Superman vs. Flash: Speed and Perception in the Justice League Movie

In the Justice League (2017), the depiction of Superman’s speed in comparison to the Flash is a subject of ongoing discussion and interpretation. The film suggests that Superman can match or even exceed the Flash's speed, especially during the climactic battle against Steppenwolf. This portrayal is not without its complications, especially when considering the variations in comic book lore and the principles of physics.

Power Scaling in the Movie

The film emphasizes Superman’s overall power as a Kryptonian, showcasing his abilities in a way that suggests he can match or exceed the Flash’s speed. This choice highlights Superman’s status as a formidable character within the team, making him a protagonist worth rooting for and impressive to watch. The movie may prioritize dramatic moments over strict adherence to comic book lore. Thus, portraying Superman as faster than Flash adds to the excitement and tension of the storyline.

Narrative Focus and Comic Lore

In the context of comic books, there is a variation in the lore regarding the races between Superman and the Flash. Often, the Flash is depicted as being faster than Superman, especially when utilizing the Speed Force to its fullest capacity. However, there are instances where Superman has won these races, sometimes due to contextual factors, such as the Flash holding back or other narrative reasons.

This narrative flexibility allows for different storylines to flourish, ranging from the Flash's dominance to Superman's apparent speed advantage. The movie's portrayal of Superman’s speed as on par with or potentially exceeding the Flash’s is, therefore, a creative decision that fits the film's thematic needs and plot requirements.

Physical Limitations and Perception

On another note, Barry Allen (The Flash) himself mentions in the movie that approaching light speed results in time becoming strange and distorted. This statement reflects the principles of relativity in physics, where, as an object approaches the speed of light, its perception of time and space changes dramatically. The Flash's statement that he wasn't going near light speed when battling Superman may indicate that he was operating within a sub-relativistic to relativistic speed range, which doesn't necessarily mean he was slower than Superman in this specific instance.

It’s important to note that the distinction between being slower than something and faster than someone else is more nuanced than it might seem. The shorter the time it takes to cover a distance, the faster the object is moving relative to that distance. Thus, if Superman was covering a distance faster than the Flash under the given conditions, he could be said to be faster, even if the Flash was going a significant percentage of the speed of light.

Final Thoughts

The portrayal of Superman’s speed in the Justice League (2017) is a deliberate choice that balances comic book lore and the narrative needs of the film. While the comic book universe supports the idea that the Flash is faster, the movie takes a different stance to enhance its storytelling and engage the audience with dynamic and exciting action sequences. Understanding the physical principles and narrative contexts is crucial in comprehending the differences between the medium of comics and the big screen.