STF: The Lost Issues on the The Hunnicoutcast Podcast!

I was happy to participate in an interview with Hunnicoutcast last night - you can check it out right here!

The Metal Men and Spider-Man

I am looking forward to what Marvel is going to do with Spider-Man now that they have a hand in his cinematic future.  It will be interesting to see what they do to differentiate this new take from the Sam Raimi and Marc Webb versions.  I liked parts of both of those franchises, but felt they missed the mark on a lot of aspects of the wall-crawler and his rogues as well, so I am definitely up to seeing the "official" Marvel entry.

The X-Men Vs. Starro

This was not an easy cover to make.  I know it may just look like heroes lined up but it took a lot of tweaking to get right.  I've been wanting to use Starro again for a while, he is such a great villain.  He has that crazy Silver Age sensibility, but is still creepy enough to entertain modern audiences.  I'd love to see him battle the JLA on the big screen - it would be like Avengers crossed with Aliens!

Superman and The Invaders

I have been enjoying reading Superman's very first adventures in the collected Superman Chronicles series of TPB's lately.  There's an energy to those early adventures, from a time before superheroes were even a genre, that just cannot be replicated today.  I can only imagine what it was like for a young kid to have been reading those ground-breaking tales right off the newsstands.

Nightwing Vs. The Hulk

As Super-Team Family: The Lost Issues has continued over the years, I have developed a few ongoing plot threads.  One recurring theme, however, just happened on its own, or maybe in my subconscious at least. For some reason, the Hulk really does not like Robin!  In this latest outing, he's after Dick Grayson in his Nightwing guise, but he has been on his trail for a while...

from his early days with Batman...

...to his time with the Teen Titans...

and New Teen Titans!.

The Hulk is no fan of Grayson's successors either - just ask Tim Drake...

or Damian Wayne!

Squirrel Girl and Rocky & Bullwinkle

This match up comes as a suggestion from Tim Stellmach, a Patron in good standing of this site (I take note of all ideas but Patrons of course get special consideration), and the idea just made me smile.  I was a huge fan of the Rocky and Bullwinkle show growing up, so on a whim I bought a DVD set of the first season.  I enjoyed it just as much, even moreso as an adult.  I never realized that there was so much humor in those episodes that went right over my head when I viewed them as a child.

Sgt. Rock and the Human Torch

I loved Robert Kanigher's Sgt. Rock tales, and I have always thought Marvel's wartime era comics were cool, so this is a team up that I would have loved to have seen.  Rock's stories usually featured Easy Company up against steep odds and it would be could to see the Torch  helping to turn the tide.

Aquaman and Captain Nemo

I've been meaning to use an image from Classics Illustrated for the longest time, and I finally got around to it.We had a bunch of those comics in my family when I was growing up and they did just what they were supposed to - get us kids interested in some great works of literature.  I remember reading some of them over and over, especially Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.

Aquaman and The Sub-Mariner in: "The Battle Above!" Part 1

For the longest time I figured that we would see a Sub-Mariner movie before an Aquaman one.  I'm glad that Arthur Curry beat Namor to the punch though, and I can't wait to see how the undersea realm of Atlantis is realized.

Aquaman and Namor have crossed paths on the blog before - they faced the sea's wrath back in Issue #751 and starred in my very first STF two-parter in Issue #3 and Issue #4.

This tale of course is also a two-parter so make sure you return tomorrow for the exciting conclusion!

Justice League of America and The Fantastic Four

Continued from yesterday's cover, we have a pairing of teams that quite frankly I am surprised took so long for me to get to.

It's amazing that after a lifetime of waiting, the Justice League of America is finally coming to life on-screen - and in more ways than one.  The extra early hype-machine for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice has shown us the cinematic versions of its title characters as well as Wonder Woman and Aquaman.  Green Lantern and the Flash will be joining them for the Justice League 2-parter, with the Flash doing double duty as one of the many Justice Leaguers that the WB network is bringing to TV.  In addition to the shows featuring him and Green Arrow, a third spin-off (rumored to be titled Legends of the Future) will feature The Atom, Firestorm, Black Canary, Hawkgirl and more.  Just find a home somewhere in all those plans for The Martian Manhunter and this JLA fan will be completely fulfilled!

Justice League of America and Star Wars

This week saw new trailers for The Fantastic Four, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Star Wars: The Force Rises.  Closer looks at The Thing and Doctor Doom do not impress me, and the origin rehash doesn't excite me much, but maybe the new FF reboot will surprise me.  We are 11 months away from Batman v Superman so I didn't expect the trailer to show much, but I liked what I saw.  The Batman costumes especially looked great.  The Star Wars trailer was my favorite.  That quick shot of Han and Chewie brought a huge smile to my face, as did the Mark Hamill voice over. Heck, I loved the whole thing!

This story continues tomorrow, so make sure to tune in for the epic conclusion!

Cyborg and Iron Man

We've seen that Iron Man will be getting a few new suits of armor for Avengers: The Age of Ultron, including the fan-favorite Hulkbuster armor.  It has been cool to see so many iterations of the suit so far, but with this fifth move outing, I still say that the lack of love for the classic widow's peak armor is a glaring omission.  Sure, it may seem a bit outdated by today's standards, but Iron Man sported that look far longer than any other in his career and it deserves its cinematic due.

Machine Man and Kamandi

It's been a while since I presented an All-Kirby cover.  I think this particular pairing would make for an interesting story in that it features one of the most high-tech heroes Kirby worked on alongside the most low-tech.  Throw in a classic Kirby designed creature and set them against impossible odds and you have the recipe for a great adventure!

The Teen Titans Enter The Marvel Universe (and more!)

It's too bad that anthology comics don't seem to sell well these days, because they were among my favorites growing up.  I loved when World's Finest became a dollar comic and would include back-up stories featuring some of my favorite characters that did not have their own solo series.  I also really dug Action Comics Weekly, which got me to sample characters that I might not have otherwise, like Wild Dog, Blackhawk or the original Secret Six.  Marvel released a bunch of anthologies they called Megazines at one point  that I was a fan of as well.  All of these titles felt like great values to me, and I'd love to see more of their kind in the current market.

STF: The Lost Issues on Comic Book and Movie Reviews!

I conducted a short interview with David of Comic Book and Movie Reviews. You can check it out right here!

The Joker Vs. The Kingpin

I, like many I am sure, absolutely devoured Netflix' Daredevil series last weekend.  It's easily the best live action superhero TV show that I have seen, and I hope that Marvel can keep up this level of quality with their other upcoming shows and future seasons of DD.  A high point for me was the casting.  Everyone embodies their roles perfectly.  Vincent D'Onofrio as Wilson Fisk was amazing, it was as if the character stepped right out of the comics.  I loved that they were able to really delve into his character through childhood flashbacks and his courtship with Vanessa.  Hopefully he will show up in some of the other series that Netflix is preparing.

Tiny Titans and Peanuts

A teaser trailer for then upcoming Peanuts animated feature has been released, and I have to say that I like what I see.  It appears to be a combination of traditional animation and CGI, and it looks to have the feel and spirit of the characters just right.  I hope the whole movie is as enjoyable as what has been shown thus far.  Snoopy, Come Home is still a favorite of mine and it would be nice to have another movie to bring Charles Schulz' beloved characters to a new generation of fans.

Howard The Duck Vs. Darth Vader

The one character that the new Fantastic Four reboot has kept under wraps is Doctor Doom, although production images have leaked out that do not fill me with confidence.  This looks to be another cinematic outing where the character will not get his due, and that puzzles me.  Look at Darth Vader, he's got the cape, armor, attitude and un-moving mask -  and is considered to be one of the most iconic and cool villains in cinema history.  There really is no reason Doom could not be realized on screen just as effectively.

Power Girl and Power Pack

Power Pack is a fun concept.  Pre-teen siblings that become a superhero team is a unique idea that I think has potential in other media.  It might be tough to make a film franchise considering how fast children grow and mature, so perhaps an animated series would be a way to go.  With Big Hero 6 being a hit for the studio,  I think they have the talent to pull off a similar transition with the Power kids.

The Phantom Stranger Joins The Secret Wars

I was a fan of the first Secret Wars series.  Sure, the plot was all over the place, but it was fun to see so many Marvel characters sharing one big epic for the first time.  So, when it was announced that the sequel would include even more characters from the Marvel Universe I was really looking forward to it.  Secret Wars II was pretty wonky though, and the Beyonder himself was tough to take seriously with his Jheri Curl and disco outfits.  I must say I did enjoy a lot of the ongoing comic series that had tie-ins to the event though.

Superman Vs. Conan

This cover brings to mind one of my favorite Superman stories ever - and it isn't from a comic book.  "Hereafter" is a two-episode saga from the Justice League animated series, and it really showcased a lot of what I love about the character.  Superman is seemingly vaporized in a battle with a villain and the JLA has to deal with the loss of the Man of Steel - and with Lobo, who wants to be his replacement (this two-parter is also notable in that it is one of the few times I have enjoyed that particular character).  In actuality, Superman has been transported to the distant future, where he finds himself powerless.  Through sheer determination and an alliance with a now-reformed Vandal Savage, he attempts to return to his own time.  It's a great story that reminds the viewer that Superman is much more than just his powers.

Batman and The Powerpuff Girls

Now this is a cartoon that I would love to see.  I can imagine each one of the Powerpuff Girls having a different reaction to working alongside the Dark Knight.  You just know that the fight scenes would be a blast to watch as well.  Who wouldn't want to see this quartet taking down the Mojo Jojo/Gorilla Boss team?

The Phantom on the Planet of the Apes

Some felt that Dawn of the Planet of the Apes was a bit too dark of a sequel to Rise of the Planet of the Apes, but I found myself enjoying it quite a bit.  I liked how the film resisted taking sides, and showed that while most humans and apes wanted to live in peace, it only took a few malcontents in each faction to stir up fear and anger.  The motion capture was amazing again.  I look forward to seeing what else is in store for future sequels.

Clayface Vs. Sandman

While a very flawed film, Spider-Man 3 did one thing perfectly - the realization of Flint Marko's look and powers (well, until he became the giant Sandman at the end, they kind of lost me there).  I'd love to see a movie version of Clayface one of these days.  We know the technology is there to make it happen, the question is whether the studio finally starts letting Batman's more outlandish villains appear.

Samurai Jack and Wolverine

Marvel's direct-to video animated offerings have been a mixed bag.  I have liked a couple but none have had the re-watchability of many of DC's efforts.  One exception to that rule is Hulk Vs. Wolverine/Hulk Vs. Thor.  The animation in that double feature seems to be a notch above Marvel's usual standards and both tales are quick paced and fun.  It's definitely my favorite animated version of Wolverine to date.  I'd love to see a Wolverine tale animated in the Samurai Jack style one of these days.

Wonder Woman and The Beatles

There isn't a time in my life that I don't remember listening to the Beatles.  My parents and older siblings would play their music and I grew up loving it.  I was amazed at how in their relatively short career together they were able to repeatedly reinvent themselves and their sound. In my mind, they have yet to be surpassed.

Martian Manhunter vs. The Hulk

It's an exciting time to be a DC comics fan if you like TV and film adaptations, with so many characters ready to come to life on the big and small screen.  My one real disappointment is no mention of J'onn J'onzz in any of the various plans yet.  I was kind of hoping The Rock was teasing his casting as The Martian Manhunter for the JLA films, but he will be playing Black Adam instead.  DC is certainly giving the character a push, as a new ongoing Martian Manhunter series has been announced, so hopefully that means there is still hope that he is part of their cinematic universe plans.  I guess they have to save something for the sequels!

The JLA & JSA and Captain Marvel

When The Death of Captain Marvel was first released, I didn't live near any place that sold the fancy new Graphic Novel format that it was presented in, so it was a few years before I got my hands on a copy.  It was worth the wait.  The death of a main character and stories that include dozens of heroes are commonplace now, but back then they were rare enough that it truly felt like a special event worthy of the higher production values.  I guess the truest test of the impact that this story had is that Marvel has resisted the urge to return Mar-Vell to life (although they have teased that a couple of times).

The Creeper and the Beast

It's funny how the era in which you really got into comics can color your perceptions of certain characters.  The Beast to me will always be an Avenger foremost in my mind, because that's where I first discovered him.  I love his history with the X-Men and his transition from merely having over-sized hands and feet to the blue furred hero I became a fan of, but I must say I have always hoped that he would  return to his position as one of Earth's Mightiest Heroes (not to mention the look he sported in those days, his redesigns haven't done much for me).

Bumblebee and Bumblebee

I have always liked Bumbleblee from The Teen Titans as well as her boyfriend Mal Duncan, and I think that DC should do more with them.  I'm not sure why they never really moved past their status as Titans C-listers. I really like Bumblebee's new costume and hairstyle (which I think debuted on the animated Teen Titans show), she has one of the cooler looks around and I believe she has more than paid her dues as a character.

Batgirl and Invisible Girl

The Invisible Girl/Woman was unique among other super-heroines when I was growing up in that she was also a mother.  Indeed, it is still a rare trait in comics. For some reason publishers felt that marrying characters or having them become parents would age them too much in their young readers' eyes.  It never bothered me as a kid, in fact I thought it was pretty cool that Sue Storm was a mom.

Nightwing and Daughters of the Dragon

With Daredevil, Luke Cage and Iron Fist all coming to Netflix, I am surprised that we have not heard about Misty Knight and Colleen Wing as supporting characters on any of the upcoming series. The Daughters of  the Dragon have a history with all of those heroes and would fit right in with the tone that Marvel seems to be setting.  Let's hope as more information is announced, we'll hear about their involvement in at least one of the shows.

Thanks to Jason Powell for the inspiration for this team up!