Hourman and The Rocketeer

 

The Rocketeer is a movie I like to rewatch every few years.  It still holds up amazingly well, the performances, plot and score still engage me. There are a few greenscreen flying sequences that have not stood the test of time but, that's about the only complaint I have.  I'd love to see a remastered version where those effects are cleaned up.

Hourman and Spider-Man in: "Rex to the Rescue!"

One reason I always had a soft spot for Hourman was his somewhat baggy mask.  Most other heroes had form fitting masks that clung perfectly to their heads. Rex Tyler's looked more like something I would have come up with at home when trying to make a superhero mask out of a winter hat or something.  It made him kind of relatable.

These two heroes previously met in STF #1834, and first crossed paths back in STF #578,,,

 

Hourman and She-Hulk

 

Just why would a founding JSA member and a gamma-induced Avenger join forces to confront a tyrant on the other side of the galaxy? I'm not sure... but I would have been willing to shell out sixty cents to find out!

Hourman and Wolverine

 

Usually I try to come up with some dialogue or a caption and a story title at this point, but there was not a lot of real estate left in the final image.  Besides, knowing that Rex and Logan would be kicking ninja butt would be enough for me to want to pick this issue up without any extra enticement.

Hourman meets Giant-Man and The Wasp

 

Hourman originally met this pair in a back-up tale in STF #3408, and I thought that tale deserved a full length sequel. Plus, it gave me the excuse to use an Olympics related title.

Hourman and The Shadow

 

I wonder how The Shadow would have worked with the first mystery men of The JSA.  In some ways he was even more grim than Batman - he had no issue with using guns, for one thing.  Still, The Spectre was a founding member, and he's about as grim and lethal as you can get, so maybe Lamont Cranston could have found a home on the team.

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?

Hourman and Daredevil in: "Raising Grundy!"

 

These guys definitely went to the same tailor.  Whoever it was probably figured that Matt Murdock wouldn't notice he was getting a hand me down look from Rex Tyler! These two previously appeared together in these our fits in STF #3220, and first met back in STF #2892...

Green Lantern and the Hulk / Hourman Vs. Giant-Man

 

I've always liked a good back up story in comics.  They were usually as good as the lead feature (unlike many of the "B" sides to record singles that I would pick up).  Some of my favorites were Elongated man solo adventures in Detective Comics, Whatever happened to...? in DC Comics Presents, and Green Lantern or Firestorm in The Flash.  

Hourman and Daredevil in: "Pre-Dawn Partnership!"

 

I paired these two together in STF #2892, but I wanted to revisit this combo for a slightly earlier adventure, so that I could use Daredevil's original costume.  Until looking at them side by side, I never realized how similar their looks were. I'm guessing that DD would draw the line at wearing a cape though!

Human Torch and Hourman

 

Like many, I was surprised at the return of The Red Skull in the last two Avengers movies, as I had heard that Hugo Weaving did not want to return to the character.  It turns out that it wasn't Weaving at all, but Ross Marquand seamlessly stepping into the role.  It's no wonder that he was so convincing, from interviews I have seen with him from his work on The Walking Dead, Marquand is a gifted impressionist. Add in the talents of the make-up and CGI artists, and the transformation was complete.

Hourman and Thor

I'm glad to see that Hourman is one of the JSA members that will be in action in the present day on the upcoming Stargirl CW series.  I've always thought that the character had potential for a show of his own.  Maybe if the show is a big hit we'll get a spinoff one of these days.

Daredevil and Hourman

It will be interesting to see Lou Ferrigno Jr. carrying on the family superhero mantle when he takes on the role of Hourman in the upcoming Stargirl series.  Hopefully he will have a sizable role, I'd like to see the hero better realized than he was in DC's Legends of Tomorrow. Some distant set photos indicate that his costume will be close to the comics, so that's a good sign.

X-Men Vs. The Justice Society in: "Crisis in Westchester!"

When I was a kid, I regarded characters like Kal-L, Jay Garrick, Stephen Strange and Reed Richards as "elder statesmen" in the world of comic heroes because they looked older than their contemporaries due to their distinguished grey/white sideburns.  Well, now my own personal grey sideburns are getting quite prominently, and I feel neither elder not like a statesman!  I feel like the same goofy comics fan just trying to get through life without messing things up.  Where has the time gone?

The JSA and X-Men have met a couple of times before.  They were manipulated by Apocalypse in STF #1675, and first crossed paths in STF #1400...

The Thing and Hourman

This was a pairing that I had always meant to get to in my MTIO: The Lost Issues days, but never did.  I still think that a hero that has powers, but only for an hour at a time could make for a great series - it's too bad that Hourman was completely wasted on DC's Legends of Tomorrow, and we never even got to see that aspect of his abilities.

The Fantastic Four and The Justice Society of America

These two are both overdue for a return, and it looks as though fans may get their wish.  Jay Garrick's return in the recent Batman/Flash crossover gives hope that all of the original JSAers will finally come back as well.  a new Marvel-Two-In-One Series promises at least Ben and Johnny have a home again at Marvel. Hopefully we'll see the full rosters of both soon back in print and action.

Captain America and Hourman

It looks as though Sam Wilson is returning to his Falcon identity in the comics, leading the path clear for Steve Rogers to once again assume the mantle once this huge "Cap as a sleeper Hydra Agent" Secret Empire event is completed.  It will be nice to see him restored to the title.  I don't mind storylines like this, they happened when I was a kid as well - the difference is, they would only take an issue or two to play out, not 12-18 months, as is the norm these days.

Spider-Man and Hourman in: "Detour Into Detonation!"

The full Spider-Man: Homecoming trailer has been released, and frankly, if you haven't seen it, don't watch it.  It seemed like one of those trailers that give away far too much of the plot.  It did look cool, and the inclusion of Iron Man will keep it fresh after five previous Spidey flicks (sort of a live-action issue of Marvel Team-Up).  I like the take on The Vulture as a scavenger of tech from leftover super-battles.  I'll definitely check this out in the theater and hope there are still a few surprises left.

These two first crossed paths back in STF #578,,,

Hourman and The X-Men in: "The Rex Factor!"

I was all excited when Hourman appeared at the end of the first season of DC's Legends of Tomorrow, but I have to I was disappointed with what was actually done with him.  Rather than become a new member of the team. he was unceremoniously killed off before he got to do anything heroic.  Hopefully, given the time-travel nature of the show, the indignity can be undone some day.

Hourman faced off against the original team of X-Men in one of my very first STF covers...

Hourman Vs. The Hulk

I can't wait to see Hourman in action as a regular cast member of DC's Legends of Justice.  I always though that his gimmick - super abilities for only an hour at a time - was perfect for a TV series.  I was thinking more along the lines of a solo show, but this will be cool too - especially as it has been hinted that he will be introducing more members of the JSA during the upcoming season.