With the Fantastic Four finally making their way into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), many fans assume that Reed Richards (Mister Fantastic) is the ultimate stretching superhero in Marvel Comics. However, there’s another Mister Fantastic in the Marvel Universe—Flatman, a mutant with an even more bizarre version of Reed’s powers.
Despite often being played for laughs, Flatman’s abilities surpass Reed’s in surprising ways. While he may never match Mister Fantastic’s genius intellect, Flatman’s unique physiology, extra abilities, and heroic accomplishments prove that he’s much more than just a cheap Reed Richards knockoff.
Who is Flatman? Marvel’s Mutant Mister Fantastic
- First Appearance: West Coast Avengers #46 (1989)
- Real Name: Val Ventura
Mutant Abilities:
- Extreme elasticity and shape-shifting, similar to Reed Richards.
- Two-dimensional body, making him invisible when turned sideways.
- Enhanced durability and strength.
- Master of “Origami-Fu,” a unique fighting style.
- Astrophysics expert and time travel theorist.
Team Affiliations:
- Great Lakes Avengers (GLA)
- Great Lakes Champions
- Great Lakes X-Men
Flatman is also one of Marvel’s few openly gay superheroes and a highly intelligent individual, though he often gets overshadowed by Reed Richards due to his association with the comedic Great Lakes Avengers.
How Flatman’s Powers Surpass Mister Fantastic’s
While both Reed Richards and Flatman share the ability to stretch, reshape, and elongate their bodies, Flatman pushes these powers even further in some key ways.
1. Flatman is Always in a Hyper-Malleable State
Unlike Mister Fantastic, who can return to a normal human form, Flatman is permanently flat. This makes him:
- Invisible from certain angles—a power that mirrors the Invisible Woman.
- More unpredictable in combat, as enemies may struggle to perceive him.
- A body horror character, as his unusual form creates a unique presence in Marvel’s world.
2. Flatman is More Durable and Stronger than Reed
Because Flatman is constantly in a malleable state, he has enhanced durability and resilience. This means he:
- Can withstand greater physical damage.
- Maintains elasticity at all times, making him harder to injure.
- Uses his flatness for defensive techniques that Reed has never attempted.
3. Flatman’s Costume is a Direct Rip-Off of Reed’s
Flatman wears a blue suit with a large “F” on his chest, mimicking Mister Fantastic’s famous Fantastic Four outfit. In fact, before becoming a superhero, he worked as a Reed Richards impersonator.
Even in Marvel’s GLX-Mas Special, Flatman appears in “action figure” form with a speech bubble declaring, “I’m not Mister Fantastic!”—a tongue-in-cheek acknowledgment of their similarities.
Why Mister Fantastic is Still the Superior Hero
While Flatman has physical advantages, Mister Fantastic’s genius-level intellect makes him far more impactful in the Marvel Universe.
Reed’s Superiority Comes From His Mind:
- He is Marvel’s smartest man alive.
- His inventions amplify his team’s powers.
- He has solved cosmic-level threats that Flatman wouldn’t comprehend.
- He has access to advanced technology, allowing him to mimic superhuman abilities artificially.
While Flatman may have the superior mutation, Reed’s brilliance and leadership make him Marvel’s most valuable stretching hero.
Flatman and the Great Lakes Avengers: More Than Just a Joke
Despite their goofy reputation, the Great Lakes Avengers (GLA) have been involved in major Marvel events and defeated incredibly powerful villains.
Notable Feats:
- Saved the universe by stopping Maelstrom, a villain who threatened the planet.
- Team includes Squirrel Girl, who famously defeated Thanos.
- Fought against cosmic-level threats, proving they are more than just comic relief.
Although Flatman’s team is often treated as a joke, their powers and victories prove that they are far stronger than people realize.
Will Flatman Appear in the MCU?
With Marvel Studios introducing the Fantastic Four to the MCU, there’s a chance that Flatman and the Great Lakes Avengers could make an appearance.
Potential MCU Future:
- Flatman could appear as a humorous counterpart to Reed Richards.
- The Great Lakes Avengers could be introduced as a quirky side-team, similar to The Suicide Squad or The Guardians of the Galaxy.
- Marvel could embrace Flatman’s more unique aspects, turning his abilities into something truly terrifying and powerful.
For now, though, Flatman remains one of Marvel’s most underrated mutant heroes—a character who outdoes Mister Fantastic in some ways but will never match his genius.
