The Destroyer and Doctor Fate

 

There were no shortage of giant monsters running around in the Gold and Silver Age of comics.   Good thing there also were just as many mystery men in operation to tackle these menaces!  

Indiana Jones and Doctor Fate in: "Self-Sacrifice!"

 

When these two last met each other on the blog in STF #4988, Indy was seeking out Dr. Fate's help. It looks like Fate is the one in need of assistance this time around.

Indiana Jones and Doctor Fate

 

Didn't anyone tell Fate that The Book of Nabu belongs in a museum?  I'll bet that Indy is going to!

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.

Dr. Fate Vs. Lord Voldemort

 

Perhaps I am tempting fate by giving He Who Must Not Be Named cover billing, but these are the chances one has to take.  Let's hope that Doctor Fate will be able to thwart his plans!

All-Star Squadron Vs. Ultron

 

We've all seen Pym Particles being used for time travel by now - so who's to say that Hank Pym's deadliest creation could not get hold of some for some decades-spanning shenanigans? It might be cool to see how the Squadron reacts to the modern villain crashing their timeline.

Doctor Fate and Conan

 

I was more a fan of traditional superhero fare than I was of sword and sandals epics like Conan.  Still, his stories seemed to attract some of the greatest artists in the industry.  That was enough for me to want to check out an adventure here and there. John Buscema and others truly created some gorgeous artwork when contributing to the genre.

Captain America and Doctor Fate

 

This one would be like one of those hidden gem Golden Age tales that I discovered as a back up tale in a 100-Page Giant or Annual back in the day.  It was cool as a young reader to get a peek at comics from an earlier era.

Power Man and Doctor Fate

 Not a pairing that immediately comes to mind, but now that I see them together, I like it.  The similar color schemes look good side by side and the differences in power sets and personalities would make for an interesting dynamic. I'd pick up this issue.

Doctor Fate and Clea

 

This cover was tricky to create, as I could not find a text-free version of the Amethyst cover that I wanted to use. Here's a look a the behind the scenes progress: 

Doctor Fate Vs. Dormammu

 

This cover required a bit of background extension and repair before I could add in Dr. Fate and the JLA Satellite.  Here's a look at the behind the scenes progress:

Chance Falconer and Dr. Fate

 

We need more Chance Falconer.  If not a Leave it to Chance comic revival, then how about and animated or even live action series?  I can see this property being the next big bingable Netflix series.

Doctor Fate and The Sub-Mariner

 

I liked that in the Golden Age, Doctor Fate would sometimes forego his mystical abilities and just give the bad guys a good old fashioned beat down like Wildcat or The Atom would.  Who needs to tap into Nabu's magic when a right cross will do the trick?

Hourman and Colossus

 

For the second part of this two-part tale, we see that Professor X' treatment for Doctor Fate did indeed have some unexpected consequences.  Those of you that made the Dr. Strangefate connection were on to something. But hey, if it can lead to cool things like Hourman participating in a fast ball special, can the change be all that bad?

Doctor Fate and Professor X

 

Presenting Part One of a Two-Part Epic!  I wonder if Charles Xavier ever shared his hover-chair technology with the general public.  It would certainly be a nice alternative to standard wheelchairs, after all.  Or maybe he couldn't because it requires telepathic abilities to operate?  Anyway,  make sure you come back tomorrow for Part Two!

Doctor Fate and Stranger Things

 

I've let my Netflix subscription expire because I wasn't watching much on the platform.  I will probably subscribe again for a single month next year so I can catch up on a few shows.  I definitely will want to binge watch the final seasons of Stranger Things, Better Call Saul and Cobra Kai.  They've all been great series and I hope that each is able to stick the landing.

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.

Dr. Fate and The Hulk

 

There's been lots of talk about General Thunderbolt Ross' Red Hulk showing up in The Thunderbolts, and possibly Captain America: New World Order as well.  Where does that leave Bruce Banner's cinematic future?  She-Hulk ended with a huge reveal that he brought back an off-world son, so that's got to be dealt with somewhere.  Still, I haven't heard anything about where The Hulk is supposed to be featured next.  Let's hope that wherever he shows up, he'll get back to his savage side.

Doctor Fate (along with a couple of mages) previously crossed paths with The Hulk in STF #1949...

Justice Society of America Vs. M.O.D.O.K.

 

M.O.D.O.K. is a villain that I have been wanting to see  on the big screen since the debut of the MCU, so I was glad to hear he would be in Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania.  The quick glimpses I got of him during the trailers did not fill me with confidence, however.  Lackluster reviews kept me away from the theaters, but I'll catch the movie when it hits Disney+.  I'm going in with lowered expectations, so maybe I will be pleasantly surprised by his appearance.

Union Jack and Doctor Fate

 

Carlos Pacheco is another artist that we lost far too soon in the past year.  His work on JLA/JSA: Virtue and Vice among many other projects was always impressive to behold.  He was able to give each character unique faces and body types and could convey a truly epic  sense of grandeur in his superhero tales.  I also read that we lost the talented Lee Moder this past week as well, also at a young age.  I enjoyed his work for DC comics, particularly with the Legion of Superheroes and Stargirl.  May they both rest in peace.