Flatman (comics)
Encyclopedia
Flatman is a fictional superhero
in the Marvel Comics
universe who first appeared in the pages of the Avengers West Coast
in 1989.
, an unauthorized division of the regular Avengers
superhero group. The GLA watches over the Wisconsin
area. Although no true origin was given at first for his stretching abilities and odd appearance, it was later revealed that he is a mutant
.
Called the "2D Avenger", his primary roles include long-ranged rescues and helping the team solve crimes with his extensive knowledge of fashion which he was reported to have "studied in college." He was able to identify a women's shoe and describe it in detail, and later rescued Weasel
— referring to him as "sailor" — which led his team to question his sexuality
.
At first, Flatman denied any claims that he is gay
. However, when a new Avenger recruit called Living Lightning
first approached the Great Lakes Avengers (usually abbreviated as GLA), he thought they were actually the Gay/Lesbian Alliance. After apologizing, he left quickly, but his willingness to come out to others gave Flatman the courage to do it himself. He revealed that he is in fact gay to his teammates, though he felt one-upped when by Mr. Immortal
being dubbed the pinnacle of human evolution (using the ambiguous phrase "Homo Supreme").
Though Flatman refers to himself as Dr. Val Ventura, his doctoral background is highly questionable. He is not able to present a degree to prove his education and when asked by Doorman
what he was a doctor of, he replies that he is a doctor of "stuff." When told by a fellow doctor (who had confused him for Mr. Fantastic) that time moved in only a single direction, Flatman asked which direction that was.
, who was trying to destroy the world. When Dinah Soar
was slain, GLA leader Mr. Immortal suffered a nervous break down, and Flatman stepped up as deputy leader. Deciding that the team needed some new members, he and Doorman went to New York city where they drafted Squirrel Girl
. They also recruited Grasshopper
, who died moments after accepting. Refusing to let the deaths of Dinah Soar and Grasshopper get him down, Flatman continued to try to persuade the team to further research Maelstrom's plans for world destruction. However, it was not until Mr. Immortal regained his sanity that the team rallied together to defeat Maelstrom. Flatman was seemingly sucked into a vortex during the final battle, but it turned out that only his clothes had been sucked off and he was merely standing at an extreme angle so he wouldn't be seen naked.
With the GLA possessing a stronger resolve than ever, they returned to their headquarters only for Flatman to find that Tony Stark
had sent a cease and desist notice ordering them to stop using the Avengers
name. They changed their name to the Great Lakes X-Men
, complete with new costume. On the team's first mission, Flatman assisted with defeating the evil Dr. Tannenbaum and his killer Christmas trees.
Tournament. In the end, Flatman won the Tournament with a straight-flush, beating the Thing's
four fours. After being discouraged from using "Great Lakes X-Men" and "Great Lakes Defenders
" by members of those teams present at the Tournament, and since Flatman was the champion of the Tournament, the team was inspired to rename themselves the Great Lakes Champions, despite protests from former Champions of Los Angeles
member Hercules
.
Flatman has been identified as one of the 142 registered superheroes who are part of the Initiative
.
, calling themselves the Great Lakes Initiative. They were given a rescue mission to save Dionysus
after he fell from Mount Olympus
. During the task, Flatman and Mr. Immortal were ambushed by Deadpool
. Flatman instead recruited him, but the mercernary eventually overstayed his welcome. The two came to blows over Deadpool's financial misadventures, and Flatman unveiled 'Oragami Fu,' but was defeated when he became a boat shape at Deadpool's urgings. The merc stapled him together and used him as a boat in the bath. Finally, Squirrel Girl kicked Deadpool out.
).
He can also appear to be nearly invisible by standing at just the right angle, and slip though very thin spaces, thanks to his nearly two-dimensional body. He can also turn his entire body into origami animals such as frogs or monkeys. However, he never appears to be able to assume a "normal" three-dimensional shape.
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
in the Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
universe who first appeared in the pages of the Avengers West Coast
West Coast Avengers
The West Coast Avengers is a fictional group of superheroes that appear in publications published by Marvel Comics. The team first appear in The West Coast Avengers #1 and was created by Roger Stern and Bob Hall.- Publication history :...
in 1989.
Great Lakes Avengers
Flatman is a member and second-in-command of the Great Lakes AvengersGreat Lakes Avengers
The Great Lakes Initiative, originally known as The Great Lakes Avengers , are a fictional superhero team that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The characters were first introduced in West Coast Avengers vol. 2, #46 , and were created by John Byrne.-Publication history:The team...
, an unauthorized division of the regular Avengers
Avengers (comics)
The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...
superhero group. The GLA watches over the Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
area. Although no true origin was given at first for his stretching abilities and odd appearance, it was later revealed that he is a mutant
Mutant (Marvel Comics)
In comic books published by Marvel Comics, a mutant is an organism who possesses a genetic trait called an X-gene that allows the mutant to naturally develop superhuman powers and abilities...
.
Called the "2D Avenger", his primary roles include long-ranged rescues and helping the team solve crimes with his extensive knowledge of fashion which he was reported to have "studied in college." He was able to identify a women's shoe and describe it in detail, and later rescued Weasel
Weasel (comics)
Weasel is a fictional character who appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Fabian Nicieza and Joe Madureira, he first appeared in Deadpool: The Circle Chase #1 . Weasel is a friend, sidekick, information broker and arms dealer for Deadpool...
— referring to him as "sailor" — which led his team to question his sexuality
Sexual orientation
Sexual orientation describes a pattern of emotional, romantic, or sexual attractions to the opposite sex, the same sex, both, or neither, and the genders that accompany them. By the convention of organized researchers, these attractions are subsumed under heterosexuality, homosexuality,...
.
At first, Flatman denied any claims that he is gay
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
. However, when a new Avenger recruit called Living Lightning
Living Lightning
Living Lightning is a fictional character, a superhero from the Marvel Universe. He is a former member of the Avengers West Coast, and is current a member of Texas' super-team, The Rangers.- Publication history :...
first approached the Great Lakes Avengers (usually abbreviated as GLA), he thought they were actually the Gay/Lesbian Alliance. After apologizing, he left quickly, but his willingness to come out to others gave Flatman the courage to do it himself. He revealed that he is in fact gay to his teammates, though he felt one-upped when by Mr. Immortal
Mr. Immortal
Mr. Immortal is a comic book character, a mutant superhero in Marvel Comics' main shared universe. He is the leader of the Great Lakes Avengers and first appeared in the pages of the Avengers West Coast in 1989.-Profile:Mr...
being dubbed the pinnacle of human evolution (using the ambiguous phrase "Homo Supreme").
Though Flatman refers to himself as Dr. Val Ventura, his doctoral background is highly questionable. He is not able to present a degree to prove his education and when asked by Doorman
Doorman (comics)
Doorman is a fictional character, a superhero in the Marvel Comics universe that first appeared in the pages of the Avengers West Coast in 1989.-Fictional character biography:...
what he was a doctor of, he replies that he is a doctor of "stuff." When told by a fellow doctor (who had confused him for Mr. Fantastic) that time moved in only a single direction, Flatman asked which direction that was.
GLX
Flatman and his fellow GLA members took on MaelstromMaelstrom (comics)
Maelstrom is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Marvel Two-in-One #71 , and was created by writer Mark Gruenwald.-Fictional character biography:...
, who was trying to destroy the world. When Dinah Soar
Dinah Soar
Dinah Soar is a fictional superhero in the Marvel Universe.-Fictional character biography:Dinah Soar was born in the Savage Land. Her lineage is never revealed; we don't know if she was a mutant or of alien descent....
was slain, GLA leader Mr. Immortal suffered a nervous break down, and Flatman stepped up as deputy leader. Deciding that the team needed some new members, he and Doorman went to New York city where they drafted Squirrel Girl
Squirrel Girl
Squirrel Girl, real name Doreen Green, is a fictional character and superhero in the . Her first appearance was in Marvel Super-Heroes #8 , in a story plotted and drawn by Steve Ditko and scripted by Will Murray. Her ability to control squirrels is surprisingly powerful and has allowed her to...
. They also recruited Grasshopper
Grasshopper (comics)
The Grasshopper is the name of multiple humorous Marvel Comics superheroes, all created by Dan Slott. No Grasshopper to date has survived past the issue they first appeared in. The Grasshoppers are a simultaneous homage to and satire of stereotypical superheroes and Marvel's tendency towards...
, who died moments after accepting. Refusing to let the deaths of Dinah Soar and Grasshopper get him down, Flatman continued to try to persuade the team to further research Maelstrom's plans for world destruction. However, it was not until Mr. Immortal regained his sanity that the team rallied together to defeat Maelstrom. Flatman was seemingly sucked into a vortex during the final battle, but it turned out that only his clothes had been sucked off and he was merely standing at an extreme angle so he wouldn't be seen naked.
With the GLA possessing a stronger resolve than ever, they returned to their headquarters only for Flatman to find that Tony Stark
Iron Man
Iron Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, first appearing in Tales of Suspense #39 .A billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer,...
had sent a cease and desist notice ordering them to stop using the Avengers
Avengers (comics)
The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...
name. They changed their name to the Great Lakes X-Men
X-Men
The X-Men are a superhero team in the . They were created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, and first appeared in The X-Men #1...
, complete with new costume. On the team's first mission, Flatman assisted with defeating the evil Dr. Tannenbaum and his killer Christmas trees.
Great Lake Champions
The team was invited to the annual Superheroes PokerPoker
Poker is a family of card games that share betting rules and usually hand rankings. Poker games differ in how the cards are dealt, how hands may be formed, whether the high or low hand wins the pot in a showdown , limits on bet sizes, and how many rounds of betting are allowed.In most modern poker...
Tournament. In the end, Flatman won the Tournament with a straight-flush, beating the Thing's
Thing (comics)
The Thing is a fictional character, a founding member of the superhero team known as the Fantastic Four in the Marvel Comics universe. He was created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee in The Fantastic Four #1...
four fours. After being discouraged from using "Great Lakes X-Men" and "Great Lakes Defenders
Defenders (comics)
The Defenders is the name of a number of Marvel Comics superhero groups which are usually presented as a "non-team" of individualistic "outsiders," each known for following their own agendas...
" by members of those teams present at the Tournament, and since Flatman was the champion of the Tournament, the team was inspired to rename themselves the Great Lakes Champions, despite protests from former Champions of Los Angeles
Champions (comics)
The Champions are a team of superheroes that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The team first appears in The Champions #1 The Champions are a team of superheroes that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The team first appears in The Champions #1 The Champions are a...
member Hercules
Hercules (Marvel Comics)
Hercules is a fictional character that appears in publications by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Journey into Mystery Annual #1 and was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby....
.
Civil War/The Initiative
All of the Great Lakes Champions have registered with the United States government as required by the Superhuman Registration Act.Flatman has been identified as one of the 142 registered superheroes who are part of the Initiative
Fifty State Initiative
The Fifty State Initiative, often referred to as simply The Initiative, is a fictional governmental plan that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics, in particular those related to The Avengers...
.
Great Lakes Initiative
Flatman and his teammates became the Initiative group in charge of WisconsinWisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, calling themselves the Great Lakes Initiative. They were given a rescue mission to save Dionysus
Dionysus (Marvel Comics)
Dionysus is a fictional character appearing in Marvel Comics, a god in the Olympian pantheon based on the legendary Olympian god.-Publication history:...
after he fell from Mount Olympus
Mount Olympus
Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece, located on the border between Thessaly and Macedonia, about 100 kilometres away from Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city. Mount Olympus has 52 peaks. The highest peak Mytikas, meaning "nose", rises to 2,917 metres...
. During the task, Flatman and Mr. Immortal were ambushed by Deadpool
Deadpool (comics)
Deadpool is a fictional character, a mercenary and anti-hero appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by artist Rob Liefeld and writer Fabian Nicieza, Deadpool first appeared in The New Mutants #98 Deadpool (Wade Winston Wilson) is a fictional character, a mercenary and...
. Flatman instead recruited him, but the mercernary eventually overstayed his welcome. The two came to blows over Deadpool's financial misadventures, and Flatman unveiled 'Oragami Fu,' but was defeated when he became a boat shape at Deadpool's urgings. The merc stapled him together and used him as a boat in the bath. Finally, Squirrel Girl kicked Deadpool out.
Powers and abilities
Flatman has the ability to stretch any part of his body to great lengths (although not nearly as long or complex as Mister FantasticMister Fantastic
Mr. Fantastic is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero and a member of the Fantastic Four. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby, he first appeared in Fantastic Four #1 ....
).
He can also appear to be nearly invisible by standing at just the right angle, and slip though very thin spaces, thanks to his nearly two-dimensional body. He can also turn his entire body into origami animals such as frogs or monkeys. However, he never appears to be able to assume a "normal" three-dimensional shape.
Television
- Flatman made a brief cameo in the Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes episode "The Cure." In the episode, the Thing's "condition" had been cured and the team was holding auditions for possible replacements (including Captain UltraCaptain UltraCaptain Ultra is a fictional character, a comedic superhero in the Marvel Comics universe. He first appeared in Fantastic Four #177 and was created by Roy Thomas, George Pérez and Joe Sinnott....
, Frog-ManFrog-ManFrog-Man is a minor comedic superhero created by writer J. M. DeMatteis and artist Kerry Gammill for Marvel Comics. His first appearance was in Marvel Team-Up #121.- Fictional character biography :...
, and Squirrel GirlSquirrel GirlSquirrel Girl, real name Doreen Green, is a fictional character and superhero in the . Her first appearance was in Marvel Super-Heroes #8 , in a story plotted and drawn by Steve Ditko and scripted by Will Murray. Her ability to control squirrels is surprisingly powerful and has allowed her to...
). Flatman's audition consisted of demonstrating his powers and stating "I can stretch, too!", before his immediate dismissal by Reed RichardsMister FantasticMr. Fantastic is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero and a member of the Fantastic Four. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby, he first appeared in Fantastic Four #1 ....
.
- Flatman appears in The Super Hero Squad ShowThe Super Hero Squad ShowThe Super Hero Squad Show is an American cartoon series by Marvel Animation. It is based on the Marvel Super Hero Squad action figure line from Hasbro, which portray the characters of the Marvel Universe in a cartoonish super-deformed-style...
episode "The Ice Melt Cometh" voiced by Jonathan Mankuta impersonating Ben SteinBen SteinBenjamin Jeremy "Ben" Stein is an American actor, writer, lawyer, and commentator on political and economic issues. He attained early success as a speechwriter for American presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford...
. Throughout the episode, he denies the existence of global warming though the icecaps have actually melted (due to the self-destructing of a machine) and the entire planet has been flooded.
Toys
- The one-shot GLX-Mas Special features a Flatman "action figure" on its last page, with "infinite" points of articulation; it is of course a paper doll. It features three phrases that can be provided by the user (speech balloons), one of which is "I'm not Mr. Fantastic!".
Music
- The band Black Hills have a song called "Flatman", featuring the lyric "Worst superhero in the world!" chanted over and over to a pounding synth beat.
External links
- Flatman at Marvel.com
- Great Lakes Avengers
- Gay League Profile