Ultimate Marvel Handbook # 196

Features

Welcome to a jam-packed action filled and question filled Handbook. I‘m Jim Trabold. Along with my friend and editor-in-chief Daron. Say hi Daron.

What am I you’re talk monkey?

I’ve gone a little crazy. You’ll have to forgive me. Big column and I think you’ll enjoy this one.

Because you’ve gone crazy, or because it’s a big column?

That‘s a good idea. Let‘s start.

What’s a good idea? You have gone crazy…

Albert emails

Okay so I read FF the other day and they have Reed say that Thinker is the only one on earth who can check his equations. And Thinker later says Stark could never understand them. Which since you like lists got me wondering who would be Marvel’s 10 smartest characters? For arguments lets take non-earthbound entities out of the equation like Thanos, Nebula, the Supreme Intelligence, the Shiar Empire, Grandmaster and other Elders of the Universe, because their starting from a more advanced technological base.

I think we can assume it’s always been stated that Reed is #1 and Doom is #2. I would think the Leader should be right up there with them if we look at how strong gamma radiation made the Hulk and assume it enhanced Leader’s intellect by a similar degree. (which quick second question has Reed ever faced the Leader?).

My guess is probably Immortus should be #4 as he understands time travel better than anyone, has advanced future technology and has been shown to be behind insanely complex centuries and reality spanning schemes in Avengers West Coast, Avengers Forever, The Crossing, etc.

Figure maybe Apocalypse would be #5 since he’s lived for centuries, understands genetic mutation better than anyone and has mastered the technology of the Celestials and seems to have high level mind control and teleportation technology too.

Other general candidates, Thinker was mentioned in the aforementioned FF story as near Reed’s level. The Avengers always have a scientist on staff – – of the like dozen or so that rotate in and out I’d guess besides Tony, Hank Pym and Black Knight were portrayed as the next smartest. I know Alpha Flight has a villian called the Master who is supposed to have a super evolved brain or something. They don’t appear much but the Enclave created a new lifeform (Warlock and Kismet) among other schemes so they might be considered too.

For specialists, Iron Man is probably the best at technology (the whole armor wars was built off the idea that all the other armored characters stole his patents), Cap is clearly the best at battle strategy. Doc Ock is the best at radiation according to an FF story where Reed needs his help to save Sue’s life. Mr. Sinister and Beast are both close to Apocalypse in genetics, and if we count mystic knowledge then you’d have Doc Strange too. And unfortunately if we dare to remember cloning then Jackal would seem to be the authority on that.

My top 10?

1. Mister Fantastic
2. Doctor Doom
3. Mastermind Excello (Amadues Cho)
4. Iron Man (Tony)
5. Hulk (Bruce Banner)
6. Kang/Immortus
7. Mister Sinister
8. Hank Pym
9. Nathaniel Richards
10. Black Panther

Among others to consider:

Prodigy (New X-Men), Charles Xavier, Doctor Strange, Apocalypse, Shadowcat, Puma, Magneto, Forge, Curt Connors, Peter Parker, Achebe, Mad Thinker, the Tinkerer, among others

I totally think Sinister should be higher on the list…maybe #3 or#4?

One other FF question, since I haven’t read their book in over 10 years. They have a daughter now? Wasn’t Sue sterilized shortly after Secret Wars? Also she’s not an infant so is time actually passing in the MU again? Cause she seems to be 4? which would make Franklin 8? (and if Franklin has aged what about PowerPack ?)

Yep they have a daughter. Allow me to explain Valeria’s origins

Valeria Richards, the second child of Mister Fantastic and the Invisible Woman, had a difficult and circuitous entry into the world. Conceived in the Negative Zone, when the unborn infant approached term she began to emit bursts of deadly radiation that threatened both mother and child. Despite bringing in fellow scientists and radiation experts Bruce Banner, Michael Morbius, Walter Langkowski, and Otto Octavius, Reed Richards was unable to save his daughter, who appeared to be stillborn.

Appearances can be deceiving. Franklin Richards, the couple’s first child, felt a deep loss over the sister he would have had; unconsciously guided by Omniversal Guardian Roma, he secretly used his vast psionic powers to travel back in time and save his sister, taking her from her native reality (Earth-616) and sending her “someplace else” – an alternate future where she was raised by another Invisible Woman who had married a heroic Doctor Doom after the death of her first husband. It’s unclear whether this timeline’s Invisible Woman somehow gave birth to Valeria, or if she was delivered to her new family as a newborn infant; whatever the case, they raised her as their own, and she grew up considering Dr. Doom to be her father. Roma, who had her own plans for the child, apparently kept a watchful eye on Valeria, ensuring her well-being.

Among Valeria’s friends as she grew up were Caledonia, a member of Roma’s interdimensional Corps and of this future’s Fantastic Four, and Lancer, her father’s mutant bodyguard; her stepbrother, whom she nicknamed Sparky, would annoy their mother by using his powers to go “time-dancing”. As she grew older and her powers and adventurous streak began to emerge, Dr. Doom designed armor for her protection, and she took on the title “Marvel Girl”. When she was twelve, she was formally invested as Doom’s heir in the throne room of the Baxter Building; not long after this, her father and her uncles Ben and Johnny (the Thing (Benjamin Grimm) and Human Torch (Johnny Storm)) died saving the world. Subsequently, while visiting the Blue Area of the Moon to see Alicia Masters’ memorial statue for the fallen heroes, both Valeria and Franklin briefly communicated with a temporally displaced echo of Earth-616’s Reed, Ben and Johnny. When the Fantastic Four of Earth-616 were in Paris, Valeria “time-danced” (apparently accidentally) into the modern-day Pier Four, encountering the younger Franklin and his babysitters Caledonia and Alyssa Moy. When the interdimensional hunter Bounty attacked, seeking to arrest Caledonia, Valeria immediately came to Caledonia’s aid; but the battle was interrupted by the arrival of the Bacchäe, warrior women working for the Amazon Hippolyta. Wanting to pay back the Fantastic Four for an earlier encounter, the Bacchäe kidnapped everyone present and took them to face their mistress and her lord, the Olympian god Pluto. Caledonia dueled with the Amazonian queen, while Marvel Girl tried to lead everyone else to safety; when Caledonia defeated his champion, the vengeful Pluto sent her to Tartarus. Marvel Girl and the others pursued, using the teleportation abilities of Franklin’s pet, Puppy, arriving in the Olympian underworld after a side trip to the Asgardian Hel and an encounter with Hela. They freed Caledonia and together battled past the combined forces of Tartarus, until Marvel Girl confronted Pluto himself and demanded he let them go in peace. Though not initially inclined to do so, the Lord of Hades changed his tune when the Fantastic Four arrived, accompanied by Hercules and Persephone, Pluto’s wife.

At first Susan Richards found it difficult to accept Valeria; the implication she would one day marry Doom shook her, and Valeria’s presence brought back painful memories of the child Sue believed had died. Hearing her “mother” reject her, Valeria ran away. She roamed the streets for several hours, eventually stumbling upon the Absorbing Man, Titania, and a mind-controlled She-Hulk battling the police. Marvel Girl tried to stop them single-handedly, but was outmatched by the combined might of her opponents. When the Thing and Bounty arrived, they too were swiftly placed under mind-control; arriving to see Valeria in peril, the Invisible Woman accepted her daughter and dealt painful retribution to her attackers. Valeria helped Reed identify the microbial nanites which had been used to brainwash their friends, and the search for a cure brought the group into conflict with the Mad Thinker, whose carefully laid plans were disrupted because he had not factored in Marvel Girl’s presence. Later, after a magical attack left Alyssa Moy in a coma, Valeria was instrumental in identifying Selene and the Hellfire Club as being linked to the assault. She, Franklin and Caledonia were next used as hostages by another magical foe, Jihad, to make the Fantastic Four go on a quest to recover four mystic items for him.

An impending Chaos Wave heralded the return of Dr. Doom from Counter-Earth and led to Valeria confronting this evil, younger version of the man she considered her father; however, when events conspired to trap Reed Richards within Doom’s armor while Doom was apparently killed, it began to look like Valeria’s future was coming true, but that Richards was her true father. For their own safety, Valeria and Franklin were sent under the care of Caledonia to Haven, a school for gifted children on the other side of the universe; in their absence, Richards was freed from Doom’s armor, while Doom himself was found to have survived, once more calling into question Valeria’s future timeline.
The two children returned from Haven shortly before the arrival of Abraxas, a cosmic being who sought the Ultimate Nullifier and dominion over the multiverse; while the Fantastic Four sought the Nullifier in other realities, Abraxas targeted Valeria as a temporal anomaly. Franklin and Roma whisked her away, but Abraxas soon tracked them down, seemingly killing Roma and taking the Nullifier. As Abraxas appeared about to claim victory, Roma’s plan came to fruition; Franklin and Valeria combined their powers to resurrect Galactus, the one being who could seize the Nullifier from Abraxas. Galactus gave the device to Mr. Fantastic, who activated it, obliterating Abraxas and resetting reality. This depleted Franklin’s cosmic powers, and Valeria reverted to an unborn child within Sue’s womb.

Sue soon came to term, but her life was again threatened by bursts of radiation from the child within her. With Mr. Fantastic captured by the Hidden Ones, the Human Torch desperately sought the aid of Dr. Doom; Doom successfully used a combination of science and sorcery to safely deliver the infant, and in return was allowed to name her. He chose Valeria, after his childhood love, but even at this juncture, love was far from Doom’s mind. Holding the newborn in his arms, he took the opportunity to weave an enchantment, turning Valeria into his familiar, enabling him to see through her eyes and use her as a focus for spell casting. A few months later, after he sacrificed Valeria’s namesake in return for greater magical abilities, Doom launched an assault. As Franklin was literally sent to Hell, Valeria spoke her first word: “Doom”. The villain taunted his foes through the young girl’s mouth, and when the FF flew to Latveria to confront him, he easily overcame them, teleporting Valeria into his arms. With the assistance of Doctor Strange, Reed eventually managed to turn the tables and recover his children, leaving Doom trapped in Hell and his link to Valeria hopefully broken. Life returned to normal…as normal as it can be for a child whose parents are superhuman adventurers and whose Inhuman babysitters live on the Moon. Whether anything of the teenage Marvel Girl remains within the infant Valeria, or whether Doom might still hold some sway over her, only time will tell.

Due to the numerous super villains attacks on the Baxter Building, Child Welfare questioned the safety of Franklin and Val. After much reluctance, Reed and Sue decided to give up their children to Welfare. However, an initial condition was that a “dummy” safe-house was to be set up, and a press release to be announced that the children had already been moved. The decision to actually move Franklin and Valeria was rescinded after the safehouse that they were to be placed in was reduced to a crater (along with everything within a half-mile radius). It is uncertain exactly which of the FF’s enemies carried out the attack, or why (there is speculation that Reed carried out the attack himself to allow him and Sue to keep the kids), but it was enough to convince Child Welfare.
After the Super Human Registration Act became law in the United States, Valeria’s father Dr. Reed Richards became a strong supporter of act offering to help create a prison to house the “super-heroes” who refused to register. Reed’s stance placed him on Iron Man’s side of the inevitable Civil War that gripped the super-hero community. After sometime Val’s mother Susan Richards decided that she could no longer support her husband and left to join the group of rouge heroes lead by Captain America. Sue made the difficult choice to leave her children with their father, feeling that they would be safer with him because she was going to be going underground and against the law.

Yep time does pass in the Marvel universe. The Power Pack are all older now. Their series is sort of not continuity in reality. The real members are in their teens or older.

PS in your daredevil thread this week you wrote Night Nurse is the only person who takes care of heroes? What about the superhero hospital Cap and Wasp dedicated in Avengers 340 ?

Who’s thread? I didn’t say that for sure. I mean Marvel has it’s fair share of people who take care of the heroes

Night Nurses:
Linda Carter
Christine Palmer
Georgia Jenkins
Current: unnamed
Nurse Stephens
Jane Foster
Charlotte Jones
Anne Ghazikhanian
Lynne Church

Bits and pieces from last week:

2) The original Origin story was horrible, as is Logan’s “real name.” Come on, seriously, Jim? Wolverine’s Origin should have NEVER been told, that was what made him so interesting. Now that I know his stupid origin I’ve lost a lot of respect for the character.

I agree in many ways with Daron here. I think Wolverine’s origins should be more secret then they are. That’s what always made Wolverine a great character. You had the mystery.

Well it’s good that we agree with something.

Klauze asked

How many different versions of the Phoenix have there been? i just got the Pheonix Endsong TBP and i havnt really kept track of that type of story

so what exactly in short has happened involving the Pheonix Force? thanx in advance thy master

ok I’ll list them

Phoenix Force (Phoenix II)
Dark Phoenix (Phoenix Force)
Rachel Summers (Phoenix III)
Jean Grey (Phoenix IV)
The White Phoenix of the Crown (Jean)
Amber Hunt (Phoenix of Ultraverse)
Prime (Phoenix of Ultraverse)
Emma Frost (Phoenix VI)
Celeste Cuckoo (Phoenix VII)
Rook’shir (holder of the Phoenix Blade)
Giraud (Phoenix of Guardians of Galaxy)
Necrom (The Anti-Phoenix)
Kitty Pryde (Disguised as Phoenix)

Phoenix I (Baron Zemo but didn’t have any connections to above)

cdot17 wrote:

I have not got hulk in years and i am about to start to get it again. I would like to know what trades to get to and when the trade for plant hulk is coming out. Is there any web site that any body knows of where i can get the trades at. It is hard for me to get them where i live. so any help would be great

I can help.

Alright you will only need like one trade to get into Planet Hulk.

Incredible Hulk TPB: Planet Hulk Prelude (gets you in easy)

Another good read: New Avengers Illuminati for a lead in.

Some other good Hulk trades:

House of M TPB: Incredible Hulk
Hulk TPB: Tempest Fugit
Incredible Hulk TPB vol.4: Abominable
The Incredible Hulk TPB vol.1: Return of the Monster

Good place to find them: Amazon.com & Mile High Comics

Yaniv92 asked

I’m very confused right now…
can you write his family tree?

I’m confused too. Who are we talking about?

Alright.

Wolverine

Grandfather
Old Mr. Howlett

Father
John Howlett Sr
Thomas Logan (possible)

Mother
Elizabeth Howlett

Brother
John Howlett Jr.
“Dog” Logan (possible)

Not married to but had child with
Gahck

almost married

Mariko
Silver Fox

Married:
Itsu
Viper

Sons:
Erista
Origins son

Adopted:
Amiko

Clones:
X-23 (Laura Kinney)

Wade.T.Wilson asked

i got a challenge for ya big-guy name all of the spiderman costumes in order of their first appearance!

(they don’t really have to be in order although a timeline would be helpful)

I’ll try at least

Wrestler: Amazing Fantasy #15
Classic: Amazing Fantasy #15
Costume shop: Amazing Spider-Man #26
Six Arm Spidey: Amazing Spider-Man #100
Costume Shop II: Amazing Spider-Man #113
Never Fade Away: Amazing Spider-Man #213
Spider-Lizard: Spectacular Spider-Man #39
Electro-Proof: Spectacular Spider-Man #66,
Alien Symbiote Black Costume: Amazing Spider-Man #252
Bag-Man: Amazing Spider-Man #258
Regular Black Costume: Spectacular Spider-Man #99
Die Spinne: Spider-Man vs. Wolverine #1
Cosmic Spider-Man: Spectacular Spider-Man #158
Spider-Hulk: Web Of Spider-Man #69
Cyborg Spidey: Spider-Man #21
Spider-Phoenix: Spider-Man #25
Spider-Armor: Web Of Spider-Man #100
Black Cat Mask: Spectacular Spider-Man #206
Scarlet Spider: Web Of Spider-Man #118
Ninja: Spectacular Spider-Man #213
Black Scarlet Spider: Spider-Man #58
Spider-Man (Ben): Sensational Spider-Man #0
Spider-Carnage: Amazing Spider-Man #410
Insulated Spidey: Amazing Spider-Man #425
Octo-Spidey: Funeral For An Octopus #2
Unlimited: Webspinners #13
Lawrence of Arabia: Spider-Man #89
Green Hood: Amazing Spider-Man #433
Bombastic Bag Man: Spectacular Spider-Man #256
Ricochet: Amazing Spider-Man #434
Prodigy: Spectacular Spider-Man #257
Hornet: Sensational Spider-Man #2
Dusk: Spider-Man #91
Current Armor: Amazing Spider-Man #529

Frobin asked

T’Challa, the Black Panther, always was one of my favorite Marvel characters – and always underestimated I think. I started a debate about the upcoming fight BP vs. Iron Man (BP#22) – and I realized that – though I’m reading Marvel comics for many, many years – I cannot exactly tell what are T’Challas superpowers. Some say he has no superpowers (just athletic and strategic skills – like Batman or so), but I’m pretty sure that’s wrong for the new T’Challa as we seen him in the new series. He’s much more powerful and totally underestimated.

So my inquiry concluded:

– he’s a strategic mastermind: But I don’t know if this is a superpower (similar to – sorry DC character – Midnighter) or just skills (like Batman).

– he’s also a technological genius as we see in BP#19. Don’t know if this was known before. The only reason why this technological aspect of the Panther (and Wakanda) is not well-known in public is that he and Wakanda do not see technology as the main thing in development, progresssion and growth, so T’Challa don’t shouts his technological supremacy from the rooftops.

– enhanced senses: similar to, but not so high-leveled like Wolverine
– possible connection to natrural forces – however I cannot say which one (I even would not rule out some low-level magic)

What do your enhanced knowledge about Marvel universe say about this?

Uhmm, and sorry that I’ve got at length!

Here’s what I can give you from the Handbook:

The title “Black Panther” is a rank of office, chieftain of the Wakandan Panther Clan. As chieftain, the Panther is entitled to eat a special heart-shaped herb that grants him enhanced senses: hearing, smell, taste, agility, speed, balance and night vision.

Enhanced Senses: His night vision and he can pick up a prey’s scent and memorize tens of thousands of individual ones.
Enhanced Agility.
Enhanced Speed.
Enhanced Balance.

Known Abilities:

Accomplished gymnast and acrobat
Genius inventor
Expert tracker
Master of various African martial arts

Strength Level: He can lift (press) a maximum of 750 pounds with supreme effort.

Equipment:

Kimoyo card: an extremely powerful and versatile PDA. It functions similarly to the Avengers’ communicards, but with many more practical applications. In one instance , the Panther called up a schematic of a jumbo jet’s cockpit controls and took command of the plane, landing the plane safely in a river. “Kimoyo” is Bantu for “of the spirit.”

Energy-Dampening Boots: Energy regulators create varying fields from the Vibranium in the molded soles of the boots, enabling Panther to survive a fall of several stories and land like a cat. Given enough momentum, the Panther can also scale walls or skim across water. The field can be also used offensively to shatter or weaken objects.

Vibranium Microweave Mesh: in his Panther uniform. The microweave robs incoming objects of their momentum; bullets do not ricochet off but simply fall to the ground when they come in contact with the weave). Likewise, the Panther cannot be stabbed; however, the costume (and Panther) can be cut if the attacker slashes along the uniform’s grain.
Mask Lenses: Lenses in the mask cut glare and enhance the Panther’s natural night vision.

Cloaking Technology: The cloak can be elongated, shortened or eliminated with a thought, and the entire costume can be covered allowing it to pass as normal street clothes.

Mask Lenses: Lenses in the mask cut glare and enhance the Panther’s natural night vision.

Heavy Body Armor: Offers more protection in combat. Also operates by thought.

Transportation: Advanced Wakandan aircraft.

Various other devices

Weapons:

Energy Dagger: with an ornate hilt carved of ivory or some kind of stone, and an energy-generated blade that can be set to stun or kill. The energy blades can be handled like either a physical knife or fired like darts, and regenerated repeatedly

Anti-Metal Claws: Claws in the gloves are made of Antarctic Vibranium-based “Anti-Metal” that can break down most metals at the molecular level.

other weapons available, such as a large ‘power glove.’

Cory emails

Sup guys, Cory’s back like spinal cords….and away we go:

Hey Cory

Like what?

1. DID YOU KNOW: John Byrne named Shadowcat/Kitty Pryde after a classmate he met in art school in Calgary in 1973. He reportedly told her that he liked her name and asked permission to use it for his first original comic character. The real-life Pryde agreed, thinking nothing would ever come of the agreement, but was later so overwhelmed by Shadowcat fans after the publication of the X-Men comics that she abbreviated her name to K.D. Pryde to avoid association with her fictional counterpart. She has since stated that she has mixed feelings about her fame, saying that she values Byrne’s comics for their entertainment and artistic value but wishes that more people would appreciate her as more than just Shadowcat’s namesake. Chris Claremont said several elements of Kitty Pryde’s personality were derived from those of Louise Simonson’s daughter, Julie. Has any other characters ever been created this way by Marvel writers, if so which ones?

Good question. This is one of the first times I’ve heard about this one myself. I would think and I know some others have had the same effects in reality.

A for instance is when Agatha Harkness was first created by Jack Kirby her original look was very much like his own wife.

A lot more of used locations as well. For instance Avengers Mansion: There was a mansion called the Frick Museum that I used to walk past. I sort of modeled [Avengers Mansion] after that. Beautiful, big, so impressive [a] building, right on Fifth Avenue.
In real life, 890 Fifth Avenue is 1 East 70th Street, the location of the Frick Collection. The Frick’s building is, indeed, a city block-sized former family home much like Avengers Mansion.

Sanctum Sanctorum: Doctor Strange’s residence is a three-story townhouse located at 177A Bleecker Street in New York’s Greenwich Village. It was the real life: Bill Everett suggested the adress of 177A Bleeckerstreet. The place where he lived with his friend and collegue Roy Thomas who became editor-in-chief during the 1970’s. They lived there from the late 1965 until early 1966.

I’m sure those were quotes up above, but I have no idea where Jim got them from or who said them… maybe he can enlighten us next week?

2. After Colussus’s death & resurrection, Peter & Kitty and Peter dating and finally consummated their relationship. Why did the break up prior to his death anyway? Was it Pete Wisdom? And don’t that make him a pedophile (in a way), but given Marvel’s floating timeline, who knows?

Well let’s recall Pete and Kitty had been separate for a good amount of time in reality before getting back together. The truth is he had a relationship with Zsaji while on the Battle World in Secret Wars. After telling her the truth they broke up. They still where close but not a couple again till recently

3. We all know DD’s and Wolvie’s track record, but what bout Cyke? Not only does most of his relationship also end poorly. But anyone ever notice the fact that he seems irresistible to women with “telepathic abilities.” Jean Grey, Emma Frost, Maddy Pryor…even Psylocke & Revanche in a way. So guess he has a type?

Yeah I would guess he does I mean not many would say Cyke is a ladies man but heck he really is. I mean he‘s got telepathic woman at least that want him. Let alone you can add Lee Forester and Colleen Wing to the list.

4. Is Hammerhead “really” dead? One theory that he isn’t is the fact that he is a Marvel…character. Also a viable C-list villian. And the fact that although he was shot with adamantium bullets, Wolverine has survived adamantium stab wounds (especially recently fighting Damage Control robots), so the metal seems to be resilient against itself. So I say he comes back….somehow. Also, Joe Quesada dislikes comic book deaths.

I think Hammerhead could very well come back from the dead. He did it before once let’s recall. Hammerhead was also involved with Doc Ock when Otto attempted to woo Peter’s Aunt May. The events of that story caused him to become a “ghost”, who returned in the “Ghost of Hammerhead” storyline.”

5. About the X-Men being “neutral”…ok….hmmm. Well Wolverine got “involved” with Walter Declun (former CEO of Damage Control) by impaling him through the head and chopping off Nitro’s hand. Beast got “involved” by providing Spider-Man with a holographic disguise to enable him to continue teaching at Midtown High after his secret identity has been exposed. So what happens when the X-Men finally get “inolved”?

Heh. Wolverine I think getting involved in his own ways. He really didn’t pick a side though. He was only after the man known as Nitro and then found out about the Damage Control thing. The Beast thing. I think since really the X-Men didn’t get involved in the full out war and he’s got connections with Cap and his crew as well as the X-Men do seeing as they contacted him I think he likely wanted to help.

6. What happened or usually happens when Deadpool & The Punisher meet?

Deadpool #54-55 is one of the only meetings I can really recall. Punisher won the battle only in the end with a technicality that the man who hired Deadpool was killed.

7. The idea that Rachel’s father is not Cyclops has been toyed with by various writers. Speculation has been that Wolverine could be Rachel’s father (due to her tracking sense and potential healing abilities) or that the Phoenix Force created Rachel (as sort of an immaculate conception). This speculation was put to rest by Excalibur# 74 when Mr Sinister analyzed Rachel’s DNA and confirmed that she is a Summers. Another kid for ole Logan? First the Nightcrawler/Rogue/Mystique link, Vulcan the 3rd Summers boy, now this? What lead to such speculation in terms of toying with the readers?

I think it was mostly the readers that came up with most of the speculation and ideas. They have been questioning Rachel’s birth parents since she joined the X-Men and even first appeared. She’s been one of those characters that didn’t seem like a Summers.

8. Is it true that Kurt Wagner aka Fuzzy Elf bka Nightcrawler was supposed to be a DC Comics character at first?

Yep it‘s very true. Dave Cockrum designed Nightcrawler to be used in DC Comics’ Legion of Super-Heroes series. Cockrum was working on the series just before he went to Marvel, and Nightcrawler’s costume design (and overall unusual look) fit well into the Legion’s design scheme.

He would have been a totally bad ass Legionnaire! I wonder what his name would have been? Fuzzyelf-lad?

9. What ended Firestar & Justice’s engagement?

That is a good question. I guess it could’ve been the Kang Dynasty stuff or something that us the readers have not really been told as of yet.

10. About my question last week about DC making “swipes” at Marvel. Here’s 2 back at them: When Hawkeye first met Flatman, he asked if he had a “sidekick” named Ribbon, a reference to Batman and Robin, as well as a possible reference to an old joke involving the combination of said duo and a Steamroller.

HAHAHA nice one.

2- Ironically, in an issue of Deadpool, another Marvel series, Lobo himself was parodied in the likeness of Dirty Wolff, a large blue skinned man who drove a demonic motorcycle. Wolff’s face was obscured by a muzzle over the course of the issue, at the end of which he was killed in an explosion.) Take that DC!!

Two very good ones.

11. So what are your thoughts on the proposed Moon Knight TV series? Better than Blade, possibly? Too Batman-ish? Could it work?

I’m actually looking forward to at least checking it out. I personally liked Blade a bit just was on at the wrong time and day for me a lot of times. I think if it was on at the right day I would’ve caught it more. Just hope Moon Knight is put in the right time and day.

I think it could be cool. I had no interest in the Blade show seeing how horrible the last movie was, and a general declining interest in the media’s version of the character (the first 2 movies still rock though!). I’ll definitely be checking out the moon knight show though.

12. That whole Wolvie/Lobo thing….why are the DC people so upset by the outcome? Because the fans picked Wolvie, or because he is Marvel, or do they think in terms of powers that he is better? I feel as if there is more to this complaint. (He is taller…ha)

It’s the power issue I believe Cory. After all Lobo has fought toe to toe with Superman and even come out pretty damn good. Wolverine they would say wouldn’t do that.

13. About Sabretooth vs. Heroes. Sabes vs. Thor & Luke Cage (1), no problem for them. But Creed vs. DD & Spider-Man(2)…that’s a problem. So in each battle i guess it was combat vs. strength(1), then combat vs. agility(2), right?

Yep pretty much. The Daredevil match if I recall right was during Mutant Massacre.

Spidey on the other hand fought Creed more then once.

Assassin Nation Plot being one of those times

14. With re-mergence of the Hellfire Club, are Emma & Scott still at couple?

Yep they are

15. Just wondering but will Annihilation come to Earth’s doorstep after CW or at least Planet Hulk?

Nope. Not coming anywhere near Earth. The Cosmic characters have finally dealt with the Annihilation front and even Annihilus himself. But there is talk of a second Annihilation and that could come to Earth.

16. Though he is my fave & the 2nd most popular character in Marvel, Wolverine is my boy, my old boy. But at times I agree that you’re right about him being “played out”. In the 90’s, The Punisher had what, 3 titles…then 1 to none. Now back with 2, and not on a team. Marvel is trying this with Logan now. Besides limitations on appearances, what else could be done to make Wolvie “the best” again? What type of revamp does he need? Also I don’t mind his name as much….James HOWLett…howl like a wolf…sorry….but his origin is ok with me, but it isn’t 100% true yet. Even if it is there is still a lot of mystery to be revealed, right? So what’s Wolvie’s remedy???

Hmmm I would likely do Wolverine a favor. Let him star in two books. That’s right 2. One is X-Men. You pick the X-team and keep him there. No being in all the groups or all the X-Men titles. The other title: Wolverine. Kill Wolverine origins and keep the origin. Get him out of the Avengers and let him not guest appear to much.

My remedy for him is the same as for the rest of the Marvel U. The whole thing needs a Crisis/Zero Hour type event to wipe the slate clean and start over…

17. Top Smokers: Fury, Jameson, Wolverine, The Thing, The Punisher, The Red Skull?, Gambit. Since Joe Q’s smoking ban…I’m stumped!

Not bad I’m thinking to

18. The new Ronin, who is he or she? Hawkeye, Baron Zemo, and the Winter Solider are popular candidates amongst speculating fans. So let the guessing begin, who do you guys want it to be? And what will become of Maya Lopez?? Speaking of the new, New Avengers do you guys like the new roster, and do you think that it will work or catch on?

Maya will stay on the Avengers as Echo. That’s right Echo will be on the roster. As for Ronin: I like your options. Need to throw in Cap and even though he said he wasn’t it could still be Matt.

That’s it for me this week. Thanks as always, and I will See ya in 7. Cory out~

Later Cory see you next week

Yo & $h!t Corinator!

Top 10

1. Wolverine
2. Thing
3. J. Jonah Jameson
4. Nick Fury
5. Red Skull
6. Punisher
7. Jean DeWolff
8. S’ym
9. Howard the Duck
10. Wizard

Next week: Marvel Artifacts

Top 5 best Marvel titles of the week

1. NEW AVENGERS #27: The New Avengers return!! And they are bringing superstar artist Leinil Yu with them!! But who are the
New Avengers and what are they doing post-Civil War? Plus the return of Ronin!! It’s Ronin versus Elektra for control of
the Japanese underworld!

2. INCREDIBLE HULK #103: Planet Hulk: Allegiance, Part 4
The wedding of the Hulk! That’s right. In an effort to keep peace amongst the different races of Sakaar, Hulk smashes but he also loves…and takes a queen. As PLANET HULK moves toward its monumental end and WORLD WAR HULK looms on the horizon, don’t dare miss this critical moment of what may be the Hulk’s most epic tale!

3. IRREDEEMABLE ANT-MAN #5: It’s Ant-Man versus Ant-Man for the right to be the one-true ANT-MAN! You won’t believe your eyes as Eric O’Grady dons the Ant-Man suit to defend his right to be Ant-Man! Ant-Man has come along to take away Eric’s Ant-Man suit so he can’t be Ant-Man! But Eric wants to be Ant-Man and will fight to be Ant-Man! Which Ant-Man will win? Which Ant-Man will lose?
The answers will ANT-M… I mean, SHOCK YOU!
Ant-Man! ANT-MAN!

4. SPIDER-MAN: REIGN #3: A searing vision of Spider-Man’s future, brought to you by rising star Kaare Andrews (INCREDIBLE HULK).
The rumors are true — he’s back. Come down from the mountain like a righteous wraith of vengeance, dispensing rough justice and then swinging off into the night. Things were going well, too…that is, until Mayor Waters dispatched his contingency plan — the newly reassembled Sinister Six — and things got complicated. Now Peter Parker isn’t just fighting for his very life, but to keep alive the spark of hope that’s been squelched under Waters’ boot. But first, he’ll have to contend with the thing that was formerly known as Otto Octavius.

5. UNCANNY X-MEN #483: “THE RISE AND FALL OF THE SHI’AR EMPIRE”
Now begins the fall of the Shi’ar Empire! Vulcan and Deathbird have started their coup and they brought help: former mad emperor, D’Ken! Part 9 (of 12)!

Another long column. That‘s right a long column. I left out the Planet Hulk update because of all the questions I filled this baby with. I personally thought it was our best issue for a bit. What do you think, Daron?

I think, I need to get to bed so I can get up for work in a few hours…

I‘m glad to see it and hope to see it more. Keep those questions coming folks.

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 longer my nights. Ha kidding. Thanks for the emails everyone, see ya in seven all!