Captain Marvel and Captain Action

 

Thank goodness that when a giant monster emerges on Earth-STF, there will always be a random pair of heroes to combat it.  Let's hope that these two are up to the task.

Ghost Rider and Vigilante

 

With all the trouble Marvel is having bringing Blade back to the big screen, I wonder how long it will be before we see Ghost Rider in the movies again.  Perhaps the answer would be a Midnight Sons type of film combining the two, and bringing in other characters like Werewolf by Night and Man-Thing.

Photon Vs. Sinestro

 

I definitely think that this would be a cool match-up.  Their battle would also most likely provide the artist and colorist on the issue an opportunity to really step up with some impressive visuals.

The Punisher and Hitman (Part Two)

 

Continued from yesterday's cover, we see that these two are diving head first into the challenge that awaits below.  Let's hope they have what it takes to live to tell the tale!

The Punisher and Hitman (Part One)

 

These two probably would not have much interest in joining forces.  That conflict is just what would make for an interesting tale, however.  It would be a story too big to be contained to a single issue, though - so make sure you come back here tomorrow for the thrilling conclusion!

Superman and Triton

 

I always liked the design of Triton.  As much as I enjoyed Aquaman and Namor as characters, Triton's appearance seemed to make a lot more sense for a hero that spends his time beneath the waves. Plus, he just looked really cool!

Moon Knight and Vigilante

 

Something about the Adrian Chase Vigilante series must have really inspired artists.  Going over the covers, I am really impressed by the consistent quality of them.  Every illustrator brought their A-game, and I can remember the issues really standing out on the racks back in the early days of the direct market.

The Shadow Vs. Werewolf by Night

 

Uh-oh - Has Lamont Cranston been bitten?  And what will happen if he becomes a werewolf himself? The exciting answers are just 60 cents away!

Avengers Vs. Composite Superman

 

If you were wondering where the rest of the Totalitarians were while Super-Skrull was battling Metamorpho a few days ago, well here is a partial answer to that question.  Let's hope that teamwork from Earth's Mightiest Heroes wins the day!

Firestorm and Nick Fury

 

There was a lot of clutter on the original Fury of Firestorm page that I needed to remove before I could add any new elements in.  Here's a look at the behind the scenes progress:

Katana and Valkyrie

 

Katana is better at wielding a sword, but Valkyrie has Asgardian strength to back her up.  This would be an interesting match up.  But just why would Brunnhilde want The Soultaker in the first place?

Metamorpho Vs. The Super Skrull in: "Pliable Rivals!"

These two first battled in STF #4761, in a more Silver-Age style cover.  I thought that round two could have more of a Bronze Age feel.  Another month or so and we will finally get to see Rex Mason in live screen action!

 

Tintin and The Phantom Stranger

 

There's nothing like a crisply detailed mystery to make for an entertaining afternoon of reading.  I'd like to see what kinds of secrets that this pairing could uncover together.

Falcon and Wildcat

 

These two heroes are used to more down to Earth, street level villains, so they might be over their heads when dealing with a cosmic entity like The Stranger.  I wouldn't count them out, though!

Superbaby and Spaceman Spiff

 

Don't consider it a retcon, maybe we were only part of the story.  This tale just fills in all of the missing parts - at least in Calvin's imagination...

Hawk & Dove and The Beast

 

I liked the fact that after their transformations into non-human forms, characters like Hank McCoy and Ben Grimm decided to lean into it and just wear trunks as their entire costume - they weren't hiding thier new appearances from the world!  It's too bad the movies aren't following suit, with Hank in his lab coat and now a fully suited Thing in Fantastic Four: First Steps.  Even The Hulk is completely dressed these days!

Aquaman and The Hulk in: "Hulk Splash!"

 

Aquaman and the Hulk first met way back in STF #344, and I thought that it was high time for them to cross paths again.  Especially when I realized that I had missed out on using such an obvious story title!

Spy Smasher Vs. James Bond

 

I guess it was only a matter of time before the Smasher faced off against the most famous spy of them all.  This confrontation is bound to leave him shaken, if not stirred.

The X-Men Vs. Batman's Villains

 

I feel that this would be an interesting series of match-ups, worthy of 100 pages.  Do you think the children of the atom have what it takes to defeat Gotham's most infamous foes? 

Here's a look at the full size versions of this issue's features: 

Superman and Dragnet

 

Before I cut the cable cord, I would have a few shows that I would often watch in the morning while working on new covers.  One was Dragnet, which played on MeTV early on weekdays.  I thought it might be fun to put TV's first live action superhero alongside the no-nonsense law enforcement stars of that classic series.

Coming tomorrow: STF #4800!

Man-Bat and Doctor Strange in "No Escape From Castle Mordo!"

 

This is another example of a cover that required the removal and patching of portions before any new images could be added to it.  Here is a look at the behind the scenes progress:

Man-Bat and Dr. Strange Previously met in STF#2993 and STF #2833...

Cheetah Vs. Kraven the Hunter

 

Could their savagery in battle lead to passion for one another?  Stranger things have happened.

Zatara Vs. Loki

 

I am guessing that Loki will play a pivotal role in Avengers: Doomsday.  Not only because of Tom Hiddleston's popularity in the role, but also because of where we last saw the character.  Loki was placed in charge of keeping all of the timelines intact, and I'm betting that that will play a factor in whatever multiversal shenanigans Doom is planning. Who knows - with the movie delayed we now have a lot more time to speculate.

Skyrocket and The Invaders

 

DC Comics may have forgotten about Skyrocket, but I haven't.  She's too cool of a character to keep on the shelf.  Hopefully they will realize her worth and create a comic that can present her further adventures.

Iron Man Vs. Solomon Grundy

 

A man whose technology has him living on borrowed time versus a menace with a body chemistry that will not let him stay dead.  Yes, this could make for an interesting match up.

Starman and Space Ghost

 

A couple of cosmos inspired heroes stumbling upon a mystery on the Transformers homeworld is just the kind of set up to catch my attention when perusing the new comics rack. I think this one would have definitely made it into the buy pile.

Captain Marvel and The Doom Patrol

 

I was kind of indifferent about The High Evolutionary when he would show up in a comic.  He was another otherworldly villain with an odd design.  Now that I  have watched him as the main antagonist in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, I see him and think, "Ooh, I really hate that guy!"

Mar-Vell first met the Doom Patrol in STF #4505...

Daredevil and Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law

 

Harvey Birdman met up with plenty of other heroes on his late night show.  It's too bad that Marvel characters were off limits, because having Daredevil show up would have seemed natural.  Oh well, that's what this blog is for, presenting the team ups that should have happened already!

The IMProbables in: "Quarreling With Q!"

 

I wondered who could be a foil for a team as powerful as The IMProbables, and then it dawned on me.  Q has been long overdue for an appearance on this blog, and this seemed like a perfect opportunity to use him.  This issue would be 22 pages of pure chaos!

Human Torch and Cyborg

 

In this, his 10th appearance, Mr. Universe proves that a truce with him was never going to last.  Let's hope that Victor and Johnny can turn STF's signature villain back before he returns to full power!

Xena Vs. Aliens

 

Yesterday's cover featured The Phantom vs. Predator, and I felt like this would make for a suitable follow up.  I watched Xena take down a lot of big monsters on her show, but she may have met her match here. Let's hope she can find away to emerge triumphant.

The Phantom Vs. Predator

 

In my world, the 90's Phantom movie would have spawned a bunch of sequels.  This would have made for an exciting one, I think. But with a Predator taking on the Ghost Who Walks, who might an Alien battle?  You can find out right here tomorrow!

Justice League of America and The Sentry

 

Thunderbolts* has received better reviews than most of the recent Marvel output, but the box office numbers have not seemed to reflect that.  I'll catch it on Disney+ down the road.  I hear that The Sentry isn't in it all that much, but that his scenes are pretty cool. I look forward to checking to movie out.

Silver Surfer and Starro

 

It will be interesting to see how the Shalla-Bal Silver Surfer is handles in Fantastic Four: First Steps. Will she survive the events of the movie, or will she make some grand sacrifice, paving the way for the classic Surfer from the comics? I guess we will all find out soon enough.

Fantastic Four and Power Girl

 She would make a formidable addition to the team!  Power Girl and She-Hulk have a history on this blg.  They first met in STF #1482, They faced the Psycho Pirate in STF#3743, and were last seen battling Mr. Universe in STF #4580...

Moon Knight and Hawk & Dove

Being the youngest of 5 boys in my family, I knew all about battling brothers growing up.  So the bickering between siblings that I read in their adventures rung true to me.  At least they still worked together in the en. Poor Moon Knight had to bicker between his own multiple personalities.

 

Banshee and Blue Devil Vs. Mongul

 

This marks the fourth appearance of the Cassidy Cousins.  They  faced their unlucky curse head on in STF #4414, They met up with their Uncle Ted in STF #4282, and first were featured together in STF #3875...

Genie and Shazzan

 

Hmm... have these two actually found a loophole or would this maneuver be against the Magic Genie Code of Conduct? Other than their freedom, what might they wish for?

Sub-Mariner and Blackhawk in: Crimes of the Killer Shark

 

It's good to see these two working together, after they were clearly at odds when they first met on this blog in STF #3855. I wouldn't want to be in the Killer Shark's flippers right now...

Mace Windu and Samurai Jack

 

As a fan of both Star Wars and the animation of Genndy Tartakovsky, I was intrigued when I learned he had turned his talents on to a galaxy far, far away.  I was finally able to watch Tartakovsky's Clone Wars series on MAX, and it did not disappoint.  They are worth checking out for the light saber battles alone.

Elongated Man and Ant-Man & The Wasp

 

I always enjoyed the backup tales featuring Ralph and Sue Dibny involved in a quick mystery.  Clever twists and cool stretching scenes made them a delight to read.  I can definitely see Hank Pym and Janet Van Dyne joining in on of their investigations.

Green Lantern and Black Bolt

 

STF's greatest villain is back for his 9th appearance!  Can our heroes trust him, or are they due for a double-cross?  The answers are just 60 cents away...