Guardians of the Galaxy and Green Lantern

The Hulks took multiple attempts to get right in live action.  The same is true with The Punisher and Daredevil, and even the Fantastic Four will eventually get another shot.  This makes it all the more frustrating that we haven't heard any news about a new Green Lantern or Green Lantern Corps movie for so long.  I think plenty of time has passed since the Ryan Reynolds GL movie and general audiences would be willing to give another iteration of the ring slinger a chance.  I suppose taking their time to get a quality production together is important though, after what happened with Hellboy, so DC's probably treading very carefully.  Hopefully we will hear of some momentum on the project soon.

Uncle Scrooge and The Phantom Stranger

Regular visitors to this blog know that Jim Aparo is my all time favorite artist (I'd say Joe Kubert is the best, but Aparo is my favorite).  In addition to his amazing interior work, I was always struck by his covers.  He really shined on DC's mystery titles.  His moody visuals and strong use of light and shadow really made the covers for Adventure Comics featuring The Spectre, Phantom Stranger and spookier Batman or Phantom stories really stand out on the racks.

The Badger and Spider-Man

The Spider-Man: Far From Home trailer got fans buzzing with Mysterio claiming that he was a hero from another dimension, introducing the multiverse to the MCU.  This is Mysterio, though, so I am not taking anything I saw in that trailer at face value. Who knows if that's even the real Nick Fury in there - could be just an illusion or maybe even The Chameleon in disguise.  I'm expecting a lot of misdirects in the story and I am looking forward to Jake Gyllenhaal's portrayal of the central villain.

Robin and Moon Knight

The agreement not to use any characters form the Netflix shows in the MCU for a couple of years takes a lot of Marvel's street level characters off the table for now.  Moon Knight never made it to Netflix, despite some discussions, so he is fair game however.  Besides, I'm betting Marvel would love to outdo Batman with their own eccentric tortured billionaire that spends his nights as a costumed vigilante.  Let's hope they bring him to the big screen at some point.

Moon Knight first met Robin (along with Batgirl) in STF #1432...

Justice League Dark and Spirits of Vengeance (and more!)

Justice League Dark is one of those DC properties that I keep hearing is being developed for the big screen, but nothing ever seems to come of the plans.  Perhaps if the upcoming Swamp Thing series on DC's streaming service is a hit, there will be renewed interest to finally get the wheels rolling.  DC has been working with directors with a background in horror for some of their other films, and this would be a perfect opportunity for them to do so again.  There have been a few different line ups of the team over the years, and I would hope that Deadman, Zatanna, Swamp Thing and The Demon would make the cut for a cinematic outing.  I love The Spectre as well, but he's maybe too powerful... so I say give him a solo movie of his own!

Wonder Woman and Nick Fury

I'm hoping that we get some sort of Invisible Jet in Wonder Woman 1984.  Sure, it may hearken back to the cheesy Super Friends era of the character, but I've always thought it was a cool ride.  Besides, James Wan was able to make Aquaman riding a giant seahorse look cool, so I am confident that Patty Jenkins can bring the amazing Amazon's plane to the big screen in an impressive way.

Coming tomorrow: STF #2600!

Metamorpho and Ms. Marvel

I remember being very happy when the Justice League cartoon first hit the airwaves.  I was thrilled that my favorite comic team was finally getting the animated treatment that they always deserved, and I didn't think it could get any better - and then I found out that Metamorpho was going to be a guest star in the first season, in a two-part episode no less!  Metamorphosis remains a highlight of the series for me.

Captain America and The Atom

He might not have had the greatest costume or much in the way of powers, but I always had a soft spot for the original Atom, Al Pratt.  What can I say, he was a short redhead - for some reason I identified with him.  I always liked that despite being one of the less powerful members of the Justice Society of America, he never hesitated to rush into battle.  I also really enjoyed his depiction in the Len Strazewski/Mike Parobeck JSA series from the 90's, as a cantankerous senior citizen still willing to fight.

Samurai Jack and Hong Kong Phooey

Samurai Jack is one of the most visually inventive cartoons that I have ever seen, and I thoroughly enjoyed the series.  I think it could make an amazing live action film, given the right director.  I've seen some fan-made trailers and they give a small hint of what could be possible, hopefully Hollywood will take notice of the potential in the property one of these days.

X-Men and Batman and the Outsiders

Apparently, Marvel is cancelling all of the X-Men titles and re-launching the X-Universe with Jonathan Hickman at the helm.  Hopefully they will streamline the line - I gave up a long time trying to follow along, with so many team variations, offshoots, and multiple versions of characters running around.  It will be interesting to see what he does with the team, he's a talented writer.  With the X-Men coming to the MCU at last, I can understand Marvel wanting to make the comics more reader friendly for fans just beginning to discover them.

Guardians of the Galaxy and Captain Kirk

I loved when the Original Guardians of the Galaxy showed up in the second movie in the franchise, and I hope we will get to see more of them in the future.  The third film already sounds pretty full, but it would be nice to see them show up again - this time in action and not just a cameo.  It's probably a long shot, but I can hope!

Black Canary and Black Cat

I'm glad when I get a chance to showcase the artwork of Alex Toth on this blog.  His artwork has amazed me since I was a kid.  I remember taking notice of his inventive panel layouts, something he had mastered years before most other artists started getting as experimental.  His character designs on the Super Friends cartoon really elevated that show for me, even with its limited animation, and they are the reason I'll still pop in an episode every now and then.

These two first met as members of the Black beauties way back in STF #299...

Raven and The Hulk

Avengers Endgame spoilers follow...


The Russo Brothers have said that The Hulk's arm wont heal anytime soon, so the character has been taken off the table like Iron Man, Captain America and Black Widow (after her solo flick), but I'm not buying it.  There are still plenty of places for the character to go in the movies.  I've already discussed my desire to see him join Dr. Strange and Valkyrie in forming a team of Defenders.  Then there's the Grey Hulk, how cool would it be to see Mr. Fixit on the big screen.  How about a trip to the Micro World with Ant-Man and the introduction of Jarella? There are still plenty of great Hulk villains to use as well.  Most of all, when the Fantastic Four are introduced, there simply must be a Thing/Hulk battle!

Superman: Red Son and The Winter Soldier

The CW Supergirl series has been presenting their own version of the Red Son storyline, making it about a Red daughter instead.  That's fine with me, because I think we have seen enough of evil Superman in live action for now.  Hopefully his next cinematic outing will present a Superman that embodies kindness, optimism and hope.  Now that a new Batman has been cast, they can figure out whether they want to go forward with Henry Cavill or go with a new actor in the role and finally get a proper new Superman movie underway.

Thank you to Marc Tyler Nobleman, comics historian and Patron of this blog, for suggesting this team up!

The Human Torch and Sandman

I think it's time for DC to consider a period piece for their next streaming show.  My choice would be the original Sandman.  The great 90's series Sandman Mystery Theater was a favorite of mine and with its story arcs would be the perfect template for such a show.  It could be very cool if they stick close to the source material.

Bartman and Batman

When The Simpsons first began airing, I was so taken by the show that I decided to record each episode on VHS (yeah, it was that long ago!), and each Christmas I would make copies of these tapes and give them to my family.  They were a big hit - we were binge watching the show long before that became a regular thing to do with popular series.  Little did I know that the series would never go off the air!  I think I kept up the practice for the first six seasons.

Justice League of America and Warlock in: "Termination Times Two!"

The Third Guardians of the Galaxy film looks to have a lot going on in it.  There's the search for Gamora, integration of Thor onto the team and the introduction of Warlock (plus rumors of a romance for Rocket and the discovery of Drax living daughter).  I imagine we will have to wait until James Gunn is done with The Suicide Squad before we hear of any casting though.  For Warlock, they will need someone who can portray a genetically perfect human specimen, while having some comedy chops which these films call for.  Maybe if Zac Efron's profile rises with the new Ted Bundy film that he is getting praise for, he'll be considered for the role.

Warlock first met the JLA in STF #1478...

Green Lantern and Jack of Hearts in: "Hidden Homeworld"

So, on Arrow, we have recently learned that John Diggle's father was not such a nice guy, and his step father who helped to raise him and with whom he had been feuding had been covering for John's Father to protect his memory and spare John some pain.  His step father has the last name Stewart.  So how long until John takes his uncle's last name to finally become John Stewart?  After the season finale this week, they will only have next seasons 10 episodes before the series ends... I'm guessing they will wait right until the end.  Will it just be an epilogue moment - or could it lead to a John Stewart Green Lantern show?  Probably too big a budget for the CW, but that would be cool to see!

Jack previously met Green Lantern John Stewart (along with Guy Gardner) in STF #2243 and Hal Jordan in STF #587...

Blue Beetle Vs. Venom

What a weird movie Venom is.  The usually nuanced Tom Hardy was hamming it up pretty strongly - I'm still wondering how they thought that scene with the lobster tank was a good idea.  Some of the action sequences were fun, but the overall production seemed a little off to me.  Venom looked pretty cool though, even if he was missing his spider symbol.  I can't say it's a bad film, I was entertained.  It was just... weird.

Green Goblin Vs. The Atom

Another season of DC's Legends of  Tomorrow is about to conclude, and once again we have barely seen Ray Palmer in costume, let alone use his shrinking powers.  If they just wanted a goofy guy to run around on adventures with the team, they should have used Snapper Carr or something.  It's a frustrating show that teases fans with characters they love, only to have them completely under-utilized.

Green Arrow and The Wasp & Yellowjacket

There has been a lot of speculation about what the next cinematic team of Avengers will look like.  If it was up to me, I'd give the team a rest and instead have Hulk and Valkyrie join Doctor Strange in introducing Namor and The Silver Surfer for a proper Marvel Defenders team.  But more Avengers movies are an inevitability, so when they return there's only one character that I feel needs to be on the team - The Wasp!  She really should have been introduced in the first Avengers film, as she was a founding member in the comics not to mention the leader of the team for a good long stretch.  I know it's Hope Pym in the movies and not Janet Van Dyne currently operating as The Wasp, but I still want her to be a part of whatever new line up Marvel Studios comes up with.

Luke Skywalker and Optimus Prime

I had many issues with Star Wars: The Last Jedi, but the biggest one was the treatment of Luke Skywalker. I had waited decades to see him back in action, and a brief hologram battle followed by his unceremonious death was underwhelming to say the least.  I know that he will be a part of the next installment in some way, so maybe JJ Abrams will find a way to redeem him - With a name like Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, I hope so!

Spider-Man and Krypto

OK, we've seen Chewie/Goose/Flerken make his big screen debut, it's high time that Krypto gets his moment to shine.  I guess DC felt like there's no room for such a character with their dead serious take on the Man of Steel, but hopefully they have since learned their lesson about keeping the whimsical side of comics out of their movies.  I thought we might at least see Krypto on TV's Supergirl, but no sign of the Pooch of Power there, either.

Xena Vs. Sauron

I'm not sure what to make of Amazon's upcoming Lord of the Rings series.  It is supposed to take place in the Second Age, the Age of Numenor - which is well before any of the main players in the original trilogy, or even The Hobbit, were on the scene.  I don't know whether JRR Tolkein had a blueprint for this era or if the new writers will be weaving their own tales from scratch.  Hopefully, we'll see some new information soon which will shed more light on the show.

Nightcrawler Vs. Warp

This would be an interesting battle.  Warp probably may be a slightly more powerful teleporter, but then again Kurt Wagner has amazing acrobatic abilities as well, not to mention that awesome tail.  It's definitely a match up I would have like to have seen if X-Men/Teen Titans crossovers had continued.

Black Panther and The Justice League of America in: "Wakanda's Most Wanted!"

It will be interesting to see where Black Panther goes in the movies after the events of Avengers: Endgame. 

SPOILERS FOLLOW... 

With his missing for five years, what will his standing as King of Wakanda be?  Certainly new leadership was formed in his absence.  And speaking of leadership, he seems to be at the top of the list to lead The Avengers going forward, given his financial resources, diplomatic abilities, and sister's technical know-how. There are lots of story possibilities.

Black Panther first met the JLA in STF #195...

Sgt. Fury and The Unknown Soldier

When did Nick Fury lose his eye in the comics?  I'm sure the story has been told but I forget where.  What about the new comic book Fury that looks like Samuel L. Jackson?  However it happened for either version of the character, it has to be better than "a cat scratched it" like we got on the big screen.  I guess that moment was supposed to be funny, but I was just kind of annoyed that that was the best they could come up with.

Iron Man and Doctor Fate

Iron Man has had a lot of armor variations in the MCU, and I have to say that I like his most recent Avengers: Endgame look the best of all of them.  It is the closest it has appeared to his classic bronze age armor that I loved so much as a kid.  I'd have gone full on old school with the hip-discs, shoulder pads and a full widow's peak helmet, but I was still very happy with the latest design.

Superman and The Galaxy Trio

Superman has been off-world in the CW shows, raising his newborn son, but I figure they have to bring him back for next year's Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover.  The real question is whether they will do some version of the death of Supergirl in that event, which was one of the biggest moments in that original comic series.  Hmmm... there's also the death of The Flash in there... but maybe Green Arrow will be the big TV death since his show is going away.

The Herculoids Vs. Godzilla

While the Godzilla reboot a few years back had some impressive visuals, it ultimately didn't work for me as a movie.  Bryan Cranston was killed off too early, not enough of Big G in action, and I really wasn't crazy about the design of the MUTO's.  Godzilla: King of All Monsters, appears to be a big improvement, based on the trailers.  All of the classic kaiju - Mothra, Gamera, Ghidora and more, will be back for this second installment, and the action seems to be non-stop.  I don't know if the plot will hold it all together, but at least it's going to be a fun movie to look at!

Deadman and Deadpool

I was glad to hear that Marvel will be taking an "If it isn't broke, don't fix it" attitude with Deadpool, now that they have the cinematic rights to the character.  All indications are that Ryan Reynolds will continue in the role.  It will be interesting to see how the wall-breaking anti-hero reacts to moving from Fox to Disney/Marvel in his next film outing, I bet they could have a lot of fun with that.