Speedster (fiction) explained

A speedster is a character, primarily in superhero comics, whose powers primarily relate to superhuman speed (also known as superspeed). Primary abilities shared by all speedsters include running at speeds far in excess of human capability (to varying degrees) and resistance to the side effects of such velocities (air resistance, inability to breathe, dynamic shock resulting from contact with objects at high speed, etc.). In almost all cases, speedsters can physically attack opponents by striking them at high speed, imparting great kinetic energy without themselves being harmed or at times even affected at all. A variety of other powers have been attributed to speedsters, depending on the story, their power's origin, and their universe's established continuity and rules.

Plausibility and artistic license

The use of speedsters in fiction requires artistic license due to the laws of physics that would prohibit such abilities. Moving at the speed of sound, for example, would create sonic booms that are usually not heard in such stories, and generate substantial heat. An enormous amount of energy would also be required to achieve such speeds, and speedsters would need to consume massive amounts of calories to sustain their energy.

The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe states that the character Nova maintains speeds which can be considered "modest", especially when carrying a passenger. It also concedes that a solid object moving in the Earth's atmosphere at several times the speed of sound or faster would wreak havoc on the planet, and that moving at such speeds would prohibit Northstar from breathing, while the generated wind/friction would ravage his body. On the other hand, it states that the character Quicksilver was born with adaptations that make high speeds possible, such as enhanced cardiovascular, respiratory, musculature, and digestive systems, a more efficient metabolism, better lubricated joints, tendons with the tensile strength of spring steel, unidentified bone composition that can withstand the dynamic shock of his touching the ground at speeds over 100 miles an hour, and a brain that can process information fast enough for him to react to his surroundings at high speed.[1]

In DC Comics, the Flash family of speedsters derive their abilities from an extradimensional energy source known as the Speed Force, which grants them superspeed and various other abilities required to use it, such as durability.[2] The Speed Force is a cosmic force based around velocity and movement and is the in-universe representation of reality in motion, being the very cosmic force that pushes space and time forward. However, the Speed Force is not the source from which all DC characters with superspeed get their powers. For example, Superman runs and flies quickly owing to his alien physiology, while Captain Marvel/Shazam and Wonder Woman are empowered by the gods.

Writer John Byrne maintained modest abilities for the speedster character Danny Hilltop in his series John Byrne's Next Men. Although Danny can keep pace with a race car, the friction generated by his speed melts any footwear he wears, burning his feet. Thus he runs barefoot, having toughened the soles of his feet through a regimen of pounding increasingly harder materials.[3]

Other writers choose not to offer any scientific explanations for the questions raised by the actual use of such abilities. Peter David, whose run on the series Young Justice included the junior speedster Impulse, has opined that speedsters are inherently difficult to write: "Speedsters make me nervous, because if you play them accurately, they're impossible to beat ... I could deal with Impulse because he was easily distracted."[4] [5]

In other media

Speedster characters appear in other media such as film, video games, anime and manga, the most notable being the video game character Sonic the Hedgehog and supporting characters, and Looney Tunes characters Speedy Gonzales and the Road Runner.

Others include:

Notes and References

  1. Gruenwald, Mark
    Sanderson, Peter
    . The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe. 5. February 1992. 55 & 128. Marvel Comics.
  2. Web site: Jacobs. Eammon. 15 Things You Didn't Know The Speed Force Can Do. January 5, 2018. CBR.com. June 29, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180629131456/https://www.cbr.com/speed-force-facts/.
  3. Byrne, John. Byrne, John. John Byrne’s Next Men. 7. September 1992. Dark Horse Comics.
  4. Web site: David, Peter. WHAT'CHA WANNA KNOW. Peterdavid.net. October 21, 2003. January 13, 2021. June 7, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110607161740/http://www.peterdavid.net/archives/000870.html.
  5. Web site: David. Peter. ANY QUESTIONS?. Peterdavid.net. August 26, 2003. January 13, 2021. June 7, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110607161820/http://www.peterdavid.net/archives/000943.html.
  6. Web site: DC Vs. DBZ: Is Goku Faster Than Flash (Not Counting Instant Transmission)?. CBR.com. Gramuglia, Anthony. March 27, 2020. January 13, 2021. March 28, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200328104343/https://www.cbr.com/dc-vs-dragon-ball-z-goku-faster-than-flash/.
  7. Web site: Dragon Ball Z: Does Goku also Have Super SPEED?. Godino. Edward. Screen Rant. August 30, 2020. January 13, 2021. January 13, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210113154208/https://screenrant.com/dragon-ball-z-goku-super-speed/.
  8. The character is referred to as a "speedster" on Page 3 of the August 25, 2008 TV Guide, and refers to herself as such in "The Second Coming".
  9. Web site: Characters & Cast: The Speedster: Brea Grant. BBC. 2014. January 13, 2021. October 5, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081005060402/http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/heroes/characters_cast/speedster.shtml.
  10. Web site: One Punch Man: 10 Fastest Characters In The Franchise, Ranked. CBR.com. Francis, Zac. January 3, 2021. January 13, 2021. January 4, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210104124018/https://www.cbr.com/one-punch-man-fastest-characters-ranked/.
  11. Web site: One Punch Man: 10 Things That Make No Sense About Flashy Flash. CBR.com. Mazzuca, Anthony. November 1, 2020. January 13, 2021. November 3, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201103085502/https://www.cbr.com/one-punch-man-flashy-flash-makes-no-sense/.
  12. Web site: One-Punch Man: 10 Interesting Facts About Flashy Flash You Need To Know. CBR.com. Adler, Liz. May 11, 2020. January 13, 2021. May 24, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200524003337/https://www.cbr.com/one-punch-man-flashy-flash-facts-trivia/.
  13. Web site: One-Punch Man: Speed-o'-Sound Sonic Could Be the Most Powerful S-Class Hero. Toluanguy. CBR.com. June 15, 2020. January 13, 2021. June 16, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200616015458/https://www.cbr.com/one-punch-man-speed-o-sound-sonic-power/.
  14. Web site: One-Punch Man: 5 Anime Characters Who Are Faster Than Sonic (& 5 Who Can't Keep Up). CBR.com. Ahmad. Suzail. August 18, 2020. January 13, 2021. January 13, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210113160733/https://www.cbr.com/one-punch-man-anime-characters-faster-sonic-cant-keep-up/.
  15. Web site: 'Incredibles 2' is a super first acting job for 10-year-old. Angulo Chen. Sandie. The Washington Post. June 19, 2018. January 13, 2021. June 19, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180619204818/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/kidspost/10-year-olds-acting-career-takes-off-with-incredibles-2/2018/06/18/610c0656-6802-11e8-bf8c-f9ed2e672adf_story.html.
  16. Web site: The Incredibles: Characters. The Walt Disney Company. January 13, 2021. July 31, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130731205512/https://movies.disney.com/the-incredibles/characters.
  17. Web site: Better Child-Rearing Through Chemistry and Genetics. The New York Times. Caramanica. Jon. February 24, 2012. January 13, 2021. February 29, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120229090007/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/25/arts/television/disney-xds-lab-rats.html.
  18. Web site: Disney XD Set to Premiere "Lab Rats," A Comedy About a Teenager and His Three Super-Human Siblings, on Monday, February 27. Disney XD. The Futon Critic. January 9, 2012. January 13, 2021. January 13, 2021. https://archive.today/20210113163827/http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2012/01/09/disney-xd-set-to-premiere-lab-rats-a-comedy-about-a-teenager-and-his-three-super-human-siblings-on-monday-february-27-443413/20120109disneyxd01. live.
  19. Web site: Fastest Girl in the World. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/Ep8Og2af8Lk. 2021-12-22. live. Disney XD. YouTube. October 19, 2019. January 13, 2021.
  20. Web site: Mighty Med: The Mother of All Villains. Screener. August 13, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151105195552/http://tvschedule.zap2it.com/tv/mighty-med-the-mother-of-all-villains/EP017967800053?aid=tvschedule. dead. November 5, 2015.
  21. Web site: Time to Say Goodbye: The Thundermans Is Officially Coming to an End. J-14. Jennifer Maldonado. July 28, 2017. February 3, 2018.
  22. Web site: Why A-Train Is the Top Speedster in The Boys Universe. Liu. Narayan. CBR.com. July 25, 2020. January 13, 2021. October 4, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201004200222/https://www.cbr.com/a-train-top-speedster-the-boys-universe/.
  23. Web site: The Boys: Every Speedster Known (So Far). Elvy. Craig. Screen Rant. December 24, 2020. December 24, 2020.
  24. Web site: The Boys: Homelander Accidentally Killed Their Version of The Flash. McGuire. Liam. Screen Rant. November 23, 2020. January 13, 2021. January 13, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210113181609/https://screenrant.com/boys-homelander-killed-flash-mister-marathon-comic/.
  25. Sullivan, Michael Patrick. "Faerber Concludes "Noble Causes". Comic Book Resources. August 19, 2008
  26. Arrant, Chris. "The Other Family of Superheroes: Retiring NOBLE CAUSES". Newsarama. August 3, 2010
  27. Web site: Invincible Reveals Its Version of the Justice League – and Then Destroys It. Stewart. Brenton. CBR.com. March 27, 2021. March 27, 2021.

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