Welcome to the 5000th issue of STF: The Lost issues! Many of the covers presented here have not only crossed over characters from different companies, but from different timelines as well. There has been speculation that these encounters were the result of an ongoing war between a pair of time tyrants. As you can see above, the rumors are true!
When you count the B&B and MTIO covers that preceded STF, I have posted 5510 covers so far. Needless to say, I have never used AI to create them and never and I never will - all I need is Photoshop and the inspiration and encouragement from visitors to this blog!
Time for some Special Features! First up, let's take a look at larger versions of the stories presented here:
Now for some STF-Related merchandise. There have been some cool playsets for comic book fans, but what would have been great was one that combined the two greatest superhero teams:
STF: The Lost Issues generally features pre-existing characters, but I have created a few for the blog. Here are Action Figures for a couple of them. First up, from a trio of Dick Tracy/Rocketeer team ups, is that unfortunate informant that everyone in the underworld wants to off - Rats McTattler!
And what young fan of STF: The Lost Issues wouldn't want an action figure of its greatest recurring villain - Mr. Universe!
Time to kick back with a classic board game - How about one featuring the two most popular characters from DC and Marvel?
And for younger kids, here's a Colorforms Set that combines heroes from DC and Marvel:
And with that, we close out another Mega-Anniversary Issue. Thank you to all of the visitors over the years, especially the Patrons, who have help keep this blog running for over 15years of daily covers! If you would like to support the blog you can join them here. Make sure you come back tomorrow and every day, there are lots more covers coming - featuring surprising new team ups, new and returning teams, characters making their STF Debuts, and more!
Thank YOU for all the work you put into this every day, Ross. The wonderful fantasies you create help many of us deal with the often less than wonderful realities of the world we live in.
ReplyDeleteThat Colorforms set really takes me back.
Thank you! Another amazing job in a truly amazing body of work. I have the original JLA playset. And now I want that updated version! The perfect holiday gift. Just needs some new villains to add to the package. Congratulations and thank you for all your creativity and attention to details. I look forward to the next 5510 issues. Happy holidays and happy new year!
ReplyDeleteWow! This is an amazing achievement! Thank you for all the work you do! Seeing what you do, consistently, is one of the many joys of my life. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThat said, that Robin/Maestro match-up really has me worried...!
Maybe Robin will send him to the sub-atomic world of Kai using a "shrinkerang" (a batarang equipped with a Kandorian shrink ray).
DeleteI'll just echo everything the guys ahead of me just said. It really is a joy to see your covers every morning. It definitely brightens the world up. Many many thanks for all the hard work and the astounding creativity.
ReplyDeleteBTW, before I forget, 5000 wows for today's cover.
5,510 issues altogether?! That means, four hundred ninety issues from now, you'll have churned out six thousand cover simulations, altogether! Egad!!
ReplyDeleteBut, as a 1959-er, I thank you for this latest trip down Memory Lane*
My first purchase of comic books was in the earliest 1970's, shortly after the busybodies of the National PTA had chased superhero cartoon from the Saturday morning airwaves. Leaving only meddling kids and their speech-impaired talking dogs.
I also fondly remember those toy commercials. Ideal; Hasbro, Kenner, and--of course-- Mattel.** Colorform, though, was regarded as being "silly girl stuff!" by most of my male peers at that time.
So, congratulations, once again, Ross on your 5000th issue anniversary---Carycomic
*No relation to Lois. ;-D
**No relation to Kal-El. ;-D
P.S.---what action figure did you use as the model for Rats McTattler? My own wild guesses are either pre-Creeper Jack Ryder or pre-Mask Stanley Ipkiss.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I appreciate the kind words!
ReplyDeleteCary, Rats is made up from a few different action figures combined together. The scared head is from a Vinnie the Victim action figure.
Thank you. :-)
DeleteCongrats on five thousand issues!
ReplyDeleteI love the offbeat team-ups for the back-up tales. I'm especially intrigued by how Dani Moonstar wound up with Jonah Hex's two-gun rig. And I'm wondering if the color form octopus is Doc Ock's genetically engineered pet (meant for attacking Aquaman and Spidey)?
I also wonder where Aleta Ogord got hold of Mr. Miracle's anti-grav disc-shoes. That should merit a prequel in itself!
DeleteMy recollection is that in Jim Valentino's early '90s Guardians stories Aleta used solid light disks on her feet to fly pretty often.
DeleteThanks, Al. :-)
DeleteHere, here!
ReplyDeleteHear, hear…. Dang it!
ReplyDeleteMaybe Kamandi could meet Captain Carrot and the Zoo Crew.
ReplyDeleteAnd I have just the scenario for them. Access needs the Zoo Crew's help when he accidentally merges the Last Boy On Earth with the one enemy of Thor's never yet seen on this website.
Delete"Enter..KAMANGOG!"
I'm blown away.
ReplyDeleteI would definitely buy all of these! I have to see if I can make a custom Mr Universe figure
ReplyDeleteCombine Spidey's post-Venom black costume with Star Boy's Mike Grell-era LSH costume and that should do it.
DeleteI feel Like Veruca Salt "I want it all now." 5000?!!! Wow. Great job!
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ReplyDeleteTHE CBS Saturday schedule is STUPENDOUS!! The JLA AVENGERS play set is unbelievable!! (no G.L. or J.J. ??) The extra guide for the 21 frames is a big help too!! You need 4 hands to enjoy it ALL!! The original Jor-el is back!!
Somebody at DC took notes to do the mini series of Convergence, since that was the premise for it. Ross, when did you start working on all this multi level masterpiece??? (Lots of notes to do it???)
I am all in for The Lone Ranger and The Phantom show!
ReplyDeleteGreat cover mystery to chip away at. Here's to the next 4,999 covers! Happy Holidays to you and yours! BTW Before I get back to work on my dessection... Cheers.
ReplyDeleteJust realized something....if Ant-Man prevents Superman from coming to Earth, there are no superheroes, no Captain America, no J.L.A, no Fantastic Four , no Avengers in one fell swoop!! Hell of a timeline for who is left.
ReplyDeleteI often wonder what would've happened had the FF's original experimental FTL craft collided with baby Kal-El's incoming rocket.
DeleteRoss, as you inspire.... an 11th test... Crime Syndicate vs Squadron Supreme ..direct counterparts only (unlike # 1682)!! Superwoman vs Princess Power!! Owlman vs Nighthawk!! Along with the rest, none of them holding back!
ReplyDeleteI'd settle for LSH vs. the Shiar Imperial Guard. :-)
DeleteWow! Great celebration!
ReplyDeleteThe Kang/Time Trapper War is likely to rage on for quite a while -- except that now, I think heroes may be aware of how they're being manipulated. In fact, out of this batch, Mirage and Dawnstar might figure things out, as could the Invaders and LSH.
ReplyDeleteAnd nice work on 5000+ issues (plus B&B/MTIO)! There's hardly been a turkey in the lot.
PS: The comment about using AI wasn't really necessary. We all know that you don't need it, and wouldn't need it other than possibly to hunt down art of certain characters.
Happy 5000th (LGY 5510) Anniversary!! May you mold a merry multitude of many more match-ups!! Make Mine STF!! Excelsior!!
ReplyDeleteWow, some real mismatches in that story! Robin v the Maestro would have to be done like that famous Wolverine v Lobo "fight"!
ReplyDeleteI vaguely remember my older brother getting a board game (based on Archie Comics' Mighty Crusaders) as a Christmas present. At least, I think it was for him. It certainly wasn't made for my then-age group! For one thing, I couldn't figure out what the heck was meant by "enemy fortress".
ReplyDeleteThank you for all your hard work, these past fifteen or so years, Ross. May the next 5,000 issues be comparatively simpler!
Boy! You pulled out all the stops for this one! Congrats of issue 5000! Here's a big shoutout to all the greatest teamups that never happened - but should have!
ReplyDeleteH.H.HORSEFEATHERS has praise squared for this level of ENTERTAINMENT with a not quite wrap around cover.That hasbro toy with paker going ass up on joker's auto just hooboy.Batman in purpleish grey?really?how old is that game? Colorforms never looked so good. But that playset That needs to be reissued today.And the Legion is back with Dawnstar? ok then. and Matt back in the yella jammies. Wicked stuffall around.
ReplyDeleteI won't lie. Back in the 80s I was a fan of Hex. Him vs Daredevil alone would get me to buy this book.
ReplyDeleteFishing in the Timestream says this is tremendous bait. Hooked some real prize winners, even without the 5000 plus workout.Fine work in what you have accomplished. Take an extra bow.
ReplyDeleteMaybe, for Valentine's Day, we could get a romance-themed anthology. Like, say, Batman vs. Princess Python?
ReplyDeleteOr would you rather save that for STF #5100 @ March 31, 2026?
DeleteFor Valentine's Day, I personally am hoping to see another installment of the Cap/WW saga... ideally, finding out that their daughter is American Maid!
DeleteHoly Oak Ridge Boys, Batman!
DeleteOh my... where is Doctor Who when you need him?!
ReplyDeleteTrying to separate Adric from planet Zeta Minor?
DeleteHas the Doctor ever met Rip Hunter?
DeleteNot as yet. But, it's only a matter of...time.
Delete;-D
Fantastic job, as usual! Thank you for all the enjoyable covers and extras! I have them cycling on my computer's screen saver and it's always cool to see what randomly comes up!
ReplyDeleteAnother superlative job! I really appreciate your attention to detail - getting the look of the Colorforms right, having McTattler with a knife in his back...Looking forward to the next 5000 - Nuff said, and Excelsior!
ReplyDeleteI thought that was an over-the-shoulder scabbard for some Deadpool-style katana. Thereby implying that it might be someone like Christopher Chance _disguised_ as Rats!
DeleteCongrats on 5000 issues and thank you for such an incredible issue for us to celebrate with!
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