The Flash #11 Redefines Speed Force and DC Comics’ Cosmos

The cosmic energies that control the DC Universe have been continually refined over time. The Speed Force that empowers all speedsters is the most famous of these, but there are other similar powers. However, The Flash #11 by Simon Spurrier and Ramón Pérez, suggests these seemingly separate energies are all connected.

The action of The Flash #11 centers around a fathering of heroes. Most of them are speedsters, concerned by the increasing instability of the Speed Force. Another point of concern is the disappearance of Wally West, the Fastest Man Alive. However, it soon becomes apparent that whatever is interfering with the Speed Force is also affecting the wielders of other energies.

It is the hero Circuit Breaker who first suggests a link between his powers and the Speed Force. Circuit Breaker’s powers are tied to inertia, and an energy known as the Still Force. It was presumed that the Speed Force tapped by The Flash and the Still Force were equal and opposite energies. However, Circuit Breaker suggests they may be two parts of a whole.

This starts a conversation between the heroes, regarding other energies like the Sage Force and Strength Force. They also consider how some Speed Force users manifest their powers in ways that mimic the other forces. Surge, for instance, is a Speed Force user who manifests super strength. This leads to the revelation that all their powers are connected to a single source.

The Flash manipulates time rather than speed

With some prompting from the time-traveling Inspector Pilgrim, the heroes eventually determined this common energy is time itself. Max Mercury, the Zen master of speed, further suggests that what they call the Speed Force is a living being with many aspects. This leads to two different metaphors.

One metaphor suggests the power users are parasites drawing on time to enrich themselves. The other metaphor likens the various energies to the ingredients of an apple pie. (“You got the crust, the filling, some ice cream if you’re lucky… all unevenly spread, but it’s still one dessert.”) In any case, it seems clear that the various forces tapped by The Flash and his family are all part of one glorious whole.

The Flash #11 is now available at comic shops everywhere.