Detective Flass

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Detective Flass is a fictional comic book character, a member of the Gotham City Police Department in the Batman series. He was created by Frank Miller. Although he is a minor character at best, Flass plays a pivotal role in the Dark Knight's modern origin and, as such, has been adapted into the film Batman Begins.

[edit] Batman: Year One

1986's Batman: Year One introduced Flass as strapping, blonde, and unshaven, and acting as Jim Gordon's partner on the G.C.P.D. Indicative of much of the Gotham City police force of the time, Flass is extremely corrupt, often on the take for powerful politicians and crime figures. He is resentful of the strong moral character of his partner Gordon (whom he condescendingly refers to as "Jimmy") and attempts to teach him a lesson. Flass and several other officers accost Gordon and beat him mercilessly. Gordon eventually turns the tables on Flass however, thus beginning his crusade against the corrupt element in the police force.

Since Year One, Flass has made only occassional cameos in the Batman series. He was present (ironically) at the wedding of Jim Gordon and Sarah Essen, indicating that the former partners had perhaps buried the hatchet. Flass was also depicted as one of the victims of the Hangman killer in the limited series Batman: Dark Victory. However, the status of this story in the official Batman canon is somewhat in question, as this contradicts Flass' later appearance.

[edit] Batman Begins

The 2005 film Batman Begins also features Detective Flass. Contrary to Year One, Flass in Begins was depicted as overweight and unkempt (probably based om the appearance of Dt. Harvey Bullock in the comics), although he was still characterised as being highly corrupt. Flass was in the pocket of crime boss Carmine Falcone and served as protection during one of Falcone's drug shipments (the first appearance of Bruce Wayne as Batman in the film). Detective Flass was portrayed by Mark Boone Junior.