When it comes to the Avengers, there are many superheroes with incredible powers and abilities. One of the most coveted is speed – the ability to move at incredible velocities beyond human capabilities. So who is the fastest avenger? Let’s take a look at some of the top contenders for the title and how their powers stack up against each other.
Quicksilver
Quicksilver, aka Pietro Maximoff, has superhuman speed as his primary power. He can travel on foot at transonic speeds, which are faster than the speed of sound but not as fast as the speed of light. At top speeds, Quicksilver has been estimated to run over 700 mph. His rapid speed allows him to perform incredible feats like creating cyclones, running straight up walls and across water, and grabbing bullets out of the air. His accelerated perception also gives him enhanced reflexes to react to dangers and opponents swiftly.
The Flash
The Flash, aka Barry Allen, is a DC comics superhero but has appeared in some crossover Marvel storylines. The Flash’s main power is his super speed, derived from his connection to the Speed Force. This allows him to run at velocities exceeding the speed of light. Flash can use his speed to time travel, dimension hop, lend speed to other objects and people, and deliver rapid superhumanly strong blows. While he doesn’t typically outright beat Quicksilver in direct speed comparisons, The Flash’s connection to the Speed Force gives him a few more tricks up his sleeve.
Makkari
Makkari is an Eternal, a genetically advanced offshoot of humanity in the Marvel universe. As an Eternal, Makkari possesses enhanced strength, stamina, durability and reflexes. His distinguishing super power is his superspeed. Makkari can run at over 100 miles per hour for extended periods of time. At full exertion, he can break the sound barrier and reach speeds rivaling Quicksilver. Unlike Quicksilver, he doesn’t seem to produce extra phenomena when running at high speeds. However, his natural Eternal abilities do give him an edge in endurance over most speedsters.
Speed
Speed, aka Thomas Shepherd, is a mutant with the power of superspeed. He can travel up to the speed of sound, similar to Quicksilver, and use his momentum to enhance his strength and striking power. However, Speed does not have the rapid perception and reflexes that Quicksilver does, so despite their similar running speed, Quicksilver has superior maneuverability and control. So while Speed qualifies for this list based on raw velocity, he lacks the same finesse and additional abilities of some other characters.
Makari
Makari is a member of the Wakandan tribe, the Jabari. He has enhanced strength, speed, stamina, and endurance thanks to ingesting the special Wakandan herb. While the herb does not make him as fast as Quicksilver or Flash levels of speed, he can run at over 60 miles per hour. This makes him faster than Captain America but below Speed’s Mach 1 capabilities. So while respectable, Makari does not have top tier super speed compared to others on this list.
Spectrum
Spectrum, also known as Monica Rambeau, is a superheroine with energy manipulation powers. She is able to transform herself into any form of energy on the electromagnetic spectrum. This includes turning into light energy and electricity. When in light form, Spectrum can travel at incredible speeds, estimated to be just under the speed of light at 186,000 miles per second. This gives her an edge in speed over characters restricted to running speeds only. However, she cannot maintain light speeds for extended periods without tiring.
Top Speed Comparisons
Here are the estimated top speeds for some of the key speedster Avengers:
| Hero | Alias | Top Speed |
|---|---|---|
| The Flash | Barry Allen | Speed of Light |
| Spectrum | Monica Rambeau | Near Speed of Light |
| Quicksilver | Pietro Maximoff | 700 mph |
| Speed | Thomas Shepherd | Speed of Sound |
| Makkari | Makkari | 100 mph |
Fastest Avenger: Conclusion
Based on raw speed capabilities, the Flash and Spectrum have advantages by being able to travel at or near the speed of light. However, both have some limitations with using those capabilities for extended periods.
For speed combined with maneuverability and rapid reflexes, Quicksilver takes the top spot. His 700 mph running speed is still extremely fast but he can maintain it for longer durations. His accelerated perceptions and reflexes also give him an edge in reacting at high velocities that other speedsters don’t necessarily have.
So while the Flash may be faster in terms of pure speed output, Quicksilver has demonstrated the ability to skillfully handle and maneuver at transonic speeds better than any other Avenger. For these reasons, Quicksilver emerges as the most powerful and overall fastest Avenger. His sustained speed, maneuverability and reflexes eclipse the other contenders for top speedster in the Avengers roster.