The DC Universe is full of speedsters who have gained their power from the mysterious Speed Force. All of their costumes have to be able to deal with the incredibly high velocity they will be reaching thanks to their powers, meaning they are made out of very durable materials. But that doesn't mean that all of those specialist suits look the same. Even the new Flash movie introduces multiple versions of the hero who wear different costumes.
There are certainly shared visual cues between many members of the Flash family, but those suit similarities are contrasted well with DC's speedy villains. Each costume is also designed to say something about the character who wears it. Imagery is so important in the comics and a garment will tell readers everything they need to know about a hero or foe at first glance.
10 Impulse
Bart Allen became a Kid Flash and an iteration of the Flash, but it's his time as Impulse that many fans most fondly remember. While the moniker says a great deal about the personality of the young hero, his suit backs that up well. It has all the makings of a classic speedster uniform but with a few notable twists.
Impulse's red and white design both pays homage to the classic Flash and ensures that the costume still feels fresh. The goggle face mask is both practical and unique, with the chin strap still matching the other Flashes. The costume uses plenty of lightning bolt logos representing his direct speed, but there is a plain simplicity to the suit as well. The young hero is still finding his identity after all.
9 XS
XS is a notable hero who fans of the Arrowverse will know as Barry Allen and Iris West's daughter from the future. On the page, Jenni Ognats adds to the legacy of the Flash. Those aware of the CW's XS will see plenty of similarities between the costume in the comics versus what was adapted to the screen.
XS's costume takes the speedster suit in a completely alternate direction. The purple, yellow, and white color scheme is standout and the gear is incredibly athletic in its design. There's a practicality to the suit that moves it away from a traditional superhero garb. But details like the belt and lightning bolt logo demonstrate that she's still a part of the Flash family.
8 Jesse Quick
Jesse Chambers has been known as the Flash, Liberty Bell, and most prominently, Jesse Quick. The character's look might be a lot simpler than other figures, but it is ever-evolving as the character grows and matures. There are so many nods to other speedsters in the suit, but Jesse has clearly placed her own personality in the costume.
For starters, Jesse Quick's uniform uses the red and gold color scheme that the Flash is most associated with. The shape of the mask is really original for Jesse, although it has varied between a red and black color scheme before. Jesse occasionally uses a lightning bolt logo which does elevate the suit further. But features like the belt and gloves tie into common superhero suit tropes.
7 Black Flash
There have been some tremendous iterations of the Flash over the years, some of which have surpassed Barry Allen. But the Black Flash is a force of nature unto himself. Barry has actually transformed into the deadly entity in the past. The Black Flash obviously had to have a black color scheme to match the ominous title.
But Black Flash's costume is like a shadowy version of a traditional Flash, making him an eerie reminder of the fate that awaits all speedsters. The red accents across the costume feel as if they are a nod to a hellish afterlife in which Black Flash may take his victims. But the way the suit rots in certain areas to show the skeletal figure beneath ensures the costume takes advantage of the horror elements of the character.
6 Godspeed
August Heart is Godspeed, an antagonist who has only made his impact felt in recent years on the page. Regardless, the popularity of the character has made him a mainstay of Flash lore, with Godspeed even featured as part of the Arrowverse. The character's iconic costume has definitely helped to establish the character, thanks to its memorable twist on the regular tropes of a villain's suit.
Godspeed has been featured in a gold and white color scheme that seems to play on heavenly imagery. The sleek and ethereal nature of the costume nod to the god aspect of the name. But the speed part is also capitalized on, with the streamlined suit boasting bold lightning logos throughout. The all-in-one mask adds an element of fear, as Godspeed's enemies question what kind of being is beneath the disguise. In a city full of nefarious but similar villains, Godspeed truly stands out.
5 Kid Flash
The Kid Flash moniker has been passed from sidekick to sidekick. Each iteration of the young hero has had a different suit to wear, but the Wallace West variation is now the most well-known version. The character's garment is expertly crafted to look fantastic alongside the Flash while still working as its own individual piece.
The genius of the Kid Flash uniform is that it's the inverse of the Flash. But that doesn't make it quite like Reverse-Flash's costume either. The yellow and red truly pop and the white accents, especially on the logo, add a little more depth to the palette. The use of the lightning bolts on the mask is striking and the silhouette of the face covering is imaginatively designed. It's a powerful suit that feels youthful and electric.
4 The Flash (Jay Garrick)
Jay Garrick is the first version of the Flash that readers were introduced to. Although Barry Allen might be more famous in the red and yellow costume, Garrick walked so that Allen could run. The Jay Garrick uniform is timeless, but it is also a nostalgic reminder of an era that has long since passed in the comic book industry.
Jay Garrick's uniform reflects the speed god, Hermes. The ingenuous helmet is both protective and a great alternative to a mask. Its use as a weapon actually elevates the costume further. In true classic DC fashion, a lightning logo is the most prominent element of the torso. The earlier artists clearly didn't want to overcomplicate the aesthetic.
3 The Flash (Wally West)
Wally West's time as Kid Flash was absolutely integral to his career, but the character has morphed just as the universe has around him. He has often taken on the Flash mantle, but regardless of the title he uses, the speedster's costume is superb. It's a great reflection of the usual Flash uniform.
Wally West might use the same sleek and streamlined design as the fastest man alive, but there are a few alterations that differentiate his look. The mask with more prominent earpieces is a nod to the Kid Flash style. What's more, Wally has sometimes been depicted with glowing blue features rather than the yellow or white of other speedsters. This gives the sense that this Flash radiates energy, and the strength of his powers supports that analysis.
2 Reverse-Flash
Reverse-Flash is an incredible villain who has plagued Barry Allen's life from a young age. The character's costume has always acted as a mockery of the Scarlet Speedster. The Reverse-Flash suit is symbiotic with the villain's name, as the colors are the reverse of Barry Allen's usual garb. But the design itself is extremely similar.
Reverse-Flash's bright yellow and red detailing is a great contrast to Barry. But the black logo on his torso speaks to the darkness in the sinister foe's heart. The prominent earpieces and lightning details on the wrist are great touches that provide variation in the look. Ultimately this suit feels like it's all about speed, stripping away any complicated elements in favor of an aerodynamic approach.
1 The Flash (Barry Allen)
Barry Allen is the superhero most known for using the Flash name. Barry's superhero uniform has had to stand the test of time alongside greats like Wonder Woman, Batman, and Superman. The costume has done just that and is instantly recognizable.
The Flash's red, gold, and white uniform is striking and elegant. It's really streamlined and simple, but the lightning bolts immediately tell audiences about the character's skill set. The belt design has changed a lot, but it's most effective when cut short on either side, almost like a wreath crowning a champion. The character's cowl follows on from DC greats like Batman, leaving the mouth open but covering the rest of the face. It boasts all the features of a great superhero look and most other speedster uniforms borrow from it in some way.