Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Aquaman and Daredevil



As I close out my first 1000 issues of STF, it is only fitting that I post a cover featuring artwork by my two personal favorite cover artists.  Nick Cardy could make great covers for any genre that DC Comics threw at him - superhero. horror, western, romance, science fiction... he illustrated them all amazingly.  Gil Kane was the master of discovering the moment of most dramatic action in an issue and then depicting it on the cover.  The two of them are a huge inspiration for this blog.

The wait is almost over!  Tomorrow, I will be posting The STF 1000th Issue Spectacular!   Not only will the cover be the largest to date, I will be featuring these special features as well:

  • The never before told Secret Origin of the Lost Issues!
  • The Best of Brave and the Bold: The Lost Issues!
  • The Best of Marvel Two-In_one: The Lost Issues!
  • The Best of Super-Team Family: The Lost Issues!
  • What are... The Lost Lost Issues?
  • A special peek what the interiors of a Lost Issue might look like!
  • A step-by-step tutorial on how a Lost Issue cover is created!
If you only ever look at one post on the blog again, this should be the one! Be here tomorrow!

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Spider-Man and The Blue Beetle (Jaime Reyes)




There have been lots of rumors floating around concerning Sony and Marvel Studios trying to come to some sort of partnership with the rights to Spider-Man, allowing Marvel to feature the Web-Slinger in their movies.  While it would be cool to finally see Spider-Man's adventures as presented by his home studio, I am not sure another instant franchise reboot would be a hit so soon.  Maybe Spidey needs a cooling down period first, appearing as a guest star one or two times before headlining his own film once more.  One thing is for sure, we don't need to see the origin again!

One of the most common requests I get is to show a tutorial on how a cover is created.  I did that once during my MS Paint days, back in 2011.  I use Photoshop now, and I'll be presenting an all-new step-by-step tutorial as just one of the special features included in The STF 1000th Issue Spectacular, coming up in two short days! Don't miss it!

Monday, January 5, 2015

Starfire and The Black Panther



Marvel has had success mixing super-heroics with political intrigue in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, so I am interested in what they are going to do with Black Panther.  With T'Challa being the leader of a country as well as a costumed adventurer, there are lots of cinematic possibilities.  I'm guessing that we will see him in his days prior to taking the throne at first though - particularly when he makes his debut in Captain America: Civil War.

I have created lots of covers to present the world of Super-Team Family: The Lost Issues.  Have you ever wondered, though, what the interiors to a lost issue of STF would look like?  You will find out as just one of the special features that will be included as part of The STF 1000th Issue Spectacular - coming in 3 short days!  Be there!

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Captain Universe and Starman



I love that DC has been able to reinvent the Starman name and concept multiple times.  Each one has been an entertaining character in their own right,  Ted Knight of course started it all and is one of comic's first cosmic heroes.  Jack Knight may have been his son, but their personalities were quite different and his series was a bright spot during the '90's comics scene.  I loved how Jim Starlin illustrated the Prince Gavyn version and always wanted to see more of him.  Will Payton even won me over, sort of like a Marvel version of Starman. James Robinson finally found a way to connect all of these Starmen (and more) together in that '90s Starman series and it was a fantastic read.

What is... The Secret Origin of The Lost Issues?  The answer is only one of the special features included as part of The STF 1000th Issue Spectacular, coming up in just four days!

Saturday, January 3, 2015

The Atom and Madman



I always thought that Brandon Routh got a bum rap on Superman Returns.  The flaws with that movie rested with the script, and I felt that he did the best he could with the material he was given. So, I am glad Routh is getting another chance at super-heroics by playing Ray Palmer on this season of Arrow.  They have already teased the Atom costume and have dropped comments about dwarf star technology, so I am confident we will see him suit up and shrink down sometime this year.

This blog began its life as The Brave and the Bold: The Lost Issues! (hence the address)... I'll be presenting my personal favorite covers from that era as just one of the special features in The STF 1000th Issue Spectacular, coming up in 5 days!

Friday, January 2, 2015

Superman and Thor in: "Jane Foster... Alien Imposter!"



Like many, I never quite knew how to pronounce "Mjolnir".  I never saw any of the characters speak it phonetically in Thor and figured it was just another fantasy term made up for the comics. It wasn't until I heard the great actor John Rhys-Davies voicing Thor an a Fantastic Four cartoon and calling it "meYOLnear" that I learned the proper way to address the God of Thunder's hammer. Chris Hemsworth does a fine job in the role, but Thor will always sound like Rhys-Davies in my mind when I read his adventures.

Superman and Thor have of course shared other STF covers:

In Issue #949, they battled Amazo and the Taskmaster...

In Issue #155, Jor-El and Odin were not happy with them...

In Issue #31, they squared off against Mongul...

and they first crossed paths way back in Issue #17.

Before Super-Team Family: The Lost Issues, there was Marvel Two-In-One: The Lost Issues!  I'll be presenting my favorite covers from that era as just one of the special features in The STF 1000th Issue Spectacular... coming in 6 days!

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Savage Dragon and Wolverine



Despite his height and handsome features, Hugh Jackman has won over most comic fans with his multiple portrayals of Logan.  He isn't done with the character with new installments of X-Men and Wolverine on the horizon, but even he has begun talking about retiring the role and passing the torch on to a younger actor.  I hope that when that day eventually comes, we will see a shorter, scruffier version that is closer in appearance to Wolverine's comic book look.

I have often been asked about what my personal favorite STF covers are.  I'll be presenting them as just one of the special features included in the STF 1000th Issue Spectacular, coming in one week!

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Nightwing and Iron Fist



We've heard the casting announcements for Netflix Daredevil, Luke Cage and Jessica Jones.  The only series we are still waiting for word on a lead actor is Iron Fist.  I have read rumors of Zac Ephron and Charlie Hunnam, but neither really fits the role in my mind.  Marvel always seems to come up with out of left field casting choices that somehow work, so I'll trust their judgment on this one.  Hopefully whoever they select will be able to showcase some cool martial arts moves as well as acting chops.

By the way... did you know that The Lost Issues has lost issues of its own?  I'll be presenting them on this blog as just one of the special features of the STF 1000th Issue Spectacular!  Coming up in just over a week!

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Captain America and Liberty Belle



I remember being intrigued by the line-up of the All-Star Squadron after that series ended its first issue.  It was a mix of JSAers that I was familiar with, a serious Plastic Man, a few classic characters I remembered from reprints (Robotman, Johnny Quick, Shining Knight) and a couple of other heroes that I knew very little about.   It was good that writer Roy Thomas was able to fill in the histories of some of comicdom's first crimefighters, and I enjoyed reading the exploits of Liberty Belle and Firebrand as much as the Earth-Two A-listers that went in and out of the title. I am glad that Liberty Belle became a part of DC's legacy concept with her and Johnny Quick becoming the parents of contemporary hero Jesse Quick.

Monday, December 29, 2014

Captain Marvel and Thor in "World's Mightiest Minion!"



It has been announced that the upcoming Shazam! movie will be set in the same cinematic universe as Man of Steel, Batman Vs. Superman, Justice League, etc.  That and the fact that The Rock will be playing Black Adam are all we know about the movie thus far.  I really want to find out who DC has in mind to portray Captain Marvel - and more importantly Billy Batson.  That's the tougher role to fill - the producers clearly would like several movie appearances out of Shazam if they are incorporating him into their shared universe, and that means finding someone young enough to play the part of Billy for a decade or more.  You don't want a 22 year old kid transforming into an adult, It doesn't really work that way.

Cap and Thor have clashed once before, way back in STF #120.


Sunday, December 28, 2014

Green Lantern Vs. The Silver Surfer



The greatest weapon in the universe up against the power cosmic... which side would prevail in such a clash?  I suspect that it is a conflict that would quickly escalate, as each would underestimate the other at first.  As for who would ultimately triumph, it might come down to who can last the longest in battle.  Despite the great will of Hal Jordan, that might give the Surfer the edge, as his power has no time limit.

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Insects Incorporated!



Even though I took my super-heroes very seriously when I was growing up, I did enjoy it when comic companies were able to poke fun at themselves.  Marvel's Not Brand Ecch and the all-humor issue of What If? were fun reads.  DC had Ambush Bug to point out the absurdities of a life in the DCU and as a comic character in general.  I always got a kick out of his appearances and I loved watching Henry Winkler voicing him in the final episode of Batman: The Brave and the Bold.  Has he been back in comics recently?  I'd love to see the Bug's reaction to the New 52.

Friday, December 26, 2014

Justice Society of America Vs. The Red Skull



It looks like readers clamoring for the classic Justice Society of America will finally be able to see them in a new adventure as part of DC's upcoming Convergence event.  Whether this is a one time visit for the sake of nostalgia or it leads to something more remains to be seen - but it is nice to see that DC has not completely forgotten about the fans of the true JSA.

Thursday, December 25, 2014

Christmas With The Super-Heroes 2014



The cover with far and away the most page views on this blog is STF #57, in which Spider-Man is rejected for Justice League membership.  I'm not sure why that particular cover gained such a life of its own, but I felt it was high time the Leaguers let poor Peter Parker into their team.

It's been another great year for STF: The Lost Issues.  The readership has grown and I've been honored to have made appearances on Compton After Dark and the Clobberin' Time Podcast as well as receiving a mention in the great Back Issue magazine.  I would like to take this time to say thank you to everyone who has paid a visit to this blog over the past year.  I truly appreciate the support from folks who regularly visit here and especially those who take the time to comment and let me know how they feel about my covers.  Thanks for the cool suggestions as well!  A special thank you goes to the folks who have shown their support by making a one-time contribution or becoming a patron of the blog.  Every little bit helps, and your continued support makes a big difference!

Merry Christmas and happy holidays!  May today be spent in the company of the ones you love! Coming soon: The STF 1000th Issue Spectacular!

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Red Tornado and Machine Man



I hope that the classic Red Tornado makes a return To the DCU after all of this Convergence business is done.  I understand that there is a Red Tornado in the New 52, as part of the Earth 2 series - but from what I have seen, it's some kind of alternate Lois Lane or something. I admit I haven't read anything with this new character, but it doesn't sound much like the robotic JLA member that I loved as a kid.

By the way, Red Tornado and Machine Man have a history in the pages of STF, as they are both members of Robo Force.

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Bizarro and The Impossible Man



Today's comic book villains are generally very serious and even more deadly.  While there is certainly a place for that, from time to time I kind of miss the antagonists that were more of the pest variety.  Being a mischief maker rather than a homicidal maniac did not have to mean that the stories featuring them would be missing any tension or action... especially when they were as powerful as these two.

Monday, December 22, 2014

Justice League Vs. The Hulk in "Retribution for a Fallen Archer!"



Continued from yesterdays cover....

I recently re-watched the entire runs of Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, and I was even more impressed with them than I was previously.  Watching them in order with no long breaks between them really highlighted how well the overall arcs to the seasons work in addition to the effectiveness of the individual episodes.  It must have taken a lot of planning to get it all to mesh together so well, not to mention fitting in with the continuities previously established in Batman: The Animated Series and Superman: The Animated Series.

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Green Arrow Vs. The Hulk



The CW's Arrow is an entertaining take on the Emerald Archer.  While is it not a direct adaptation - characters have been added to the mythos and others altered quite a bit - it still remembers its comic book roots and each episode gives us plenty of Easter eggs and nods to the DC Universe.  One such moment was in a recent episode where the (Green) Arrow was battling Ted (Wildcat) Grant in his gym. At one point, in an attempt to keep things non-lethal, Oliver sticks an arrow into a boxing glove and shoots it at Grant.  That's right, a boxing glove arrow!  It looked just as cool as when I first saw one when I was a kid!

This is the second beat-down The Hulk has given Green Arrow recently (the first one was with Green Lantern in STF #919), and it will have repercussions - on tomorrow's cover, so stay tuned!

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Harley Quinn Vs. Dick Tracy



It's surprising to me  that Harley Quinn's first live action appearance will not be in a Batman film, but Suicide Squad.  The Joker is also a member of the cast, so I think that it's safe to assume that we will see both sides of Harley.  It will be interesting to see how closely Margot Robbie will stick to the voice that Arleen Sorkin gave the character on Batman: The Animated Series.  It's hard to imagine the Clown Princess of Crime without Sorkin's vocals.

Friday, December 19, 2014

Batman & Robin Vs. Galactus



Batman '66, a series that tells adventures set in the world of the classic Batman TV series is such a good idea that I wonder what took so long for DC to try such a title.  They must be pleased with the reaction, because they have announced a series based on the Lynda Carter Wonder Woman TV show as well.  I like this trend, and I hope that Marvel follows suit by bringing us a series featuring the Bill Bixby/Lou Ferrigno Incredible Hulk one of these days.

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