Black Orchid and Daredevil

It wasn't long ago that I was writing on this blog that I thought Daredevil would make for a great TV series.  Now it seems I am going to get my wish - and then some!  Marvel and Netflix have reached an agreement to present five 13-episode series featuring Daredevil, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, Jessica Jones and The Defenders (which will combine all the characters).  I could quibble about them using The Defenders for what is clearly a Heroes for Hire concept, but I don't care right now because I am so happy with the format that has been chosen.  Having these as Netflix Original Series, they will be commercial free and not bound by the restrictions of network TV.  Plus, we'll get the entire seasons at once!  I have been impressed by House of Cards and Orange is the New Black, so I hope that Netflix will maintain the high standard that they have set for themselves. Now lets get Joel Edgerton cast as Matt Murdock!

Amethyst and Beta Ray Bill

When you want to read a comic that features plenty of large scale battle scenes, you're really in luck if it is illustrated by Walt Simonson.  He's been impressing me for decades with his ability to make comic panels burst with movement and energy through his signature style.  I am glad that his current work as well as the renewed interest in Thor is bringing his talents to a whole new generation of fans.

The Flash Enters The Marvel Universe

Company-wide crossovers are so commonplace today that it is easy to forget how fun it was when Crisis on Infinite Earths and Secret Wars first hit the stands.  In retrospect, the convoluted plots and aftermaths of these series can be debated, but there's no denying the cool factor of having so many characters together in one big sprawling epic, illustrated by masters like Mike Zeck and George Perez.  In the pre-internet age, the tie-ins that promoted each series were much more effective than they would in these spoiler filled days.  DC's comics featured mysterious red skies and  a shadowed figure working with the villains of Earth.  Marvel had their heroes enter a strange stadium, disappear, and return with the changes that would happen within the upcoming mini-series.  Both of these build ups had me eagerly anticipating the crossovers, and I could not read each issue that came out fast enough.

Wonder Woman and Spider-Man

The latest rumor for the role of Wonder Woman on the big screen is Jaimie Alexander, currently starring as Sif in Thor: The Dark World.  Apparently she is in talks with the folks making Batman Vs. Superman. While I think that she would be a great choice for the role, I don't think that they are going to have WW in that movie.  It's more likely that she is being considered as a love interest for Bruce Wayne.  I have been watching and enjoying the new James Spader drama, The Black List this season, and the female lead Megan Boone is someone that I think could make for a great Wonder Woman.  She definitely has the looks, can do fight choreography and has the acting chops as well.

Kamandi and The Sub-Mariner (Part Two)

We have seen brief glimpses of undersea worlds in films like Star Wars: The Phantom Menace and The Abyss, but there has yet to be a big blockbuster that features an underwater civilization as its centerpiece.  Underwater filming is difficult and expensive, so it is no surprise.  Still, I think that special effects are finally at a place where a huge undersea epic could finally be realized.  Who will be the first superhero to take advantage, Sub-Mariner or Aquaman?  I think it rests with the rights for Namor - if he his with Marvel Studios, then he's a sure bet to make it to the big screen first, and if  he is tied up with the Fantastic Four at 20th Century Fox, then Aquaman has a fighting chance.

Kamandi and The Sub-Mariner (Part One)

Time for another all-Kirby cover.  It's amazing to look at today's comics and see how many of his characters and designs are being used by DC, Marvel and beyond.  There's a reason that in a field with so many amazing creators, only he is called The King.  Like the greatest from any artistic genre, I am confident that he will be inspiring artists for generations to come.

A story this epic cannot be contained to a single issue... stay tuned for part two tomorrow!

Martian Manhunter Vs. Fin Fang Foom

I love that Fin Fang Foom graduated from his early days as the villain of a monster comic to becoming a fairly wall known opponent  in the Marvel superhero line of titles.  There were a lot of giant monsters terrorizing the populace when Foom first hit the scene, but few would be able to transition genres they way that he has managed to. And why not?  With creators like Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, it's not surprising that other writes would like to use him in their stories.  Now let's get him into an Iron Man or Thor movie

J. Jonah Jameson Joins The Green Lantern Corps

I am surprised that there has been no mention of J. Jonah Jameson or The Daily Bugle in connection with the Amazing Spider-Man sequel.  I understand that the movie will have enough on it's hands with the introduction of Electro, The Rhino and Norman Osborn among others, but still the whole newspaper photographer angle seems like a big part of the Spidey mythos to leave out for a second time.  The JJJ scenes from the first trilogy were some of the most well received, and it will be hard to top J.K. Simmons' portrayal when they do try to recast the role.  That shouldn't stop them from trying though!

Metamorpho Vs. The Absorbing Man

I think that this would be a really cool battle to see.  Metamorpho can change his shape and mimic any element, while The Absorbing Man's body takes on the properties of anything it touches.  That would make them an good match for one another.  Plus, you know that the fight would be very cool to look at as their powers make for interesting visuals.  I'd give Rex Mason the edge in this conflict, but Crusher Creel is skilled enough at using his abilities that he would make it a close one.

Man-Thing and The X-Files

I was a big fan of the X-Files when it first aired.  I loved the moody atmosphere and the chemistry between the main characters.  Unfortunately, the show began to meander after a few seasons, and it started to become clear that the writers did not have all the answers to the mysteries that they had presented.  By the time David Duchovny left, I began to lose interest.  They have had a couple of movies, but they didn't really answer a whole lot of questions either. There's been talk of a third film recently, and it might be interesting to revisit that world after so long.  Could they once again capture the magic of those first few seasons?  Or has the moment passed?

The Spectre and The Scarlet Witch

Elizabeth Olsen has been cast as The Scarlet Witch in Avengers: Age Of Ultron, and I don't really know what to make of that yet, as I have not seen any of her previous performances.  I know that she has received critical acclaim for films such as Martha Marcy May Marlene, so she shouldn't have a problem holding her own with Robert Downey Jr. and company.  I hope that she uses an appropriate accent for the character, it would seem odd to have Wanda Maximoff speaking with an American accent.  It will also be interesting to see how Joss Whedon deals with her hex powers.  It's always been a little confusing to me understanding exactly what the limits are in the comics.

The Bondsmen

These guys all know how to save the day even if they have to break a few rules along the way  It would be cool to see them join together to take down a criminal empire or two.  I like the idea of Bond having the best back ups ever, and it would be fun to come up with an interesting reason for each member to owe him a favor, leading to the creation of the team.  This isn't the last we will see of the Bondsmen.

Superman and Wolverine

These two both fall under the broad category of "super-hero", but are quite different from one another. I think that the differences they have are what would make for an interesting pairing, though.  I am sure they could eventually find some common ground, as they are both virtually indestructible and age more slowly than those around them.  Plus, when you get down to it, both of them are all about doing the right thing no matter what the personal sacrifice may be. Yeah, the more I think about it. the more I would like to see them interact.

The Hulk on The Planet of The Apes

One of the sequels I am most looking forward to is Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.  I was surprised at how much I enjoyed Rise of the Planet of the Apes, it turned out to be my favorite movie from 2011.  Still, the sequel seems to be a tougher film to pull off, and it will be interesting to see how they approach the continuing story of an ape populace gaining intellect as the human race is dying off.  Hopefully, it will live up to the standards of the first installment.

The Creeper and Daredevil in "Mob Rule!"

Daredevil as a live action property is back in the hands of Marvel, and it will be interesting to see how they proceed with the character.  While I think that it would be cool to have another cinematic outing, this time with Marvel Studios at the rein, maybe there is another route they could take.  Of all of their most popular characters, I think Daredevil would be most suited for a TV series.  His powers, adventures and adversaries are larger than life, but for the most part still down to earth enough to adapt to a weekly series without having to water down the concept. Add in the legal aspect and  you would have all the ingredients for a successful series.  Whether they decide to go with the big screen or the small screen, I hope that Marvel doesn't wait too long before they give DD another shot.

Captain America and Wonder Woman (Vs. the Barons!)

The trailer for Captain America: The Winter Soldier has been released, and I like what I see so far.  The costume looks better than the one he wore in The Avengers and the Winter Soldier looks like he stepped right out of the comics.  I wish The Falcon's outfit was closer to the classic version, but the brief glimpse of the Ultimate Comics-inspired suit looks pretty cool to me.  It will be fun to see more of the Black Widow, not to mention Robert Redford back in a big blockbuster. I was not crazy about Iron Man 3, but between this trailer and the one for Thor: The Dark World, Marvel looks to be back on the right track.  I hope that the films live up to the promise of the footage I have seen thus far.

Wildcat and Thor

This cover is continued from yesterday's entry, and while it may seem like a far fetched tale with mis-matched characters, it's the kind of Bob Haney-style concept that I would have loved back in the day.  Sure things could get a little wacky and would not jibe with established continuity, but that devil-may-care attitude lent the stories a sense of unpredictability and fun. Wildcat was the star of quite a few Haney-penned Brave and the Bold issues, so he is a fitting choice to anchor this two-parter.

Wildcat and The Defenders

For a guy who was created as a non-powered boxer who moonlighted as a masked hero, Wildcat has managed to increase his power over the years.  First, he had the prolonged life due to magical exposure and suspended animation along with the rest of the JSA.  It was later revealed that he had some sort of "9 lives" thing going on as well, explaining how he made it through so many scraps.  Then there's his power in the hierarchy of the DCU.  Once a third-stringer, Ted Grant became more than just a crime fighter, but a trainer to other heroes like Batman, Catwoman, Black Canary and more. I like that aspect of the character and I am glad that it has been picked up on in his animated appearances in Justice League Unlimited and Batman: The Brave and the Bold.

By the way, a story this epic cannot be contained to a single issue.  Stay tuned for the second part tomorrow!

Justice League of America And Throg

This is a character that should just be ridiculous, but for some reason I think he is really cool.  A frog with the power of Thor? It sounds crazy, but Marvel made it work.  He's a nice reminder that you can't judge a hero by their size. I say thee ribbit!

The Fantastic Four and The Incredibles

Given the power sets and the family aspect, it's clear to see that The Fantastic Four was a major inspiration for The Incredibles, so it would definitely be fun to see the two teams meet. Pixar seems to be open to sequels with Toy Story, Monsters inc., Cars and Finding Nemo receiving follow up installments, so I hope they finally give The Incredibles another cinematic outing.  I would love to see what director Brad Bird has in mind for the next chapter in their story.  The FF are currently in line for a cinematic reboot, but too little has been released yet for me to determine whether they will be improving on the previous franchise or straying further from the original concept.