Showing posts with label Human Torch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Human Torch. Show all posts
Monday, October 1, 2012
The Fantastic Four and Tom Strong
There aren't a lot of heroes that would be a true intellectual match for Reed Richards, but I think Tom Strong could give him a run for his money. I have always thought that it would be a challenge to write for super-genius type characters, but writers like Stan Lee and Alan Moore did a great job at it. Lee and Kirby provided Reed with an unending supply of futuristic inventions and Alan Moore layered one amazing concept onto another for Tom Strong's adventures. I guess that it's no surprise that such brilliant creators were able to write so well for high-IQ characters.
Friday, June 29, 2012
The Flash and The Invaders
This is a story that I think I would need Roy Thomas to write. If there's anyone who can come up with a World War II epic that features time travel, The Invaders, Doctor Doom and two Flashes, he's the guy. He'd make it all fit into continuity, too! Thomas' vast knowledge of history and comic book history shows through in all his writing.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Martian Manhunter Vs. The Human Torch
I remember being fascinated by the Fantastic Four cartoon that was part of The Amazing World of Hanna-Barbera. I had seen the Super Friends, but this was something different - it was the first time I had seen a cartoon show that adapted actual stories from the comics. Add in the Kirby design work and it was like a comic book coming to life. Unfortunately, the FF was part of a rotating cast on the show and I only caught a few episodes. It would be decades before I tracked down some shaky VHS copies and was able to see all the episodes (and I'm still waiting for a nice DVD/Blu-Ray collection). I remember being excited when I heard the FF was returning to Saturday mornings a few years later, but to my dismay there was no Human Torch in the new version due to a rights dispute. It took a long time to see Martian Manhunter on the small screen, but he has made up for it by appearing on multiple shows since his debut on Justice League.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
The Freedom Fighters and The Invaders
You have to love a big sprawling superhero wartime story. Unfortunately, judging by the solicitations, it looks like the new Earth Two series from DC will be taking place during current times, severing the JSA from the backdrop of World War II once and for all. While I can understand the desire to modernize their line, I think they are letting go of a big part of the appeal of the Goden Age characters. I always enjoy seeing superhero period pieces and even when those characters are brought into present day, it's cool to see how they interact with others, given their sensibilities from a bygone era.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Challengers of the Unknown and The Fantastic Four
OK, this on wasn't going to be posted for a while, but folks were asking about pairing these two teams so I decided to move it up in the rotation. There are certainly similarities between these jumpsuit-wearing foursomes, and it would be cool to see them in one big story together. I remember getting a kick out of the amalgamated Challengers of the Fantastic that spun out of the Marvel/DC crossover (indeed those Amalgam issues are much more satisfying than the crossover itself). Both teams are looking good these days - The FF just had their 600th issue with the return of Johnny Storm and DC is currently publishing new Challengers stories with the talented pencils of Jerry Ordway.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Batman and The Human Torch (Retro)
Johnny Storm was recently killed off in the pages of The Fantastic Four (It was his turn, I think every other team member had "died" and returned at least once before). Of course, the death was off-panel, so it is almost certainly just a matter of time before hewill be resoted to life in some manner. There has been a flurry of promotion recently for the upcoming 600th issue and I wonder if that is where Johnny will make his return. It seems a bit obvious though, so I wouldn't e surprised if writer Jonathan Hickman throws a bit of a curve ball. Whatever happens, I fully expect Johnny to be back by the time the Fantastic Four reboot film hits theaters, gotta keep that corporate synergy intact!
Labels:
Batman,
Brave and the Bold,
DC Comics,
Human Torch,
Jack Kirby,
Marvel Comics,
Robin
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Batman and The Original Human Torch
I always thought that Jim Hammond, the original Human Torch was cooler than his silver age counterpart. The featurless face while in flame form made him look much more menacing, and when I found out he was an android that made him even more awesome to me! I am glad that Marvel finally decided to bring him out of retirement and have featured him in modern tales. I am surprised that he doesn't run into Johnny Storm more often though. You would think they would have a lot to talk about.
Labels:
Batman,
Bob Kane,
Brave and the Bold,
Bruce Timm,
DC Comics,
Human Torch,
Jim Hammond,
Marvel Comics,
Team Up
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Batman and The Invaders
I am a sucker for superhero period pieces so The Invaders was a concept that really appealed to me, it was Marvel's closest analogue to the JSA. Captain America, Namor and the original Human Torch were so different from one another that is was always cool to see them in action together.
Of all the announcements to come out of the upcoming Captain America movie the most intriguing tidbit is that the Invaders are slated to appear. I'm not sure which characters they will use or how long the team will be featured in the film, but it should be very cool to see these characters up on the screen. My guess is they will use some of the second string members like Spitfire and Union Jack.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Batman and The Human Torch
The Human Torch is a perfect concept for a superhero. A basic, instantly understandable power with a very interesting visual look. A man bursting into flame is a pretty frightening concept, but that is tempered by Johnny Storm's happy go lucky attitude. That same attitude makes him a great team member as well, either with his Fantastic Four co-stars or Spider-Man. Johnny's slight ego is a welcome character trait - I mean how many of us wouldn't feel a little puffed up if we actually possessed superhuman abilities? It's only natural but something that isn't touched on very much in comic book stories.
The advent and growth of computer coloring in the past 15 years or so has meant a lot of different looks for The Human Torch, as artists have experimented with various ways top represent flame on the printed page. Some have been pretty effective, and some quite garish. For my money, I still prefer the "lots of little lines" look that was the standard when I was growing up - that to me is the real Human Torch. I also do not care for it when artists get overly detailed and allows Johnny's hairstyle to show through while flamed on. That just never looks right to me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)








