A revelation from the Flash is putting his superspeed in a mind-boggling new context. Barry Allen reveals just how the amazing fringe benefits of his power and what it means to be a speedster.
While the DC Universe is filled to the brim with outrageously overpowered heroes, one of the most impressive is the Flash. After being struck by lightning, Barry Allen forged a connection to the Speed Force, the mysterious source of all speedster's powers. In the time since becoming the Scarlet Speedster, Barry, along with the many members of the Flash Family, have become a crucial part of the DC Universe. Their powers not only allow them to fight at a rate on par with Superman, but their speeds can allow them to travel through multiverse and time itself. Flash's speeds are one of the best assets around, and nearly every incarnation of the Justice League includes a speedster.
Flash's Power Allows Him to Perceive Things in Attoseconds
And though everyone knows that Flash is fast, few may be unaware of just how fast the hero actually is. Barry shed a light on the truth of his powers in Superman #709 by J. Michael Straczynski, Chris Roberson, Eddy Barrows, Allan Goldman. Clark is distracted from his walk across America when he meets the Flash and winds up having a discussion on what concepts like truth and legacy really mean to them. Before they depart, Clark asks Barry if he was serious about only seeing a blur when he ran across America. Flash tells Clark was joking, saying that he can perceive events in less than an attosecond and think at the speed of light. Barry confirms to his friend that with his powers, there's very little that gets by him.
An attosecond is one of the smallest observances of time, and equates to one quintillionth of a second. Meaning that the Flash is able to perceive events most will never be witness to (at least without some powerful equipment). Barry’s claim of thinking at the speed of light is quite the impressive boast as well. Most humans can perceive things in as little as .013 seconds. But at a rate of 186,000 miles per second, Barry’s synapses are firing at a rate most can’t even comprehend. There’s no doubt the Flash is fast, but seeing his speed laid out like that really drives home what being a speedster means.
Flash's Powers Redefine What Being Fast Means
Barry absolutely deserves the title of Fastest Man Alive. But rarely it's spelled out how fast the Flash actually is. Sure, fans all know he can run around the world in the blink of an eye, but it’s hard to wrap one’s head about the power Barry and other speedsters truly wield. While he keeps his top speed close to his chest, hearing the Flash say that he can witness events that happen in a fraction of observable time shows the extent Barry’s speed has transformed him. Words and phrases like ‘attoseconds’ and ‘speed of light’ are necessary pieces of information because they key fans in on just how godlike heroes like the Flash really are.