Welcome to another Marvel Handbook
Hey, Jim, how’s it going?
Hey Daron. Going pretty well here. I’m looking forward to another good week of emails
Before we get started this week, I wanted to run an idea past you.
Sure thing partner. You know me. I like new ideas. Hell anything to get us more readers and emails the better
I go to thinking this week, and came up with a great way to get The Handbook even more attention, and get us more emails than ever.
Oh you did? Great I would love to hear this one. Knowing you and your evil genius self you’ve come up with a dozy. Hit me with it.
Indeed. I think we should cancel The Handbook.
What? Your nuts. You want to cancel the Handbook? I hope your smart enough to know the fans need us and love us.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, blah, blah, blah. Here me out before you go all champion of the people on me. What we do is cancel the Handbook, and in the Mighty Marvel tradition, we relaunch it with an all new #1 and tout it as the all new and different Marvel Handbook.
Ohhhhhhhh. So you want a re-launch? I like that idea. So much like the Marvel tradition and change the name like they normally do. I’m all for it.
Let’s see name options. Marvel Encyclopedia. Nope. All New Marvel Handbook. Nah. New Marvel Handbook. Nah over done by Marvel right now. What do you think?
I say we go with what sells, and relaunch the Handbook as part of the Ultimate line. With this being our last “regular” universe column. What do you think?
OH god. I think you know how I feel about the Ultimate universe.
What are we going to call it The Ultimate Handbook? *sighs*
Now you’re thinking! The Ultimate Handbook! Make it so #4.
God help us. *Sighs and walks off shaking his head, thinking Daron lost his mind*
Jim? Jim? Don’t forget we actually have a column we have to do hear.
Oh well, if he doesn’t come back I guess I can handle the last Handbook here…I guess *shrugs*
Andrew emails
I’m writing in response to:
“The original intent was to find out who was the best trained/skilled fighter. And because of this, Cap doesn’t make it very high on my list (still haven’t heard back on that whole he knows every martial art in the world” that I disputed from last week).”
I’ll admit that Captain America’s gimmick isn’t being master of 1006 six holds, or to know every secret martial arts style in the world. This isn’t about him knowing every martial art in the world, or anything, but more about the “best trained/skilled fighter” aspect of things.
In Cable second series #85, the villain Gaunt states, “‘Probing Rachel’s [i.e. Rachel Summers, the Phoenix] tortured mind, I learned of the greatest warriors of your time. Captain America, Wolverine . . ..”
That kind of endorsement may not reflect current stuff, but I think Cap is getting a bit of the shaft in how he is being dismissed. He probably doesn’t have all of the esoteric and quasi-mystical training guys like Iron Fist have, but he’s still pretty skilled.
Damn it I have to come back and do this article. I’m telling you all though Daron is nuts. Now onto business.
That’s telling him. Cap is the best there is. He’s beaten a lot of foes. Lasted longer then most expect in most fights. There’s also the fact he can find ways to beat foes that many can’t think of. He’s been fighting a long time and to me he’s being dismissed by some of the list.
Hey! I’m an evil genius”¦get it straight.
As for Cap, I’m going to try and explain this as best I can. If I were to go into battle against soldiers, supervillains, etc, Cap is the man I’d want to have my back. In this instance all his training, skills, and equipment (shield, armor, etc) will be very important. However, if I find myself in a life or death streetfighting match (where the opponents may or may not be trained as well) Cap isn’t exactly the guy I want with me. I’m going to want a guy who is trained in how to subdue, cripple, or just plain wipe the floor with an opponent in seconds. Not a guy who normally has long drawn out fights with his enemies. Some people might think I’m talking semantics here, but I’m really not. There are many different types of fights, and the way this discussion was presented (or at least the way it evolved) it was looking at who the best-trained fighters are in the MU. This is why I haven’t listed (and won’t be convinced otherwise) to list Cap really high on this list. I hope that clarifies my stance a bit more. If not”¦oh well.
FWITW, though, I don’t really agree that guys like Thor and Hercules have no skills either. The assertion seems silly to me, since it goes beyond those two generally to anyone with powers being knocked down.
Haha I like you. You made some great points and arguments. Email again.
Here again we’re talking about apples and oranges. You’re talking about guys who for years (or in some cases centuries) relied on their super strength and near invulnerability to win fights. Now I’m not saying they don’t have fighting skills, or that if they lost their powers they’d automatically lose every fight they got in. But again, a guy who is used to relying on his strength will most likely do well in fights against untrained fighters, but once he faces an opponent trained in the art of fighting (especially in how to turn an opponents on strength against him) I don’t see him having much of a chance.
Again, I hope this clarifies my stance on this a bit.
Eric emails
Jim and Daron:
Eric
re: Nick Fury’s age
You definitely have Nick much younger than he should be. If he was born in the early 20s, that means he was only in his early 20s when he and the Commandos were fighting in France. In the stories set in wartime, he certainly did not look like he was that young. Being a sergeant, he’d be a little older than the average WWII soldier. Remember, the average age of the US soldiers who fought in WWII was 26. I’d say Nick was around 30 or slightly older when the war ended. That would put his DOB at 1913-1915, and therefore he’d be over 90 now. Dum Dum’s even older than Nick is; I’d say that he and (to cross companies) Frank Rock were contemporaries, both born around 1910, give or take a couple years.
Hmmmmmmm well that’s quite possible. Nick could be older then I said.
I’d love for there to be a throwaway line about this, like “I was crying
in a cradle when the Titanic was sinking.” (The Titanic sunk on April 15, 1912), just to wrap this up once and for all.
That would be a good idea for Ellis to use in Peacemaker. Someone get Ellis to read this one
Joe emails
I have to take a minute and weigh in on the top fighters in the Marvel Universe topic. For starters, I have to go with Daron, if you have training and experience strength means nothing. I studied Kung Fu intensively for 4yrs and my instructor used to put me up against new guys that were big and cocky for the express purpose that I could take them down despite being 5’4 and 130lbs. So that brings me to my list. Im not counting cosmic guys and gods. Just pure hand-to-hand combat.
#1 is Wolverine. This guy has pretty much done nothing for 120 odd years but
study various fighting styles and actually implement them into experience. Nobody else has trained as much as he has. Nobody else has fought as long as he has. Every time you take away his powers you see his skills show through more. His healing factor makes him lazy because it’s quicker and easier just to plow through whatever is thrown at him and take his opponent down. Also Ogun and Lord Shingen. They would be at the top of my list but they are dead. Because of Wolverine, who had to use his skill to beat them. And I really don’t see many of the other characters taking them in a fight.
#2 is Captain America. I have always read that he has had extensive hand to
hand combat training for years. Plus after Logan he has been around the longest to build it into experience and craft it to his own. Logan and Cap are the closest to me. I see cap losing 6 times out of 10 in that fight.
#3 Black Panther: This guy has spent the majority of his life training to become worthy of his title. And constantly is being tested to live up to it. He has that Batman determination and steadfast mindset behind it. Also he has successfully kept Wolverine at bay and flat out beaten Iron Fist
#4 would be tied between Iron Fist and Shang Chi. This one is really too close to call. Besides, they are friends and would share it. They have both dedicated their lives to studying and using their martial arts and using it. I don’t count Inisible Woman taking Danny down. Sometimes writers use characters to put over their characters and don’t think it through. They do it to Wolverine every time they want somebody to look tough. Rob Leifeld had Mole Man smacking Logan around, sometimes you have to take your nose out of the book and accept things as just bad writing.
#5 Taskmaster: Since his power is skill its hard to say with him, in some ways should have the top spot. Im sure if you took away his power he would still be able to kick ass but not as much. He does train other people to fight, which means he does actually have to know what he’s doing and it isn’t all reflex. But I have also seen him taken down pretty easily when characters just vary up their moves from what he knows.
#6 Stick. This guy has trained Elektra and Daredevil. He helped train Wolverine to use his skills and mind again when the guy lost his nose. But he seems to stick to training and teaching more than being in the field. And you need that experience to keep you going.
#7 is Elektra. Definitely one of the best, but not the top dog. I don’t see her as more skilled than the others, but more so than the rest of my list.
#8 is Deadpool. His powers actually hinder his skills i think. The guy is so crazy he doesn’t care if he gets hurt and gets sloppy. It’s almost more of a joke to him to almost let you win than flat out beat you easily. He toys with his opponents to the fault of losing, and doesn’t really care either way.
#9 Crossbones has beaten Cap, beaten Daredevil and beaten Bullseye (Streets
of Poison). He is just dirty vicious and crafted it into a skill. Still he isnt as refined as the others. But he is trained and could hold his own against any of these guys in a fight.
#10 Daredevil. He’s never been billed as the best. Hes trained a lot and uses it a lot but hes the underdog. Thats what I like about him. Honestly when people try to write him better than he is it just seems out of place to me. He’ll always put up a fight even if he loses. And at the end of every day he goes home and nurses his wounds either way.
#11 is a shared spot again between Bullseye and Mr.X. Bullseye is more of a
weapons guy, if you get close he’s still insanely good but not the best hand to hand fighter. That’s usually when he goes down. Mr. X is like Taskmaster that a lot of his skill is his power. He has mild telepathy that can read your next move. However if you take away his power he has still spent his fortune and life traveling the world and learning from the best teachers and killing them afterwards. But I think not having his power would scare him and he couldn’t keep going. Big ego blow to him. Hard call for me on this one.
#12 Zaran and Batroc fight for this spot. Both are really good but almost seem to be their just to soften up their opponent for whatever is next.
Not a bad list. Have equals in many of your numbers, which I can’t argue with. I think your missing some of course. I think we all are. Everyone has a different list it seems. Brings us to why we’re doing a Tournament. It might help settle it.
You know you’re probably right about Logan. I tend to forget just how much training he’s had because as you pointed out he tends not to use it unless he loses his powers or what have you. He does have a ton of experience, and should probably be at the top of the list. But here again I have a problem with Cap, and before you all start booing, let me ask you this about your explanation. What is this “extensive hand-to-hand combat training” he’s had? A couple people have said this but no one has been able to back it up. If this is true, it might very well sway my thoughts on his skill level, but I’ve personally never heard anything about him having this training. My understanding was always that he had basic GI training, was then put into the super soldier program where they made him who he is today, and promptly set him out to fight nazi’s with very little extra training at all. I was always under the impression that they got him out on the field as fast as possible to help sway the war.
Similarly, Cap has nowhere near the field experience that Wolvie has, no one besides maybe Apocalypse does. But my point is that I think you’re forgetting the fact that Cap spent at 25+ years in a block of ice. By all rights he’s really only got the same field time as just about all the regular Marvel U characters. Hell Spidey’s first appearance outdates Cap’s return by a year or so.
I know a bunch of you are probably going to harp on me about this, but all I’m asking for is for some facts to back up this supposed training Cap has. I’ll shut up now.
Finally I have to weigh in on the Gambit topic. Gambit’s not that good. I like him, he’s neat but not one of the best. Although I do have to call him Retard from now on just because I think it is hilarious how Daron referred to him. My roommate called me to tell me KB Toys had a “Retard action figure” just so he could call Gambit “Retard.” Gambit only beat Wolverine when Logan had his back turned and was fighting somebody else (i.e. Rogue and Lady Deathstrike). When it was one on one Logan pretty much knocked Retard down and popped the claws on him. (Wolverine/Gambit Limited series and The Muir Island Saga). Gambit vs Nightwing would be a great fight, but anyway it goes Grayson wins. He’s just better. If I made a top 10 list of Marvel and DC, Dick would be on it probably around the top 6. And Retard wouldn’t be anywhere close.
I’m staying out of this Gambit thing. I don’t care if you boys want to kill him or not. Just leave me out of it.
Hahaha, that’s great. Thanks for the Gambit story, I’m glad I’ve had a positive influence on you :)
Finally, I really don’t know a lot about Karnak. I think I read his power is to find the weak point in any object. Does he have training the? Or is his power his skill?
Actually here’s what I can tell you from the Handbook:
Karnak possesses a degree of superhuman strength, derived from his eugenically superior Inhuman heritage and his intensive regimen of regular exercise. Karnak can lift (press) about 1 ton.
Besides strength, Karnak possesses certain physical skills superior to those of human athletes. His Inhuman metabolism affords him slightly greater reaction time, endurance, and speed than the human race’s most perfect physical specimen, Captain America.
Karnak has physically conditioned his body and mind to their peak levels of efficiency. He has voluntary control over most of his body’s autonomic functions: breathing, heartbeat, bleeding, reaction to pain, rate of healing, etc. He is extremely lithe and flexible, able to expand and contract his muscles and contort his body into seemingly painful positions. He has toughened all the striking surfaces of his body in general and his hands in particular, so that they are covered with dense callus. Karnak is capable of shattering wood, cinderblock, and even mild steel.
Through mental discipline, Karnak has gained the extrasensory ability to perceive the stress points, fracture planes, or weaknesses, in all objects or persons around him. By striking or applying pressure at these points, he can split or shatter objects made of seemingly invincible substances or render insensate beings of far greater strength than he. This mental discipline is virtually effortless, and Karnak can attain this state of awareness for extended periods of time.
So Karnak may be underestimated in this list
Anyway I hope this isn’t too long. I am interested to hear some feedback even if it isn’t posted. Thanks
Welcome and you have your feedback right here we always post everything.
Ron emails
Don’t know if this counts
I watched the Ultimate Avengers DVD last night and Hulk lifted Thor’s hammer and threw it at Thor
Um I wouldn’t use Ultimate as a judge but my judgment on Superman may have changed greatly thanks to ONE cover. That’s right.
So I may have to eat crow and change my mind on this thing too.
I agree whole-heartedly, both that you can’t use Ultimate anything to judge anything, and that Jim should eat crow. See what I did there?
Bueller?
Rob emails Daron this.
Daron,
Just wanted to address some of your comments regarding my letter, specifically the following paragraphs:
“Now to your comments on fighting. First, when we’re talking about heroes fighting heroes you’re not going to get the best fight out of them because they’re not going to want to hurt the other person, that’s one reason why these types of lists are so hard to judge.”
“Second, and I don’t mean this to be rude, but have you ever been in a fight? I’ve been a martial arts instructor (Kenpo) for over 6-years and not only have I trained and trained with guys who were bigger and stronger than me, but I’ve also knocked one or two of them out in a single punch because I knew what I was doing. I’m talking about a guy with over a hundred pounds on me, who was very athletic. Things like that aren’t really going to come into account unless you’re talking about something like a boxing match where the two opponents are just trading punches. In a real fight, the intent is take out your opponent as quickly as possible. And this is where skill and training is going to win out over athleticism every time. At least in the real world… And fighting skills or no, I’ve got the answer for Cap, it’s called called-shot-eye. I don’t see (see what I did there, hahaha) Cap doing well while blinded. Now if he had been trained for such a thing…”
No offense taken and I understand your point, and while I haven’t been in a fight in a very long time, your point is clearly witnessed in the UFC where the one punch knock-out is not uncommon. However, I don’t think I made my point clearly. Yes, skill/training accounts for a great deal in a fight, but if one fighter is greatly overmatched by their opponent’s athletic ability, it can level the playing field (as I commented in my letter). And remember, this isn’t the real world we are dealing with…these heroes (Cap and Black Panther, and even Wolverine to some extent) are enhanced well beyond that of a normal human (Shang-Chi). Each of the characters is highly skilled and I guess I don’t see the skill level amongst them separating them out by a very wide margin, especially in the top 5. So that is where athletic ability comes in. Besides, if we were talking real world physics, one punch from Captain American (who has been shown lifting greater than 1000 lbs) would be enough to kill any normal human—–one thing that has always slightly annoyed me about comic world physics….normal humans battling super-strong villains and not literally exploding from the impact of a super punch.
I also tend to view these battles as the real thing and forget that these are heroes fighting heroes. More like battles in a vacuum rather than comic world happenings, but I also think that Wolverine would gain an advantage if it were hero on hero action. I see him as being the least likely to hold back.
Anyway, just my opinion. Probably won’t change your opinion but just wanted to be sure you understood my view.
Thanks again,
Daron this ones all yours.
First off, I’m glad I didn’t offend. I can understand your point about athleticism, but in this case I just don’t think it holds water. If you were to pair cap with someone who had his same training, and experience, you’re right that athleticism would come into account. However, pairing Cap against someone who clearly has more MORE training, and experience in simple hand-to-hand combat (not shield-to-hand-to-armor experience) then as I originally said, athleticism just isn’t going to matter.
Jason emails
Jamie,
Enjoying the Marvel Handbook, as always.
Might have to change my email lol.
The current martial arts debate is interesting, but like many debates as to “which character is the best” at anything in particular, the writer of whatever story the characters are fighting in is the ultimate decider of who wins. If it fits the needs of the story, a writer can find ways for a character to come out on top.
That being said, I would submit for consideration into the “top ranks” of Marvel Comics martial artists some previously unmentioned characters: Domino, Colleen
Wing, Psylocke, Mantis, Mockingbird (when she was alive), Hellcat, Lady Deathstrike, Puck, Wildheart (Wild Child when he wasn’t deformed and crazy), Steel Serpent (a guy who can go toe-to-toe with Iron Fist…though I don’t know if he’s still alive), Battle Star, Night Thrasher (Once smacked around the Punisher), Silhouette, Nomad (when he was alive), Black Widow, Puma, Impala, Voortrekker (fought Black Panther), White Tiger (when he was alive, Multiple Man (I believe he’s received some skills from his many duplicates), the Shroud, Moon Knight, Midnight Sun (he’s fought Shang-Chi and lived to tell the tale).
We shouldn’t underestimate Crossbones either, he’s held his own against Captain America. Red Skull has taken on Black Panther by himself. Gambit has defeated Wolverine without using his exploding cards. USAgent has beaten Captain America in the past (though it was established Cap was off his game, and Cap beat him later on).
However, there are TWO that no one can leave off the ‘top ten’ list:
1) Silver Sable-she may not be seen much around the Marvel Universe these days, but this lady is TOUGH. I think it’s well established that she’s one of the best
hand-to-hand fighters in the world, not to mention a weapons expert and marksman.
2) Gamora. Called the most dangerous woman in the universe. Has no super-powers that I know of, yet she can take down much stronger opponents like She-Hulk and Rage.
Very helpful list. Hell all those characters should be on an all around list. Heck all them likely will be in the field of 64 if I can fit them. I may have to work on that shortly. You helped greatly and I do agree Gamora and Sable are being underestimated to.
I agree that everyone you listed are good fighters, I don’t however think they’re better than most of the ones that have been listed on almost everyone’s lists though.
Looking at your list of villains who received new looks during ‘Secret War’, I was intrigued by the mention of Gold Bug. I saw this guy once, and only once, in an old issue of ‘Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man’. I re-read this the other day and was shocked at how much the character resembled the Charlton/DC character Blue Beetle. The goggles, the bug emblem on the chest, the special pistol, the bug-ship that he descended from on a metallic cable…he was like Blue Beetle with a lot of bling covering him. What’s this character’s M.O. now? What’s he been up to all these years?
Alright let’s see if I can give an update:
Real Name: Jackson Smith
Occupation: Professional thief, former executive at Shank’s Armored Couriers
Other Aliases: None
Place Of Birth: Unrevealed
Marital Status: Presumed single
Known Relatives: None
Group Affiliation: None
Source Of Powers: None, wears a exo-skeleton
Abilities: Gifted, avarage hand-to-hand combatant, talented inventor and criminal strategist (in exo-skeleton) enhanced strenght, uses a golden gun as weapon, the gun can turn people or objects into solid gold. Besides all that Goldbug as few Bug-ships. Special limitation: After having been poisoned by radioactive gold, he needs very expensive treatments
He’s more of a Heroes for Hire foe for the most part. In fact he was believed dead until more recently. He was supposed to have died in Solo Avengers 17. He came back in MK Spider-Man # 6. He was at the auction of the Venom suit. He didn’t win it of course. He was given a battle suit which made him look cooler at least lol
And what power-ups and enhancements did the rest of those bad guys get as a result of ‘Secret War’?
Most all of them got new battle suits that enhanced their abilities for the most part. I don’t think they will all keep these enhancements. It’s the same way the heroes had to wear different uniforms for the mission. The villains likely will only have worn those enhanced suits for that series.
James emails
This may have been addressed previously, but what about Action Comics #761, where the Superman wields the hammer of the DC Universe Thor? Also, people say Superman is not a “warrior”. This issue shows that he is an outstanding warrior, it’s just that it’s so rarely that the situation can be defined as a “war” once he gets involved.
Dc Thor is somewhat different then Marvel Thor. But as stated I’m out of this debate but think I’m going to have to change my mind thanks to something I showed in an earlier email.
This is exactly what I said last week (or the week before”¦they’re all running together now). Supes is just as much a warrior as any other hero, it’s just a different kind of “war.” Though when the time comes he can easily take up the more conventional role of a warrior.
Patrick emails
Hey Jim and Daron,
Glad to see you back, was jonesin’ for some good ol’ Marvel Q&A.
Hey Pat, good to be back.
First, let me say up front that Thor is hands down, my favorite comic book character. I wept when the series ended, and I’ll weep tears of joy when he comes back.
That being said, I think Superman, if anybody that’s not Marvel, is worthy to lift Mjolnir. I think too many people are letting their dislike of Supes get in the way of their reasoning, but hey, that’s fine. I admit, he is kind of dull and unexciting because of his near-omnipotence, but that doesn’t change the fact that he and Captain America have basically the same character, except one has powers, and one doesn’t.
Didn’t I say that very thing last week”¦ -Rhetorical George.
Someone else pointed out that if Storm, a character who’s well known as a friggin’ thief, can lift the hammer, then certainly the Big Blue Boyscout can.
I have to side with Daron on the susceptibility versus weakness argument, too. Would Superman crumple to the ground if he picked up Wonder Woman’s lasso? Probably not.
Jim, I totally see where you’re coming from; it’s frustrating when there’s this character you don’t like, but is basically put up on this pedestal by everyone else. It’s how I feel about Bendis… but wait, he’s not a fictional character… anyways, that’s something else entirely. We just have to accept that there are characters that, as a part of their character, are 99% of the time going to win. That’s Captain America, and that’s Superman, and to a lesser extent, Spider-man and Batman.
Of course. I did say earlier I likely have to change my mind anyhow. I mean when Doom can lift the Hammer it means all the rules are likely now VOID. Could be because Odin is dead now too. Anything is possible but Doom lifting it changes all the rules. So Superman can likely lift it.
And as an aside, am I the only person that enjoyed JLA/Avengers? I felt like it was an homage to the Crisis, and still did a good job of playing to both sides of the fence (even though I am pissed about Thor losing the fight, grr)
Anyways, that’s a lot of talk from me, so I think I’m done. Keep up the good work fellas, until next time!
You know all this arguing over if Supes can lift the hammer nullified that question. My feelings on the crossover it self are much different then my opinion on the Hammer thing.
I enjoyed the limited series. I’m serious. I really did like the book. I like George Perez art, have been a fan for years. Kurt Busiek was the best writer for the job too. He knows the Avengers quite well and the JLA as well. So very good choices.
I didn’t like some things of course.
Bats beat Taskmaster WAY to easy. Sorry but Taskmaster is one of the best fighters in Marvel and can mimic Batman’s moves and everyone else’s. He’s taken on the whole Avengers team once or twice.
Galactus should not have gone down that easy either.
But otherwise it’s a good series.
Wow, I didn’t have to defend myself at all in this one, rock on Jason. Thanks for the email.
Chaos emails
I want your opinion on this… but basically, I’ve noticed that loosing one’s mutant powers seems to equal loosing years worth of training. I mean, sure they might not have powers, but remember when Rogue was depowered, Claremont went out of his way to show us how tough she still was… now why is it that Dani Moonstar, a SHIELD trained operative, a combat veteran is considered useless, or even Jubilee for that matter – did the decimation effect the years of Xavier forcing them to train without their powers and all that…
Hahaha. You noticed that too? I was wondering if anyone else would pick that up. We’ve seen this in numerous angles.
Back in the 80s when Storm lost her powers she beat Cyclops in one on one combat. Wolverine without Adamantium still was the best at what he does in the 90s. Other characters back in the day lost powers and yet still had their training and skills that made them not look as bad as this Decimation thing is making the powerless mutants.
They still should have their training. Moonstar should still kick ass. Although I can see her leaving the X-Men because well Emma is a bitch.
I don’t mind the fact of losing powers with some characters BUT this training thing is getting me confused too. I also confused as to why some mutations you can tell characters lost their powers and others just look like normal humans now.
and worse… was the decimation so bad that we’re to believe that folks like the Maurauders would suddenly be buddies with former Morlocks? Has the Mutant Massacre been written out of continuity?
Noticed this one too. This makes no sense. Might be what causes whatever fight in 198 Files that will happen. I mean really the Morlocks should go after the Marauders in the camp. I know the Sentinels are there and the X-Men but still I think there should be more in fighting.
Oh and Mutant Massacre is still continuity. Still have evidence of that in ways. Not that I can give them all right now.
Gah… I’ve never been so confused with my favorite mutants like this before…
I think Decimation was badly plotted out in many ways. The writers are taking their own angles instead of all working together. They need to work together more. That or the editors need new brains.
I think this is again an instance where Marvel really needs to have their editors working together to make a tighter story (like DC is doing with their massive crossover) instead of just letting all the writers have free reign over their stuff.
JPF emails
Ok lets see if there can be a discussion that doesn’t have to do with who the stronger fighter is or who can pick up Tho’s hammer. My questions is about the charcters in ANNIHILATION.
You know I was hoping for some Annihilation questions. I’m looking forward to this crossover more then Decimation right now. Not that I won’t look forward to Civil War or don’t love the Planet Hulk plans….. BUT I’m a cosmic character fan.
1. Silver Surfer: What has he been up to latley. The last I read something
with him in it was when he was going one on one with cable.
Well he had his own series in 2003 but only lasted fourteen issues. He made an appearance in Cable/Deadpool, where he was the final line of defense against an overpowered Cable. Most recently, he has been reunited with the superhero group he took part in, The Defenders.
2. Super Skrull: Is he 1 skrull or are there many Super Skrulls out there and is he the same one thats in Young Avengers.
There has been more then 1 Super Skrull. Well that’s the theory at least. Also the fact that it seems like there are more then 1.
Kl’rt, more widely known as Super-Skrull, is from planet Tarnax IV. He is a member of the Skrulls. He was created by Emperor Dorrek to avenge the Skrull Empire’s defeat at the hands of the Fantastic Four.
Xavin from Tarnax VII is supposed to be the Super Skrull in training. So there are two.
Also note Hulkling might be a Skrull and the Super Skrull in Young Avengers is one of the ones we know. I suppose he’s the original.
Hulkling also could be the son of Captain Mar-Vell as well.
3. Nova: I don’t know much about him, so can you give a history lesson on
Nova.
Sure thing:
Since this is Annihilation version it’s Richard Rider we’re covering. NOT Frankie Raye the Herald of Galactus version first of all.
Real Name: Richard “Rick” Rider
Occupation: Working at Marvel Burger, college student, adventurer, former delivery man of Nova Express, high school student at Harry S. Truman High
Other Aliases: Kid Nova
Place Of Birth: Queens, New York City
Marital Status: Single
Known Relatives: Charles Rider (father), Gloria Rider (mother), Robert Rider (younger brother), Ralph Rider (paternal uncle, deceased)
Group Affiliation: New Warriors
Powers: Nova derives his powers from an energy source called the Nova Force, which all Nova Centurions wield. Richard Rider had the greatest potential for control as his knowledge of his power increased. The Nova Force gives him superhuman powers including flight, enhanced strength, speed, and durability.
Nova wears a standard Xandarian StarCorps uniform, designed to accommodate his powers without being damaged by them. In addition, the uniform has a life support function that can sustain Rider under the most extreme environmental conditions. It can act as a space suit by locking off the mouth and eyes of the helmet. The helmet can also pick up radio transmissions, as well as act as a heads-up display for tracking energy signatures.
Rider can also alter the appearance and nature of his uniform to a degree to suit his needs. For instance, the helmet has a rigid construction and shape when worn, but becomes as malleable as cloth when it is not, allowing Rider to hide it in his civilian clothes when desired. However, Rider learned that the StarCorps kept a strict dress code, when he made major cosmetic changes to his uniform and was summarily ordered to conform to standard.
The costume is not only extremely malleable, it is also designed with specific weapons and functions to aid Rider in his role as a Nova Centurion. Among these features are an electromagnetic discharge that can nullify gravity, and access to wormholes that allow him to enter hyperspace, where he can move at velocities exceeding the speed of light.
History: Richard Rider, a teenager who was chosen at random by the Rhomann Dey, last surviving centurion of the planet Xandar’s elite Nova Corps, who had been mortally wounded in battle with intergalactic pirate Zorr and needed to transfer his powers to another to replace him in the fight.
Rider gained great strength, resistance to injury, the ability to fly, and a uniform with a sealed life support system, but little training on how to use these new powers.
He functioned briefly as Nova, the Human Rocket, until fate called him to space and over a year of service in the protection of the planet Xandar, the same world where his great powers had originated. Eventually tiring of a life of constant intergalactic war and hoping to rejoin his high school friends, the boy requested to return home to Earth. When he was told he would have to relinquish his powers in order to do so, Rider agreed.
For years, Rider lived as normal a life he could, struggling with education, flipping burgers and barely making ends meet. He spent his time trying to pick up the pieces of the life he had left behind, all the while wishing he could find a way to regain the powers he had lost. Unknown to him, during this period, the planet Xandar was destroyed in an attack by Nebula, which seemed to eliminate his dream forever.
However, Night Thrasher in a bid to secure new super powered allies, deduced that Rider’s powers were not gone, but simply lay dormant inside the young man. Sure that a high-stress situation would be enough to reignite Rider’s powers, Night Thrasher kidnapped Rider and dropped him off the top of a building. The theory proved to be correct, as Rider instantly came back to full power before hitting the ground.
Rider then joined the New Warriors, and fought alongside them for years during encounters with The Spinx and a brief stint during which the Warriors worked with X-Force. With no connection to the Nova Corps, he eventually tangled with two Xandarians who had survived the destruction of that planet by Nebula: Firelord and Air-Walker. That confrontation indirectly led to the reformation of the Xandarian StarCorps and Rider’s appointment of Centurion Prime.
Returning to Earth, Rider was confronted with dual lives as Centurion Prime and a member of the New Warriors. He also encountered another Nova from an alternate timeline named Nova 0:0. Nova 0:0 attacked Rider to prepare him for defending his Earth from the force that had destroyed Nova 0:0’s Earth: the Deathstorm. After stopping the Deathstorm and saving Earth, Rider was replaced as Centurion Prime for Earth’s sector of space by Nova Omega, an alien chosen by the StarCorps to take over for Rider, whom the StarCorps had deemed too divided to live up to his role as Centurion Prime.
However, he regained his powers and is now traveling the US with the reformed New Warriors as part of a reality television show.
4. Ronan the Accuser: I know absolutly nothing on him, is he a new or old
charcter. Also, can you give another history lesson on him.
Ronan is old.
Real Name: Ronan
Occupation: Former supreme public accuser of the Kree Empire
Other Aliases: None
Place Of Birth: Hala (“alien” planet)
Marital Status: Unrevealed
Known Relatives: None
Group Affiliation: Member of the Kree’s, former partner of Minister Zarek
Powers: Enchanced strength, speed, stamina, durability, agility and reflexes, besides that he has had Kree military combat training, finally he wears The Universal Weapon, which can disintegrate, transmutation of matter, project concussive energy, absorb energy, control gravity, create force fields and interstellar teleportation
He first appeared in Fantastic Four #65, and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.
History: Upon the completion of his formal education, Ronan was enrolled in the Kree Public Accuser Corpsire. Ronan did well and was steadily promoted. In a border incident, he stopped a fleet of Skrull ships from entering Kree space. As a result, he was made Supreme Accuser of the Kree Empire, responsible for enforcing the laws and decrees of the Kree Supreme Intelligence. As a proud member of the Kree aristocracy, he was not happy taking orders from the Supreme Intelligence. His attempt to cause a civil war was quickly halted, and he quickly returned to service.
Ronan’s first encounter with Earth heroes was when the Fantastic Four defeated Kree Sentry #459. Later, Ronan attempted to press the Inhumans into service, as they had been created by the Kree. Although Black Bolt defeated Ronan in a contest, many Inhumans chose to stay on Hala regardless. Ronan also unsuccessfully tried to regain the Kree ‘Psyche-Magnetron’ from Uatu.
During the Ruul’s attempt to turn Earth into an intergalactic prison, Ronan was empowered with the vast energies of Ego. This energy was contained by Quasar, and Ronan was defeated.
Recently, Ronan has been framed and stripped of his Accuser rank.
Last question do you think these miniseries will be worth it?
YES I think this one will be worth it. I think this might be the series a lot of fans are craving for. I know people that love cosmic stories. This likely is the one that will help bring a cosmic line back to Marvel. We need it. I’d say check it out at least. Even if you only try one of the limited series.
I honestly have more hope for this one. I’m not the biggest Millar fan (in fact I haven’t liked a single thing he’s done) so I have very low hopes for Civil War”¦ I am however really looking forward to a new cosmic line.
James emails
Hey there. I got into a debate on another message board about power levels and I wanted the experts (you guys) to settle it for me.
Hey James. I hope we can help
1. Juggernaut – I know they have messed around with his powers and made him invulnerable and then depowered him a bit. I check Marvel Directory and they list him as 100 power level, their highest category, along with Surfer, Thor, Hulk, etc. Is Juggs really that strong and could he go toe to toe with say Hulk or Thor? Are there individual issues to back this up?
Well Juggs used to be up there. In fact he even fought the likes of Thor and Hulk in their titles. Normally he lost BUT he still fought them.
Some cases in point:
Hulk 172,402-404, 456-457
Thor 411-412,428-429
So he’s up there.
2. Cosmic Beings – Who are the most powerful cosmic beings in the Marvel Universe? I said: Living Tribunal —> Infinity/Eternity —> Gauntlet Wielder —> Other Marvel gods like Death, Chaos, Order, etc. —> Celestials —> Cosmic Cube and the Beyonder —> Galactus —> The Watchers —> Thanos, Warlock, the Heralds, Captain Marvel. Then they ripped me apart on the boards. How is this list? Can you give me a better one?
Alright this might be explained a lot by you missing some of the big ass cosmic beings. I’ll help you out here
One Above All
Living Tribunal
Death, Eternity, Oblivion and Infinity
Celestials: Black Celestial and One Above All
Nemesis and All Infinity Gems and holder of Gems
Celestials
Bubonicus the Plague-Bringer
Master Order and Lord Chaos
Mistress Love and Sire Hate
Origin and Un-Being
Galactus and Abraxas
Beyonders
Infinites and Makers
Phoenix Force, Goblin Force
Akhenaten, Enigma Force, Galaxy Master, Hunger, Infinity II, Khatylis, Rot, Vortex
Atlez and Omega
Empathy, Enmity, Entropy, Epiphany, Eulogy, Expediency
Franklin Richards, Valeria Richards Doom and Hyperstorm
Cosmic Cubes and Shaper of Worlds, Kubik, Supremor, Molecule Man, and Kosmos
Eon, Era and Epoch
Ego and Elders of the Universe
High Fathers (heads of the Gods), Thor with Odin power
Elder Gods
Watchers and the Other
Vishanti and Nebulos
Onslaught (full powered)
The Gods (Asgardians/Olympians/anything else)
Underworld Rulers (Mephisto, Satan and others)
Chronos, Abrogate and Anthropomorpho
Stranger and Designate
Galactus Heralds
Anomaly and Maelstrom
Uni-power and Starbrand
Adam Warlock and Thanos and Magus
Eternals and Deviants
Gaia, Dormammu, Zarathos, Umar and Merlin
Ancient One
Infernals (Demons, Devils & etc.)
Photon, Impossible Man, Korvac, Man-Gog and Nightmare
Quasar, Sentry, Void, Jakar, Zalkar
That’s close to as accurate as I can come. I likely will make adjustments as we go because this one will likely start an all new debate. I know I’m likely missing some people or overestimating others but it’s close to accurate.
Cory emails
What’s up fellas….Cory here….Greetings and Salutations….Don’t worry no “Thor/Supes” questions here, although I may start a lil debate with question #2.
Hey Cory. Going well although I think Daron is insane.
I..am”¦not”¦insane! Evil Genius here, get it RIGHT!
1. Who is “Vulcan”?, (The Antagonist Omega-Level Mutant in X-Men: Deadly Genesis) I heard that there is a possibility that he may be the long lost 3rd Summers brother. What your opinion to this rumor? And what are his powers? I hear that they maybe psychometric, psychokinetic, telepathy or all 3. Any idea?
He made his first appearance in X-Men Dead Genesis. He’s the long lost Third Summers Brother everyone has been hearing about for years. So it wasn’t Gambit.
His name is Gabriel a young orphan in the care of Moira McTaggert learns of his mutant power to control and manipulate energy. He was sent as part of the first X-Men team sent to Krakoa to free the original X-Men.
His team of Petra, Darwin the Evolving Boy and Suzanne Chan were sent in to rescue the original X-Men team during their fight against Krakoa the Living Island. Their exact fate and how it relates to the current storyline remains unknown. This mystery will go the full series. I expect to learn more as the last two issues come out.
His powers we know of: psychometric retrocognition, psychokinesis, and pyrokinesis. Not sure what else but he’s a powerful SOB.
2. So, Diana: yes. Clark: no; he’s a pansy. A really, really powerful, fundamentally honest archetypal-hero pansy, but, according to Norse warrior standards, a pansy nonetheless. Just for the heck of it… Batman: no, because he’s psychotic and unworthy. It’s not a popularity contest. Spider-Man’s too uncertain; flawed. It’s magic and religion, arbitrary stuff like that counts.
Very good arguments. I agree with how you lay it out as well. I don’t see Batman or Spidey lifting the hammer either. Wonder Woman and Cap yes. It’s a believe system to. Remember what the hammer says. “Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of… Thor”
People who have lifted it are:
Mainstream (Earth 616)
Odin
Captain America
Beta Ray Bill
Storm
Buri (alias Tiwaz, Thor’s paternal great-grandfather)
Red Norvell (with the aid of gauntlets)
Eric Masterson (while merged with Thor)
Other
Superman in Avengers/JLA #4 (2003)
Wonder Woman in Marvel vs. DC #3 (1996)
Magni (son of Thor in “Thor, Lord of Earth” future)
Woden (son of Thor in the Guardians of the Galaxy future)
Dargo Ktor (“Once and Future Thor” future)
What and ever. Jim, you’re a bigger flip flopper than John Kerry ever was. Pick a stance! And as for the whole pansy thing, see above where Supes is equated to Cap. I think that stands for itself and is quite true.
2a. What major heroes or Icons in DC/Marvel are “worthy” enough to lift Thor’s hammer and why???
Well we have evidence of Doom. So it sort of makes a lot of the rules void I suppose. So there are likely many that could be mentioned now able to lift this hammer. Many no one ever thought of before.
3. Has Captain America ever killed anyone? If so who? I’m guessing if so, it was all self defense.
Cap personally doesn’t like guns. It’s a known fact. Just to say that first. Of course we have seen it a few times.
He’s likely killed some people in war. You know war it happens. Not that he wanted to but he likely did it. Any other times Steve did it was by accident. John Walker was nuts and killed at least once as Cap but that doesn’t count towards Steve.
4. Zaran – relies too much on weapons….Who the hell is Zaran?
Real Name: Maximillian Zaran
Occupation: Mercenary, assasin, former agent of MI-6 (British Secret Service)
Other Aliases: The Weapons Master
Place Of Birth: Unrevealed
Marital Status: Single
Known Relatives: None
Group Affiliation: Batroc’s Brigade, former member of MI-6, former partner of Shockwave, Razorfist
Source Of Powers: None
Abilities: Knowledge of all forms of armed and unarmed combat
Zaran was an agent of the British Secret Service, MI-6, who defected to the employ of Fah Lo Suee, the daughter of Fu Manchu. Spumed by her, Zaran became a mercenary.
5.(Like me listing all the fighters he’s studied and all. I might do it next week but have to be asked. I think we all agree. Marvel should use him more.) So who has the Taskmaster studied and all???
Ah I love that you brought that up.
Agent X, Anaconda, Ant-Man II, Batman, Batroc, Beast, Black Swan, Black Widow II, Blizzard II, Boomerang, Bushwacker, Blacklash, Black Knight III, Black Panther, Captain America, Cat, Conquest, Constrictor, Crossbones, Crossfire, Cutthroat, Daredevil, Deadpool, Diamondback II, Eel II, Elektra, Falcon, Fatale, Firestar, Goliath III, Hawkeye, Headhunter, Hulk, Huntress (DC), Iron Fist, Iron Man, Jack O’ Lantern, Jester, Jocasta, Justice, Libra (DC), MACH-IV, Machete, Mad Dog, Mister X II, Ms Marvel, Nomad III, Oddball, Outlaw, Photon III, Porcupine, Puma, Punisher, Quicksilver, Razorfist, Rhino, Ringer, Saguri, Scarlet Witch, Shatterhead, She-Hulk, Shockwave, Silverclaw, Silver Samurai, Siren, Snapdragon, Speed Demon, Spider-Man, Spider-Woman, Spymaster, Spymaster II, Stilt-Man, Swordsman, Thing, Toad, Tigra, Tombstone, Trapster, Triathlon, Tumbler, U.S. Agent, Vision, Wasp, Whiplash II, Whirlwind, Wizard, Wolverine, Wonder Man, Yellowjacket, Zaran
I might actually have missed someone. So he’s studied a lot of moves.
6. (while he can mimic the actions of others, he can’t do it until he sees it. if said opponent comes up with a move they have never used before, he doesn’t know it. also, if it is an opponent who’s body is trained to deal with the stress of a “special move” (for lack of a btter term), taskmaster’s body isn’t, necessarily. combine those two, and there’s a chance the higher leveled martial artists in the marvel U don’t need to worry about moves taskmaster does know.) Since he doesn’t have Adamantium claws, in a 2nd fight with Wolverine, he “technically” wouldn’t be able to win, right…..especially if Wolvie fought him with the claws, again???
Hmmmmmmm well Taksmaster vs. Wolverine would be more interesting with the claws. Logan might and it’s a big might come out on top. Might just be a draw to. Like the Cap thing I think if they fight it would be a classic fight. One fans will love to read.
7. Just a thought…Capt.America is very similar to DC’s Batman (since they have fought each other to 2 standstills in my opinion; damn votes) Now theoretically speaking, since Batman has beaten Supes on multiple occasions, Captain America stood toe-to-toe with Thanos against all odds, both are humans of utmost perfection….Is it possible for Captain America to somehow defeat or stand toe-to-toe with Superman?
With or without the kryptonite ring? Because that has come in use a few times with Bats. Also Bats knows Superman. He knows his weaknesses and seen him fight. Cap took down Hulk for the same reason. Cap would need to study Superman. He would need prep time just like Batman does. If he was just put into a fight with Superman he’d likely get killed.
Hahaha, I’m sure that hurt you to actually print that Jim. But you’re right. Bats pretty much only defeats Supes with a green ring or some such thing. A toe-to-toe would end with Cap and Bats lying in a pool of blood. Anyone else remember when Bats was on the run for more than an issue when Ivy was controlling Supes and sent him after Bats???
8. But since Bats/Supes are DC, and Thor/Sentry are Marvel’s equivalent to Supes….Can Capt. America defeat either of the two…like Bats did with Supes???
Cap likely can fight Thor in a great fight. He has studied Thor and knows his moves. He can likely find ways to beat Thor.
Sentry is still pretty new to Cap but if he studies him enough and uses his many technical moves on Sentry he could find a way to beat him too.
9. This statement here was low…lol…”as for being WORTHY to wield it… whatever. if i remember correctly, even storm has been able to wield it… someone weak-willed enough to be a pick-pocket. Was this because her past profession is so, so, so similar to that Ragin Cajun??? or you hate pick-pockets?
Lol I think Gambit is not able to do it. Remember Storm did have a little help. His name was Loki. So she was not alone in doing it. But again I can be wrong since this Doom thing messed up the rules.
10. Speaking of the devil, how the hell did Gambit defeat Wolverine in the Danger Room??? Please tell me it was luck or bad writing?
Luck and the fact that Wolverine wasn’t watching. He had his back turned. Gambit is a cheater. It was just lucky Wolverine didn’t kill him in the end. I think he would in any other fight.
11. The last issue of the Sentry I read, the Void had a gun to the head of The Sentry’s shrink, and on the last panel before the trigger was pulled…The Void asked Sentry something like “Can you save him? So are you really faster than a speeding bullet?”
Is this a shot at DC, a Superman in-joke, or what???
It’s a combination of both. It’s a Superman joke and shot at DC. Sentry has always been called by DC as a Superman rip off. I admit his powers are similar. BUT he’s not Superman of Marvel. He’s actually cooler. When you have the power of 1000 exploding suns I don’t think you can knock him.
12. Within Marvel Comics, few characters feature a love life as convoluted and tortured as Daredevil’s. His girlfriends fall roughly into two groups: ordinary women who suffer great pain at his side; and superpowered, highly-dangerous love interests. Either way, most end up killed, maimed or traumatized. Arguably, Daredevil is a character plagued with Girlfriend-In-Refrigerator syndrome.~from Wikipedia.com
12a. What other heroes, in Marvel, suffer from this same syndrome???
This one actually won’t need much explaining.
Spider-Man (Before marrying MJ for the most part)
Iron Man (Tony Stark)
Wolverine
Hulk (Bruce Banner)
Those 4 come to mind. Likely some others around but those came to mind first.
13. Who is more responsible for the re-emergence of sideburns: Logan or Jason Priestley?
Logan is. He’s been around much longer and had them longer. Of course he was mostly only in comics till the 90s except in an odd cartoon.
14. So when is the top 64 fighters tournament going down?
First Wednesday of March if Daron will let me. Designing the rankings now.
15. Have any of you guys seen any movie with Ryan Reynolds? Not only are there rumors, but he has been approached to play the lead role of our favorite Merc with the Mouth, Deadpool. Don’t you fellas think that after seeing him bulk up in Blade 3, that he would be perfect as Wade? He has the mouth, and height, now all he needs is some scabby skin, some guns, and a costume.
Ryan could pull is off. I think he’s got the body tone and muscle when he needs it. He’s also funny as hell. He can pull off Wade without a sweat. I think he’s the perfect choice in reality for Deadpool.
I think he’d do alright.
Thanks fellas, keep up the good work & you guys are amazing! Till next time
Welcome and look forward to next time.
Thanks, we think we’re amazing too!
Decimation update of the 198
*Edito’s note*
Unfortunately, I had to cut the Decimation update this week as it literally put us over the size limit for a single column. Baring another HUGE column next week, we’ll include a new update then.
Sorry all.
Alright time for the sign off. I’m still wondering what Daron was drinking before his new idea but it won’t stop me from doing an article next week. I may think Daron is nuts but I’ll be here. So be here next week. Let’s sign this one off though. Daron you can go last if you wish.
Notes:
1. Digital comics Comics you can read online
2. superherohype poll What is your favorite character featured in “Ultimate Avengers: The Movie”?
3. 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.
4. Keep those emails coming and make sure to label them Marvel Handbook. Even though Daron will likely want Ultimate in there.
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. I’ll see everyone next week for the Relaunch. *shakes head*
Indeed! Don’t let our cancellation stop you from emailing for next week. We shall return with an all new all different Handbook next week (and in the Ultimate fashion – don’t feel pressured to just send “Ultimate” questions because we’ll talk about whatever to get a click!)
