Hey all and welcome to another Marvel Handbook. Allow me to start by saying hello to my bud, Daron. Hey Daron but how are you?
If not for all the helacious hours I’ve been working I’d say I’ve been good. However, in better news…I’ve been invited by a University here in town to attend the Masters in Writing Program…which I’m currently thinking about doing. Pretty cool eh?
I‘m pretty good myself. I must say we‘re getting more emails and more questions lately. I do love that fact. I think we‘re getting more readers. That‘s always good. I like our regulars as well. I just hope this keeps up. Don‘t you?
Um…yeah…those are good things too. I guess you don’t care about my news. All that matters is you having more readers…I understand…
Let’s start this baby up.
Why not. I have nothing better to do.
Ross emails
Hey Man, I have a question for ya regarding the Rhino. During the Uncanny X-Men two-parter where Juggernaut goes on trial, Juggs battles a mutated Rhino. Basically Rhino looked much more like a rhinoceros… Any idea if this was the only appearance of mutated Rhino? I believe he showed up next in MK Spider-Man looking normal again with no explanation… Weird.
In Canada, the Rhino became subject to experimentation whereupon he was mutated into a half-man / half-rhino creature temporarily. The Juggernaut, attempting to reform his life, stopped the bestial Rhino, rejecting an opportunity to escape his own sentencing. The Rhino was reverted back to his previous superpowered self, whereupon he abducted and proposed to a French female singer/songwriter.
There’s a comment here…I know there is. However, I think I’ll let it go.
Huw emails
Hi – couple of quick questions
Hey Huw
We had a discussion about what spider man villains were left to do in movies, and I came up with lots, however there were loads of those that people hadn’t heard from spidey stories in the 70’s/80’s about so what recently happened to
A) The beetle
B) The fly
C) Rhino (Did he go straight or something)
Beetle is now more known as being Mach-IV of the Thunderbolts. When Baron Zemo formed the Thunderbolts, Jenkins made a new armor, the Mobile Armored Cyber-Harness, and took on the name of MACH-1. Zemo’s plan was to gain the favor or the citizens of New York, in need of heroes after the disappearance of the Avengers and Fantastic Four after Onslaught’s attack, only to gain access to classified S.H.I.E.L.D. files and eventually control the world. Jenkins and several of his teammates began to like the hero life, and decided to leave their villainous pasts behind. Zemo instead revealed that the Thunderbolts were actually ex-Masters of Evil members to the public, leaving the new heroes with a public unwilling to trust them.
The murder he committed eventually came back to haunt Abe. When Hawkeye took over leadership of the team, he convinced Jenkins to serve out his prison sentence as a gesture of good will to the public. While in prison, someone used the Beetle armor to frame Jenkins, so he broke out. Abe was given a new face and appearance by Fixer along with the alias of Matthew Davis.
Eventually Jenkins returned his features to normal and returned to prison to finish his sentence. Spending time as a hero seemed to change his outlook on life.
After being released from prison, Jenkins reformed the Thunderbolts with the funding of Baron Strucker.
Fly: he’s dead. Killed by the Scourge of the Underworld back in Amazing 276
Rhino as we just covered is still around. Subsequently, after Spider-Man apprehended him, he was jailed in a special section of Ryker’s Island prison for superpowered criminals at the same time as the Green Goblin (Norman Osborn). The Rhino was last seen free from jail, whereupon Colleen Wing knocked down and apprehended him after she crashed Misty Knight’s Jaguar XK8 straight into him.
I also remember a spidey story with a group of villains (including the bettle etc) and featuring silver sable and the wild pack – what has silver sable been up to recently?
The Sinister Syndicate (Which had Beetle and Rhino)
As for Sable: Silver Sable is a self-described mercenary, specializing in high-cost retrievals of people or objects. She leads a highly-trained, heavily-armed militia group called the Wild Pack. In the past, Sable and her team have attempted to apprehend the Human Torch, Spider-Man, Jack O’Lantern and Venom, among others. Her company, Silver Sable International, is the cornerstone of her nation’s economy.
The Wild Pack was started by Silver’s father to track down escaped Nazi war criminals, and was not originally meant to be a money-making venture. As a young child, Silver witnessed the murder of her mother after she compromised one of Wild Pack’s raids. The experience made her hair turn prematurely silver, and caused her to always hold emotions at bay. After her father’s presumed death, Silver took over the Wild Pack and molded it into an elite strike force available to the highest bidder. She has not forgotten the Wild Pack’s origins, however, and still goes after organizations she considers threats to freedom.
Silver and Spider-Man first crossed paths when Spider-Man unknowingly rescued the jewel thief Black Fox from the Wild Pack. Over the years Spider- Man has occasionally worked for Silver Sable, most notably in Amazing Spider- Man 320-325, where he traveled to Symkaria to try and foil the assassination of that country’s king. The two do not always get along. Silver thinks Spider-Man is an amateur who doesn’t market his super powers properly, and Spider-Man objects to profitability as the main criteria for deciding who is and isn’t rescued.
And, what other villains were involved in that story (I think there were six, but can’t remember – and I don’t remember any issue numbers either – so it’s a bit of a horrible question)
Sinister Syndicate: Beetle, the Rhino, Hydro-Man, Boomerang and the Speed Demon
Since we covered 2 let’s move to the others:
Hydro-Man: Cargo ship crewman Morrie Bench was accidentally knocked overboard by Spider-Man (who was battling Sub-Mariner) during the testing of a powerful new experimental underwater generator, the energies of which combined with gases from undersea volcanoes to trigger a weird mutation in Bench, who began to transform into living water. Physically and emotionally unstable, Bench dubbed himself Hydro-Man and soon attacked Spider-Man, but he evaporated after Spider-Man scattered his liquid form amidst the hot sunshine of the New York rooftops; however, the particles of Bench’s body soon reintegrated, and he embarked on a long criminal career. When Bench and rival criminal Sandman fought over the affections of barfly Sadie Frickett, the two men accidentally merged into a monstrous “mud-thing” that the police were ultimately forced to dehydrate into seemingly inert rubble. Hydro-Man and Sandman eventually managed to separate back into their original forms, but both were humiliated and traumatized by the experience. Sandman was so shaken that he went straight for years (until the Wizard brainwashed him into returning to crime), while Hydro-Man did most of his criminal work in groups from that point on, perhaps seeking safety in numbers. Both alone and as a member of teams like the Sinister Syndicate, the Frightful Four and the Assembly of Evil, Bench fought a wide array of foes such as Silver Sable, Sandman, the Fantastic Four, Cloak & Dagger, the Avengers, the New Warriors, Thunderstrike, the Thunderbolts, Gambit and Black Panther, but most often clashed with Spider-Man. Hydro-Man was one of many super-criminals employed by corrupt billionaire Justin Hammer for a time, and later served in the Masters of Evil assembled by Hammer’s daughter Justine, alias the Crimson Cowl; however, after Justine’s arrest and the apparent death of Justin, Hammer Industries phased out its criminal enterprises and Bench, along with fellow employee the Shocker, was laid off. The Shocker and Hydro-Man then teamed up for one last crime, seeking enough money to retire, but Hydro-Man’s thirst for revenge against Spider-Man led to their defeat. Trying and failing to go straight, Bench was recruited back into the Wizard’s Frightful Four and, more recently, the Sinister Twelve.
Boomerang: Born in Australia, Fred Myers’ family moved to America when he was still very young. He developed a talent and passion for baseball, quickly becoming a top-notch pitcher and moving from a minor league position to one in the majors. Many sports writers agreed that Myers could have been one of the world’s greatest pitchers, but within a year, he was suspended for taking bribes.
He found employment (and fulfillment) as an assassin for the subversive society known as the Secret Empire, who gave him the equipment and identity of Boomerang. One of his first known exploits on behalf of the Empire occurred when the Empire was investigating the U.S. Army’s Orion missile program, one that was being used against the Hulk. Boomerang kidnapped the General’s daughter, Betty Ross, in order to ask for the missile plans in ransom. Instead, he was defeated by the Hulk.
Upon the collapse of the Secret Empire, Myers returned to Australia briefly but eventually was hired by the criminal financier Justin Hammer who offered him new equipment and employment. Myers soon found work with other crime bosses, including the Kingpin and Hammerhead on separate occasions, or otherwise engaged in solo criminal activities. Never one to turn down a lucrative criminal opportunity, he has joined many groups over the years, such as the Sinister Syndicate, the Masters Of Evil, and the Sinister Twelve.
Speed Demon: Later, Speed Demon joined the Sinister Syndicate, led by the Beetle (now the hero MACH-IV). During this time, he developed a rivalry with various other members of the team. The team proved short-lived, and Speed Demon rejoined their later incarnation led by Leila Davis, the wife of the villain the Ringer, which was similarly disbanded shortly after, due as much to the petty in-fighting among its members as their defeat by Spider-Man.
Deciding to branch out, Speed Demon would later participate in an event called the Bloodsport, an annual tournament held in Madipoor showcasing fighters from around the globe. During the first round, He was pitted against Wolverine (as Patch) in a Cylinder Match. Despite his best efforts and the addition to throwing knives into his arsenal, Speed Demon did not fair well. While trying to incapacitate Patch in a vortex of wind, Speed Demon was caught in the neck by one of his own throwing knives. Bleeding profusely, Saunders fell pray to Patch. While the crowd cheered for death, Patch ultimately choose not to kill his wounded opponent. Speed Demon, despite his injuries, survived.
Sometime later, He joined the villains-turned-heroes team the Thunderbolts and, with them, fought Fathom’s Five, Hydra, the Purple Man, and the Avengers. Always contentious and prone to grandstanding, he seemed to serve faithfully with his teammates. But in fact, Sauders had been committing crimes in his old identity of the Whizzer, funneling it into an account to keep the Thunderbolts operational. He was originally discovered by his teammate, Blizzard, but Speed Demon bullied him into keeping it a secret. This came to a head when Saunders robbed division of Richmond Enterprises, which resulted in his former teammate Nighthawk seeking him out. Before the Thunderbolts could stop Nighthawk, a revived Squadron Sinister also arrived, and they took both Nighthawk and Speed Demon away with them. The Squadron hoped to take over the world in order to better solve the world’s problems, but they were again confronted by the Thunderbolts. Speed Demon hoped to trick the Squadron into thinking he would help them, but he turned on them, helping the Thunderbolts force them to escape. Nevertheless, Songbird ultimately kicked Speed Demon out of the Thunderbolts because of his previous robberies, claiming that what the Thunderbolts needed more were members whose hearts were behind their efforts to reform.
Speed Demon returned to the Squadron Sinister, who preferred to be called Supreme Power, who were again recruited by the Grandmaster. This time, the Grandmaster claimed that the stakes of the game would affect the entire universe, and he hoped to use the Squadron to find the Wellspring of Power, from which he drew upon to grant the Squadron their abilities. (Indeed, Speed Demon’s powers had been noticeably increasing during his time with the Thunderbolts, presumably having something to do with the Wellspring.) The Thunderbolts’ Joystick, investigating the Wellspring on behalf of Baron Zemo, intercepted Speed Demon’s attempts to track the Wellspring, and the two fought. Joystick surprised Speed Demon by suddenly exhibiting superhuman speeds even greater than his own, and she left him defeated, both his legs broken.
Shocker and Leila Davis joined later
In terms of spidey villains from the movie lots of people were suggesting the shocker for the next movie – what is shockers history in the comics?
Herman Schultz is a career criminal who, after several prison terms for robbery, built a battle suit that sent out shock waves to quickly open safes as well as give him a significant advantage over the New York police. During his first outing as the self-styled “Shocker” he ran into and defeated Spider-Man (Peter Parker), who became Schultz’s nemesis.
Schultz was usually involved in theft or extortion; a typical day in the life of the Shocker would find him knocking over armored cars or trying to hawk items he previously stole. On one particularly ambitious day, the Shocker held New York City for ransom when he blacked out portions of the city to spell out his criminal moniker, then threatened to black out the entire city unless he was paid 1 million dollars. On another he terrified a stockbroker into playing the market, for substantial monetary gain.
The Shocker has been a member of the Masters Of Evil and has fought Spider-Man many times. He has proved to be one of Spider-Man’s more difficult opponents. The Shocker, being very masterful in his equipment, makes changes accordingly to defeat his enemies.
The Shocker has severe confidence problems but came back to his original cocky, arrogant self, recently. He once had Spider-Man completely at his mercy but let him go. The Shocker’s brief period of shakey confidence appears to be a thing of the past.
And finally – what happened with the female Doc Oc from a while back?
Carolyn Trainer was a student of Dr. Otto Octavius who idolized him, even before the accident that grafted the four mechanical tentacles to his body. She still remained with him, willing to help him, even visiting him regularly while he was in prison. When Octavius wanted to create a virtual reality body for himself to do his fighting, he sought her out, and together they created Stunner and Master Programmer. However, he was killed before the experiment was finished. So, as a tribute, she took on the title and tentacles of Dr. Octopus. She later gave up the role when the Hand resurrected Otto Octavius and gave him back his tentacles, although she stayed to further assist him.
Jason emails
Hey man, Just read your latest and I spit my soda on the keyboard after hearing the returning-to-comics guy’s story. I am opening a comic shop in July and I wish that store was in my area. WTF was that comic store owner thinking? Is he that rich that he can just throw away business? I really look forward to helping newbies and returners find their way in our fun hobby (and business for me). I stopped reading comics in ’88 or so and returned in ’99 (little did I know I was missing one of the worst periods in comics ever). I went into a local store and the girl working that day pointed me to Preacher, 100 Bullets and a few others and BAM I was hooked again. What a story…
I‘ve heard this type of story rarely myself. It normally gets to me every time. I don‘t understand how some owners can act like the one from last week I can say that stores should be for the fans and for the people who want to get into comics or back into comics. Help out as much as possible. We need more readers. Not less.
I said my peace about this last week. However, I’m surprised we didn’t get flooded with comments about that one. Still having a hard time getting my head around that story.
TherCanBeOnly1 emails
Hey guys. Long time, still respecting the work you do.
Hey bud good to see you writing again
Indeed, thanks for the kind words.
Jumping right in. It seems like Tony Stark is everybody’s favorite whipping boy these days. I think he’s doing the right thing in the marvel world. Marvel seems to be making the civil war out to be a parable about 9/11 and the iraq war, where you have your big dramatic tragedy, and everyone is riled up, only to later find out it wasn’t worth it. What people don’t seem to focus on is the history of the marvel universe. People always say how many times has the fantastic four or the avengers saved the world? Ok. How many times have they caused billions of dollars in damage to new york city alone? Sure, it’s in response to criminal acts. What if there was a cop in your home town who always got the criminal, but also always caused countless civilian deaths in the process? How long would that cop stay on the force, when every single time he responded to a call he shot someone besides the crook, or crashed into another driver? That’s why police officers are trained and regulated. The same with armies. Hell, even terrorists have training camps. Tony is just realizing that the denizens of marveland are tired of the bad that comes with heroes after 50.. I mean 13 years of it. If such a thing happened in the real world, police officers would be authorized to use lethal force on the spot to take threats down.
You do make a strong point with this one. The problem with the SHRA was how it was put in place. There where better ways to do it and make it work. With how it was done it split the heroes up. Not united them. That’s what they didn’t need.
Anyway, I actually think marvel is doing a better job with the end of the civil war than the actual war itself. The Initiative has tons of great ideas and possible storylines. Hopefully they can all get on the same page. That’s one thing I will complain bitterly with Daron about. Marvel as a whole seems to have little regard for continuity. Look at the Civil War issue of Avengers about Iron Man. The guy took the suit down with an embedded command he’d put in a while ago. Ok, that would be great if not for the whole Extremis arc. The suit is part of Tony now. He can take it off with his mind. I think it’s more a thing with the writers than the editors. I think certain writers want to do things, and they’re perceived as being “stars” and thus have some clout. Bendis being the main offender. He’s popular right now (or maybe not, am I the only one thinking some of his luster is fading?) so the eds give him free reign.
Bendis is a good writer. He may go a bit off continuity and do things he wants to do at times but he’s still one of the best writers Marvel has. I don’t think he has anymore leeway then anyone else
I tend to disagree with Jim, and agree with “One.†Bendis is by far the worst offender when it comes to getting away with murder. It appears as though he doesn’t even have any editors on his books (ranging from glaring continuity issues to even more glaring grammar issues). And as far as Bendis’ stock goes…I sold all of mine a while ago, and it does seem that readers are slowly starting to follow suit. That’s my opinion anyway…
The other main thing I want to talk about is world war hulk. A lot of people are salivating, hoping the illuminati get their asses handed to them by the hulk. I say F that noise. The hulk is one of the biggest threats in the marvel universe. How many people has the hulk killed over the years? Bruce Banner is a terrible, terrible person. At least in the ultimates he’s decent enough to forsake his freedom and lets the government sedate him to keep him from changing. Think about it. What if your neighbor every so often flipped out and killed someone, for no reason. He knows he does this, and he knows that nothing has helped him so far. What would you do? Move? What if you couldn’t? What if it was you? What would you do if you knew you were killing people and causing destruction and misery rampantly like that? Has he ever tried to kill himself? If not, why not have someone construct an adamantium chamber to live in, and be fed and taken care of? Instead, he runs and wanders and knows he’s going to turn into the hulk and kill more people. If I’m in the marvel u, I’d say enough is enough, and I’d take him out, sniper shot to the head from long range, don’t give him a chance to turn. I’m sure I sound bloodthirsty, but at some point, if he won’t stop himself, he needs to be stopped. That’s what the illuminati were trying to do.
ok this one I don’t agree with at all. See Hulk may be a monster but he’s also a hero and not as bad as many make him out to be. He’s not killed as much as many think he has. In fact Hulk doesn’t really like to kill too much as many would think either. Hulk is not innocent but he’s not a villain or even close to one.
I’m with “One†again. Though that could just be because I have no use for the Hulk and would love to see him dead.
Ok, enough from me for now. Take care guys.
Later
Later!
Jason emails again
How’s stuff at the Nexus? I wrote and was put into issue #203. Anyway down to business. ahem…
Going well here Jason. Good to see you again
I know that Marvel is really busy with Initiative and stuff, and the WWH coming up very shortly. I also know that writers keep popping in and out, so some things get started by one writer but never finished. I also know that in order to keep “hip and with it” Marvel sometimes retcon some characters. So my questions for are.
1. What are some hanging plotlines that you hope someday will get answered?
Well there still is Decimation. Which will be covered soon in Endangered Species. There’s Magneto’s supposed death in New Avengers. Some of the plots are going to be covered soon and dealt with as we move on
2. What are some retcons that have happened recently, and did you think they should have happened or not?
Not really had to many recently. (well in the last year at least) that I recall at least. Nothing that really got me questioning of course and the like
I would also like to add that I finally saw Spider-Man 3, even after hearing from my friends that it was crap. And I must say I liked it, well except for “emo” Spider-Man (what was with the dance). Now here’s my question about this, well Marvel movies in general,
1. If they do sequels to the Marvel movies that have come out (ie, if they were to do X-Men 4), who should be villians?
Punisher 2: Jigsaw
X-4: Sinister or HFC
Spidey 4: Carnage, Lizard
FF 3: Galactus
Blade/Nightstalkers: Morbius or someone else supernatural
Those are the only ones deserving of sequels really. The rest you should just do over again like you did with Hulk
Um…Jim? Isn’t Galactus at least technically in FF2?
2. What characters from Marvel do you think should get there own movies, and which ones shouldn’t?
I’m liking the list coming so far really. Cap, Iron Man, Thor, Black Panther, Avengers, Cage (he deserves it), Iron Fist, Silver Surfer. They all should work. I mean you can’t say a 3rd or 4th string won’t work with Blade movies in play as your factor. Blade worked. Moon Knight the series could be good
Well thats all for now, I shall be waiting eagerly to see if this is responded to.
Responded now. Hope it helped
Cory emails
Sup J & D, Cory’s here. Sorry for being a lil late with this, I was on vacation last week for my 26th b-day & had my wisdom teeth (3) taken out the week before, but anyway…away I go:
Hey Cory it‘s all good as long as you get the email in before I or Daron post it. Emailing on Thursdays is fine. I do my last revisions to the article on Thursday morning/afternoon
And gods only know when I get time to get it all put together, so don’t worry.
1- Zombie: noun: a dead body that has been brought back to life by a supernatural force. Now if the Deadpool adversary is a “zombie”, how did he die the 1st time?
After the death of Copycat at the hands of Sabretooth, he confronted the Director, only to have his healing factor reversed to the point where he again lost physical cohesion and died. The lingering effects of Deadpool’s healing factor upgrade resurrected him, leaving him amnesiac. A chance encounter with Weasel restored his memory, and he discovered that four other individuals had laid claim to the Deadpool name. These impostors were aspects of his own personality given form by a device called the Gemini Star, wielded by his nemesis T-Ray who had been hired by the intergalactic villain Thanos, himself enamored of Death and jealous of Deadpool’s relationship with her. T-Ray intended to manifest and extinguish every aspect of Deadpool’s personality, leaving him an empty shell; however Deadpool damaged the Gemini Star, causing his personality fragments to be absorbed into T-Ray, rendering him comatose. The better to confuse his enemy, Deadpool mocked him by claiming to be the true Wade Wilson after all
2- Speaking of Deadpool, why did his solo series get cancelled in the 1st place before it became cable & Deadpool? This book rocks, because it’s like Lethal Weapon the comic book, since you have the crazy loose cannon, and the calmer partner.
The series was first canceled (becoming Agent X) because of the dispute Marvel was having with Rob Liefeld at the time. Rob was getting payed by Marvel so they could use both Cable and Deadpool. They stopped paying for a time and lost the rights to use both. Until finally Rob came back to Marvel
3- From the column 2 weeks ago, it was said by Daron “And Joker…I honestly think Joker might be too much for the marvel U. That some heroes would probably have killed him by now”. I laughed & applauded at this, because It’s true….It’s damn true. i will make a lil comparison to my faves in both companies (Batman’s vs. Wolverine’s rogues gallery). Except for Poison Ivy (maybe cuz she is a RED-HEADED WOMAN), Killer Croc (a formidable adversary), and Ra’s (immortality?), Wolvie probably would have killed the rest of the “human” Bat-villians. Can you picture Bane trying to break Wolverine’s back, only to be embarrassed, then killed. AMAZING! Or The Joker using a gun that reads “BANG” on the flag as a joke or The Riddler using riddles to upset Logan. That’s WAY too much “silliness” to where Logan gets angry or pissed, then “SNIKT!” As for Batman vs. Wolvie’s villains. The thing with Bats is that he leaves his villains alive for 3 reasons: If he kills them he is like them or in the same lot as Joe Chill, keeping them around for future appearances, and to try to cure or help them. But Sabretooth is “uncureable”, that’s been tried like 3 times already. But a Bats vs. Sabes fight would be classic. Most Bats villains are human with “mental instabilities”. Can you picture Bats vs. Omega Red, Lady Deathstrike, or even Deadpool?
You make a good point. But let’s try a comparision I like to with rogues galleries. The best DC one is Batman’s as we all know. I personally think Marvel has Spider-Man’s. Doc Ock, Green Goblin, The other Sinister Six members and various others who have faced Spider-Man. If you match them up it would make sense. Joker vs. Spider-Man. Now that could be an interesting match as like how Norman Osborne is. Imagine Bats vs. Goblin it could be a classic battle. Even though Spidey has many super powered foes as well they are almost the same as Bat villains in insanity.
Well I don’t know about that last part. I can’t think of a single villain in the Marvel U who is as nuts as the joker…
4- So far Hawkeye’s returned, Hulk is coming, and Thor will be here in July…are you guys ready? Any news on the new Thor series yet?
July is the big return. Allow me to link some of the big interviews and more on this series:
5- Speaking of Hawkeye, he went from Captain America (# who knows) to Ronin (AS WE ALL CALLED IT). I love the fact that Hawkeye is back and as Ronin, but will he stay on the team permanetly? For the sake of cap’s legacy, I sure hope so. I still think that he was the only suitable choice for the mantle of the new Cap. Not Winder Soldier, for the fact that he came back from the dead to be himself, not Bucky or Cap.
I’d like Clint to stay Ronin for awhile at least. I would love him back as Hawkeye at some point. I think he would’ve been a good Cap too but he didn’t want the mantle. I understand fully why. I mean Clint didn’t think he was the right fit.
6- Jim, this is about our fave southern gal…..ROGUE. As of now, what the hell are her powers? Does she still have Ms.Marvel’s powers or Sunfire’s since he came back. I haven’t read X-men in years, so why is she lying in a hospital bed in Cable/Deadpool? (Endangered Species does sound like a great time for me to get back on the X-Men books). Also is she the “single death” that will start E.S?
Rogue currently has: Can absorb the memories, knowledge, talents, personality and physical abilities (whether superhuman or not) of another human being (or members of some sentient alien races) through physical contact of her skin with the skin of the other person. She is not limited to absorbing superhuman abilities: for example, she has absorbed the strength, agility, and sharp reflexes of an enhanced human. She can also absorb psionic abilities. In absorbing another persons memories Rogue also gains the emotional responses connected to them. For the transfer of abilities to be accomplished, Rogue’s skin must contact the skin of her victim. Rogue can only absorb abilities and memories from living organic beings. She can possess the powers of several superhuman persons at once. No upper limit has yet been determined for the number of superhuman beings whose power she can maintain simultaneously, or for the amount of power that she can absorb. Rogue can even absorb gross physical characteristics from a victim. Her physical appearance does not change when she absorbs abilities and memories from a normal looking human being. The victim’s abilities and memories are absorbed for a time sixty times longer than the period of time Rogue was in physical contact with that person. Those touched are rendered unconscious by contact with her, though some beings, including Juggernaut and Mojo have resisted this effect. While Rogue has become more comfortable using her absorption power, she still lacks control of it.
This transfer is usually temporary, lasting for a period of time relative to how long contact is maintained, but if Rogue holds on to her victim for too long, the transfer may become permanent. Most often this process happens instantly when Rogue touches someone, but in certain instances where a being has possessed an extraordinary level of power they are able to resist her, and she may only share part of their memories and power.
As Rogue is absorbing the total psyche of a person, there is a risk of a personality overwhelming her and taking control of her body. It has also been shown that even though Rogue forgets the memories she has absorbed when a psyche returns to its body, ‘echoes’ of their personalities remain buried in her mind.
Rogue is able to absorb psyches and abilities of several beings at once, though the experience can be confusing and disorienting for her.
Robotic beings are mostly immune to her power. Depending on the amount of organics left, she can usually affect cyborgs. She seems able to affect techno-organic beings. Powerful enough beings can withstand her touch and attempt to impose their own will on her or cause a feedback loop.
Template Recall : ability to recall any powers she had ever absorbed, in addition to the Ms. Marvel powers which always stayed “on.” When she first developed this power, Rogue would sometimes randomly sprout claws, steel skin, or even optic blasts. Through meditation she was able to gain a limited amount of control over the templates and kept them from haphazardly manifesting. Sage later accelerated this ability. However, after the battle with Vargas, Rogue’s templates apparently were lost. The ability seems to come and go as with her currently possessing Sunfire’s abilities on a more permanent basis. Though accessing multiple abilities as she formerly did seems to be beyond her ability at the moment.
Although she is capable of absorbing his powers, Colossus in metal form was able to make physical contact with her with no ill effects. Given their current states, it is unknown if this contact is still possible.
Its been stated that if Rogue was more mentally centered she would be capable of fine control over her powers.
Rogue currently wields Sunfire’s powers:
Solar Flare: Rogue’s mutant powers enable her to absorb solar and other radiation to generate the process of ionized matter (usually air) through a mentally-triggered unknown biochemical process so that it is converted to plasma, the superheated state of matter. Plasma is the state in which matter making up the sun exists; hence, Rogue refers to her projecting “solar fireâ€. Hence she can sheath her body in flame.
Flight: can use her powers to create super-heated air currents which push her forward through the ad Rogue can achieve in flight is not yet known.
Plasma Blasts: ability to project the flames she generates at powerful blasts of energy.
Plasma Induced Enhanced Strength: ability to internal the power of plasma to increase her strength, though not to the levels she had prior.
Heat Signature Sense: ability to sense beings by the heat signature that they give off.
Plasma Shield: ability to manipulate the plasma around her to form an aura that can melt incoming bullets are stave off other attacks.
Solar Shielding Psi-field: She is protected from the radiation she emits by a short-range psionic force field which automatically comes into being whenever air friction, and also prevents excessive amounts of light from the plasma from reaching her eyes so as to blind or damage them. Rogue’s body emits a protective field whenever she uses her powers. However, it is speculated that she can generate power in excess of her natural protection.
Former Powers: Due to unknown factors Rogue permanently absorbed superhuman powers from Ms. Marvel, though those powers have disappeared after battling Vargas. It has been suggested that Ms. Marvel’s unique physiology played a role.
While Rogue possessed a duplicate of Carol Danvers’ psyche, her “double” consciousness gave her high resistance to telepathic probes; it is unknown if she still possesses this resistance.
Superhuman Strength: Rouge possessed the power at levels not attained by Ms. Marvel
Flight: ability to fly at supersonic speeds.
Enhanced Reflexes
Telepathic Resistance: Whilst Rogue possessed Ms. Marvel’s psyche, her “double” consciousness made her resistant to telepathic probes from even the most powerful mind readers.
Seventh Sense: enabled her to subconsciously anticipate an opponent’s moves.
Near-Invulnerability: Rogue possessed an amalgamated mutant human/alien Kree physiology that granted her a degree of immunity to poisons, and a virtually indestructible body.
Known Abilities: Rogue has displayed acrobatic skills she apparently learned from Gambit while they both recovered from fighting Vargas. Rogue’s skills also depend on who she has recently absorbed.
Strength Level: (Current) unknown; (Formerly) she could lift 50 tons due to the Ms. Marvel powers and roughly 70 tons during the period she could use multiple templates.
Rogue might be the death but something is telling me she is not. I have reason to think Cable might be the traitor for some reason if not Mystique. Someone has to die. Could be one of the easy kills like Lady Mastermind or Karma of course.
I think with Endangered Species now is the perfect time to jump in as well
7- Next week i will give my personal opinions about who should star in the MANY upcoming Marvel movies. But last week’s emailer Jag, made very interesting points about the Luke Cage movie. Sorry folks, looks like Tyrese is the forerunner for the role. At least his acting skills is better that 50 Cent & LL. Unless 2Pac comes back….lol. (sorry he’s my fave). But why not Michael Jai White as Luke? He has the build, the skills, just shaved him bald and tell him to act like a pissed off Samuel L. Jackson. It is also heavily rumored that Fantastic Four part 3, will feature the Black Panther played by Djimon Hounson. Djimon has been stepping it up BIG TIME recently from being linked to Cameron Diaz to his Oscar nods. Iron Fist= Ray Park. Colleen Wing= S. Johansson or J. Biel. Misty Knight= Kerri Washington. Jessica Jones=J. Aniston? Purple Man= Ray Liotta.
Nice list Cory. I like it
8- Last week about Graviton, I was asking (peronslly) doesn’t he seem like a great villain just not pushed correctly as he could easily be on the same level of Magneto? I think he could be a great villain possibly for the New Avengers maybe, or The Mighty Avengers?
Oh I would love to see Graviton pushed more. He was pushed a few times to show how capable he really is with the Avengers West Coast and Thunderbolts but they never continued to push him the levels they did. I think he would prove a major threat if used right.
9- Back in the day… in a sumo match…who wins the Blob or Juggernaut? One when momentum is gained can’t stop, the other can’t be moved. Is there a victor?
This one is complicated. It‘s going to be one heck of a fight for sure. After all as you noted one can‘t be stopped and one can‘t be moved. Somehow it could hours or days. Heck might not even end unless in a draw.
I think if (former)Juggy charged and rammed the Blob it would cause a Crisis type event and end all life in the Marvel U thereby forcing a reboot. Too bad they never did that….
10- Marvel vs. D.C…..best fighters in a battle royal similar to the Survivor Series in the WWE. Who’s left standing? MARVEL: Wolverine, Cap, Deadpool, Taskmaster, Iron Fist, Shang Chi, Daredevil, BP, The Punisher?, Elektra) D.C.: Batman, Nightwing, Green Arrow, Bronze Tiger, Mister Terrific, Black Canary, Deathstroke, Richard Dragon, Wildcat, & Catman?
Black Panther. I‘m sort of kidding and yet not. Here‘s the cimplication that‘s come up lately. Panther is beating everyone and their grandfather of late. Surfer, Doom, and various others he should not even battle without getting himself killed. Without weapons it gets complicated. With them it gets insane. Punisher could just shoot a bunch of them. Deathstroke the same. Deadpool could very well do the same. Wolverine‘s healing factor comes in handy here as well. I could see some interesting team ups in the ring as well. Imagine Cap and Batman having both met before and come out pretty well teaming up here? That could be cool as well. Taskmaster would mimic all their abilities of course and could be a challenge. I will give it to Wolverine myself.
I think in the end it would come down to Bats & Deathstroke (DC side) and Wolvie and Taskmaster (Marvel side). From there…it’s really hard to say.
11- The new Fantasic 4 lineup? I like it alot, just replace one high powered married couple for another. How you guys feel about the change?
I do like it. The only complication as noted I’ve had is how the writer is handling Black Panther and allowing him to win battles he shouldn’t and do things he shouldn’t.
12- Looks to me that last weeks emailer Joe, got it pretty rough. Looks like he ran into the Comic Book Guy from the Simpson at that comic book shop we went to. Truthfully speaking not all owners are like that. My regular guy Rick is always giving me ideas & tips for the UMHB, and can talk for hours bout the “good ole days”. Plus he told me about how Civil War would affect Cap & Spidey. The stereotypical thing is that most owners expect their customers to have prior comicdom knowledge, and by acting like that they affect their cashflow and the business as a hole. “Worst. (Noun). Ever.”,
Very well said Cory.
13- TOP 10 FIGHTS I’D LOVE TO SEE:
1- Hawkeye vs. Bullseye
2- DD vs. BP
3- Storm vs. Thor (a thunder battle)
4- Rogue vs. She-Hulk
5- Wolverine vs. Ares
6- Moon Knight vs. Nighthawk (Kyle Richmond)
7- Shang Chi vs. Iron Fist
8- Cannonball vs. Nova (in a race)
9- Deadpool vs. Sabertooth
10- Colossus vs. Omega Red (battle for Mother Russia)
Nice ones
Interesting stuff…I’m thinking Storm is done for though in her battle…
Also Matt Damon rumored to be Green Arrow? Nice, but we gotta get a petition started to get Ryan Reynolds As Deadpool! I say we right a letter to Joe Q?
I like that idea. I would love a petition on this idea as well. I want Ryan as Deadpool.
Um…I don’t think Joey Q has all the much influence over casting…Avi Arad on the other hand?
That’s all from me this week guys! Thanks a mil, Make Mine Marvel, & See ya in 7!
Later Cory
Top Ten: Top 10 fights you wanna see
1. Wolverine/Ares
2. Mystique/Morph
3. Rogue with all the abilities of those she’s touched/Super Adaptoid
4. Shang Chi/Iron Fist
5. Storm/Thor
6. Beta Ray Bill/Red Norvell
7. She-Hulk/Deadpool (Fourth wall battle)
8. Madcap/Deadpool
9. Moon Knight/Blade
10. Namorita/Namora
Initiative update
Mighty Avengers #3: We start with Wasp trying to talk to Ultron about her new abilities. Carol calls for a retreat as Sentry goes after Ultron starting a massive battle. The Avengers head for the Hellicarrier as Hill is trying to watch all that’s happening. Hank and Tigra are on a date about to get it on as SHIELD shows up for him. Carol gets checked out on the Hellicarrier as Wasp argues what happened to Tony. We go back to the fight as Ultron takes over the Hellicarrier and plummets it towards Sentry who gets Wonder Man and Carol’s help to stop it. Black Widow takes command of the Hellicarrier and SHIELD. Ultron goes missing as Mole Man is to be brought in. The Avengers are suddenly greeted by an old Iron Man armor stating Tony is dead
Captain America #26: Val and Sharon take a walk together talking over what happened. Flashback: She went to see Steve’s body but argued with Stark a bit before she saw the body and it was without the Serum. She quite SHIELD. Sharon goes to Steve’s wake and meets with Sam and we see Rick Jones as well as various other heroes there. Carol thinks over what she did. Falcon leaves to meet with the unregistered heroes after. Red Skull meets with Sin and sends her to prepare. After Skull talks to Faustus and Arnim Zola and we see the device Doom gave him again being worked on. We see the unregistered heroes mourn Cap’s death together. Elsewhere Bucky gets in a bar brawl and comes out on top and Falcon shows up to get him
Fantastic Four #546: Panther and Deathlok return home to get some much needed equipment to stop Galactus. Back in space Gravity prepares to fight the Heralds with the FF helping. Stardust takes Gravity out first before Storm attacks him. We see Reed and Sue on their vacation and Reed explaining his actions until ISSAC interrupts them about something near by. Panther gathers the equipment and takes the frogs to teleport himself and Deathlok back to the fight with Panther putting on the equipment and beating Surfer. Gravity saves Epoch from Galactus soon after with the FF’s help and we see Epoch allow Gravity to return home. He returns with the FF to Earth.
Planet Without a Hulk
She-Hulk 18: The Hulkbusters head out on a mission without She-Hulk who is trying to figure out what’s up with the Fury LMD head. She goes to the law offices for their help on it. We see the Hulkbusters battling the Leader as this is happening. Nix debugs the Fury head and finds out what really happened to the Hulk and storms off. The Leader is defeated by the Hulkbusters. She-Hulk confronts Tony about the Hulk issue and fights him until he uses his nanobots to depower her. After she wakes up we see the many she captured cured as well and learn it’s how Tony hopes to stop Hulk before She-Hulk is made to leave.
Civil War Update
Fallen Son Captain America: We see Hawkeye contact Iron Man to talk and meets with Tony before Iron Man knocks him out to get him checked by SHIELD. They find out it’s the real Clint and Tony talks to him. After a chat about Cap and Clint trying out Cap’s shield before Iron Man has to go on a mission. We see the Young Avengers fighting Firebrand and defeating him. Iron Man goes to take care of the Young Avengers until Hawkeye fires an arrow that disables Iron Man for moments. We see Clint in the Cap gear go after the Young Avengers and winds up talking to Hawkeye II who gets him to change his mind and protect the Young Avengers instead allowing them to escape. Clint gives back the shield and goes off saying he’ll give back the costume later as Tony warns him not to help the New Avengers
Moon Knight 10: We see the dead body of Randall Spector as we start. Moon Knight watches the Punisher and talks over Frank with the pilot. Frank then talks to Moon Knight before he goes off with his pilot. We go to a bar where a man in red glasses is talking to a woman with a scar on her face. An old woman talks to another man who goes into the bar and attacks the red glasses guy before the woman saves him. The other man leaves but takes another bar flies belt buckle and beats someone badly with it as two ugly guys in the sewer watch.
I want this type of article again next week. Let‘s get more questions. I love large columns.
You’re such an email whore, Jim.
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.
Well that was an odd send off there, Jim. I’m guessing part of his closing got lost in the mail or something. Well from the both of us here in Nexus land, have a great week everyone, and see ya in a few.
