Superman Vs. The Super-Adaptoid in: "Super-Sized Smackdown!"

 

As a kid with a limited budget, I gravitated towards team and team up books.  I liked getting a lot of characters for my hard earned dimes.  So a villain like the Super-Adaptoid was always a treat to see.  He was like an entire team unto himself and I loved his look that combined all of the heroes whose powers he possessed.

Superman first faced the Super-Adaptoid in STF #3529

Ms. Marvel and Elongated Man

 

These two look pretty good fighting together, due to the matching color costumes. I was never quite sure what purpose that scarf of Ms. Marvel's served though.  She didn't seem to be cold because she kept her legs bare, after all.  Still, it looked cool, so I didn't mind it.

Spider-Man Vs. The Black Spider

 

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse will finally hit theaters in just over a month, and from what I've seen, it looks to be just as impressive as the first installment - maybe even more.  I am glad that it seems like they are once again not forgetting the heart of the story while presenting a variety of amazing animation styles to depict it.  I can't wait to check it out.

Soviet Super-Soldiers and Uncle Sam

 

Common enemies can make for odd alliances sometimes, and that's what this tale would be about.  I'd like to think that all of our heroes could find some common ground and mutual respect for each other by the story's end.

BunnyBunch!

 

I've been getting requests for a bunny based super group pretty much since I started creating teams for STF.  I finally got around to it, and since rabbits are known for multiplying, this is easily my largest team to date.  At 10 members, they are a pretty powerful force - but I'm sure some people will still be  saying, "Hey, where's Thumper?" or something. Oh well, I hope that your favorite made the cut! 

The Punisher Vs. Manhunter in: "Manhattan Deception!"

 

Okay, a few days ago I was mentioning how I wondered why more heroes did not hade looser fitting sleeves on their costumes like Firestorm does - but this is going a bit too far.  Manhunter's sleeves were more than just loose, they were positively voluminous!  Perhaps he was hiding extra weapons in them?

These two previously met in STF #3081 and first crossed paths in in STF #1402...

Captain Universe and Archie

 

An energy from space that gives ordinary people amazing powers?  Sure, I can roll with that.  The two hottest girls in high school fighting over an awkward redhead? Now you are really stretching credibility (if my personal experience is anything to go on).  Still, in the world of comics, the impossible happens on a daily basis.  No wonder they provided an escape from the real world for so many of us as kids.

Hawk & Dove Vs. Electro

 

I wanted to put together another all-Ditko cover, but this one provided me with a bit of a challenge.  Here's a behind the scenes look at some of the clean up and repair work that I needed to take care of before adding Electro in:

Wildcat and Mr. T (The Animated Series!)

 

MeTV has been showing A-Team reruns lately and the show is a cheesy as I remember.  Watching them now, I don't know how Mr. T's B.A. Baracus put up with the rest of the team - they are all insufferable!  I especially roll my eyes at Hannibal, he considers himself to be a master of disguise but I would beg to differ.  The other three were always drugging B.A. to get him on planes when he repeatedly told them he didn't want to fly.  I'd like to see them try a stunt like that on Clubber Lang!

Wildcat and Mr. T first met in STF #1998...

Dr. Fate and The Hulk

 

There's been lots of talk about General Thunderbolt Ross' Red Hulk showing up in The Thunderbolts, and possibly Captain America: New World Order as well.  Where does that leave Bruce Banner's cinematic future?  She-Hulk ended with a huge reveal that he brought back an off-world son, so that's got to be dealt with somewhere.  Still, I haven't heard anything about where The Hulk is supposed to be featured next.  Let's hope that wherever he shows up, he'll get back to his savage side.

Doctor Fate (along with a couple of mages) previously crossed paths with The Hulk in STF #1949...

The Micronauts and Red Tornado

 Continuing the tale begun on yesterday's cover, we see which one of Firestorm's allies had been compromised.  I've liked seeing Ronnie and Reddy together ever since they shared a story in the early issues of Fury of Firestorm, I enjoy their camaraderie and their costumes go together well.  

Firestorm and The Micronauts

 

I'm not sure why more heroes did not opt to have loose baggy sleeves on their costumes.  They look to be a lot more comfortable than the traditional skin tight fare.  Firestorm has one of the best looks in comics, and the sleeves are a big part of that for me.

This is only Part One of a Two Part Epic - make sure you come back tomorrow for the thrilling conclusion!

Justice Society of America Vs. M.O.D.O.K.

 

M.O.D.O.K. is a villain that I have been wanting to see  on the big screen since the debut of the MCU, so I was glad to hear he would be in Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania.  The quick glimpses I got of him during the trailers did not fill me with confidence, however.  Lackluster reviews kept me away from the theaters, but I'll catch the movie when it hits Disney+.  I'm going in with lowered expectations, so maybe I will be pleasantly surprised by his appearance.

Moon Knight Vs. Batman's Villains

 

Looks like Moon Knight is moving in on Batman's territory once again.  He's had some history of that on the blog, like when he and the Dark Knight swapped places in STF #318, or when he tried to win the Batcave in STF #683.  He's also faced off against the Joker in STF #2021 ,Two-Face in STF #1901, and Man-Bat in STF #968.

Captain Marvel Jr. and Spider-Man

 

I never really understood those weird helmets that the A.I.M. henchmen would wear.  They looked like evil beekeepers and I can't imagine they had great peripheral vision.

Spidey and Freddy first met in STF #1358

I was glad to use an image by Stan lee's brother, Larry Lieber here.  I remember seeking out his few daily panels for the Spider-Man newspaper strip.  Many years back, I picked up an original strip by him:

Green Lantern and Photon

 

The teaser trailer for The Marvels leaned a bit on the goofy side, but I am interested to see more.  Iman Vellani was enjoyable in Ms. Marvel, so it will be interesting to see her grow as a hero here.  Mostly I want to see the further development of Monica Rambeau into Photon.  I've followed the character since her very first appearance and I look forward to seeing her in full control of her powers. 

The Super Friends and The X-Men

 

The Disney+ X-Men '97 animated series keeps getting pushed back, but I am  interested to see how it turns out.  Will it take right after the original cartoon left off, or will a few years have passed?  Will they be sticking closely to the original designs and look?  The first series followed the comics pretty closely, so I expect that this follow up will continue along that path.

Invaders Vs. Solomon Grundy in: "The Battle Above!"

 

I wonder If Solomon Grundy was affected by the Comics' Code Authority.  He was technically a zombie after all, which were against the Code for some time - prompting Marvel to present stories about "zuvembies".

Solomon Grundy previously met The Invaders in STF #3623, and faced off against Captain America in STF #1430...

Groo and Asterix

 

I enjoy watching the Cartoonists Kayfabe Youtube channel where they examine comic art.  From time to time they will do Zoom interviews, and so far my favorite has been one they did with Sergio Aragones.  He tells a very inspiring story on how he crafted and shaped his career, it's a fascinating discussion and well worth seeking out.

This cover comes about as the result of a suggestion by Mike Shirley, a Patron of this Blog.  Thanks for the idea and the support, Mike!

Power Man and Ambush Bug

 

After pestering so many heroes in the DC Universe, it looks like Irwin Schwab is seeking out other opportunities.  But will the Heroes for Hire be able to put up with his particular brand of "help"?  I don't know, but it might be fun to see play out.