Editing Flash Thompson (section)

===High school===
[[File:FlashThompsonAmazingFantasyV1No15.jpg|thumb|upright|Flash Thompson as he appeared in ''[[Amazing Fantasy]]'' #15 (Aug. 1962). Art by [[Steve Ditko]].]]
Eugene "Flash" Thompson is the nephew of actress [[Lea Thompson]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/lea-thompson-needs-howard-the-duck-s-help-in-this-exclu-1798249860 |title=Lea Thompson needs Howard The Duck's help in this exclusive preview |last=Sava |first=Oliver |date=2016-07-21 |website=[[The A.V. Club]]|language=en-US |access-date=2018-03-04}}</ref> and a bully of [[high school]] classmate Peter Parker. Flash was physically abused by his alcoholic father Harrison Thompson, leading to Flash's own violent, bullying nature.<ref name="Amazing Spider-Man #574">''[[The Amazing Spider-Man]]'' #574</ref> Thompson dubs Peter with the derogatory nickname "Puny Parker" and humiliates Parker daily at school. Not knowing that Parker is [[Spider-Man]], he forms the first "Spider-Man Fan Club" and vocally supports his idol, even criticizing and insulting [[J. Jonah Jameson]] in person for the ''[[Daily Bugle]]''{{'}}s anti-Spider-Man editorials. When Spider-Man is seen committing robberies, Flash is one of the few to stand up for him claiming that he could still be innocent. When it is revealed that Spider-Man was framed by [[Mysterio]], Flash boasts about how he is always right. Peter, who openly states that he would not "trust [Spider-Man] any further than I can throw him", takes some secret pleasure in that Flash supported his alter-ego.<ref>''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #13 (June 1964)</ref>

In a very early issue, Flash and Peter squared off for a boxing match in the school gym. Initially expecting an easy victory, Flash was astonished to discover that he simply could not lay a hand on Peter (due to his opponent's enhanced speed and reflexes), and a single tap from Parker's fist knocked him clear out of the ring.<ref>''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #8 (Jan. 1964)</ref> After this episode, Flash's bullying was restricted mostly to verbal harassment. Over the next few years, as the two became rivals for [[Liz Allan]]'s affections, Flash was willing to confront Peter only when backed up by his friends. Peter began to laugh off his threats with good-natured comebacks (much to Flash's annoyance as well as bewilderment). This subtle reversal of their positions was typical of Lee-Ditko character developments in the title.<ref>As noted by Daniels in ''Marvel: Five Fabulous Decades of the World's Greatest Comics'' (p.130) Ditko's plotting emphasized the more subtle aspects of human relationships, stressing (for example) Aunt May's quiet strength over Flash's macho posturing.</ref>

Towards the end of Ditko's run on the title, Flash was employed mainly as comic relief, more a local buffoon than a serious threat. Major changes in his personality took place subsequently to '''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #39, when [[John Romita, Sr.]] took over as artist for ''[[The Amazing Spider-Man]]''. Following Romita's take in place, Flash was made into a more sympathetic character and his clean-cut image was similarly emphasized to give him an "All-American" persona.