While discussing superpowers at work today (no, seriously) it got me thinking about The Flash and why I love him and why he’s so awesome.

First, the ground rules and my own limitations.
1. Powers do not affect the person using them. A few examples from different media:
a) Hiro (from Heroes) does not also freeze in time as well with everything else he freezes. He exists outside his own powers.
b) The Flash (from DC Comics) does not age at super-speed. His clothes do not disintegrate from air friction (this is taken from Wikipedia)
2. Near the end, I get into some physics, which I’ll admit, I’m not an expert in. I don’t know about mass at relativistic speeds. You will have to take my knowledge for what it is but I’m willing to listen if you prove me wrong.
3. I’m referring to the Wally West version of the Flash. I’ve got my knowledge from the Mark Waid and Grant Morrison runs. The Flash powers include:

the ability to move, think, react at superhuman speeds, vibrate so fast that they can walk through walls, travel through time and can also lend and borrow speed. – (this is taken right from Wikipedia)”

I won’t go into time travel because I think that’s kind of cheating.

The Scenarios

1. The Flash VS any normal person, anyone that shoots energy, or uses projectiles, etc.
The Flash, at super-speed, vibrates through someone. The kinetic energy he leaves in that person’s atoms cause them to vibrate, and explode. Bloody mess.
Losers: Spider-Man. Batman. Cyclops. Wolverine. Iron Man. Captain America. + almost everyone else.

2. The Flash VS anyone with mental powers
While I psychic attack would be effective (unlike the above, where any projectile can be avoided at super-speed), Flash moves faster than thought. Before the enemy can think, Flash has done #1 to you (vibrated through you)
Losers: Professor X. Jean Grey (Phoenix). Dr. Strange. Zatanna. Green Lantern. Hiro.

3. The Flash VS super strength
No matter how strong someone is, or how “dense” their atoms are, the Flash’s speed still allows him to vibrate through anything of normal speed.
Losers: The Hulk. Thor.

4. The Flash VS other fast people
Simply put, the Flash is the fastest man alive. That’s his edge over anyone with a similar, but lesser power.
Losers: Quicksilver. Kid Flash. Senile Flash. Camera Flash. Trench coat Flash. (I made the last 3 up)

5. The Flash VS anyone with speed AND power/strength
Okay, here’s where it gets tricky.
The Flash VS Wonder Woman or Superman – I won’t go into Flash just going somewhere with super-speed and getting Kryptonite (for Superman). He can beat him in an even battle. This is literally taken from JLA #4 by Grant Morrison.

Flash Fact: Relativistic effects take over as a body approaches light-speed.
The Flash’s body mass will increase towards infinity. At these speeds, it will appear that Flash is a continuous beam of light. At this speed, The Flash could throw a thousand punches before the opponent has a chance to blink. Despite the opponent’s strength, with the mass mentioned above, one hit should do it.

Force = Mass x Acceleration, which according to some quick reading, holds even at relativistic speeds. The Flash has infinite force!

Please go here for the original source of this scenario. It’s explained way better here.
http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2009/05/29/a-year-of-cool-comic-book-moments-day-149/

6. The Flash VS Martian Manhunter
Martian Manhunter’s powers:
Super-strength. Shape-shifting. Super-speed. Flight. And the tricky ones: Intangibility & Mental Powers. Combine that last 2 with super-speed….and there’s trouble.
Weakness: Fire (yes, a tiny flame) robs him of his power.
I don’t know how this fight would go down. The key to his power is intangibility (much like that of Kitty Pryde, Shadowcat). It’s literally an ultimate defense if matter can’t hit you (take that Gaara, Neji, and Sasuke!). While Shadowcat has this power, she would be too slow to activate it. Martian Manhunter, because of his speed, might be able to phase out just when the Flash is going to hit him. He can’t be defeated by physical means (just like the Flash). But on the offensive, he has super-speed + mental powers. I don’t know what would happen when you combine those 2….so, basically I don’t know how an equal fight would go down here.
But if we’re taking weaknesses into account, Flash can start a fire pretty damn fast (probably snapping his finger together, like in Full Metal Alchemist), rob the martian of his powers, and take him out.

The Flash is awesome. Combine this with my “Time” post and this is why I want to be the Flash. This is why everyone wants to be The Flash.

– from The Big Bang Theory, Season 1 Episode 6.