The Best Members of the Flash Family

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The Flash is a hugely significant character in comic book history. The very first Flash, Jay Garrick, appeared in 1940’s Flash Comics #1 and quickly became a founding member of the Justice Society. In 1956, Barry Allen debuted as the new Flash in Showcase #4, ushering in the Silver Age of comics. Soon after, Barry gained a sidekick, Wally West, and the original Flash, Jay Garrick, returned. This marked the beginning of the Flash family. Over time, this family has grown in both size and power, becoming increasingly central to the DC Universe. The different heroes who have taken on the mantle of the Flash have not only defined specific eras of comics, but have also set the standard for superheroes of their time.

The Flash has a long history with many different heroes carrying the mantle, and some are more memorable than others. This is a look at the best members of the Flash family – the incredible speedsters who constantly protect the universe, often without anyone even noticing!

10) Avery Ho

Avery Ho is a relatively new addition to the Flash universe, but she’s quickly become a valuable member. She first appeared as the Flash in DC’s New Super-Man, a team based on the Justice League of China. Like her counterpart, Kenan Kong, she integrated into the larger American superhero community. Avery has consistently demonstrated her skills as a speedster, appearing in several Flash comic book storylines, including a recent mini-series alongside Wallace West. She’s both a compelling character and a gifted hero.

9) Jai West

Jai West, the son of Wally and Linda West, is an incredibly powerful user of the Speed Force. Often called Surge, Jai doesn’t just focus on super speed – he can actually control and reshape the energy of the Speed Force itself. This allows him to do amazing things like gain super strength, create protective shields, teleport, and even manipulate electricity. He’s also developing a romantic interest in Maxine Baker, the daughter of Animal Man, and is becoming a prominent member of a legendary comic book family.

8) Irey West

Irey West is Jai’s twin sister and leans more towards the classic speedster role. Initially using the name Impulse – a nod to Bart Allen’s early hero days – she now goes by Thunderheart. Unlike her brother, Irey naturally embraced the life of a hero, easily fitting into their father’s world. Though still developing her abilities, she’s become an important figure in her father’s life as she’s matured. She and Maxine Baker are close friends, forming a fun, superpowered duo, and Irey’s always ready with a quick joke or a super-fast attack when things go wrong. With continued growth, she has the potential to become the Flash and is quickly becoming a rising star.

7) Wallace “Ace” West

Wallace West was initially introduced in the New 52 as a response to fans requesting the return of the original Wally West. Despite this origin, he quickly became a well-liked character, and remained part of the DC Universe even after the original Wally West was reintroduced in DC Rebirth #1, joining the Rebirth Teen Titans. Over time, Wallace has become even more popular, and has a lot of potential for future development. While many fans would like to see him become Wally’s Kid Flash, his appearances have consistently been enjoyable, and he’s grown significantly since Rebirth.

6) Jessie Quick

Jessie Chambers, the daughter of classic heroes Johnny Quick and Liberty Belle, became the speedster Jessie Quick. She initially gained super speed from her father’s research, and later developed her mother’s incredible strength, invulnerability, and a powerful sonic scream. While she’s been a respected member of the Justice Society of America for nearly two decades, and still participates in major events with the Flash Family, she’s often overlooked. Jessie has spent years overcoming the pressure of following in her parents’ footsteps, and her romance with Hourman II is popular with fans. She’s a valuable asset to the Flash Family and a truly underrated hero.

5) Max Mercury

Max Mercury is often called the “Zen speedster” because of his calm approach to his powers. Originally known as Quicksilver in the Old West, he was the first speedster to describe a mysterious energy source – similar to what would later be called the Speed Force – that kept him youthful for over a hundred years. He played a key role in helping Wally West master his abilities and defeat the Reverse Flash, and later mentored Bart Allen when Bart traveled to the present. While Jay Garrick is like the Flash family’s warm and friendly grandfather, Max is more like a tough, no-nonsense uncle – he has a lot of knowledge, but he won’t coddle you to help you learn.

4) Bart Allen

Bart Allen, the grandson of Barry Allen, was born in the future and naturally possesses super speed. He grew up in a virtual reality environment before traveling back in time. Initially known as Impulse, he was mentored by Jay Garrick and Max Mercury, and fought alongside heroes like Wally West and the Young Justice team. He later joined the Teen Titans and became Kid Flash. For a time, Bart even became the Flash, but he was tragically killed by his clone, Inertia, and the Rogues. Thankfully, he was brought back to life, though he hasn’t had many major storylines since. Recently, however, writers have been highlighting his potential and reminding fans how exciting of a character he is. Bart is often seen as the quintessential superhero with ADHD, and he’s consistently one of the most enjoyable modern speedsters to follow.

3) Barry Allen

Barry Allen, the second hero to be known as the Flash, is a foundational figure in comic book history, essentially launching the modern superhero comic in 1956 with his debut in Showcase #4. He became a legendary character, defining the Silver Age of Comics. His death in Crisis on Infinite Earths was a landmark event for DC Comics, but he eventually returned to his role as the Flash, proving he remained one of the greats. While Barry isn’t necessarily the most complex character – he’s often described as very ordinary – that simplicity is actually part of what makes him so endearing and a truly remarkable hero.

2) Jay Garrick

Jay Garrick holds a special place in comic book history as the very first Flash, debuting in 1940’s Flash Comics #1. He was a founding member of the Justice Society of America and quickly became a legendary hero. His return in The Flash (Vol. 1) #123 was particularly significant, as he introduced the concept of the multiverse to DC Comics. For 86 years, Jay has been a beloved figure, fighting tirelessly against injustice. Often considered the “grandfather” of the Speed Force, he’s a supportive friend to all and a steadfast presence in battle. He’s played a key role in bringing Golden Age heroes to modern audiences, consistently anchoring stories featuring the Justice Society. Jay essentially started the Flash family, and continues to be one of its most cherished members.

1) Wally West

Okay, so as a huge comic book fan, let me tell you about Wally West. He started out as Kid Flash, Barry Allen’s sidekick way back in the Silver Age, but he’s become so much more than that. He was a key member of the original Teen Titans, and when Barry sadly passed away, Wally stepped up to become the Flash. It took him a little while to really find his footing, but honestly, he eventually became one of the fastest, most powerful speedsters ever! What’s really cool is that he was the first sidekick to really break out and become even bigger than his mentor. When DC’s New 52 reboot basically erased him from continuity, it felt like a direct attack on Flash fans – we were not happy! His eventual return was great, but the way they handled his story after that caused a huge backlash. Look, for a lot of us, and I mean a lot, Wally West is simply the best Flash, period. It’s not up for debate!

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2026-02-18 02:13