Marvel Handbook

Archive

Hi everyone I’m Jim Trabold. Welcome back for another edition of the Handbook.

Hey Daron how’s it going?

Pretty good, a bit tired, and not particularly looking forward to working tomorrow, but it goes with the territory I guess”¦

Going good here. Getting ready for the Holiday myself. Hope you have a good one. Same goes to the fans.

Guess I should have read ahead before finishing that first question.

Cool bud. Let’s start up.


Jrad emails

Jamie and Daron,

Jim please. I don’t look like a Jamie, lol.

That’s debatable.

1. I was checking out the list of hero’s that have been killed before and was Multiple Man mentioned? During the Fatal Attractions crossover Multiple Man killed one of the Acolytes by sticking his fist in the things mouth and creating a dupe inside of him. The dupe made the guys body just kinda explode/rip. I believe the Mutants name was Melencoly (sp?).

I believe you mean Seamus Mellancamp. Jamie did kill him. He just came back unexplained but still Multiple Man counts. Thanks for adding to the list

2. I know Hawkeye would use Pym’s formula from time to time. How strong was he when he grew? Also who would win the following fights…

Like Pym his strength varied according to the height he achieved: at 10 feet tall, he could lift (press) 1000 pounds, at 25 feet tall he could lift (press) 10 tons, and at 100 feet tall, he could lift (press) 50 tons. The higher he grew past 25 feet, the more of his strength he had to use simply to support his own enormous mass.

But there is one advantage Hawkeye has over Henry. He has also had extensive training as an aerialist and acrobat, and personal tutoring by Captain America in hand-to-hand combat. So in reality this could get interesting.

Hawkeye (big) vs. Thing

I believe Thing would win. Reason is Thing can top the other Goliath’s. He also is a great fighter. So I say Thing will Clobber him.

Hawkeye (big) vs. Namor

This one I might give to Hawkeye. After all Hawkeye is a tricky bastard. I think even without the pym particles Hawkeye might be able to win with trick arrows.

Hawkeye (big) vs. Luke Cage

I’m giving this to Hawkeye as well. Just recently we saw that type of match. Atlas versus Cage. Atlas took him out. So Hawkeye would.

Hawkeye (big) vs. She Hulk

I give this to She-Hulk. She could just seduce him into giving up. After all she knows Clint’s thing for women. So She-Hulk wins.

3. Has Eric Masterson made any appearences since his death? Also, what happened to his Thunderstrike Mace? I might be one of the only guys on Earth that actually liked that series.

We have seen him since his death. It was in Avengers # 10-11. He was part of the Legion of Unliving at the time lead by Grim Reaper. I think it might be the last time. (Not counting an issue of A-Next with Thunderstrike of another dimension)

As for Thunderstrike the Mace. I believe it still exists. It’s shown to exist in the future for his son to take and use to become the second Thunderstrike. Don’t recall where it is now though.

4. What are both your guys top 5 favorite runs in a Marvel comic by a writer? Examples…….Stern’s run on Avengers, Byrne’s run on FF, Etc, Etc.

Good question. I could do one likely for each title but I won’t this time. I will do my all time five favs.

1. John Byrne on Fantastic Four

2. Frank Miller on Daredevil

3. Peter David on Hulk

4. Kurt Busiek on The Avengers

5. Chris Claremont on Uncanny X-Men

Others of note:

Judd Winnick on Exiles
Garth Ennis on Punisher
Fabian Nicieza on Thunderbolts
J. Michael Straczynski on Amazing Spider-Man
Walt Simonson on Thor

A couple that come to mind are”¦

PAD’s first edition of Captain Marvel

Busiek’s initial run on Thunderbolts

Bendis’ first couple years on Daredevil

Thanks again guys, and keep up the good work!

You’re welcome and thank you.


Robin emails

Another candidate for worst villain, Unus the Untouchable, not only was his partner in crime list member Blob, but his own power made him appear dead and disappear for a few decades. If you’re going to be a villain, at least have a power that hurts others, not yourself.

Good name for the list. He was used more in the 60s. Didn’t come back for a long time actually because of how useless he was.


Colin emails

First off, a thanks to Daron for defending my position on Forge so I didn’t have to. He was right on; I introduced Forge as the X-Men’s answer to prep time nonsense. And sure, Forge has to take the time to build stuff, but so does Tony, and the Iron Man lovers out there are all assuming that he has the time to prep for the X-Men. Also, let’s not forget all the Shi’ar tech that he has access to; that’s a huge plus in his favor. I know the Avengers have gone in space too, but have they been able to bring back Kree/Skrull tech for their own uses?

Don’t think they brought any Shi’ar tech back either. Remember Galactic Storm involved the Shi’ar and Kree. They might have some stuff around and it might have Tony using something to help but doubt it.

My pleasure, Colin. Thanks also for your help.

And Daron’s right on about the X-suits being armour, even though it wasn’t I who brought it up. The first time I remember it being said was around Uncanny 260-5, just before Gambit was introduced. Forge and Banshee were trying to find the X-Men, who had gone through the Siege Perilous. Sinister had destroyed the mansion ages before, so they needed to gain access to the sub-basements through the Morlock tunnels. With Jean Grey and Charlotte Jones – Warren’s old flame – they encountered Masque’s band of Morlocks who took away Jean’s mouth and gave her tentacles for arms. Anyway, Forge made a big deal about how Charlotte ought to be wearing an X-suit, even though she said she didn’t have the body for it, because it was armour and she was only a human. She got shot point blank by someone or other (someone from the Press Gang?) and remarked that she was unhurt, and would only get a bruise to show for it. Imagine the upgrades it might have received over the years, as this was around 1990.

Yep I remember those old gold and blue uniforms Forge made for the Muir Island team. After all I can see them using it for future use in other uniforms after. Even if they all now wear what they are comfortable with.

When was Nightcrawler actually revealed to be devoutly Catholic? I’ve always thought it was kinda lame; like some writer just thought he was so darn clever and said, “Wow, wouldn’t it be ironic that he’s demonic-looking, but devout?” Kurt was best, I thought, early on when he was fun-loving and a mack. Anyone else remember him kissing Aurora while fighting Alpha Flight? Or was it Snowbird?

Well in reality it was rather early. He used his faith to help defeat Dracula back in Uncanny 159. He even questioned it in 196.

So he always had faith. Just never became into priest hood till later. That may have been the biggest mistake. He also had a few relationships we all remember.

Also I think the kiss was Aurora.

I also believe Kurt’s always been devout, but I think it was more recent when they turned him into a “Bible thumper.” Some might say that it was the next evolution of the character, but I think most would agree that this was most likely a “creative” decision to bring more drama to the X-verse.

peace,

You two.

Cya, Colin


Glen emails

I thought Moonfang was a werewolf of some kind.

Might be another Moon Fang. I suspect the names been used more then once.


wolverine0712 posted

I have a Nightcrawler question:

I know Kurt can teleport others with him, but can he do large objects? Say, if he was driving a car and another car came into his lane, could he teleport the whole car out of harms way?

Yes he can do that. Would take a lot out of him just like teleporting more then himself does.


Blake ask

Top ten of the men, and the women, so two lots, who’re death on lovers!

Hehe seem to be cursed, you become the lover you’re likely to die!

Men

1. Daredevil
2. Iron Man
3. Spider-Man
4. Wolverine
5. Hulk
6. Cyclops
7. Dracula
8. Punisher
9. Professor X
10. Silver Surfer

Women

1. Typhoid Mary
2. Black Widow
3. Scarlet Witch
4. Shadowcat
5. Rogue
6. Calypso
7. Madelyne Pryor
8. Jessica Jones
9. Sersi
10. Viper

Is it just me or did that whole conversation just go completely over everyone’s head”¦


Decimation:

This week I’m doing a powered and De-powered list for each title that is post HOM with mutants best I can. After this we’ll just have the list (both) with names in order with issues stated.

Cable/Deadpool # 18

Powered:

Cable
Cannonball
Forge
Meltdown
Siryn
Warpath

House of M # 8

Powered:

Beast
Colossus
Cyclops
Emma Frost
Nightcrawler
Shadowcat
Wolverine

De-Powered:

Iceman
Magneto
Moonstar
Scarlet Witch
Tag
Wind Dancer

House of M Day After # 1:

Powered:

Bishop
Domino
Erg
Firestar
Gambit
Justice
Madrox
Magma
Mammomax
Marvel Girl
Peepers
Pete Wisdom
Psylocke
Rogue
Sage
Storm
Strong Guy
Sunspot
Wolfsbane

De-Powered:

Blob
Callisto
Feral
Hannah Levy
Jubilee
Quicksilver
Thornn

Exiles # 72

Powered:

Tito Bohusk

De-Powered:

Angel Salvadore
Beak
All their kids but 1

New Excalibur # 1:

Dazzler
Nocturne

New X-Men # 20

Powered:

Dust
Elixar
Hellion
Icarus
Mercury
Rockslide
Stepford Cuckoos
Surge
Wallflower
Wither
X-23

De-Powered:

Aero
Hydro
Preview
Prodigy
Spector

Mutopia X # 5

Powered:

Gregor Smerdyakov
Mister M

De-Powered:

Armena Ortega
Bugman
Lara the Illusionist

Dead: Chamayra Ortega

X-Men # 177

De-Powered:

Polaris

X-Men Deadly Genesis # 1

Powered:

Petra

Other notes out of all the titles

Sentinel Squad O.N.E. was sent out to Xaviers
X-Corps Base was blown up
William Stryker is back
Val Cooper is also back

Other powered mutants of note seen:

Franklin Richards
Valeria Richards


Well that’s it for this week. Not a bad article but I’m hoping for more questions next time. Come on you guys I know you can do better. I’m sure that you can come up with a few challenges. More questions and a long article never hurt.

So Daron, what you think?

Good stuff all around.

Yep. I’ll say it now. Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Now I’ll sign off and leave the last words to you

1. Marvel.com question of the week: Which Decimation book are you most looking forward to?

2. As always your opinions on anything in the article or out on the shelves is welcome. After all you never know what type of response you will get.

3. Keep those emails coming and make sure to label them Marvel Handbook

That’s it from my end. Reporting from my corner of the Marvel Universe I’m Jim Trabold. Have a great week and see you at the comic shop.

Have a great Thanksgiving everyone, and international readers have a great weekend. See you all back here next Wednesday.