Was a better person than that 616 generic jock from Parker's school.

Yup.

But 616 Flash Thompson eventually became a better person. Lots of people are jerks in high school.

I love Guy Gardner!
BB

agreed but to be fair look at the time in which Flash(616) debuted in. it was a time in which most comics went buy stereo types. Sue Storm was a house wife was told by Reed 'wives shouldn't be heard, they should be kissed'. today's comics and writing in particular delve more into the human psyche then comics did 70+ years ago. Parker was the nerd, Flash was the bully/jock, Gwen was the hot girl next door, Cyclops was the boy scout, etc etc. the Ultimate Universe was like the cliff notes version of 616. everything was simpler, tighter, shorter. and Pete needed someone to push his

on the other hand, like Crash_Recovery said, most people dont actually find 'themselves' until they get out of high school. its easy to be a bully when its all you know. once out in the outside world Flash became a gym teacher and a war hero during his second tour.

i am by no means supporting him being a bully or bullying in general, but consider the time in which his character was created

@Crash_Recovery said:

Yup.

But 616 Flash Thompson eventually became a better person. Lots of people are jerks in high school.

correct

Flash has absolutely changed. The reason he was a jerk-bully in (high) school was mostly his fathers influence. Trying to prove something to his dad had made him to behave like that: beat up the weak, be Mr. Popular and etc.