Hello all and welcome to another edition of the Marvel handbook. I‘m Jim of course your Marvel guru. Hey I‘m allowed to say that right? Ah it‘s a joke anyway. With my partner and editor Daron. Hey Daron how are you?
I’m alive and kickin’ at least for now…
I‘m not bad this week. Running a bit late but it‘s all good.
Indeed, work has been insane for me for the last 2 weeks. Today is the first day I’ve had off in that time. But off we go!
Cory emails
Greetings & Salutations from Cory. How’s it been guys? Let’s get to the questions:
1- What makes or made Sabretooth so difficult to clone, compared to the other Marauders members? I mean it took 23, X-23, times to get a sufficient clone of Wolverine, why not him?
Well it might take about the same amount of clones with Sabretooth as it did with Wolverine in the end. But of course with a man like Sinister that’s behind the Marauders and their clones and him not having any luck. There’s got to be some odd reason more then Wolverine even.
It was probably that crazy gene. I hear it’s a bitch to replicate!
2- Why did dazzler used to have a longstanding grudge with Rogue?
Rogue actually fought Dazzler back when Rogue was still with the Brotherhood. Dazzler #22-23 and #28 had fights with Rogue/Dazzler. They built a long grudge match between each other
3- Also, I read that Dazzler used to be “black”, what happened?
Dazzler was originally a project commissioned by Casablanca Records in the mid-late 1970s, to be a cross-promotion in the mold of KISS who had two successful comic book tie-in super-specials by the end of 1977. Marvel Comics would develop a singing superheroine, while Casablanca would produce a singer. The two companies would then work with Filmworks and produce a tie-in motion picture; Marvel Comics Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter wrote a treatment for the project.
The character was originally conceptualized as “The Disco Queen” with powers to make people tell the truth. Initially, no one wanted anything to do with the project. Marvel Comics appointed former Archie Comics writer Tom DeFalco to the character and he developed some changes to the character, namely suggesting light-based powers. Roger Stern conceived of the character’s name, Dazzler, while John Romita, Jr. provided pencils.
Artist John Romita, Jr. originally intended for the character to resemble model, actress, and singer Grace Jones, as seen in early depictions. However, representatives from Filmworks — wanting to promote model and actress Bo Derek — insisted on design changes to reflect Derek’s features.
To promote Dazzler, Casablanca wanted it cross-promoted within several key Marvel Comics titles: The X-Men, The Fantastic Four, and Spider-Man in particular, with Dazzler debuting in The Uncanny X-Men because she was a mutant character. However, Casablanca continued to request conceptual changes to the character’s appearance and personality, leading to several cancellations of the project. Eventually, Casablanca Records backed out of the Dazzler project altogether due to financial concerns. Marvel Comics, left with a much-publicized new character, decided to launch the project as a monthly series.
And I thought Powergirl’s origin was hard to follow…
4- I used to be a fan of the character of Darkhawk, but what exactly did his face look like under that mask? Was it ever revealed to the readers?
Darkhawk’s face, covered by a helmet, is apparently intensely ugly or terrifying. While never revealed to the reader, nearly every character that has seen Darkhawk’s face has been horrified by it. So nope the readers have yet to see the face under the mask
5- During a past battle in NYC, I read that Count Nefaria had a encounter with The Mighty Thor, how did he do? Also, I hear that it was ultimately Vision that defeated him, how did Vision do that?
Avengers #164-#166. Thor and Nefaria where brawling in the street, Nefaria staggers Thor and he drops his hammer. The Vision reaches out with his immaterial hand to disrupt Nefaria, but for the first time he cannot penetrate Nefaria. Nefaria takes advantage of this fact to strike the Vision (who’s intangible) and send him flying across the street. The Vision is now hovering one mile above the fray. He wills himself to diamond density and falls to Earth like a meteor. This is the blow that finally knocks Nefaria into unconsciousness.
6- Why did the Winter Soldier kill Nomad?
The Winter Soldier’s mission at the time was to track down and eliminate anyone that had been injected with the serum.
7- What ever happened to the character of Eric Simon Payne aka Devil-Slayer?
He‘s still around. The last mentions of him where in Marvel Tarot and Civil War Battle Damage Report. Last actual appearance: Strange Tales IV#4
8- Though he is a icon, complex, and DC’s (human) deus ex machina, is there a definitive counterpart to Batman in the MU? I mean A- In terms of always finding a way to succeed B- the money, the resources, and women, C- The costumed vigilante, D-fighting skills, E- gadgets. Overall in that universe, HE CAN’T LOSE!
Well there’s no full on counterpart (the closest is actually Moon Knight in reality. He finds ways to win, he’s got the money, resources, and women, He’s a costumed vigilante. He’s a great fighter. He’s also got the gadgets.
I’d actually say that Daredevil is probably his closest match at Marvel. Sure they aren’t exactly the same, but they do have a lot in common. They are both probably the most well defined characters from either company. They are both extremely capable fighters, they are both very intelligent, and they’ve both been struck with an insane amount of heartache. No Matt is insanely rich like Bruce, and yes he has a “power†but Bat’s gadgets pretty much put him on the same level.
Moon Knight really only “looks†the most like him, but in reverse. They aren’t really that similar in nature character wise…
9- We all love ol’ Tasky. Now we know that he is is capable of emulating the styles of, among others, Daredevil, Wolverine, Captain America, Elektra, Spider-Man, the Punisher, and Deadpool. In addition, he is a very capable marksman, able to emulate Bullseye’s perfect aim, as well as that of the Punisher and Hawkeye. With all that being said can he emulate Wolverine’s beserker rage? Or is that too unpredicable as a fighting style for him to defeat?
That‘s a good question. We know he can emulate Wolverine but the berzerker rage might be a bit to unpredictable
Well, rage isn’t itself a fighting style. In fact it’s the exact opposite. Unless Wolverine would always attack with the same sequence of strikes or moves when he goes in to the rage (or a pattern of these maneuvers) Tasky shouldn’t be able to emulate it. This is probably the one advantage Wolvie has over Tasky, or anyone for that matter.
10- Speaking of an old topic here, but i personally think that the Silver Samurai should go from a villain to a hero, or at least a anti-hero? What you guys think?
Hmmmmm I recall this one before. I wouldn‘t mind Samurai being an anti-hero. He‘s not really used too much as I think. I would like it.
Hasn’t he kind of already been down this road before? I seem to recall him not really being so bad the last few times I saw him. Though that’s honestly been a while…
11- I’ve seen previews of Captain America #34. A new Cap but with a new costume, the shield, and a gun??? Sounds like Winter Soldier to me? Any ideas on any of this?
I‘ve come to believe it‘s Bucky myself. Soldier makes the most sense as the next Cap. I don‘t mind it if it is Soldier.
12- As part 2 to question 11, will Steve Rogers ever return? If not as Cap, but just back as a person, period?
I think Steve will be back at some point. (2010 with Cap movie coming) that‘s the likely time and place for the big come back.
Agreed if not before. Most likely before.
13- Has there been any reason given as to why Cable/Deadpool is being cancelled (besides the new Cable solo series) and Deadpool has no home now? Low sales?
No reason has been actually given. The only reason I‘ve heard is the Cable solo but really then I‘d keep Deadpool team up as it is or turn it to Deadpool the series.
14- About my top 10 fighters question last week, I have a few things to say: A- I noticed no Cap, B- Not because I’m a HUGE Wolvie fan but, he should be #1…based on the fact he’s lived a lot longer and still may know techniques that most don’t, C- Also, if Marvel REALLY wanted to push Taskmaster they could say that since he fought Batman in Avengers/JLA, that he picked up his fighting style as well (though it was off-panel).
I didn‘t include Cap because I was thinking living. If Cap was alive. I‘d have him listed. I have to recheck my list but Wolverine and Tasky need to be high on it I agree.
15- Best Wwolverine injuries: I do remember him getting ripped in half by The (Ultimate) Hulk. But that injury still questions the hell out of me, with the adamantium factor and all.
Does Ultimate count though? Since it‘s a different continuity.
I personally don’t think Ultimate counts for anything, but then again I can’t stand the Ultimate U so I might be a bit biased…
Well that’s it for me…for now at least. Thanks guys…till we meet again. Thanks a mil, Make Mine Marvel, and See ya in 7!!–or sooner!
See you next time Cory.
Hopefully sooner!
Chris emails
Hello…is it me you’re looking for? (sorry for the random Lionel Ritchie there, stuck in
my head!)
Hey Chris
Questions…
1. Yo, I wasn’t referring to the Jim Shooter penned SECRET WARS, my question was about the Bendis written SECRET WAR. Singular, not plural. My question was
“What was the original ending supposed to be?” It had to be changed due to the issues being delayed so long and to changing continuity.
Oh the Bendis version. They did change the ending. I don‘t think I‘ve heard or read the original plan was but I would put a guess in there that it‘s possible Bendis wanted to throw in some type of Skrull thing.
2. What are you’re thoughts on Marvel Zombies vs. Army of Darkness? I just got the hardcover and I am digging it the most. Any rumors of a sequel?
I‘ve heard a few rumors of a possible sequel with this one. In many ways Marvel Zombies 2 is a sequel to everything that’s happened in that universe.
3. Who do I have to screw to get a Mutant X trade?
Ummm I‘m thinking maybe JQ. I never did understand why there wasn‘t trade for that series of yet. I‘d like them to collect more series like that. I mean when you collect something like Essential Dazzler you should collect Mutant X.
4. What do you think “Messiah Complex” is all about?
Messiah Complex is the next big X-Men arc. It will follow on from the events of the Endangered Species back-up story. The main plot involves the birth of a child with the X-gene, leading the X-Men, the Marauders and the Purifiers on a race to see who will find the child first.
5. The last “New Avengers” issue had me floored. Wolverine covered by a symbiote? Calamity! (Incidentally, my 12 yr old self used to draw that very image back in middle school. I wonder if I’m psychic or if Bendis is grasping at straws.) Didn’t the symbiote come from a machine in SECRET WARS? (now plural, not singular) I also seem to remember a storyline called “Planet of the Symbiotes” back in the mid nineties Amazing
Spider-man title. Did that exist? Please explain, my head hurts. Bendis wouldn’t reference something from back then would he? Y’know the “Dark Ages” when every comic had a die-cut foil encrusted super deluxe black bagged hyper turbo collector’s item edition?
Yep the symbiote came from the original Secret Wars. Bendis likely is much like you in a way. Thinking the idea of a symbiote on Wolverine would be cool.
Planet of Symbiotes actually has little to no connection to the events going on in New Avengers.
In a series of battle with anarchists who were trying to steal a Clystron Modulator, Spider-Man placed doubts in Venom about being bonded to the symbiote. Who was controlling who? Eddie Brock commanded the symbiote to leave him so he could think his situation over. The symbiote, angry at another rejection, let out an anguished cry, which attracted a whole platoon of symbiotes to Earth.
Spider-Man and the Scarlet Spider arrived with the de-powered Brock to find an unwilling host being forced to steal the modulator by a symbiote. The symbiote stole the modulator, and helped the other symbiotes assemble a portal that would allow more symbiotes to come to Earth. The Venom symbiote forced Brock, Spider-Man and Scarlet Spider into the portal. They came out into a planet full of symbiotes who were dominating their hosts. During their brief stay, Brock reunited with Venom and was told a brief history of the symbiotes. They were a conquering race who fed off of other beings’ emotions. The Venom symbiote was imprisoned and condemned to die when it was discovered that he was concentrating more on communicating and bonding than dominating. The prison was placed on Battleworld during the Secret Wars, where Spider-Man found it.
Returning back to Earth, the heroes discovered that there had been fullscale invasion. Many people were being captured by symbiotes, including heroes such as Captain America. Carnage awoke from his coma and learned that he could absorb these symbiotes. By doing this he became more powerful and larger. Carnage attacked the symbiote base and absorbed hundreds, becoming monolithic. They went to the Our Lady of Sorrows Church, were Venom had been “born”. (Carnage followed, but Spider-Man and the Scarlet Spider led him away, where he caused a gas tank to blow up). Venom knew that the only way to defeat the symbiotes was to kill them. Since they were extremely sensitive to emotions, Brock and the symbiote let out an anguished wail; however, it wasn’t strong enough. Brock knew they had always been stronger together, as Venom, so they completely, totally bonded. The ensuing wail was so strong that all of the symbiotes commited mass suicide. Venom had told Spider-Man that they would simply go into comas. Angry at being tricked, they were about to confront Venom when he used the symbiote to blend in.
Off subject, but I can’t remember if it was you guys or Mathan that posed the question: Have you ever stopped reading comics? When and Why? And what made you come back? If you didn’t ask it originally, then I ask it of you.
I actually was forced to stop reading comics for close to a year. It wasn‘t my doing really. In fact I didn‘t fully stop either. I had lost the ability to go to a comic shop for a year. My comic shop I was going to at the time closed. So I couldn‘t get comics like I was. I had to go threw mail order type things. Which didn‘t allow me to read every book like I do now. That‘s as close as I got.
I’ve never stopped “buying†my comics. But I can go through long runs of not reading any, mostly due to being insanely busy. Ala right now. I haven’t touched a comic since I started my Masters Program. It’s just been too insane…
In my case, that previously mentioned time period was when I had had enough. I got sick of all of the dumb ass holographic laser drawn bullshit. I couldn’t even go to my local comic store because of the assholes who were trying to make a profit by taking a new comic that had been just arrived from the printer and bagging and boarding it then selling it for what Wizard said it was worth! MADNESS! (I have since found a much better store that’s only about an hour away from my house. BTW living in Indiana sucks because I
have to drive an hour away to get my books!!!) I just stopped reading for about 5 years. What brought me back was Kevin Smith’s run on Daredevil. I really hope that the industry doesn’t go down that path again.
I did come close in 90s trust me. I was closer to quiting in the 90s then anything. I stayed though
That’s all for now,
Later Chris.
Initiative synopsis
Captain America #31: Sharon reflects over what she knows. Bucky sees the past in a way that was not true thanks to Faustus. Falcon and Widow wake after Sharon attacked them in Tony’s care as he tells them what the truth was about the murder. Skull gathers his forces. Bucky continues to fight only to lose in the end and under Faustus control shoots Sharon
Mighty Avengers #5: The continue to fight the Iron Men. Sentry mourns his dead wife as Ultron gloats before he attacks her. Ares confronts Hank over the Pym particles to help stop Ultron. Sentry continues the fight. Ms Marvel goes after the missles. Wonder Man stops Ultron long enough for Hank to show up and attack Ultron by sending Ares into Ultron in shrunken form
Penance #2: Tony meets Norman over Penance. Penance arrives in Vermont. Norman talks to Miss Thompson over Penance. Penance meets with Mendel Stromm. Tony has Norman put in his room for now. Penance ask about the One with Mendel getting a disk off him
That‘s it for this week. I can say the request for more email is helping. Keep it up guys. The more emails the more handbooks we can do. Until next time. Care to sign out Daron?
I’m glad to see the emails coming, keep it up everyone. See ya all in a few.
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 articles are. Until next time Make mine Marvel.
And make mine with cream and sugar please.
