Problems with Super Powers

[MrGiantRobot]

Again, I'm just out to get some conversation going, so I'm gonna throw this idea out:

If Flash can vibrate through solid material, that means that he is speeding himself up to the point where his molecules can come apart, right? If this was true, wouldn't it be impossible for him to do without killing himself? If he goes too fast, his molecules literally explode out in all directions. If he slows during the "phasing" through a material, his molecules would get mixed with the material and he would die instantly. And when he slows down from this vibration, how can his molecules know where to go? It seems to me that he could do it, but turn into a blobl of goo when he comes out the other side.

If this doesn't get people angry enough, I'll be sure to put up some other ideas involving Superman. *insert nervous laughter here*

[metaphysician]

First, remember, he is protected by a Speed Force aura, which bends certain rules. Thats why he can run really fast without being perforated by air molecules.

Second, he's not really physically going through objects, usually. Rather, he's shifting so he vibrates out of phase with the object, literally becoming immaterial. Now, he CAN be solid relative to the onject, but that results in the object being destroyed, not him ( for the same reason as above ).

Remember, this is a cartoon, and these are superheroes. They can do this stuff.

[Karkull]

I loved the comment that Grant Morrison made once referring to the Flash's powers--that, at the speeds he travels at, he would fly off the curve of the Earth [into space] unless he stays conscious of staying on the ground.

Imagine if he tripped on something...

[Stupendous Man]

I think Flash lost the ability to phase thru solid
objects in the comic .

Did he regain this ability ?

I wonder if theyll show it on the series ?

Theyve allready shown him running up a wall
in the pilot.

[Naraht]

I think they once had clark pull a vibrate so fast he phases through solid matter in an Episode of Lois & Clark.

[Clayface]

Originally posted by metaphysician

Second, he's not really physically going through objects, usually. Rather, he's shifting so he vibrates out of phase with the object, literally becoming immaterial.


Ahhh, you gotta love the psuedo-scientific mumbo jumbo that comic writers come up with to try and explain these things away.

[Nass]

Didn't Barry Allen phase apart like that in the Crisis? But yeah, now a days any question you have about the Flash and how he does stuff is answered with the all powerful Speed Force, which is smart and saves DC time from going into every little scientific detail. He's just a fun character and sometimes things like that just cant be thought about. And as for it on JL the show, Ive kept an eye out, he hasn't vibrated through anything at all, I wouldve thought he could in that goo in the pilot and when he was stuck in the rock/cave things that the League was trapped in the pilot, but no. Maybe its being saved for the Flash episode. Even though he did in "Speed Demons".

[JusticeLeagueLegion]

Originally posted by Karkull
I loved the comment that Grant Morrison made once referring to the Flash's powers--that, at the speeds he travels at, he would fly off the curve of the Earth [into space] unless he stays conscious of staying on the ground.


Imagine if he tripped on something...

I remember reading about that in a special JLA Wizard magazine.

[metaphysician]

Originally posted by Nass
Didn't Barry Allen phase apart like that in the Crisis? But yeah, now a days any question you have about the Flash and how he does stuff is answered with the all powerful Speed Force, which is smart and saves DC time from going into every little scientific detail. He's just a fun character and sometimes things like that just cant be thought about. And as for it on JL the show, Ive kept an eye out, he hasn't vibrated through anything at all, I wouldve thought he could in that goo in the pilot and when he was stuck in the rock/cave things that the League was trapped in the pilot, but no. Maybe its being saved for the Flash episode. Even though he did in "Speed Demons".

If I remember correctly, he didn't actually vibrate through the ice. He merely vibrated fast enough to generate friction, and, thus, melt the ice. Not the same thing.

Frankly, ditching the phasing ability isn't necessarily a bad move, considering how godawfully annoying it is to have him vibrate through every conceivable barrier. I'm sure it would please Hawkgirl if they ever got together, though. ;)

[Nass]

He can't vibrate through a certain type of force feild, its in an animated comic somewhere.....anyone else remember, I beleive the second JLA issue of DCU Adventures.

[BeastBoyWonder]

wow, the flash is really getting cut out of cool stuff he can do in the Animated Series.