10 DC Characters That The Flash Always Loses To | CBR - CBR - Comic Book Resources

The Flash is the Fastest Man Alive. He's also a frequent member of the Justice League and considered one of DC Comics' greatest heroes. Four people have claimed the title of Flash so far: Jay Garrick, Barry Allen, Wally West, and Avery Ho. However, there have been visions of other heroes becoming the Flash in the future, particularly Jess Chambers in Future State: Justice League.

Despite the power and pedigree that comes with the Flash's name, there are individuals out there who always seem to dominate him. Even when they lose to the Flash, they always find a way to take something from him.

10 The Riddler Would Have Beaten The Flash If It Wasn't For The Help Of The Rogues

Surprisingly, the frequent Batman rogue, the Riddler, has taken on the Fastest Man Alive before. Using drones, the Riddler held the entirety of Central City at gunpoint. If the Flash tried to dismantle the drones, they would start shooting across the city. Even the Flash wouldn't be able to save everyone in time. The only way that Barry could get the Riddler to deactivate his trap was by exposing his secret identity to the world. The Flash was caught at an impasse and seemed to have no out.

The Central City Rogues were involved in the Riddler's plan. However, the Riddler threatened to set off Heatwave like a thermonuclear device, and this turned the Rogues against the Riddler. With the Riddler's attention distracted by the Rogues, the Flash was able to shut down the Riddler's drones and save Central City yet again.

9 Even The Flash Fell Victim To The Influence Of Parallax

Parallax is the Yellow Entity of Fear, and it powers the yellow rings of the Sinestro Corps. Before that, Parallax possessed Green Lantern Hal Jordan and turned him against his friends and the entire world.

After the events of the Blackest Night, someone was hunting down all the Entities of the Emotional Spectrum, and that someone unleashed Parallax on the Flash. As pure as Barry Allen is, even he couldn't resist the influence of Parallax. Parallax-Flash and Green Lantern fought for a while, and it seemed that Hal was outmatched. The only way that Hal could win was by coaxing Parallax out of the Flash to take a shot at possessing Hal. It worked, and Green Lantern was able to subdue Parallax.

8 Deathstroke Always Seems To Get One Over On Wally West

Deathstroke and Wally West have a history given Wally's tenure with the Teen Titans. Taking down Slade Wilson was always a team effort, and even as the Flash, Wally struggled to beat Deathstroke.

Wally seemed to take Deathstroke down once in Central City – until Slade escaped both Wally and the cops. Later, during the famous Identity Crisis story by Brad Meltzer and Rags Morales, Deathstroke was able to keep the entirety of the Justice League – Wally included – at bay until Green Arrow jammed an arrow into Slade's bad eye. More recently, Slade took on two different Titans teams after stealing Kid Flash's Speed Force powers. In the end, it was the Speed Force itself that beat Deathstroke in that fight, and Wally and Wallace West barely saved Slade.

7 The Story Of Godspeed Is A Tragedy For Barry Allen

Technically, the Flash and Kid Flash were able to take down Godspeed, aka August Heart, during their initial showdown with the villainous speedster. However, the existence of Godspeed is a personal failure in the life of Barry Allen, as August was once a good friend of Barry's who was taken over by guilt and rage due to a case he could never solve.

After the initial fight between Flash and Godspeed, August tried to reform himself and even helped Flash against a villain called Paradox. However, August would later be murdered by Professor Zoom, but he wouldn't have been in that position if it weren't for the professional and heroic shortcomings of Barry Allen. Thankfully, there have been hints that Godspeed may return one day.

6 Just Slowing Down The Anti-Monitor Cost The Flash His Life

During the legendary Crisis on Infinite Earths story by George Perez and Marv Wolfman, the Flash proved instrumental in stopping the Anti-Monitor's attempts to destroy all existence. However, it cost Barry Allen his life.

The Flash was able to infiltrate the Anti-Monitor's base of operations and use his superspeed to reverse the energy flow of Anti-Monitor's anti-matter cannon. This destroyed both the cannon and Barry. Years later, during the Darkseid War, the Anti-Monitor once again got the better of Barry Allen with the help of a New God.

5 Batman The Red Death Was Only Defeated By Sheer Luck

During Dark Nights: Metal by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo, the Batman of a Dark Multiverse Earth melded himself with the Barry Allen of that world. He became the Red Death, who was a vicious speedster capable of outpacing even the Flash.

The Barry Allen of the main world fought the Red Death several times and was seemingly beaten every round. However, the positive energy of an infant universe managed to give the Dark Multiverse Barry Allen control over his body again, and he helped the Barry Allen of the main world in his fight against the Dark Multiverse Batman.

4 The Black Flash Will Someday Take All Those Connected To The Speed Force

While the Flash (with the help of Hunter Zolomon of all people) was able to banish the Black Flash from the main Earth's realm of existence, he'll inevitably return. The truth is, the Black Flash represents death for everyone connected to the Speed Force.

The Black Flash will come for all Flashes one day, as well as anyone else who draws from the unimaginable power of the Speed Force.

3 Even The Flash Cannot Outrace The Black Racer

The Black Racer is another avatar of death, but he hails from New Genesis. He's among the New Gods of the Fourth World, and no one can outrun him forever. The Black Racer catches everyone in the end. He also rides on skis, which is pretty amazing in itself.

The Anti-Monitor unleashed the Black Racer during his conflict with Darkseid. The Black Racer sought out a vessel and went after Barry Allen, who tried to escape him. Unfortunately, even the Flash wasn't fast enough. Possessed by the Black Racer, he became a God of Death for a time.

2 Zoom/Hunter Zolomon Cuts At The Heart Of The Flash

Zoom, aka Hunter Zolomon, has a close history with Wally West. He was once friends with Wally but resented his friend for refusing to go back in time to prevent the event accident that took Hunter's ability to walk. Eventually, with the help of the Cosmic Treadmill, Hunter was able to get superspeed powers of his own. He was convinced that the only way Wally would become a better hero was to force him to experience a great tragedy.

The Flash has beaten Zoom many times, but each fight takes something from Wally, whether that's Linda Park's miscarriage or his general sense of security and happiness.

1 Professor Zoom/Eobard Thawne Always Gets The Best Of The Flash

In a similar vein, Eobard Thawne always takes something away from Barry Allen – even if the Flash beats Professor Zoom. Thawne killed Barry's mother and was the reason his father was imprisoned. He laughed when the Flash was forced to watch how his actions nearly destroyed the world during the Flashpoint Paradox. He also killed Iris West, which later prompted Barry Allen to kill Thawne to prevent Iris' death. Professor Zoom later forced Iris to kill him to protect the Flash.

Even when he loses, Eobard Thawne finds a way to win. No matter what, he always finds a small way to hurt the Flash. No matter how many times Professor Zoom goes down or seems to be killed, he always returns to haunt the Flash.

NEXT: Black Adam: Every Time He's Fought Superman In The Comics

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Josh Davison (340 Articles Published)

Josh Davison is a list writer for CBR, The Gamer, and Game Rant. He is well-versed in all things Marvel, DC, Pokemon, and Star Wars and has a deep passion for horror. He has a terminal obsession with the Thunderbolts, the Winter Soldier, Luke Cage, and Hawkman. He is currently trying to make it as a comic book writer and is a part of two upcoming anthologies: Turning Roads by Limit Break Comics and Producing the End of the World by publisher Soda & Telepaths. Find him sharing cool comic art and cute animals on Twitter, @joshdavisonbolt