Godspeed (August Heart) is a Central City detective turned speedster villain and later anti-hero, introduced in DC Rebirth as a foil to Barry Allen. His storyline encompasses his transformation via a Speed Force storm, his murder spree targeting speedsters, and his evolving relationship with the Flash family.
August Heart debuts as a mysterious speedster calling himself Godspeed in The Flash #21 (December 2016), part of DC Rebirth. He is depicted as a vigilante killing speedsters, setting up his villainous arc. #dc #comics )
In 2016, DC Comics announced that writer Joshua Williamson and artist Carmine Di Giandomenico would introduce a new villain, Godspeed, in The Flash. The character was designed as a dark mirror to Barry Allen. #dc #comics )
In The Flash #21 flashbacks, August Heart is introduced as a Central City police detective and close friend of Barry Allen. His brother was killed by a speedster, fueling his vendetta. #dc #origin )
In The Flash #22 (January 2017), August Heart gains super-speed after being struck by lightning from a Speed Force storm created by the Flash. He becomes a speedster with powers similar to Barry. #dc #speedforce )
In The Flash #23 (February 2017), Godspeed mistakenly kills Clara, his brother's girlfriend, believing she is a speedster. This act cements his descent into villainy and his serial killer persona. #dc #comics )
Over the next issues (The Flash #23-24), Godspeed kills several minor speedsters, including members of the Speed Force-connected population, to steal their speed and become more powerful. #dc #comics )
In The Flash #24 (April 2017), Godspeed confronts Barry Allen, revealing his identity and motives. A fierce battle ensues, showcasing Godspeed's ability to siphon speed from others. #dc #comics )
In The Flash #25 (May 2017), the Flash defeats Godspeed by tricking him into overexerting his powers, causing him to burn out. August Heart is arrested and imprisoned in Iron Heights Penitentiary. #dc #comics )
In The Flash #46 (2017), Godspeed siphons the Turtle's powers, causing the Turtle to age rapidly and die. This underscores Godspeed's ruthlessness. #dc #comics )
In The Flash #42 (2018), Godspeed escapes from Iron Heights with assistance from the Turtle, who uses his time-slowing powers to facilitate the breakout. He resumes his vendetta against speedsters. #dc #comics )
In The Flash #45 (2018), it is revealed that Godspeed has been stealing the Speed Force energy from his victims, making him faster. He attempts to drain the Flash during a confrontation. #dc #comics )
In The Flash #46 (2018), Godspeed betrays the Turtle after their alliance, using the Turtle's power to siphon time itself. The Flash intervenes, and Godspeed is subdued again. #dc #comics )
In The Flash #47 (2018), the Flash traps Godspeed within the Speed Force itself, as a prison beyond physical reach. This removes him from Earth for a time. #dc #comics )
During the 'Flash War' storyline (The Flash #48-49, 2018), Godspeed briefly escapes the Speed Force and plays a minor role, eventually being recaptured. He also interacts with Wally West. #dc #comics )
In The Flash #43-44 (2018), Godspeed hunts and kills more speedsters, including the new speedster known as the Runner, to augment his powers. The Flash is forced to partner with the Turtle to stop him. #dc #comics )
In The Flash #66 (2019), Godspeed reappears, freed from the Speed Force by the Flash's energy disruption. He seeks revenge but is again defeated. #dc #comics )
In The Flash #68 (2019), during a battle, Godspeed manages to siphon a large portion of the Flash's speed, temporarily depowering Barry. This shows his growing threat. #dc #comics )
In The Flash #69-70 (2019), Team Flash (Barry, Iris, Kid Flash) devises a plan to defeat Godspeed by using the Negative Speed Force. August is defeated and placed in a special meta-human prison. #dc #comics )
In The Flash #72 (2019), Godspeed battles Commander Cold (a future version of Captain Cold) in a clash of ice vs speed. He loses but escapes. #dc #comics )
In The Flash #750 (2020), a milestone issue, Godspeed appears in a flashback sequence, reminding readers of his past villainous deeds. #dc #comics )
In Dark Nights: Death Metal #3 (2020), Godspeed is briefly seen among the villains resurrected by the Batman Who Laughs, but his role is minimal. #dc #comics )
In The Flash #760 (2020), Godspeed is freed from prison by an unknown ally but is quickly recaptured by Jay Garrick. #dc #comics )
In The Flash #775 (2021), August Heart starts working as a security consultant at the Flash Museum, using his knowledge to protect artifacts. #dc #comics )
In The Flash #770 (2021), August Heart officially becomes an ally, using his powers for good. He is accepted by the Flash family, though trust is tentative. He adopts a new red suit. #dc #comics )
In The Flash #768 (2021), by Jeremy Adams, August Heart reluctantly aids the Flash against a common enemy, hinting at a possible change of heart. He expresses regret for his actions. #dc #comics )
In Infinite Frontier #0 (2021), Godspeed is shown to be alive and imprisoned, but the events of the series later free many villains. He capitalizes on the chaos to escape. #dc #comics )
In The Flash #772-774 (2022), Godspeed fights alongside the Flash against the Fraction, a group of speedster villains. His knowledge of speedster abilities proves valuable. #dc #comics )
In The Flash #785 (2022), Godspeed helps stabilize a Speed Force rupture caused by an experiment, preventing a disaster that could erase the timeline. #dc #comics )
In The Flash #780 (2022), Godspeed participates in training simulations with the Flash family, preparing for the looming threat of the Fraction's attack. #dc #comics )
In The Flash #776 (2022), August Heart has a heartfelt conversation with Iris West about his past murders. He struggles with PTSD and the weight of his sins. #dc #comics )
In Titans: Beast World #3 (2023), Godspeed makes a cameo as one of the heroes affected by the Beast World transformation, briefly losing control. #dc #comics )
In The Flash #797 (2023), it is discovered that August Heart survived by entering the Speed Force. He emerges weakened but alive, and is welcomed back by the Flash family. #dc #comics )
During the 'One Minute War' event (The Flash #790-796, 2023), Godspeed plays a key role in defending Central City against the Fraction. He fights alongside the Flash and other speedsters. #dc #comics )
In The Flash #800 (2023), a milestone issue, Godspeed officially becomes a member of the Flash's team, working to atone for his past. He takes on a new code name, 'Faith'? Actually, he keeps Godspeed but with a positive connotation. #dc #comics )
In The Flash #796 (2023), at the climax of 'One Minute War', Godspeed uses his siphoning ability to drain the Fraction's powers, overloading himself. He seemingly dies in an explosion, but is later revealed to be alive. #dc #comics )
In The Flash #815 (2024), after grappling with diminished speed, August Heart fully recovers his powers through a new connection to the Speed Force, becoming faster than ever. #dc #comics )
In The Flash #820 (2024), Godspeed battles a new villain, the Speedster Queen, who wields negative speed powers. He uses his experience to overcome her. #dc #comics )
In The Flash #812 (2024), a storyline explores the families of Godspeed's victims seeking revenge. August must face the consequences of his past actions, leading to a court hearing. #dc #comics )
In The Flash #808 (2024), Godspeed mentors Wally West's children (the new Kid Flash and others), using his experience to help them control their powers. #dc #comics )
In The Flash #805 (2024), Godspeed confronts Eobard Thawne, the Reverse-Flash, who mocks his redemption. August struggles with his darker instincts during the battle. #dc #comics )
In a possible future storyline (The Flash #830, 2025), Godspeed becomes the Flash of a distant timeline, fully redeemed and carrying on Barry Allen's legacy. #dc #comics )