Phalanx of Phantoms

 

Marc Tyler Nobleman, a Patron of this blog, suggested I have the Phantom Stranger meet The Phantom of  The Opera, and that concept just started snowballing!  With a team this large, I couldn't fit all of the artists used in the labels.  This cover features illustrations by Ross Andru, Jaime Hernandez, Andy Smith, Peter Snejberg, Steve Mitchell, Herb Trimpe and Paul Becton.

The Fantastic Four in the House of Mystery

 

Happy Halloween!  I can only imagine the kind of treats a stop at The House of Mystery would get you!  

This cover required some de-cluttering before I could add in the FF - here's a look at the behind the scenes progress:

Secret Squirrel and Squirrel Girl

 

Secret Squirrel was a cartoon that I was only vaguely aware of - I never did catch it back in the day.  Still, I have received a few requests for him to meet up with Marvel's Squirrel Girl, so here you go!

Robin and Captain America

 

It's never a bad time to feature the Robin of Earth 2 in his greatest costume.  Throw in a living legend and maniacal madman with robotic muscle and you have the ingredients for a fun Bronze Age tale!

Old Man Logan and Kamandi

 

It looks like its a clash of dystopian futures is on the menu for this issue.  Let's hope our heroes can find a way to combine them into one that benefits both of them.

Guardian Vs. Sandman

 

Cadmus is the kind of place that I can see a reformed Flint Marko working at.  There would definitely be friction with the regular staff though, and that could make for a fun tale.

Shaman and Johnny Thunder

 

This issue serves to close up a loose STF plot line.   Doctor Fate met Professor X in STF #4321, and the two were merged into one in STF #4322.  I figured that it was time to follow up on that two-parter and get these guys unfused.

Metamorpho and The Falcon in: "Showdown With The Secret Empire!"

 

It's pretty cool that Metamorpho is now a much more recognized character to the general public, thanks to his inclusion in Superman.  I hope we get to see him onscreen again soon, and I wonder which lesser known DC character might show up next.  Bring on The Creeper, Space Cabbie and Skyrocket!

The Falcon and Metamorpho fought the Trojan Horde in STF #3054... and they first met in STF #2641...

The Herculoids and Green Lantern

 

The HBO Max Lanterns series is the next DCU project that is coming up.  We have seen and heard surprisingly little about the show while it has been in production.  I'm glad they aren't giving too much away, but I do hope we will get to see at least a teaser treailer soon.

The Thing and The Incredibles

 

I was glad to hear that a third Incredibles movie is in the works.  I wonder what the plot will like like and if they will age the characters at all this time around. I love the first two film so I am optimistic.  Ben Grimm previously met The Incredibles with the rest of The Fantastic Four back in STF #556...

Harley Quinn and Spider-Man

 

I'm a little bit surprised that I haven't paired these two together as solo acts yet.  The wisecracks would be flowing freely in this tale, that's for sure. Harley previously met Spidey as part of The Suicide Squad in STF #2782...

Negasonic Teenage Warhead Vs. The Evil Midnight Bomber What Bombs At Midnight

 

This cover comes from the suggestion of Bob Greenwade, regular commenter and Patron of this Blog.  Thanks, Bob! My first idea was to have gag featuring giant logos that took up 4/5ths of the cover space, but I decided on a more traditional approach.

Hawk and Dove Vs. The Vulture

 

It was only a matter of time  before these two bird themed heroes ran up against one of Marvel's deadliest birds of prey.  But can Dove handle him on her own, with Hawk incapacitated?

Warlord and Man-Thing in "A Tale of Interdimensional Tension!"

 

This cover serves as a direct continuation to STF #2207. Let's hope that these two are finally done fighting and can find a way to work together. I'm still hoping that Man-Thing will make a return to the MCU.

Aquaman and The Tick

 

This issue would be especially fun if Aquaman had his boisterous personality from Batman: The Brave and the Bold.  That version of the Sea King would get along famously with The Tick!

Man-Bat and Man-Wolf in: "Savage Saviors"

 

Man-Bat and Man-Wolf first met in STF #440...

This is another cover that required a bit of prep work before I could add in any new elements.  Here is a look at the behind the scenes progress:

Flash Gordon and Ch'p

 

Admittedly, I made this cover to use my silly pun here - but I actually think it might make for a fun story!

Amanda Waller and The West Coast Avengers

 

I was expecting to see Amanda Waller appear at some point in Peacemaker season two, but she did not show up.  There was talk of a solo Waller series in the works, but I don't think that is happening any more.  Hopefully we will see Viola Davis back in the role in one of the DCU's upcoming projects.

Sub-Mariner and The Partridge Family

 

All can't truly be as it seems on this cover, can it?  I'm not sure, but I think I would have shelled out a couple of quarters and a dime to find out.

Samurai Jack and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

 

I was happy to hear that Samurai Jack creator Genndy Tartakovsky will be be bringing my on of my all time favorite cartoons, Primal, back for a third season.  The announcement was a big surprise since season two was years ago, and seemed to wrap up - but I love the new angle that's been announced going forward (which I would mention but it kind of spoils the end of season 2).

Gwen Stacy and The Phantom Stranger

 

Does the Phantom Stranger seek to turn her into Spider-Gwen, or is there another purpose for her  to serve that he has in mind?  The mysterious answer is only sixty cents away!

Robin (Damian Wayne) and Hawkeye (Kate Bishop)

 

There has been a lot of discussion abut who will play Batman in James Gunn's DCU.  Maybe even more important will be the casting for Damian Wayne.  I just hope they learned a lesson from Shazam! and find someone young enough to play the character for a few years.  We don't need to see a 22 year old Damian in the sequel.

Birdman and Hawkman in: "Breaking the Mind-Taker!"

 

Birdman met the Silver Age Hawkman in STF #1345, and previously shared an adventure with the Golden Age Hawkman in STF #1532.  When I saw the chance to use all Jerry Ordway artwork, I figured it was time to feature a third outing with the winged heroes fighting side by side.

Superman and Star Trek

 

Here's another movie crossover that would have blown my young mind.  Both franchises dealt with time travel, so who's to say the Man of Steel couldn't run into the original crew of the Enterprise?

Superman previously met captain Kirk on the blog in STF #4049...

The Shadow Vs. The Kingpin

 

There may be some evil lurking in the hearts of all men, but Wilson Fisk certainly has more than his share.  Certainly enough to gain the attention of The Shadow!

Magnus: Robot Fighter and Swamp Thing

 

These two heroes may not have much in common with one another, but it would be cool to see them fight side by side.  All it would take is the right kind of adversary to bring them together.  I think that these mechanical menaces would fit the bill nicely.

Kamandi Vs. Galactus in "The Contingency Plan!"

This story is a direct sequel to STF #4368, where The Last Boy on Earth first met The World Devourer.  For this follow up tale, I figured that it was only appropriate to use Jack Kirby images, as he was the artistic genius behind both characters.

Infinity Inc. Vs. The Masters of Evil

 

Filming has completed on Avengers: Doomsday, and the movie is in the editing and special effects stage.  Word is that a first look teaser will be included in front of the next Avatar film, with lots of speculation as to what it will show.  My favorite guess is that the movie may undergo a last minute surprise name change - to Avengers Vs. X-Men!

Space Ghost joins Star Wars

 

It was only a matter of time before the greatest animated space hero crossed paths with the rebels from a galaxy far, far away.  I think that this is a tale with the potential for grand heroics and wide screen adventure.

Iron Man Vs. Solomon Grundy

 

There was a lot of clutter removal and background extension required on this cover.  Here is a look at the behind the scenes progress: 

Wonder Woman and Giant-Man

 

This cover is a rare example in which I actually own the original art to one of the components.  I picked this sweet Ron Wilson splash page up almost 20 years ago, and I still look at it daily.

4 Famous Co-Stars Join The Wacky Races

 

The Wacky Races was the ultimate cartoon crossover when I was a kid.  I figured I would have some of my favorite fictional vehicles join to competition for this issue.  I'm guessing this would be a seriously fast paced tale!

Justice League of America and Doc Savage

 

Between that signature haircut, the bulging muscles and the beautifully painted paperback covers, Doc Savage seemed like a superhero to me growing up.  I think he would he would have been right at home in a JLA adventure.

Thor and The Yellow Kid

 

I will be interested to see what Thor's role will be in Avengers: Doomsday.  As one of the final standing founding members, I imagine that he would be critical to the plot, but I'm not sure haw much of the film he will appear in.  Another question is whether this movie and the follow up Avengers: Secret Wars will be the cinematic swan song for the God of Thunder - until the inevitable MCU reboot that is!

Daffy, Bugs & Tweety enter The House of Mystery

 

Something tells me that Daffy got them into this mess and Bugs will have to figure a way out of it!  I loved the cartoons where Bugs Bunny would tangle with Witch Hazel, and I think this team up has a lot of potential for the same kind of antics.

The Demon and Two-Gun Kid

 

Time for another All-Kirby classic!  In addition to his superhero and monster comics, Jack Kirby also made quite an impression with his western heroes.  

Green Lantern Vs. The Super Skrull in: "Beaten to a Pulp!"

 

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer had Johnny Storm using the entire team's powers in a moment evocative of the Super-Skrull.  Secret Invasion featured Emilia Clarke as a character with Super Skrull abilities.  These were both just teases though, we really need to see the one true Super Skrull up on the big screen some day.  

These two first battled in STF #3172...

Dick Tracy and Shaft

 

Dick Tracy seems like the type of cop that would only work with a no nonsense partner.  John Shaft seems like he would fit the bill perfectly.  It might be pretty cool to see these two collaborate on a case or two.

 

Animal Man and Machine Man in: "Man To Man Defense!"

 

These two heroes first appeared together in STF #4095, and I thought I would bring them back together.  The FGG (Foreground Gun Guys) are back, and someone has to take them down, after all!

The Spirit and Wonder Woman

 

After all of the Femme Fatales that he has had to deal with, I wonder how The Spirit would react to working alongside the Avenging Amazon?  It would be cool to read about, especially if it was illustrated by a master of the form like Brian Bolland!

The Light Brigade in: "To Save the Shadow-Thief!"

 

For this, the fifth appearance of The Light Brigade, I thought I would include one of my all time favorite villains.  His simple concept and look really appealed to me as a kid, and it didn't hurt that I first saw him illustrated by the legendary Joe Kubert.

Sub Mariner and Aquaman in: "The Poseidon Pact!"

 

Time for a Golden Age meeting of  the ocean's greatest heroes!

Aquaman and Namor have a bit of history on this blog.  They last met with the Defenders in STF #3927, they were battling Mer-Mutates in STF #2270, tried to avert war in Issue #1105, faced the sea's wrath back in Issue #751 and starred in my very first STF two-parter in Issue #3 and Issue #4.

The Hulk and Blue Beetle in: "Bodyguarding Banner!"

 

This is the third meeting between these heroes.  They first met with Booster Gold and The Defenders way back in STF #165, and The Hulk almost replaced Booster in STF #1855... 

Blue Beetle took a little tweaking on this one.  Here's a peek behind the scenes: 

Hourman and Spider-Man in: "Rex to the Rescue!"

One reason I always had a soft spot for Hourman was his somewhat baggy mask.  Most other heroes had form fitting masks that clung perfectly to their heads. Rex Tyler's looked more like something I would have come up with at home when trying to make a superhero mask out of a winter hat or something.  It made him kind of relatable.

These two heroes previously met in STF #1834, and first crossed paths back in STF #578,,,

 

Inferior Five Vs. Doctor Doom

 

Promotional materials have revealed the look of Doctor Doom in the MCU.  He looks great, absolutely comics accurate.  I still have my suspicions as to how much of the film he will actually be wearing his mask.  Doom never removes it in the comics, but I can't see that being the case in the movie when Marvel went through all of the expense to hire Robert Downey Jr. for the role.