Ant-Man and Wonder Woman

 

This is a rare case where I used an actual Super-Team Family cover to make a lost issue. Some prep work was required before I could add in Ant-Man.  Here's a look at the behind the scenes progress: 

THE STF 5000th ISSUE CELEBRATION!

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:

An All-New Saturday Morning Line-Up!  I'd definitely get up early to catch these STF-Inspired shows:

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:

Or How about a Playset featuring one of STF's oldest teams - Robo-Force?

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!   

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.

Ant-Man and The Wasp Vs. Dex-Starr

 

Ant-Man and The Wasp received their Power Rings in STF #3993, and I thought it was time to send them on a mission. What better Green Lantern to join them than the diminutive yet daring Xax?  Let's hope they can keep one step ahead of the ferocious feline Red Lantern!

Ant-Man & The Wasp vs. Mr. Mind

 

We kept getting teased with Mr. Mind in the Shazam! movies, but he never got more than quick cameos.  He's just the kind of odd character that James Gunn seems to like, though - so I am holding out hope that he will eventually get his due in the new cinematic DCU.

Firestorm and Ant-Man

 

Firestorm is used to working with science based partners, so I think that this would be a natural and fun team-up. Plus, I think that they just look cool together! 

Adam Strange and Ant-Man

 

Writers from Rick & Morty were hired to pen Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania, and... well, it felt like a Rick & Morty episode.  I kept thinking that if I saw some of the ideas and concepts on the Adult Swim cartoon, I probably would have enjoyed them a lot more.  In the movie, something didn't quite gel for me and it all came off a bit goofy and forgettable.  The talented cast that was assembled for the film deserved better.

Green Lantern and Ant-Man & The Wasp

 

We've seen Green Lanterns of all sizes, from microbes to entire planets - so there's no reason these two diminutive heroes can't get in on the action.  It might be fun to see them explore the Microverse of OA.

Can we really only be a week away from STF #4000?  I'll give you a tease about what to expect:  An oversized cover featuring an adventure between a major DC team and a fan favorite Marvel mutant group that have yet to meet on the blog, which will take them to various exotic locales.  Then, some extras - A new STF-inspired Saturday Morning cartoon line up plus a big look at STF-related swag... the toys and games and merchandise from over the years that never existed - but should have! Of course, there are a few covers to go before that which I hope you will enjoy (including a couple of comment suggestions fulfilled).

Ant-Man & The Wasp Vs. The Legion of Doom

I had seen superhero cartoons before, but nothing prepared me for Challenge of the Super-Friends.  Here not only did the Super-Friends expand their roster, but they also battled The Legion of Doom, an army of DC supervillains, in every hour long episode!  It may seem quaint now, but for 9 year old me it was like a summer blockbuster every Saturday.

Mister Terrific and Ant-Man

 

I always think that it must me a challenge for writers to depict genius-level characters.  As smart as they may be, they have to convincingly give dialogue, ideas and motivations to someone that supposedly has much more knowledge.  The best writers will do more than throwing in random large words and mentioning lofty accomplishments. I guess it helps to have surrounded yourself with intelligent people in real life.

Metamorpho and Ant-Man

 

The High Evolutionary seems like another Marvel villain that is ripe for the MCU treatment.  Stories featuring him always took some twisted turns.  I can see him being fascinated by a specimen like Metamorpho.

Ant-Man also helped Animal Man out of a High Evolutionary experiment way back in STF #283...

Ant-Man and Cyborg

 

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is getting underway, so I hope we get some more information regarding it soon.  Perhaps we will see if the title characters have updated costumes, or if Hank and Jan will be suiting up either in present day or a flashback.  Can we expect to get a glimpse of how Kang will look?  Dare I hope for confirmation that events in the film will lead to the introduction of the Fantastic Four to the MCU, as has been rumored for a while now?

Concrete and Ant-Man

 

Paul Chadwick's Concrete is one of those comics that is great to loan out to readers who aren't into traditional superhero fare.  The stories are thought provoking, the characters are very well defined and the artwork is absolutely gorgeous.  I was lucky enough to pick up a sketch by Paul Chadwick several years back: 

Ant-Man and Bumblebee

 

Rumors are still circulating that the Fantastic Four will be introduced or at least set up in the third Ant-Man movie.  Director Peyton Reed has been angling for a shot at the FF from even before he started the Ant-Man trilogy so it will be interesting to see if he finally gets the chance to put his stamp on Marvel's first family. If they are indeed slated to show up we should finally hear some casting soon, as the movie is slated to begin filming next summer.

The Galaxy Trio and The Fantastic Four (And More!)

 

Ever since I saw Marvel's Fantastic Four share the opening credits for Hanna-Barbera's World of Super Adventure with HB's stable of heroes as a kid, I have wanted to see an honest to goodness meeting between these two comic universes.  Alas, the Hanna-Barbera superhero seem to restrict their crossovers to DC characters these days, but there's no reason we can't imagine what it would be like for the Marvel heroes to get in on the action here at STF: The Lost issues!

Swamp Thing and Ant-Man

I am glad that Marvel is going ahead with a third outing for Ant-Man in the movies.  Rumors are swirling about what will be included.  The most plausible one is having his daughter Cassie join in on the heroics as Stature, paving the way for the New Avengers.  I've also read speculation that the microverse will be used to bring the Fantastic Four into the MCU.  I have a feeling that wherever it goes, the movie is going to be jam packed and probably larger in scale than the first two installments in the series.

Ant-Man and Batman and the Outsiders

There had been talk for a while about M.O.D.O.K. getting an animated series on Hulu, but lately I have been hearing that he may actually be making an appearance in the live action MCU - possibly in the third Ant-Man movie.  It would be great if they can find a way to pull off such a crazy looking character.  They found a way to make Arnim Zola work, so anything's possible, I guess!

Ant-Man and Cyborg

Probably my favorite Easter Egg in Avengers: Endgame was the glimpse at Hank Pym's original Ant-Man helmet in his lab - not to mention a de-aged Michael Douglas who looked like he was still on the set of Streets of San Francisco.  If Marvel ever makes a third Ant-Man movie, I'd love to see it take place on two eras, with Hank and Janet working on a case in the past that must be completed by Scott and Hope in the present.

Ant-Man and Doll Man in: "A Tiny Little Trance!"

One of my favorite Easter eggs in Avengers: Endgame was the glimpse of the original Ant-Man helmet in the lab of Hank Pym.  I loved the brief flashbacks with Pym in super hero mode in the two Ant-Man movies, and it would be great to see another with him using his first helmet and costume.  Maybe that's something we will get to see in a third installment or even in The Fantastic Four's Marvel debut, which at this early stage is rumored to be a period piece.

These two first crossed paths in STF #907...

Ant-Man and Krypto

Ant-Man and The Wasp may not have been as huge a success as some of Marvel's other recent films, but I am hoping there will be a third installment.  There are still plenty of places they could go.  I'd love to see some of the wackier villains like Stilt Man or The Porcupine show up.  It would be cool to see Bill Foster in his prime as Goliath, or maybe a Bill Foster Jr. taking over the role.  It might even be fun to introduce Eric O'Grady into the mix.