Fatman the Human Flying Saucer is a fictional character, a
comic book
A comic book, comic-magazine, or simply comic is a publication that consists of comics art in the form of sequential juxtaposed panel (comics), panels that represent individual scenes. Panels are often accompanied by descriptive prose and wri ...
superhero
A superhero or superheroine is a fictional character who typically possesses ''superpowers'' or abilities beyond those of ordinary people, is frequently costumed concealing their identity, and fits the role of the hero, typically using their ...
Otto Binder
Otto Oscar Binder (; August 26, 1911 – October 13, 1974) was an American author of science fiction and non-fiction books and stories, and comic books. He is best known as the co-creator of Supergirl and for his many scripts for '' Captain Ma ...
DC Comics
DC Comics (originally DC Comics, Inc., and also known simply as DC) is an American comic book publisher owned by DC Entertainment, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. DC is an initialism for "Detective Comics", an American comic book seri ...
.
Overview
Fatman's costume was green and yellow with a yellow flying saucer emblem on the chest. Fatman was fat and could change into a human flying saucer. His comic ran for only three issues and was published by Lightning Comics, an almost equally short-lived company. Fatman comics were produced in small numbers and are considered valuable because of Beck's artwork and their rarity.
Van Crawford became Fatman after coming to the aid of an alien
flying saucer
A flying saucer, or flying disc, is a purported type of disc-shaped unidentified flying object (UFO). The term was coined in 1947 by the United States (US) news media for the objects pilot Kenneth Arnold UFO sighting, Kenneth Arnold claimed fl ...
. The saucer itself turned out to be a
shapeshifting
In mythology, folklore and speculative fiction, shapeshifting is the ability to physically transform oneself through unnatural means. The idea of shapeshifting is found in the oldest forms of totemism and shamanism, as well as the oldest existen ...
alien, who rewarded Crawford by giving him a chocolate drink with the ability to transform him into a human flying saucer. Being a wealthy man, like many superheroes of the era, Crawford decided to use this newfound power to become a superhero. He teamed up with a teenage sidekick, Tin Man, who could turn into a robot.
In popular culture
Fatman was also mentioned on the second episode of series 2 of the British
panel show
A panel show or panel game is a radio or television game show in which a panel of celebrities participate. Celebrity panelists may compete with each other, such as on '' The News Quiz''; facilitate play by non-celebrity contestants, such as on ' ...
'' Question Time'' in 2022.
In Antarctic Press’ Exciting Comics #31 (Released Mar 1, 2023), Herbie (The Fat Fury) Popnecker and Fatman the Human Flying Saucer team-up to rescue a stolen recipe belonging to Miss Horatio Huffnagel. On the way, they fight old foes, battle new foes and meet a couple of nostalgic characters. written by John Holland, with art by Larry Guidry.
In November 2024, Fatman guest-starred in issue #9 of ''Tomorrow Girl'', a title published by
Antarctic Press
Antarctic Press is a San Antonio-based comic book publishing company which publishes " Amerimanga" style comic books. The company also produces "how-to" and "you can" comics, instructing on areas of comic book creation and craft.
Beginning in ...
written by John Holland, with art by
Ben Dunn
Ben Dunn (born April 17, 1964) Miller, John Jackson"Comics Industry Birthdays" ''Comics Buyer's Guide'', June 10, 2005. Accessed February 1, 2011.WebCitation archive/ref> is an American comic book artist and publisher.
Biography
Dunn was born i ...
and Larry Guidry, alongside
Herbie Popnecker
Herbie Popnecker is a fictional comic book character who first appeared in '' Forbidden Worlds'' #73 in December 1958, published by American Comics Group. He was created by Richard E. Hughes (using the pseudonym "Shane O'Shea")