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!

Calvin and Hobbes Vs. Darkseid

 

The ruler of Apokolips really needs to lighten up a bit.  Will a beach day with these two do the trick?  I doubt it, but it would be fun to watch.

Moon Knight and Elongated Man (The Animated Series!)

 

The 14th appearance of the MK/EM Team already?  I'd say this pairing is ready for their cartoon debut!  After all, while both characters have shown up as cameos on different animated shows, neither has really had a chance to shine in that format yet.

Darkseid Vs. The Inhumans

 

I was a little surprised that I had not pitted these Kirby creations against each other yet.  Let's remedy that right now - it would make for an epic storyline after all!

Orion and Princess Leia

 

Space-faring freedom fighters with dads that want to conquer the galaxy?  Yup, these two have plenty in common.  I think there would be a ton of story potential in putting them together.

Darth Vader and Darkseid first encountered each other in STF # 2184, and then again in STF #2343 and are both members of The Overlords, as seen in STF #2490...

The New Warriors Vs. Darkseid

 

Marvel seems intent on bringing the Young Avengers to the MCU.  That's all good and well, but these guys are the teen Marvel team that I'd really like to see join the fun.  I think their series sold a lot better than any of the Young Avengers titles, after all.

Darkseid Vs. Kang

 

These two were set to become the big bads of their respective cinematic universes, but things have not gone as planned.  The end of the DCEU and Snyderverse means that Darkseid will probably be put on the back burner for a while.  Jonathan Majors' legal issues have put everything Kang related into a holding pattern until a verdict on his alleged assault is reached.  It's a good thing we have Braniac and Galactus to pinch hit if necessary.

Power Man & Iron Fist Vs. Darkseid

 

I remember back in the late 90's when I was working on my big DC/Marvel crossover  story that featured Darkseid and Dr. Doom as the villain (the pencils for which are included on my 2000th STF post).  I really just did it for my own enjoyment and rarely ever showed anyone the pages.  There was one time when I brought a date over and thought she might be interested to see what I had done.  She looked over the pages, rolled her eyes and said, "You spelled Apocalypse wrong".  I pulled out my copy of Who's Who in the DC Universe to show her that I hadn't, but she remained unimpressed. Needless to say, that relationship did not last.

Black Panther Vs. Darkseid

 Time for another all-Kirby cover.  I think this would be an interesting match up.  Not only would is supply cool action sequences, it might be interesting to juxtapose the different leadership styles between these two rulers. The difference of loyalty gained through respect rather than fear may be what turns this tide of battle.

Darkseid Vs. 4 Famous Co-Stars

 

It's nice to be able to do an all Walt Simonson cover.  His instantly recognizable signature style conveys epic imagery and powerful action in a way that rivals Jack Kirby, in my opinion.  I was lucky enough to meet him briefly at a convention about 15 years back, and I remember that he was very enthusiastic and kind to me his other fans.

The Vision Vs. Darkseid

 

Marvel has seemed to slow down a bit and plans to space their future projects a little farther apart than they have been lately.  That's probably a good thing in the interest of quality control, but it means that it will probably be quite a time before the promised Disney+ Vision Quest series makes it's debut.  Let's hope it stays on the schedule, It's one of the announced shows that I am most interested in.

Spaceman Spiff Vs. Darkseid

 

If you are a huge Calvin & Hobbes fan like me, I cannot recommend the book Exploring Calvin and Hobbes highly enough.  It starts out with an incredible 35-page interview with the reclusive Bill Watterson and goes on to an in-depth exploration of this strip, detailing Watterson's development, tools, themes, influences and inspirations.  It's a fantastic read.

The Super-Skrull Vs. Darkseid

 

This may look like a relatively simple cover, but it was quite tricky to create.  In order to get the Super-Skrull to be trapped within Darkseid's beams, I had to remove Orion, who was originally there, then recreate the missing beam parts, then isolate that into a couple of layers and place them on top of one another, before inserting the Skrull and then adding in the background elements.  Here are some stages of development: 

I'll try to include some more of these "behind the scenes" looks on some future covers as well.

Apocalypse Vs. Darkseid

 

Both of these guys deserve another shot at the big screen.  X-Men: Apocalypse did not really do the villain justice.  I don't fault Oscar Isaac's performance, but the visuals weren't quite there to bring the oversized X-Villain to life.  I did enjoy Darkseid's brief moments in Zack Snyder's Justice League, but he deserves more of a spotlight and besides, Warner Bros has decided the this movie doesn't "count".  It'll probably be a bunch of years, but I bet we'll see both of them on the silver screen again.

Hellboy Vs. Darkseid

 

I have to admit, I wasn't always a big Darkseid fan.  I was not hugely into Jack Kirby's Fourth World tales as a kid, and the biggest impact that the ruler of Apokolips had for me was his appearances taking on The Legion of Super Heroes in the Great Darkness Saga.  What really got me interested was Superman: The Animated Series.  Through the extended story arc there and then continuing in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited,  I finally understood what the big deal was.  It will be interesting to see how he is handled on The Snyder Cut of the Justice League movie.

The (All New) X-Men Vs. Darkseid

Regular Lost Issues visitors will know that Darkseid is referring here to the events of STF #2485... I thought it would be interesting to have a sequel with the next iteration of the X-Men.  It always seems to me that Darkseid goes very well against the heroes of Marvel.  I guess it's because he was created by Jack Kirby, he really seems at home in the 616 universe.

The Imperial Guard Vs. Darkseid

Marvel likes to beat DC to the punch at the movies when they can, so I am surprised that I have never heard anything about them bringing The Imperial Guard to the MCU.  Maybe if DC were to announce a Legion of Super-Heroes film or streaming series, Marvel will respond by putting The Guard on the fast track.  I'd love to see them in live action.

Space Ghost Vs. Darkseid

The live action Scooby-Doo movie may have not been a masterpiece, but it did well enough at the box office to warrant sequels.  I wonder why we haven't seen more Hanna-Barbera properties given the big screen treatment.  Space Ghost would be my first choice, although The Herculoids or Jonny Quest would be great to see as well.  Heck, the should get a whole interconnected HBCU going!

The Overlords

This assemblage if intergalactic despots is simply packed with power, and I would fear for anyone that should oppose them.  Still, I think their biggest challenge would come from internal struggles - none of these villains like to share the reigns of command.  It would just be a matter of time before they turn on one another.

X-Men Vs. Darkseid

Justice League paved the way for Darkseid to make his cinematic debut, but now that a sequel seems unlikely to happen any time soon, I am wondering where we may see him.  Ava DuVernay's New Gods would make sense, but it has already been revealed that the villains in that film will be Granny Goodness and her Female Furies.  Still, how can you have a movie set on Apokolips without including Darkseid?  Maybe we will hear word of his inclusion as production moves forward.