Captain Marvel and Deadpool

 

Shazam: Fury of the Gods has finally begun production.  As I suspected, the cast of kids already looks a lot older than in the first film, hopefully that will not be too much of an issue, but it certainly complicates things if they decide to go for a trilogy.  Still no word on a new Deadpool movie, but Marvel and Ryan Reynolds promise it's coming.

I was glad to use a Jeff Smith Captain Marvel here.  Smith is most well known for his amazing Bone series (seen to be adapted for Netflix).  I was able to pick up a quick sketch by him many years back: 

Mister Miracle must escape The Planet of the Apes

 

I think before I ever had a superhero action figure, I had a couple of Planet of the Apes action figures to play with.  I recall having some Planet of the Apes trading cards and a lunchbox too.  They were a pretty big deal at the time, I think this was around the time when there was a TV series in addition to the movies.  Ape mania had swept the country - or at least my household!

Triplicate Girl, Galaxy Trio and The Powerpuff Girls

 

I remember thinking when a live action Powerpuff Girls series was announced that I didn't know how that was possible without losing most of what made the cartoon so cool.  It would seem like I was not the only one to have doubts, because apparently feedback on the pilot they filmed was so bad that they have decided to scrap it and start over, albeit with the same cast.  According to script leaks, what was presented had oversexualized versions of Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup and test audiences weren't having it. Imagine that!  I still don't have very high hopes for the retooled version, this whole fiasco sounds like a diabolical Mojo Jojo plot.

Spectre and Wolverine in: "Legacy of Vengeance!"

 

This cover serves as a sequel to STF #1774, when these two first crossed paths. I can imagine Jim Corrigan finding a kinship with the savage yet heroic Logan.  It's a little harder to imagine what Wolverine actually as the Spectre would be like, but it would be fun to find out!

I am always happy to include the artwork of the amazing Art Adams.  I was able to purchase this cool Dr. Doom sketch of his many years ago:

Godzilla Vs. 4 Famous Co-Stars

When Mike Shirley, a Patron of this blog, suggested I pair Fred Flintstone up with either Groo the Wanderer or Godzilla, I figured, why not both?  Then I decided to let a couple more club-wielding heroes into the mix, making it a real party.

I am always happy to feature the artwork of Sergio Aragones, one of the greatest and funniest cartoonists ever.  I was very lucky to pick up an original Groo sketch by him many years ago: 

The Ivy League

 

Ever since Poison Ivy mentioned that she was building an Ivy League in STF #2714, I've been meaning to actually put that team together on a cover.  I've also been meaning to use Audrey II for a while.  I still remember going to see a live production of Little Shop of Horrors in Boston when I was in my teens, and loving it.  I still listen to the soundtrack, so many fun songs. 

The Ray and Sunspot

I have to agree with an observation made in the comments to a previous cover by Blog Patron Bob Greenwade - these two really do look like they go together.  Depicted as pitch black figures that nevertheless give off glowing energy when they are powered up, they each provide a dynamic visual to go along with their heroic exploits.  I can imagine a story in which they would seek one another out due to their similarities in appearance and abilities.

Green Lantern Corps and The Beyonder

 

I enjoyed Secret Wars and the concept of The Beyonder, but I always wonder about the decisions behind his appearance.  He's a nigh-omnipotent being and the visual we readers got was of a guy with a jheri curl in a bright white disco suit.  I mean, that look was already dated in 1984, when he was first introduced.  He was a little hard to take seriously, despite his nearly infinite powers.

Elongated Man and Spider-Man

 

Spider-Man: No Way Home is another upcoming movie that I am trying not to have spoiled, and it's tough.  There has been so much speculation about how the multiverse is involved and what part Spider-Man and Spidey villains from the previous two movie iterations will play in the proceedings.  Even though I try to avoid reading those types of articles, I already feel like too much has been revealed or at least hinted at.  I hope that at least some secrets will be kept under wraps until the film is released.

I am glad to use the artwork of the often underappreciated Dick Dillin here.  I was very lucky many years back to get a couple of pages by him and inker Joe Giella from one of the early JLA/JSA team ups:

Guardians of the Galaxy and Starfire

 

I think Starfire would be right at home with the Guardians of the Galaxy.  A princess bred for battle and at odds with her own people?  Sounds a bit like another character that will join a later iteration of the team.  Koriand'r really shines and gets to cut loose in an outer space environment, and we didn't get to see enough of that when she was with the Titans.

Swamp Thing and Johnny Quest

 

Bernie Wrightson was a perfect artist to bring Swamp Thing to life.  He was a master of the human form, as well as light and shadow, and was also quite adept at creating cool creature designs.  That was a perfect set of skills to give readers an iconic muck encrusted mockery of a man that they would still root for, as well as a roster of creepy villains.  I know it worked on me!

Pet Avengers and Vixen

I've been trying to figure out what super power my cat Ace has.  He does have a secret Identity - Alarm Clock Cat - for when he decides to wake me at 4:15 am each morning, but I'm not sure that has to do with any special abilities.  He may have the power of invisibility - even in my tiny house there are times when I simply cannot find him, until he decides to just stroll in from nowhere.  The amount of fur he sheds also seems to indicate perhaps a mutant gene.

 

Adam Strange and Ghost Rider in: "Death Ride From Rann!"

 

Has anybody checked out the current Strange Adventures comic featuring Adam Strange and Mr. Terrific?  I like both of those characters a lot so I was interested in reading it, but some of the previews that I have seen make it look like yet another attempt to do a "grim and gritty" Adam Strange story, which I don't think ever really works.  I prefer Adam as more of a straight up swashbuckler type.  I still may pick up a digital copy once the series is completed and collected.

Adam Strange first met Ghost Rider in STF #3145... 

Batman and The Thing in: "Pursuing Petunia!"

 

It's time once again for another meeting between  the former "hosts" of this blog, not to mention my favorite characters from Marvel and DC.

They have, of course, met before in other Lost Issues -  They had a boxing match in STF #2455... They faced a fiery situation in STF #554... They topped off an Anniversary Issue in STF #500... before that, They battled the Riddler/Trapster team... earlier, The Thing discovered the Bat Cave... and was handed control of The Outsiders... not to mention This Whole Blog... and finally, they first appeared together in one of my earliest covers...

The Unknown Soldier and Doctor Strange

 

Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness is still over 11 months away from being released and there's already a ton of spoilers and speculation floating around.  So far, I have ignored those headlines and have tried to stay away from anything that may ruin whatever surprises are in store.  That's going to get a lot tougher to do as the movie continues filming and the release date draws nearer.  Hopefully, Marvel will be able to keep any big revelations under wraps.

Bucky O'Hare and Usagi Yojimbo

 

I remember seeing advertisements for Bucky O'Hare and thinking that it was simply one of the many Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles rip off series.  Maybe I should have taken a closer look, as it had a pair of very talented creators in Larry Hama and Michael Golden. Thanks to Nate Jones for suggesting this meeting!

Princess Leia and Speed Racer

 

I always get a kick out of the fact that Princess Leia has a British accent in a few scenes in Star Wars: A New Hope, and then it is discarded.  Maybe because she was in scenes with Peter Cushing, Carrie Fisher just couldn't help herself?  I wonder why they didn't re record those scenes with her American Accent once they decided to go that way.  Her accent wasn't bad - certainly more convincing than Amber Heard's Mera in Zack Snyder's Justice League!

Nova and The Flash in: "Fleet Week!"

 

OK, Supergirl has been pretty much sidelined so far in her final season, The Cast of Black Lightning has lost their powers and The Flash barely ever uses his speed anymore.  What's going on with the CW shows - budget crunch?  

Nova and The Flash shared a bronze age adventure in STF #2613...

I am always happy to feature the artwork of Carlos Pacheco on this blog - Here's a page of his I picked up many years back from his FF run:

Blue Beetle & Booster Gold and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

 

I'm not sure what took so long, but it looks like Blue Beetle and Booster Gold are finally getting a team up comic together - Blue & Gold.  Is that a sign that DC and Warner Bros. have confidence in the heroic yet humorous duo?  A movie featuring the two was floated years ago, but nothing seemed to come of it.  Now there's a solo Blue Beetle movie in the works, but that looks to focus on Jaime Reyes.  Will Booster and Ted find a way into that project or elsewhere?  We will just have to wait and see.

Thor and Thundarr the Barbarian

 

I remember Thundarr the Barbarian being a pretty cool concept, but that the episodes all had a certain sameness to them.  I am sure a lot of that had to do with how much footage and musical cues were re-used in each episode, a common practice for animated shows of the time.  I wouldn't mind seeing an updated version someday, though.

Ka-Zar and Hawkman

 

Kevin Feige seems to really like beating DC to the punch.  He went forward with Captain America: Civil War once Batman V Superman was announced, ramped up The Eternals when New Gods was considered and now he is going to get the multiverse going before DC's Flash movie does the same.  With that in mind, I really hope that Warner Brothers announces a Warlord movie.  It might never get made, like much that they announce, but at least it might convince Feige to greenlight a Ka-Zar film!

Supergirl and The Hulk

 

It's been announced that Tim Roth will reprise his role as The Abomination at some point in the upcoming She-Hulk series, which will be cool to see.  Still, I would love to see Tim Blake Nelson show up as Samuel Sterns - I mean his head was already pulsing after his accident in The Incredible Hulk, and that was 13 years ago!  He has to have transformed into The Leader by now!  It's not like Marvel Studios to leave such a big plot thread dangling for so long.

Black Lightning and the Fantastic Four

 

Black Lightning is midway through its final season, and I believe we are at the "darkest before the dawn" part of the Pierce family story.  The recent episodes have been filled with marital discord, addiction to drugs and powers, involuntary body swapping (due to one cast member leaving early), and all around mistrust between the main core of characters.   Hopefully the writers have ways to solve most of these issues and the series will end on an uplifting note. 

Captain America Vs. Darth Vader

 

The passing of Captain America's shield and title so Sam Wilson in Falcon and the Winter Soldier was handled well.  I remember thinking that the shield and wings together might be kind of awkward to operate when Falcon took on the Cap role in the comics, but the final episode here made me a believer.  I loved all the shield/wings combo moves that were used, very cool to watch.   I look forward to his future appearances, as well as whatever is next for Bucky and U.S. Agent.

Deadman and the Son of Satan

 

Hopefully we will hear some casting choices for the HBO Max Justice League Dark series soon. I am most interested in who will play Deadman.  It should be someone with both dramatic and comedic chops that does not mind a role that requires heavy makeup.  Someone with a distinct voice pattern would help too - for when his possessed subjects speak and the audience can tell it's Boston Brand pulling the strings.

Elongated Man and Moon Knight in: "The Lost Tablets of Khonshu!"

 

The MK/EM team in back in action once again!  This is the ninth meeting of STF's greatest crimefighting team:

These two previously had a Mardi Gras adventure in STF #3235, MK's desperate treatment for Ralph was conducted in STF #3169... Concern about Eclipso's lasting effect on Ralph arose in STF #3098, Ralph fell under Eclipso's influence in STF #2908, They faced an angry underworld in STF #2831,  Psycho Pirate turned them against each other in STF #2732, Ralph came to the rescue in STF #2518, and they first started working together in STF #2169...

Wonder Woman Vs. Predator

 

I still get a kick out of watching old Wonder Woman episodes on MeTV from time to time.  I would have loved to have seen her face off with more villains from the comics though. Marbe it would have been tough to feature Cheetah on a 70's TV budget, but I bet that they could have pulled off Giganta or Doctor Psycho.  

Nightwing & Flamebird and Nomad

 

Nightwing & Flamebird was such a fun concept in the Silver Age.  The fact that Superman would still fight crime in a place that nullified his powers just showed how heroic he truly was, not to mention that ist showed that he picked up a lot of pointers from his adventures with Batman and Robin.  Then he let Jimmy Olsen join in on the action, solidifying his title of Superman's Pal.  The costumes were pretty cool, too!

The Defenders and The Crusaders

 

I remember the Impact Comics imprint that DC had for a short time.  I thought that the heroes included fit right into the DCU and had hoped they would be folded in to the continuity the way the Charlton characters were.  Alas, it was not to be, and they went on to be reintroduced and rebooted a few more times for other companies.  

Superman and The Phantom meet King Kong

 

God zilla Vs. Kong was pretty much what I expected it would be.  The plot didn't make a lot of sense  and the humans were constantly making silly decisions - but the special effects and monster battles were awesome to behold!  I've watched it twice and thoroughly enjoyed it both times.  I am glad to hear that a follow up is in the works, this time focusing on Son of Kong.  That has some fun possibilities!

Green Lantern and Power Man

 

HBO Max has finally made a casting announcement for the upcoming Green Lantern Corps series.  Finn Witrock will be playing Guy Gardner.  I am unfamiliar with his work, but I hope he has the swagger to play Guy.  I wish he had red hair or at least lighter hair that could be colored red, but I'm not surprised that he doesn't.  The de-gingering of the live action DCU has been going on for a while now. We demand representation!

I always liked John Byrne's rendition of Green Lantern, and wish that he had worked on hat property more often.  Here's a Byrne Spider-Man: Chapter One page I picked up a while back: