Doctor Strange and The Terrifics

 

I don't keep up with many titles these days, opting to trade wait if something gets really great reviews.  One series I did pick up in total was The Terrifics.  A great cast of characters involved in old school comic action is what the title provided, and it was a fun read.  It's too bad the series was canceled, but with the rumors that James Gunn is looking to bring them to the big screen as part of the DCU, hopefully they will get another chance down the line.

Doctor Strange and Madame Xanadu

 

This cover comes from a suggestion in a recent comments section.  It is definitely a natural combination and I am surprised that I am only getting to it now.  I'm looking forward to seeing Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness tomorrow.  It'll be fun seeing Sam Raimi run free in the MCU.

I was glad to use a Michael Kaluta image of Madame Xanadu here.  I was lucky enough to pick up a sketch by him several years back:

Doctor Strange and The Legion of Super-Heroes

 

Here's another cover that comes about as a result of a conversation in the comments section of this blog. Thanks for the idea, Emsley Wyatt! I figured this would be a somewhat cluttered cover, and it is - but I managed to get everyone in there.  Let's just hope that Doctor Strange is a bit more careful with his spell casting than he is in Spider-Man: No Way Home!

Doctor Strange and Detective Chimp

 

Mephisto has been teased in the MCU (which has led to rampant speculation) but not actually used yet, and I wonder where or if he will actually show up.  While he is a key villain from the comics with ties to many heroes, he still poses some problems when it comes to adapting him for the movies.  China does not like any depictions of Satan, so that may be giving Disney pause.  Will he appear in altered form, or will he be included with all of his devlish trappings, knowing his presence will keep the film out of a major market?  Only time will tell.

The Spectre and Kolchak: The Night Stalker

I really hope that once The Spectre assumes his ghostly form at some point in the final two episodes of the Crisis on Infinite Earths CW event, he looks close to his comic book counterpart. Stephen Lobo doesn't really resemble Jim Corrigan (another hero de-gingered!) but we have only seen him as a human thus far.  They had another actor playing Corrigan in the short-lived Constantine series, and they gave him a nice Spectre-like effect when foreshadowing  future developments that alas, never came to pass - that looked pretty cool even if it was brief.

Zippy, Howard the Duck and Ambush Bug

It took me a couple of viewings, but I finally spotted the Howard The Duck cameo in Avengers: Endgame.  The question is, did he remain on Earth following the events of the movie, or return to space with the Guardians or the Ravagers?  I'm hoping the former, which would give him a chance to interact with some of Marvel's other heroes.  A scene with Spidey or Doctor Strange could be a real hoot.

Adam Strange and Doctor Strange in: "Strange Atonement!"

I'm still waiting for Adam Strange on Krypton to in some way resemble the Adam Strange from the comics.  Hopefully it won't be one of those cases where on the final episode he puts on a jetpack and that's all we get.  Krypton's Lobo didn't quite work for me, although he did have a few good moments.  The voice seemed off and I would have preferred a physically larger actor in the role.

This is the third appearance of the Strange boys on the blog.  They were last seen trying to escape from Limbo in STF #2146, and they were first revealed to be brothers in STF #370...

The Spectre and Doctor Strange in: "Bloodlust for the Baron!"

After seeing how effectively Steve Ditko's otherworldly designs were incorporated into the Doctor Strange movie, I really want to see what can be done with The Spectre on the big screen.  I think that a visually inventive director could really have fun with his appearance, powers, and journeys intothe minds of criminals to mete out justice.

This is the third meeting between these two heroes - they battled Nightmare in STF #458, and first met way back in STF #110...

Howard the Duck and Mickey Mouse

I have really been enjoying the new Mickey Mouse shorts that have been appearing  for the last few years.  Artist and director Paul rudish has given the character and his world a visual overhaul which is a modern take that still hearkens back to the very earliest Mickey cartoons.  Mickey was never my favorite of the Disney characters, but these new shorts are making me rethink that position.

Mars Attacks Howard the Duck!

I have read a few rumors that Howard the Duck will be showing up again in Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2.  While still a small role, it should be larger than the post credits cameo that appeared after the first film.  I hope this speculation turns out to be true - I love that Marvel is willing to embrace somie of its more outlandish concepts for their film universe.

Doctor Strange and Doctor Occult

The first images of Benedict Cumberbatch in full Doctor Strange garb and the sets he will inhabit have been released, and I must say that he looks even better than I was hoping he would in the role.  The details are all correct as well, from the Eye of Agomotto to his signature window in the Sanctum Sanctorum.  So, they have the visuals right - if the story and performances are up to par, this could be very cool indeed.

Doctor Fate and Doctor Strange in: "Salvation in the Sewers!" (Part 1)

The Doctor Strange movie is starting to take shape and more casting has been announced.  With Chewetel Ejiofor as Baron Mordo and Tilda Swinton as The Ancient One joining Benedict Cumberbatch's Stephen Strange, there is going to be a lot of acting talent on display and I am looking forward to it.  I hope to hear about Wong and Clea casting soon.

Strange and Fate have crossed paths before - in STF #549 they fought side by side, while in STF #30,  they were at odds with one another.

This story is not over, Tune in tomorrow for the thrilling conclusion!

Howard The Duck Vs. Darth Vader

The one character that the new Fantastic Four reboot has kept under wraps is Doctor Doom, although production images have leaked out that do not fill me with confidence.  This looks to be another cinematic outing where the character will not get his due, and that puzzles me.  Look at Darth Vader, he's got the cape, armor, attitude and un-moving mask -  and is considered to be one of the most iconic and cool villains in cinema history.  There really is no reason Doom could not be realized on screen just as effectively.

The Coven

With Constantine set to premiere this week, Scarlet Witch joining the cinematic Avengers and Doctor Strange about to be cast, magical super-heroics are poised to become the next big thing.  It will be interesting to see how each characters abilities are manifested onscreen, as special effects can really give their incantations and spells an extra visual kick.  I just hope that the magic portrayed follows some sort of set of rules, and isn't used simply as anything-goes deus ex machina plot devices.

Doctor Strange and Doctor Fate in "...And the Rat Shall Inherit!"

I featured a more Golden Age style cover that paired these two mystics in an early issue of my STF run, and I thought I would go for a Bronze Age vibe this time.  And if you think that a giant rodent isn't enough of a challenge for these powerful mages, well you've obviously never been in the New York City subway system!  They grow 'em big down there!