| Funky Flashman | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Mister Miracle #6 (January–February 1972) |
| Created by | Jack Kirby (writer-artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Full name | N/A |
| Species | Human |
| Team affiliations | Secret Society of Super Villains |
Funky Flashman is a fictional character, anentrepreneur in theDC Universe. Created byJack Kirby, the character first appeared in the pages ofMister Miracle during the early 1970s.[1] He is popularly considered a satirical caricature ofStan Lee, Kirby's former artistic collaborator atMarvel Comics with whom he had a falling-out.[2] Flashman's attempts to rip off Mister Miracle reflect Kirby's view that Lee exploited his work at Marvel in the 1960s.[3]
Nothing is known about Funky's past except that he and his sidekick Houseroy (popularly considered to be a caricature ofRoy Thomas)[4] were business associates of a Colonel Mockingbird. After Mockingbird's death, Funky and Houseroy lived on monthly allowances that were automatically doled out. Noticing that the monthly allowances were getting smaller, Funky decided that he needed a new source of income.
In Funky Flashman's first appearance, he unsuccessfully attempts to cash in on the talents of Mister Miracle.[5] Donning a wig and a beard, he meets with Miracle to interview for the position of his tour manager. Miracle accepts, despite the fact thatBig Barda andOberon object to Flashman's demeanor and tactics. The next day, Miracle performs several of his escape acts, much to Flashman's delight. Flashman asks for Miracle's secret, and Miracle reveals theMother Box he keeps on his shoulder. From around the corner, the two men see Big Barda and theFemale FuryLashina engaged in a struggle. Miracle jumps in to help Barda but Lashina vanishes with the power of her phasing circuits. The two realize the Female Furies have been tracking their whereabouts through the Mother Box signal.
During the skirmish, Flashman decides to leave with the Mother Box in hand, but it summons all of the Female Furies to him. In response, he jumps out the window as his house explodes.[6][7]
Funky Flashman was later seen as a member ofDarkseid'sSecret Society of Super Villains.
Funky is later featured in many issues of Mister Miracle's own series. Tying into events inJustice League International, Funky forces Mister Miracle into an interstellar promotional campaign for the cleaning product Miracle Mister. This tour ends up involvingManga Khan and the forces ofApokolips, both dangerous threats. Mister Miracle is forced to leave behind a robotic double, so as to go on Funky's trip. The robot is destroyed inRockefeller Center, leading many to believe Miracle died.
Flashman appears for two pages inSwamp Thing #76, "L'adoration De La terre" (September 1988), then part ofSpontaneous Generation Bound Compilation #8, pp. 134 & 135, and later as the leader of the Secret Society of Super Villains in their series.
He appeared in 2005'sSon of Vulcan mini-series as the proprietor of a pawn shop that dealt in superhero and villain artifacts and equipment, and as a criminal go-between and procurer forWhite Martian A'monn A'mokk.
He briefly appears in 2007'sDoctor 13 limited seriesArchitecture & Morality. He is seen operating Flashman Pre-Owned Auto, selling various superhero-themed vehicles.[8]
He appears inAdventure Comics, where he is apprehended byRed Robin andSuperboy while driving through the streets ofParis with a stolen Mother Box.[9]
Funky Flashman has no superhuman powers, but he is very charismatic, charming and a skilled businessman.
Funky Flashman appears as a character summon inScribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.[10]
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