Friday, June 30, 2017
Here's how you can help this blog to continue
A quick reminder about how you can help to keep the blog going - while it is a labor of love, it is still (despite what some may think) a one-man operation and can be quite time consuming to keep up on a daily basis. Every little bit of support helps
The blog will of course always be free, but if you would like to help support it, there are a few ways to do so - by advertising (still dirt cheap, my ads usually go for a few pennies a day), by making a one time contribution by clicking on the "Donate" button at the bottom of the page, or by becoming a Patron. While I take suggestions from anyone, Patrons of course will get special consideration.
Thanks again, and especially thanks for coming by for your daily dose of team up fun!
The Phantom and The Black Panther
The Black Panther teaser trailer has been released, and It looks like Marvel has another potential hit one their hands from the brief footage I have seen. I am surprised how many characters from the comics that are being included, it seems like enough for two movies. Hopefully it won't be overstuffed and everyone gets their due.
Thursday, June 29, 2017
Mars Attacks Kolchak: The Night Stalker
Tim Burton's Mars Attacks! movie seems to hold up pretty well to me when viewed today. The large cast looked like they had a blast making it, and the effects still work due to the B-Movie vibe. I am a little surprised we never saw any signs of a sequel. I don't remember it being a box office dud, bat maybe it just didn't make enough profit to warrant a follow up.
Wednesday, June 28, 2017
Tomar-Re and The Beast
I am surprised that Marvel has never paired up The Beast and Tigra in an adventure. They are both card carrying Avengers who are at peace with the furry forms they have been transformed into. It seems like they would have a lot in common. Not that you need to have much in common for an exciting tale.. Tomar-Re is about a different character thank Hank McCoy as you can ask for, but I'd still love to see them join forces.
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
Moon Knight Vs. Two-Face
This is a match up I would love to see. It's always interesting to see Two-Face up against someone other than Batman and I can imagine a cool story could be woven around the fractured psyches of both characters and how they interact with one another.
Monday, June 26, 2017
Justice League of America Vs. the Marvel Universe!
I loved the Tabloid-Sized comics that Marvel and DC used to put out when I was a kid. We had a whole bunch - Secret Origins of Super-Villains, The Fantastic Four, Superman Vs. Shazam, Stories from the Bible, Tarzan, Dick Tracy, Batman's Villains, Marvel Holiday Specials, and more. I have fond memories of lying down on the living room floor and seeing my favorite heroes in "big screen" action.
So, you see the line up here - who ultimately wins? I see Captain Britain, Black Bolt, Rogue and Iron Man winning for Marvel, The Atom, Superman, Batman, Flash and Wonder Woman winning for the JLA with Captain Marvel Vs. The Thing being a draw, so... advantage JLA! I tried to make it close, though, so your opinion may vary.
Let the journey to STF #2000 begin!
Sunday, June 25, 2017
Cyborg and The Human Torch
Marvel has released a promotional teaser featuring a close up of Ben Grimm's waist insignia, but it has a "2" instead of a "4". Some have guessed that this means a return of the title Marvel Two-In-One, which I would love, but I have another guess. I am thinking that Ben and Johnny will be joining up again, presumably to search for a missing Reed and Sue, leading to the eventual return of the Fantastic Four comic.
Cyborg first met Johnny Storm when he joined the FF back in STF #75...
Coming Tomorrow: Super-Team Family #1900!
Saturday, June 24, 2017
The Tick and Atomic Robo
The Tick is back with new live action episodes starring Peter Serafinowicz in the title role. I'm not sure about what I have seen so far of it though - admittedly only a scene and a trailer, but following Patrick Warburton will be tough. Personally, I would have far preferred to see the animated Tick cartoon return instead. It's still my favorite comedic superhero show ever.
Friday, June 23, 2017
Elasti-Girl and Ant-Man
I am curious as to who the antagonist will be in the upcoming Ant-Man and The Wasp. Ant-Man's rogues gallery includes villains like Egghead, Whirlwind and The Porcupine - but are any of these guys movie-ready? It's too bad his greatest nemesis, Ultron, was stolen for the movies by Tony Stark.
Thursday, June 22, 2017
Hawkman and Sub-Mariner in: "Water Wings!"
I love the reincarnation aspect that was added to Hawkman's back story, and would love to see a big screen adaptation. His TV appearances have dealt with that, but in my opinion just have not done the character justice. A movie budget is necessary to get his wings right (as in Malificent, for example), The helmet has to be carefully designed as well, so that it looks good from all angles. The hawks starring in an action/love story that spans centuries and reaches from Earth to outer space could be a truly epic film if DC has the will to try it.
Hawkman and Namor shared a wartime adventure way back in STF #208...
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Red Star and Colossus
The X-Men films seem to be embracing the 80's era line up, and so I was disappointed that Colossus has not been added back into the mix, I guess he is being reserved for the Deadpool sequel perhaps. Hopefully Cable's arrival as new straight man won't diminish Piotr Rasputin's contributions too much.
Colossus encountered Red Star once before, on a very early MS Paint B&B cover...
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
Mon-El Vs. The Hulk
We never did get to see Mon-El properly suit up on Supergirl. There's still a chance though, now that he is back with the rest of the Daxamites. I have a feeling the next time he shows up on the series, he will be wearing something closer to his classic comic duds.
Mon El and The Hulk first tangled in one of the back up tales in STF #1100...
Monday, June 19, 2017
Dynamo and Green Lantern
I have always been interested with Dynamo and the rest of the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents. They seem to attract a lot of talented artists and writers to work on their tales. Frankly though, I never really know where to start with them. Their adventures seem to have been started and stopped so many times over the years, I am a little confused as to what the "official" stories are and what is better to just skip over.
Sunday, June 18, 2017
Power Girl and Power Man in: "Cash for Corpses!"
For a character that is so popular to cosplay as she is, I am surprised that we have not gotten an official live action version of Power Girl yet. Between Supergirl and DC's Legends of Tomorrow, there seems to be plenty of opportunity to bring her to the small screen.
This is the third appearance of The Power Couple - They faced the mob together in STF #773 and first met in STF #71...
Saturday, June 17, 2017
Judge Dredd and Demolition Man
I was sorry that the recent Dredd film was not enough of a commercial success to get a sequel green lit. However, now there seems to be talk emerging of bringing the character to TV. Karl Urban has done television before, would he be willing to return to the role? I am already interested, and that would make it even more appealing.
Thanks to Mike Shirley, a Patron of this blog, for giving me this idea for this Sly encounter!
Friday, June 16, 2017
The Damned in : "Satan's Retribution!"
I read with interest that Hellboy is getting a cinematic reboot. I had kept reading about how the Gulllermo Del Toro-directed films didn't make enough to warrant a third film, so I was surprised by this development. Ron Perlman really made the role his own, so David Harbour has big shoes (nd a right hand) to fill. This new take will supposedly be a darker version of the character, so perhaps the new take will strike a stronger chord with audiences.
The Damned made their first appearance way back in STF #176...
Thursday, June 15, 2017
Elektra and Batgirl
The success of Wonder Woman bodes very well for Joss Whedon's upcoming Batgirl movie. As with WW, Batgirl's popularity extends through comic book, animation and live action incarnations, inspiring generations of fans. I think a Barbara Gordon movie could strike the same kind of nerve with audiences that the Amazonian Princess' did.
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Superman Vs. The Super Skrull
I was sorry to hear of the recent passing of Rich Buckler. He illustrated many of my favorite Marvel and DC comics and I always enjoyed his style. My favorite work of his was the tabloid-sized Superman Vs. Shazam. Years back, I was lucky enough to b purchase the original art for the final page of that special, and it is another great example of his masterful storytelling abilities.
I also picked up original art for a Hulk newspaper strip by Rich Buckler and Joe Sinnott:
You would think that Superman might have learned his lesson after the last time he tangled with The Super Skrull.,.
Tuesday, June 13, 2017
Yellowjacket and Guy Gardner
I really hope that we will see a bit more of Hank Pym in his prime and in action with the original Wasp when Ant-Man and The Wasp hits the theaters. I loved the brief glimpse we got the first time around and I hope we get more. I've hear rumors that the plot will feature attempts to save Janet Van Dyne from the Microverse (with Sharon Stone in the role?), and that would be great to see.
Monday, June 12, 2017
Iron Man and Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman has finally lifted DC out of its cinematic slump, and has delivered a film that is being rightfully praised by fans and critics alike. I loved it, Patty Jenkins and Gal Gadot gave us a perfect redition of the classic hero, from the amazing sequences on Themyscira to Diana's attitude towards heroism and reaction to the world beyond the island. Chris Pine and the supporting cast did a fine job as well. Yes, there was some iffy CGI here and there, but on the whole, I thought it was up there with Batman Begins and Superman the Movie.
Sunday, June 11, 2017
OMAC Vs. Devil Dinosaur
Jack Kirby was well known for his designs of high-tech machines, weapons and vehicles, and for good reason. He also could make low-tech action just as exciting though as the nature scenes from comics like Devil Dinosaur illustrate. And in titles like Black Panther and Kamandi, he got to do both!
Saturday, June 10, 2017
Afro Samurai and Black Dynamite
A friend of mine loaned me the complete collection of Afro Samurai cartoons a few year back, and I wound up watching the entire run over the course of a weekend. I loved the character design, over-the-top action sequences and the voice work by Samuel L. Jackson (in both of the lead roles, no less). I definitely recommend it, especially to Manga fans.
Friday, June 9, 2017
Doctor Fate and Scarlet Witch
I've seen from previews that Doctor Fate is showing up in the latest Blue Beetle series. This appears to be a more classic version of the character, as opposed to the helmet and hoodie wearing incarnation that starred in the recent New 52 series. Is it Kent Nelson back in the role or yet another new host? Will he have a role in returning the original JSA to modern day adventures? I'm certainly intrigued.
Thursday, June 8, 2017
Magnus: Robot Fighter Vs. The Terminator
The first two Terminator films are such classics, it's too bad that later installments ave failed to capture the mac of those films. While the last three films each had a cool action scene or two, they haven't really been worthy of what had gone before. Like the Aliens and Predator franchises, I am sure that Hollywood will keep trying, though. I think the only thing that could really get me excited is if James Cameron returned as director, but he has moved on to Avatar unfortunately.
Wednesday, June 7, 2017
Bucky and Robin in: "What's Cooking in Dr. Moreau's Basement?"
Robin and Bucky have a bit of history on STF: The Lost Issues:
Once, Robin considered taking over for Bucky...
There was the time they tackled zombies together...
They met later in their careers as Nightwing and The Winter Soldier...
They met when their teams shared an adventure...
Bucky has even tried to take over for Robin, once solo, and once with The Young Allies.
Tuesday, June 6, 2017
Green Lantern and Nighthawk
He may never have hit the big leagues as far as popularity went, but Kyle Richmond'd Nighthawk had one of my favorite costumes in the comics when I was growing up. The eye wings, scalloped cape, buccaneer boots and color scheme all worked together to make a true Bronze Age classic.
Monday, June 5, 2017
Hawk and Dove Vs. Deadpool
I was interested to hear that brothers Donald and Steven Glover are going to bring an animated Deadpool series to FXX. Not much more is known about the show, but they certainly have the comedy chops necessary for The Merc With a Mouth, so I will definitely be keeping my eye out for this one.
Sunday, June 4, 2017
Justice League of America and Sub-Mariner
I've been getting a real kick out of Justice League Action. I like the character design and how the writers dig deep into DC's long history. I do wish that the episodes were longer than fifteen minutes each, though - they always seem to end just when i am really getting into the story.
Aquaman and Namor have a bit of history on the blog - They took different sides during wartime in Issue #1105...
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.
Saturday, June 3, 2017
Hawkeye and The Huntress in "Honor Thy Mother and Father!"
This is the fourth appearance on the blog featuring these heroic siblings.
They first appeared together in STF #505...
Next, they had a twisted family reunion in STF #1387...
which continued into the next issue, STF #1388...
Friday, June 2, 2017
Darth Vader Vs. Wolverine
I finally watched Logan last night, and the reviews that said it was basically a western with a few mutant abilities thrown in were right. I was a little puzzled about the inclusion of Professor X, he didn't really seem to do much in the film other than calm a few horses down. Also, I'm wondering if I can enjoy any more X-Men films, now that I know pretty much all mutants will be destroyed in a few years anyway.
Thursday, June 1, 2017
Batman and Mad Max
I enjoyed the over the top visuals and action of Mad Max: Fury Road, and it seemed to resonate with audiences, so I am surprised I haven't read more about another installment in the franchise. To tell the truth, I would rather see another movie featuring Charlize Theron's Furiosa, she made more of an impact on me than Tom Hardy's stoic Max.