Sunday, January 1, 2017

Black Racer and The Avengers



There have been rumors of an Avengers member or two being killed off in the upcoming Avengers: Infinity War, and with so many characters involved, there are plenty to choose from.  Most of the main players are coming to the ends of their contracts, so this might be a way for someone like Chris Evans or Robert Downey Jr. to bow out of the franchise.  Then again, The Vision is powered by one of the Infinity Gems, so he well may be in for a rough time when Thanos comes looking for it.  Or maybe Hawkeye, who we all though was going to get it in Age of Ultron, will finally meet his maker.

Saturday, December 31, 2016

The Omega Men and Omega The Unknown



I remember thinking that The Omega Men were going to be the next big thing.  They were introduced in the pages of the then red-hot New Teen Titans in one of their coolest story arcs after all.  I think the reason that they never really got a chance to catch on is that their series was only available in DC's direct format.  I got my comics off the newsstand, so I never saw an issue for sale.  I still think they are a cool group and I am glad that DC has found a way to bring them back from time to time.

Friday, December 30, 2016

Daredevil and Sherlock Holmes



I am glad that Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch have become part of the Marvel cinematic universe, but my favorite roles to see both of these talented actors in are Holmes and Watson.  So, I am very happy that we will finally be getting some new installments of Sherlock on the BBC in the new year.  I will watch anything Sherlock Holmes related, and I consider their show to be among the best (right after the just about perfect Jeremy Brett series).   Elementary has been tiding me over, but it just isn't the same

Thursday, December 29, 2016

Hong Kong Phooey Vs. Chester Cheetah



This cover comes about as a suggestion from my brilliant and talented Sister-in-law Melanie.  She told me that she came up with an idea that I would have never thought of on my own, and she was right!  Chester Cheetah always seemed to be the "Poochie" of food mascots to me and I can see him snapping one day and lashing out at Tony the Tiger and the rest until HKP chops some sense back into him.

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Princess Leia and Mr. Spock




I was very sorry to hear of Carrie Fisher's passing yesterday.  She, along with Leonard Nimoy, Robert Vaughan and so many other icons of my childhood that have left us recently will be truly missed.  It's especially sad in Fisher's case, as she was still so young.  I am glad we will get a chance to see her once again in her most famous role.  I was a fan of her comedy chops as well - as a writer and in appearances on 30 Rock and When Harry met Sally.

If you are wondering how such a scene depicted above could take place, it is a direct continuation from STF #1077...

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

The Atom and Hawkeye



One of my favorite moments in the 4-night CW Invasion crossover was when Cisco mentioned to Ray Palmer that he would finally have to get around to upgrading his power suit.  I have felt that it was too clunky all along and it looks like we may finally be getting a more streamlined version at some point this season on DC's Legends of Tomorrow.  Let's hope they tweak the helmet as well.


Monday, December 26, 2016

Man-Bat and Ghost Rider in "Hell's Army!"



I wasn't sure what to think when I heard that Ghost Rider was going to be a part of this season's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.  The show has not had the greatest track record of  adapting heroes (I'm looking at you, Deathlok) and it would be the new, car-driving Ghost Rider, Roberto Reyes, who I was not familiar with.  I am happy to say that my doubts were unfounded, and the Ghost Rider elements have been my favorite part of the season so far.  The effects are impressive for TV and Gabriel Luna does a fine job in the role.  As a bonus, we even got a Johnny Blaze Ghost Rider cameo!

These two first crossed paths in STF #1282...

Sunday, December 25, 2016

Calvin & Hobbes and Peanuts



I'd like to take this time to wish a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all who take the time to visit this page.  It has been another fun year, with the blog topping 3.5 million views.  I truly  appreciate all of your feedback and suggestions and hope you are spending time with the ones you love today.  A special thanks goes out to the Patrons - you have helped this project to continue!

Saturday, December 24, 2016

The Phoenix and Deathstroke



Ben Affleck's solo Batman movie will start filming next year, and little is known about the plot other than that it will feature Deathstroke.  I am trying to think of comic stories that featured the two up against each other, but other than a few guest appearances, there isn't a whole lot.  I am assuming, then, that we will see a completely original tale.  I have liked Affleck's previous scripts, so I am optimistic that we will see a bat-flick unlike any other.

Friday, December 23, 2016

The Falcon and Mr. T



Mr. T had a cartoon show when I was a kid, and it was truly bizarre.  He would team up with a group of gymnastic students and solve mysteries.  His dog even had a mohawk.  It sort of reminds me of today's Mike Tyson Mysteries - but at least that show is trying to be odd.

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Namorita Joins The Teen Titans



It's cool to see dc with a Titans title featuring the classic members of the team again. I was worried that there would be no place for them, with their mentors still in operation and a whole new crop of Teen Titans to take their place.  Fortunately DC Rebirth recognized the value and fan base that comes with these characters and have given them a chance to shine again.

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Spider-Man and Shazam! (The Movie!)



The Spider-Man: Homecoming trailer has hit, and while it looks like a lot of fun, it doesn't seem all that different from the Spider-Man films that have come before, with an awkward Peter Parker, Spidey putting his powers to the test and a tech-based villain.  There are enough new elements - Iron Man, web wings and an age appropriate cast - that should help it stand out from the others. I have confident that Marvel has come up with a decent script and it will definitely be a step above The Amazing Spider-Man 2 at least.

Spidey and Cap had a more traditional comic team-up back in STF #1122...

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Wonder Man and Blue Devil



Both of these characters have been through a lot of changes over the years, in appearance and attitude.  I prefer both of them in their more action-comedy phases - Blue Devil from his original series and Wonder Man palling around with The Beast in Hollywood.  Attempts to darken these guys didn't really do much for me as a reader.

Monday, December 19, 2016

The Rocketeer and Superman



Everyone talks about how great John Williams' Superman score is, and with good reason.  Another one of my favorite superhero scores has to be James Horner's Rocketeer soundtrack.  You know it is great music because a bunch of other films have used it as a temp track in early commercials and trailers.

Superman and the Rocketeer first met back in STF #1627...


Sunday, December 18, 2016

Power Man and Bumblebee



One thing I really miss in today's comics are the inventive subscription ads and series advertisements.  They often featured cool art that could not be found anywhere else.  Who can forget the two ads by Bill Sienkiewicz for Power Man and Iron Fist - one with Danny Rand asking the reader to subscribe to their series so as not to upset his partner and the other with Luke Cage daring the reader not to.

Saturday, December 17, 2016

The Human Torch Vs. Captain Cold



Well it seems as though Wentworth Miller's Captain Cold is not completely gone from DC's Legends of Tomorrow.  He has been appearing as some sort of hallucination that Heatwave is experiencing.  We'll see if this leads to a full on resurrection down the line.  I have kind of preferred Heatwave on his own rather than chummy with a partner, so I hope this isn't just a set up to return to the previous status quo.

Friday, December 16, 2016

Zippy and Pinhead



I can't honestly day I always got the humor, but there was something about the Zippy the Pinhead cartoon that always kept me coming back.  I liked the artwork by Bill Griffith, and the whole affair was just so weird.  It definitely stood out among all of the more traditional comic strips in the paper.


Thursday, December 15, 2016

Machine Man and Dynomutt



I love that DC has not only brought back a bunch of great Hanna Barbera characters in new titles but will now be crossing them over in a series of Annuals. I remember doing a Space Ghost/Green Lantern cover on this blog and folks responding that they would love to see DC actually pair the two - and now we are getting one for real!  I only wish that Dynomutt and the Blue Falcon were a part of the fun though.  I'd love to see them mix it up with Batman and Ace the Bat-Hound.

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Aquaman Vs. Captain Marvel



Patrick Wilson has been added to the cast of Aquaman as Orm - Aquaman's half brother, also known as The Ocean Master .  He doesn't really resemble Jason Mamoa, so I guess they got their looks from their mothers! I was hoping that Black Manta would be the primary antagonist, but screenwriters just can't resist the evil brother angle. I'm also curious as to how they'll design the Ocean Master costume and helmet.

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Katana and Sunfire



When I was a kid I was surprised that Sunfire didn't have a higher profile in the comics.  he had a whole episode of Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends dedicated to him, after all!  I guess there are a lot of fire-based heroes and villains and perhaps that's why he kind of got lost in the mix.

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