The Flash is the fastest man alive, but at the end of the day, he’s just a man. In recent years, though, DC has asked an interesting question: what if the Flash were a machine? The answer is that this machine would be just as fast as the Flash, if not faster – but it’s possible that it wouldn’t have the same heart that makes the Flash who he is.

In a multiversal Flash race in “The Speedster Games” by Joshua Williamson and David Lafuente from DC Cybernetic Summer #1, the main universe’s Barry Allen races against Mercury Flash, a synthetic android from Earth-44. Commonly known as one of the fastest speedsters in the Flash Family, Barry Allen now has some competition with Mercury Flash, who is all business.

The race is tight, and with the help of a mercurial force instead of the enigmatic Speed Force, Mercury Flash even had a chance to win by controlling the mercury that had splashed onto Barry’s costume and tripping him. Yet, in the end, both Flashes tie, showing not only that Mercury Flash is as fast as the Flash, and with more useful powers, but he has the heart of a Flash, too.

Who Is the Fastest Flash Alive?

“The Speedster Games” by Joshua Williamson, David Lafuente, Luis Guerrero, and Steve Wands

At the end of the day, Barry Allen is just a human. Even when trying to run into the future, the Flash used to need a machine to even accomplish the task: the Cosmic Treadmill. Although it’s now essentially been said that the Flash is practically made out of time, the fickle nature of the Speed Force will always be beaten by the simplicity of a clock. The machine that is the Mercury Flash shows a possible universe where the Flash does not tire and needs no extra machinery to accomplish speed feats – and he even has the extra powers of mercury manipulation.

Speed makes a speedster, but it’s the heart of hope that makes a Flash.

While not the only robotic Flash, and even with all of those robotic advantages, the only reason Mercury Flash makes a good Flash is that he has a good heart and decides not to cheat against Barry Allen. Speed makes a speedster, but it’s the heart of hope that makes a Flash. The Flash is a symbol of perseverance and goodwill, machine or not. Every Flash has the ability to get back up after big mistakes. Mercury Flash proves that he has the same amount of humanity as Barry Allen by allowing the two of them to tie.

Being a Flash Means Being Quick to Hope

The Flash Family Races to Save the Day

After that tie, Mercury Flash still showcases that he is just as naturally fast as the Flash, even with a secret power he decided not to use. At the end of the race, he takes his place, smiling, alongside the Flash. Now Mercury Flash stands in a long line of Flash Family members who run faster than ever and inspire others to do the same.