Ultimate Marvel Handbook #186

Features

Hey Daron what‘s up bud.

Not much, just getting my lazy ass out of bed”¦

I‘m good but it was a slow week. It‘s cool you where late last week. I understand about work. I am late this week because I wanted to make sure it was perfect.

Wow that’s a hell of a goal to shoot for.

Well let’s start anyway

Or we could go cruise some high schools looking for chicks”¦

Jon emails

I guess this may be a minor quibble, but Firestar’s first appearance in a comic was actually in Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends #1 from December 1981, a one-shot adaptation of the cartoon. Now, I don’t know whether or not you specified her first appearance in comics as a whole, or in-continuity 616 or not, but, yeah. Don’t doubt me; I bought the comic new when it came out. Those other guys are wrong.

I think it would be considered that as in continuity but heck you do bring up a good answer which I can‘t throw out

Either way, everyone that wrote in was right about her appearing in the cartoon first. That was the main point of the question.

Carva9 asked

I haven’t been reading Iron Man in the last 6 months or so, and I just read Iron Man # 12 the other day.

Q: How come Tony Stark’s hair was blond and he didn’t have his mustache?

He was on the run from the heroes and SHIELD so he dyed his hair and shaved to hide himself. His armor was being hacked and he was doing some bad stuff. So the heroes where called to stop him. Of course Tony went after the hacker the but did what he had to so the others didn’t find him

Ultimate me asked

Q: What was the Age of Apoc? Was it like HoM? That’s where the hot purple chick from exiles is from right? Was that Apoc’s first arc or was there one before it where Angel became his horsman(was it in the AoA or before it?) Im fuzzy on my x-history but this confuses me most of all.

Age of Apocalypse was a big story in the 90s in X-Men. Legion goes back in time planning on killing Magneto. He kills Charles Xavier instead. Which creates an alternate reality where Magneto forms the X-Men. Apocalypse also takes over the US and most of the World. The X-Men with Bishop (who got stuck in the past and lived into AOA) work to gain the M’Kraan crystal, free Illyana and find Destiny to set the Universe right again.

After they do 4 characters come into main 616: X-Man, Dark Beast, Holocaust, and Sugar Man.
Blink from Exiles is from AOA and so is Sabretooth

It should also be noted that there was a 616 Blink but she died shortly before AOA during the Phalanx Event (I believe it was).

Also AOA was no were near Apocalypse’s first appearance nor did it have anything to do with the story where Angel loses his wings.

N Man asked

Ok, after my last funny post now a more serious one:

Since I had some breaks in my comic history, I would like to know if I have missed something. So: How many big crossover storylines where there in Marvel history? I mean stuff like the actual Civil War, Onslaught or inferno (to name a more classical one).

Let’s see:

Secret Wars and Contest of Champions had everyone but never crossed into other titles
Secret Wars II
Mutant Massacre
Inferno
Fall of the Mutants
Evolutionary War
Atlantis Attacks
Acts of Vengeance
Infinity Gauntlet
Infinity War
Infinity Crusade
Starblast (involved quite a few titles)
Onslaught
Maximum Security
House of M
Heroes Return/Reborn
Avengers Disassembled
A lot of the others just involve one type of titles.

dreammerchant_lb wrote

Hey Mister Marvel what new powers does spiderman have from his Iron costume????

Three mechanical spider-arms (with cameras on tips)
Short-distance gliding capability
Bullet proff
Built-in fire,police,emergency scanner
Audio/visual amplification
Cloaking devise
Carbon filters
Short-range GPS
Breathe under water
Morphing ability
Change into other outfits
Also able to be removed to deal with bad substances

Charles emails

There was one instance where people didn’t want to trust Cap, at least
somewhat. It was when he had been exposed to some drug and it combined
with his Super Soldier formula to make him high and manic all the time.
I remember that he beat the snot out of Daredevil at the time. I think
that this might foster some lack of trust.

Well seeing as it was a drug I think they are more forgiving then most would think. I mean it‘s not like it was intentional.

Cory emails

Crazy week here guys, hope that yours was better…..got my new comp….then lost not only my questions, but my binder as well…but…I’m resilient. Here goes all:

That sucks. Good you still emailed

Indeed. Gratz on the new comp. I got a new car myself. Woohoo!

1- In the X-Men trilogy, did anyone notice Iceman’s lack of pranks & sense of humor? That was gone faster than Storm’s accent.

I noticed it. But Iceman should‘ve had that humor. He was good with it. It‘s how Iceman is. Storm accent thing stunk

In the X-Men trilogy, did anyone notice that the third movie absolutely sucked?

I didn’t mind the non-humorous Iceman that much, since many of the characters were “out of character” I’m just glad he got a decent sized role.

2- Is there any possible relation between Bruce Banner & Bill Foster? (Just trying to further antagonize the Hulk about Tony upon his arrival).

None really. They likely have met but nothing of note in eithe’s past of such

3- What’s up with Black Bolt’s “cold war” with the U.S. & Dr. Strange’s hunger strike? Is that their way of not getting involved in C.W.?

Strange will likely be in Civil War. Just not till issue 5 or 6. I think they just need a good entrance point. Black Bolt they may want to wait with for Silent War

4- Wait…how is Namor the “oldest” mutant? There are actually a number of mutants that predate him in the Marvel timeline, including Apocalypse (born in the 30th Century BC), Selene (active since at least 10,000 BC), Wolverine (late 19th Century AD), Mystique and Destiny (dates of birth unknown, but known to have been active at the “Dawn of the 20th Century”), the demonic mutant Azazel and a group of mutants known as the Externals. Or do they mean in terms of print? But as for En Sabah Nur, he has often claimed to be the first mutant. Selene is possibly much older than he, as she claims to date back to the times of Conan and Kulan Gath. Saul and Azazel are also said to be older, although it is unclear at which point their mutations manifested. With Saul now dead and Azazel trapped in another dimension, the title of oldest mutant on Earth is still disputed between Selene and Apocalypse. He was thought to be one of the Externals for some time. Recently, Selene claimed that this was not possible. According to Selene, Apocalypse is not a “true” immortal because he depends on technology to enhance his powers. Many claim that her argument is irrational; Apocalypse was alive for several centuries before enhancing himself with technology. So where does the truth lie?

He‘s considered Marvel‘s first mutant. IE: he appeared first to the world as a mutant. Most of the others didn‘t appear till later. Also the fact Namor is the first mutant to appear in a comic would explain it as well.

He’s also the only mutant who still hasn’t been IN a mutant book.

5- By the way, what ever happened to Thunderclap & The Gamesmaster?

Gamesmaster: last seen attempted to mind control members of the X-Men by trapping them into a world of his own design in order to hide the fact that he had kidnapped the telepathic Jean Grey. However, the X-Men learned of the Gamesmaster’s deception and confronted him. The Gamesmaster subsequently revealed that it was part of a game he was playing with the X-Men to see how they would react to their perfect world, one that feared mutants no longer. He took Grey prisoner as she was the only telepath among the X-Men who could challenge him. However, the Gamesmaster had underestimated the X-Men named Joseph, unknowingly a clone of the self-styled master of magnetism Magneto, and it was this error that allowed Grey to break free and defeat the Gamesmaster.

Thunderclap: disappeared after killing Bantam

6- Apocalypse’s new Horsemen are Gazer (as War), Sunfire (as Famine), Polaris (as Pestilence) and Gambit (as Death). With 3 of them being former X-Men, where does their X-status now lie? With Apoc alive, what’s Cable to do now?

Well Polaris returned to the X-Men. They took her back from him. Sunfire and Gambit left and joined Sinister.

Cable already knew about the return and helped in his own ways with his downfall in Cable/Deadpool. Also now that the Celestials have Apocalypse it’s really up in the air.

7- This crossed my mind also. In X-1, Rogue absorbed Wolverine healing ability to save herself, but in X-3, the cure “cured” her. Isn’t it possible that his/her healing factor could have counteracted this cure?

It‘s possible that Wolverine‘s healing factor could‘ve stopped the cure.

The problem with that theory is that it was a long time ago that she absorbed Logan’s powers, and unless she completely absorbs a person (ala Ms. Marvel) the powers she absorbs are temporary”¦meaning she wouldn’t have still had the healing factor at that time. But for the sake of the children let’s not discuss X-3.

8- In all honest opinion, do u guys think that there will be an X-4(Mr. Sinister) or X-5(Apoc)?

I can say I hope there is. They have two good sequel ideas I think with Sinister and Apocalypse they could do. I know they are worried with Wolverine now but I’d like X-4.

As much as I loved the first 2, the third one was so bad, not only will I not buy the DVD it’s completely turned me off from the franchise and I truly don’t want there to be any more sequels.

9- What do guys think of these 2 possible Marvel movies? Ant-Man is a 2008 superhero film based on the fictional Marvel Comics character Ant-Man. Ant-Man will be directed by Edgar Wright of Shaun of the Dead fame. The script is written by Wright and Joe Cornish. The movie will be produced by Avi Arad, financed by Marvel Studios, and released by Paramount Pictures. Edgar Wright plans to direct an action-adventure film with comedic elements, insisting that Ant-Man would not be a spoof.[1] Wright also plans to include both Henry Pym and Scott Lang as major characters, with Pym as Ant-Man in the 60’s in Tales to Astonish style, and a flashforward to Lang as Ant-Man’s successor in contemporary times. & A film adaptation of Luke Cage is in development for Marvel Studios and Columbia Pictures, with John Singleton directing. With Tyrese Gibson to play as Luke.

Luke Cage could be good. But I’m almost afraid with the Jessica Jones thing I’ve heard. I don’t like that idea. Ant-Man might just not be movie material. I mean he’s just not a big gun at all to me.

I’d say any character could be turned into a good movie if the material is good. Look at Blade. The first movie is great, and who would have thought”¦

10- For a time, Misty was also roommates with X-Men member Jean Grey until Jean returned to her life as an X-Man. But, Colleen Wing briefly dated Cyclops of the X-Men when his girlfriend Jean Grey was presumed to be dead. Connection or coincedence?

Connection to me. I think it’s sort of intentional as well. I mean that these two characters (Misty and Colleen) have always had links.

11- What is with villains & the color scheme of green/purple? (Drax(old), Joker, Riddler, Prowler, etc.)

It’s a classic villain like color I assume. I mean if you notice a lot of the coloring most times are done that way. Red and blue =Hero like colors. Green and purple= villain like. Of course there’s other variables like Hulk and some others that throw it out.

Jeff and I have discussed this before as well, and found it to be interesting. However I’d say the Hulk doesn’t throw out the theory considering he almost always considered to be a villain”¦and honestly probably should be”¦either that or dead.

12- Synch, (R.I.P) from Generation X. What exactly was his powers? “Synching?”

Synch is a mutant who possesses an aura which allows him to be “in synch” with other superhumans in his immediate vicinity, thereby gaining any powers they might possess. The powers Synch “synchs” will fade some time after the superhuman he is “in synch” with leaves his vicinity. It has been theorized that, with practice, Synch will be able to retain powers he has acquired permanently.
Synch is also able to track other mutants by allowing his aura to lock on to the mutant’s bio-signature, and the aura will extend in the general direction in which the mutant is located.

When Synch uses his powers, a multi-colored aura appears around his body. The aura is caused by the energies he is absorbing splitting the ambient light around him, which causes the described effect.

13- Does Cable ever show any ill will towards Wolverine for killing Genesis (Tyler), his son, in Wolv.#100?

I know they have talked. But I don‘t think Cable hates Wolverine for doing it.

14- Though he tried to kill Jubilee (who was saved by Bishop), showed Psylocke’s insides the outside, & vowed to kill all of Wolverine’s friends, how the hell does Sabretooth keep ending up on X-teams?

Heh. I still can’t figure that out. I seriously wonder why they have to keep rehashing this idea. I mean I liked the X-Factor idea. That was good. But now in X-men it doesn’t add up.

15- Besides the immortality, what other similarities are there between Externals & The Highlanders? Death by Decapitation?

Well they do go on a hunting type situation. You know a reckoning. Externals have one as well. Externals are mutants that upon dying discover that they are immortal. Also the fact they call themselves High Lords at a time.

16- During the Infinity Gauntlet, it was said that Thanos aided in saving Thor from a bout of madness. What lead to this madness & how did he aid him?

Actually I think you mean Blood and Thunder. Which was after Gauntlet. Which happened for the most part thanks to the Valkyrie. After years and years of mental anguish at having his power handed out to others such as Eric Masterson and Beta Ray Bill and being imprisoned in the form of Don Blake, Thor’s mind slowly slipped into insanity. This was given form by the Valkyrie, a construct of Thor’s own demented mind, created as a manifestation of its insanity

17- Speaking of Thanos, In the GLX-Mas Special (Dec. 2005), Squirrel Girl and Tippy-Toe managed to defeat M.O.D.O.K., Terrax and Thanos all by themselves. Uatu, the Earth’s Watcher, was on hand to confirm that the Thanos she defeated was the real thing, and not a clone or copy of any kind (an explanation that has sometimes been used to excuse some of Thanos’ more embarrassing performances over the years). I need examples of his embarrassing performances. This sounds like fun. What, when, where, why, how?

Hahah. Ok you give me that challenge you allow me to cover it next week. I bet I can find some good ones

18- What is the real difference between Feral & Wolfsbane, if any?

Feral: In addition to enhanced strength, speed, and agility, Feral possesses superhumanly acute senses, especially sight and smell. Distinguishing Features: In appearance Feral resembles a werewolf, but with feline rather than lupine features. She is covered with orange and white fur and has pointed ears, long claws, and a tail. I don’t think she can change back to human

Wolfsbane: Wolfsbane is a mutant metamorph who can, through mental concentration, transform herself into a wolf, while retaining most of her human intelligence, or into a transitional form which combines both human and lupine aspects. She cannot adopt any other form but these, nor can she take the form of different kinds of wolves. Her wolf form always has the same physical characteristics, which are those of a wolf a few months short of adulthood. Presumably when Wolfsbane herself becomes an adult, her lupine form will be that of an adult wolf.

Although Wolfsbane can transform herself into a wolf, she is not a werewolf; in other words, there is nothing supernatural about her power. Her transformations are not dependent on the phases of the moon, and she has the same vulnerabilities to injury, as does a normal wolf when she is in lupine form.

Wolfsbane’s transformations are brought about only as a conscious act of will on her part, although it is possible that she might turn into a wolf without willing to do so if she were sufficiently frightened.

In lupine form, Wolfsbane’s strength, speed, reflexes and senses are similar to those of a wolf’s, but are also heightened beyond those possessed by a real wolf. In lupine form Wolfsbane can see into the ultraviolet and infrared portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. As a result, as a wolf she perceives things as patterns of heat. Thus, she can see things even in absolute darkness (in terms of what is “visible light” to ordinary humans). As a wolf she can hear sounds that are beyond the range of human hearing. When she is in lupine form she can also detect scents that ordinary humans cannot, and therefore, she can trail someone by scent just as a wolf or dog can. As a wolf Wolfsbane can judge a person’s emotional state and detect any changes in that state as they occur through observing the heat patterns and scents that person gives off.

Wolfsbane retains virtually all of her human intelligence when she is in lupine form. However, as a wolf she might have difficulty at pattern recognition, or in comprehending particularly complicated concepts which she could understand somewhat more easily as a human. She does not possess a wolf’s instincts, and therefore must learn how to use her lupine abilities. However, when she is in lupine form, since she then has a wolf’s vocal organs, she cannot speak. But as a wolf she can achieve a degree of telepathic communication with her fellow ex-New Mutant Moonstar, Dani Moonstar.

Wolfsbane’s “transitional form” combines elements of her human and lupine forms. In it she retains her full intelligence and is capable of speech. In transitional form Wolfsbane is less agile than she is as a wolf, but she is stronger than she is as a human being. She can stand erect and use her front “paws” as hands. She is still covered with fur in her transitional form, but the coat is thinner. At least some of her senses in transitional form are more acute than they are in her human form.

Wolfsbane’s lupine and transitional forms are more massive than her human form. The source of this additional mass is unknown.

19- Rumor: Onslaught is returning. No wonder Professor X has been missing since Deadly Genesis/Illuminati, huh? Is he returning before or after the Hulk?

He already came back in Deadly Genesis and went to space with the Uncanny X-Men.

I’m totally down for the”Team Roster Battle Royale”, so whenever you guys are ready to start. I also have a debate…possibly…for the ages brewing up, so get ready. Thanks, take care, & see ya in 7. Cory, out!

Cool. I‘m actually setting it up now. I should be ready in a week or so.

You’re welcome Cory catch you next week.

Lates.

New top ten of the week: Marvel Cartoons?

My top 5 must read Marvel comics this week:

1. WOLVERINE #47: The Story: CIVIL WAR Tie-In!
“Vendetta,” Part 6
This is it! The senses-shattering conclusion to the Civil War tie-in Vendetta! It had to come down to this: At 30 thousand feet, aboard the SHIELD Helicarrier, it’s Logan vs. SHIELD’s elite Super Human Restraint Unit…and one of the Marvel Universe’s most powerful super heroes: The Sentry! Logan started this story as the hunter, but he’s finishing it as the prey!

2. CIVIL WAR: X-MEN #4: The Story: The final showdown that has threatened to break the foundation of the X-Men is here. It’s Bishop vs. X-Men. Meanwhile, the leader of O*N*E plots the demise of all mutants everywhere. Can mutantkind survive their own Civil War?!

3. CABLE & DEADPOOL #33: The Story: “The Domino Principle”
The CIVIL WAR has torn them apart and now, the President of Rumekistan has to make an executive order — execute DEADPOOL! Is CABLE a proponent of capitol punishment? If so, what will Deadpool’s last meal be?
4. MS. MARVEL #8: The Story: CIVIL WAR Tie-in!

The CIVIL WAR continues! Ms. Marvel must deal with a friend turned outlaw, while also training the next generation of super heroes. Writer Brian Reed and Penciler Roberto De La Torre bring you another action-packed issue, including special guest stars Simon “Wonder Man” Williams, Julia “Arachne” Carpenter and Anya “Arana” Corazon

5. UNION JACK #2: The Story: Having failed to prevent the attacks on London, Union Jack must push himself to the limit to stop an army of super-villains from devastating his home city! It’s cover-to-cover action as Union Jack and his allies try to save London’s landmarks — and its citizens — from destruction!

Civil War update

Ms. Marvel #8: Ms Marvel interrogates Shroud and learns how Julia gained back her powers and learned to walk again. Arana listens in. Later in Denver Ms Marvel, Wonder Man and Arana arrive at Julia’s place. They talk to her father followed by Julia coming out to talk with her daughter in tow. Julia tells them they are leaving the US and puts her kid in the car as she faces the heroes. Ms Marvel confronts Arachne as Arana checks on the kid who runs. Ms Marvel fights Arachne hitting her threw the house. The soldiers take her daughter away. Later Arana talks to Ms Marvel not understanding how they can take a kid from her mother. Afterwards Wonder Man and Ms Marvel talk as well. (issue ends one week later as Rogue shows up)

Civil War: X-Men #4: Sabra checks on Micromax who is badly injured and reverted to normal. The 198 try to get out of the bunker as the X-Men and the Sentinel O.N.E. try to blast into the bunker. All efforts are useless as Bishop tells Val. Val breaks both of Lazer’s kneecaps with a crowbar to get the code. But Johnny Dee breaks Laze’s neck before he can. Archangel agrees to use his blood to help Micromax. Bishop and Cyclops come up with a plan to get them out. The X-Men move everyone else out as Cyclops blast Bishop and then Bishop blast the door as Iron Man and Ms Marvel arrive. They help in blasting the door with the Sentinels finally taking it down freeing the 198. Cyclops loses control of his powers as Leech runs and helps by taking his powers away. Everyone escapes the blast. Later Bishop and Val talk saying the mutants now are free to do as they please and Xavie’s will still be a sanctuary. Bishop decided not to go back. We end with Johnny Dee in prison

Wolverine #47: Wolvie has his neck sliced open by a Damage Control armored guard before Janus appears and saves him. They take out the guards until Sentry shows up. He comes to arrest Wolverine but Wolvie resist to be knocked out by Sentry. Wolvie wakes up on a S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier with a power dampening collar. Hill informs Wolvie Declan is to big to take out. Wolvie gets mad and shows his claws and gets out of there jumping off the Hellicarrier and then cutting off the collar as he jumps. Damage Control headquarters Declan is informed they might fire him but says he’s not leaving unless dead. Wolverine shows up. Declan takes some MGH and fights Wolverine. Wolverine kills Declan finally shoving his claws into his eyes and out the back of his head killing him. Afterwards Wolvie meets with Miriam Sharpe in Stamford saying it was worth it.

Story

For

Against

Other

There’s another edition of the Marvel Handbook for everyone. What did you think Daron

“¦

I’m hoping for more questions or emails next week. I thought this week was kind of dead.

Well that’s probably at least partially my fault since the last one didn’t go up till Sunday. Sorry about that again.

1. Marvel.com poll What has been the most shocking event in Civil War?

2. Digital comics Comics you can read online

3. Marvel is in the process of adding new bios and added a ton of new ones. Check them out here

4. 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.

5. Keep those emails coming and make sure to label them Marvel Handbook. The more emails the better the article is.

Thanks to everyone that wrote in this week. Keep those emails coming.