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! 

The STF 4000th ISSUE BLOCKBUSTER!

Welcome to the 4000th cover for Super-Team Family: The Lost Issues!  When you count the B&B and MTIO covers that I began with, the total comes to 4510 covers.  It's been just about 13 years of daily work, but it's been a fun ride thanks to all of the enthusiasm and support from visitors to the blog. This year was especially nice, with STF: The Lost Issues getting a segment in The Team-Up Companion from TwoMorrows Publishing, quite an honor.  I truly appreciate everyone who stops by to check out my daily covers, especially those who take the time to comment and let me know what they think and offer praise, constructive criticism and suggestions.  The biggest thank you of course must go out to the Patrons of this blog.  Your support has meant the world to me and a huge reason why the blog has lasted so long. 

In addition to the main cover here featuring a meeting between two teams that I have been meaning to get to for years, I've prepared some special features.   You know, it's too bad that legal red tape prevents me from selling any STF-related merchandise on this blog, but it got me thinking.  What are some of the cool STF-Inspired tie-in items that might have appeared over the years?  Let's see some of the greatest STF Swag that never existed - but should have!

Your All-New Saturday Line-Up!

I presented some Saturday Morning cartoons as part of the special features in my special features for STF #3000, and I wanted to expand the concept here.  Most of these new shows are based on previous STF adventures:

Adam Strange joined Star Wars in STF #3343...

Shazam met Shazzan in STF #1178...

Dick Tracy hunted Spider-Man in STF #1080...

Johnny Quest and Tintin Shared a two-part tale in STF #186 and STF #187...

and Aquaman and Sub-Mariner have a long history on the blog, they last appeared together with The Defenders in STF #3927, they battled Mer-Mutates in STF #2270, tried to avert war in Issue #1105, faced the sea's wrath back in Issue #751 and starred in my very first STF two-parter in Issue #3 and Issue #4.

That should make for a fun Saturday Morning, but there's no reason you can't get into the STF fun on school days with the...

Scooby-Doo: Marvel Madness Lunch Box!

After School, it's time to relax with a board game, perhaps one that's based on STF's longest running romance:

The Captain America & Wonder Woman Game!

They certainly have a history on this blog - this marks the 30th appearance of the WW/Cap Romance!

If it's a newer game you are looking for, maybe it's time for a round of...

Superman Vs. The Hulk Rock-'Em Sock-'Em Robots!

That's fun, but it's time for something even more advanced:

The Superman and Spider-Man Video Game!

And don't miss out on the fully articulated...

STF Action Figures!

Ah, what could have been.  Maybe such crossovers will never happen but here on the blog I'm going to try to keep on presenting them to you.  Thanks again for visiting and all of the support over the years.  Let the march to STF #5000 begin!

Zatanna and Agatha Harkness

 

We are starting to hear some news about the upcoming Disney+ series Agatha: House of Harkness with the casting of Aubrey Plaza in a thus far unnamed role.  I have no idea what the plat of the show will be, but I enjoyed Kathryn Hahn quite a bit in Wanda/Vision, so I am looking forward to seeing what trouble she gets into.  Will Wanda herself make an appearance after the events of Multiverse of Madness?  I haven't heard that yet, but she's sure to be a presence story-wise at least, I'm betting.

Groot and BB-8

 

The characters introduced in the third Star Wars trilogy were hit and miss with me, but one that I really got a kick out of was BB-8.  I was very impressed with his simple yet effective design, and really liked all the personality that was put into the droid.  Best of all, he was realized mostly practically, which made him feel all the more real on screen.

Popeye and Thor

 

I thought it would be fun to put these two characters up, and didn't realize until I was in the middle of creating this cover that their outfits were so color coordinated.  It's just a pure coincidence, but they really do look like they go together. Let's just hope Thor doesn't use Mjolnir to summon a storm the next time Popeye says, "Well, blow me down!"

Justice League of America and Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends (And More!)

Wow, already up to STF #2300!  To think my original goal was to get to 500 covers.  I have been glad to see some comics titles that have been stopped and re-started with new first issues have gone back to their original numbering.  There's something very cool about seeing solicits for Action Comics with issue numbers in the 1000's.  Plus, as a collector, all that re-numbering made keeping them in order a pain!

Black Canary and She-Hulk

Arrow now has a third Black Canary on the show, Dinah Drake.  I like the new actress and that the character possesses a canary cry, unlike the previous versions. Just don't confuse her with the first Black Canary o n the program, who died, then got better and became the White Canary on DC's Legends of Tomorrow... or the second Black Canary, who took over for the first one (her sister) before she also died... or the Black Siren, who is also currently appearing on the show and looks identical to the second Black Canary because she is her evil counterpart from an alternate dimension. See, it's simple!

These two first met way back in STF #119...

Black Canary and Wolverine

I recently picked up a copy of Black Canary and Zatanna: Bloodspell by Paul Dini and Joe Quinones on a whim and found it to be a blast.  It did a great job of spotlighting the differences between the two heroes and the story moved with action and humor at a breezy pace.  I am a big fan of Joe Quinones' art and he impresses again here, both characters have rarely looked better.  I highly recommend it for anyone who likes Zee or Dinah.

Batman and U.S.Agent

This is one of those pairings that I have wanted to do for years, since the early days of Brave and the Bold: The Lost Issues, but I never got around to it until now.  I am not sure of what U.S.Agent's current status is in the Marvel Universe, but I have enjoyed his appearances throughout the years.  I especially liked when he would work with Captain America's usual allies, and seeing their reaction to a shield-slinger with a decidedly different personality.

Stargirl and Captain Marvel

Ever since The Death of Captain Marvel, Marvel has wondered what to do with the name of their fallen hero, and it has gone through several characters.  Monica Rambeau, Genis Vell, and others have taken on the title, but nobody ever seemed to hold on to the name for very long.  Finally, Carol Danvers was promoted from Ms. Marvel to Captain Marvel, while passing on her moniker to a new young heroine.  This I think is my favorite solution so far, it just feels right.