original Silver Age Flash, is a foundational character for DC’s speedsters. While immensely fast, his power level is commonly considered below that of Wally West. However, Barry remains a crucial figure, as he’s a vital part of the Speed Force’s creation and understanding.
Other Notable Speedsters
- Bart Allen (Impulse): Bart is a speedster with incredible potential, and as Wally himself acknowledged, he could very well surpass him someday.
- Reverse-Flash (Eobard Thawne): A dangerous villain whose speed, while impressive, doesn’t typically compare to Wally. He is, however, a master of the Speed Force and a highly intelligent threat.
- Godspeed (August Heart): A newer speedster, Godspeed can reach 10 times the speed of light. While fast, he hasn’t been demonstrated to reach the levels of Wally West.
- Jay Garrick: The original Flash from the Golden Age, Jay is a veteran of the Speed Force, but his speed is not on par with the younger generation of speedsters like Wally and Barry.
- Avery Ho: A Chinese speedster and member of the Justice League of China and is a very powerful speedster, but is generally depicted lower than both Barry Allen and Wally West in terms of speed.
Speed Comparisons and Feats
Comparing speedsters isn’t just about how fast they can run; it involves a combination of factors, including:
- Raw Velocity: Measured in terms of distance covered per unit time, like miles per second.
- Speed Force Manipulation: The ability to control the Speed Force for phasing, time travel, and other effects.
- Combat Speed: How quickly a speedster can react and make decisions in battle.
- Reaction Time: How quickly a speedster can perceive events and respond to them.
In all these categories, Wally West frequently shows he’s operating on a higher plane than his counterparts. He has shown the ability to outpace attacks and can manipulate the Speed Force to a greater degree than even Barry Allen.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How fast is Wally West?
Wally West has been stated to travel at 13 trillion times the speed of light. This equates to an astonishing 1,750,000,000,000,000,000 miles per second.
2. Is Barry Allen slower than Wally West?
Yes, Barry Allen is generally considered slower than Wally West. Wally has consistently demonstrated that he’s surpassed his former mentor in terms of both raw speed and command of the Speed Force.
3. Can Wally outrun death?
Yes, Wally West, like Barry Allen, has proven capable of outrunning death itself, thanks to his mastery of the Speed Force.
4. Who is the second fastest speedster?
The second-fastest speedster is generally considered to be Barry Allen.
5. What is the Speed Force?
The Speed Force is an extradimensional energy source that grants speedsters their powers, allowing them to travel at incredible velocities. It’s the foundation of their abilities.
6. Is Flash faster than Superman?
In most scenarios, the Flash is depicted as faster than Superman. Even in races they have engaged in, the Flash generally comes out on top.
7. Who is the most evil speedster?
Eobard Thawne (Reverse-Flash) is widely regarded as the most evil speedster, constantly posing a threat to both Barry Allen and the timeline.
8. How fast is Godspeed?
Godspeed can travel at approximately 10 times the speed of light, but he hasn’t reached the same levels of speed as Wally West or Barry Allen.
9. Can the Flash outrun time?
Yes, some versions of the Flash, particularly Wally West, have shown the capability to manipulate time and travel through it, demonstrating their control over the Speed Force’s temporal aspects.
10. Who is faster, the Flash or Quicksilver?
The Flash (especially Wally West) is far faster than Quicksilver. The Flash’s feats place him at significantly higher speeds than what Quicksilver is typically capable of.
11. Is there a speedster faster than the Flash?
While others may have their moments, based on current DC continuity and established lore, Wally West is widely considered the fastest.
12. Which Flash went the fastest?
Wally West is consistently depicted as the Flash that has achieved the highest speeds, particularly with his feat of moving an entire city 13 trillion times the speed of light.
13. How fast is Sonic compared to Flash?
The Flash is typically portrayed as much faster than Sonic the Hedgehog. The Flash’s speed feats are far beyond what Sonic has demonstrated.
14. Is there anyone faster than Wally West?
While some speedsters, like the Reverse-Flash, have been able to push him to his limits, Wally West is consistently portrayed as the fastest in most contexts.
15. Who is considered the coolest Flash?
This is subjective, but Jay Garrick is often regarded as one of the coolest due to his status as the original Flash and his role as a respected mentor to other speedsters. Other contenders include Walter West (Dark Flash) and Bruce Wayne (Red Death).
In conclusion, while the Flash family boasts many impressive speedsters, Wally West remains the champion of speed. His connection to the Speed Force, his record-breaking feats, and his ability to outrun almost anything, including death, cements his place as the fastest Flash in the DC Universe.