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Hello and welcome to yet another addition of the Marvel Handbook. I’m Jim Trabold and Happy New Year everyone.

We have another good edition ahead but as always let me see how Daron is. Hey Daron how are you today?

Hey Jim, doing much better than last week”¦thankfully. Still busy with work and trying to find a new job.

Sounds like your busy as hell. I’ve had a nice week. Back to work here myself. But I don’t think the readers care too much. They want our article so let’s start.


(From last week.)

Jeff emails

Hey ya Jim (and Daron)! First time-long time. I’ll warn you and Daron off the bat–this is sorta long. If you guys want to cut it into a couple week’s worth of columns, feel free.

Nah won’t take all that much space. Hell it will really help fill this up.

I wanted to chime in on a couple of threads I’ve seenrecently:

1) “…the opportunity to renovate any character in
Marvel, who would it be?…”

Well, I gotta second both your picks of the Black Knight and the Dark Overlord’s choice of Moon Knight. Maybe you guys ought to put something together, call it Knights of Marvel!

You know that would be cool. I like that they are bringing back Moon Knight. I’m a big fan of him myself. Me and Daron combining forces for a Marvel title would be let’s just say interesting to say the least.

To say the least”¦

But for me as well, it’s B-listers I’m interested in:

A) Rhino–I freakin’ LOVE the Rhino! He’s got so much potential. The “Flowers for Rhino” story in the short-lived Spider-Man series whose title escapes me was great and could have been a nice launch point for a lot of new directions with that character. I’d make him something of a hero, starting with the redemption of a life-long villain. You know hair-trigger types like Captain America (seriously, I’ve seen him attack the Thing inside of three panels–Steve needs to get laid) will give him some good brawls, and you’d pull for the poor palooka like you do the Thunderbolts (or in my case pulling for James Robinson to take it over from Fabian “Why do I still get work?” Nicieza).

You know I like this one. I like Rhino enough to give him a chance. You know it could work too. I liked Flowers for Rhino too.

Oh and I agree Steve needs to get a new girl and get laid.

This may be the most “interesting” conversation we’ve had a while. I see it now, next week we’ll have the top 5 list of characters that really NEED to get laid!

B) Cardiac–Never was a big fan of the Erik Larsen years on Amazing Spidey but I never felt Cardiac got enough time to develop. Plus we need more ethnic
heroes. Panther, Falcon, Cage and Storm gotta be getting tired of doing it all. And as everyone knows, power staffs are wicked kewl. If WildStorm would ever bring Union back everyone would see my point! ;)

I agree with this one. Marvel does need more black characters around and used more. Cardiac back in the 90s was popular as heck. It should’ve been done back then.

C) Malibuverse–Holy Hostile Takeover! Marvel made the “New Universe” and forced it down our throats despite it not being very good. Then some years later they buy out a whole rival line and mothball it?!? C’mon Joe Q! FREE SOLITAIRE!! FREE PRIME!! HARDCASE 4-EVER!! Marvel is REALLY missing the boat (sorry Daron, I know that’s probably your copyright) by not using Prime–he could be their Shazam. Solitaire and Nightman and Hardcase could all be great characters to flesh out team concepts–stick them with Moon Knight and Black Knight as the Defenders or Champions or something. And Prototype could probably get about 18 issues in before Iron Man finds any regularity.

I AGREE! I would love to see them use these characters myself. Marvel used them for a short time when they bought the company and then killed it off. I would like to see the Exiles go visit. Then bring the Ultraverse back. Even if it’s just the characters.

You really do have to wonder why Marvel bothered to buy Mailbu if they had no real intention for using their characters. If the House of M wasn’t a great time to introduce these characters I don’t know what would be.

D) Spymaster/Taskmaster–simply put I’d change them BACK. I can’t believe Marvel would screw up two great costumes–and leave craptacular characters like
Triathlon and Baron Zemo (pink-masked Nazis???) alone. I’m referring to the “Storm Shadow” version of Taskmaster Udon Studios came up with for his mini a couple years back, which I believe carried over to Gail Simone’s Mutant X (I miss that). And Spymaster appears to have been Rodney Kinged by the Fashion Police in the Joe Casey Iron Man mini. Ugh!

Yep I agree with this one too. Hell in reality I would’ve made Ronin Taskmaster. Then reveal him under their in the old costume. I know he’s evil but he would’ve been better then Echo.

I HATE the new Spymaster gear. That looks stupid. I would change him back FAST.

2) “Second question is…what superhero/villan do you identify yourself with the most?…”

My macaw is named Lex, after Luthor, specifcally after his Super Powers Action Figure from the 80s. I’m not sure how else to describe that green color Luthor had
on his armor, and my Lex had on his feathers when he got his first feathers.

As for me, I’ve been nicknamed by others variously as Dr. Strange (because weird stuff always seems to happen either to me or when I’m around), Wolverine
(because I’m short, hairy and ill-tempered) and Apocalypse (because I’ve no qualms about killing the bejeezus out of a ton of people who serve no purpose, though in hindsight that might be more Ra’s al Ghul than Apocalypse). But picking one myself I’d prefer to be identified with Dr. Doom. I have delusions of grandeur, sure, but I enjoy science, long for fantastic magic to exist in our mundane-ass world, have always wanted a castle and am a huge fan of all types of armor. My City of Heroes/Villains characters all tend to have armor. If I owned a good Dr. Doom outfit–armor and all–I’d wear it around the house while doing chores or watching the Colbert Report.

Not a bad list. I don’t know you personally but that’s a damn fine list.

I do know him personally, and I have to say”¦this list is true to life :)

3) Trades!

Mike Carlin for Joe Quesada–Carlin and the DC editorial staff have always done a fabulous job of making DC cohesive. They embrace continuity (yes, I’m one of THOSE types) and aren’t afraid to reboot once in awhile. Meanwhile Joe seems to have a knack for getting the best talent to work for him, except for Nicieza and Liefield. Joe could learn a few things by managing well-woven continuity and the Elseworlds line. Carlin could bring Marvel together so there’s no X-Universe that’s more or less separate from the Avengerverse and the Spideyverse. And hopefully he’d get rid of comics’ version of baseball’s designated hitter–the Ultimates line. Either have the balls to change the 616 (Damn I hate saying that) or leave it alone, but the separate “different, yet same” universe is for suckers.

I would not really argue against the trade. I don’t want to reboot Marvel though. Fix continuity YES. God I could do that by myself. I keep ultimate only for sales though. I personally would trash it if I could though. I won’t replace Marvel with that crap though.

The Outsiders for the New Warriors–Dick Grayson seems more and more to want to escape from Bruce’s Bat-Shadow, so kick him out of the universe! Most of the women on the team are described as being “…incredibly freaking strong…” so they’d fit right in with the heavy hitters in Marvel. The overall feel of the team, to me, is a little darker and that also fits with Marvel’s distopian world. Teams ups between Nightwing/Spider-man/Daredevil would be a blast. Make Roy the new Hawkeye. If Fabian writes it Thunder could change her name every issue–to Captain Marvel or Photon or Storm or Aunt May. Jade and Quasar could work well together. The Outsiders and Thunderbolts crossover could be fun (if Busiek writes it). But leave Metamorpho’s melty ice cream ass back in the DCU. The New Warriors would function better in the DCU where younger characters seem to thrive. Titans, Young Justice, Legion, Robin, Batgirl, Superboy, etc. They’d be a natural fit.

Hmm I have no complaints. I said they should trade Dick to Marvel before and Daron didn’t like it. But now I’m getting a team on top. I like it. But who in New Warriors am I trading? I don’t think I want to trade everyone that’s ever been part. Maybe the team from the last limited minus Nova though. I would give them every single member of that team minus Nova. I want Nova for a cosmic line.

I will give them Night Thrasher (although it sort of goes against that earlier Marvel needs more strong black characters thing), Namorita, Speedball, Microbe, and Debrii. I’ll even throw in Aegis, Bandit, Helix, Hindsight, Rage, Silhoutte and Time slip.

The rest I keep.

As guessed, I’m gonna have to disagree with this trade, though not because (as Jim stated) I’m against trading Nightwing. I’m actually all for sending the Outsiders (the entire team) to Marvel. As Jeff pointed out, I think the lineup would be very interesting in the Marvel U. However, the trade itself is uneven. DC would be giving up a top tier A-lister (Nightwing), two lower tier A-listers (Arsenal & Jade), and a bunch of varied B-listers. Marvel would be giving up a varied list of B & C-listers and without Nova (as Jim contends) the highest tier B-lister wouldn’t even be included. I’m not sure what team would be a good trade (probably a lower lever group of Avengers), but the New Warriors just won’t cut it.

Venom for Doomsday
I’m tired and this one is more of a reach but I could see the Symbiote joining with a Batman Rogue and causing hella trouble. Or joining with Parasite and really ruining Superman’s day. And Doomsday could be a big player in the semi-relaunch of Marvel’s Cosmic characters. Imagine Doomsday under the influence of Thanos versus the Silver Surfer or Drax.

Hmm I could do this trade. I mean it’s not like I think they will use the symbiote to much now without Brock in Marvel. Bet it won’t show up unless someone gets a brain enough to use it.

I would use Doomsday the same way. I want the return of a cosmic line.

*Thumbs up*

Thor for Captain Marvel
I think these two faced off in the first Marvel vs DC crossover. Shazam goes to Marvel so once and for all the name is his. Monica Lambeau and whatever Genis
Vell calls himself this week will be permanently renamed. And then when they bring Prime back the two kids could have some damn great team-up adventures together. Maybe they’d work with the Runaways once in awhile. Thor goes to DC where Gods get more respect, has a romance with Wonder Woman and joins the Justice League. He and Aquaman probably get along great, but Bats wouldn’t trust him (*GASP! I’m shocked!*) and Superman would even be a little on guard since Thor’s all magic–and Supes doesn’t handle that real well.

Hmmmmmmmm Dc does have a Thor. We discussed this. I’m not a big Shazam fan either. But it’s not that bad of a trade powers for powers. I still hate DC for the fact that Supes used Thor’s hammer in JLA/Avengers. That was their idea. He shouldn’t even be able to touch it if he can’t touch magic. Plus I don’t think he’s worthy enough. I’d have no complaints with the trade really.

*Thumbs up again on the trade* But I’m a bit in shock by Jim’s contention that Superman ISN’T worthy to pick up Tho’s hammer. I understand that Jim may not be Supes’ biggest fan, but let’s look at the facts. Superman is the standard by which all other heroes are measured. Like it or not, Kal-El sets the bar, and if he’s not worthy, I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say virtually no one would be. And as for the magic thing, yes Supes is susceptible to magic attacks, but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t wield a magic weapon.

There ya go, keep up the good work!

Thank you and email again.

Oh I’m sure he will”¦


Glenn emails

Got a question for you. In Thing #2, it is revealed that Arcade’s newest Murderland is on Mordillo’s Island. It must have a history. I seem to remember Shang Chi and Moon Knight there once. What is this place and why don’t the authorities watch it better?

Mordillo’s Island is in the East China Sea. Mordillo possessed great inventive genius. He designed a wide variety of advanced weapons, specializing in robot versions of people or animals. Mordillo Island was stocked full of these. He often sent robots to act as assassins in his place.

Mordillo himself was a foe Sheng-Chi as you said. He appeared in Master of Kung-Fu 33-35. He of course died and appeared as a skeleton afterwards. Those include: Master of Kung-Fu 73-75, 119, Rom 47, Moon Knight/Shang-Chi Special Edition 1

Brynocki was his main servant and if I am right he’s the little guy with Arcade. Now as far as we know he was destroyed but it looks like Arcade remade him as well.

I don’t think you care too much about an island with a now dead nut job and his robot follower gone as well. It’s Arcades fault that it’s active again.


Andrew emails

You wrote, ” They lost because fans liked the Marvel heroes more and they know who would win the fights. [. . .]Plus I admit Wolverine would’ve gutted him or worse with the adamantium. Heck I’d give Wolvie the fight either way.” in a recent Marvel Handbook. I am a bit confused. Perhaps I have an inadequate understanding of the Lobo character, but as I understand it, you are asserting that Wolverine, given all available evidence, would defeat Lobo in a fashion that would make Lobo look like a complete chump?

I don’t write a column or have the sort of knowledge something like that implies, but that kinda seems like giving Wolverine loads of credit. I mean, Lobo’s given Superman a run for his money. To me, it seems pretty silly to think Wolverine would last very long against a Superman level opponent. You know, the kind of crazy thinking that has Wolverine blind one of Odin-Thor’s eyes and cripple one of Odin-Thor’s arms in Thor’s own book.

Can you kinda understand where I’m coming from here?

Regards,

That’s not giving any credit to Wolverine. I understand you might be a DC fan. BUT I will say this for DC. They over inflate the powers of most of their characters a lot. I’m serious about this. DC has been doing it for years. Superman is basicly now a God. Which to me is stupid.

Supes back when Lobo fought in the day wasn’t as powerful as he is now. I think they over inflated Lobo up too. Wolverine is better then your making him out to be. The way you make it sound Wolverine can’t beat anyone. I’m serious about this. Don’t underestimate Wolverine.

Wolverine is the best at what he does. He can take a guy like Lobo out. Not like Lobo is in Surfer’s level or even Quasar’s. Wolverine can take a cosmic level as long it’s not like Thanos or something. Lobo to me the type of level where he’s only a big brute.

Not to say I don’t see an arguement for Lobo BUT Lobo in many ways also is a Wolverine rip off. If you want to be technical. He came after Wolverine and was made to be a lot like DC’s version.

Never let it be said that Jim is NOT a Marvel Zombie. Don’t take it personally Andrew, I think a lot more people agree with you than not, even those of us (like me) who don’t particularly care for Lobo”¦


Decimation update:

Powered:

Anole (New X-Men 21)
Armando Munoz (Deadly Genesis 2)
Beast (House of M 8)
Bishop (House of M Day After 1)
Bling (X-Men 177)
Bruiser (Runaways)
Cable (Cable/Deadpool 18)
Cannonball (Cable/Deadpool 18)
Colossus (House of M 8)
Cyclops (House of M 8)
Darwin the Evolving Boy (X-Men Deadly Genesis 2)
Dazzler (New Excalibur 1)
Domino (House of M Day After 1)
Dust (New X-Men 20)
Elixar (New X-Men 20)
Emma Frost (House of M 8)
Erg (House of M Day After 1)
Firestar (House of M Day After 1)
Forge (Cable/Deadpool 18)
Franklin Richards (Fantastic Four)
Gambit (House of M Day After 1)
Gregor Smerdyakov (Mutopia X 5)
Havok (House of M Day After 1)
Hellion (New X-Men 20)
Icarus (New X-Men 20)
Justice (House of M Day After 1)
Layla Miller (House of M Day After 1)
M (X-Factor 2)
Madrox (House of M Day After 1)
Magma (House of M Day After 1)
Mammomax (House of M Day After 1)
Marvel Girl (House of M Day After 1)
Meltdown (Cable/Deadpool 18)
Mercury (New X-Men 20)
Mister M (Mutopia X 5)
Mystique X-Men 179)
Nightcrawler (House of M 8)
Nocturne (New Excalibur 1)
Outlaw (X-Men 179)
Peepers (House of M Day After 1)
Pete Wisdom (House of M Day After 1)
Petra (Deadly Genesis 1)
Pixie (New X-Men 21)
Pulse (X-Men 179)
Psylocke (House of M Day After 1)
Rockslide (New X-Men 20)
Rogue (House of M Day After 1)
Sage (House of M Day After 1)
Shadowcat (House of M 8)
Silver Samurai (Wolverine 36)
Siryn (Cable/Deadpool 18)
Squirrel Girl (GLX-Mas)
Stepford Cuckoos (New X-Men 20)
Storm (House of M Day After 1)
Strong Guy (House of M Day After 1)
Sunspot (House of M Day After 1)
Surge (New X-Men 20)
Tito Bohusk (Exiles 72)
Valeria Richards (Fantastic Four)
Wallflower (New X-Men 20)
Warpath (Cable/Deadpool 18)
Wither (New X-Men 20)
Wolfsbane (House of M Day After 1)
Wolf Cub (New X-Men 21)
Wolverine (House of M 8)
X-23 (New X-Men 20)

De-Powered:

Aero (New X-Men 20)
Angel Salvadore (Exiles 72)
Armena Ortega (Mutopia X 5)
Beak (Exiles 72)
Blob (House of M Day After 1)
Bugman (Mutopia X 5)
Callisto (House of M Day After 1)
Chamber (Generation M 1)
Daymond Harris (Generation M 2)
Dynamite (Generation M 2)
Feral (House of M Day After 1)
Gary Peterson (Generation M 1)
Gazer (X-Men 178)
Hannah Levy (House of M Day After 1)
Hydro (New X-Men 20)
Iceman (Secondary mutation (House of M 8))
Jeanie Martin (Generation M 1)
John Mairs (Generation M 2)
The Juicers (Mutopia X 5)
Jubilee (House of M Day After 1)
Lara the Illusionist (Mutopia X 5)
Latonya Jefferson (Generation M 1 killed in Generation M 2)
Magneto (House of M 8)
Moonstar (House of M 8)
Ned Ralston (Generation M 1)
Polaris (X-Men 177)
Preview (New X-Men 20)
Prodigy (New X-Men 20)
Quicksilver (House of M Day After 1)
Rictor (X-Factor 1)
Roach (Generation M 2)
Scarlet Witch (House of M 8)
Spector (New X-Men 20)
Stacy X (Generation M 2)
Tag (House of M 8)
Thornn (House of M Day After 1)
Tim Hacker (Generation M 2)
Tony Romeo (Generation M 1)
Wind Dancer (House of M 8)
All Beak/Angel kids but 1 (Exiles 72)

Dead:
Chamayra Ortega (Mutopia X 5)
John Grey (Uncanny X-Men 466)

Other matters:

X-Corp building in France bombed
Sentinel O*N*E activated against the mutants
Xavier Institute Student Body from 182 to 27
Wolverine remembers everything
Mutants start getting killed randomly
Someone comes for Revenge on Cyclops in Deadly Genesis
Doop is back


That’s it for this week’s column. Another full piece with the holiday. That is if Daron added those emails from last time. Daron what did you think?

I did, but had to put one off till next week.

Daron care to sign off?

Sure thing. I hope everyone enjoyed this weeks column, and more importantly had a wonderful New Yea’s Celebration. See you all next week.

My turn

1. Marvel.com poll What about Nextwave are you looking forward to the most?

2. Marvel Legends Cover Poll Cool covers to vote for as always

3. Marvel Digital Comics. Comics you can read online

4. superherohype poll What was your favorite hero movie of 2005?

5. Official Ultimate Avengers Site Online

6.Which X-Men (or X-Villain) would you most like to see as a Marvel Legend?

7. 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.

8. 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.