Sunday, December 31, 2017

Jack of Hearts Vs. The Royal Flush Gang


I have always really liked The Royal Flush Gang.  I find it cool that the team has gone through so many incarnations, from the old West to present day, often with mysterious leaders/benefactors pulling the strings.  Plus, the family aspect to the group adds a different dynamic than most villainous gatherings.  The DC animated shows did some really interesting things with them as well.

Saturday, December 30, 2017

Tintin, Space Ghost and The Silver Surfer



The Silver Surfer is one of the few characters that came out unscathed in the Fox movies.  I thought he looked and sounded great in the second Fantastic Four film, despite being in service to a lackluster plot and answering to a CGI cloud we were told was Galactus.  I wonder where The Surfer will appear again now that Marvel has the rights back.  A solo film?  A guest Star in a future Guardians of the Galaxy film?  Or maybe even joining Hulk, Dr. Strange and Sub-Mariner for a proper Defenders team?  There are plenty of places to use him, and I hope they don't make us wait too long.

This story serves as a direct follow up to the two-part tale where Tintin met The Watcher, and then had to be tracked down by Green Lantern and Space Ghost... and of course Silver Surfer and Space Ghost have met as well...

Friday, December 29, 2017

Ms. Marvel and Batgirl



There was a talk of a Joss Whedon-directed solo Batgirl film a while back, but I don't know if that is still in the planning stages.  Justice League's sub-par performance, Batman's rotating lead actors and Whedon's personal headlines may have all taken a toll, and I would not be surprised to see DC take a step back before moving ahead with their full slate of film projects.  Time will tell if Batgirl survives.

Thursday, December 28, 2017

Robocop and The Punisher


I was watching a commentary on Star Wars: Rogue One last night and a comment was made about how Darth Vader moved around with slow deliberate confidence, he was powerful and capable enough that he did not need to run.  Robocop strikes me the same way.  It's cool to see him slowly and effectively dispatch his opponents.  It would just seem wrong to watch him ever break into a full trot.

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

The Human Torch and The Human Bomb



This is another natural pairing that I have been meaning to get to for a while now.  They both harness destructive abilities which they use for the cause of good.  I can imagine an enemy combatant would think twice before engaging either of these faceless heroes on the battlefield.

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Spider-Man and Aqualad


I'm not sure what the original Aqualad's status is thse days with all of the reboots and revamps DC has had over the past several years.  I know that there's a new Aqualad  that has appeared in the comics and TV's Young Justice (son of Black Manta), but I don't know if that means that Garth has been completely written out.  Like Wally West, I hope he gets another chance - as a founding member of the Teen Titans, he deserves better.

Monday, December 25, 2017

Superman and Mickey Mouse



I'd like to take this time to wish all of the visitors to this blog a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.  I hope that you are spending this day in the company of the ones you love and it is filled with joy.  It's been another fun year on the blog, passing STF #2000, with over 2500 overall and getting close to the 5 millionth visitor!  Pros like Tony Isabella, Gail Simone and Patrick Zircher and more have contributed cover ideas, quite an honor.  It's been fun to have appearances on Geek to Me Radio, His Dork World/Her Dork World and to be featured on The Geeky Gentlemen podcast, thanks to all of them for having me.  This year the comments section has become quite interesting and active, it's been fun to read. I truly appreciate all the kind words, comments and suggestions therein.  Of course, a huge thanks to the Patrons of this blog - your support makes a huge difference! It's been a blast, here's to another year!


Sunday, December 24, 2017

Six Million Dollar Man Vs. Deathlok



For a while I  had been hearing a Six Million Dollar Man movie (or even Six Billion according to some reports).  Jim Carrey was suggested to star, among others, and the last name I heard connected to it was Mark Wahlberg.  It's been a while since I have seen anything written about the potential project, though.  Perhaps the glut of superhero films has put it on the back burner for now.

Saturday, December 23, 2017

Captain America and Wonder Woman (The TV Movie Event!)



This marks the 17th appearance of the WW/Cap team, it's about time they got some prime time exposure!  Like many, I fell in love with Lynda Carter's portrayal of the Amazing Amazon as a child, and took her program very seriously.  Now as I watch the reruns as an adult, I can see the cheap budget and camp, but Carters' earnest performance in the title role still wins me over.

Friday, December 22, 2017

The Spectre and Doctor Strange in: "Bloodlust for the Baron!"




After seeing how effectively Steve Ditko's otherworldly designs were incorporated into the Doctor Strange movie, I really want to see what can be done with The Spectre on the big screen.  I think that a visually inventive director could really have fun with his appearance, powers, and journeys intothe minds of criminals to mete out justice.

This is the third meeting between these two heroes - they battled Nightmare in STF #458, and first met way back in STF #110...

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Booster Gold and Doctor Who (Part Two)



Presenting the exciting conclusion to yesterdays cover...

I'm looking forward to this year's Docter Who Christmas Special, they ar often my favorite episodes of the season.  This one looks to introduce the 13th Doctor, Jodie Whittaker.  I haven't hear anything about a new companion, though - I wonder if it wll be a male partner since they are going with a female Doctor Who for the first time.  Either way, the dynamic between the two should be different from what viewers have seen before.

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Booster Gold and Doctor Who (Part One)


I remember Booster Gold feeling like a very welcome addition to the DCU when he first hit the scene.  All too often when a new superhero was introduced to Marvel and DC, they were an offshoot of an existing character, or at least derivative in some way.  Booster was a truly original creation with a unique back story and personality.  It's been enjoyable to watch him grow as a hero over the years.

Stay tuned tomorrow for the exiting conclusion to this tale!

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Winter Soldier Vs. Red Hood


These characters both made controversial returns to the living.  Both of them had deaths as sidekicks that profoundly affected their mentors.  They both came back as tortured souls that came in conflict with those they once fought beside before getting their act together and becoming forces for good once again.  They would have plenty to talk about at least!

This cover comes about as the result of a suggestion by Barak Blackburn, a Patron of this blog - thanks, Barak!

Monday, December 18, 2017

Batman Vs. Bullseye



I haven't heard anything about it, but I am really hoping that Bullseye will be showing up on the third season of Netflix' Daredevil.  The Kingpin will be back so it shouldn't be hard to have him bring Bullseye in to the mix as a hired assassin.  It would be nice to see another interpretation after Colin Farrell's scenery-chewing turn.

Sunday, December 17, 2017

Mr. T and The Hulk!


If you had given the 12-year old me control of a major movie studio, this is the kind of project that I would have been spearheading.  I'd have been ahead of my time though - movie audiences simply weren't conditioned yet for so much raw awesomeness in a single film.  I look at the success of Thor: Ragnarok, with all of its fantastical elements, and think maybe the public is ready now.

Saturday, December 16, 2017

Mephisto Vs. Blue Devil


Blue Devil was a book that I picked up on the strength of a free preview that was presented in Fury of Firestorm.  The whole package looked great, I liked his costume, the set up for the series and the way it mixed the whimsical with the occult.  Plus, the Paris Cullins art was fantastic and fit the tone of the comic perfectly.  Hopefully we will see Blue Devil return in DC Rebirth.

Friday, December 15, 2017

Hyperion Vs. Ultraman


I have to admit, there was one main reason I really dug Hyperion as a kid - he had red hair, like me!  Usually when I would see a redhead in the comics, they would be a villain, sidekick or comical character, but this particular ginger was the Superman of his world.  I didn't have his physique, but it was a start!

These two clashed with their respective teams in STF #1682...

Thursday, December 14, 2017

The Flash Vs. Galactus


Plans for a Flashpoint movie still seem to be underway, depite the lukewarm reception to Justice League.  While it will be cool to see Jeffrey Dean Morgan's Thomas Wayne suit up as Batman, I think it's still to early to be presenting this story.  Besides, its has darker versions of all the Justice Leaguers - and aren't they trying to get away from the depressing story lines after Zach Snyder's mostly dour trilogy?  At any rate, it has been reported that there has been a big shake up behind the scenes at Warner Brothers as to who controls the DC movie properties, so I don't expect these plans to be set in stone.

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

X-Men in the DC Universe



This is a cover that I have been looking forward to posting.  The advertisement for DC Comics themed Matchbox Cars had been in my image library for a long time, and I was determined to find a way to use it.  I finally cracked it, and the end result is a story that I think would be a hoot to read.

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Ambush Bug Vs. Wolverine


With the Disney/Fox deal looking imminent, folks are already speculating as to when Wolverine will make his entrance into the MCU.  Some have hoped for Huge Jackman to join the festivities in the follow up to Infinity War, but Jackman himself has said his time has passed. I'm thinking Marvel will take their time and start fresh with the X-Men characters, so it will probably be a while before we hear any casting for Logan.  I'm really hoping that when he finally does appear, they will find a way to make the costume work, something that Fox was unable or unwilling to do.

Monday, December 11, 2017

Plastic Man Vs. Sandman


This is another match up I would love to see.  Both characters have been on two sides of the law at different times in her careers, so they share that unique perspective.  Plus, it would be a visually inventive battle for an artist to depict, given the malleable nature of their abilities. 

Sunday, December 10, 2017

Phantom Lady and The Phantom


It was fun looking for art to use on this cover.  George Wilson and Matt Baker really did some amazing work on The Phantom and Phantom Lady, respectively.  I love Wilson's realistic yet dynamic painting style and Baker really knew how to illustrate beautiful women and made great use of panel layout.

Saturday, December 9, 2017

Fantastic Four and The Legion of Super-Heroes



I was wondering where Marvel Studios is go with their films in Phase Three of their plans.  Now that a deal between Disney and Fox seems imminent, a whole new world of possibilities are opening up.  Finally a decen't Fantastic Four movie, an X-Men saga with the proper timeline, costumes and characters, Secret Wars, a comics-accurate Defenders team, Beast in the Avengers... so many places to go.  I especially want a big screen Thing Vs. Hulk fight - something I have been waiting my whole life to see!

Friday, December 8, 2017

Detective Chimp on the Planet of the Apes



I enjoyed War for the Planet of the Apes and felt it completed the new trilogy well.  I do find it a bit too convenient that the same disease that destroys humanity and also grants apes higher intellect, but that's something you just have to go with.  Techinically, the movie looked great, the motion capture was very well done for the most part.  I look forward to seeing what director Matt Reeves does with Batman.

Thursday, December 7, 2017

Power Girl and Power Man in: "Poached... by the Parasite!"



The Parasite is a great villain because of his simple but very effective powers.  Having the ability to gain strength by draining energy from others  - and also gaining any super-power present in the process - makes him a versatile villain to write for.  Since he can absorb the traits any opponent that he can come in contact with, he can face off against heroes with a very wide range of power levels and it will still be an interesting fight.

This is the fourth appearance of The Power Couple -  They found a bounty on their heads in STF #1892,  faced the mob together in STF #773 and first met in STF #71...

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

The Human Torch and Wildcat


I'm not sure when Wildcat began using his own personal stylized Cat-Cycle, But I always thought is was one of the cooler rides in comics.  Sure, Ghost Rider had an awesome flaming motorcycle, but the huge cat head with eyes for headlights struck me as a great design.  I'd have loved to have seen the guys on American Chopper build a real-life version.

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Cerebus Vs. Groo The Wanderer


Cerebus was a comic that I had always meant to get around to reading.  I liked the idea that creator Dave Sim used his hero to explore different genres of comics and that he was committed to completing at least 300 issues.  As the series went on, I read that it became more of a platform for Sim's beliefs than the ongoing adventures of the characters he created, so I lost interest in checking it out.  Is it worth seeking out the earlier issues?

This cover comes about as the result of a suggestion by Mike Shirley, a Patron of this blog - thanks, Mike!

Monday, December 4, 2017

Swamp Thing and Groot


This would be one of the few team-up ups with Swamp Thing where he would turn out to be the talkative one.  While the dialog between the two may not be all that stimulating, I can still imagine that pairing them together could lead to a pretty fun story.  I wonder what Groot would think of The Parliament of Trees - or vice versa?

Sunday, December 3, 2017

Halo and Spider-Woman


I hope that the upcoming Black Lightning series continues the CW tradition of introducing other DC characters in the show.  We already know that his daughters exploring their heroic heritage will be a big part of the show.  It would be cool to see Halo, Geo-Force and Metamorpho join the already established Katana to enter Jefferson Pierce's world.

Saturday, December 2, 2017

Jonah Hex Vs. Scarlet Witch


I was intrigued by the quick glimpse of Scarlet Witch and The Vision in the teaser trailer for Avengers: Infinity War.  It looks like they will continue to develop their romantic relationship.  They were one of my favorite comic couples so that should be interesting to see - even if the trailer also hinted at bad things in store for the synthezoid.

Friday, December 1, 2017

Tigra and Thundercats


LIke Transformers, Thundercats was a cartoon that I missed out on when it first aired.  When I finally got around to checking out some of the newer episodes,  I immediately thought of Tigra from Marvel.  They just seem like they belong together.

Tigra first discovered her heritage from Tygra, her teammate on The Fur Force...