Marvel Handbook

Archive

Hi everyone. Welcome back for another edition of the Handbook.

Hey Daron good to see you again, old buddy.

Grumble, grumble, grumble. No coffee yet. Grumble, grumble, grumble.

I’ve had an interesting week to say the least, certainly a hot one. There are great things about this week too, like a ton of emails for us to cover. Care to get right to it?

Would it really matter if I said no?

Let’s go.

That’s what I thought


Colin emails

What’s the deal with Cable? When he was a baby (Christopher), his power was an invulnerable force field. Nothing could get through it, so he was almost always safe from harm.

His powers in the few years after he came from the future (I can’t say I read anything with Cable in it now) were telepathy and telekinesis. His telekinesis was/is really powerful, but always almost completely focused on keeping the techno-organic virus from spreading to his entire body. I don’t think he’s had the force field since he’s been an adult. Where did it go? Was it a manifestation of his telekinesis, and he can’t use it because it requires too much power that the virus would kill him?

Babies are much different than adult versions of a person. As we get older we acquire more skills and our abilities increase. The case was the same for Cable. As a mutant, Cable’s powers grew and expanded as he matured. Part of that meant that the force field turned into more a telekinetic and telepathic power. Unfortunately, even as an adult, the techno virus still limited his ability to use his powers to there full potential. If he uses all his power the virus gets out of control and can kill him.

Actually Cable is the most powerful mutant alive without the virus. Evidence of that is, of course, Nate Grey, aka X-Man.

And I guess Quicksilver is in House of M, but is he still married to Crystal? Where’s she? I loved that issue of FF where there was some dream sequence or something where she kicked the tar out of Sue; Sue was mad about Crystal breaking Johnny’s heart and attacked her. Is she still around? I’m not that into most of the Inhumans, but I thought she was great, and I really like Black Bolt.

Actually, after reading a short bio in Secrets of House of M it doesn’t seem that he’s married to Crystal (or ever was) or has a child. Plus we don’t know anything about the Inhumans at all in the HOM world yet. It doesn’t mean they won’t be seen later, but for now, there are no Inhumans present.

thanks,

Welcome

Um”¦I have no comment at this time.


Mike S emails

Hey Jim,

I enjoy reading the column every week. I’ve been out of comics for some time, but I’ve started going into bookstores lately and reading them again. Your column (and the Nexus) definitely keep me up on what is happening.

You’re welcome. We all do our best around these parts. Good to see we’re helping people like you.

Well, since the column was a little light this week and I enjoy reading it, I thought I should do my part and ask a question, so here goes:

I remember reading Captain America and he was fighting the Hulk underground. I remember the cover had Cap crouched behind his shield and the Hulk’s fist hitting it. At the same time, Cap was working with Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. had a group of superheroes they were developing. Most of the superheroes ended up turning on Cap and S.H.I.E.L.D. Can you tell me who those guys were and if they ever showed up again?

If I’m right, you’re thinking of the old S.H.I.E.L.D. Super-Agents

That was back in Captain America 217-218, 228-230 when Cap helped train SHIELD super powered agents.

The group consisted of

Blue Streak: A double-agent working for the Corporation. Blue Streak went Super Villain and was killed by Scourge

Marvel Man: Quasar. That’s right the future Avenger was part of SHIELD at the time and was part of the team

Texas Twister: Texas Twister once tried out for membership in Frightful Four, later he joined the Super Agents, and he was the first to leave the team. Eventually, he joined the Rangers.

Vamp: Another double-agent working for the Corporation. As Vamp she used a belt, which gave her more strength. In her other “true” identity, the monster Animus, she had a magic club and telepathic powers. She was killed by Scourge as well

Falcon: Captain America’s partner, who was asked to lead the Super-Agents when Captain America declined

PS Feel free to rewrite my question so that it makes more sense.

Made perfect sense and there is a second group of Super Agents out there if you want to know about them, feel free to email the Handbook again.

So I just gotta know. Who would win in a fight, Captain America or Superman”¦


Mark emails

Dear Jim, My question is simple… are ‘The End’ series (Wolverine, X-Men, Punisher, Hulk) considered canon or Marvel versions of Elseworlds?

Well actually they are sort of mixed. They are what the future might turn out to be. If you’ll notice they use continuity to let you back into the characters life in that future. Like any future though it’s more WHAT IF since no one knows what the future will bring.

Yeah right. Marvel has enough of a hard time keeping track of their ‘regula’ continuity, I sincerely doubt any of the “The Ends” will ever have any real influence”¦


Our old buddy Abdul emails

Jazz E Jazz is a rapist in Sapien Town!!!!!!!!! Or did you mean rapper? I know you did just joking with you. By the way DD is mentioned in the second issue of House of M he gets a small blurb in the paper about having relations with She-Hulk. So I guess that was his heart’s desire to keep him pacified and not wanting to oppose the House of M. A little green poonanie and Murdock doesn’t care what goes on in the world.

Thank you Abdul. You’re right. I’ve looked back too and found the info. I’ve added it into this week’s issue in fact. This installment will cover a little of everyone in the world and where they are and the like.


John emails

Hey ya Jim,

What is with the lack of questions? Are people just not as inquisitive in the summer months? Seeing as summer is the time for fun let’s as a few questions about everyone’s favourite ‘fun’ character (or at least mine) SPEEDBALL:

Wish I knew why there was a lack. I used a lot of spare emails from the past weeks. Sometimes things just get slower, I guess.

(1) If Speedball was put in a seamless box made from adamantium and he started bouncing around inside would the box break due to the pressure build-up from the inside or would Speedball get crushed?

I’m thinking he’d be pulverized. Adamantium is the strongest metal known other then Cap’s shield. So I see him getting hurt.

(2) Could Wolverine cut Speedball?

Yes, he can cut him, but first he’d have to catch him. Speedball is a quick after all. However, if Wolverine managed to, he could certainly cut Speedball.

“It’s adamantium tasting time boy.” SNIKT!

We must be in a Marvel comic this week to have Wolverine show up.

(3) Could the Hulk hurt Speedball in any way?

Again it’s probable here too. As long as these people can catch up to Speedball they can hurt him.

Hulk Smash bouncing Man

See even the Hulk agrees. Thanks for making a guest appearance Hulk.

(4) I have actually read somewhere that Speedball has defenses from telepathic attacks. Is there any evidence?

Actually there is proof. The biggest was from Gamesmaster back in Child’s Play the X-Force/ New Warriors crossover in the 90s.


Jim emails

Hey guys,

Love the column. I will keep it short and sweet. I was out of comics for a while and during that time Genosha was destroyed. What happened and how was it destroyed?

Hey Jim.

Actually this may take a bit. This starts with Cassandra Nova

She sent a new breed of Sentinels who quickly set about exterminating the populace of Genosha. About sixteen million people died that day, but it got even worse. In the wake of this tragedy, Cassandra Nova managed to exchange her mind with Charles’, only to then turn a gun upon at her own body.

Cassandra Nova also is a previously unknown form of life, what the Shi’ar call mummudrai. That is the spirit that is the equal and opposite of a person. In this case, she is the opposite of Charles Xavier with whom she also shared a womb. Unlike most mummudrai, however, she was able to create a physical form because of Xavie’s amazing genetic potential. She has vast mental abilities, allowing her to control legions of people, as well as the ability to manipulate and even regenerate her physical form.

What he said”¦


House of M

Ok there was a lot out this week including a book that allows me to do what I’m about to do. The book Secrets of House of M. Today I’m going to show you the groups and more of where people are.

Parker and Company: Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Gwen Stacy (Wife), Uncle Ben Parker, Aunt May Parker, Rhino/Aleksei Sytsevich, Captain George Stacy, Crusher Hogan, Mary Jane Watson, Ritchie Parker (son of Pete)

FBI/Police: Sam Wilson, Lucas Bishop, Jasper Sitwell

Stark Industries: Tony Stark, Howard Stark, Henry McCoy, Henry Pym, Forge

Human Resistance: Nick Fury (Leader), Luke Cage, Iron Fist/Daniel Rand, Misty Knight, Moon Knight/Marc Spector, White Tiger/Hector Ayala, Black Cat/Felicia Hardy, Cloak/Tyrone Johnson , Hawkeye/Clint Barton, Sons of Tiger: (Abe Brown, Bob Diamond, Lin Sun), Angela Del Toro

XSE: Izzy Ortega, Alexei Vazhin

Excalibur: Marvel Girl/Rachel Summers, Psylocke/Betsy Braddock, Captain Britain/Brian Braddock

SHIELD: James Howlett/Wolverine, Jessica Drew, Mystique/Raven Darkholme, Toad/Mortimer Toynbee, Nightcrawler/Kurt Wagner, Anna Marie/Rogue, Sebastian Shaw (Leader), Madame Web, Sentinels

Lawyers: She-Hulk/Jennifer Walters, Matt Murdock

Pulse: Ben Urich, Kat Farrell, Trish Tilby

The House of M: Lorna Dane, Qucksilver/Pietro, Wanda, Sabretooth/Victor Creed, Exodus (Lieutenant), Pyro (soldier), Vanisher (soldier)

Fearsome Four: Lord Victor Von Doom, Invincible Woman/Valeria Von Doom, Inhuman Torch/Kristoff Von Doom, The IT

Hellions: Moonstar (teacher/leader), Jullian Keller, Wind Dancer/Sofia Mantega, Surge/Noriko Ashida, Magik/Illyana Rasputin, Quill/unknown, Synch/Everett Thomas

Mutant Academy: Professor Xi’an Coy Manh, Jubilee/Jubilation Lee, Quinten Quire, Stepford Cuckoos/Celeste, Mindee, Sophie, Esme, and Phoebe, Teachers: Northstar/Jean-Paul Beaubier, Wolfsbane/Rahe Sinclair, and Aurora/Jeanne-Marie Beaubier

Horsemen of Apocalypse: Apocalypse, Iceman/Robert Drake

A.I.M.: Scorpion/Thanasee Rappaccini, Hulk/Bruce Banner

Scott Summers
Emma Frost Summers (teacher)
Captain America/Steve Rogers (soldier)
Alison Blaire (talk show host)
Wonder Man/Simon Williams (actor)
Ms Marvel/Carol Danvers (former SHIELD agent)
Katherine “Kitty” Pryde (teacher)
Doctor Stephen Strange (psychologist)
Peter Rasputin/Colossus (farmer)
Robert Reynolds
Leech (student)
Remy LeBeau (thieves)
Ororo Munroe (Princess of Kenya)
Janet Van Dyne (fashion designer)
Dr. Otto Octavius (doctor)
Madame Hydra (leader of HYDRA)
Kevin Plunder (Refugee)
Zabu (Kevin’s pet)
Jason Wyngarde (owner of own company)
Guido/Strong Guy (body guard)
Prince Namor (ruler of Atlantis)
King T’Challa/Black Panther (ruler of Wakanda)
Kree Private Genis-Vell (Kree agent)
Mariko Harada (daughter of Keniuchio Harada)
Keniuchio Harada (Clan Yashida leader)
Ralph Macchio (EIC Marvel comics)
Warren Worthington III/Angel (Millionaire in sex scandal)
Raphael Vega (Wolfpack Leader)
Shang-chi (Dragon gang leader)
Johnny Storm (Sapien Battle Warrior)
Mister Sinister/Nathan Essex (scientist looking for a savier)
Cable (baby created by Sinister)
Deadpool (Marvel Universe version)
Mole King (Ruler of Moloids)


That’s it for this week. Pretty good week. I prefer weeks like this one. Don’t you Daron?

What? We’re done already? I must have dozed off”¦oh well.

Cool. Care to sign off?

Um”¦If I sign off I think it’s going to be rather difficult for me to finish the column”¦don’t you?

My turn then.

Notes:

1. Which of these female heroes has the most girl-power? Is the Marvel question of the week.

2. Keep those emails coming. I love busy weeks. I want as many questions as you’ve got.

3. More house of M to come so keep reading the Handbook.

Reporting from my corner of the Marvel Universe I’m Jim Trabold. Have a great week and see you at the comics shop