The Flash vs Robot Flash: Who Is Faster In DC Comics

Warning Spoilers for DC Cybernetic Summer Below!

Across the multiverse, there are a ton of different versions of the Flash, with each of them possessing varying levels of speed. A robotic version of the speedster named Mercury Flash is one of the fastest of them all, and in order to prove it, he took on Barry Allen in a race in the appropriately named “Flash Race Day.”

Mercury Flash first appeared in The Multiversity Guidebook and was created by Grant Morrison. From Earth-44, the robotic Flash has many of the same powers as the human versions of the Flash including a deep connecting to the Speed Force. The character made a surprise appearance in this week’s DC Cybernetic Summer, where the android Flash went head-to-head against Barry to decide who was faster.

In ‘The Speedster Games’ story by Joshua Williamson, David Lafuente, Luis Guerrero, and Steve Wands, the fastest Flashes of the multiverse come together at “Flash Race Day” to determine who the fastest of them all is. Competing for the Lightning Cup is Barry and Mercury Flash. While Barry has a lighthearted approach about the race, Mercury Flash is not only determined to win, but to prove that he doesn’t need to smile and have fun to win. As they race Mercury Flash tells Barry “I’m not here to make friends.” While Barry suggests the two can learn from one another, Mercury Flash suggests that all the other Flashes see is Metal Man and “that wants to be real flesh and blood.” Throughout the race, Barry slowly convinces Mercury he’s worthy of being a Flash. A piece of Mercury falls on the Flash’s boot and instead of using the substance to slow down his opponent, Mercury Flash decides to continue to run leading to a tie.

In a beautiful moment in the post-race celebrations, the PA announcer says “it is not your speed that makes you a Flash, it’s your heart,” as Mercury Flash and Barry have their arms around each other and the android Flash has a big smile on his face.

While a tie might seem anti-climatic, it’s the perfect result for Mercury Flash. He proved (even if he didn’t necessarily have to) that he can hang with the Flash in a race and is a worthy speedster. Barry made sure to make him feel welcome and gave him enough reassurance that his confidence blossomed. When given the chance to cheat and win the race, Mercury Flash decided against it. Instead, he showed off his pure speed and can say until the next “Flash Race Day,” that he’s just as fast as Barry Allen.

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Liam McGuire
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Lead writer for Screen Rant’s comic team. [email protected]. Find me on Twitter @LiamRMcGuire for comic news and reporting.

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