Back in the days before intercompany crossovers became a reality, the only way fans could get an idea of what a DC/Marvel match up might be like was through analog characters. The Squadron was always the best example of that in my opinion... maybe I just liked the fact that their Superman counterpart was a redhead like me.
The JLA first encountered the Squadron back in STF #205... and Superman faced off against Hyperion back in STF #144... Plus, who can forget when Dr. Spectrum joined the Green Lantern Corps...
This is only Part One of this Story - Make sure you return for Part Two tomorrow!
Ah! How well I remember the inspiration for this cover. From the volume 1 issue of DEFENDERS where Kyle "Nighthawk" Richmond recruited Doc Strange and the rest of the original non-team to help him battle Nebulon and the Squadron Sinister. And, this pastiche is only the first part?
ReplyDeleteThank you-thank you-THANK YOU, Ross!!!!
You sure know how to spice up these quarterly spectaculars. You make me twice as hopeful that Femforce and Mighty Crusaders will grace the cover of STF #1450. :-)
What I loved about the Squadron Supreme is that they started out as evil analogs of the JLA but grew into so much more in their own mini-series.
ReplyDeleteExcellent cover. Even if, technically, that's actually the Squadron Sinister :) . (Although, to be completely honest, the interchangeability of the hero and villain versions of the team is one of the things I love about this cover- it has precedent in actual AVENGERS covers.) Makes me think, though- probably, not a lot of people would get it, but it would be fun to see a team up or battle between the Marvel '70s Crusaders (who were based on DC's Freedom Fighters) and DC's Crusaders (based on Marvel's Invaders) from the same time.
ReplyDeleteI second Alaric's motion. :-)
ReplyDeleteP.S.---what's with the new logo in the top left corner of the replies? Have you patented our comments, or something (lol)?
ReplyDeleteI don't see anything new, just the usual Blogger/Google icons
ReplyDeleteThis is one heckuva well-done cover, Ross. The images are just perfectly matched-up. The JLAers look like they've been rotated (I'm not sure why) but of course that's part of the process.
ReplyDeleteAnd I also echo Alaric's suggestion of Crusaders and Crusaders... maybe with the old Champions character Crusader, if you can find a suitable image.
Speaking of Champions characters, maybe the Joker could join C.L.O.W.N. for an issue...! (Or not, since you're not that familiar with the Champions characters.)
PS to the anonymous poster at the top: Any particular reason you're focused on #1450 for that?
Bob - Yup, had to flip Superman and flash - which meant re-flipping their insignias as well, not as easy as it sounds, for the cover to work - All because GL is right handed!
ReplyDeleteLove, LOVE this! Like you, I too am a sucker for the SS and CSA, so these two finally meeting and duking it out, even in the land of make-believe, is still a thrill for me. Can't wait for part 2.
ReplyDeleteDamn, spoke too soon. Damn my eyes, ha ha.
ReplyDelete@ Bob Greenwade:
ReplyDelete1) Ross seems to shine best when simulating special covers every twenty-five issues.
2) I'd love to see Kim Brand--the Silver Age Fly Girl--dramatized as defecting to a team that knows how to value the abilities of a superheroine (similar to the now-classic Avengers cover featuring "The Lady Liberators").
And, @ Ross?
3) I think Carycomic was referring to that "G+" sign. I've started noticing their sudden increase in frequency, myself.
@Ross: never mind. I finally realized that's some kind of iconic link to "Google Plus."
ReplyDelete