The Justice League Just Locked In Its Most Powerful Hero and No, It’s Not Superman

Warning: Spoilers for The Flash (2023) #19 ahead!

“Who’s the strongest” is a common comic book question, especially when applied to the varied superheroes who compose the Justice League. There are many contenders for the title, but there’s one hero which the Justice League all but unanimously agrees is at the top of DC’s power rankings: Wally West, the Flash, surpasses even the resident Kryptonian and the various Corps members in power.

In The Flash #19 – written by Simon Spurrier, with art by Vasco Georgiev – the League desperately tries to contain the Flash, whom Eclipso has driven mad with rage. As Nightwing outlines the plan to Linda, he admits that the League is hard-pressed to match Wally’s power: “he could kill every living human in the time it takes to sneeze” and “go through gods like butter.“

Even more terrifyingly, Linda listens to each step and knows it won’t work, saying, “Wally’s come too far. He’s learned too much. He’s pushed his limits to the point they don’t exist…Flash can’t be beaten.“

DC Officially Confirms Wally West Is The Most Powerful Member Of The Justice League

The Flash #19 — Written By Simon Spurrier; Art By Vasco Georgiev; Cover Art By Mike Del Mundo

Wally West was already the fastest Flash, but the 2023 run of The Flash ​​​​​​has expanded his abilities like never before. Wally has graduated from phasing through solid matter to phasing through entire realities and can even exist in two separate locations simultaneously. His recent adventures against the eldritch Arc Angles in The Flash #13 ot only saw him save the entirety of the divine Source from destruction, but also participate in giving birth to the Source’s new form. Wally’s powers have transcended “super” and are now downright metaphysical.

While the Justice League is host to plenty of other powerhouses, even they struggle to keep up with the Flash. 2023’s One-Minute War arc established that Superman, the top contender to match Wally’s speed, moves in comparative slow motion when the Flash really gets going; The Flash #19 admits that “in a straight slugfest, [Superman] probably can’t land a single punch.” The other main contender would be Green Lantern John Stewart, whose willpower has allowed him to ascend to living godhood. Both can pull their powers directly from the Source, but Wally remains the Source’s chosen conduit.

The Flash Is The One Member All Other Justice League Members Fear

Wally’s Strength Makes It Hard For Him To Face Consequences

As Nightwing chillingly puts it, “the only thing that prevents Wally from being the most dangerous person alive is he’s just so freakin’ nice.” However, Eclipso’s powers in recent issues have demonstrated it doesn’t take much to manipulate Wally’s emotions or push him over the edge. The Flash #19 opens with an all-hands situation that requires both the Justice League and the Flash Family to try and slow Wally down, and Linda is pessimistic that their combined efforts will be able to do anything to stop the man who crosses spacetime and reality as easily as going through a door.

The current arc of The Flash has been a meditation on what truly matters once one gains power, with Eclipso’s hedonistic reign in Skartaris acting as a dark reflection of Wally’s humbler aspirations to balance family with his duty as a hero. This is a measure of power few in DC have ever obtained, placing Wally in the select company of those few who can directly manipulate the Source. All of this marks the Flash firmly as the most powerful member of the Justice League, and it doesn’t look like anyone will be matching him any time soon.

The Flash #19 will be available March 26, 2025, from DC Comics.

The Flash

Created By

Gardner Fox, Harry Lampert, Carmine Infantino

First Appearance

Flash Comics

Alias

Jay Garrick, Barry Allen, Wally West, Bart Allen, Avery Ho

Alliance

Justice Society of America, Justice League, Teen Titans

Race

Human

Franchise

D.C.

Expand