Flash Thompson was a famous football player at Midtown High School. He was popular, had good friends like Liz Osborn and even had a scapegoat: Peter Parker. When Spider-Man had made his entrance, Flash found in him a true hero, as his father was an alcoholic police officer, and Flash found that Spidey was what a real hero should be made of. Flash decided to became his number one fan. The antagonism was Flash loved Spider-Man and hated Peter Parker, moreover when Liz Allen was attracted by Peter.

Flash Thompson succeeded to enter at Empire State University with a sport grant. He became rapidly friends with Harry Osborn and  Gwen Stacy. Flash tried to introduce Peter Parker to Gwen and Harry. But Peter was worried about his Aunt May poisoned by his radioactive blood. That was why Peter didn’t respond to Flash. Gwen, Harry and Flash didn’t appreciate to be snob by him. In consequence, Flash and Harry tried to annoy Peter. Little by little, Peter reconciled with Flash. Flash became also friend with Mary Jane.

One day, Flash decided to enroll in the army. In South East Asia, he met Sha Shan and fell in love of her. When he came back in New York, he found Sha Shan on a restaurant. She didn’t want to discuss with him. Flash persisted and found the reason of her strange behavior. She became Sister Sun in Legion of Light and she was forced to follow orders from her husband Korba (Brother Power). With the help of Spider-Man and Razorback, Flash succeeded to liberate Sha Shan. She became his girlfriend.

After his separation with Sha Shan, Flash was psychologically weak. He had a flirt with Betty Brant and even told at television that Hobgoblin was a coward. Consequently, Roderick Kingsley decided to take his revenge. He tried to convince people that Flash Thompson was Hobgoblin. But with the help of Spider-Man, Flash succeeded to clean his reputation.

The price for that victory was heavy because Flash was injured at his arm during his battle against Hobgoblin. His football career was over. Without Betty Brant and job opportunities, Flash fell quickly into alcoholism.

Surprisingly, it was Norman Osborn who succeeded to bring him in the right way. But Green Goblin tried to destroy Flash’s respect for Spider-Man. Norman failed and decided to kill Flash into an apparent alcohol accident. Flash didn’t die but fell into coma.

When Flash woke up from his coma, he had severe memory loss which resulted in him bullying Peter again. When Peter's identity of Spider-Man is publicly announced, Flash did not believed it and thought that he was just protecting him. He even challenged Peter to a dodgeball, but got knocked out since Peter thought that he doesn't have to hold back on his powers. Flash was rushed into the clinic where he flirted with the nurse, Miss Arrow. Flash finally believed that Peter is Spider-Man when he saw him protecting the students from the villains that are taking up the name of Mysterio. Flash was later kidnapped by Miss Arrow when she chose him to be the "father" of her offspring, but later just wanted to kill him and chose Spider-Man over him because he is more powerful.

Recently he appeared in One more day story line, attending the party they were throwing for Harry Osborn. Just like everyone else he doesn't seem to remember the Peter Parker is Spider-Man, and doesn't seem to appear to be a good friend of peters, just some one like a associate.

Alternate Versions

House of M (Earth-58163)

In this reality, Flash is the play-by-play commentator for the "Sapien Deathmatch".

MC2 (Earth-982)

In this alternate future, Flash is now the coach of his high school alma mater. He was married to Felicia Hardy, but later got a divorce. They both had Felicity Hardy. He still doesn't know that Peter Parker is Spider-Man, nor Felicia being Black Cat, even Mayday Parker, who was a player on the high school basketball varsity team, who is also Spider-Girl.

Ultimate Universe (Earth-1610)

In this reality, nothing much is change from the mainstream universe other that his real name is Fred. It was also revealed that when Gwen Stacy died, Flash had a crush on her and he wanted to hooked up with her through Peter.