DC Debuts Its New Fastest Man as an Overlooked Hero Just Stole The Flash's Powers

WARNING! Spoilers for Justice League: The Atom Project #2

The Flash has been the fastest character in the DC Universe for decades, but in a shocking turn of events, a fellow hero has stolen his speed to outpace him. Captain Atom is DC's new Fastest Man Alive, potentially stripping Barry Allen of the powers that have long defined him. Whether this shift in status quo is permanent remains to be seen, as another superhero steals the Flash's speedster spotlight.

In a preview for Justice League: The Atom Project #2 by Ryan Parrott, John Ridley, Mike Perkins, Adriano Lucas, and Wes Abbott, the two Atoms - Ray Palmer and Ryan Choi - try to investigate Captain Atom's whereabouts after he evaded them with newfound speed. Upon shrinking down and searching the area at an atomic level, Ray discovers Speed Force residue at the scene.

Captain Atom now has access to the Flash's signature power source, suggesting that he's taken the Scarlet Speedster's powers for himself and replaced him as the fastest hero in DC continuity.

Captain Atom May Have Just Stolen The Flash's Super-Speed

The Flash Lost His Speed Force Connection, While Captain Atom Just Unlocked His Own

Captain Atom's unexpected surge of speed is one of several superpowers he's gained access to. In Justice League: The Atom Project #1, Nathaniel Adam is experimented on as part of Ray and Ryan's mission to restore the Justice League heroes' missing powers. However, he ends up going rogue in an effort to avoid regaining his quantum form, and he showcases new abilities in this process. Specifically, he races off at a speed that only the Flash could pull off before. Barry Allen is detached from the Speed Force as of now, and Captain Atom may have just revealed where his powers went.

The Flash's connection to the Speed Force being severed aligns perfectly with Captain Atom obtaining his own connection to it. Barry Allen revealed that he could no longer tap into his speed in Absolute Power #4 by Mark Waid and Dan Mora. Most heroes switched powers with each other, whereas Barry lost his speed entirely - or so he'd thought. After all, only a few DC heroes have been chosen by the Speed Force due to how selective it is, so there's a high likelihood that Captain Atom's unprecedented upgrade isn't a natural occurrence and is instead borrowed from the Flash.

The Flash Finally Has a Chance At Regaining His Super-Speed

With the Atom Project, Barry Allen Can Become The Flash Once More

Comic book art: The Flash surging with power, looking ominous as he runs through the Speed Force. — The Flash surging with power, looking ominous as he runs through the Speed Force.

Now that the Atoms have figured out a possible destination for Barry Allen's powers, then there's hope for him to reclaim his mantle as the Flash. He had no choice but to retire from being a superhero in the wake of the Absolute Power event so that Wally West could replace him as the Flash, but Ray and Ryan have devised a system that restores swapped superpowers. If Captain Atom can be contained, then the Atoms can return his speed to Barry. Captain Atom's time as the Fastest Man Alive won't last forever, because the Flash could return sooner than anticipated.

Justice League: The Atom Project #2 is available February 5th, 2025 from DC Comics.