Happy Turkey day everyone. It’s the Thanksgiving edition of the Handbook and boy do we have a lot to be thankful for this year.
Some great books out there that fans are enjoying like Astonishing X-Men and so many more.
It’s not all good though. Alpha Flight’s been canned and so has Mystique. I’m not thankful for that at all. I want Flight to stay around. It’s a great read.
Of course fans can always try and save Alpha Flight. There’s an online petition here.
X-Men The End stuff will be monthly from now on. I have to wait till each issue comes out to do them. But for now it’s AOA time, but let’s get to the emails first.
Wow, Jim, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so long winded in your intros before. All I want to say is Happy Thanksgiving to everyone celebrating it today.
Now let’s get this show on the road.
First I took this off a post by Iron Mike on the boards
Can anyone give me the lowdown on this character? I’ve read the old Steranko Nick Fury series, so I know that he was a Nazi, that he ran Hydra, and that he got killed and resurrected by the Death’s Head Virus (wha?) but that’s about it.
Can someone fill me in? Looks like he’s a player again, so I’d like to get up to date.
I’m going to help you out:
Real Name: Wolfgang Von Strucker
Occupation: German intelligence agent, wing commander of Nazi German’s Death’s-Head Squadron, leader of the German army’s Blitzkrieg Squad of commandos, supreme leader of HYDRA
Other Aliases: Supreme Hydra, Formerly Grand imperator of THEM,
Place Of Birth: Strucker castle, Bavaria, Germany
Marital Status: Married (presumed widower)
Known Relatives: unnamed wife (presumed deceased), Werner Strucker (son), Andreas Strucker (son, aka Fenris), Andrea Strucker (daughter, aka Fenris), Jan (last name unrevealed, son-in-law, deceased)
Group Affiliation: Leader of Hydra
First Appearance: Nick Fury & The Howling Commandos #5
Base of Operations: Strucker Castle, Germany; later Hydra Island and other locations
Powers/Abilities: exceptional hand-to-hand fighting skills, wears The Satan Claw on his right hand which emits electrical shocks
He was first seen as part of the Nazi government intelligence services in WWII.
After many battles Strucker challenged Nick Fury to personal combat on the island of Norsehaven in the English Channel. Strucker tried to cheat by putting a sleeping pill in Fury’s drink. Strucker won the duel because Nick fell asleep.
The next time they met Fury won in hand to hand combat.
Strucker fought Nick one more time this time to a stand still. He later helped save the people he was sent to kill.
He then joined forces with the Red Skull for a time before forming his own group called HYDRA.
He also helped form the group known as AIM through HYDRA.
Hydra battled Captain Savage and was defeated but rebuilt again by Strucker.
This is when he almost died in battle with a young Magneto and Charles Xavier.
During a plot where Baron Strucker created a Death Spore bomb, he meet Nick Fury again who now led SHIELD. He faked his death.
He survived and is currently leading HYDRA.
He has battled Fury, Captain America, the X-Men and others since.
BL emails
It’s me again…
So, I was reading X-Force #4 that just came out this past week, and I was thinking: “Isn’t this the most trite and foolish sh*T in comics?” So, Wolverine is attacking the Watchtower to ‘save’ a capturd and brainwashed Caliban, but they never even say why. And they never say why X-Forcer was there either. Or furthermore, how they found out that Caliban was there in the first place!
To me, this was just another lame excuse to let our Ol’ Pal Rob Liefield draw a book, and another opportunity to sell some copies for the doofus’ like me who have to pick up everything on the shelves with Wolverine on the cover.
How bout this: Have Wolverine in a book, but DON’T put him on the cover. And then…when said comic reader pics up the book and finds that Wovlerine is in it, he will be all like: “Wow! This is great! An Unadvertised Wolvie appearance! I have to buy this book forever because it is sooooo coooolllll!!!!” And stuff…
It’s the Rob Liefield time again You know I wouldn’t be surprised if some crazed fan hired a hit man to take him out. It may be the only way fans won’t have to put up with his writing or art anymore.
As for Wolvie. He’s in everything now a days. You’d be buying almost every Marvel title out if you wanted to get every issue he’s in. It’s time Marvel cools it. I love Wolverine myself but it’s starting to get to be too much.
Starting to be too much??? It’s worse than the early 90’s when Marvel blatantly used Wolverine for promotions… – The Overlord
RobGrayson from the board asked
Ok, here is one.
After glancing through the recent Marvel Book of the Dead, I’m curious to how Nate Grey died and what the events were leading up to it.
Thank you…
Nate became so powerful that he merged his spirit with the Earth and sent his genetic code into all living cells on the planet so that his people could harvest the resulting energy. Basically trying to make the world a better place.
Talk about going out with a whimper, eh? This book was so good at times, I was especially annoyed when it ended on such a low note… – The Overlord
Chase emails
Hey Jim. It sucks to here that Morse is leaving – he ruled all, even if he was part of the “other” column. : ) Anyway, I know I sent you a lot of E-mails on the DD game and it seems to have been resolved… but here’s the thing… other than the two sights I mentioned, I can find nothing on the game being released again… you said you heard it will be released, too… what did you hear? I’m starting to doubt the sites I found, so I figured maybe you found something more tangible. Sorry about constantly asking about this – but I must know! Anyway, I won’t be offended if you don’t print this – you’ve probably received some mail about how close to off-topic my mail is anyway, but I appreciate your help in my holiest of quests! You too, Overlord! You guys rule – and with the loss of Morse, man, we need you two more than ever to uphold the ‘Pulse!
Alright here’s what I know:
I’ve seen demos of the game. I’ve also seen what you’ve shown me. I also did some research on the net looking for the game. Most sites show it like yours did. But I’ve also gone into game shops. I can’t find it in there myself. Now either the sites or wrong and the game got canned or we’re going to have to ask more game shops about the game.
Um…side note. You can write in with whatever topic you want, Chase (related to comics, and Marvel preferably), but please in the future don’t refer to the Nexus as the Pulse. I’ve already gotten an earful from a “unnamed” Comicon/Pulse staff member. (Side, side note: I’m not mad, just letting you know so we don’t get sued…) – The Overlord
Age of Apocalypse
The next few editions of the Handbook will be dedicated to the Age of Apocalypse and the difference between them and their Marvel Counterparts. I’m going to start today with the X-Men teams from AOA.
All of the pics are of the AOA versions of the characters.
AOA X-Men
Banshee
Real Name: Sean Cassidy
Group Affiliation: X-Men
Height: 6′
Weight: 170 lbs
Eyes: Blue-green
Hair: Red-blonde
There isn’t much of a difference between Marvel 616 version and this one. Banshee joined the X-Men and retired for a short time only to return to the team and join Quicksilver’s squad on it’s mission against Abyss. He’s also second in command of the team providing wisdom and advice
Died: Abyss killed him.
Dazzler
Real Name: Alison Blaire
Group Affiliation: X-Men
Height: 5’8″
Weight: 114 lbs
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Blonde
In this universe Dazzler never had a shot with her singing career thanks to Apocalypse. She joined the X-Men instead and was part of Quicksilver’s team. Also in this world Dazzler smokes and is “bit” jaded.
Exodus
Real Name: Bennet du Paris
Group Affiliation: X-Men
Height: 6′
Weight: 185 lbs.
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Black
In this universe he joined Magneto but this time as an X-Man. He was freed by Magneto from a processing plant of Apocalypse’s. He didn’t learn all of his powers like in 616. He also had a thing for Dazzler. He was a member of Quicksilver’s team as well.
Iceman
Real Name: Robert “Bobby” Drake
Group Affiliation: X-Men
Height: 5′ 8″
Weight: 145 lbs.
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Brown
One of the original X-Men like in 616. In this universe Iceman learned full control of his powers unlike in 616. In AOA he can no longer become human. He was part of Quicksilver’s strike force.
Died: Colossus smashed him
Quicksilver
Real Name: Pietro Maximoff Lehnsherr
Group Affiliation: X-Men
Known Relatives: Magneto (father), Magda (mother, deceased), Rogue (stepmother), Charles Lensherr (half-brother), Scarlet Witch (sister, deceased), Anya (sister, deceased)
Height: 6′
Weight: 175 lbs
Eyes: Silver
Hair: White
Magneto raised Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch in this world at an early age; they where both original X-Men. Although Wanda died, Quicksilver stayed at his fathers side and became a leader of one of the X-Men teams.
Real Name: Ororo Munroe
Group Affiliation: X-Men
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 127 lbs.
Eyes: Blue
Hair: White
Her past was very much like that in 616 but instead she joined the original X-Men when they where formed by Magneto. She helped during the first mission by defeating Death and also helped save Bishop. In AOA Storm is less restrained in the use of her powers
Real Name: Clarice Ferguson
Group Affiliation: X-Men
Height: 5’6″
Weight: 115 lbs.
Eyes: Shining Green, no visible pupils
Hair: Pinkish purple
In this reality Blink’s parents where killed by Abyss. She was taken to a slave camp and met Illyana Rasputin. Sabretooth saved her and brought her to the X-Men. She was part of Rogue’s team in the assault on Holocaust. (This Blink is the same as the one in the Exiles title.)
Real Name: Sidney Jones
Group Affiliation: X-Men
Height: 5 ft. 11 in.
Weight: 180 lbs.
Eyes: white
Hair: none
In this universe Changeling would take the name Morph and join the X-Men as their resident comic. He was part of Rogue’s team.
Died: Shot by energy weapon
Real Name: Unrevealed
Group Affiliation: X-Men
Known Relatives: Magneto (Husband), Charles Lensherr (son), Quicksilver (step-son)
Height: 5’8″
Weight: 120 lbs.
Eyes: Green
Hair: Brown with white streak
In this world she started her adventures alongside Polaris, but Lorna betrayed her friend and Rogue absorbed her powers. Mystique took her to Magneto, who in turn took her in and the two soon fell in love. (Even though Gambit was in the way for a time.) Magneto and Rogue married and Rogue had Magneto’s fourth child named Charles. She would later become leader of her own group of X-Men.
Real Name: Victor Creed
Group Affiliation: X-Men
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 275 lbs.
Eyes: Amber
Hair: Blonde
Sabretooth began his career as a member of Apocalypse’s strike force. He was defeated by Weapon X and switched sides to join the X-Men. He would later help save Blink from slave camps. He also survived AOA and joined Weapon X in Exiles. Sabretooth is much more civilized in the AOA.
Real Name: Shiro Yoshida
Known Relatives: Mariko Yoshida
Group Affiation: X-Men
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 175 lbs.
Eyes: Dark brown
Hair: Black
Sunfire survived Apocalypse’s attack on Japan. Apocalypse took him captive and handed him to Maximus. His skin was burned off during this torture. Blink saved Sunfire with Cyclops help and brought him to join the X-Men.
Wild Child
Real Name: Kyle Gibney
Group Affiliation: X-Men
Height: 5’8″
Weight: 135 lbs.
Eyes: Green-blue
Hair: Blonde
Wild Child was a free man till Apocalypse came along. He gave him over to Sabretooth as a “sidekick”. Sabretooth took him to join the X-Men when he left Apacolypse. Wild Child would be Sabretooth’s aid during battle alongside Rogue’s team.
Jean Grey
Real Name: Jean Grey
Group Affiliation: Partner of Weapon X, formerly X-Men
Height: 5’6″
Weight: 110 lbs.
Eyes: Green
Hair: Red
Like in 616, Jean was an original X-Men, but without Scott in her world she fell in love with Logan, Weapon X. She quit the X-Men with him and worked for the Human High Council. She would meet Cyclops while on a mission with Weapon X. She would also met her cloned son, Nate Grey.
Died: Havok killed her.
Weapon X
Real Name: James Howlett
Known Aliases: Logan
Group Affiliation: Partner of Jean Grey, formerly X-Men
Height: 5’3″
Weight: (with adamantium skeleton) 295 lbs
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Black
Weapon X’s past is mostly the same as in 616 up to the point where he joined the original X-Men. He left the team after Jean was kidnapped by Sinister. He took her with him to help the Human High Council to save the normal humans on this world.
Bishop
Real Name: Lucas Bishop
Group Affiliation: X-Men
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 280 lbs.
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black, shaved bald
AOA Bishop is actually from the of the 616 Universe. His story starts when Legion killed the Professor, and his mission is to get reality back to normal. The only big difference here is he’s older.
Bova
Real Name: Bova Ayrshire
Height: unknown
Weight: unknown
Eyes: black
Hair: brown
Bova like in 616 was created by High Evolutionary. She took care of Magneto’s children
Died: Likely during an attack on the X-Men.
Real Name: Piotr “Peter” Nikolaievitch Rasputin
Known Relatives: Katherine Pryde-Rasputin (Shadowcat, wife), Illyana Rasputin (sister), Mikhail Rasputin (brother)
Group Affiliation: Generation Next, formerly X-Men
Height: (armored) 7’5″
Weight: (armored) 300 lbs.
Eyes: Blue, (armored) Silver
Hair Black
Colossus was one of the X-Men before Magneto made him headmaster of the Generation Next kids. Him, Kitty and the students where sent to find his sister Illyana. He also got his face scared in an earlier battle.
Died: Gambit killed him when he went mad.
Peter Corbeau
Real Name: Dr. Peter Corbeau
Group Affiliation: none
Height: unknown
Weight: unknown
Eyes: brown
Hair: brown
Corbeau was Apocalypse’s librarian for cataloguing, he betrayed Apocalypse to help Magneto
Forge
Real Name: Unrevealed
Group Affiliation: Outcasts, Formerly X-Men
Height: 6′
Weight: 180 lbs.
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black
Forge joined Magneto’s side when Apocalypse rose to power. They would meet Nate Grey of the future and Forge would learn of get Mastermind as an ally plus lose he lost an eye here. He would leave Magneto’s side and form his own group of rogues. He also saved Nate Grey from Sinister’s breeding pens.
Died: Killed by Sinister
Real Name: Remy LeBeau
Group Affiliation: X-Ternals, formerly X-Men
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 175 lbs.
Eyes: Red
Hair Brown
Gambit was an X-Man like in 616 but left because Rogue choose Magneto over him. He formed his own group of heroes, Magneto asked him to go to the Shi’ar Galaxy to find the M’Kraan Crystal.
Charles Lehnsherr
Real Name: Charles Lehnsherr
Known Relatives: Magneto (father), Rogue (mother), Quicksilver (half-brother), Scarlet Witch (half-sister, deceased), Anya (half-sister, deceased)
Height: unknown
Weight: unknown
Eyes: blue
Hair: blond
Charles was the son of Rogue and Magneto. He was taken care of by Nanny.
Real Name: Erik Magnus Lehnsherr
Known Relatives: Rogue (wife), Charles Lensherr (son), Quicksilver (son), Scarlet Witch (daughter, deceased), Magda (wife, deceased), Anya(daughter, deceased)
Group Affiliation: X-Men
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 190 lbs
Eyes: Blue
Hair: White
Magneto formed the X-Men in this world after the death of his long time friend Charles Xavier. His X-Men would have to battle Apocalypse who had taken over the Earth.
Nanny
Real Name: Nanny
Height: unknown
Weight: unknown
Eyes: white
Hair: none
Nanny was created on this world to protect and care for Charles.
Died: Destroyed by Guido Carosella
Real Name: Kurt Darkholme
Known Relatives: Raven Darkholme (Mystique, mother)
Group Affiliation: X-Men, X-Calibre
Height: 5’9″
Weight: 190 lbs.
Eyes: Shining yellow, no visible pupils
Hair Indigo
Nightcrawler was a member of the X-Men. He was sent by Magneto to find Destiny with his mother Mystique. This Nightcrawler is not religious like 616’s plus he’s darker and more brutal
Scarlet Witch
Real Name: Wanda Maximoff Lehnsherr
Group Affiliation: X-Men
Height: 5′ 7″
Weight: 130 lbs.
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Auburn
Like Quicksilver she was raised by Magneto and joined the original X-Men. She was left behind during the X-Men’s first mission to protect the children. Nemesis attacked the school and killed her.
Died: Killed by Nemesis
Real Name: Katherine “Kitty” Pryde-Rasputin
Known Relatives: Piotr Rasputin (Colossus, husband), Illyana Rasputin (sister-in-law), Mikhail Rasputin (brother-in-law)
Group Affiliation: Generation Next
Height 5’6″
Weight 110 lbs.
Eyes: Hazel
Hair: Brown (dyed light brown)
Kitty was a member of the X-Men like her husband Colossus until they where asked to headmaster the Generation Next kids. She went with Colossus and the kids on a search for Illyana.
Died: Colossus ran her over
Chamber
Real Name: Jonothon Starsmore
Group Affiliation: Generation Next
Height: 5’9″
Weight: 140 lbs.
Eyes: brown
Hair: Reddish-brown
In this universe a special harness was created to help control this young mutant’s powers. He joined Colossu’s Generation Next crew for training to become an X-Man. He went on the mission to find Illyana.
Died: Killed by the Sugarman’s forces
Real Name: Paige Guthrie
Known Relatives: Elisabeth Guthrie (Amazon, sister), Sam Guthrie (Cannonball, brother)
Group Affiliation: Generation Next
Height: 5’7″ (can vary when shapeshifting)
Weight: 100 lbs. (can vary when shapeshifting)
Eyes: Blue (can vary when shapeshifting)
Hair: Blonde (can vary when shapeshifting)
She was a member of Generation Next like in 616. Her brother and sister though had joined Apocalypse’s side instead. She went on the mission to find Illyana.
Died: Killed in battle with the Sugar Man
Know It All
Real Name: Monet St. Croix
Group Affiliation: Generation Next
Height: 5’7″
Weight: 125 lbs.
Eyes: brown
Hair: black
Know It All is the Generation Next human computer. She used her mutant powers to help find Illyana.
Group Affiliation: Generation Next
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 260 lbs.
Eyes: brown
Hair: black
Mondo was a member of Generation Next like his counterpart in 616 was with Gen X. He was sent to help save Illyana with the others.
Died: Killed by the Sugar Man
Illyana Rasputin
Real Name: Illyana Nikolievna Rasputin
Known Relatives: Piotr Rasputin (Colossus, brother), Mikhail Rasputin (brother), Katherine Pryde-Rasputin (Shadowcat, sister-in-law)
Height: unknown
Weight: unknown
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Blonde
Illyana was believed dead after Apocalypse took over Russia, but she instead she was held in a slave camp. Colossus’ group of students where sent to save his sister. Illyana was needed to help open a gateway to the past that would fix the timeline.
Skin
Real Name: Angelo Espinosa
Group Affiliation: Generation Next
Height: 5’7″
Weight: 115 lbs.
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Brown
Skin was a member of Generation Next like he is a member of 616 Gen X, in this world he helped rescue Chamber before joining and being sent on the mission to save Illyana.
Died: Killed in battle with the Sugar Man
Vincente
Real Name: Unrevealed
Group Affiliation: Generation Next
Height: unknown
Weight: unknown
Eyes: Purple
Hair: None
Vincente in this universe was a member Gen Next and one of the good guys. He first appeared here before his counterpart in 616. He joined the mission to save Illyana.
Died: Killed by the Sugar Man
Cain
Real Name: Cain Marko
Group Affiliation: X-Calibre
Height: 6’10”
Weight: 900 lbs.
Eyes: Blue
Here: red brown
Cain went to Avalon in respect to Xavier’s death, he wants to make up for his violent past. He became Destiny’s bodyguard while there.
Died: Brain hemorrhage
Damask
Real Name: Steed (first name unrevealed)
Group Affiliation: X-Calibre, formerly Pale Riders
Height: unknown
Weight: unknown
Eyes: brown
Hair: black
She worked for Apocalypse as a Pale Rider. She and her group where sent to Avalon to kill Destiny. She switched sides during the battle and joined Nightcrawler’s group to save Avalon.
Destiny
Real Name: Irene Adler
Group Affiliation: X-Calibre
Height: 5’7″
Weight: 110 lbs.
Eyes: Unrevealed
Hair: Silver
Magneto’s plan to help recreate Earth needed Destiny and he had Mystique and Nightcrawler go to Avalon to bring her back. She helped open the gate to the past, which returned reality to normal.
Mystique
Real Name: Raven Darkholme
Known Relatives: Kurt Darkholme (Nightcrawler, son)
Group Affiliation: X-Calibre
Height: 5’9″ (can vary when shapeshifting)
Weight: 123 lbs.(can vary when shapeshifting)
Eyes: Yellow (no pupils)(can vary when shapeshifting)
Hair: Red (can vary when shapeshifting)
Mystique worked for Magneto on numerous cases. Finding and saving the girl Rogue and later joining her son in search of Destiny. She knew Destiny from the past in this world as well.
John Proudstar
Real Name: John Proudstar
Group Affiliation: Ghost Dance
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 225 lbs.
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black
John Proudstar in this universe was leader of Ghost Dance. He helped people find Avalon. He met Nightcrawler while he was on his search for Destiny.
Died: Killed by the Madri
Doug Ramsey
Real Name: Douglas Ramsey
Group Affiliation: X-Calibre
Height: 5’9″Weight: 150 lbs.
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Blonde
Doug was Destiny’s adopted son in this reality and stayed with his mother in Avalon. He saved Destiny’s life in the end.
Died: Killed by the Shadow King
Switchback
Real Name: unrevealed
Group Affiliation: X-Calibre
Height: unknown
Weight: unknown
Eyes: blue
Hair: silver
Switchback was a girl from Detroit who traveled to Avalon to gain freedom from Apocalypse. She found it there and helped Nightcrawler and X-Calibre.
Lila Cheney
Real Name: Lila Cheney
Group Affiliation: X-Ternals
Height: 5’8″
Weigh: 120 lbs.
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Black
Lila was a rock musician like in 616 until Apocalypse took over. She joined Gambit’s X-Ternals afterwards. Her powers helped get the team to the Shi’ar Galaxy.
Jubilee
Real Name: Jubilation Lee
Group Affiliation: X-Ternals
Height: 5’5″
Weight: 105 lbs.
Eyes: Blue
Hair Black
Jubilee was a member of Gambit’s X-Ternals who went to the Shi’ar Galaxy.
Strong Guy
Real Name: Guido Carosella
Group Affiliation: formerly X-Ternals
Height: 7′
Weight: 750 lbs.
Eyes: Blue
Hair: White/blonde
Went with the X-Ternals to the Shi’ar Galaxy but soon betrayed the team and kidnapped Charles.
Died: Rogue killed him
Sunspot
Real Name: Roberto Dacosta
Group Affiliation: X-Ternals
Height: 5’8″
Weight: 170 lbs.
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black
In this universe he was a member of Gambit’s X-Ternals during the mission to the Shi’ar Galaxy.
Died: He died to save his teammates
Synch
Real Name: Everett Thomas
Group Affiliation: X-Ternals
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 165 lbs.
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black
Everett in this universe was a friend of Jubilee’s who was killed.
Died: unknown
The AOA expose will continue next week with The Human High Council, Forge’s crew and the other heroes of the AOA.
Rather large edition of the Handbook this week. So how about a good sign off and then I’ll just close out.
Well, I want to once again congratulate my good friend and partner Ben Morse on his call up to the big leagues. The Nexus won’t be the same without him, but we’ll do our best to forge ahead and keep this great site that he created going and ever growing.
We’ve got a few changes in store, which you’ll see in the coming weeks. Some columns are gonna switch days and we’ve even got a few new surprises in store. Past that bit of crypticism (yeah Tim, you’re not the only one who can make up words!!!), I want to again wish everyone a great Thanksgiving, and we’ll see you all here next week.
Reporting from the Marvel Universe I’m Jim Trabold. Happy Thanksgiving and thanks for spending part of your holiday weekend with us. See you all next week. Keep those emails coming.
