| “ | Coaching the life and death struggle in terms straight out of the glory day playbook... It's all a bunch of smoke and mirrors... A cover up for the fear. Because when it comes to being a hero... When it comes to helping people... I'm terrified by what happens when I fail. | „ |
| ~ Flash Thompson. |
| “ | I've taken beatings in my life. Had body and mind put to the test. Football. Dad. Boot camp. Mosul. Both legs amputated above the knee. An entire lifetime of getting my a** kicked to the ground can't begin to measure up to these past twelve hours. | „ |
| ~ Flash Thompson |
Eugene "Flash" Thompson is a supporting character and superhero from the Marvel Universe, specifically serving as a major character in the Spider-Man franchise.
Originally a bully to Peter Parker during their time in high school, he would atone for his previous actions and join the United States Army. Ironically, he became a fan of Peter's superhero alter-ego, Spider-Man, and would stand up for the web slinger anytime the public's opinion on the latter would sway to the negative.
After going through Project Rebirth 2.0, Flash received the Venom symbiote and went under the alias Agent Venom, and later became Agent Anti-Venom after bonding with the Anti-Venom symbiote, working for the government and stopping threats. Since then, he has become an honorary member of the Avengers, and as well as member of the Secret Avengers, Red Hulk's Thunderbolts, and the Guardians of the Galaxy.
Since his character debut, he has appeared in numerous media, such as in Sam Raimi's, Marc Webb's and the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Spider-Man films.
He was created by the late Stan Lee and the late Steve Ditko, and first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15 in August of 1962.
Biography[]
Early Life[]
Eugene Thompson is the son of Harrison and Rose Thompson, and is the older brother to his sister, Jessie. The Thompson's lived in Queens, New York, and his father was a police officer on the force. Harrison was an alcoholic who would often physically abuse his son, leading to Eugene's own violent and abusive behavior. Eugene would attend Midtown High School, where he bullied his fellow classmate, Peter Parker. Eugene was envious of Peter's intellect, and due to his abuse he suffered from his father, who often bully him and his peers due to his insecurities. Despite this, Eugene gained popularity and respect due to becoming Midtown's star quarterback, earning him the nickname "Flash".
Flash was friends with Jason Ionello, Brian "Tiny" McKeever, Liz Allan, Sally Avril, Charlie, and Seymour O'Reilly, and often dated Liz on numerous occasions. Peter would become the superhero Spider-Man, and Thompson was the vigilante's most ardent supporter, much to Peter's secret gratification. Flash idolized the superhero so much he started his own fan club, and would scare away Daily Bugle journalists when they spoke against Spider-Man. When he attempted to scare Peter while dressed up as Spider-Man, he was captured by Doctor Doom, thinking that Thompson was the superhero. Peter was forced to save Flash, and Thompson later dressed up as Spider-Man after the superhero was considered a coward from running away from the Green Goblin. After Peter beat him in a boxing match, Flash would mostly cease physically abusing him, only willing to confront him when backed by his friends from that point onward. Instead, he switched his focus to verbal harrassment, only to become annoyed when Peter would laugh off his threats with good natured comebacks.
Before the end of his senior year, Flash's relationship with Liz deteriorated, as she became attracted to Peter.
Adulthood[]
After graduating from high school, Flash was given an athletic scholarship to Empire State University, where he reunited with Parker once again. Though Thompson attempted to re-start their rivalry by making Harry Osborn and Gwen Stacy go against him, Flash and Peter reconciled and became friends. After college, Flash decided to join the United States Army, where he managed to reach the rank of corporal and was later stationed in Southeast Asia. There he met Sha Shan, who nursed him back to health at a hidden temple, which was destroyed by the military. Thompson left the Army after the incident, and with the help of Spider-Man, managed to convince the public that the temple survivors didn't commit the act.
Thompson returned to civilian life after leaving the army, and attended Gwen's funeral, paying the respects to a heartbroken Peter. Flash reconciled with Liz after their relationship strained, and went on a cruise ship with her, Peter, and Mary Jane before it was attacked by the Tarantula. Thompson started to question Peter's double life after Spider-Man stopped Tarantula, and was later captured by Harry, who learned Spider-Man's identity. He was freed after Spider-Man defeated Osborn, and took in Peter since his apartment and home was destroyed. Though Flash reunited with Sha, he believed that she was having an affair with Peter, and started a relationship with Betty Brant. This angered Brant's husband, Ned Leeds, who framed Flash as the Hobgoblin before his demise.
Flash then returned to the army and was stationed in Iraq, where lost his legs while saving his ally from enemy forces. Thompson returned home as a hero, receiving a medal of honor and was supported by his family and friends. Though lucky to be alive, Flash suffered from grief, and attempted to go through dangerous procedures to regain his legs. However, he came to accept his condition, and worked with Sha and began another relationship with Betty.
Becoming Agent Venom[]
Flash was then recruited into Project Rebirth 2.0, where he was given the Venom symbiote after the United States government retrieved it from Mac Gargan. With the symbiote, Flash was able to reproduce his legs, allowing him to walk, and the symbiote gave him powers that were similar to Spider-Man. Thompson was then given the name "Agent Venom", and was sent by the government on numerous black op missions. When being sent to rescue Dr. Ekmecic, he encountered the new Jack O'Lantern, who would become one of Thompson's long-time enemies. Agent Venom would then battle against Kraven the Hunter, who attempted to kill Thompson when he learned that he was crippled to assuage his honor, and Crime-Master, who took Betty hostage after the criminal learned of Flash's identity.
When the citizens of Manhattan succumbed to a virus that gave them spider-like powers, Agent Venom was tasked with stopping the Spider-King, who was Captain America who succumbed to the virus itself. After defeating the Spider-King, Thompson was then tasked with fighting the Spider Queen, and was assisted by Captain America and Spider-Man. After the city was saved with the help of Doctor Octopus's Octobots, Agent Venom battled the Hijacker, and killed the villain for exploiting the virus so he could rob banks. Flash was later forced to work with Jack O'Lantern after the supervillain learned of his identity, and held Betty hostage. Captain America had sent Red Hulk to take the symbiote from Thompson, and Thunderbolt Ross battled Thompson. The two stopped fighting to help X-23 and Ghost Rider (Alejandra Jones) to stop Blackheart, and later fought their opposites, the Antithesis.
Traveling to Hell, Agent Venom, Red Hulk, X-23, and Ghost Rider made a deal with Mephisto to challenge Blackheart again to return home, and the supervillain was defeated when Flash and Jones gave Ross their powers. Returning on Earth, Captain America decided to allow Flash to keep the symbiote since he stopped Blackheart. Thompson then became a member of the Secret Avengers, joining the new roster with Hawkeye, Black Widow, Captain Britain, and Jim Hammond. While on the team, Flash began a secret relationship with Valkyrie, and earned the trust of Hawkeye after several missions. In addition, Thompson would encounter Carnage while with the team, and had to stop the supervillain from trying to take over Colorado. Thompson would become a member of the Red Hulk's Thunderbolts, but left the team after the group's violent behavior started to influence the symbiote. After leaving the Thunderbolts, Flash joined the Guardians of the Galaxy, where he befriended Drax the Destroyer.
Becoming Agent Anti-Venom[]
When Flash sensed that Mania's symbiote was stolen, he began to search for the Venom symbiote by using the symbiote left in his body as a compass. He tracked it to Alchemax Tower, discovering that Eddie Brock had re-bonded with the symbiote once again. Thompson confronted Brock and attempted to remove the symbiote from him, but Venom started to latch on both to them. Spider-Man arrived and overturned a vat of artificial Anti-Venom serum onto Flash and Eddie in an attempt to kill the Venom symbiote, but the serum turned the portion of it bonded with Flash into the new Anti-Venom. Flash then battled Eddie and removed the Venom symbiote from him, but couldn't make the symbiote bond with him again. Flash would later accept Brock to keep the symbiote after they battled Maniac, believing that Eddie showed true heroism by helping them.
Portrayals[]
Films[]
- In the Sam Raimi Spider-Man trilogy, he was portrayed by Joe Manganiello.
- In the Amazing Spider-Man films, he was portrayed by Chris Zylka.
- In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he is portrayed by Tony Revolori.
Television[]
- In Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, he was voiced by Frank Welker, who voices Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones in the Scooby-Doo series.
- In Spider-Man: The Animated Series, he was voiced by Patrick Labyorteaux.
- In Spider-Man: The New Animated Series, he was voiced by Devon Sawa, who also played Alex Browning in Final Destination, and Casper McFadden in the 1995 titular film.
- In The Spectacular Spider-Man, he was voiced by Joshua LeBar.
- In Ultimate Spider-Man, he was voiced by Matt Lanter, who also voiced Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and Logan Miller as a child, who also voiced Nova in the same animated series.
- In the 2017 Spider-Man animated series, he was voiced by Benjamin Diskin, who also voiced Nigel Uno and Hoagie Gilligan in Codename: Kids Next Door, Sai in Naruto, Lance in Pokémon, Junior Healy in Problem Child animated series, Stitch in Stitch!, Kai Miyagusuku in Blood+, Jakob and Saizo in Fire Emblem Fates, and Caspar von Bergliez in Fire Emblem: Three Houses.
Video Games[]
- In Marvel Heroes, he was voiced by Crispin Freeman, who also voiced Alucard in Hellsing, Itachi Uchiha in Naruto, Gus Grav in Bakugan New Vestroia, Ant-Man in The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes, Siegfried Schtauffen in Soulcalibur III, and Helios in God of War III and God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla.
Stage[]
- In Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, he was portrayed by Matt Caplan.
Gallery[]
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Trivia[]
- When Flash loses control of the symbiote, he turns into the classical Venom.
- He is the nephew of the actress Lea Thompson, who is an adaptation of the real life actress who stared as Beverly Switzler in the Howard the Duck film.
