Hawk & Dove and The Beast

 

I liked the fact that after their transformations into non-human forms, characters like Hank McCoy and Ben Grimm decided to lean into it and just wear trunks as their entire costume - they weren't hiding thier new appearances from the world!  It's too bad the movies aren't following suit, with Hank in his lab coat and now a fully suited Thing in Fantastic Four: First Steps.  Even The Hulk is completely dressed these days!

Guardians of the Galaxy Vs. Despero

 

Despero's return in the pages of Justice League really took me by surprise. It had been a few years and I had gotten used to the more humorous take on DC's premiere team - and then comes the Despero arc.  What was once a standard Silver Age alien villain came back in a way that was anything but humorous!  It was a welcome change for me, I was ready for some more serous action - and boy did he deliver!

Black Lightning Vs. The Green Goblin

 

I hope that Norman Osborn has developed some protective defenses against electrical attacks after working with criminals like Electro and The Shocker, or he's about to find out that Jefferson Pierce is not one to back down from a threat.  Black Lightning is used to having to deal with Tobias Whale, another powerful businessman with a megalomaniacal streak, so he's more than ready to take on the likes of the Green Goblin.

Power Girl and Power Man (Vs. The Enchantress!)

 

As we reach the mid-point of this Five-Part Epic, We see that The Enchantress is not done with her heartbreaking ways, and that makes for an unlucky thirteenth appearance of The Power Couple on this blog. We finally have a hint of a motive, however - what's this about her true love?  Make sure to come back tomorrow for the next chapter in this saga...

Spider-Woman and Batgirl

 

I spider-Woman the first Super-Heroine to ever get her own animated TV series?  I think she just may be, and it's more impressive that it came out only a couple of years after her comic book debut.  It's still odd to me that Wonder Woman has never had her own cartoon.

These two may have to do a little more than search the city.  Regular visitors to this blog know that Jim Gordon was called to the planet Mongo in STF #2535... 

Wolverine and Black Lightning in: "Barfight!"

 

Alas, no Wolverine or X-Men announcements at D23 this week.  I've heard repeated rumors that Marvel is looking at Taron Edgerton for the role.  I wasn't sure about that until I saw some recent pictures of him, where has clearly put on weight and is currently very physically fit.  I don't know if that's for another role or if he's prepping to play Logan, but he's definitely starting to look the part.

Wolverine and Black Lightning previously battle Sentinels in STF #3412...

Black Canary and Mantis

 

Mantis is the comics is an incredible martial artist - I'd like to see that a little more in the movies.  Maybe in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.  the MCU version will have picked up some new moves.  I have to admit though, I got a kick out of seeing Pom Klementieff posing like a praying mantis as she went into battle.

Black Canary here is by Trevor Von Eeden and Vince Colletta.  Von Eeden's work is always great, and in my opinion his Green Arrow is the best that character has ever looked.  I was lucky to be able to pick up a World's Finest page featuring a Von Eeden emerald archer many years back:

Black Lightning Vs. Aliens

 

It will be interesting to see what Disney/Marvel does with the Aliens and Predator properties now that they have the rights.  I imagine we will see more crossovers between the two monster franchises and Marvel heroes.  Will they stick to one-shots and mini-series, or will they perhaps be fully integrated into the Marvel Universe?  That might be a bit much.

Iron Man and Black Canary

 

There have been many attempts to put Black Canary in live action, but none have seemed like the comic character to me.   The first try was the campy Challenge of the Super-Heroes specials in the 70's, where at least the costume was spot on.  A version appeared in the first Birds of Prey TV show which was a young girl with vague psychic abilities.  I had high hopes for Black Canary on Arrow, but the hero was broken up into three or four version of the character, none which really reflected Dinah Lance from the comics.  Most recent was Jurnee Smollett's take, who fainted after a single use of the canary cry.  Black Canary seems like one of the easiest heroes to adapt to live action, maybe one of these days they'll get her just right.

Black Lightning and The West Coast Avengers

I wouldn't mind seeing some version of the West Coast Avengers in the MCU.  It would be a nice place to introduce characters like Tigra, Wonder Man and Mockingbird who maybe aren't high profile enough to have their own show or movie.  Maybe the Hawkeye series coming on Disney+ could plant the seeds for the group (while Clint is not training Kate Bishop, of course).

Black Lightning and Moon Knight

Moon Knight coming to Disney+ has me very excited and more than anything else will convince me to get a subscription.  There are still a lot of questions though.  With so many comics to choose from, which version of the character will we see?  Will he have the classic superhero suit or the more modern take with the white three piece suit?  And what of casting?  I've heard that they want a Jewish actor in the role and names like Shie LeBoeuf  and Andrew Garfield have been mentioned.  Hmmm, I'm not to sure about either of those choices.  Whoever they go with, it will be a very meaty role, considering the multiple personality angle.

Katana and Mantis

I enjoyed Mantis' inclusion in Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2, as her kind and innocent personality offset the rest of the often grumpy team.  I was surprised to see how much of a role she played in Avengers: Infinity War as well, I wasn't expecting that.  I do remember her being very gifted ant hand to hand combat in the comics, I'd like to see some of that showcased in her future appearances.

Black Lightning and The Falcon

The idea of a family of superheroes is an appealing one.  The Fantastic Four, The Incredibles, The First Family, even TV's short lived No Ordinary Family - I have found all of their adventures to be very entertaining.  Now, we have Jefferson Pierce and his daughters on the CW's Black Lightning.  I loved the first season and I can't wait to see where the series goes now that a three are embracing their heroic sides.

Black Lightning Vs. The Shocker

It was cool to see The Shocker in Spider-Man: Homecoming.  I'd have like to have seen him with a more comics-accurate costume, but at least there was a nod to the look above.  Now that Spidey has faced off against most of his A-list villains in his movies, it will be interesting to see who will show up next.  I'd love to see The Molten Man or The Beetle make appearances.

Black Panther and Black Lightning (Vs. the Hate Monger!)

After four episodes, Black Lightning has quickly jumped to the top of the CW DC Comics based series for me.  The cast is very engaging and the writing has not fallen into the same romantic melodrama that sometimes takes over the other shows.  I might tweak Black Lightning's mask a little, but so far that's the only nitpick that I have.  Black Panther is about to be a big success on the big screen, if the very positive advance reviews are any indication.  It's taken a while, but finally these heroes are getting the wider recognition that they have always deserved.

These two first joined forces in STF #1274...

Power Girl and Power Man in: "Poached... by the Parasite!"

The Parasite is a great villain because of his simple but very effective powers.  Having the ability to gain strength by draining energy from others  - and also gaining any super-power present in the process - makes him a versatile villain to write for.  Since he can absorb the traits any opponent that he can come in contact with, he can face off against heroes with a very wide range of power levels and it will still be an interesting fight.

This is the fourth appearance of The Power Couple -  They found a bounty on their heads in STF #1892,  faced the mob together in STF #773 and first met in STF #71...

Green Arrow and Hawkeye in: "The'Bots and the Bowmen"

Green Arrow and Hawkeye have met before on the blog - They first met in one of my very earliest STF covers... then they were at odds with a few fellow Avengers along for the tale... Next up they faced off against The Hulk and Solomon Grundy... then it was time to hone their skills... and next they shared an adventure with Black Canary and Mockingbird. and last time was a classic adventure from early in their careers,,,

Black Lightning and Storm in: "Zapped by Zzzax!"

Zzzax is a pretty cool Hulk villain.  He has a great visual and the fact that The Hulk can't defeat him simply by punching him meant he had to be a little more creative in their battles.  Plus, you just have to love that cool name!

Black Lightning and Storm first crossed paths back in STF #360...

Green Arrow and Green Hornet in: "Hunting the Hatter!"

The second, villainous Richard Dragon is rumored to be the main antagonist for the upcoming season of Arrow, and It will be interesting to see how that plays out if true.  Sinde Adrian Chase was revealed to be Prometheus, and not Vigilante, like in the comics, that character is still in play, and I hope we see more of him as well (and eventually learn his true identity)

Green Arrow and Green Hornet first met in a back up story in STF #500, and later shared and adventure in STF #772...

Power Man and The Guardians of the Universe

Netflix' Luke Cage left the title character in an interesting place (SPOILERS for those who have not completed the series), with him going back to jail.  I am wondering where he will appear next.  Having Matt Murdock act as his legal counsel would make a lot of sense, but I wouldn't be surprised if we see him sooner during the series run of Iron Fist.  Their friendship is key, and I wonder if the producers want to establish it before The Defenders gathers all the heroes together.  Wherever he turns up, I look forward to hearing Mike Colter say, "Sweet Christmas" again.