Skyrocket and The Invaders

 

DC Comics may have forgotten about Skyrocket, but I haven't.  She's too cool of a character to keep on the shelf.  Hopefully they will realize her worth and create a comic that can present her further adventures.

Human Torch and Cyborg

 

In this, his 10th appearance, Mr. Universe proves that a truce with him was never going to last.  Let's hope that Victor and Johnny can turn STF's signature villain back before he returns to full power!

Fantastic Four and Power Girl

 She would make a formidable addition to the team!  Power Girl and She-Hulk have a history on this blg.  They first met in STF #1482, They faced the Psycho Pirate in STF#3743, and were last seen battling Mr. Universe in STF #4580...

Fantastic Four and Amanda Waller

 

This is an example of where I had an image to use, but the printing quality on it was low. In those cases, I have to "recolor" through use of the clone stamp tool.  It can be time consuming, but it is a necessary step for a cohesive cover.  Wouldn't you know it, for this particular splash page, I did find a nice crisp clear image of it just a couple of days after I had completed the cover!  I could have saved myself a lot of time if I had found that sooner!  Here's a look at the behind the scenes progress:

The Unknown Soldier and The Human Torch in: "The Informant and the Automaton!"

 

The Unknown Soldier was a great concept for a war comic.  There are so many real life heroes from wartime that the general public will never know of.  For me, this fictional soldier's anonymity seemed to pay tribute to all the sacrifices made by those whose deeds will never get the proper credit that they deserve.

These two heroes first met in STF #3404...

Fantastic Four and Hawkman

 

Of all the DC characters that I wish I had seen Jack Kirby illustrate more, Hawkman would be at the top of the list.  He worked on the character in the Super Powers mini-series, and a sketch or two - and I really loved his take on the winged wonder.  How cool would it have been to see Kirby really let loos with a Hawkman series of his own?

Fantastic Four and The Authority

 

With The Engineer set to make an appearance in the upcoming Superman movie, it looks like James Gunn is serious about bringing the entire Authority team to the big screen. I do remember really the first few years of stories in their original comic. They were pretty much on their own though, it will be interesting to see how they fit into a world populated with DC heroes.

Red Tornado and Human Torch Vs. Terrax

 

Red Tornado and Johnny Storm were two of the heroes that Jamie Madrox used the H-Dial to become in STF #4496, and I thought it would be cool for them to actually share an adventure together.  I needed an Earth-based villain, and Terrax suited the job nicely.

Human Torch Vs. Enemy Ace / Unknown Soldier and Miss America

 

With recent rumors of a Sgt. Rock movie featuring Daniel Craig making the rounds, I wonder what other DC Comics' war stars could be featured in such a project.  I'd love to See The Unknown Soldier or Mademoiselle Marie show up, but I'd be satisfied with the rest of Easy Company.  Let's hope this film comes to fruition rather than fade away like the Stephen Spielberg Blackhawk movie plans from a few years ago.

Human Torch and Metamorpho

 

As I had hoped, Metamorpho will be getting a push now that he will be getting his live action debut in the upcoming Superman movie. DC Comics has announced the first ongoing Metamorpho comic in decades.  Let's hope it can reach the heights of the Bob Haney/Ramona Fradon classic series.

Dial "H" For Hero and Madrox (as 4 Famous Co-Stars!)

When Comics' Legend Tony Isabella (also a Patron of this blog), suggested a cover featuring Jamie Madrox using his duplicates to create an army of heroes to take on a larger threat, I wasn't sure quite how I would be able to pull it off.  It was such a fun concept that I had to try, though. Four heroes isn't an army, but at least it's a start. Thanks, Tony! 

Bulletman and The Human Torch

 

When I was a kid I thought that Bulletman had a much higher profile than he actually did.  I mean, he had his own action figure after all!  Alas, I only got to see him in action in a few Shazam-related guest appearances over the years.  I still thought he was pretty cool, though, and always got a kick out it when he would indeed show up in a story.

The Fantastic Four and Four Famous Co-Stars

 

It was fun coming up with a DC Comics analogue of the Fantastic Four.  What better issue to feature them in than in than STF #4444? This seems like the kind of tale that might have shown up in a FF Annual back in the 70's or 80's.

The Demon and The Invaders

 

They say that war is Hell, after all - so why wouldn't Jack Kirby's demonic creation get caught up in an Invaders mission?

This cover required a bit of prep work before I could add Etrigan into the mix.  Here's a look at the behind the scenes progress:

Fantastic Four Vs. The Metal Men

 

For this Anniversary Issue, I knew The Fantastic Four would have to be involved.  I figured this would be a good opportunity to present a match-up that I have wanted to get to for a while now and have them share an adventure with The Metal Men. Here's a closer look at the individual stories:

Firestorm and The Human Torch in: "World's Fair Time Warp!"

 

Firestorm first met Jim Hammond way back in STF #585, and I thought it was high time to revisit that pairing.  When I saw the chance to make it an all-Alex Ross cover, I was even more inspired. 

Fantastic Four and The Spectre in: "Ghost Intervention!"

 

I hope all who celebrate have a great Thanksgiving today, and those visiting STF: The Lost Issues from outside of the US have a great Thursday!

The Spectre has encountered The Fantastic Four previously on this blog.  He passed judgment on Reed Richards in STF #3721, and shared and adventure with the team in The Negative Zone in STF #1046...

Human Torch and The Metal Men

 

It's crazy how many rumors have come and gone regarding the casting of the new Fantastic Four. Joseph Quinn from the latest season of Stranger Things seems to be the current frontrunner to play Johnny Storm.  While I really enjoyed his performance, it might be a little jarring to see him as Johnny, since many have pointed out that he looks a lot like a young Robert Downey Jr.

The Invaders and The Trinity

 When Richard Graef suggested having this pair of heroic trios share an adventure together, I thought that it would be the perfect way for the WW/Cap romance to celebrate the 4th of July (in their 30th appearance on the blog).  Thanks, Richard!  I hope all of the American visitors to this blog are having a nice holiday with family and friends today!

Coming tomorrow: STF #4100!

Fantastic Four and Green Lantern in: "Judgment From Korugar!"

 

Time for another all-John Byrne cover.  Let's hope the upcoming MCU versions look at least half as cool as when Byrne illustrated them.

GL and The FF have met on the blog before  - the last time GL was under an evil control... before that, it was the FF that were possessed... but at least they were working together during their first meeting.