Godspeed: The Speedster Who Took “Justice” Into Overdrive
In DC Comics, speedsters are common, but Godspeed stands out. August Heart, a former colleague of Barry Allen, took a different route. Justice, he felt, was too slow in the traditional way. His ambition for speed led him to become lethal.
Who is Godspeed? Unmasking August Heart
August Heart becomes Godspeed due to workplace rivalry gone wrong. He worked with Barry Allen in the CCPD, feeling overlooked. No interdimensional accidents here. Just office politics transforming someone you know into a dangerous adversary.
August’s motivations are personal. His brother was murdered. He became a sort of brutal avenger. August turned himself into judge, jury, and executioner all in one. He embraced his speed and let it fuel his transformation into a nemesis.
Lightning and Tachyons: Godspeed’s Energetic Signature
Godspeed’s lightning shines like a Christmas tree. It blends white and blue, largely white, giving him a unique appearance. This color reflects his speed-source: tachyons and future Velocity Serums. It’s fuel for his remarkable speed engine.
Powers That Make You Go “Whoa!”
Godspeed possesses impressive abilities. First, he creates speed clones. Imagine being in multiple places simultaneously. August claims this proves he’s faster than Flash. Is it cocky? Maybe. Is it true? Hard to say. He impresses nonetheless.
Additionally, he can steal speed from others. It’s like being a vampire for velocity. This makes him a threat to anyone tied to the Speed Force. Imagine running when someone suddenly yoinks your speed. That’s just rude.
Motivation: Avenging a Brother, Speedster Style
Godspeed’s actions stem from his desire to avenge his brother. His unsettled feelings create an urge for revenge. But his methods veer into extremes. He opts for a one-man vigilante approach, absorbing speed from others. This brings his brand of justice to another level.
This craving for vengeance morphs into a darker motive. Godspeed seeks power over real justice. Draining speed isn’t in the superhero manual. His actions cast him as “evil,” solidifying his place as a worthy antagonist.
Godspeed vs. The Flash: A Speedster Showdown
The question remains: Is Godspeed faster than Flash? Comic depictions often give him a speed edge over Barry Allen. His ability to create clones suggests high speeds. But Flash’s speed varies and circumstances shape the outcome.
In the CW series, Barry’s top speed sits at 1/80th the speed of light. That’s fast but comics sometimes push speeds even further. Discussions linger about whether Godspeed remains faster than all Flash versions. Generally, fans believe he starts with a significant advantage.
The Downfall of a Speed God: Reverse Flash Intervention
No speed god is invincible. Godspeed faced a sudden fall due to fate and a time-traveling foe: Reverse Flash. Ironically, Godspeed sought answers from him regarding his brother’s death. Huge blunder.
Reverse Flash, from the future and skilled in manipulation, revealed he killed Godspeed’s brother. To add to the chaos, he then promptly killed Godspeed. A tragic end for our speedster. Instead of achieving vengeance, he became merely another casualty.
Speedster Ranks: How Fast is Fast Enough?
The Flash universe has many speedsters, each with distinct speeds. Let’s explore some notable players and rank their velocities.
Barry Allen: The Classic Flash
Barry Allen is the original Flash, known for incredible speed. In the CW series, he reaches 1/80th of the light speed. But comics often showcase even more impressive speeds, enabling time travel and dimension-hopping. He’s the standard but not the fastest.
Wally West: The Fastest Flash (Arguably)
Wally West, Barry’s protegee, may be the fastest entity in DC. Max Mercury claimed Wally’s speed is superior. Wally evolved from Kid Flash to a major speedster once he tapped into the Speed Force. His victory in the “Flash War” proves he outpaces Barry.
Eobard Thawne: Reverse Flash, The Negative Speedster
Eobard Thawne is Barry’s sworn enemy and often perceived as faster in the Arrowverse. His speed draws from the Negative Speed Force, granting immense velocity and time travel. He obsessively aims to destroy Barry Allen.
Savitar: The God of Speed (Self-Proclaimed)
Savitar calls himself the “God of Speed.” He behaves accordingly, gathering followers who treat him like a deity. His speed threatens rivals, but is he genuinely god-level fast? That allure might be more about ego than fact.
Zoom: Time Manipulation Master
Zoom, another considerable threat in “The Flash” TV show, may surpass Barry with speeds of Mach 8.2 to Mach 13.2. However, he bends time rather than draw power from the Speed Force. This unique ability makes him clever and dangerous.
Jay Garrick: The Golden Age Flash
Jay Garrick represents the Golden Age of speedsters. His top speed mirrors Barry: 186,000 miles per second. Jay accelerates quicker than Barry, but Barry maintains that speed longer. Jay’s often seen as the slower Flash, still fast but not the fastest.
Other Speedy Mentions
A few more notable speedsters exist beyond the main line-up. Bart Allen, also known as Impulse, plays roles in Teen Titans and Young Justice. He brings diverse abilities and entertains in speedster adventures.
A youthful energy fills the speedster scene. Quicksilver, also known as Pietro Maximoff from the Marvel universe, is a notable speedster. His reflexes and agility at high speeds impress many.
Speed Beyond Speedsters: Goku and Whis
Now, let’s explore speed in a wider context. How do speedsters compare to characters from other universes? Goku and Whis from Dragon Ball stand out.
Goku: Fast, But Not Flash Fast
Goku is incredibly fast. He can exceed light speed. However, against Flash, he falls short. Flash’s speed surpasses time itself. He reigns supreme in speed. Goku’s speed, while incredible, is more tied to traditional physics. Flash relies on Speed Force abilities.
Whis: The Angelic Speedster
Whis from Dragon Ball represents another level of speed. His speed exceeds light by massive amounts. He can cover vast distances instantaneously, making even the quickest speedsters appear still. Whis’s ability resembles teleportation rather than running, reflecting the power scale in Dragon Ball.
The Mysterious Speed Force
The Speed Force is the power source for most DC speedsters. It is an extra-dimensional energy field giving speedsters their abilities. Wally West gained a boost from his deep connection to the Speed Force. This force represents more than just running fast; it embodies a fundamental cosmic power.
The Black Flash serves as the Speed Force’s grim reaper for speedsters. Receiving energy from the Speed Force, he is a harbinger for those who run too fast or too far. This adds a cosmic consequence to chasing speed.
Flash Family Ties
Family plays a significant role in superhero stories. Iris West and Barry Allen share a famous romantic story in the Flash mythos. In an unexpected turn, Malcolm Thawne is revealed as Barry Allen’s lost twin brother. This adds drama and potential storylines.
Random Speedster Facts
Curious about “Godspeed”? In reference to someone deceased, “Godspeed” wishes a safe journey to the afterlife. It’s ironic considering Godspeed’s fate at Reverse Flash’s hands.
Speaking of Godspeed’s brother, his murder triggers August Heart’s change. The murderer? None other than Reverse Flash, creating a personal vendetta within their complex dynamic.
Lastly, Nora Allen’s lightning, daughter of Barry and Iris in some versions, mixes yellow and purple. This shows her lineage, inheriting colors from both parents—a neat detail.
This concludes our deep dive into Godspeed and the vast speedster hierarchy. From rivalries to cosmic matters, the Flash universe never slows down.
