Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends was a favorite show of mine, but I have to admit it was kind of frustrating. After an initial run of episodes, it went into repeats for a good long time. New episodes after that seemed to be quite few and far between. It seemed every time the show came on it was that same "Swarm" episode! I'm glad that these days I can just go on Disney+ and just pick out which episode I want to watch.
I felt the same way about SPACE GHOST after the 1967 "Council of Doom" story arc, Ross. But, I still watched the re-runs, faithfully, till the Big 3 Networks gradually phased them out, with meddlesome crime-fighting teenagers and Funny Talking Animals, by 1970.
ReplyDeleteLuckily, for me, ABC came up with SUPER FRIENDS! The JLA with an FTA mascot. Re: today's cover? Interesting line-up...based on great word play.
I wonder how A-Man wound up in the 1980's. Johnny Thunder's genie-like Thunderbolt? Or was it Dr. (Wilfrid) Doome's time machine? The latter, perhaps, reverse-engineered by Nathaniel Richards (estranged brother of Donald "Manunter" Richards)?
@ Mr. Greenwade: yes, Bob! I'm referring to the one who dressed all in blue and had a canine mascot named for a certain Asgardian thunder god.
ReplyDeleteThat's Ron Frenz and Al Milgrom on Spidey and his friends? I like the combo. Nice cover again, Ross.
ReplyDeleteWell, this cover is simply (yes, I'm going to say it) amazing. That word is not just prompted by the masthead, but also a fitting description. The art looks like it could be a unit piece, and I definitely would be intrigued by the story.
ReplyDeleteOddly, I don't recall having the same problem that you did with Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, and I watched it just as regularly. My favorite episode was the "origin story flashback" where Iron Man ended up providing their superhero equipment.
As for Amazing Man, I'm trying to remember if racial issues were ever addressed in All-Star Squadron, and I think it was touched on but never really explored, at least while I was reading it. It might be interesting for him to have a two-parter in the future (probably in February) where, fed up with being marginalized, he explores a move to Wakanda (featuring T'Challa's grandfather) in Part One, only to be convinced to return in Part Two by Captain America.
OK, I mostly just want to see him paired up with Cap. I know they're both members of the A-Listers, but I'm talking one-on-one. Maybe the above story is how Cap recruited him for the team.
@Cary: I'm unfamiliar with the individual to whom you refer.
During the Golden Age, the Paul Kirk Manhunter had a namesake over at Quality Comics (publisher of those future Freedom Fighters Uncle Sam, Black Condor, Phantom Lady, Doll Man, the Human Bomb, and the Ray). "Manhunter" with Empire City Police Officer Donald (aka "Dan") Richards in the title role. Co-starring Dan's best friend; Thor the Wonder Dog!
ReplyDeleteI thought it was going to be 'Mazing Man, the short DC character with the oversized helmet. I used see ads for that comic but never had the opportunity to actually read it.
ReplyDeleteFrom the Department of Weird Ideas: Storm and the Tangent Universe Superman, in: "The Rain of Superman!"
ReplyDeleteAnd another, inspired by someone's random comment elsewhere: Kim Possible vs. the Impossible Man.
ReplyDeleteWith the aid of the Impossibles (Rally Ho)!
ReplyDeleteBefore looking at the cover, I thought you teamed 'Mazing man with Spiderman and his Amazing friends. That would have been awesome.
ReplyDelete@harry: Ross always tries to balance his usage of Marvel characters with either DC or indie characters. Providing he can find and capture enough of the desired images!
ReplyDeleteI remember Swarm's voice. And the Arachnoid's, and Spidey's riposte addressing him as "Arach-NERD."
ReplyDeleteAlec Semicognito said...
ReplyDelete"I remember Swarm's voice. And the Arachnoid's, and Spidey's riposte addressing him as "Arach-NERD.""
The web-comic 'Love and Capes' used the name 'Arachnerd' for a Spiderman counterpart, although he only appeared in a few panels.
Which reminds me...
ReplyDeleteDear Ross: how about Capt. Carrot vs. the Superior Man-Spider?*
*Webster Weaver involuntarily hosting the mind of Dr. Otto Pussycat-o-Nine-tails!