Madmen (DC Comics)

The Madmen
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	Blue Beetle # 3 (1967)
Created by	Steve Ditko David Glanzman
In-story information
Full name	Farley Fleeter Others unknown

The Madmen are a team of villains in the DC Comics. They were originally owned by Charlton Comics, but DC later acquired the rights to the characters.

The Madmen first appeared in Blue Beetle #3 (1967) and were created by Steve Ditko and David Glanzman.

Looking to make money, Farley Fleeter transformed his gang into a group of supervillains. The gang donned wigs, face paint, and multicolored costumes and started robbing banks. This brought them to the attention of Blue Beetle.

During the fight, the Madmen gained control of Beetle's gun but could not figure out how to use it. The public did not know what powers the gun possessed; the Madmen took advantage of this to enhance their crimes. Blue Beetle eventually regained his gun (only containing a strobe light) and apprehended the Madmen. After serving their sentences, the Madmen retired until they were paid to attack Kord Industries by Doctor Alchemy. Once again they were jailed.

The Madmen became a more persistent annoyance to Blue Beetle. They returned to face him time and again but was defeated after each attempt. Fleeter, however, was not discouraged. Taking a job at Georgetown University to steal drugs, he was involved in an accident that gave him the power to mentally control anyone he touched. He used this power to create an army of Madmen, but was defeated in a confrontation with Hawk and Dove and sent to Belle Reve prison.

Sometime later, Fleeter was incarcerated at Arkham Asylum and was a victim of the Joker's venom. He caused problems in Gotham City until he was captured by the Beetle and Robin.

During the Infinite Crisis, the Madmen were invited to join Alexander Luthor, Jr.'s Secret Society of Super Villains. Their first assignment was to attack Blue Beetle. Though they failed, their actions led to his death at the hands of Maxwell Lord. Next, they were given guard duty and were attacked by the Secret Six. During the Battle of Metropolis the Madmen were gunned down by Wild Dog, Crimson Avenger, and Vigilante.

...
Wikipedia