Batman and The Angel in: "The Dark Knight Takes Flight!"

 

I'd like to have seen a story that explained how Batman went from swinging around to gliding with a cape that can go rigid.  Who's to say Warren Worthington didn't lend a hand?

Batman last appeared with The Angel alongside Colossus in STF #3030, and first appeared with him in a B&B: The Lost Issues cover from 2011...  

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:

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!

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.

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!

Plastic Man and Thor

 

The Avengers: Doomsday teaser featuring Thor presented a somber and determined Thunder God.  Chris Hemsworth has decent comedic chops, but I think Marvel realized that they had been leaning too far in that direction with the character.  It will be good to see a more serious take returning for the Odinson.

Human Torch and Black Lightning

 

I'm glad to finally use Doctor Destiny on the blog, an underrated DCU villain.  In addition to his cool creepy look, he was powerful enough to take on the JLA single handedly.  His mind-bending abilities always made for interesting visuals as well.

Thanos Vs. The DC Universe

 

Thanos being set loose in DC's silver age would have been wild.

Red Tornado and Captain Marvel (Part Two)

 Continuing the tale begun yesterday, we see that T.O. Morrow is up to his old shenanigans.  Good thing Reddy has Mar-Vell as back-up this time around!

Red Tornado and Captain Marvel (Part One)

 

Shoulder pads, buccaneer boots, a cape with a high collar and a red/purple color scheme - Red Tornado's original costume had all the earmarks of the silver age.  Somehow, he still made it work, though.   This is only Part One of this tale, make sure you come back tomorrow for the exciting conclusion!

Shaman and Johnny Thunder

 

This issue serves to close up a loose STF plot line.   Doctor Fate met Professor X in STF #4321, and the two were merged into one in STF #4322.  I figured that it was time to follow up on that two-parter and get these guys unfused.

Falcon and Wildcat

 

These two heroes are used to more down to Earth, street level villains, so they might be over their heads when dealing with a cosmic entity like The Stranger.  I wouldn't count them out, though!

Sub-Mariner and Blackhawk in: Crimes of the Killer Shark

 

It's good to see these two working together, after they were clearly at odds when they first met on this blog in STF #3855. I wouldn't want to be in the Killer Shark's flippers right now...

Red Tornado and Storm

 

It looks like Reddy has reverted back to his original form for this tale.  It's nice to see him getting along with Ororo after they  had clashed in STF #2441, due to events that took place way back in STF #82...

7 Soldiers of Victory and The Defenders

 

Uh oh! Mr. Universe is back for his 4th appearance and he looks more powerful than ever!  Let's hope the combined might of these two super-teams is enough to put him down for good!

Photon and Starman

 

These two heroes have power sets that I think would go well together.  I can see The Shade being able to give them trouble, though.  It would be a vissually interesting battle to see play out.

Doctor Strange Vs. Eclipso

 

I had previously featured a battle between these two as one of the back up stories in STF #2400, but I thought that this was a match up that was worthy of its own issue.  Doctor Stephen Strange is familiar with having to stave off his own darker side - The end of his last cinematic outing left him doing just that, after all - hopefully it will not be too many years before we see that plot point resolved.

Robo Force in: "Under Siege!"

 

This marks the ninth appearance of Robo Force on this blog, and this cover required a little prep work before adding in the images of our heroes in peril.  There was some background repair and extension required, as well as cleaning up the coloring since I couldn't find a crisp digital image of this splash page.  Here's a look at the behind the scenes progress:

Zatanna and Brother Voodoo

 

Zatanna has has solo movies and appearances in team movies announced and cancelled a few times in the past decade.  Brother Voodoo was teased in the MCU, but we have yet to see him as well.  Let's hope the respective studios they belong to can finally find a way to bring these magical heroes to live action. 

Captain Marvel and Black Lightning in: "Escape From The Negative Zone!

 

For the conclusion to this three-part tale, we find that leaving The Negative Zone may not be quite as easy as getting there.  Let's hope that our heroes can avoid all the booby traps left by the defeated Annihilus!