The Flash FAQ

[Erebus]

You have to remember that while Barry was a genius, Wally is more of a goofball. I have nothing against the current flash, but if he were just a little bit smarter and more serios, he'd be the most powerful super hero alive. The creator of JLU (I forgot his name) said he wished he could kill off Flash because he's so powerful.

[handOFfate]

You have to remember that while Barry was a genius, Wally is more of a goofball. I have nothing against the current flash, but if he were just a little bit smarter and more serios, he'd be the most powerful super hero alive. The creator of JLU (I forgot his name) said he wished he could kill off Flash because he's so powerful.

I wouldn't say Wally is an idiot or anything, but it's pretty clear that Barry was more cerebral in his crime-fighting methods. I think that this has been compensated with Wally by making him more powerful than Barry ever was. He can afford to make mistakes that Barry couldn't.

How in the world does Wally ever come close to getting hurt. Shouldn't he win just about every single fight in a matter of seconds? I mean, I'm sure some of the near-invulnerable characters might give him a bit of trouble for almost a minute, but the rest...his rogues...I mean...shouldn't they all be toast the minute they lift a finger?

The same can be said about Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter, Captain Marvel and about a half-dozen other heroes. I think that any writer's biggest obstacle when writing the Flash is finding new foes that can be a legitimate danger to Wally. Let's face it, with the exception of Zoom, Grodd, and maybe a couple of others, the rogues (even banded together) aren't much of a threat. Flash's rogues are defined by their personalities.

[Phatboi96]

Yes. they just have to find good villians. and this is also part of why most comics aren't just about fighting villians.The writers now write about more personnal matters. but you sure know a lot about comics.

[ocelotrevs]

Can Flash change his vibration frequency so that he can move faster than everyone else without having too run at super speeds?

[marvelboy]

A good idea for this faq would be to describe the Flash's powers in complete detail and what feats he has performed with his speed. Personally as someone who has studied physics I have no idea how Flash can go faster than lightspeed. Because there is nothing faster than light.

[davids]

The speed of light is a constant, but i will give flash an exsamtion and allow him to travel faster than the speed of light using the speed force. But if he is moving faster then the speed of light how can light reflected off an object reach his optic nerve to allow him to see?

[The Adventurer]

The Speed Force did it.




:)

[Michael P]

More or less. When Flash exceeds lightspeed, he leaves the physical realm and enters the speed force. At that point, he's basically living energy, and has no eyes or other sense organs. His brain "translates" everything into familiar shapes and patterns so he doesn't go loony from gazing upon the unfettered core of all creation, but in a strictly physical sense, he's not seeing at all.

[Patience]

From JLA #19 (They were discussing size, but it's the same basic idea)
Green Lantern: "Wait, I'm confused. If we're smaller than light particles right now, how are we even seeing?"
Atom: "You're not...not in any human way. The five senses become something else entirely at the quantum level. Your mind's doing you a favor. It's processing all this into familiar visuals so you won't go insane. By the way, you're not breathing oxygen either. It's best not to think about it."

From Professor Palmer himself -- Your body becomes energy, your mind compensates.

[Asian Knight]

The Flash had his own live-action TV series during the early nineties. The series starred police scientist Barry Allen, but was mixed heavily with elements from the Wally West incarnation of the character.

If I can recall, there was a reason why it was cancelled. DareDevil was a guest character on this. Or am I wrong about this? DareDevil saw in a green infra-red type of thing. He wore a black and red costume I think or was it just red?

[Erebus]

I just thought of something a couple days ago, and its been bugging me. Barry Allen sacrificed himself to destroy the Anti-Moniter's cannon, and since that was Pre-Crisis, and no one remembers the events of Crisis, how does everyone think Barry died?

[The Wayner]

If I can recall, there was a reason why it was cancelled. DareDevil was a guest character on this. Or am I wrong about this? DareDevil saw in a green infra-red type of thing. He wore a black and red costume I think or was it just red?

Daredevil... the Marvel character? I know he appeared in a Hulk tv movie, but don't remember him on The Flash tv show.

[Ryujin]

Hey people. I'm new-ish to the whole comic collecting thing but I am interested in the Flash, until I read this FAQ I didn't know much about him because I had never read any Flash comics but this was very informative, thanks.

My main question as a Flash newbie is: Where do I start?

What I mean is that obviously the Flash franchise of comics has been going on for some time. Is there any particular part that is best for me to begin and still in circulation? The main problem is availability I think, comics don't stay on store shelves or in online stores for long.

So does anyone know any good online sites for buying comics? And more importantly does anyone have any idea of where I should start (assuming it's still available for purchase).

Thanks in advance for any help.

[mosnab]

I just got a chance to look at these FAQs today, and they are great. Thanks to everyone for putting them together and/or contributing information. I've been a fan of the Flash since I was a kid, but haven't really read the comics until the last year or so (got my comics at drug stores, etc. when I was a kid, and they didn't carry all titles). Anyways, its been great catching up on more history on the Flash here. I'm a fan of the Wally West Flash in particular, and I was wondering if there were any current TPBs that people could recommend? I've heard good things about Geoff Johns' run (and have a few issues from last year of his), as well as Mark Waid. Any TPBs titles in particular you could recommend? Something "Flash" to read until the title relaunches this summer :P.

[DCKar2nist]

Very Thorough! Great work, I thought everyone forgot about John Fox, hope he survives the crisis (though seriously doubt he'll be mentioned).