TheFlashhas one of the most iconic rogues' galleries in the DC Universe, but they’re often underrated compared to the likes of Batman or Superman’s villains. With the Fastest Man Alive as their main adversary, it’s no wonder that they so often lose. However, the Rogues' most powerful upgrade elevates them to the Flash’s level at last and proves that they deserve much more recognition.
Rogues' Reignkicks off withThe Flash#82 by Joshua Williamson, Rafa Sandoval, Jordi Tarragona, Arif Prianto, and Steve Wands. This storyline follows the Rogues as they’re given access to god-like power that levels the playing field for them against the Flash. With their full potential unveiled, Captain Cold and hisfellow super-powered Roguestake over Central City, and they all sport eye-catching new costumes to coincide with their enhancements.
These ultimate forms unlock the maximum power of theFlash’s villains. Stronger than ever, the Rogues successfully defeat the Flash and conquer the city he once protected from them, showing just how menacing they can be.
The Flash’s Rogues Unleash The Full Potential of Their Powers
Lex Luthor Gives Flash’s Enemies the Ultimate Upgrade - And Bold Redesigns
Each of the Flash’s rogues gets a striking new form to amplify their powers. Captain Cold dons a hood with glowing blue accents as he changes his title to King Cold, befitting the larger scale of his freezing ability. In addition to him, Weather Wizard gets an electrified scythe to channel his energy through, whileMirror Master’s all-white suitmatches the reflective surfaces he can bend to his will. The Rogues' advanced gear showcases what they’re now capable of and gives them a hardened look. As beneficial as this boost is for Flash’s villains, though, it brings dire consequences to the world around them.
This isn’t the only time that the Flash’s Rogues have received superpowers! In DC’s New 52 run ofThe Flashby Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato, the Rogues also wield their own powers to rival Barry Allen.
The Flash’s villains attain their upgrades from a sinister source. InThe Flash#75,Lex Luthorappears before a jaded Captain Cold and offers to unlock his potential. Cold agrees, but only on the condition that the Rogues get upgrades as well. The Rogues plan to use their enhanced powers just to steal Central City. However, the new King Cold proceeds to go mad with power, aiming for darker ambitions.With immense power at their disposal, the Rogues become more dangerous than ever before, and they aren’t the only Flash enemies to undergo deadly transformations.
Reverse-Flash Levels Up With His Own God-Tier Power Boost
Flash’s Greatest Foe Gets An Electrifying New Form Alongside the Rogues
The rest of Flash’s rogues have ascended to unforeseen heights thanks to Lex Luthor’s intervention, whereas Reverse-Flash has achieved that status as well without him. Unlike the Rogues, Reverse-Flash is already a formidable speedster on his own, so his transformation takes a more unique route. InThe Flash#6 by Simon Spurrier, Mike Deodato Jr., Trish Mulvihill, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou,Reverse-Flash is given a horrifying new formas theCrown of Thawnes. This amalgamation of Reverse-Flashes is cultivated and fueled by divine beings known as Arc Angles, which grants Eobard Thawne god-like status on par with the Rogues.
Reverse-Flash’s Ultimate Form Proves Speedsters Are DC’s Deadliest ‘Species’ (More Than Kryptonians)
Readers often think that Kryptonians are DC’s most powerful beings, but Reverse Flash just proved that Speedsters are stronger with one feat.
Reverse-Flash’s nightmare-fuel redesignis unlike any other form he has taken in DC lore. Instead of running around as an individual speedster,Thawne becomes a cosmic weapon that possesses the minds of speedstersto make them carry out the Arc Angles' bidding. InThe Flash#11, the Arc Angles use the Crown of Thawnes to control the Flash, and Reverse-Flash is then shot into the heart of time in a power feat that can be likened to asecond Flashpoint. The fact that Reverse-Flash can destroy time itself cements his revamped form as a major threat, just like the Rogues'.
The Flash’s Super-Speed Still Puts His Villains to Shame
Barry Allen Overpowers the Maxed-Out Rogues
Although the situation looks bleak for the Flash in his conflict with his now overpowered Rogues, their newfound powers don’t hold a candle to his. With his unmatched speed, the Flash has earned his place as one of themost powerful DC characters. On top of this, he recently learned that theSpeed Force is alive, redefining his powers on a cosmic scale and allowing him to even stand up to the Arc Angles. Therefore, in his fight with King Cold, it doesn’t take long for the Flash to tap into hidden reserves of speed and defeat the villain - powers and all.
The Flash’s rogues are worthy of respect for the impressive feats they’re able to pull off with otherworldly might at their disposal.
The Rogues' transformations reveal that powering up increases not only their strength, but also their villainy.They’ve historically been lower-level opponents for the Flash, but with advanced super-powers, the Rogues become catastrophic for the entire DC Universe. It’s best that they remain de-powered in the long run, fighting the Flash on a street-level as opposed to putting the city - and the world - at risk. Still, regardless of whether they should have their powers, theFlash’s rogues are worthy of respect for the impressive feats they’re able to pull off with otherworldly might at their disposal.
The Flash
The Flash is the superhero name given to the DC Comics character who utilizes unparalleled speed tied to a dimensional power known as the “speed force” to overwhelm their opposition. Premiering in 1939, the original Flash arrived as Jay Garrick. Still, it would be superseded by Barry Allen in popularity and featured status, but the Flash is one character that has met many of their alternate selves. The character is typically seen as a part of the Justice League in nearly all incarnations.
