Mister Terrific Vs. The Leader

 

This would be an interesting battle - more about matching wits than throwing fists - although I wouldn't mind it if Michael Holt got a nice right cross in at the end of the story.

The Creeper and Venom

 

If you are wondering why The Creeper has it out for Norman Osborn, he's held a grudge ever since they clashed in STF #1674.  He also face off against another Symbiote, Carnage, in STF #4507.

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:

Venom becomes Dr. Fate

 

Doctor Fate has one of the most classic helmets in comics, and to me it's perfect. Of course, Hollywood decided they had to put their stamp upon it.  I don't know who approved the asymmetrical, eyehole-free, dented up design of Fate's helmet for the Black Adam movie, but I think it's a visual misfire in an attempt to make it look cooler.  Combine that with The Rock making zero effort to duplicate the iconic hairstyle and pointed ears of the titular character and I see a movie that doesn't seem to care much for fidelity to the source material. I hope to be pleasantly surprised, but the trailers have made me less interested in the movie rather than more.

X-Men Vs. Infinity, Inc.

 

Infinity Inc. was a well designed team, I really liked all of their costumes.  Well, maybe except for Nuklon's headwear - Come on, buddy - you have have a mohawk or a headband, but not both.  Pick a lane.

Northstar Joins Infinity, Inc.

With the Justice Society ready to  make their return to comics and DC continuity, I am hoping that Infinity Inc. can find some love as well.  There are too many good characters on that team to let them flounder about in limbo.  Maybe a title that deals with both teams and their familial relations could be cool.

Man-Bat Vs. The Lizard

Man-Bat remains for me the Batman family character that I most want to show up in the new Robert Pattinson led movie.  With five rumored villains, surely there is room for him.  If he can't be included in the mix, then maybe he could be included as part of the roster for the long in development Justice League Dark movie, as he has been a member of that team in the comics.  Special effects technology is finally at a place where Kirk Langstrom's bestial alter ego can finally be done justice, so I hope he finds a live action home soon.

Spawn Vs. Ragman

It sounds like a new Spawn movie is finally going to happen after years of teases.  Todd McFarlane himself will be directing with Jamie Foxx in the title role and Jeremy Renner as Detective Twitch.  Mcfarlane promises more of a horror film feel and less of a superhero vibe for the movie.  Even with all of the 1990's CGI that does not hold up today, I still kind of liked the first attempt when it was released, and it will be interesting to see the differences that a come about as a result of twenty years passing and having the actual creator behind the camera.

Coming tomorrow - STF #2300!

Madman Vs. The Juggernaut

The best rivalries in comics for me are the ones that feature the most disparate personalities, like Batman/Joker or Captain America/Red Skull.  For that reason I think that the idea of these two guys clashing could be a lot of fun.  A single-minded villain with a permanent bad mood against comics' most laid back and groovy hero would make for some interesting conflict.

Spawn Vs. Venom

Todd McFarlane had done some DC work that I was aware of with Infinity Inc. and the Invasion! mini-series, but it wasn't until he exploded on to the Spider-Man titles that I really began to take notice of his work.  His experimentation with panel layouts and character design propelled Spidey to new heights and really struck a chord with comic fans in the middle of the 90's boom.  I've been impressed with McFarlane's work with various movie and sports related action figures as well.  He has really elevated the art form there.

Spider-Man Vs. Two Face

I remember being so excited when I heard that Two-Face was going to be one of the villains in Batman Forever.  He's my favorite Batman villain and he had yet to make the leap to live action or animation at that point.  I was very disappointed with what wound up on screen, a Two-Face that bore very little resemblance to the comic book character.  A laughing, dancing, mugging at the camera Harvey Dent was nothing anyone needed to see.  Don't get me started on the lazy make up job, where they just painted teeth on Tommy Lee Jones' cheek.  Needless to say, I was thrilled with Christopher Nolan's version of the character.  Aaron Eckhart performed the role very well and the effects to create his scarred visage looked great.  My only real complaint was that Two Face's entire career only lasted a couple of hours.  After all the work to set up the character, he should have gotten a little more to do.

Spider-Man and The Fly

Archie Comics' cast of superhero characters seem to resurface every few years with a new take on them.  I remember liking some of DC's Impact comics line when they had ownership of the characters many years back.  The Fly stood out to me as it was my introduction to the great artwork of the late Mike Parobeck. It looks like the Crusaders are back in yet another incarnation, and I quite like the new designs - more on that tomorrow, because this story will be continued then...

Batman and Wolverine

Out of all of the Marvel/DC crossovers, I can't believe this one has not happened yet. Yes, I know there were those two Dark Claw comics that sprang out of the Amalgam concept from DC Vs Marvel, and presented a smooshed up version of the two heroes - but I am talking about a true team-up between Logan and Bruce Wayne. I mean, put halfway decent creators on the title and it would be like printing money. Hopefully if the companies enter more cooperative times, we will finally see this pairing one day.

Wolverine is undoubtedly a great character, but the overexposure got to such a degree that I stopped caring about his adventures as a whole a few years back. The fact that he is a member of the Avengers now is just so silly to me. With him hanging out with so much of the Marvel Universe, it takes away so much of the danger and mystery that made him appealing in the first place.

I like Hugh Jackson's portrayal of Logan for the most part, even though he cries a little too much and is way too tall. The films he has appeared in have been a mixed bag, my least favorite being the solo Wolverine film. I have much higher hopes for the sequel though, given the director (Darren Aronofsky) and the fact that it looks as though it will follow the storyiline of the original Claremont/Miller Wolverine mini-series.