Nightwing and Iron Fist

We've heard the casting announcements for Netflix Daredevil, Luke Cage and Jessica Jones.  The only series we are still waiting for word on a lead actor is Iron Fist.  I have read rumors of Zac Ephron and Charlie Hunnam, but neither really fits the role in my mind.  Marvel always seems to come up with out of left field casting choices that somehow work, so I'll trust their judgment on this one.  Hopefully whoever they select will be able to showcase some cool martial arts moves as well as acting chops.

By the way... did you know that The Lost Issues has lost issues of its own?  I'll be presenting them on this blog as just one of the special features of the STF 1000th Issue Spectacular!  Coming up in just over a week!

Captain America and Liberty Belle

I remember being intrigued by the line-up of the All-Star Squadron after that series ended its first issue.  It was a mix of JSAers that I was familiar with, a serious Plastic Man, a few classic characters I remembered from reprints (Robotman, Johnny Quick, Shining Knight) and a couple of other heroes that I knew very little about.   It was good that writer Roy Thomas was able to fill in the histories of some of comicdom's first crimefighters, and I enjoyed reading the exploits of Liberty Belle and Firebrand as much as the Earth-Two A-listers that went in and out of the title. I am glad that Liberty Belle became a part of DC's legacy concept with her and Johnny Quick becoming the parents of contemporary hero Jesse Quick.

Captain Marvel and Thor in "World's Mightiest Minion!"

It has been announced that the upcoming Shazam! movie will be set in the same cinematic universe as Man of Steel, Batman Vs. Superman, Justice League, etc.  That and the fact that The Rock will be playing Black Adam are all we know about the movie thus far.  I really want to find out who DC has in mind to portray Captain Marvel - and more importantly Billy Batson.  That's the tougher role to fill - the producers clearly would like several movie appearances out of Shazam if they are incorporating him into their shared universe, and that means finding someone young enough to play the part of Billy for a decade or more.  You don't want a 22 year old kid transforming into an adult, It doesn't really work that way.

Cap and Thor have clashed once before, way back in STF #120.

Green Lantern Vs. The Silver Surfer

The greatest weapon in the universe up against the power cosmic... which side would prevail in such a clash?  I suspect that it is a conflict that would quickly escalate, as each would underestimate the other at first.  As for who would ultimately triumph, it might come down to who can last the longest in battle.  Despite the great will of Hal Jordan, that might give the Surfer the edge, as his power has no time limit.

Insects Incorporated!

Even though I took my super-heroes very seriously when I was growing up, I did enjoy it when comic companies were able to poke fun at themselves.  Marvel's Not Brand Ecch and the all-humor issue of What If? were fun reads.  DC had Ambush Bug to point out the absurdities of a life in the DCU and as a comic character in general.  I always got a kick out of his appearances and I loved watching Henry Winkler voicing him in the final episode of Batman: The Brave and the Bold.  Has he been back in comics recently?  I'd love to see the Bug's reaction to the New 52.

Justice Society of America Vs. The Red Skull

It looks like readers clamoring for the classic Justice Society of America will finally be able to see them in a new adventure as part of DC's upcoming Convergence event.  Whether this is a one time visit for the sake of nostalgia or it leads to something more remains to be seen - but it is nice to see that DC has not completely forgotten about the fans of the true JSA.

Christmas With The Super-Heroes 2014

The cover with far and away the most page views on this blog is STF #57, in which Spider-Man is rejected for Justice League membership.  I'm not sure why that particular cover gained such a life of its own, but I felt it was high time the Leaguers let poor Peter Parker into their team.

It's been another great year for STF: The Lost Issues.  The readership has grown and I've been honored to have made appearances on Compton After Dark and the Clobberin' Time Podcast as well as receiving a mention in the great Back Issue magazine.  I would like to take this time to say thank you to everyone who has paid a visit to this blog over the past year.  I truly appreciate the support from folks who regularly visit here and especially those who take the time to comment and let me know how they feel about my covers.  Thanks for the cool suggestions as well!  A special thank you goes to the folks who have shown their support by making a one-time contribution or becoming a patron of the blog.  Every little bit helps, and your continued support makes a big difference!

Merry Christmas and happy holidays!  May today be spent in the company of the ones you love! Coming soon: The STF 1000th Issue Spectacular!

Red Tornado and Machine Man

I hope that the classic Red Tornado makes a return To the DCU after all of this Convergence business is done.  I understand that there is a Red Tornado in the New 52, as part of the Earth 2 series - but from what I have seen, it's some kind of alternate Lois Lane or something. I admit I haven't read anything with this new character, but it doesn't sound much like the robotic JLA member that I loved as a kid.

By the way, Red Tornado and Machine Man have a history in the pages of STF, as they are both members of Robo Force.

Bizarro and The Impossible Man

Today's comic book villains are generally very serious and even more deadly.  While there is certainly a place for that, from time to time I kind of miss the antagonists that were more of the pest variety.  Being a mischief maker rather than a homicidal maniac did not have to mean that the stories featuring them would be missing any tension or action... especially when they were as powerful as these two.

Justice League Vs. The Hulk in "Retribution for a Fallen Archer!"

Continued from yesterdays cover....

I recently re-watched the entire runs of Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, and I was even more impressed with them than I was previously.  Watching them in order with no long breaks between them really highlighted how well the overall arcs to the seasons work in addition to the effectiveness of the individual episodes.  It must have taken a lot of planning to get it all to mesh together so well, not to mention fitting in with the continuities previously established in Batman: The Animated Series and Superman: The Animated Series.

Green Arrow Vs. The Hulk

The CW's Arrow is an entertaining take on the Emerald Archer.  While is it not a direct adaptation - characters have been added to the mythos and others altered quite a bit - it still remembers its comic book roots and each episode gives us plenty of Easter eggs and nods to the DC Universe.  One such moment was in a recent episode where the (Green) Arrow was battling Ted (Wildcat) Grant in his gym. At one point, in an attempt to keep things non-lethal, Oliver sticks an arrow into a boxing glove and shoots it at Grant.  That's right, a boxing glove arrow!  It looked just as cool as when I first saw one when I was a kid!

This is the second beat-down The Hulk has given Green Arrow recently (the first one was with Green Lantern in STF #919), and it will have repercussions - on tomorrow's cover, so stay tuned!

Harley Quinn Vs. Dick Tracy

It's surprising to me  that Harley Quinn's first live action appearance will not be in a Batman film, but Suicide Squad.  The Joker is also a member of the cast, so I think that it's safe to assume that we will see both sides of Harley.  It will be interesting to see how closely Margot Robbie will stick to the voice that Arleen Sorkin gave the character on Batman: The Animated Series.  It's hard to imagine the Clown Princess of Crime without Sorkin's vocals.

Batman & Robin Vs. Galactus

Batman '66, a series that tells adventures set in the world of the classic Batman TV series is such a good idea that I wonder what took so long for DC to try such a title.  They must be pleased with the reaction, because they have announced a series based on the Lynda Carter Wonder Woman TV show as well.  I like this trend, and I hope that Marvel follows suit by bringing us a series featuring the Bill Bixby/Lou Ferrigno Incredible Hulk one of these days.

Wildcat and Powers

I am curious about the upcoming Powers series that will be airing on the Playstation Network.  The comic always read like a TV show to me, so I am surprised it has taken this long for an adaptation to come about.  Sharlto Copley and Susan Heyward don't look much like their comic book counterparts Christian Walker and Deena Pilgrim, but hopefully they will be true to the characterizations that Brian Michael Bendis has given them.  I am also a fan of Michelle Forbes, and it will be cool to see her in another genre related project.

Superman and The Spirit

The Spirit had his chance at live action, and given the lackluster response, it will probably be some time before he is given that opportunity again.  I think an animated series might be a better way to go, since his stories were so informed by Will Eisner's visual experimentation.  I'd love to see something in the vein of the classic Fleischer Superman cartoons, with their stylish art deco look.

Aztek: The Ultimate Man and Iron Man

Aztek: The Ultimate Man was a hidden gem during the 1990's.  Grant Morrison and Mark Millar presented quirky stories featuring the hero of Vanity City, set in the mainstream DCU but unlike any other title they were currently publishing.  While it was well received by critics, it was not a big seller and only last 10 issues.  Morrison did bring the character back in during his JLA run - only to then kill him off.  It's too bad that Aztek seemingly was a victim of the glut of new superheroes being introduced during the 90's and got lost among the crowd - I thought he had a lot of potential and would have liked to have seen more of him.

Firestorm and Hawkeye

It's been fun watching the emergence of Firestorm on The Flash.  He is still in bad shape, recovering from the accident responsible for his powers.  We have seen Ronnie Raymond in action, throwing power blasts and flying away with his flaming head, but I'm guessing it will take the addition of Victor Garber as Martin Stein before we see the character fully formed. Robbie Amell has tweeted a pic teasing the Firestorm costume and Jason Rusch has also been cast, so it sounds like we will see plenty more of the JLA's hothead in upcoming episodes.

Hawkman and Darkhawk

Hawkman has to be one of the most difficult characters to pull off in live action.  The helmet is tough to get to sit right on the head and look good from all angles, bare arms on a costume tend to appear scrawny unless the actor has a huge build, and wings often come off as too CGI-looking.  Still, films like Malificent show that it is possible to have a great looking winged character.  If done with care, Hawkman could be very impressive on the big screen, and I hope we get the chance to see that one day.

The Phantom Vs. Aliens

H.R. Giger's  Alien is rightfully one of the all time classic monster designs,  There are so many great elements to it, from the spiked tail, to the way it can curl up and hide in the ceiling, to the double set of teeth.  What really put it over the top for me, though was what he didn't include.  The lack of any discernible eyes was a very interesting choice, and really freaked me out.  It just adds another element of fear when you don't know where the creature is looking.

Deadman and Ghost

I figure that if there's a duo going after the deadly guys in the photographs above, it would help if they had some protection against becoming targets themselves.  What better way than invisibility and intangibility?  I think these two would make a formidable pair.

Wonder Woman and Tor

Michelle MacLaren has been chosen to develop and direct the Wonder Woman solo film.  She is an emmy-winning director of series such as Breaking Bad, The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones, so it definitely sounds like she has the chops to take on both action and drama.  I hope she is a comic fan as well, and shows an appreciation for the character's super-heroic side.

Red Tornado and The Vision in "A Synthesis With The Synthezoid!"

I can't wait to see The Vision in action in the upcoming Avengers: The Age of Ultron.  I am trying not to get my hope up too high though - given the large cast and the fact that we have heard and seen next to nothing relating to the character's role in the film, chances are he will only get one big scene at the end.  Poor Red Tornado is too C-list for the big screen but maybe he'll get his chance on The Flash one of these days.

These two met earlier, way back in STF #44, which you can see here.

Bone and Tintin

I loved the Tintin CGI film from a couple of years abo and really hope that Peter Jackson and Stephen Spielberg find time in their schedules to continue the franchise.  Another character that would work very well with a similar type of film treatment is Bone.  Jeff Smith's epic story would be perfect for a lavishly computer generated movie.  I think there were serious talks about making such a film a reality  a while back, but I haven't seen or heard anything about it in a while.

Iron Man enters The House of Mystery

Comic books have had a lot of horror hosts, and Cain was always my favorite.  I loved his look as well as the dark humor with which he would present his twisted morality tales and monster stories.  It was also fun to see him interact with fellow host Abel.  He never passed up the opportunity to play the older brother role and give the House of Secrets host a hard time.

Moon Knight and Man-Bat

Now that Batman will be mixing it up with Superman and eventually the other JLAers in the movies, I think that it is high time some of the super-powered members of his rogues gallery get their chance to shine on the big screen.  I'd love to see Man-Bat in live action, it could be very cool.  I've often thought a film featuring Batman vs. Hugo Strange would be a good way to introduce some of the more grotesque characters like Man-Bat and Killer Croc, as Strange has been known to dabble in "monster men".

Batman and The Wasp

Although she guest starred in a couple of issues, I never did a Batman/Wasp team-up back in my original Brave and the Bold: The Lost Issues days, and I have been meaning to remedy that.  One thing I always liked about Janet Van Dyne was that she was a clothes hound, and never liked to settle on one outfit for too long before switching to the latest fashion.  I can understand the importance of branding and creating an iconic look, but I have to believe her approach is closer to what would take place if one had to create a costumed persona.

G.I. Robot and Magnus: Robot Fighter

When I was a kid, I inherited a stack of comics from my older brothers.  They were ninety percent Marvel and DC.  The remaining comics were Archie, Disney and Harvey titles, so the Big Two were my main outlet for super-heroic adventure.  The few Gold Key comics featuring Magnus were an exception, and I was intrigued by this guy who had no connection to the larger comic book universes that I was discovering.  I must not have been the only one because he is a character that never seems to stay down for long.

Doctor Who Vs. Doctor Doom

Plot details of the upcoming Fantastic Four reboot have been released, describing Doctor Doom as a disgruntled computer programmer.  Why is it so hard to get this character correctly portrayed on the big screen?  A megalomaniacal dictator who deals in sorcery and super science is what comic fans want to see, but we seem to keep getting these watered down versions.  At least Roger Corman tried to get it right!

Justice League of America and Ant-Man

Who would have thought that Ant-Man would beat the JLA to the movies by a year?  One is a movie I never expected to see, and now that it's happening, I am dying to find out how it is pulled off.  The other is something I have been waiting for since watching Super Friends and eating a bowl of cereal, as a kid.  I am glad we have finally reached a point where special effects technology makes a movie of this scale possible.  I am looking forward to both, it's a great time to be a comics fan, cinema-wise.

Captain Marvel Jr. and Frankenstein Jr.

I remember enjoying the Don Newton illustrated stories featuring the Shazam Family and hoping we would get to see another modern take on CC Beck's classic characters.  I finally got my wish when Jerry Ordway took over the reins.  Captain Marvel and company never have looked better to me than on the covers that Ordway provided for that series.  The stories struck just the right tone for me as well.

Superman and Men in Black

A friend of mine had a unfinished copy of Men in Black that we watched months before it was released to the theaters.  The movie was complete, but missing music and most of the special effects, so it was interesting to watch in that form.  Then we got to the scene where Tommy Lee Jones' character is interrogating an alien that is in the form of a little puppy.  This was a fan favorite scene in the final film, after the dog's face had been digitally altered to react and talk back to Jones... but in the version we were watching, it was just a poor scared little pooch being shaken.  Don't tell me that no animals were harmed during the making of that film, that little guy must have been scarred for life!

The Flash and Captain Midnight

The Flash has exceeded my expectations thus far.  The special effects are impressive for a TV show and showcase the Scarlet Speedster's abilities nicely.  I also like that the series seems to be working as a springboard for other DCU characters to appear.  Grant Gustin does very well in the lead role, which he imbues with a sense of earnestness and optimism that really evokes the character from the comics.  I'm really looking forward to the crossover event with Arrow, and then further on down the road... Grodd!

OMAC and The Fantastic Four

I'm a little surprised at how little we have actually seen of the upcoming Fantastic Four reboot.  I know that principal filming wrapped a while ago and they are in the process of creating the special effects, but I figured we would has seen some kind of footage by now.  Perhaps they are waiting until everything is perfect before they present it and silence the naysayers.  Or maybe it's the turkey many hardcore fans fear it will be and they will quietly release it without previews from the critics.  I must admit that I haven't read much that gives me a lot of hope for the film, but I still have to see a trailer or teaser before I can make a truly informed judgment.

Green Hornet and The Sandman

I am hoping that Marvel's Agent Carter mini-series does well, because that could open the door for more period piece comic adaptations.  Who wouldn't want to see a live action Sandman Mystery Theater with Wesley Dodds solving crimes and dealing out justice in the late 30's?  Well, I would anyway!  Perhaps a period Green Hornet show could help undo the damage done by the Seth Rogen film.

Wildcat and Wolverine in: "The Coach"

I established the relationship between Ted Grant and Logan way back in issue #51 (which can be seen here), and I thought it would be fun to expand upon that.  It has been cool to see Wildcat show up on recent episodes of Arrow, even if he is out of costume.  They have made reference to a previous heroic career for him, but the actor portraying him is considerably younger than the Grant from the comics.  Maybe they will explain that with some sort of nine lives effect.

The Lightning Bolts

I wonder what it is about lightning bolts being used as motifs for superhero uniforms.  There sure are a lot of them! I guess it's because they can stand for electricity, speed or power so they fit a lot of skill sets.  At any rate, I had gotten a few requests for a team that shares this theme, so I figured I would give it a shot.  I have to say, this would be a fun crew to watch work together.

Green Lantern and Battlestar Galactica

One aspect that I used to get a kick out of with Hal Jordan was how, despite being a superhero and intergalactic peacekeeper, he always seemed to have a tough time keeping his personal life together.  He was a great test pilot, but upon losing that job, he went through a series of occupations such as toy salesman that never really clicked for him.  He didn't have much luck with the ladies either - finally winning the heart of Carol Ferris only to have her become his arch-enemy.

Bouncing Boy and Speedball

I remember Bouncing Boy standing out to me among his many Legion of Super-Heroes teammates,  Even when he was not using his bouncing powers, he was illustrated as not having the typical super-heroic physique.  Indeed, he looked like he could stand to lose a few pounds!  It was nice to be reminded that heroes came in all shapes and sizes.

Abe Sapien and Triton

I have written before about how well realized Abe Sapien was in live action form for the Hellboy movies, and now with the announcement of an Inhumans film, I am looking forward to see Triton on the big screen.  His appearance has varied quite a bit from artist to artist over the years, so there is a lot to choose from when designing his look for film.  Hopefully, the filmmakers will stick closely to the Kirby design, you can't beat the original!

Wonder Woman and Elektra

As soon as news of the Netflix Daredevil series was released, there has been much speculation as to who would be playing Elektra.  Some assumed it would be Rosario Dawson, but her role has been revealed as Night Nurse.  With production well underway, and no new announcements, I wonder if Elektra will even be a part of the show.  It is understandable that the show runners do not want to follow the same path as the movie, and maybe they are going to concentrate more on Karen Page as a romantic interest.  Oh, well - they have to same some stuff for season 2!

Sgt. Rock and The Sub-Mariner

Whenever I look over old Sgt. Rock comics looking for images, I am struck by the power of Joe Kubert's covers.  He really knew how to stop a casual browser in their tracks, and demand that they pick up a particular issue.  Even a die-hard superhero fan like me had to find out what happened inside the pages of those war comics.

Ultron and Bender

I thoroughly enjoyed the recent Futurama crossover episode of The Simpsons.  I remember a fun comic book version of this meeting from years back that I loved, and I wondered why it took so long for a TV version.  It was worth the wait, with a ton of great gags - starting with one of my personal favorite characters, the Hedonism Bot, filling in on the weekly opening credits couch gag. It made me miss the Futurama gang, I'd love to see them defy the odds and return for a third time.

The New Teen Titans and The New Mutants

This is a team up that I have been wanting to do forever, I just was waiting to find the right images.  Both of these teams have seen a lot of shake ups and roster changes over the years.  I have to say that the incarnations presented here  are still my favorites.  The first couple of years of each title were team comics at their best - writing and art were firing on all cylinders, featuring lots of cool characters and concepts.  Plus, the protagonists were around my age, and had to deal with some of the same issues I did, in addition to their larger than life heroics.

Superman and Thor (Vs. Amazo and Taskmaster)

I have been checking out the original Adventures of Superman TV series lately.  I had watched a scene or two over the years, but never sat down for a full episode until they recently began airing on a local classic television channel.  I have to admit I get a real kick out of them.  George Reeves makes a great barrel chested Superman, reminding me of the comics from that era.  I like seeing all the classic styles of clothing and automobiles as well.  Clark isn't very careful with his secret identity though - the guy just cant resist making sly references to his alter ego at any opportunity!

Steel Vs. Hawkeye

Hawkeye spent a lot of the first Avengers film under the thrall of Loki, so we did not to get to see much of the trademark character traits that have made him a fan favorite hero in the comics.  I am hoping that is addressed in the upcoming sequel.  I'd like to see him competing with Cap over leadership of the team and displaying his flirtatious ways with newcomer Scarlet Witch. Joss Whedon excels at writing interpersonal relationships, so I am confident some of the familiar Clint will come through in the film.

The Hulk Vs. Amazo

I recently was reminded of an episode of The Incredible Hulk that featured guest stars Loni Anderson and Jeremy Brett.  My favorite Sherlock Holmes actor opposite The Hulk?  I had to check it out (thanks, Dave, for the heads up)!  I was struck once again about how enjoyable a series it was.  Sure, it is cheesy by today's standards, but the guest star list is a who's who of 70's and 80's stars and Bixby and Ferrigno gave their all to their performances - never once winking at the camera because they were in a comic book show.  Whenever I stumble upon an episode while channel surfing, I always seem to wind up watching the whole thing.

Usagi Yojimbo Joins Captain Carrot and his Amazing Zoo Crew

I have enjoyed the DCU animated shorts that are played during their cartoon series.  Most are light hearted and skew to a younger audience, so I think that some Zoo Crew appearances would be a fitting and welcome addition to the  line up.  These guys are tailor made for animation!.

As a reminder, you can order a copy of The Sakai Project below.   All of the proceeds from this over-sized book go to Stan and Sharon Sakai to help pay for medical bills incurred from a brain tumor that Sharon has been battling.

The Sakai Project

Justice League of America and Spider-Woman

With all the crazy rumors about plans to continue and expand the Amazing Spider-Man franchise (Sinister Six, All-Female Spider Team, Aunt May Prequel) floating around, I am surprised we have not heard of the most sensible route - a Spider-Woman solo film.  Jessica Drew has one of the great comic costumes and  a cool origin.  Her story is also quite different than Peter Parker's, which would set it apart from the previous films.  Maybe it's a rights issue... if that's the case, put her in The Avengers!

Firestorm and Flaming Carrot

I have been impressed with the super-speed visuals of The Flash on the CW, and it appears that the producers are going to be showcasing even more super-heroics with Firestorm.   Ronnie Raymond, Martin Stein and Jason Rusch have all been cast and we have already seen Firestorm rogues Multiplex and Plastique (not to mention Killer Frost as a series regular in her pre-Frost persona).  I am very curious to see how they pull of Firestorm's signature look as well as his powers.  This almost makes up for the hero being one of the few left out of the Justice League Unlimited cartoon.

Adam Strange and The Avengers

The Avengers: Age of Ultron teaser did just what it was supposed to do, tease the upcoming blockbuster sequel with a glimpse of the cast and a hint of the conflict that they will be facing.  I still feel as though there is a lot being held back, and that's a good thing.  We know that Ultron will not be the sole villain and still have yet to see The Vision in action.  Hawkeye and Hulk are said to have expanded roles, but other than the Hulkbuster fight, I don't know what that will entail yet.  Finally, the rumors of Captain Marvel or other heroes showing up continue to surface - time will tell if there is any truth to those.  I'm not going to go crazy looking for spoilers, though... it's fun to be surprised in the theater.