Secret Society of Super-Villains and Mephisto (And More!)

 

For this Anniversary Issue, I thought I would go with a theme of villain team-ups.  I was delighted to see Frog-Man appear in the trailer for Disney's She-Hulk: Attorney at Law series. I can't wait to see how he is realized and I love that Marvel is digging deep into their character files for the show.  I can't help but laugh that Frog-Man will show up in the MCU before Mephisto, who remains a no show after multiple rumors.

Cheetah Vs. The Cheetah

 

I was surprised to see some suggestions for these two Cheetahs to clash, because I didn't really remember the Marvel version.  It's no wonder why, he only made a couple of appearances before being killed off.  The biggest head scratcher about him is that garish costume.  He looks like a cool werewolf, why cover that up in a green and yellow disco outfit?

If you like today's villain battle, then you'll probably like what's in store for STF #3700 - coming tomorrow!

Halo and Spider-Girl

 

I got a kick out of Spider-Girl. Generally I think there are too many offshoots and variants of existing characters, but her story was set in one possible future so it worked for me and did not dilute the concept.  I haven't seen much of her lately though, perhaps she has been set aside to make way for more Spider-Gwen stories.  I am kind of hoping to see her in one of the Spider-Verse animated movie sequels, but I haven't seen or heard anything to indicate that there are plans for that.

Space Cabbie and Dick Tracy

 

Uh oh, looks like Tracy may just be travelling outside of his jurisdiction! I was glad for the chance to use the artwork of Peter Snejbjerg here.  He impressed me during his run on the 90's Starman series.  I was lucky enough to pick up a couple of pages by him several years back featuring a bunch of different Starmen:

Green Arrow and Devil Dinosaur

 

I'm really looking forward to Jurassic Park: Dominion.  it will be great to see the original cast return for more than just cameos and how they relate to the newer characters.  Plus this is supposed to finally clos out the Jurassic movies, so it will be interesting to see how everything is resolved.  That is, of course, until Hollywood changes its mind and Jurassic Rebirth or something is released in 10 years...

The Flash and Brother Voodoo

 

I was disappointed that Brother Voodoo did not make an appearance in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Maybe it's for the best, most of the guest stars didn't fare too well! Still, Marvel seems to be opening up its more occult side with what we saw in the movie and with characters like Werewolf by Night on the way.  Hopefully, Jericho Drumm will find an appropriate project to make his debut in.

Legion of Super-Heroes and Futurama

 

I was very happy to read that contract negotiations were successful and the entire voice cast of Futurama is returning for new episodes of the series. I can't wait to see what the new episodes have in store and I look forward to seeing old favorites like Clamps and The Hedonism Bot.

I'm also glad to use the animated LSH here.   That cartoon was a lot of fun, and kept getting better as it went along for its too-short run.

Thanks to Blog Patron Bob Greenwade, among others who pointed out that these two 30th century groups really did need to get together! 

Invisible Girl and Wonder Woman

 

First the big rumor was that John Krasinski would star as Mr. Fantastic and direct the Fantastic Four movie for Marvel. Now there's new speculation that Bryce Dallas Howard is in talks to direct, and possibly star as Sue Storm.  Are either of these correct, or is the truth somewhere in the middle... or something else entirely?

Adam Strange Vs. Annihilus

 

One of the cool things about The Fantastic Four coming to the MCU is that their exploring ways will also allow the opportunity to introduce lots of cool new locations in the Marvel Universe.  On the top of my list would be The Negative Zone, complete with Annihilus and Blastaar as villains.   Other than a Thing/Hulk fight, there's nothing I'd like to see more in a new FF movie.

Blade and Batman (The Movie!)

 

Ever since it was announced, I've been dying to see Michael Keaton's return as Batman in The Flash.  Unfortunately the continuing delays are pushing that film back further and further.  I hope they can figure some way to salvage the film either by recasting or re-editing it, but with it practically completed already, that's going to be tricky to do.  He's supposed to have a small part in Batgirl as well, but who knows when that will come out either?  If all of this mess eventually leads to Keaton in a proper Batman Beyond movie, maybe it will all be worth it.

Blade and Batman shared a comic book adventure on one of my very first covers, and MS Paint effort from way back in 2010...

Galactus Vs. Swamp Thing

 

This is a battle that I would love to see.  These two characters are both immensely powerful, but have vastly different types of abilities at their disposal.  I can see it resulting in page after page of wide screen action.  The right artist could really make their confrontation a visual treat.

Rocket Raccoon and Chewbacca

I 'm betting that no invitations to join Chewbacca and the Fur Force will be forthcoming after this little stunt.  In past adventures, Rocket got along better with Chewie's partner - he met Han Solo in STF #1488 and again in STF #1859, and Chewie got along better with Rocket's Partner - he met Groot in STF #1860...

Iron Man and Ragman

 

These are two heroes that are not likely to cross paths, either in the types of cases they work on or in the the social circles that they travel in.  That's just what would make it interesting to me though.  It would be interesting for them each to see how the other half lives..

Captain Marvel and Batgirl

 

I wonder what's going to become of the Batgirl movie.  First it was going to be going straight to HBO Max, then it was decided it would be a theatrical release.  Commissioner Gordon will be played by JK Simmons, as he was in Zack Snyder's Justice League, with Michael Keaton back as Batman.  Keaton's appearance as Batman in The Flash was supposed to come out beforehand and would have explained how is there, but now that movie has been delayed at least a year due to behind the scenes drama.  Are they just going to release Batgirl anyway, and just hope audiences roll with it - or will it be delayed as  well?

Batgirl ran afoul of Ming the Merciless in STF #3535...

The Atom and Transformers

 

Continuing our Two-Part Epic, we see just where Megatron has been hiding out. There were some rumblings about The Atom getting his own movie, with Ryan Choi and Ray Palmer - but that was well before Discovery took over Warner Bros. and started axing projects left and right, so I am going to assume that whatever was planned has gone away.  I am guessing that we'll just have to wait a few months for the dust to settle before we start getting a true idea of what the future of DC's cinematic universe will look like, and if B-listers like The Atom will get a chance to shine.

Justice League of America and Transformers

 

Presenting Part One of a Two-Part Epic! There are plans for yet more Transformers movies.  I can't say they have maintained my interest with each new sequel, but perhaps some new life will be injected into the franchise since Michael Bay will be passing the directing duties on to someone else.

So who is the Leaguer that Optimus Prime is referring to here? Make sure to come back tomorrow for the exciting conclusion!

The Vision Vs. Amazo

 

I was disappointed that there was no appearance (or even mention) of The Vision in Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness.  I figured that he would be a continuing factor in the saga of The Scarlet Witch.  Still, he's out there somewhere, so he's bound to show up again - I'm not sure where, though.  Maybe in the Agatha Harkness series?

Steel and Photon

 

I am really looking forward to seeing Monica Rambeau return in The Marvels.  I'm hoping she uses Photon as a code name (it was her mother's call sign in the air force after all) rather than Spectrum.  Actually, my true preference would be for her to take over the name of Captain Marvel by the film's end.  I never liked that she lost the title in the comics.

Mister Miracle and Captain America

 

Time for another all-Kirby classic. I'm a little surprised I am only getting to this pairing now, these two look really good together.  I'm betting a soldier like Cap would find some common ground with a man that was raised for battle in the Fire Pits of Apokolips.  

Wonder Woman and The Human Torch

 

DC is taking their time announcing any details for a third Wonder Woman film.  Despite the critical and commercial underperformance of the sequel, I figured that Patty Jenkins and Gal Gadot would be able to finish out a trilogy with the character.  Still Warner Bros. seems to be in a state of flux right now with the Discovery merger and no previously announced projects are considered to be 100% safe.  Hopefully we will get some clarity on Wonder Woman's cinematic future in the coming weeks.