LogFAQs > #976749834

Sephiroth_C_Ryu posted...

If you are bringing actual physics into that, then the punch, as described, should have basically destroyed a decent chunk of the planet if it is putting out that much energy. Which suggests that physics are not actually in play like that, or that The Flash is talking crap. And knowing DC, they probably drew the "to another continent" part of the receiver in non-ballistic manner. Which unless he instantly switched to "pass through matter mode" would have basically resulted in a thermonuclear shockwave for part of that journey from him going so fast that the air he is hitting is being compressed into fusion reactions.

Suffice to say physics are even weaker subjects for DC comics than they are for the series full of magic and guys who "merely" swing around swords heavier than they are.

You're 100% correct on that. It's on the absolute high-end of feats and as often is the case with comic writers, doesn't actually apply actual science beyond what very little understanding they have of it like the infamous picosecond panel of the Flash.
But I don't agree with that last part though, it's more comparable to Sephiroth pulling meteors and planets out of the sky while not instantly destroying the entire planet they're standing on before his attack even reaches the party rather than Cloud being able to wield a giant slab of metal.

EDIT: Well that and the fact that Flash has the BS excuse of the Speed Force basically negating all negative physical effects of his powers. Otherwise his simply running around Central City would regularly just have people vaporized into mist