As the fastest character in the DC Universe, the Flash is capable of many great feats, but he actually has to work not to run off the planet. In 2006’s The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive #5, Bart Allen is experiencing difficulties with the Speed Force, and when he tries for a burst of speed, he almost hurls himself off the planet. The issue is written by Danny Bilson and Paul DeMeo, illustrated by Ron Adrian, inked by Alex Lei and Rob Lea, colored by Richard and Tanya Horie and lettered by Pat Brousseau.
There have been numerous heroes bearing the name of the Flash in DC Comics, with Barry Allen and Wally West being two of the most noteworthy. Bart Allen, Barry’s grandson and the hero formerly known as Impulse, briefly took over the mantle of the Flash, following the events of 2005-2005’s Infinite Crisis. The event temporarily took Wally West off the table, and aged Bart to adulthood; Bart filled in for Wally while he was gone. Not only did Bart have to find Wally, lost somewhere in time and space, but he had to contend with a less than reliable Speed Force—and readers see just what that entails in The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive #5.
The Flash had just defeated the Griffin and is racing through the streets of Keystone City. Caught up in the rush after battle, the Flash begins running even faster, building up momentum as he goes along—until he finds himself nearly launched into orbit. Just as he is almost into space, the Speed Force gives out on him, sending the Flash into a freefall; however, he is able to create an air cushion at the local zoo to break his fall. The Flash then picks himself up and continues on his way.
The Flash is fast and powerful, with so much power that sometimes he can barely contain it—as witnessed in this issue. While the Speed Force was also in flux, explaining some of what happened, the Flash still lost control of his speed, building and building until he ran off the Earth itself. Bart Allen’s inexperience with the Force may have contributed as well. While here it was an accident, the Flash could use such a trick again, particularly once he is back in control of the Speed Force. The Flash could easily launch himself into orbit, and provided he has the gear to survive and breathe, he has just unlocked another new way to travel.
In time, the Speed Force returned to normal, and Wally West returned to the role, but Bart Allen showed just how powerful the Flash can be—so powerful he has to stop and think before he runs off the planet.
