Who Is The Fastest Superhero? Flash, Quicksilver, A-Train, Makkari?

By Charlene Badasie | Updated

fastest superhero

Speedsters have always been a fascinating part of the superhero world. In the comics, A-Train, Flash, Quicksilver, and Makkari have captured readers’ imagination for years. Each of these iconic characters, across Marvel, DC, and The Boys, bring their unique speed-related abilities and storylines to the table. But who is the fastest superhero among them? There can only be one, and it’s clearly The Flash.

A-Train: The Supersonic Star

the boys
Jesse T. Usher as A-Train in The Boys

A-Train, a member of The Seven in The Boys comic series and the Amazon prime adaptation, possesses incredible superhuman speed, allowing him to break the sound barrier easily. His character is known for his cocky attitude and ruthless competitiveness, which makes him a formidable speedster.

A-Train’s speed, however, has its limitations. While he can reach supersonic velocities, he hasn’t displayed the ability to move through time or dimensions like some of his faster superhero counterparts.

The Flash: The Scarlet Speedster

grant gustin the flash
Grant Gustin in promotional art for The Flash

The Flash, one of DC Comics’ most iconic heroes, has a long, storied history as the fastest man alive. Several individuals — including Barry Allen, Wally West, and Jay Garrick — have donned the Flash mantle over the years. Each of them is linked to the Speed Force, a cosmic energy source that grants them incredible speed.

The Flash has been known to break the time barrier, vibrate through solid objects, and even travel through different dimensions, making him the top contender for fastest superhero.

Quicksilver: The Mutant Marvel

fastest superhero
Evan Peters as Quicksilver in X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)

Quicksilver, a mutant in the Marvel Universe, has long been recognized as one of the fastest characters in comics. His abilities are attributed to his mutant physiology, which grants him superhuman speed, reflexes, and agility.

Quicksilver’s speed has often been showcased in his heroic and villainous endeavors, as well as his time with the X-Men. He can outrun bullets and move so quickly that time appears to stand still.

Makkari: The Eternal Speedster

fastest superhero
Lauren Ridloff as Makkari in Eternals (2021)

Makkari, one of Marvel’s Eternals, may be a lesser-known superhero, but she’s certainly no slouch when it comes to speed. Thanks to her connection to cosmic energy, Makkari possesses superhuman speed, agility, and stamina.

She’s been known to outrun space-faring vessels and is a skilled hand-to-hand combatant, making him a versatile speedster. While Makkari may not have the same level of recognition as the Flash or Quicksilver, her speed also makes him a top fastest superhero contender.

The Argument for the Fastest

Determining the fastest superhero among the abovementioned characters is no easy task, but The Flash undoubtedly takes the lead due to his connection to the Speed Force. While A-Train, Quicksilver, and Makkari rely on their innate abilities or external factors, the Scarlett Speedster’s powers are tied to a fundamental force of nature.

the flash
Ezra Miller in The Flash (2023)

His ability to break the time barrier means he can not only move at astonishing speeds but can also travel through time itself. This has been a central part of many Flash storylines and showcases a level of speed manipulation beyond what the other speedsters can achieve.

Whether it’s running to the past or future, The Flash has demonstrated the ability to control time, which sets him apart from A-Train, Quicksilver, and Makkari, who are primarily confined to their own timelines. The Flash’s versatility in navigating different dimensions further cements his status as the fastest superhero.

Moreover, in most comic book interpretations and discussions among fans, The Flash is even considered to be faster than Superman. While both characters possess incredible speed, they achieve it in different ways. Superman’s speed is often attributed to his Kryptonian physiology, which grants him superhuman abilities under Earth’s yellow Sun.

However, the extent of Superman’s speed can vary depending on the writer and the specific comic storyline. In some portrayals, he has been shown to fly faster than the speed of light and even break the time barrier, demonstrating a level of speed that rivals The Flash. Still, in most stories, the Speed Force trumps the Sun, with The Flash often depicted as the fastest superhero in the entire DC Universe.