THE STF 5000th ISSUE CELEBRATION!

Welcome to the 5000th issue of STF: The Lost issues!  Many of the covers presented here have not only crossed over characters from different companies, but from different timelines as well.  There has been speculation that these encounters were the result of an ongoing war between a pair of time tyrants.  As you can see above, the rumors are true!

When you count the B&B and MTIO covers that preceded STF, I have posted 5510 covers so far.  Needless to say, I have never used AI to create them and never and I never will - all I need is Photoshop and the inspiration and encouragement from visitors to this blog!

Time for some Special Features!  First up, let's take a look at larger versions of the stories presented here:

An All-New Saturday Morning Line-Up!  I'd definitely get up early to catch these STF-Inspired shows:

Now for some STF-Related merchandise.  There have been some cool playsets for comic book fans, but what would have been great was one that combined the two greatest superhero teams:

Or How about a Playset featuring one of STF's oldest teams - Robo-Force?

STF: The Lost Issues generally features pre-existing characters, but I have created a few for the blog.  Here are Action Figures for a couple of them.  First up, from a trio of Dick Tracy/Rocketeer team ups, is that unfortunate informant that everyone in the underworld wants to off - Rats McTattler!

And what young fan of STF: The Lost Issues wouldn't want an action figure of its greatest recurring villain - Mr. Universe!

Time to kick back with a classic board game - How about one featuring the two most popular characters from DC and Marvel?

And for younger kids, here's a Colorforms Set that combines heroes from DC and Marvel:

And with that, we close out another Mega-Anniversary Issue.  Thank you to all of the visitors over the years, especially the Patrons, who have help keep this blog running for over 15years of daily covers! If you would like to support the blog you can join them here.  Make sure you come back tomorrow and every day, there are lots more covers coming - featuring surprising new team ups, new and returning teams, characters making their STF Debuts, and more!   

Galactus Vs. Jor-El

 

Jor-El could really rock that headband.  He's had a lot of looks over the years from John Byrne's futuristic reimagining to Marlon Brando's shiny pajamas, but I still prefer the classic colorful outfit.  Plus, it explains why Superman eventually dresses the way he does.

Jor-El Vs. Kang

I can't imagine that Marvel Studios wants to go with another time travel plot line any time soon after that was such a major part of Avengers: Endgame. Still, they finally have the rights to use Kang, and he is just too good a villain to leave on the shelf.  Where would the best place be for him to show up? He'll definitely come in handy if Chris Evans or Robert Downey Jr. ever change their minds about returning to the MCU!

Superman and Thor in "Sins of the Sons!"

Back in Issue #155, I presented a Jor-El and Odin team up and I always wanted to do a sequel - so here it is!

Superman and Thor have of course shared other STF covers:

in Issue #994, they shared an all-Kirby classic...

In Issue #949, they battled Amazo and the Taskmaster...

In Issue #31, they squared off against Mongul...

and they first crossed paths way back in Issue #17.

The New Mutants and Jor-El.

One of the surprises for me in watching Man of Steel was Russel Crowe's performance as Jor-El.  I came in with lowered expectations because I had just seen the man almost single-handedly destroy the film adaptation of Les Miserables (he is a talented actor, but his singing voice leaves much to be desired).  I thought he handled the role of Superman's birth father well, and I was not expecting him to have so much screen time.  I especially liked the extended opening sequence on Krypton, it was cool to see Crowe in full action hero mode again.  I wouldn't have minded a whole film set on Krypton from what I saw there, it was a visual feast.

Jor-El and Odin

It will be interesting to see the new take on Jor-El in next summer's Man of Steel.  With the casting of Russell Crowe in the role, you know that it is not a throwaway part and there should be at least one or two meaty scenes featuring Superman's dad.  I look forward to Anthony Hopkins is returning with the rest of the cast in Thor: The Dark World, as he was one of the highlights of the first film for me.  Let's hope he gets to stay awake for the whole film this time!