Machine Man and The Demon

 

Kirby was as great at designing monstrous creatures as he was at designing futuristic mechanics.  A story that combined both really gave him a chance to show off his talents.

The Freedom Fighters Vs. The Avengers (100-Page Giant!)

 

Looks like we have another full-issue throwdown on our hands!  Let's hope they can sort out their differences and all get together for a slam bang finale in the last 10 pages!  Here are some closer looks at the stories included in this Anniversary Issue:

Superman and The Shadow

 

I remember some discussions of Margot Lane and Lois Lane possibly being related in the comments section years ago, and it always stuck with me. I finally found the right images to to turn the concept in to a cover, and here it is!

Coming Tomorrow: STF #5100!  A full issue clash between a DC team and Marvel team that have yet to meet on this blog...

Kid Flash Vs. Speed Demon

 

Between all of the time travel shenanigans, multiversal adventures and company-wide reboots, I'm not quite sure what the back story of the new Wally West is.  I'm glad they kept his costume so close to the original red & yellow version, one of the best designs in comics. 

Blackhawk and Hellboy

 

These pilots have seen a lot in their adventures, but would they be prepared for a collaboration with The B.P.R.D.?  It would be fun to find out.  Thanks to Patrick McLaughlin for this suggestion!

The Thing joins The Wacky Races

 

Sure, Dick Dastardly was a bad guy, but he definitely had one of the cooler vehicles in The Wacky Races. I never thought Muttley was really all that bad though, he just always seemed to be laughing and having a good time.

Spider-Man Vs. Giganta

 

Apparently, Director Tim Burton and Producer/Actress Margot Robbie are developing a new movie version of Attack of the 50-Foot Woman. That could be fun and give audiences a taste of what they missed by not having Giganta appear on Wonder Woman opposite Lynda Carter.

Batman Vs. The Juggernaut

 

Comics lost another big talent this week with the passing of Sam Kieth.  His extremely unique style was simultaneously cartoonish and highly detailed, and his covers always stood out on the stands. RIP.

Chuck Norris and The Spectre

 

I was sad to hear of the passing of Chuck Norris this week, he was a true legend among action stars. I hope he rests on peace - but if he wants to do some butt-kicking in the afterlife, I'm all for that as well.

Iron Man Vs. Peacemaker

 

Peacemaker Season 2 was a mixed bag for me.  While it had some great action, comedy and heart, like the first season, it also has some huge missteps.  The pacing was all over the place, and the series kind of ended on a whimper with all of the big moments in the penultimate episode.  Plus, having the first DCU follow up to the family friendly Superman feature an X-rated orgy scene was a head-scratchingly bad decision in my opinion.  The cliffhanger that the show was left on was interesting, but who knows when it will be resolved?

Mars Attacks The Borg

 

I never thought I would see a scenario where I was rooting for The Borg, but this might be one of them.  Will the Martians assimilate or Ack Ack Ack their way to victory?  It would be fun to find out!

She-Hulk Vs. Maxima

 

Apparently, Maxima will make her big screen debut in Man of Tomorrow.  I always enjoyed the character from the Superman comics and I think that it will be a fun role to play for whatever actress lands the part. Who do you think would do the part justice?

Nova Vs. The Joker

 

Oh boy, this can't end well! Still, It would have been fun to read about from the safety of my Earth Prime living room.

Steel and Doctor Doom

 

I have enjoyed tales in the past where Doctor Doom must reluctantly work with heroes like Iron Man or the Fantastic Four.  I can see this story having a similar tense dynamic.

Doc Samson and 4 Famous Co-Stars

 I'd like to be a fly on the wall for this therapy session.  Hopefully they all find some inner peace.  

Doc Samson first met Batman in one of my very first covers, an MS Paint effort from the first few days of the blog...

Iron Man 2020 and The Demon

 

I'm going to have to go back and read the Machine Man mini series that featured Arno Stark, the Iron Man of 2020.  Not only to revisit the gorgeous Barry Windsor-Smith artwork, but to see how closely the future depicted  resembles the 2020's that have actually come to pass.

The Green Hornet and Superman

 

I remember The Green Hornet showing up on Batman, and Superman appearing on I Love Lucy, a couple of great early crossovers.  I think that an episode like this would have been pretty cool to have seen as well! 

Huntress and Hawkeye (Vs. Mr. Universe!)

 

for the 14th appearance of the Hawkeye/Huntress siblings, I thought that I would put them up against STF's recurring villain, Mr. Universe!  It looks like family drama will play a role in this confrontation as well, let's hope Hawkeye has packed some great trick arrows in his quiver.

New Mutants Vs. Darkseid

 

Looks like the New Mutants are in a tough spot.  It's too bad they didn't bring Magma along with them, she would have been a big help in this locale!

The Flash and Machine Man

 

Now even The Flash's job is being taken over by AI?  I hope that souped up skateboard is fast enough to match his pace!

Star Trek and Batman & The Outsiders

 

Is Halo appearing anywhere these days? I've always thought that she was criminally underused.  One reason might be her convoluted backstory.  Hopefully DC will realize her potential one of these days.

The Atom and The Thing

 

Al Pratt seems to have a similar personality to Ben Grimm, and I think that they would get along.  That is, unless they were manipulated into battle by a creep like The Wizard! 

Stingray Vs. Black Manta in: "Wake The Death Dealer!"

 

Well, it's no wonder that these two keep finding themselves at odds!  Their head-concealing get ups really don't allow for much in the way of facial cues, so I have to imagine that leads to a lot of misunderstanding.

Stingray first battled Black Manta in STF #3452...

Wonder Woman and Isis

 

These two heroines inspired lots of girls and were the first crushes of a lot of boys, so I think that a crossover like this would have been a big hit back in the day.  It's too bad the Wonder Woman TV show never featured any of her comic book villains, and this would have been an opportunity to change that.

Black Panther and Sgt. Rock

 

I liked the brief flashback scene we got of T'Chaka fully suited up in the first Black Panther movie, and it would have been cool to see more of him in action.  Something tells me that he and Sgt. Rock would have a grudging respect for one another.

Captain America and Catwoman in: "Hydra Heist!"

 

Cap and Catwoman first met in a back up tale in STF #2100, and I thought that this pairing deserves their own full length issue - especially if it could have featured the amazing artwork of the legendary Ramona Fradon!

Grape Ape Vs. Godzilla

 

This cover comes about as the result of a suggestion from Tom Brennan, a Patron of this blog.  I have to say that I surprised that this was never a real thing back in the day.  Well, better late than never! Thanks, Tom!

Tintin and Iron Man

 

Sure, it's one of the earlier models, but who wouldn't want to spend some time in an Iron Man suit?  I'm sure Tintin has a good reason for needing one.

Spaceman Spiff meets R2D2 & C-3PO

 

How different would the Star Wars saga have played out if these two droids bumped into Spiff as they were encountering the Jawas?  Chaos would have been sure to ensue!

Batman and Spider-Man in: "Full Count!"

 

I can't imagine how such a scene depicted above would come about, but I know that I'd just have to see how this story unfolds.  

Batman and Spider-Man have a bit of history on STF: The Lost Issues...

They battled Clayface and Mysterio in STF #3834....

They joined the Wacky Races in STF #3755...
The Spider-Buggy went up against the Bat-Bus in STF #3624...
Batman got his first look at the Spider-Buggy in STF #1628...
The Batman/Spidey movie premiered in STF #1014
Spidey and JJJ joined forces against Batman in STF #937...
They were joined by some Amazing Friends in back in October 2011...
The shared a Golden Age adventure in September 2011...
Spidey wore his black outfit for their  July 2010 meeting...
And here is where they first crossed paths.

Ambush Bug and Quicksilver

 

Quicksilver can get impatient with most heroes, so I can only imagine how frustrating an adventure with Ambush Bug would be for him!   I'm guessing quite a bit, but it would be fun to read about.

Barda and The New Furies

 

The team is assembled at last!  I'd say that this is a pretty formidable group, more than ready for any challenges that might await them.  I have to imagine that Granny Goodness isn't going to be happy when she learns of to this new team.

Barda recruited Dart STF #5042, Xena in STF #5011, Hellcat in STF #4964 and Red Sonja in STF #4881.

Jimmy Olsen and Professor X

 

I'm looking forward to seeing Patrick Stewart as Professor X one more time in Avengers: Doomsday.  I just hope he doesn't die in the movie, though.  We've already seen Professor X killed off in X:Men 3, X-Men: Days of Future Past, Logan and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The poor guy can't get a break - only Thomas and Martha Wayne have had more on-screen deaths!

Blue Beetle & Booster Gold and Nighthawk

 

Despite his wealth and abilities, Nighthawk was never quite able to rise above B-list status.  Still, I always liked Kyle Richmond and he had a very cool costume, so I always welcomed his appearances.  I think he would work well with the Blue & Gold team, acting as kind of a less gruff Batman.

Starhawk and Green Lantern

I never quite understood Starhawks's costume.  I mean, It looked cool, but I didn't get how that odd cape/wing hybrid design was supposed to work, it seemed awkward that it was connected to the boots.  That headpiece must have made it tough going through doorways as well. 

Vixen Vs. Sabretooth in: "The Model and the Mutant!"

 

Vixen first battled Sabretooth back in STF #3199, and I thought that it was time for a rematch. The power of the Tantu Totem up against berserker rage and a healing factor - who wins this battle?

Hawkman Vs. Doctor Octopus

This could be an interesting battle, especially if Otto Octavius truly has the new advantage that he is boasting of. But just how did he achieve such an upgrade in the first place? No doubt he has a backroom deal with someone like Byth or Kanjar Ro!

 

Nexus Vs. Darth Vader

 

Nexus makes a point of going after mass murderers, so anyone involved in the development of a Death Star would definitely warrant his attention.  Vader is a tough opponent though, let's hope Nexus knows how to use that Light Saber!

The Atom Vs. The Lizard

 

There was a bunch of clutter removal and background rebuilding required on this cover before I could add The Atom in.  Here's a look at the behind the scenes progress:

The Silver Surfer and Martian Manhunter

 

It's the 15th appearance of STF's greatest villain, Mr. Universe, and it looks like it's time at last to get some much needed back story on this perpetual thorn in the side of our heroes. A Surfer/J'onn J'onzz meeting has been long overdue as well.

Spy Smasher and Black Widow in: "Recruiting Romanoff!"

 

This serves as a direct continuation of the events presented in the first meeting between these two, from STF #4637.  Now that they've joined forces, the Foreground Gun Guys won't know what hit them!

Fire and The Human Torch

 

Now that Johnny Storm is officially in the MCU, we really need to see him and Spider-Man alongside each other.  They have a great relationship in the comics, and it would be fun to see that brought to the big screen.  The only thing I want to see more out of the cinematic Fantastic Four is of course a Thing/Hulk battle.