Thursday, August 31, 2017

Wonder Woman and Ms. Marvel in: "Satyr-Day!"



I am intrigued by the 80's setting of the upcoming Captain Marvel film.  It opens up possibilities for some fun Marvel cameos, like the original Ant-Man and Wasp in their prime, Agent Carter and hopefully Mar-Vell.  I think we can probably count on seeing a de-aged Samuel L. Jackson as a younger Nick-Fury.

These two first shared an adventure in STF #1593...

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Dark Phoenix Vs. Martian Manhunter


It's going to be interesting to see the second attempt at telling the Dark Phoenix Saga on the big screen.  Thew addition of Lilandra to the cast indicates that perhaps this one will be a more comics-accurate version of the tale.  Sadly, I have not heard about casting for any of her Imperial Guard so my hopes for a big throwdown with the X-Men will likely not be fulfilled.

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Rose & The Thorn and Spider-Man


Rose and the Thorn is another great concept that I wish would have caught on more with readers.  I love the idea of a dual personality where one half is a crime-fighter, unknown to the other half. It might be cool to see her show up on Arrow, she would fit into that world and could use the exposure to a larger audience..

Monday, August 28, 2017

Martian Manhunter and The Thing


Today marks what would have been Jack Kirby's 100th Birthday.  It is amazing to see how many of the concepts from his fertile imagination are still entertaining people around the world today.  Not only did he rewrite the rules for comic book illustration, inspiring hundreds of careers, the characters that he helped create and design endure and continue to find new fans.  His legacy will last at least another hundred years, I have no doubt. 

Ben Grimm and J'onn J'onzz first crossed paths in a 2011 MTIO issue....

Sunday, August 27, 2017

The Vision Vs. The Terminator


James Cameron has mentioned an interest in making another Terminator trilogy, which would ignore all the films following T2 and still involve Arnold Schwarzenegger.  It sounds interesting, but I kind of wish he had done these films sooner.  I don't really care to see any more of the Avatar world, and that's the franchise that he has been concentrating on lately.

Saturday, August 26, 2017

Hawkgirl and Photon


The Shadow Thief has always been one of my favorite villains.  He struck me as creepy and scary in a good way with his unique power set and appearance.  I first discovered him as a member of The Injustice Gang in Justice League of America, and I soon devoured his adventures as illustrated by the great Joe Kubert in the pages of Hawkman.  Maybe with Nth Metal becoming a major plot point in the DC books thses days, the Hawks and their arch enemy will be back at the forefront once again soon.

Friday, August 25, 2017

Green Lantern and Daredevil in : "Return of the Men Without Fear!"



I thoroughly enjoyed Netflix' Defenders.  I thought it was a wise decision to keep it to eight episodes, as there was almost no filler and plenty of action.  It was great seeing the characters interact, especially Jessica Jones' reactions to everyone.  The series moves all the characters forward, but to me it felt mostly like a Daredevil continuation with guest stars (not a bad thing at all).  Sigourney Weaver was OK as a villain, but never felt quite menacing enough for me.  The main thing is that the show entertained and really makes me want to see where each individual series goes next (even Iron Fist, he is much improved here over his solo outing).  And that moment with Misty and Colleen at the end?  Bring on Daughters of the Dragon!

This tale is a direct sequel from the time that DD and GL first met in STF #1528...

Thursday, August 24, 2017

Captain Marvel and The Omega Men


I always thought that the Omega Men would be bigger when they first appeared.  They were launched from the pages of  Green Lantern and hit series New Teen Titans, and then they were one of the first properties to get a direct-only title with printing on fancy higher stock paper.  Alas, they never really seemed to catch on.  

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Thor and The Marvel Family



It seems that Shazam! will be one of the next DC movies to go into production, and it has been announced that there will not be an appearance by The Rock as Black Adam after all.  The obvious choice for an villain would be Doctor Sivana, but I hope that there's room for at least one other antagonist as well.  There are plenty of good ones to choose from, but my choice would definitely be Mr. Mind!  

Thor and Captain Marvel  clashed in STF #990 and they first crossed paths in STF #120... Thor met the whole Marvel Family in STF #1518...

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

The Unknown Soldier and The Winter Soldier



This cover is another suggestion form comics historian and Patron of this blog, Marc Tyler Nobleman, and one that I was surprised that I had not done yet.  I expect that by the end of the upcoming Black Panther movie, Bucky Barnes will be released from his stasis tube, because I have read reports that he will be fighting alongside T'Challa to fend off the forces of Thanos and protect Wakanda during Avengers: Infinity War.  That sounds like an awesome sequence.

Monday, August 21, 2017

War Machine Vs. Lex Luthor


One thing that I really loved about Lex Luthor's portrayal on Superman: The Animated Series and Justice League/Justice League Unlimited is that we got to see him evolve through many of his comic book characterizations, from the businessman, tho the genius inventor, to the operative from behind prison bars, to the leader of the Secret Society... they even pulled off the power suit.  Hopefully if Lex returns in the films, he will be more comics-faithful than his last cinematic appearance, which did not work for me at all.

Sunday, August 20, 2017

Cherry Poptart and The Watcher


It was a pleasant surprise to see The Watchers make an appearance in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, because I had thought they were off limits due to being caught up in the rights to Fantastic Four related characters.  Apparently some kind of deal was worked out and they were allowed to be used. 

Saturday, August 19, 2017

Green Lantern and Doctor Strange


Many people are speculating that there will be an appearance by one Green Lantern or another in Justice League.  If they go with a CGI alien GL, I can see that happening - but it's going to be a tougher surprise to pull off if they want to use John Stewart or Hal Jordan, who are scheduled to appear in their own film down the line.  Will they be able to cast an actor and film a scene without something leaking out?  It wouldn't be impossible, but it certainly wouldn't be easy to keep a lid on it.  

Friday, August 18, 2017

Ghost Rider and Firestorm



One thing I liked about the last few JLA/JSA crossovers in the original run of Justice League of America was a budding romance between Firestorm and Power Girl.  For some reason the flirtation they had with one another seemed to be a victim of the Crisis on Infinite Earths, and was never mentioned again.

This cover comes from a suggestion by Marc Tyler Nobleman, comics historian and Patron of this blog.  Thanks, Marc!

Thursday, August 17, 2017

Galactus Vs. Godzilla



Yeah, maybe Godzilla is a little outmatched here, but if I saw this comic on the racks when I was a kid I would have had to find out how the battle went down.  Godzilla did cross paths with a lost of Marvel folks when he had a title published by the company, but never the world devourer. They missed out on a sure seller!

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Drax Vs. Lobo


I'm not sure why, but Lobo is a character that has never really appealed to me in comic book form, but I have enjoyed his animated appearances.  I liked when he showed up on the excellent two-parter "Hereafter" on Justice League Unlimited and I also got a kick out his appearance on Justice League Action as well. Maybe I just have to hear and see him in motion to appreciate him. 

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

The Fantastic Four and The Justice Society of America



These two are both overdue for a return, and it looks as though fans may get their wish.  Jay Garrick's return in the recent Batman/Flash crossover gives hope that all of the original JSAers will finally come back as well.  a new Marvel-Two-In-One Series promises at least Ben and Johnny have a home again at Marvel. Hopefully we'll see the full rosters of both soon back in print and action.

Monday, August 14, 2017

Zatanna, Dr. Fate & Phantom Stranger and The Hulk



It's too bad that rights issues are preventing The Hulk from another solo film outing, but I don't mind too much because I like seeing how he interacts with other heroes anyway.  It will be fun to see him alongside Thor, and I hope for more movie appearances as well.  I'd love to see Spider-Man and the Hulk on the big screen together... and of course I one day hope to see a live action Hulk/Thing throwdown.

Sunday, August 13, 2017

Catwoman Vs. Daughters of the Dragon




Another reason that I am really looking forward to Netflix' The Defenders is that we will finally get to see Misty Knight and Colleen win cross paths.  Will Misty get a bionic arm?  Will they join forces to form Nightwing Restorations?  I certainly hope so!

Saturday, August 12, 2017

Daredevil and Blue Beetle




I got a kick out of the trailer for Netflix' The Defenders.  After watching each of the individual series, it's cool to see Daredevil, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones and Iron Fist interacting with one another.  I am trying to stay spoiler free from now on though.  I am not sure what type of villainous role Sigourney Weaver will be playing or how characters like Stick, Elektra and The Punisher will fit in, or what the basic plot will be.  I look forward to a weekend binge when the show drops and finding out all the answers.

Friday, August 11, 2017

Speed Racer and Metamorpho




Speed Racer the movie was not a huge hit at the box office, and is not without its flaws, but there's no denying that it had some amazing and unique visuals.  Maybe it just came out a few years too early.  Perhaps a Speed Racer film would be more well received today, now that superhero movies and the Fast and Furious franchise are so popular.

Thursday, August 10, 2017

The Question and The X-Files




The Question is another character that I would like to see show up on Arrow at some point.  He fits right into that world and he and Green Arrow have shared some comic book adventures that can be drawn upon.  His look shouldn't be difficult to pull off, even on a TV budget.

Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Iron Man and The Metal Men in: "Tinkering with Tin!




The Metal Men were rumored for cinematic treatment years ago, but nothing seems to have come of it.  Maybe a good place for them to make a debut in Cyborg's upcoming solo film, they've had comic book adventures with him after all.  I can see them being very cool and fun, maybe get some popular comedic actors to perform the voice and motion capture work, and create CGI characters around that.

Iron Man is just paying Tin back for helping to save hin in  STF #1611, and he first met the team in STF #362...

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Lando Calrissian, Mister Terrific and The Thing




I am glad to see that these three characters are finally getting some time back in the spotlight.  After being sidelined due to movie rights haggling and reduced to being a guest star in Guardians of the Galaxy, Ben Grimm will finally be starring in a title of his own, a revival of Marvel-Two-In-One (hopefully with a rotating roster of guest stars instead of just the announced Johnny Storm).  Mr. Terrific will be heading up The Terrifics, which will also include Metamorpho, Plastic Man and Phantom Girl - which sounds like it will be very ccol and fun.  Finally, Lando Calrissian will be blasting back to the silver screen alongside a young Han Solo.  I look forward to seeing what Donald Glover does in the role.

Monday, August 7, 2017

The Spectre and Deadpool




Images of Domino from the Deadpool sequel have been released, and she looks quite different from her comic book counterpart.  If the images hadn't been labeled I wouldn't have guessed she was Domino at first glance.  It's kind of surprising, considering how faithful Deadpool and Colossus looked in the first film.   I left the X-books well before Domino became popular, so the visual change is not a deal breaker for me, thouhg/

Sunday, August 6, 2017

Wonder Woman and Captain America in: "Anniversary With Ares!"




I was glad to see Themyscira and the Amazons appear in the Justice League trailer.  The Paradise Island scenes were some of my favorite from Wonder Woman and it's cool that we will not have to wait for the sequel to see a little more of that world.

This marks the sweet sixteenth appearance of the WW/Cap team...

Saturday, August 5, 2017

Captain Carrot & The Zoo Crew and Man-Thing




Marvel Studios redeemed Daredevil and The Punisher after some misguided theatrical attempts, why not Man-Thing?  They can't let that Syfy movie be his only live action representation.  Where would he show up though?  A Doctor Strange sequel might be a good place.  I'd love for them to find a way to have him mix it up with The Hulk, too (and indeed, his visage was spotted in the trailer for Thor: Ragnarok).

Friday, August 4, 2017

Dick Tracy and Batman in: "A Cop in the Cave!"




I recently completed re-watching the Beware The Batman animated series, and I quite enjoyed it again.  The CGI was very good on the characters, although skimpy background details often make it look like Gotham was a big abandoned city.  I liked the use of some of Batman 's lesser known rogues, giving characters like Anarky and Magpie a chance to shine.  I really wish the series had continued because the seeds for Harvey Den't transformation into Two-Face and a full fledged Batman and the Outsiders team were planted, and I would have loved to have seen those plot lines followed through.

Dick Tracy first Met the Caped Crusader back in one of my early MS Paint B&B covers...

Thursday, August 3, 2017

Superman and The Micronauts




The Micronauts was a comic based on a toy, and I enjoyed both as a kid.  The comic had great artwork and Marvel guest stars and the toys were some of the coolest of my youth.  I wonder why there was never an animated series featuring the characters - I can only imagine comic and toy sales would have been even better had there been one.

Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Katana and Valkyrie




I was hoping to see Tessa Thompson in the classic blue/black outfit with the breastplates during her turn as Valkyrie in the upcoming Thor: Ragnarok.  Alas, judging by the trailer,  they kept the blue cape but not much else.  I was pleasantly surprised to see that she will eventually make a change into a costume that very closely resembles her white and gold outfit that she wore for a time in The Defenders, so that will be pretty cool.

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Indiana Jones and The Human Torch




Are all Human Torches off-limits for Marvel to use in their movies, or is it just Johnny Storm?  We see a Jim Hammond-type robot at the World's Fair in Captain America: The First Avenger after all.  I always kind of preferred the original Torch anyway.  I'd love to see him in full blazing action, maybe in an untold adventure from Cap's WWII years.