Nova and The Ray

 

With two brightly glowing heroes zipping through the cosmos, I think that this would be a visually interesting tale to depict - and a fun one to read about!

The Freedom Fighters Vs. The Avengers (100-Page Giant!)

 

Looks like we have another full-issue throwdown on our hands!  Let's hope they can sort out their differences and all get together for a slam bang finale in the last 10 pages!  Here are some closer looks at the stories included in this Anniversary Issue:

The Champions and The Ray

 

the MCU is supposedly going to concentrate more on the "big gun" heroes and teams for a while going forward, so I guess I won't be holding my breath for a Champions movie announcement any time soon.  It's too bad, they finally have the rights to all the characters! 

The Light Brigade in: "To Save the Shadow-Thief!"

 

For this, the fifth appearance of The Light Brigade, I thought I would include one of my all time favorite villains.  His simple concept and look really appealed to me as a kid, and it didn't hurt that I first saw him illustrated by the legendary Joe Kubert.

Cannonball and The Ray

 

When you count the Brave and the Bold and Marvel Two-In-One covers that I began with, this marks the 5000th cover on the blog!

Here are another two heroes that have power sets that go well together.  Place them in a story that requires their special talents and you would have a fast paced page turner on your hands.

Freedom Fighters and Agents of Atlas

 

Between the Golden Age and Modern Ages of heroes, these were two teams that held down the fort. I have enjoyed both their original appearances as well as the modern revivals of both of these groups.  I'd love to see a story set in the 50's or 60's or even the present day that includes them both.

Spider-Man and The Ray

 

Spider-Man goes with just about anyone, and I like it when he meets other heroes close to his age.  I think he and Ray Terrill would get along for the most part - unless a situation like the one depicted above were to arise.

The New Warriors and Infinity, Inc. (and more!)

 

I like making these Anniversary Issues as homages to the 100-Page Giants that I devoured as a kid.  Sometimes, though, I really have to shrink some of the images to fit the confines of the cover.  So here, I will show you larger versions for all of the individual stories included above:

The Light Brigade Vs. Dark Matter (and more!)

 

Since the timing for a new Team Cover coincides with an Anniversary Issue, I thought that it was only fitting that I had two STF teams facing off against one another.  Combining the 4th appearance of The Light Brigade with the 3rd appearance of Dark Matter seemed like natural choices given their opposite natures and the Cloak & Dagger connection.  For the back-up tale, I finally teamed Batman with comics' first character, something I have been meaning to do for years.

The Ray and Sunspot

I have to agree with an observation made in the comments to a previous cover by Blog Patron Bob Greenwade - these two really do look like they go together.  Depicted as pitch black figures that nevertheless give off glowing energy when they are powered up, they each provide a dynamic visual to go along with their heroic exploits.  I can imagine a story in which they would seek one another out due to their similarities in appearance and abilities.

The Light Brigade in: "Illuminating Evil!"

I'm hoping that we get a full trailer soon for WandaVision.  Despite delays, the series is still set to debut on Disney+ before the end of the year.  I mostly want to see how Monica Rambeau looks, and if they manage to give her a costume close to her classic appearance from the comics.

This is the Third Appearance of The Light Brigade - they previously battled Blackheart in STF #2690, and first appeared in STF #2170...

Jack of Hearts and The Ray

The Ray is another one of DC's great legacy characters.  I remember his introductory mini-series coming seemingly from nowhere and really impressing me.  Joe Queseda designed two very cool looks for him, both while powered up and powered down.  I always expected bigger things for him, but for some reason he's remained on the C List of superheroes.  I think he was last seen hanging with the new Freedom Fighters, which is a fitting home considering the first Ray belonged to the original group.

The Light Brigade (Vs. Blackheart!)

I was not expecting the adult Monica Rambeau to make her MCU debut until a Captain Marvel sequel, but it won't take that long.  She is scheduled to be a supporting character in the upcoming Disney+ show Wanda Vision.  Will she gain her superhuman abilities in that show?  I hope so, I can't wait to see her using her powers in live action.

The Light Brigade first appeared in STF #2170...

Nova and The Ray

The Ray was out of the spotlight for a while but I am glad to see that DC has given him a bit of a push in the past few years.  He's had his own animated show on the CW Seed, has appeared in live action on DC's Legends of Tomorrow (although I wish he had stuck around), and in the comics he is currently a member of the Justice League of America.  I've liked him since his introduction and it's good to see him getting around.

The Light Brigade

Ever since I created Dark Matter, a team that specialized in the use of darkness and shadow, I have been meaning to put together a group of heroes with light-based abilities to balance them out.  It's good to know that these characters are getting more exposure lately.  There have been versions of Doctor Light and The Ray on the DC CW shows, Monica Rambeau is strongly rumored to be appearing in the upcoming Captain Marvel, Dagger has an upcoming series on Freeform, and Lightray will be a part of Ava Duvernay's New Gods film.

The Ray and Cyclops

Joe Queseda may be synonymous with Marvel Comics these days but I first took note of him in a mini series updating classic hero The Ray for modern readers.  I liked his artistic style and made a point to check out his future work.  I like the new version of the Ray too, and it's too bed he never became I bigger star.  I even enjoyed his later membership in an updated Freedom Fighters and I hope we haven't seen the last of him.

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.