Hey Daron
Well I had a nice week and so did the handbook. We‘re starting to get longer columns again and I saved something for next week.
Hey Jim, that’s all good to hear. I had a pretty good week as well, and the best part was I got a promotion at work. Woohoo me!
Don‘t worry I think you‘ll agree this is getting better. Let‘s start.
Worry about what? Are you smocking the crack again, Jim?
Soak1313 posted
okay so a question…in the newest issue of the hulk he is shown as moving whole tectonic plates to save a planet. has he ever been shown as ever being this powerful before?
Well Hulk has always been able to do it. Let’s point to past occasions
Marvel Comics Presents # 52: The Hulk destroys an asteroid 2 times the size of the Earth
Secret Wars 4: a 150 billion ton mountain is dropped on the heroes and the Hulk is able to hold up the entire mountain by himself
The Incredible Hulk Annual #8: Hulk strikes the ground with enough force to shake the Rocky Mountains
You can find these and more here.
A hundred and fifty billion ton mountain? I know this is comics and all, but I think even a ten year old would realize that the physics of such a feat were so impossible that they wouldn’t believe it…even if he were strong enough to do it. I could go on here and give examples of what I’m talking about, but I’m sure you all know what I’m saying…
Daniel emailed
Hey Jim,
It looks like your column needs some questions, so here’s a few that have been on my mind for a while.
Hey Dan glad you emailed. All the emails and questions the better
1. I got into comics reading Tom DeFalco’s run on Fantastic Four. There were alot of plot threads going on that were unceremoniously booted when Onslaught showed up, and I’m not sure if they were ever resolved. Whatever happened to Reed’s time-traveling father? The last I saw of him, he tried stopping Onslaught and got all of his armor blown up and got knocked out naked. Not a good final appearance. And what happened to Lyja, Johnny Storm’s Skrull wife? Was she ever even mentioned again? I know they probably wanted to de-age Johnny and make him the immature kid again, but it just seems weird that a guy would have a wife and then come back from the Heroes Reborn world and never mention her again. And didn’t they have a kid or egg or something? I guess that never turned up again.
I’m pulling this one apart a bit:
Whatever happened to Reed’s time-traveling father?
He took Franklin under his care for a short time and even replaced Doom himself for a time. He put Franklin in care of Generation X before disappearing.
And what happened to Lyja, Johnny Storm’s Skrull wife? Was she ever even mentioned again?
She and the Human Torch attempted to work out their marriage, but the hurt between them over being deceived for years was too much, and they broke up just before Onslaught struck. Lyja disappeared, and hasn’t been seen since. Presumably, she’s attending college in her human guise as ‘Laura Green’.
And didn’t they have a kid or egg or something?
she learned her ‘baby’ was in fact an implant device, which her body had rejected, and lost her augmented powers.
2. How did the Genis Captain Marvel die? The Peter David Captain Marvel was one of my favorite comics, so I was pretty bummed when it got canned. I loved the crazy Marvel that thought he was a god. I started reading New Thunderbolts because Genis was going to be in it, but I thought NIcieza did a horrible job with his characterization. Genis was never really a dynamic character when he was sane, but his character in New Thunderbolts seemed to revolve around being obsessed with Songbird and being uncomfortably creepy about it. I thought it was wierd that Fabien would kill off a character he had written before. Didn’t he create Genis? So yeah, how and why did he get killed off?
Ron Marz and Ron Lim created Genis. He first appeared in a Silver Surfer annual.
Recently, Genis came to Earth and joined the Thunderbolts. Genis’s interest in Songbirdand the manipulations of the Purple Man caused Atlas (Erik Josten) to attack him.
Genis was able to recover, displaying a remarkedly different appearance and uses of his powers.
Genis’s use of the ‘Photon’ name caused him to quarrel with Monica Rambeau, who has also called herself Photon and ‘Captain Marvel’. In the end, Genis was allowed to use the Photon name and Monica agreed on a new codename, Pulsar.
Genis’s powers seemed to rage out of control as he continually drew more and more energy. Helmut Zemo returned to the Thunderbolts saying he was behind Genis’s return, but that something had gone wrong. An examination of other counterparts showed that Genis was a threat to the universe. Zemo used the moonstones to apparently kill Genis.
Thanks,
No problem
What a terrible end to such a great character. The original Peter David Captain Marvel series is one of the best comic runs ever written. I hold it up there with James Robinson’s Starman (the greatest comic run ever!) And if you haven’t read it (either one actually), you’re doing yourself a disservice.
Cory emails
Guess who’s back,
Back again,
Cory’s back
Tell a friend
Guess who’s back, guess who’s back, guess who’s back, guess who’s back
guess who’s back, guess who’s back, guess who’s back…..
Sorry guys….I’ve been mad busy…even working on weekends, and the holiday season, but I’m back….as if I ever left. So here I go with more for the 07!
Good to see you back Cory. We missed you around here.
Is it just me, or does it seem like Jim has a mad on crush for Cory? Good luck with that, Cory.
1- Has it been totally revealed why ole Sabretooth is now an X-Man? (especially since writer Mike Carey has stated that he isn’t trying to redeem him).
Well at first Creed came looking for sanctuary. It is only when Rogue, the leader of the team, injects nano-sentinels into his blood that they take him along with their fight against The Children, a factor that one of The Children exploits. At one point Cannonball saves his life during the battle, Sabretooth rewards him with some inside information after, “The first time you turn your back, you’re dead.”
Writer Mike Carey noted he has no plans on redeeming Sabretooth, saying, “I’m not going to try and show a heroic side to Sabretooth’s nature; I’m not going to retcon him so that there are reasons for his actions that make him forgivable. The things he’s done are not forgivable and he can’t be redeemed. I’m not making him into a hero; I’m making him into a team member and there are reasons within the first storyline as to why he ends up fighting alongside the X-Men against another enemy. And there are reasons why it’s not so easy to simply shake him off again afterwards. There are things that are going on that will sort of unfold during the first year of my run which explain his being there and explain his being accepted with very, very grave misgivings into the team
2- So in Wolverine #50 will finally shed some light on the history between Sabes & Wolvie. Any ideas on what will be revealed?
I’ll bet on some things.
1. They will reveal more on the Silver Fox thing on how Creed killed her.
2. They might explore deeper then this even to have Creed have reasons for doing it and the like.
3. I’ll be able to give a good answer starting this week.
4. Wolverine 50 review:
3- Since Sabretooth was originally an Iron Fist villain, is there still bad blood between the two? Have they fought since Wolverine entered the equation & what originally made them two rivals?
Eventually emerging as a costumed villain, Sabretooth becomes partners with the Constrictor and the two act as enforcers for major criminal interests. The two soon dissolve their partnership, and Sabretooth nearly kills the Constrictor at one time. Sabretooth battles Iron Fist, in his first historical appearance, Iron Fist #14.
During his time as a mercenary, he establishes himself as a hero-fighting villain by taking on the likes of Luke Cage, Daredevil, Thor, Spider-Man, and the Black Cat, where he nearly bites through her leg until he encounters the armor underneath her boot. During his Spider-Man encounters, Creed’s employer, The Foreigner, claims to have trained the mercenary at some point. Also during this time, the ninja organization the Hand augments his strength.
Since Wolverine and him have became bigger rivals him and Iron Fist hasn‘t really been used.
4- Although I used to get upset at the “clawed clonesâ€, I’m actually becoming a BIG X-23 fan. What’s you guys take on her?
I actually like X-23. I’m a fan of hers since she had her own series. I didn’t love her right away from X-Men Evolution or in NYX of course but since they’ve put her into a more X-men world of Marvel I’m starting to like her more and more.
Honestly…I like her better than ol’ Logan anymore.
5- With his healing factor in tact, is it possible for Wolverine to get gray hair? This was brought to my attention by my younger cousin, when he saw my “Days of Future Past†past poster.
Good question. Even though he’s got a fast healing factor I think with age he still can get old. Meaning he can grow old and gray.
He does age, it just happens a LOT slower than normal people…
6- Who the hell is Underworld? He is like on a streak off killing off villains, even Hammerhead.
Underworld
Real name: Real name unknown, but possibly includes “Dio†as first or last name
Nicknames: No known nicknames
Former aliases: No known former aliases
Other current aliases: No other known current aliases
Occupation: Professional criminal and hired enforcer
Legal status: Legal status unknown
Identity: Secret
Marital status: Marital status unknown
Group affiliation: Loyal to the Kingpin
Base of operations: Base of operations unknown
Underworld is a vicious killer who has recently become embroiled in the Kingpin’s affairs while the crimelord is incarcerated.
Place of birth: Place of birth unknown
Known relatives: No known relatives
First appearance: Underworld # 1
Height: About 5’11” or 6’0â€
Weight: xxx lbs (xxx kg)
Eyes: Eye colour unknown
Hair: Black
Unusual features: No unusual features
Powers: No known powers.
Abilities: Underworld is presumably an excellent marksman and hand-to-hand combatant.
Strength level: Strength level unknown
Equipment: No known equipment.
Transportation: No known transportation.
Weapons: Underworld carries a pair of advanced pistols capable of firing adamantium rounds.
Underworld evidently has a long and sordid history. At some point, he may have worked for Silvermane, presumably using another codename and identity. During that time, Hammerhead killed Underworld’s best friend – a hood known only as “Joey Dâ€) – because Joey owed the crime lord two grand. Before he could exact revenge, Underworld was incarcerated for unknown crimes and spent about ten years in prison.
Upon his release, Underworld began working for his old enemy, Hammerhead. Hammerhead was attempting to organize a criminal syndicate, allegedly to oppose the recently passed superhero registration act. His real motive, however, was to steal territory from the imprisoned Kingpin. When the villain Slyde refused to join Hammerhead’s organization, Underworld shot Slyde in the back of the head, killing him in cold blood. Later, Underworld helped Hammerhead organize a meeting with over a dozen costumed criminals. The gathering was raided by Iron Man and SHIELD, who had been duped by the Kingpin into thinking that the meeting spot was a hideout being used by Captain America and his anti-registration allies. During the ensuing battle, Underworld ambushed Hammerhead and shot him in the back with adamantium bullets.
Hammerhead survived, but Underworld visited him in the hospital and revealed that he was working for the Kingpin. He was also still angry over the death of Joey D. Underworld then killed Hammerhead by putting an admantium bullet into his brain
7- Since Tony Stark had to euthanise(sp) Happy Hogan, what happened to the Spymaster? Also, can’t you blame his death on Iron Man? The same as Bill Foster’s? I mean SpyMmster did intend to use HH to lure Iron Man out, right?
I think you can blame Tony for his death and Bill’s. I mean it makes a lot of sense to blame Tony since he could’ve prevented it. I did wonder about Spymaster. I bet he lived and got away or got thrown into the 42 or something.
8- The local guy/owner at my comic book store dropped a bombshell on me. He said that since he has to buy monthly titles like 2-3 months in advance, that he knows the CW outcome. Not to give away too much, do you guys now anything like this? (Don’t tell me!) He also said “Cap will do something that won’t be expectedâ€, and that he sees no reason why this BIG thing won’t make Extra or Entertainment Tonight. Just like Superman’s death, Batman’s back, or Spidey’s unmasking.
I.E: he thinks Cap is dying. I think I know where he’s getting the rumor from if anything. Here’s my answer
1. With the Red Skull coming back big time after Civil War I don’t see Cap dying. He’s going to have to stop Skull because he wants Cap dead anyway.
2. JQ has said it’s a big year for Cap
3. Ed Brubaker himself has plans for Cap
4. Cap’s title is selling better then ever
5. Cap is more popular then ever.
Oh and I think the Iron Man Steve Rogers thing is fake.
Maybe Cap is gonna kill Tony (one of his longest and best friends). That would be pretty big (though not necessarily ET big, but still). Which would then lead the way to Jim Rhodes donning the armor again (or someone else?) Hell, I’d read Iron Man again if Rhody was back in the saddle.
9- What is up with both Cap & Iron Man making secret deals with the Kingpin?
War Crimes. This one was interesting. Tony wanted to find out if Fisk could find the Underground. So Cap made his own deal with Fisk help give up Cloak and Dagger. Now I think this move was made by Cap to help them in the 42 in reality. Fisk most likely just played the pair of them anyway.
10- Back to the X-men trilogy: Where was Colossus’s Russian accent?
Can you say bad casting or big continuity error?
I could live with the that fact that Peter wasn’t Russian, however, thinking of all the problems with X3 still makes my eyes bleed…craptastatic!
11- Can I get a brief bio or summary on the history of Luke Cage’s rogues gallery?
Diamondback
Gideon Mace
Chemistro
Discus
Stiletto
Shades
Commanch
Hardcore
Bushmaster
Coldfire
Next week I’ll give you bios. This way we don’t take all of the room
12- In the 2001 miniseries Cage, written by Brian Azzarello under Marvel’s MAX imprint, Cage was hired to investigate the murder of a teenage girl and got involved in a three-way gang war for control of the neighborhood. It featured a controversial take on Cage, giving him a thuggish persona that many fans considered stereotypical and possibly racist. I never read these books, but how was he depicted? Can you give me any examples?
first issue:
A woman named Mrs. Dickens walks into a striptease club where she finds Luke Cage enjoying a show. Approaching him, she states that she wants to hire him to exact revenge against the gang bangers responsible for killing her thirteen-year-old daughter, Hope. Luke finishes his business with one of the strippers and agrees to take Mrs. Dickens’ case.
Cage begins muscling in on the gangs congregating on G Street. He interrogates a couple of thugs during a basketball game and learns that the bullet that killed Hope Dickens was originally intended for another gang banger named Clifford “Clifto” Townsend. Upon further investigation, he learns that the triggerman might possibly be linked to Lonnie “Tombstone” Lincoln.
13- Cage became a prominent character in the comics of Brian Michael Bendis, starting with Alias where it was implied that Luke has been sexually involved with a significant number of the unmarried female superheroes in the Marvel Universe. Besides She-Hulk & Jessica, who else? “I HAD THE BLACK CAT ON THAT COUCH!”—classic!
Well I don‘t think we have the full list.
We know
Jessica
She-Hulk
Black Cat
Colleen Wing likely
Possible others:
Emma Frost. (sure she would)
Dakota North (possible)
14- Also, She-Hulk gets around also I see huh? Juggs?
Yep she does. Heck she just got busy with Jasper Sitwell to.
15- Where the hell is Nick Fury???
Underground helping out Cap, Winter Soldier, Sharon Carter and Spider-Woman
16- For the heroes: what would be a top 10 in terms of strength. Like Thor, Silver Surfer, Hulk, Luke cage, etc. as contestants?
hmmmm not easy but can be done
1. Hulk
2. Thor
3. Gladiator
4. Silver Surfer
5. Sentry
6. Drax
7. Hercules
8. Thing
9. Colossus
10. Juggernaut
17- A prime example of just how much they have increased is seen in Wolverine Vol. 2 #92. Wolverine is run over by a car and suffers numerous internal organs ruptured and half the bones in his body broken, from which he completely heals in a matter of seconds. It is also revealed during this time Wolverine’s mutation process will eventually cause him to degenerate physically into a more primitive, beastial state. Does this mean he gonna be like he was after issue #100, all over again?
It’s possible if Wolverine doesn’t keep control of himself that he could become like that again
18- Who is Lazaer? The person Wolverine sees when we has near-death experiences.
Each time he has a near-death experience, he finds himself walking to the light. He figures that, when he reaches the light, it will mean dying for good, but he never gets there. After almost dying when Nitro exploded near him, he spoke with Jean Grey at the edge of life and she informed him that beyond the light lay all the answers. The loves of his life are waiting for him there, as is she. So is Lazaer. Wolverine later got his revenge against Nitro, and then began the chase to find whoever was responsible for Stamford. During this time, he once again had a near-death experience when he fell from a S.H.I.E.L.D. helicarrier. Lazaer was waiting for him on the edge of death once again, looking for payback for Logan having killed him. Logan won again, but he knew that winning meant he’d never go into the light and see the ones he’d loved. Losing simply meant returning to his normal life. We still have to find out who this man really is.
19- Due to high level psionic shields implanted by Professor Charles Xavier, Wolverine’s mind is highly resistant to telepathic assault and probing. Why was this done & when? In the Marvel vs DC storyline, Jubilee fought with the X-Men and other Marvel heroes against the heroes of the DC Comics world. Jubilee was caught in a fight against Tim Drake, aka: Robin. The two however, were reluctant to fight, and after their match (which Robin won), became involved romantically. Because of this, the two were infused in the Amalgam Comics world as Sparrow, sidekick to Dark Claw. Jubilee vowed to remember Robin always when the rift between the DC and Marvel worlds was finally closed. Does any other heroes remember this storyline, in either company?
Most of the heroes did remember it with the crossovers done after Marvel vs. DC (some like JLA vs. Avengers and others.)
The thing with Wolverine was likely done not too long after he joined the X-Men or at a later point.
20- The new F4 trailer is the bomb!!! Silver Surfer looks too amazing. I also saw the 16 sec transformation of Eddie Brock into Venom. Yes!!! With Ghost rider in Feb, and these two in the summer, it’s looking like a good year for Marvel huh?
Yep, it is I agree.
Well, I can’t comment on Ghosty, but the F4 trailer does indeed look DAMN good!
Thanks guys…See ya in 7!
See ya later Cory
Oh and top ten:
1- Wolverine 2- Deadpool 3- Sabretooth 4- Maverick 5- Garrison Kane 6- Fantomex 7- X-23 8- Wildchild 9- Copycat 10- Chamber
New Tournament
Ok we’re going to try this another way. I know people got lost with the Avengers tournament and I did it wrong. SO we’re going to have it where everyone who writes in can vote for at least 4 teams (rosters included) that should be in the full round of 64.
Top 10 this week: top ten Weapon X’ers.
1. Wolverine
2. Deadpool
3. X-23
4. Fantomex
5. Sabretooth
6. Maverick
7. Garrison Kane
8. Wildchild
9. Chamber
10. Copycat
My top 5 must read Marvel comics last week
1. SILENT WAR #1: SON OF M told how Quicksilver stole the precious Terrigen Mists from the Inhumans and how Black Bolt retaliated by declaring war on humanity. Now that war is about to break loose as Gorgon leads a terrorist attack on New York. Old friends become deadly enemies when the Fantastic Four are forced to defend their city against the Inhumans.
2. CIVIL WAR: THE RETURN #1: As the Civil War rages, two of the universe’s greatest heroes are confronted with pasts they can’t leave behind in two heart-rendering tales. On Earth, the Sentry confronts his inner demons as the shadows of past and future battles tear him apart. Within The Negative Zone, the walls of 42, are pulled back to reveal the return of one of the Marveldom’s greatest heroes…now face-to-face with a Universe they no longer recognize.
3. ETERNALS #6: The double-sized finale of NEIL GAIMAN and JOHN ROMITA JR.’s epic! The Eternals face their mystery enemy at last. This issue will solidify the Eternals’ place in the Marvel Universe. Will they register? Guest-starring the Avengers!
4. MOON KNIGHT #7: “Midnight Sun: Part One: The Woodwork†Moon Knight enters Civil War!
Three months back on the job, and they’re already coming out of the woodwork. The bad guys you expect. The gangsters and the hoods with old axes to grind. They all come with the territory. But the heroes–them you don’t expect. Popping up to give you the eyeball and make sure you’re toeing the line. Their line. Spider-Man and his wisecracks…Frank Castle, the angel of death himself, telling you he’ll be keeping an eye on you…even the fugitive Captain America, with a word to say about crashing aircraft into the sides of buildings in New York City. And now, this other thing. Someone is out there. Someone hitting the old haunts, scenes of the old crimes. Leaving messages. Leaving bodies. Someone who knows you. Someone who crushes steel and pulls off limbs. All to get your attention. Someone out of your league!
5. PUNISHER WAR JOURNAL 3 #3: Civil War tie in
The Punisher. Captain America. Uneasy allies in even the best of times, now two fugitives fighting a common enemy in CIVIL WAR. Every war is won or lost based on one decisive battle– this might be the endgame for CIVIL WAR. A clash that’s been building for thirty years comes to a ferocious head as The Punisher and Captain America finally collide, and the reverberations will be felt for months to come. Cap made a deal with the devil — what happens when the devil comes to collect?
Civil War update
Civil War: The Return #1: We see the fight breaking out from Civil war 6 at the 42 prison as a guard contacts the warden who tells him to wait. The warden is Captain Marvel (the original) We flashback to Cap meditating in the Negative Zone when he saw a space in the fabric of time and space and touching it going to Sentry’s tower. Sentty recognizes him and Marvel knows Sentry. Sentry tells Reed and Tony. We find out Reed and Tony creating the time slip that brought him to the present. He’s asked to guard the prison and told he’s dead. Mar-Vell dons the Nega Bands and escapes the prison.
The other story: Sentry battles the Absorbing Man in New York. We learn Absorbing Man can now take on powers, abilities and memories of anything he touches including Sentry. Sentry gives him his full power and destroys him. Sentry then goes and registers with the SHRA.
Punisher War Journal #3: Frank remembers an encounter he had with Captain America while at Marine boot camp. Cap beat him in front of everyone and he never fought back. Present: Cap beats up Frank who killed the villains but he defends himself saying they where villains. Cap can’t believe he trusted Frank and we go back to the the flashback where the other soldiers beat up Punisher as well. Cap walks away from the fight. We see GW meet with the new Tinkerer who he thinks is helping Frank. Tinkerer escapes using one of his gadgets. Punisher wakes up in a SHIELD base knowing he’s in an armory. Frank goes after the Rhino beating him with a bazooka and the Satan’s Claw. Telling him to warn everyone he’s Back.
Moon Knight #7: We start with Moon Knight beating up a a few goons in an ally when Spider-Man shows up and stops him from murdering the group. He leaves before Spidey could talk. In a car Bushmaster says he only marked one of them. Moon Knight’s driver thinks he’s talking to himself. Moon Knight goes back to work at his place. We then see a woman a man being worked on by a woman who doesn’t have enough to fix him it seems. We go back to Moon Knight waking up and taken to have dinner or lunch with Jean Paul taking him to another diner to find Gena who doesn’t like seeing them. This leads Moon Knight to talking to the son about the papers and then dropping off Frenchie. Moon Knight goes home to find Cap inside.
There’s another edition of the Marvel Handbook for everyone. Cory comes back and saves the day. What did you think Daron?
I think, you still need to find a better closing, buddy.
We‘re getting bigger and better already. Cory returns and 3 emails at least. I expect we‘re going to get more soon.
Indeed, unless your “man-love†for Cory scares them all away. I know I’m a bit disturbed…
1. Digital comics Comics you can read online
2. Marvel is in the process of adding new bios and added a ton of new ones. Check them out here
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. The more emails the better the article is.
And the less I have to hear about it…
