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.

Firehawk and Nova

 

We will be seeing a female Silver Surfer in Shalla Bal for the upcoming Fantastic Four movie.  Like many, I wonder why they aren't using the Frankie Raye Nova, who became a herald to Galactus in the comics.  Yes, I know that Shalla Bal had the power of the Silver Surfer for a handful of pages in the alternate world mini-series Earth X (and then was killed off), but it still seems like an odd choice.  Superman had a giant red ant head for an issue once, but I don't expect to see him look like that in the movies after all.

Coming tomorrow:  STF #4400!

Ms. Marvel and Captain Marvel Jr.

I keep hearing that Marvel Studios is close to announcing who will be cast as Kamala Khan in the Disney+ Ms. Marvel series. Hopefully they will find a young enough actress that can play the character for years without aging out of the role.  That may be a problem for the kids from Shazam! if they don't get that sequel up and filming soon!

The Legion of Super-Heroes Vs. The Avengers

I thought I would present one giant story for this Anniversary Issue.  I previously featured these two teams meeting in STF #1300, but I wanted to revisit the concept in a bigger way.  So, you see the match-ups presented here - who do you think comes out on top when these super-groups clash?

Photon and Jesse Quick

Apologies to Rick Springfield and Paul Williams...

The main thing I really want from a Captain Marvel sequel is Monica Rambeau gaining her powers to become Photon.  Well, that's the name I use for her on this blog, they are just as likely to go with Spectrum.  Frankly, I liked it when Rambeau went by Captain Marvel, and I don't think she should have given up the title.  Whatever they call her, I hope the seeds that were planted with young Monica in the first film will blossom into the full hero we know from the comics.

Code: Red

Red headed males in comics have had a tough time, often being killed off or reintroduced as a non-redhead.  Aside from Daredevil, it seems like no one is safe!  Fortunately Red haired women seem to have fared a bit better, and there were plenty to choose from for this team.

Black Canary Vs. Songbird

Marvel's Thunderbolts was one of the best ideas for a series ever.  The concept of members of the Masters of Evil disguising themselves as a new hero team was pulled off very well by writer Kurt Busiek, with each member reacting differently in their new roles.  Some would maintain their villainous ways, just more secretively.  Others came to embrace the heroic side and truly made a change of heart.  Screaming Mimi/Songbird was one of those characters, and it made for an engaging story arc.

The Flash and Ant-Man

I thought that Avengers: Age of Ultron was a great way to kick of the summer movie season.  The action scenes were amazing - I am really going to have to see it a few more times to take it all in.  The Hulk/Iron Man fight lived up to the hype and The Vision was incredibly well realized.  My only real problems with the movie had to do with the pacing and Ultron.  Some scenes (like those at the safe house) seem to drag while some didn't seem to have enough time to resonate (Thor and Cap's side plots) - hopefully the rumored extended cut will fix that.  Ultron to me was off in appearance and personality.  His drones looked a lot more like the classic Ultron than the main model - I don't think all the extra articulation on the facial features was necessary or successful.  Also, I get that he was snarky because he had some of Tony Stark in him, but the humor from his character did not work for me.  Ultron in the comics was always cold and unemotional - far too often I heard Joss Whedon or Red Reddington instead of the iconic Marvel villain, and it undermined his threat... well that, and the fact that even Hawkeye could punch through his robots' heads.

This story is just the first part - stay tuned for the thrilling conclusion tomorrow!

Batgirl and Invisible Girl

The Invisible Girl/Woman was unique among other super-heroines when I was growing up in that she was also a mother.  Indeed, it is still a rare trait in comics. For some reason publishers felt that marrying characters or having them become parents would age them too much in their young readers' eyes.  It never bothered me as a kid, in fact I thought it was pretty cool that Sue Storm was a mom.

Green Arrow Vs. Robocop

This is a match up I would like to see.  Both of these guys want to clean up the city but Oliver Queen has never responded well to authority figures and Robocop has no tolerance for law breakers of any kind, so there would definitely be plenty of friction between the two.

Batman Vs. Dexter

Netflix finally added the remaining seasons of Dexter so I was at last able to watch the entire series.  I would have to say that the show lost its way a bit in the last couple of seasons, but I still enjoyed the series as a whole.  A couple of seasons are standouts due to the guest stars that appeared.  John Lithgow was great and creepy and Jimmy Smits makes any series better - and this was no exception.  The season featuring Smits is easily the high point of the show for me.