Speed is one of the key factors that determines a superhero’s power and effectiveness. In the DC universe, two characters who are known for their super speed abilities are Flash and Aquaman. But which one of them is actually faster? Let’s take a deep dive and analyze their speed feats to find out.
Flash’s Speed Powers
The Flash is undoubtedly one of the fastest superheroes in all of comic books. But what exactly are his speed powers and how fast can he run? Here are some key facts about Flash’s speed:
- Flash gets his speed powers from the Speed Force, an extra-dimensional energy source.
- He can run at speeds exceeding the speed of light.
- Flash has been shown to run 10x the speed of light, and theorized to be capable of running 100x the speed of light.
- His top running speed clocks in around 2,532,000,000 mph according to various comics.
- Flash perceives events in less than an attosecond and processes information in zettabytes per second.
- He can vibrate his molecules to phase through solid objects.
- Flash can also lend and borrow speed by touching other objects or people.
Some of Flash’s best speed feats include:
- Racing to the end of time itself during Crisis on Infinite Earths.
- Outrunning death itself during the Black Flash saga.
- Running across the world in mere seconds.
- Vacuum evacuating entire cities to remove dangerous explosives.
- Creating speed vortexes powerful enough to suck in other speedsters.
Based on his abilities, the Flash lives up to his title as the “Fastest Man Alive” in the DC universe.
Aquaman’s Speed Powers
Now let’s examine Aquaman’s speed capabilities. Here are his key traits:
- Aquaman has enhanced speed and reflexes underwater.
- He can swim at supersonic speeds up to 6,000 mph.
- His fastest swimming speed is over 4,000 mph in a sprint.
- Aquaman’s reflexes allow him to dodge point blank gunfire with ease.
- He can process information and react in under a millisecond while underwater.
- Hydrokinesis grants him greater swimming control, precision, and acceleration.
Some of Aquaman’s top speed feats include:
- Swimming faster than a fighter jet in Justice League #8.
- Quickly traversing the ocean floor from one continent to another.
- Creating whirlpools by rapidly swimming in circles.
- Reacting in nanoseconds to defend against threats.
- Rescuing people from exploding ships or crumbling buildings.
With his supersonic swimming and reflexes, Aquaman is one of the quickest heroes underwater. But his speeds are still limited mostly to aquatic environments.
Flash vs Aquaman Speed Comparison
To directly compare their speed capabilities, here is a breakdown of their limits and feats:
| Speed Attribute | Flash | Aquaman |
|---|---|---|
| Top Running Speed | 10x speed of light (671 million mph) | 4,000 mph |
| Fastest Speed Feat | Outracing death across space and time | Swimming faster than a fighter jet |
| Reaction Speed | Attoseconds to microseconds | Nanoseconds |
| Best Environment | Land | Underwater |
Based on this comparison, Flash has a clear advantage in raw speed and reaction time over Aquaman. However, Aquaman’s marine-based abilities allow him to swim at incredible speeds underwater.
Verdict: The Flash is Faster Overall
When all their capabilities are evaluated, the Flash definitively comes out as the faster hero compared to Aquaman. Here are some key reasons why:
- Flash can move at massively faster than light speeds, while Aquaman tops out at around supersonic speeds.
- Flash can react in attoseconds, while Aquaman takes at least nanoseconds to react.
- Flash’s speed works both on land and water, but Aquaman’s is mostly limited to underwater.
- The Flash has achieved more powerful speed feats like outrunning death across space and time.
- Flash can also steal speed from other objects and beings to boost his own.
However, Aquaman deserves credit for being one of the fastest heroes underwater. His hydrokinesis and reflexes allow him to maneuver and react at incredible speeds while swimming or operating underwater. But when it comes to raw speed and reaction time, the Flash is simply on another level compared to almost any other DC superhero.
In a direct race between the two, the Flash would easily be able to blitz Aquaman with his vastly superior reaction time and ability to run at massively faster than light speeds. Aquaman may be able to keep up briefly underwater using his super swim speed, but the Flash could quickly sap away Aquaman’s speed to fuel his own and leave Aquaman in the dust.
So while Aquaman is no slouch, the Flash is simply too fast for almost any other hero to match. When it comes to the critical power of super speed, the Flash rightfully deserves the crown as the Fastest Man Alive in the DC Universe.
Other DC Characters Who Rival Flash’s Speed
While Flash is far faster than Aquaman, there are a few other DC heroes and villains who can give Flash a run for his money in terms of speed:
- Superman – When Superman really cuts loose, he can reach near light speeds in flight and combat. He once raced the Flash and matched his speed in some post-Crisis comics.
- Zoom – The Reverse Flash, Zoom can siphon speed from the Flash and has posed a long-time nemesis due to his similar speed force powers.
- Wally West – Former Kid Flash, Wally West inherited Barry Allen’s powers and became the new Flash for decades, occasionally matching his speed.
- Jay Garrick – The original Flash of the 1940s, Jay Garrick recently regained enough speed force energy to keep up with Barry Allen.
- Max Mercury – A Golden Age speedster, Max Mercury taught the subsequent Flashes how to master the speed force and think at super speeds.
- Godspeed – August Heart gained Speed Force powers and can match Flash’s pace when fully augmented with extra speed energy.
However, even these other speedsters have yet to definitively prove they are faster than Flash for any real length of time or distance. So while Flash may get challenged periodically, he remains the fastest speedster in the DC continuity during most eras.
Conclusion
The Flash’s connection to the Speed Force gives him speed capabilities that surpass almost any other hero, including Aquaman’s impressive swimming abilities. While Aquaman can hold his own underwater, when it comes to raw speed, reaction time, and fastest feats, the Flash remains the undisputed champion.