Slapstick (comics)

Slapstick
Slapstick and Ghost Rider (includes a reference to The Death of Superman). Art by James Fry.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Slapstick #1, November (1992)
Created by	Len Kaminski James Fry
In-story information
Alter ego	Steve Harmon
Team affiliations	New Warriors The Initiative Counter Force Heroes for Hire Mercs for Money
Abilities	Experienced practical joker "Cartoon Physics" grants: Superhuman agility, durability and reflexes Enhanced strength when electrocuted Indestructibility Virtually unlimited malleability Minimal reality manipulation

Slapstick (Steve Harmon) is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He resembles an animated clown and has the abilities of a slapstick cartoon character, such as one from Looney Tunes, including warping reality to match that of an animated cartoon.

Slapstick debuted in Slapstick #1 and was created by Len Kaminski and James Fry. Afterwards, he made a notable appearance with the New Warriors in Marvel Comics Presents, and was unseen until a Civil War cameo in She-Hulk. He also regularly appeared in Avengers: The Initiative as a recruit.

Slapstick was originally junior high school class clown Steve Harmon, from New York City. In a plan to get back at his archrival Winston, Steve dresses as a clown to blend into the crowd at a strange new carnival.

Before Steve could enact his plan, Winston and his date, Heather, were kidnapped by several clowns. Steve picks up a mallet as a weapon and follows them. The group enters the carnival funhouse and enters a portal disguised as a mirror. As it was closing, Steve follows.

At the moment of entry, an energy burst races across Steve's world, alerting the senses of several beings, such as Doctor Strange, Silver Surfer, Spider-Man, and Howard the Duck.

His molecules stretch across 3741 dimensions and Steve ends up in the realm of the Scientist Supreme of Dimension X (who resembles Groucho Marx). The scientist helps Steve master his new form, a body composed of living unstable molecules dubbed Electroplasm. This essentially makes him a living cartoon character. The scientist, who had been ousted from his position by the Overlord, theorizes that Steve had come to his new form because he was slightly out of synch when entering the funhouse portal.

Using his new powers and a map the scientist had, Steve freed many captive Earthlings from the evil Clowns from Dimension X and their ruler, the Overlord. It is learned that this is what the scientist had intended all along. The Overlord's plan had been to brainwash Earthlings enough so their belief would be sufficient to give Overlord whatever he desired. The Overlord's plans were foiled when the belief that held up his castle gave way as the humans regained their right minds. The castle crashes. The captured humans run to the portal, followed quickly by the monstrous clowns. Steve destroys the mirror, eradicating the clown's influence on this reality.