Best Superman vs Flash Covers

One of my earliest memories of reading comics was picking up a Flash comic and learning about his feats of incredible speed and quickness. One story involved the speedster changing a tire while the car was moving, all unbeknownst to his lady passenger. Well, she did say she felt a slight bump, but otherwise the Flash had done the work in secrecy. Another story showed him actually talking to himself to keep his secret identity safe. He was going back and forth, speaking coherently, and giving the illusion he was in two places as once. Now that is fast! Surely faster than Superman!

So when you think of these two superheroes racing, you know the story is going to be interesting and therefore the covers should set the pace, so to speak. Here are the best 9 covers featuring Superman racing The Flash. Please include your comments and if you wish to add a comic cover image in your comics you can do that as well.

DC First: Superman/Flash

Superman vs. the Golden Age Flash (how does his helmet stay on?) and it looks like Superman has a slight lead. This actually looks like a moment caught in time, a photographer catching the photo of a lifetime, if you will. Serious looks of determination shows these two heroes are doing their best to prove who is the fastest. Great facial expressions of pure determination make this a top racing cover.

World’s Finest #199

How can you not love this cover. One set of happy children, one group of sad children. The kids rooting for the loser shed tears for their fallen hero. But the top portion is where this cover really shines. Batman holds the “finish line” in his hands and shouts, “Here They Come!” Hordes of onlookers cheer their heroes as they come in for a photo finish. Again, Superman uses his outstretched hand to give him an edge as he does in a few of these covers.

I love this cover because it harkens back to the days when the comics were so over the top. Batman couldn’t  have time to get the words out before they streaked by and the audience wouldn’t even see the racers, yet clearly they do. Classic DC comic.

Superman vs The Flash

A beautiful painted cover of an anthology that actually contains the greatest races of all time between Flash and Superman. Alex Ross captures the moment so well, but I think the Flash is a little to buff for his character.

Superman #199

Who is the Fastest Man Alive? This comic cover features some divided heroes on the issue. You have Batman rooting for Flash, a possible precursor to today’s DC universe where Superman and Batman aren’t the best of friends, and Hawkman in the rooting against Flash. What would make superheroes choose sides, this cover makes you want to find out. At least Superman makes this an fair footrace by not flying.

The Flash #175

Superman’s jawline is the real story in this cover. Maybe the incredible speed is distorting his face? They certainly have a long way to go, all the way to “The End of the Universe!” it would seem. Superman is usually shown as the jerk in many covers featuring him against another superhero and this cover is no different as Superman smugly states, “I finally got you to admit you’re not the fastest man alive, Flash!” I guess he isn’t using his super-humility powers.

World’s Finest #198

I’m guessing this race is in outer space as the Flash literally flies off the starting line to an early lead. We see a similar trend in these covers as Batman is involved the race. DC declares there MUST be a winner. I guess fan backlash was too much after earlier races were some how unfair, a tie, or one of the heroes threw the race for some good reason.

The Adventures of Superman #463

Another classic cover where the heroes are at odds and their hero friends stand by and watch helplessly. I’m sure Mr. Mxyzptlk has something to do with that, but the question is asked once again, “Who is really the fastest man alive? The Man of Steel or the Flash?” I guess the races before never really settled the issue. Blue Beetle seems into it, even if Batman is a little subdued.

The Flash #209

I like this cover because a lot more is happening that you first see. You have to appreciate Michael Turner’s work on this cover, his beautiful line work really shows through, especially combined with a superb coloring job. The action behind Flash and Superman is what makes this cover so good. It doesn’t look like a race so much as a chase and everyone is after the Flash. Dramatic poses, wonderful use of perspective and some of DC’s best heroes make this a winner.

Limited Collector’s Edition: The Greatest Race of All Time!

Superman vs The Flash with all the heroes cheering them both on. Take a closer look to see why this cover is so good. While Superman and Flash have those steely looks of focus, the heroes behind them aren’t nearly as serious. Wonder Woman is literally jumping for joy (how does she stay in her top) and Robin is raising his arms in pure excitement. But the best is Batman’s desperate look of pleading. It looks like he has some serious money bet on the race. As usual, Aquaman is regulated to the back of the crowd. He is so far back that the Atom is almost as big as him.

Like this list? Hate it? Have some covers you would like to add? Give us a comment below, or add your own cover contributions.