Eugene "Flash" Thompson
History:At Midtown High School, Flash Thompson was a football star. Confident and popular, he was often the center of Midtown High's social scene. When Spider-Man made his debut, Flash became the web-slinger's most vocal supporter and even established a fan club. Flash relationship with Peter started out as a bullying one. Flash would verbally and physically accost Peter at every opportunity. Finally, a teacher suggested the two settle their differences in a boxing match. Not wanting to exposing his spider-powers, Peter played defensively for much of the match. However, Flash was distracted for a brief instance, and Peter's swing took him off-guard and knocked him silly. After that, their relationship became more of a rivalry. After graduation, Flash went on to play football at Empire State University, and often spent time hanging around with Peter, Mary Jane, Harry Osborn, and Gwen Stacy. Later, Flash joined the army and was stationed in Southeast Asia where he met and fell in love with a Sha Shan who came to the US shortly after Flash's returned. The two dated for some time, but later seperated. Flash has also been romantically linked with Betty Brant who was married to Ned Leeds at the time. Flash fell on some hard time after he was framed as the Hobgoblin. He was arrested and subsequently targeted by the vigilante known as Scourge. Escaping jail, he lived on the run for a short time until he had an opportunity to help Spider-Man against the real Hobgoblin. After that, he was cleared of all charged. Life as a wanted criminal took its toll on Flash. His relationship with Betty fell apart after the death of her husband. He started drinking heavily and bounced from one menial job to another. He finally accepted an offer from Norman Osborn who framed him in a drunken-driving accident to send a message to Spider-Man. Flash spent considerable time in a coma and hospice care, but he eventually recovered. Flash currently works as a phys. ed. teacher at his old alma matar of Midtown High. His experiences have turned him against Peter and the two are no longer close friends. Despite Spider-Man publically unmasking during the Marvel Civil War, Flash does not believe that Peter Parker and Spider-Man are one and the same. Flash's Timeline |
©2002 Samuel Smith
Spider-Man ™ and all images © 2002 Marvel Characters, Inc.
