We Will Never Forget How DC Mocked Stan Lee by Creating a Conman in His Image Who Joined the Secret Society of Super-Villains

DC took a jab at Stan Lee for decades with Funky Flashman, a con artist created in response to the rumored fallout between Jack Kirby and Lee himself!

Marvel comic nerds and MCU fans have always had their eagle eyes peeled for Stan Lee’s cameos, and even though he’s no longer with us, the hunt for his surprise appearances continues. But guess what? Stan Lee wasn’t just the godfather of cameos for Marvel only, he took a tinsy little detour into DC territory as well! Well, sort of…

Funky Flashman is basically Stan Lee’s DC doppelganger, dreamed up with a little extra sass by Jack Kirby as a dig at his former co-worker Stan Lee himself. But oh, there’s a whole lot more to this Mr. Funky fella than meets the eye! Here is everything you need to know about him!

Why and How Funky Flashman Was Born?

Funky Flashman is a child of divorce! This character is widely seen as a satirical jab at Stan Lee, crafted by Jack Kirby, who was once Lee’s former artistic partner at Marvel Comics, with whom he had a bit of a falling out, allegedly.

It is believed that Kirby, who co-created iconic heroes like Captain America, Iron Man, and the Fantastic Four, wasn’t too thrilled about not getting his fair share of the credit. Thus Kirby decided to channel some of that frustration into creating Funky Flashman, a charming yet slippery con artist after leaving Marvel.

Making his grand entrance in 1972’s Mister Miracle #6, Funky Flashman was an instant hit, a total show-stealer! He strutted onto the scene as a slick, womanizing hustler, always knee-deep in shady deals and get-rich-quick schemes. It was as clear as day that Kirby and Lee weren’t exactly the best of friends if the speculations were to be true.

Who Is Funky Flashman, the Stan Lee Parody, Really?

Funky Flashman likes to keep things mysterious, given his occupation it is for the best. So here’s the scoop on this slippery character, once a business associate of Colonel Mockingbird, Flashman tried to hang onto the Colonel’s crumbling estate after his death just to stay afloat.

In a classic move, he then tried to reinvent himself as Mister Miracle’s manager. He also supposedly pitched his PR skills to the mysterious Secret Society of Super-Villains.

And guess what? Superman has just dropped an Easter egg that makes this Stan Lee parody officially canon in DCU. Fans are buzzing with excitement, eager to see how the Flashman drama will unfold in the DCU!

Superman is set to release on July 11, 2025.