Ranking the Top 10 Flash Variants

Over the years, numerous iterations of the Flash have emerged, each bringing their unique spin to the character and expanding the possibilities of what it means to be the Fastest Man Alive. With his iconic red suit and lightning bolt symbol, the Flash has become synonymous with the concept of velocity itself. In this article, we will be ranking the top 10 flash variants from dc comics. From familiar faces to lesser-known variants we will try to cover best among the rest.

1. Barry Allen (Classic Flash)

Created by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Carmine Infantino, Barry Allen made his first appearance in Showcase #4 in 1956. Barry became the Silver Age version of the Flash, bringing the character back into publication after a decline in popularity of superheroes in the 1950s.

Barry Allen’s origin story involves a scientific accident in which he is struck by lightning and doused with chemicals, granting him superhuman speed. Inspired by the Golden Age Flash, Jay Garrick, Barry takes on the mantle of the Flash to fight crime and protect Central City.

2. Jay Garrick

Original Golden Age Flash “Jay Garrick” holds a special place in the history of the character. Making his debut in Flash Comics #1 in 1940, Jay Garrick’s speedster persona became an inspiration for future speedsters in the DC Universe.

As a founding member of the Justice Society of America, Jay Garrick fought alongside other iconic heroes of his time, such as the original Green Lantern and Hawkman. His adventures in the Golden Age of comics laid the foundation for the Flash legacy and helped establish the superhero genre.

In the New 52 reboot, a new variant of Jay Garrick was introduced. This younger incarnation of Jay Garrick became one of the Wonders of the World after encountering the dying body of the Roman god Mercury. Mercury bestowed upon him superhuman speed, empowering Jay to protect Earth 2.

This version of Jay Garrick had a fresh take on his classic uniform, incorporating design elements that referenced his connection to Mercury. It distinguished him from other Flash variants and gave him a unique visual identity.

3. Wally West

Wally West, the nephew of Iris West (Barry Allen’s love interest), first appeared as Kid Flash in The Flash #110 in 1959. Created by writer John Broome and artist Carmine Infantino, Wally West was initially introduced as Barry Allen’s sidekick and the Teen Titans’ speedster member.

After the events of “Crisis on Infinite Earths” in 1985, Barry Allen sacrificed himself to save the universe, leaving a void in the role of the Flash. Wally West then stepped up and took on the mantle of the Flash, becoming the new Scarlet Speedster. This transition occurred in The Flash #1 in 1987, written by Mike Baron and illustrated by Jackson Guice.

4. Bart Allen (Impulse/Kid Flash)

Bart Allen, the grandson of Barry Allen and Iris West, made his first appearance as Impulse in Flash #92 in 1994. Created by writer Mark Waid and artist Mike Wieringo, Bart was initially portrayed as a hyperactive and impulsive speedster.

As Impulse, Bart Allen was known for his boundless energy and lack of patience. He was sent from the future to the present day to be trained by his grandmother, Iris West, and other members of the Flash Family. Bart’s primary goal was to become a superhero and honor his grandfather’s legacy as the Flash.

Due to his unique upbringing in a time-accelerated environment, Bart aged at an accelerated rate, giving him an initially childlike appearance and demeanor. However, he possessed incredible superhuman speed, making him a formidable speedster.

5. Bruce Wayne/Red Death

Red Death is actually an evil version of Batman from an alternate reality known as the Dark Multiverse. In this reality, Bruce Wayne becomes corrupted by the powers of the Speed Force, which is typically associated with characters like The Flash. The corrupted Bruce Wayne fuses with the Flash, resulting in the creation of Red Death.

Red Death possesses the speed and abilities of the Flash, combined with Batman’s intellect and combat skills. He is a formidable adversary who uses his superhuman speed to strike fear into his enemies and deliver devastating attacks. Red Death made his first appearance in the comic book series “Dark Nights: Metal” in 2017.

6. Blaze Allen/Speed Demon

The Amalgam Comics universe made its debut during the epic clash between Marvel and DC in the unforgettable Marvel vs. DC/DC vs. Marvel crossover event. In a momentous twist, the cosmic entities known as the Brothers, faced with the dilemma of choosing between the annihilation of one universe or the fusion of both, decided to merge the realities together, giving birth to the extraordinary Amalgam universe.

One of the remarkable characters born from this amalgamation was Speed Demon, an intriguing blend of DC’s revered Flash Family and the enigmatic Etrigan the Demon from Marvel’s realm. The legacy of Speed Demon began with Jay Garrick, the original speedster, whose remarkable powers were intertwined with the mystical essence of Etrigan. Later, a daring individual named Blaze Allen took up the mantle of Speed Demon after making a fateful bargain, relinquishing his soul to the netherworld. Consequently, he transformed into a fiery demon-skulled speedster, possessing an otherworldly fusion of speed and supernatural abilities.

7. Jesse Quick

Jesse is the daughter of Johnny Quick and Liberty Belle, and she possesses superhuman speed and agility, similar to her father. She first appeared in the comics in Justice Society of America #1 in 1992. Jesse has appeared in numerous DC comic book storylines and has interacted with other iconic characters like The Flash, Green Lantern, and Wonder Woman.

In the comic book continuity, Jesse Quick is a member of the Justice Society of America, a team of superheroes. She has been depicted as a skilled crimefighter and has taken on various roles within the team, including being a mentor to younger heroes. Jesse is known for her intelligence, determination, and quick reflexes, which make her a formidable ally in battles.

8. Godspeed

August Heart, known by his vigilante alias Godspeed, is a relatively new addition to the Flash family of characters. He was introduced in 2016’s “The Flash: Rebirth” #1, written by Joshua Williamson and illustrated by Carmine Di Giandomenico.

August Heart was initially depicted as a friend and colleague of Barry Allen, working together as police officers in the Central City Police Department. However, tragedy struck when August’s brother was killed by a speedster villain known as the Riddler. This event deeply affected August and led him down a path of seeking justice.

In his pursuit of justice, August discovered a way to tap into the Speed Force, gaining superhuman speed and lightning-like abilities. Taking on the vigilante persona of Godspeed, he donned a unique white and gold costume that set him apart from other speedsters.

9. Johnny Quick (Earth-3)

On Earth-3, Johnny Quick is a variant of the Flash who exists as a member of the infamous Crime Syndicate. Earth-3 is a parallel universe where heroes are villains and vice versa, creating a twisted mirror image of the main DC Universe.

Johnny Quick’s character and backstory have been explored in various multiverse stories within DC Comics. He has appeared in events such as “Crisis on Infinite Earths” and “Forever Evil,” showcasing his role as a villainous counterpart to the Flash.

One notable aspect of Johnny Quick’s character is his connection to the Speed Formula. In some versions of his origin, he gains his speed powers through a formula that grants him superhuman abilities. This formula is distinct from the Speed Force, which is typically associated with other versions of the Flash.

10. Lia Nelson

In Dan Jurgens’ Tangent Comics, Lia Nelson was a unique version of the Flash in the DC universe. Unlike the traditional speedster, Lia was the first child born off Earth on a space station and gained extraordinary abilities as a light-based being. She could control and manipulate energy, becoming a renowned celebrity on Earth and a member of various superhero teams such as the Secret Six and Superman’s Authority.

Also Read: 10 Must-Read Comics for Fans of The Flash