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Flash's Powers Come With a Genius Weakness That's Only Getting Worse

The Flash might be faster than the speed of light, but his abilities also come with a brilliant weakness and it can only get worse as he gets faster. Although he can outrun just about anything, his surroundings can’t maintain the same pace.

Throughout Flash’s comic book history, he has encountered a number of issues related to his speed. Whether he is literally running too fast to exist, or falls into a villain’s trap intended to turn his powers against him, writers have found several ways to make Barry Allen vulnerable. In comparison to Superman’s kryptonite, the obstacles which Flash tends to face are usually much more inventive.

Related: DC's Fastest Flash Is Confirmed by One Subtle Detail

The Flash faces a major setback in Flash Vol. 2 #163 written by Pat McGreal with art by Ron Lim and inks by Roug Hazlewood with colors by Tom McCraw. When the Flash learns of a villainous scheme to destroy his superhero colleagues involving bombs, he has to push his limits and run to his maximum speed. In the process, he’s not able to scroll fast enough on a computer in order to learn where the bombs have been placed. While his legs are fast enough to get there, technology can’t keep up. It’s a weakness that might not kill him, but it’s a weakness that renders his powers useless. If Flash chooses to slow down to utilize the computer and find out the bombs’ location, they’re bound to decimate.

 

 

However, Flash later figures out a solution, tapping into his engineer expertise. He transforms the computer into a supercomputer, making it compatible with his speed and scrolling ability. Of course, Barry only becomes faster as he progresses through life, meaning that the supercomputer’s speed will be outdated quickly after he built it. As he scrolls, he challenges his own speed to go even faster than the screen can keep up. Before, he had a way to measure his rate of speed, but now he is setting the bar even higher for himself.

Although the premise is relatively light compared to other near-death experiences that the Flash has had, it’s an extremely practical way that villains can get the better of him. Considering the world’s constantly advancing technology, the Flash will have to continually update computers to be faster if he even needs to use his speed while scrolling. Similar to how Batman has the bat computer, Flash should create a quick and easy fix that he can bring along for missions. It would benefit Barry to carry around a Speed Force USB drive, just as he wears the Flash ring if he needs to access his costume at a moment’s notice.

More: Flash's New Power Can Give Him a Secret Sixth Sense



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