Detective Flass
Encyclopedia
Detective Arnold John Flass is a fictional comic book
character and a member of the Gotham City Police Department
in the Batman
series. He was created by Frank Miller
. Although he is a minor character, Flass plays a pivotal role in the Dark Knight's modern origin and, as such, has been adapted into the film Batman Begins
.
introduced Flass as a cheerfully mean jock. Burly, blond, and clean shaven, Flass was Jim Gordon's
partner on the G.C.P.D. and Gordon's first introduction to Gotham's seediness. Indicative of much of the Gotham City
police force of the time, Flass was extremely corrupt, often on the take for powerful politicians and crime figures. He was resentful of the strong moral character of Gordon (whom he condescendingly referred to as "Jimmy") and attempted to teach him a lesson. Flass and several other officers accost Gordon and beat him mercilessly. Gordon soon turned the tables on Flass, beating and humiliating him, thus beginning his crusade against the corrupt element in the police force.
Batman later intimidates a drug dealer named Skeevers, who turns on Flass in fear and offered his testimony against him to Gordon, who charged him for affiliation with the underworld. Then-Assistant District Attorney Harvey Dent offered Flass a plea bargain
he could not refuse: in exchange for testimony against Carmine "The Roman" Falcone
and then-Police Commissioner Gillian B. Loeb, Flass would receive a lighter sentence. Flass accepted the offer, and since he was intelligent enough to record extensive notes of his dealings with the Mob, Dent had ample evidence to prosecute much of Gotham's organized crime.
After Year One, Flass made only occasional cameos in the Batman series. He was the third victim of the Hangman killer
during the limited series Batman: Dark Victory
(1999–2000). Gordon found him working as a bouncer
at a sleazy strip club called the "Cheetah Room," and he was killed there while on his smoke break. Judging from the abrasions on his body, it appeared he tried to put up a fight. The death of Flass in Dark Victory creates a continuity problem, namely, that Flass was alive when Jim Gordon married Sarah Essen Gordon
in Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight Annual #2 (1992) - a story that takes place chronologically after the events of Dark Victory (when Gordon was married to his first wife, Barbara).
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
character and a member of the Gotham City Police Department
Gotham City Police Department
The Gotham City Police Department is a fictional police department servicing Gotham City, as depicted in comic books published by DC Comics, in particular those tied into the Batman books.-History of GCPD:...
in the Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
series. He was created by Frank Miller
Frank Miller (comics)
Frank Miller is an American comic book artist, writer and film director best known for his dark, film noir-style comic book stories and graphic novels Ronin, Daredevil: Born Again, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Sin City and 300...
. Although he is a minor character, Flass plays a pivotal role in the Dark Knight's modern origin and, as such, has been adapted into the film Batman Begins
Batman Begins
Batman Begins is a 2005 American superhero action film based on the fictional DC Comics character Batman, directed by Christopher Nolan. It stars Christian Bale as Batman, along with Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes, Cillian Murphy, Morgan Freeman, Ken Watanabe, Tom Wilkinson,...
.
Fictional character biography
1987's Batman: Year OneBatman: Year One
"Year One", later referred to as "Batman: Year One", is an American comic book story arc written by Frank Miller, illustrated by David Mazzucchelli, colored by Richmond Lewis, and lettered by Todd Klein...
introduced Flass as a cheerfully mean jock. Burly, blond, and clean shaven, Flass was Jim Gordon's
James Gordon (comics)
James Worthington Gordon, Sr. is a fictional character, an ally of Batman that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane...
partner on the G.C.P.D. and Gordon's first introduction to Gotham's seediness. Indicative of much of the Gotham City
Gotham City
Gotham City is a fictional U.S. city appearing in DC Comics, best known as the home of Batman. Batman's place of residence was first identified as Gotham City in Batman #4 . Gotham City is strongly inspired by Trenton, Ontario's history, location, atmosphere, and various architectural styles...
police force of the time, Flass was extremely corrupt, often on the take for powerful politicians and crime figures. He was resentful of the strong moral character of Gordon (whom he condescendingly referred to as "Jimmy") and attempted to teach him a lesson. Flass and several other officers accost Gordon and beat him mercilessly. Gordon soon turned the tables on Flass, beating and humiliating him, thus beginning his crusade against the corrupt element in the police force.
Batman later intimidates a drug dealer named Skeevers, who turns on Flass in fear and offered his testimony against him to Gordon, who charged him for affiliation with the underworld. Then-Assistant District Attorney Harvey Dent offered Flass a plea bargain
Plea bargain
A plea bargain is an agreement in a criminal case whereby the prosecutor offers the defendant the opportunity to plead guilty, usually to a lesser charge or to the original criminal charge with a recommendation of a lighter than the maximum sentence.A plea bargain allows criminal defendants to...
he could not refuse: in exchange for testimony against Carmine "The Roman" Falcone
Carmine Falcone
Carmine "The Roman" Falcone is a fictional character in DC Comics' shared universe, the DC Universe, who made his debut in the four part story Batman: Year One written by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli in 1987.- Publication history :...
and then-Police Commissioner Gillian B. Loeb, Flass would receive a lighter sentence. Flass accepted the offer, and since he was intelligent enough to record extensive notes of his dealings with the Mob, Dent had ample evidence to prosecute much of Gotham's organized crime.
After Year One, Flass made only occasional cameos in the Batman series. He was the third victim of the Hangman killer
Hangman (DC Comics)
The Hangman is a fictional character, a supervillain in the DC Universe and an early enemy of Batman featured in Batman: Dark Victory. The Hangman's identity was Sofia Falcone Gigante...
during the limited series Batman: Dark Victory
Batman: Dark Victory
Batman: Dark Victory is a 14-part comic book limited series written by Jeph Loeb and drawn by Tim Sale. The series is a sequel to Batman: The Long Halloween and was originally published from 1999 to 2000 by DC Comics. The series takes place primarily during the third/fourth year of Batman's career...
(1999–2000). Gordon found him working as a bouncer
Bouncer (doorman)
A bouncer is an informal term for a type of security guard employed at venues such as bars, nightclubs or concerts to provide security, check legal age, and refuse entry to a venue based on criteria such as intoxication, aggressive behavior, or attractiveness...
at a sleazy strip club called the "Cheetah Room," and he was killed there while on his smoke break. Judging from the abrasions on his body, it appeared he tried to put up a fight. The death of Flass in Dark Victory creates a continuity problem, namely, that Flass was alive when Jim Gordon married Sarah Essen Gordon
Sarah Essen Gordon
Sarah Essen Gordon is a fictional character in the DC Universe, created by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli as a supporting character in the Batman mythos.-Fictional character biography:...
in Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight Annual #2 (1992) - a story that takes place chronologically after the events of Dark Victory (when Gordon was married to his first wife, Barbara).
Film
- The 2005 film Batman BeginsBatman BeginsBatman Begins is a 2005 American superhero action film based on the fictional DC Comics character Batman, directed by Christopher Nolan. It stars Christian Bale as Batman, along with Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes, Cillian Murphy, Morgan Freeman, Ken Watanabe, Tom Wilkinson,...
also featured a version of Detective Flass, portrayed by Mark Boone JuniorMark Boone JuniorMark Boone Junior is an American actor perhaps best known for his roles as Bobby Munson in FX's Sons of Anarchy and in two films by Christopher Nolan, Memento and Batman Begins...
. Although similar in character to Year One (in as much as being Jim Gordon's partner and being characterised as highly corrupt), Flass in Begins was depicted as overweight, black-haired and unkempt, as well as far less sadistic. His appearance is somewhat similar to that of Harvey BullockHarvey Bullock (comics)Harvey Bullock is a fictional character from DC Comics' Batman titles.-Fictional character biography:Prior to the 1984-85 DC maxi-series Crisis on Infinite Earths, Bullock is a crooked police detective under instructions from Gotham City's Mayor Hamilton Hill to sabotage Commissioner Gordon's career...
and even Det. Lt. Max Eckhardt. His uncouth behavior knows no bounds, even stealing from a food vendor's tip box and laughing in the man's face. The antagonistic Flass is in the pocket of crime boss Carmine FalconeCarmine FalconeCarmine "The Roman" Falcone is a fictional character in DC Comics' shared universe, the DC Universe, who made his debut in the four part story Batman: Year One written by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli in 1987.- Publication history :...
and served as protection during one of Falcone's drug shipments (the first appearance of Bruce Wayne as Batman in the film). He was last seen when he inhaled Dr. Jonathan CraneScarecrow (comics)The Scarecrow is a fictional character, a supervillain, that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in World's Finest Comics #3 and was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane...
's fear toxin released by Ra's al GhulRa's al GhulRa's al Ghul is a DC Comics supervillain and is one of Batman's greatest enemies. His name in Arabic has been translated in the comics as "The Demon's Head" and references the name of the star Algol. Created by writer Dennis O'Neil and artist Neal Adams, he was introduced in Batman #232's...
in Gotham and before he could shoot down two boys who he thought were monsters thanks to the toxin, Sgt. Gordon knocked him unconscious and hand-cuffed him to a pipe. His conclusion is unknown, as he was not seen from that point onwards.
- According to The Gotham Times (a marketing site for The Dark KnightThe Dark Knight (film)The Dark Knight is a 2008 superhero film directed, produced and co-written by Christopher Nolan. Based on the DC Comics character Batman, the film is part of Nolan's Batman film series and a sequel to 2005's Batman Begins...
) Flass spent some time in a mental hospital, but he was charged with corruption by Harvey Dent. After getting dismissed from the GCPD, he loses his disability pensionDisability pensionA disability pension is a form of pension given to those people who are permanently or temporarily unable to work due to a disability. It is distinct from welfare.- North America :...
.
- Flass appears in the animated film Batman: Year OneBatman: Year One (film)Batman: Year One is a 2011 animated superhero film based on the four-issue story arc Batman: Year One printed in 1987. It premiered at Comic-Con on July 22 and was officially released October 18, 2011. The film was directed by Lauren Montgomery and Sam Liu...
voiced by Fred TatascioreFred TatascioreFrederick "Fred" Tatasciore is an American voice actor who portrays secondary characters as well as monstrous-looking types...
.
Video games
- Mark Boone Junior reprises his role of Det. Arnold Flass who appears in 2005 Batman Begins gameBatman Begins (video game)Batman Begins is a 2005 video game based on the film of the same name. It was released June 14, 2005, a day before the 2005 American superhero film was released. It was developed by Eurocom and published by Electronic Arts in conjunction with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Comics...
. In the game he has special dialogs with Batman and Victor Zsasz.