Jun 17, 2009

DC Universe Online: The Flash

I’m always purposely confusing the Flash with Flash Gordon, it doesn’t help that Queen made such a good soundtrack for Flash Gordon I do this for no other reason than their similar names. The problem with the Flash is that he’s always overshadowed by other DC heavy hitters like Supes, Bats and other members of JLA that he participates in. He might be seen as the fastest man alive (behind Superman) but that’s a bit one dimensional, which is why the Flash has been adapted to make him more versatile.

His trademark skill is the ability to travel at the speed of light, which is a not too shabby 185,000 miles per second. Or, to put this in perspective, it would take the Flash approximately 8 minutes to reach the Sun which is also the same time it take light to travel from the Sun to Earth. The distance between the two objects has been calculated by boffins to be 150 million kilometres (93 million miles), also known as astronomical unit (AU).

Not known to be a modest fellow The Flash can adapt his blinding speed in a number of different ways. While touching a solid object The Flash can force his body to vibrate so fast he pass through them, he can also create explosions through friction and if he travels a tops speed he can manipulate time and bridge dimensions.

The current Flash is called Wally West and is part of a long line a Flashes each one before him harnessing the primal “Speed Force” from where their speed comes from. As with most comic book characters their powers are a result of a freak accident that would kill any normal human being, usually involving dangerous chemicals. Many people have been fortunate to survive these so-called freak accidents to be gifted with super human speed such as Barry Allen, Max Mercury, and Jason Garrick.

Being a super hero wouldn’t be complete without a collection of criminal super villains to pit your wits against. Known as the Rogues Gallery, these foes battle with the Flash for supremacy over Keystone City and sometimes the world. Individually they are characters like Captain Cold, Heatwave, Mirror Master, and the lethal speedster Zoom.

4 Responses to “DC Universe Online: The Flash”

Jeff Phelps Says:
June 17th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
Flash Gordon has nothing on the Flash! He is a DC heavy hitter in my book and is not overshadowed by anyone, especially not the boyscout Kal-El. (I fart in his general direction)
Daniel Roswell Says:
June 18th, 2009 at 9:11 am
OMG! Mike’s a Flash fan and I was actually goading him to respond, seems like I’m out numbered now…..

He’s big time for sure, but other DC characters cast bigger shadows, especially Batman who seems to be the only one anyone wants to produce work (of any type) for.

As for farting in Superman’s general direction, the Flash’s father was a hamster and his mother smells of elderberries.
Mike Ballan Says:
June 18th, 2009 at 9:49 am
Yes the Flash is the man in my book..!
Gaz Says:
July 14th, 2010 at 1:49 pm
Not to sound too much of a geek but The Flash is faster than Superman. Superman is known to tops the speed of sound but can’t reach light speed were as that’s the Flash’s thing, reaching lightspeed.
I have been enojoying the Flash comics recently and his brief stint in Green Lantern: Blackest Night so in terms of everything you said I got nothing :)

It is weird though how, as you mention, even travelling at lightspeed it would take 8minutes to get to the sun yet Superman is constantly shown flying betweem galaxies in minutes when he’s clearly not fast enough to do that even if the Flash gave him that speed (another power the Flash has, ha can take speed away from people and also give it).

Stay tuned for the Green Lantern film out either next year or 2012.