For this Anniversary Issue, I knew The Fantastic Four would have to be involved. I figured this would be a good opportunity to present a match-up that I have wanted to get to for a while now and have them share an adventure with The Metal Men. Here's a closer look at the individual stories:
Wow another great cover! Nice job.
ReplyDeleteMagnus / Richards War? Is Will still upset about H.E.R.B.I.E.?
ReplyDeleteFantastic Four vs. the Original Doom Patrol would be interesting
ReplyDelete@Crazy Ivan: well, it's just a month away from the 13th anniversary of that grudge! Doc Magnus wants to observe it in the worst way...and it's simply Reed's bad luck that he's doing so, quite literally.
ReplyDelete@Ross: seriously, though. I would never have anticipated a crossover confrontation like this. And a novel-length one, too? Bravo!
I can only surmise that either Dr. Doom did the reprogramming while using that Ovoid transmigration trick on Magnus. Or this is some kind of contingency plan cooked up by Loki in the event his Plan A (back in STF #4160) failed. Although, what he wanted to accomplish via the Metal Men, in the first place, is still a mystery.*
*I'm thinking he was out to build an Uru Metal Man to use against Thor.
P.S.---congrats on four thousand, four hundred consecutive issues. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun cover, Ross! Just a joy!
ReplyDeleteArtistically, Johnny Storm vs. Mercury is the best-done panel, but thematically I'm most intrigued by Reed vs. Tina. I usually think of Mercury as the team's resident stretcher, but Platinum's strength and malleability sets Tina's level even beyond him. Perhaps once these two groups bury the hatchet, Reed can ask her to join the Expansion Team.
ReplyDeleteIt didn't occur to me until today, but it really is too bad that there never was a comic made of The 4400 (at least, as far as I can determine).
Of course, when it comes time for #4444 in about a month and a half, the Fantastic Four will have to be featured. I think they've already shared a cover with the Fab Four (Beatles), so I'm not sure what else to do with it. Perhaps it might work to flip it around to the Terrifics vs. Apocalypse (and his Four Horsemen). In any event, I'm pretty sure there should be a Four Seasons Hotel in the background. Or a name-drop of Frankie Valli.
#4444 will feature the FF and another foursome...
ReplyDeleteA fantastic cover (worth saying at least 4 times). And another intriguing team-up with lots of spin-off possiblities.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations also on combining sheer stamina with quality work - and thanks for so providing so much sheer daily fun.
@ Another foursome? Darn it! That rules out the other FF. FemForce!
ReplyDelete@Bob Greenwade; I'm afraid that was an adventure with Ben Grimm "all by his lonesome." From the "Lost Issue" days of MTIO!
ReplyDelete@Ross: how about Dr. Doom vs. Sgt. Rock for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, this coming June?
Great stuff! And here's a partly unrelated question... in real life comics, has there ever been a team-up between the Metal Men and the Challengers of the Unknown?
ReplyDeleteWow!! Human Torch vs Mercury could have been saved for a stand alone issue!
ReplyDeleteOn another look, I must totally agree with Anon@2:34. I'd want that as a poster on my wall! (Ideally, signed by both Ross and the original artist(s).)
ReplyDeleteI'd thought you'd add The Impossible Man & Impossible Woman to the F.4 side to even out the numbers plus they're stretchable heroes in their own right who haven't been seen enough in comics or on this blog. Impy could've helped out Sue & I. Woman could've added a female to the Ben battle. :).
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of a passing thought I had the other day: how about combining Mercury from the Metal Men with the god Mercury (Hermes), the speedster Max Mercury ... and Freddie Mercury from Queen?
ReplyDelete@Ben W: Just the Challs and the MM, no. But both teams did appear in Showcase #100, in a single-issue mega-crossover that featured all the Showcase alumni who graduated into their own titles -- as well as a few who didn't.
ReplyDeleteAnd in a special cameo, Tin vs H.E.R.B.I.E!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a record maker...from 1961 to 2024...the F.F. have done so much and this cover shows how they have pretty much done it all.
Congrats on covering it ALL,Ross...it's not easy, but you keep doing it AS a pro.
fantastic fun ! - very impressed by your choice - but H.E.R.B.I.E. vs Herbie Popnecker rather than tin… any chance to bob with a Lollipop..
ReplyDeletecurse autocorrect that’s Bop not bob…
ReplyDeleteYou should have the Metal Men meet the Original X-Men!
ReplyDeleteBetter that than Tin vs. H.E.R.B.I.E. Couldn't stand that character replacing the Human Torch on the 1980's revival of the FF cartoon by NBC!
ReplyDelete^ I like your idea of the MM meeting the original X-Men. The mutants would probably have to rescue the MM from Magneto.
ReplyDeleteHow would the X-men know if the Metal Men were being mind-controlled by Magneto? From Lead being able to understand Hank McCoy's big words!
ReplyDeleteFare thee well, STF #4400! :-(
ReplyDeleteNe'er more shall ye grace page one.
ReplyDelete