Hawkman and Photon

No special connection between these two heroes, I just like them both and think it would be fun to see them join forces.  I have been a fan of Monica Rambeau since I first picked up Amazing Spider-Man Annual #16 off the stands.  I've always liked her power set and costume.  I remember really enjoying her character's arc as a member of The Avengers, and I would love to see her included in a future film outing.  I am not holding my breath waiting to see Hawkman on the big screen, even though it could potentially be really cool.  Hollywood doesn't seem to like superhero costumes that have winged helmets, so Katar Hol will have to overcome that obstacle if he wants a chance in the movies.

Booster Gold And Spider-Man

One of the more interesting rumors with the Spider-Man movie franchise is that there are plans to expand into other Spidey-related movies, including Venom and Sinister Six.  Venom I can understand, and I have  been hearing rumors of a solo film for that character since the first Spider-Man trilogy.  The Sinister Six I have been hoping would be the subject of The Amazing Spider-Man 3.  I don't know how a film with them but without Spidey would work.  Time will tell what the actual plans are, I'm sure a lot will depend on the performance of next Summer's sequel.

Thanos Vs. the Legion of Super-Heroes

That quick tease which audiences saw during the end credits of The Avengers featuring Thanos was great, but left me wanting more.  Now I can't complain too much because Ultron is my favorite Avengers villain and we will be getting him in the sequel... but I have to wonder where we will see Thanos next on the big screen.  I thought  that Guardians of the Galaxy was the next most likely place for his reappearance but that film already has a host of villains and I haven't heard that Thanos will be making an appearance.  Will we have to wait for Avengers 3 to see him again or will he possibly make another cameo before that?

Wonder Woman and The Cat

Gal Gadot has been announced as receiving the role of Wonder Woman in the upcoming Batman/Superman film.  I have only seen her in one small role on one of the Fast and Furious sequels, so I don't have much to judge her acting abilities on.  She looks right for the part - I have heard complaints that she was too lean, but I understand she is on a workout regimen to add muscle mass, so that isn't a concern to me.  I just hope the part is written well, it still strikes me a bit odd that she is even in the movie at all.  Will she be an intregal part of the plot, or a small cameo at the end, hinting at things to come?  Part of me suspects that this and a JLA movie may be filmed back-to-back, and that is why DC seems to be getting their Justice League cast members together.

Conan Vs. Predator

Here's another battle that I think would be very close.  I'd like to think that Conan would be able to use the knowledge he has of his home land to his advantage and give him an edge.  Still, the Predator certainly has the upper hand when it comes to weaponry.  Whoever wins will not come out unscathed.

Agents of the Abyss

Aquaman is finally getting the respect he deserves.  For a long time though, he was seen was the weak link in the JLA because of his power set.  It wasn't his fault  though, he just didn't get enough chances to show off his stuff.  hey, it's tough being  a water based hero when your team's headquarters is located on a satellite or the Moon!  It's long past time that we had a super group made up of the greatest undersea heroes.  banded together, they could shine in a way they never could when teamed up with air-breathing partners.

Superman and Hercules

I have seen a lot of interpretations of Hercules in print and media, and they are all entertaining to some degree.  There are a couple of competing films coming up, one starring The Rock in the title role.  Of course there are the classic films as well as Disney's animated version.  I was a fan of the fun, if sometimes hokey Hercules: The Legendary Journeys TV show, although I enjoyed the spinoff, Xena: Warrior Princess, more.  Despite all of these incarnations, my favorite Hercules is the Marvel Comics version.  I love his huge personality, and how he interacts with other characters around him.  He is a great addition to any story.

Dick Tracy and Batgirl

Dick Tracy's rogues gallery would be right at home in Gotham City, so I think he would fit right in there.  With the upcoming Gotham TV series in the works, it reminds me again how cool an ongoing Dick Tracy show could be.  Netflix has been picking up some great properties lately, and I think would be the perfect home for Chester Gould's comic strip legend.

The Anti-Monitor Vs. The Dark Phoenix

These two are among the most powerful characters in their respective universes, so it would be very cool to watch them clash.  I'm not sure who I would take in this battle.  The Anti-Monitor probably has more raw power at his disposal, but The Dark Phoenix has a mean streak that he can't match.  Regardless of the victor, there would be lots of damage in their wake, and that would be fun to see.

Justice League of America and Brother Voodoo

It was cool to see Brother Voodoo get a higher profile while Marvel was looking for a new Master of the Mystic Arts to replace Doctor Strange a few years back.  It's always nice to see writers finding new purposes for lower profile characters that may have been in comics limbo for a while.  Sometimes all it takes is the right spin to make the popular again. Of course, Brother Voodoo was killed off at the end of his latest comeback appearance, so that's a bit of a bummer.  Still, we're talking about a magic-based character , so there's always a way for him to return.

Tintin and Popeye

I remember watching a local TV variety program called The Uncle Gus Show, because once per episode, the host would introduce a (usually black and white) Popeye cartoon.  Back in those days it was the only place I could see the animated adventures of the world's most famous sailor, and his nemesis Bluto.  There was something special about these cartoons, the creativity and detail involved in those shorts were definitely above the standard cartoon fare I was used to.  I later discovered that these were produced by The Fleischer Studios, which explains the quality.  Whether it was Popeye, Superman, Betty Boop or one of their other properties, their cartoons were always top notch.

The Hulk and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Other than a few pre-CGI behind the scenes shots, I have seen and read very little of the upcoming Michael Bay-produced theatrical reboot of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  I am very curious as to haw this film will turn out.  Bay is known for his over-excesses, but his films usually at least look slick and cool.  The key is to give him a decent script to work with.  Director Jonathan Liebesman previous efforts include Battle: Los Angeles and Wrath of the Titans, two films that despite their spectacle did not do much for me.  Hopefully his take on the TMNT franchise works a bit better.

Mary Marvel Vs. Ms. Marvel

Now that DC has finally given in and stopped calling Billy Batson's alter ego Captain Marvel - giving him the name of the Wizard, Shazam - I wonder what that will mean for his partners when their super powered selves are brought into the New 52 DCU.  Shazam Jr.?  She-Zam?  Those don't really work for me so I hope they can come up with something better!

Huey Freeman and Power Man

I am really looking forward to the new Luke Cage series on Netflix.  I am assuming that they will be going with the more contemporary version of the character, that got rid of some of the 70's trapping the character had - costume, code name, even a head of hair!  I do like the modern Luke Cage and the higher place of importance he holds in the Marvel Universe, but part of me would have loved to have seen the classic  version of the character that I grew up with in a period piece.  Not many people could get away with a yellow shirt, chain belt and man-tiara - but Power man could because he was just so damned cool!  I'm not expecting that guy to show up on the Netflix series, but maybe us old fans can at least get a "Sweet Christmas" uttered by the star of the show.

Aliens Vs. Spider-Man

I have to admit, the trailer for The Amazing Spider-Man 2 looked better than I was expecting.  The first installment had its moments, but was an overall miss for me, so I wasn't really looking forward to the sequel. Yes, the next film looks to be a be a bit crowded with Electro, Rhino and two Osbornes slated to appear, but it also looks like a ton of fun.  The new Spidey costume looks great and Electro and the mechanical Rhino look pretty cool too.  The verdict is still out on Harry's goblin outfit, but from what I saw I wasn't very impressed there.  Visuals aside, what will make or break this film for me is the script.  Hopefully it s a step above the first outing.

Jack Skellington and Ghost Rider

Who needs Rudolph to lead your sleigh when you have Ghost Rider's flaming cycle?

I'd like to wish a Merry Christmas to everyone who takes time out to visit the blog.  I truly appreciate all of the feedback and kind words that you have given me.  It's been another fun year creating covers, and I hope that you will continue to make Super-Team: The Lost Issues a regular stop!

Now get off the computer and spend some holiday time with your loved ones!

The Legion of Substitute Heroes and Wolverine

I have always liked the idea of the Legion Subs.  Not everyone is going to make the cut as a superhero and not every power would necessarily lend itself to crime fighting, so it was fun to see a group of heroes that lived in the shadow of their more famous contemporaries.  I also liked that a few of the Substitute Legionnaires eventually did make it through to becoming full-fledged members of the LSH.  It might be fun to see this group work alongside a seasoned vet like Logan.

The Teen Titans and Spider-Man

Teenage angst and comic books - they are the perfect combination.  Stan Lee really tapped into something with The Amazing Spider-Man and it's no wonder they the character was such an instant hit.  DC had a great idea with the team of teenage sidekicks, a series ripe for the the whole teen angst angle.  Of course, reading those original Teen Titans issues today, some of the dialogue is a bit hokey, as it was written by middle-aged men.  The turmoils of teen life were still a major theme years later in the Wolfman/Perez New Teen Titans revamp, and that series really struck the perfect mix between superhero action and interpersonal drama.  When a title can maintain that balance, it makes for great reading. .

Justice Society of America and the Thing in "Raising the Stakes!"

I was a huge fan of the artwork of Mike Parobeck.  I first noticed his work on comics related to Batman: The Animated Series.  He was able to combine the Bruce Timm designs with his own style sense for some of my most fondly remembered Batman tales.  I also followed his work on titles like El Diablo and The Fly, but my favorite art from him was on the great Justice Society series that brought those classic characters out of limbo.  Sadly, that series last only ten issues.  Sadder still, Parobeck himself passed away not long after.  He was an amazing talent that was taken far too soon.

Doc Samson and Superman

This is the first cover where I have used an image featuring Superman in his New 52 duds.  It's not a bad look for him, but the collar just has to go.  Frankly with the negative reaction to it as well as the fact that Superman in Man of Steel was collar-free, I am surprised it is still there.  At least he still has some kind of an "S" on the cape.  I prefer a yellow "S" but it's better than the blank look of the movie and cartoons.