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The Odinson Reviews The Avengers
Greetings from the Odinson,
Once every ten years or so, a movie comes along that raises the bar just a bit higher. Though there are many really good movies, rarely does a film actually live up to expectations, or even better, surpass them. In my lifetime there have been four such movies. Again, there have been many really good movies, but these are the game changers. The movies that are so good that to call them good is a severe understatement.
In my lifetime there have been four movies that meet this criteria. In 1977 it was Star Wars. This sci-fi fantasy about a young farm boy from a backwater planet that meets up with an old wizard and a pirate and goes on a quest to save a princess from a dark knight and defeat an evil Empire bent on universal domination IS the bench mark by which all other space adventures are judged. In 1994, it was The Crow. This dark gothic tale of love loss and revenge showed the world that comic books aren’t just for kids, especially when the creators and talent behind the project really have something to say. In 1999, that film was The Matrix. Up until this New Millennium sci-fi masterpiece hit theatres, movie making had become simply business as usually. After this senses-shattering film opened everyone’s eyes, creators everywhere at that moment tore up whatever they were working on and went back to the drawing board. And now, in 2012, that movie is Marvel’s The Avengers.
Like the other films on this list, to say that The Avengers is a great movie is to severely understate the obvious. This is the movie I’ve waited my whole life to see, so my expectations were sky high. The Avengers not only met my lofty expectations, it blew them out of the water. I’ve been asked by those who have not seen the movie “what makes it so good?” There is so much greatness in this film it’s hard to know where to begin and not spoil anything for those that have not seen it yet (which, by the way, according to the Opening Weekend numbers, there aren’t very many of you that haven’t seen it). Anybody that says they don’t like this film either has an agenda or they’re doing a bit. I’d have to say that one of the really big reasons why I loved this movie so much is that I did not have to sit through yet another 2-hour Origin Story.
I just don’t know if I have it in me to watch Peter Parker get bit by a radioactive spider, again (Do we really need a Spider-Man reboot barely ten years later?). Or watch planet Krypton explode, again. Or witness Bruce Wayne’s parents get gunned down by a common purse-snatcher, again (I’m assuming four years from now we’ll have to sit through a Batman: Year One film when the franchise picks up again). Between comic books, novels, cartoons, TV shows, and movies, I’ve seen these stories hundreds of times and done a hundred different ways. I can’t take anymore origin stories for these characters! James Bond has been in over twenty 007 movies and we don’t have to sit through his origin every single time. Like James Bond, there should be a new Superman movie hitting theatres every three to fours years. There are endless amounts of material to adapt. But no, even though we already have the definitive Superman origin with the Christopher Reeve 1978 Superman: The Movie and Smallville for the last decade looked at his Superboy days from every possible angle, I’m sure I’ll have to sit through yet another Superman movie next year with scenes from doomed Krypton and a farm in Kansas with a young boy discovering he’s different from everyone else.
There’s a reason why The Dark Knight is better than Batman Begins. It’s because it’s just a straightforward action adventure without all the baggage of origin storytelling. I get why Iron Man and Captain America movies had to do it. Those guys haven’t been introduced on the Big Screen before (not counting Caps straight to DVD venture in the early ‘90s and his B&W 1940s serials). Thor wasn’t an origin story and it was fantastic. And that is one of the biggest reasons for me that The Avengers works.
Now before you say, “But, Odinson, The Avengers is the origin story about the Avengers.” I say The Avengers is as much an origin story as say The Magnificent Seven, The Dirty Dozen, or Fellowship of the Ring are origin stories. These are fantastic action adventure movies about groups of extraordinary individuals coming together to fight against impossible odds. My point is names like Spider-Man, Batman, and Superman are so entrenched in pop culture that these names are as recognized as Mickey Mouse. Everyone knows who they are and the majority of people know how they got there. If the film absolutely has to have an origin in it, than approach it the way The Incredible Hulk did. Between comics, cartoons, a long-running television series, and the Hulk film, the Green Goliath’s origin is well known by most. So just address it in montage during the opening credit sequence. Now we can all sit back and enjoy a new story.
Sorry. I did not mean to go off on a tirade. The Odinson is just not a fan of the origin story, especially when there are so many great stories in this genre that can be told. Now back to The Avengers.
Going into the film I had a criteria that I wanted met if I was going to enjoy this feature. I wanted Captain America to be a leader and awesome in battle. Iron Man had to be cool. Thor had to be powerful. And the Hulk had to be strong and smash. Well, after seeing the film (three times now), I can tell you spoiler-free that Cap is awesome, Iron Man is super cool, Thor is majestic and the Hulk is the strongest one there is. Black Widow is sexy and dangerous. And movie Hawkeye, dare I say it, may be even cooler than comic book Hawkeye. And I would be remiss if I did not mention the film’s Big Bad. Tom Hiddleston is an amazing actor. He takes a complicated and complex character like Loki and hits every single mark. On the Mt. Rushmore of movie villains, Darth Vader, Hannibal Lector, Agent Smith and the shark from Jaws will now be joined by Hiddleston’s Loki.
I am a huge Joss Whedon fan and could not be prouder of the man as he gave us his best directorial undertaking yet. The movie was almost 2 ½ hours long and it went by all too fast. It’s action packed, full of great character interactions, and Whedon also manages to squeeze in his signature humor. There are at least four really great laugh-out-loud moments. And even more opportunities to cheer. But this wouldn’t be a Joss Whedon project if he didn’t surprise you. And not to get too spoilery on you, but this movie finally answers the age old question – Why are they called the Avengers? What are they avenging?
For the Odinson, in over thirty years nothing had ever challenged Superman: The Movie for the best comic book movie of all time. Iron Man came close, but it’s The Avengers that may have finally knocked the Man of Steel off the top of my mountain. Not only is The Avengers now the greatest comic book film of all time, like Star Wars, The Crow, and The Matrix, it is a benchmark by which all other films of its kind will be judged.Odinson Rating: 5 out of 5 Hammers and a Thunder Strike
This is Odinson bidding thee farewell
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A Quick Message from the Odinson
Greetings from the Odinson,
This week the Odinson is on vacation, but I did want to leave this short message encouraging everybody to go see the Avengers Movie. This is the movie I’ve been waiting to see since I was 8 years old. My Top 5 all time favorite super heroes are Captain America, Thor, Superman, Rom and Nightwing and 2 out of that Top 5 are in this flick. And, it’s directed by Joss Whedon! This is the man that gave us Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Firefly. I have not been this excited about a movie’s premiere since the announcement of The Phantom Menace. Love it or hate it, the anticipation leading up to Menace was huge for Star Wars fans. With this cast, this writer/director, and the House of Ideas firmly in the driver seat, the Odinson knows the Avengers will be an all time great.
One last thing before I go: AVENGERS ASSEMBLE!
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The Odinson Takes a Look at some Modern Myths and Legends
Greetings from the Odinson,
It’s funny how urban legends and myths come to be. Most people know they are not real, but there are so many who believe wholeheartedly that these things do exist. Batman is so good at what he does, that half of the residents of Gotham City don’t believe he actually exists. Even the media can’t help but perpetuate these ridiculous stories by reporting on them from time to time. By now everyone has seen the viral video of Leprechaun sightings in Alabama on the web (if not, it’s isn’t hard to find). Growing up in Azle, Texas, a small town roughly 15 miles west of Ft. Worth, every Halloween I would see reports on the news about the notorious Goatman of Lake Worth. This creature is said to be half man and half goat. As ridiculous as it sounds I’m not making this up. Every year the news reports on it, and has been since the late ‘60s, early ‘70s. How does stuff like this get started?
Along the border of Mexico and Texas, another strange and mysterious beast has become more and more prominent with each passing year. I am, of course, referring to the Chupacabra, the infamous goat sucker. Farms and rural residents with livestock have been plagued by this elusive beast for years. This diminutive little vampire is said to be a cross between a kangaroo and a big lizard, with some canine qualities. The beast is said to attack in the middle of the night leaving livestock and house pets dead and completely drained of blood. With so many reports and eye witnesses, how has this little devil not been brought to justice?
This cryptozoology (animals that some people believe exist but are not recognized by the science community) is nothing new. From the half-man, half-bull minotaur of ancient Greece to the sphinx in Egypt to the great Thunderbird of the Native Americans, these legendary creatures have always been a fascination of mankind’s. Throughout man’s history there have been sightings and alleged encounters with creatures like unicorns, mermaids, and dragons. Could these creatures possibly have existed? Maybe some of these creatures are just leftovers from a bygone era when dinosaurs walked the earth. Maybe they are just colorful explanations by ancient man to describe things they did not quite understand yet like the Komodo, giant saltwater croc or the Great White. Those things are scary now, let alone two-thousand years ago when all most people had for protection was a long stick with a pointy end on it. The giant squid was once thought to be a myth, but we know now that it actually exists in the dark depths of the vast ocean. So could the Chupacabra just be an as yet undiscovered species of the animal kingdom? Perhaps it’s a hybrid like the African Okapi, a strange creature that looks like a cross between a zebra and a giraffe.
One of the most famous legendary creatures is the Loch Ness Monster. Nessie is said to reside in the deep cold waters of Loch Ness located in the Highlands of Scotland. Since the 1930s hundreds of eyewitnesses have reported seeing the creature and some have even taken photographs. Though the scientific community simply shrugs these reports off as hoaxes and tall tales, there must be something to the legend for it to take such a hold on the human consciousness. The beast is said to have an elongated neck and as it swims near the surface of the lake, large humps running down its back can be seen sticking out of the water. Many believe it is a dinosaur that somehow survived extinction.
Without a doubt, one of the most famous of these legendary creatures is known to reside in the great northwest region of the United States. In the Himalayan Mountains it is known as the Yeti, or more affectionately as the Abominable Snowman. To our neighbors up north in Canada it is called Sasquatch. But most people in North America know this beast by the name Bigfoot. This creature is said to be anywhere from seven to eight feet tall, covered in hair and have the resemblance of a man crossed with an ape or bear. Everybody has heard stories about Bigfoot. There is even the infamous Patterson-Gimlin film which actually catches the beast in motion. Many believe this film to be a hoax, that it’s just a man in an ape suit, while others believe it to be the real deal. There have been many, many shows made and studies conducted trying to prove the existence of this creature. I’ve even seen one where a group of scientists and engineers break down the Patterson-Gimlin film and prove that the beast on the film could not possibly be a man in a suit. Of all the creatures in cryptozoology, Bigfoot is easily one of the most polarizing. Most people believe that there is no such thing as Bigfoot, but to some who believe they’ve actually encountered the beast, nobody can convince them that it doesn’t exist.
So from the Goatman of Lake Worth to the Leprechaun sightings in Alabama to the legend of Bigfoot, how is it that these myths and legends get started? There must be some kind of truth, if only a little, to them or they would not be so prevalent in the mainstream consciousness. Are all these cryptids simply a product of overactive imaginations, or are they just species of the animal kingdom waiting to be discovered?
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Fight Night 2012: Bonus Round
Greetings from the Odinson,
Last week’s big brawls (see Fight Night 2012 with the Odinson) were legendary, so the Odinson decided to keep the ball rolling. This week however I will not be looking at match ups I hope to one day see. No, this week I will revisit heavyweight championship fights that actually happened, and fanboys and girls everywhere rejoiced.
The Wolf Man vs. Dracula vs. Frankenstein’s Monster – From the 1930s through the 1950s, nothing dominated Big Screen horror like the Universal Monsters. Dark lonely outsiders that lived on the fringe of society, some misunderstood and feared for being different, some truly evil and feared for their diabolical intentions, and some simply supernatural creatures of the night stalking human prey. Names like the Mummy, the Bride of Frankenstein, the Invisible Man, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon terrorized mankind on the Silver Screen and in the movie aisles and became macabre legendary stars. But none shine brighter then the Big Three – Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, and the Wolf Man. These were the Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor of their universe, and they got along about as well as fire and water. In films like Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man, House of Frankenstein, House of Dracula, and Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, these icons of terror clashed over and over again. The plots usually revolved around Larry Talbot, the man cursed with lycanthropy, seeking a cure. Meanwhile, the sinister Count Dracula is always plotting and scheming from the shadows and the Monster smashes his way through the tale like the force of nature he is. WINNER: Dracula. As the film The Monster Squad reveals, in the end, all the Universal Monsters, sooner or later, come under control and are slaves to the power of the Lord of Vampires.
King Kong vs. Godzilla – I never understood how this battle was ever possible. Kong is 50 feet tall, while Godzilla stands over 30 stories high (that’s around 300 feet tall). Wouldn’t this battle last about as long as Godzilla vs. Bambi (a humorous scene from Godzilla 1985)? Nevertheless, this heavyweight championship bout did happen in 1963 in the classic film King Kong vs. Godzilla. Now, the movie ignores their size difference by making them equal in stature (why let a little thing like facts ruin a good time). Kong is, without a doubt, physically powerful. If a normal gorilla has roughly the strength of ten men, then extrapolating this would give the mighty Kong immeasurable strength. However, Godzilla is the veteran of a hundred battles against foes with superior strength and power. Kong has savagery and brute force on his side, and apparently the ability to conduct electricity (yeah, I thought that was weird too). Godzilla’s thick hide allows him to take monstrous amounts of damage before showing signs of slowing down. Plus, his tail can smash skyscrapers into rubble. And on top of that he can shoot forth atomic fire from his mouth that can pulverize just about anything. This film was released in both Japan and America, and I’m told with two different endings. I’ve only ever seen the America version where it is King Kong that proves victorious – kind of, but… WINNER: Godzilla. Sorry, Kong. You are definitely the King of Skull Island, but Godzilla is the King of All Monsters!
Freddy vs. Jason – Jason Voorhees is the unstoppable mass murderer that stalks the woods surrounding Crystal Lake. Freddy Krueger is the child murderer from Elm Street that met a fiery end but returned even more terrifying as the master of nightmares. Jason wears a hockey mask that bears the scares of past battles and wields a machete with deadly might. Freddy’s skin is horribly scarred from fire giving him an even more sinister look and his weapon of choice is a glove with four razor sharp blades on the end of each finger. For the entire decade of the ‘80s these two were, without a doubt, the masters of horror. But, after years of killing, Jason finally met own his end and was sent to hell. Long after the original children of Elm Street were dealt with, the next generation forgot who Freddy Krueger was, thus robbing him of his nightmarish power. Wanting that power back, Freddy opens the gates of hell and unleashes Jason back into the world to strike fear in the hearts of the children of Elm Street. His plan begins to work for with each death the fear rises and Freddy’s powers begin to return. However, Jason is a force of nature and cannot be controlled, so when the Killer of Crystal Lake starts to off would be victims intended for Freddy himself, the two horror icons head toward an unavoidable showdown. Bottom line, if the fight takes place in the dream world, Freddy wins. He is the master of nightmares after all. But if the tussle goes down in the physical world, Jason will stand victorious. Though Freddy is obviously smarter, Jason is an unstoppable juggernaut. What follows is the bloodiest battle ever seen on the Big Screen. Even Wolverine and Sabretooth cannot believe their eyes when they see the carnage these two monsters unleash on each other. WINNER: Jason. The film’s ending may be ambiguous, but for me, Jason Voorhees will always be the Heavyweight Champion of Horror.
Aliens vs. Predator - It’s the showdown every movie fan has wanted to see since that final scene aboard the Predator’s ship in Predator 2 revealed a trophy case displaying the skull of a Xenomorph. One is the galaxy’s ultimate survivor, and the other is the galaxy’s ultimate hunter. Xenomorphs impregnate victims with their alien embryo which upon maturation bursts from the host’s chest and rapidly grows into adulthood. They are a lot like giant ants with workers, soldiers, and a queen, but they are far deadlier than any mere insect. Their claws can rip a man limb-from-limb, their razor-tipped tail can strike with lightning fast accuracy, and within their elongated skulls, behind jagged saliva-soaked jaws, resides a second mandible that can extend and strike at prey from a distance. The deadliest thing about this alien creature is its blood. It’s concentrated acid, so that even if it is killed, it can still take those around it down with it. The Predator is a seven-foot bipedal beast with super human agility and strength. It is armed with an array of high tech weapons. Blades, spears, and swords of unknown metal are also favorites of this creature. Its helmet allows it to see in any spectrum and its laser-guided shoulder-cannon can cut most foes right in half. But one of the Predator’s most useful assets is its personal cloaking device which allows this universal hunter to blend in with almost any surroundings. This is a hard one to call. Especially since numbers always play a big part in these battles. A Xenomorph Queen is physically far more powerful than a Predator. Even a warrior class Xenomorph has proven superior in a one-on-one tussle. But the Predators are a warrior race and highly skilled in the arts of war. But the Aliens have the numbers. WINNER: Predator. The Aliens may be physically superior to the galaxy’s most notorious hunters, but the Predators all have a personal nuclear detonator. Even in defeat the Predator wins, for if he falls in battle, this sore loser will take out every living creature within a half mile radius.
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Fight Night 2012 with the Odinson
Greetings from the Odinson,
Ding, ding! It’s time once again for that time-honored tradition when the Odinson thinks about the super heroes he’d love to see duke it out for the heavy weight championship belt. It’s time once again for Fight Night! Every comic fan has done this. They’ve sat around with friends, or gathered at the local comic shop, or simply pondered “who would win?” Here are some showdowns the Odinson would love to see come to fruition.
The SilverHawks vs. G-Force – The SilverHawks are a group of cyborg space cops that patrol the galaxy and protect the innocent from the monstrous gangster Mon-star and his gang of mutants and monsters. G-Force is a team of teen super ninjas that protect planet Earth from the invading alien legions of Spectra and their diabolical war machines capable of mass destructions. Led by the quick-thinking Quicksilver, each member of the SilverHawks is cybernetically enhanced (i.e. super strength and speed) and they shoot lasers from their shoulders and their metallic bodies protect them from harm. The kids of G-Force are highly skilled in martial arts and possess super human agility. They also pilot very diverse and individually powerful vehicles. But nothing is more powerful than their main all purpose aircraft – the Phoenix, which can transform into a fiery bird of prey. WINNER: G-Force. The SilverHawks are physically tough and Bluegrass can play some tasty riffs on his guitar, but between G-Force’s tornado attack and the power of the Phoenix, the silvery heroes just come up a little short.
ThunderCats vs. The Masters of the Universe – The ThunderCats are a small group of feline humanoids and the last survivors of the doomed planet Thundera. The Masters of the Universe are a group of warriors, monsters, and wizards locked in an eternal struggle for control of Castle Grayskull, an ancient citadel on the far off world of Eternia and said to hold the secrets of the universe. The ThunderCats are led by the brave Lion-O, a born leader with great strength, super agility, and armed with the mystical Sword of Omens. His companions include the stealthy Tygra, the super strong Panthro, the super fast Cheetara, the mischievous WilyKit and Kat, the worrisome Snarf, and the wise ghost Jaga. The Masters are led by He-Man, a great warrior with unparalleled super human strength and armed with the magical Power Sword. His allies include the mighty Battle Cat, the weapons master Man-at-Arms, the fearless Teela, the hard-headed Ram Man, the high-flying Stratos, and the bumbling little wizard Orko. The ThunderCats fight for survival on the mysterious world known as Third Earth against the Mutants of Plun-Darr, the pirates Hammerhand and the Berserkers, and the ogre-mage Mumm-Ra, the Ever-Living. The Masters of the Universe defend the secrets of Castle Grayskull from the evil warlock Skeletor and his horde of mutants, monsters and witches. WINNER: The Masters of the Universe. The ThunderCats are cool, but the Masters of the Universe are an all time classic. Besides, they don’t call He-Man the most powerful man in the universe for nothing.
Voltron vs. the Megazord – Notice how I specifically said Voltron vs. the Megazord. That’s because the Voltron Force, though highly trained and skilled space explorers, would just get rolled by the physically superior Power Rangers. But put these teams in their giant robots and let’s see what happens. Voltron is a mighty robot comprised of five large robotic lions. Voltron defends the universe from the ever advancing alien forces and gigantic Robo-Beast of Planet Doom. The Megazord is a mighty robot comprised of robot dinosaurs and protects planet Earth from the mutants, giant monsters, and evil machinations of Rita Repulsa and her consort Lord Zedd. Voltron’s greatest weapon is the invincible Blazing Sword. The Megazord’s greatest weapon is the Power Sword. WINNER: Voltron. Nothing beats the original.
Hellboy vs. the Thing – This is, without a doubt, the most intriguing battle on this list. Two tough-as-nails, working class monsters duking it out for the belt. Hellboy is the prophesized “Beast of the Apocalypse.” However, he is more likely to just have a beer, chomp on a cigar and pound on some evil doers. Ben Grimm was a pilot and astronaut before an ill-fated outer space flight through some cosmic rays transformed him into a rock-skinned Thing. Hellboy hunts down monsters and investigates the supernatural with the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense. The Thing, alongside the other members of the Fantastic Four, explores worlds and dimensions undreamed of and protects the Marvel Universe from the most diabolical and dangerous threats the multiverse has to offer. Hellboy has super human strength and is highly resistant to harm and injury. Fire cannot harm him at all. He is armed with an array of supernatural gadgets and weapons and an over-sized hand cannon. The Thing’s super strength has few rivals and he is as tough as they come. Bullets, fire, and explosions do little more to him than scratch an itch. Aunt Petunia’s favorite nephew has been known to stand toe-to-toe with the Incredible Hulk. Hellboy also possesses the Right Hand of Doom, an oversized rocky hand said to unlock the secrets to the End of Days. The Thing possesses one of the best battle cries in comics – “It’s Clobbering Time!” WINNER: Thing. Hellboy is as tough as they come, but the ever-lovin’ blue-eyed Thing is the toughest blue collar monster in comics.
Now those were some good brawls. Somebody call Damage Control because the collateral damage is going to be epic!
This is Odinson bidding thee farewell -
Who Will Fill the Gap Between League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Century Vol. 2 (1969) and Vol. 3 (2009)?
Greetings from the Odinson,
With League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, writer Alan Moore and artist Kevin O’Neill took the idea of a band of heroes and gave it a unique twist. At the turn of the century (the late 19th Century to be exact), Mina Murray (Harker), a young woman that faced the horrors of Dracula and survived, was recruited by Campion Bond, a representative of the British government and grandfather to none other than James Bond, to assemble a team of unique individuals to stop a madman from starting a war that could destroy the Empire. This strong-willed young woman assembled Allan Quartermain, a renowned Big Game hunter and professional adventurer; Captain Nemo and his amazing submarine the Nautilus; Dr. Jekyll, a mild-mannered man who consumes a potion and transforms into the monstrous Mr. Hyde; and Hawley Griffin, the notorious Invisible Man. Together, this League of Extraordinary Gentlemen faces the sinister machinations of Fu Manchu, the diabolical Professor Moriarty, the horrors of the Island of Doctor Moreau, and the apocalyptic War of the Worlds. One of the really neat aspects of Moore and O’Neill’s tale is that he establishes that there have been other Leagues in the past, and with his epic tale LOEG: Century, throughout the 20th Century.
As established in Moore’s yarn, a new team is formed every few years. But something happens in LOEG: Century Vol. 2 which takes place in 1969 that leaves a huge gap between the events of this volume and the events of Vol. 3, which picks up in the year 2009. That leaves a 40-year gap. Somebody had to be picking up the slack in that time. There had to be a League of Extraordinary Gentlemen to stand against the forces of darkness and protect all mankind from the bad guys. This got the Odinson wondering, who could be members of such an eclectic group of outsiders and heroes. I think I just might have the answer…
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen of the 1970s:
Steve Austin – Steve Austin is a test pilot that is left on the verge of death after an experimental aircraft he was piloting crashes. OSI, a government sponsored organization, using super science rebuilds Austin’s destroyed body. They make him stronger, faster, better. His right arm, both legs, and one of his eyes are all replaced with robot parts. Steve Austin becomes the worlds first Bionic Man, a cyborg with superhuman strength, speed and a mechanical eye with telescopic and microscopic vision.
Jamie Sommers – Jamie Sommers was a professional tennis player who after a skydiving accident is left on the verge of death. Steve Austin calls on OSI to save her life. Both of her legs, an arm, and an ear are replaced with cybernetic implants. Sommers is transformed into the Bionic Woman. Like Austin, she possesses superhuman strength in her bionic arm, but her bionic legs allow her to run even faster than her male counterpart. Her new ear allows her to hear great distances and she can even hear whispered conversations happening in another room. Jamie Sommers and Steve Austin eventually marry and together the Six Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman are an unstoppable force for good.
Bigfoot and Wildboy – Bigfoot is the towering legendary monster of the great northwest, an enigmatic beast with superhuman strength and a lumbering lope of up to 50 mph. Wildboy is an expert hunter with near superhuman level agility and a master with a sling and knife. Together, Bigfoot and Wildboy roam the woodlands and mountains of the great northwest righting wrongs and protecting the innocent. NOTE: The pics I used for these two are not the actual Bigfoot and Wildboy heroes I’m talking about, but the pics beautifully illustrate what they look like.
Kojak – Kojak is a tough-as-nails New York City police detective with a knack for catching the bad guy and a fondness for lollipops. A dark sense of humor and tough love attitude, Kojak is willing to do whatever it takes to clean up the mean city streets. Other names on this list provide the muscle while Kojak brings years of detective experience and street smarts to the table. Plus, he can always ease the tension of the group with a disarming smile and by delivering his catch phrase “Who loves ya, baby?”
The 4th Doctor – The Doctor is a Time Lord that, along with his companions, travels through space and time in the TARDIS and protects the innocent against the worst threats the universe has to offer. Through the power of regeneration, the Doctor is ostensibly immortal. Each incarnation retains all the knowledge of the previous but possesses a new face and new quirks to his personality. The 4th Doctor is instantly recognizable by his long flowing scarf and head of glorious curly hair. With superhuman level intelligence and a knack for beating impossible odds, the Doctor brings with him a bag of unique tricks to this League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Not to mention, killer hero theme music.
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen of the 1980s:
The A-Team – These Vietnam vets were arrested for a crime they did not commit, but they escaped. Now they venture across America from coast to coast trying to stay one step ahead of their military pursuers and using their special forces training to help the oppressed and downtrodden. B.A. Baracus is the driver and the muscle, Captain “Howling Mad” Murdock is the mechanic and pilot, Faceman is the smooth-talking “face” of the group and a lady’s man, and Hannibal Smith is the brains. If you want a job done, you want the best. You want the A-Team. “I love it when a plan comes together.”
Manimal – Dr Jonathan Chase is a shape-shifter with the ability to transform himself into any animal he chooses. He uses his amazing power to help the police solve crimes. His favorite animal forms to take, and who could blame him, are that of a high-flying majestic eagle and that of a sleek deadly and powerful black panther. Chase’s ability can bring a unique aspect never before seen in the ranks of the League.
Street Hawk – Jesse Mach is an ex-motorcycle cop who is chosen to test an all terrain motorcycle armed with machine guns and gadgets and able to obtain speeds in excess of 300 mph. Alongside his partner Norman Tuttle, the man who designed the super bike, Mach fights crime as the mysterious hero known as Street Hawk. Mach brings police training and a versatile weapon against injustice to the table and would be a valuable asset to this League. NOTE: Knight Rider would have also been a good choice, but I’ve always like Street Hawk better.
Airwolf – With more firepower than Blue Thunder, Airwolf is the premiere attack super helicopter and is piloted by Captain Hawke. Airwolf often flies covert operations for the mysterious government organization known as the FIRM. Problem is, the FIRM is just as likely to try and steal Airwolf back from Hawke as they are to provide useful Intel and support for missions. Armed with high caliber machine guns, missiles, bombs, and high-tech gadgets, this super-copter brings to the table a kind of firepower the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen have never seen.
MacGyver – MacGyver is a super intelligent troubleshooter with a knack for using any and every tool and item at his disposal to get the job done. This is the guy that can use a paperclip, some scotch tape, and bubblegum to disarm a nuclear device and save the day. His ingenious inventive exploits are so legendary that “MacGyver” or “MacGyvering” has become a universal word meaning to get a job done using whatever is available. Kind of an anomaly next to other action heroes of his time, Mac does not use guns and instead prefers to find a peaceful solution to problems. But if the situation arises where the team’s back is to the wall, and time is running out, MacGyver is the guy that will figure out a way to solve the problem.
The Fifth Doctor – As a Time Lord, it should come as no surprise that the Doctor would also be involved in this incarnation of the League. With his signature Panama hat and spectacles (glasses that he doesn’t really need but he thinks they make him look smart) the Fifth Doctor approaches his adventuring with a bit more whimsical charm than some of his past incarnations. Probably his most unusual bit of fashion is the celery stalk he sometimes pins to his shirt. As whimsical as this incarnation of the Doctor may be, make no mistake, with a brilliant mind and the miracle that is the TARDIS at his disposal, the Doctor will always be a force to be reckoned with.
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen of the New Millennium:
Buffy Summers – With precognitive dreams and superhuman strength and speed to rival the Children of the Night, Buffy Summers is the Chosen One. Buffy is the Vampire Slayer and together with her friends and allies she protects mankind from the forces of darkness. Buffy and the Scoobies of Sunnydale are the first and last line of defense against whatever the Hellmouth can spit into the world.
Angel – Angel is the vampire with a soul. For over a century, as the monster known as Angelus, he terrorized mankind and cut a swath of death and destruction from one side of the Old World to the other. That was until the day he was cursed by Gypsies to have a soul. Now Angel walks the earth tormented by the guilt of all the horrible deeds he committed while he was still a soulless monster. Angel, together with the rest of his allies at Angel Investigations, battles the forces of darkness and tries desperately to atone for his past sins. Angel and Buffy are star-crossed lovers meant to be together but must forever be apart, for if Angel experiences one moment of true happiness, he will lose his soul and the monster that dwells within him will return to the world.
Spike – Spike is the other vampire with a soul. Once known as William the Bloody, Spike was a cohort of Angelus and, along with Darla and the insane Drusilla, they were the most feared coven of vampires in the Old World. During his time as a creature of darkness, Spike actually killed two slayers. But he could never best Buffy. His desire to kill his third slayer turned into an obsession, an obsession that eventually gave way to true love. So in love with the slayer was Spike that he endured an excruciating trial by fire to regain his soul. He endured the pain, for Buffy made him want to be a better man. Though he is not as smart as Angel, Spike is every bit as powerful. And what he lacks in brains, he more than makes up for in passion and raw animal ferocity. Considering their history together, seeing Buffy, Angel and Spike forced to interact on the same team for a common cause would be worth the price of admission alone. Just check out the classic episode Lovers Walk from BtVS Season 3 to see what I mean.
M.A.N.T.I.S. – Dr. Miles Hawkins is a wealthy man that is shot in the spine and paralyzed from the waist down. Wanting to fight the corruption and criminal element that caused his situation, Hawkins uses his vast resources to create an exoskeleton that not only grants him the ability to walk but it increases his strength, speed and agility tenfold. Now he patrols the back alleys and rooftops as the masked crime-fighter known as M.A.N.T.I.S. (Mechanically Augmented Neuro Transmitter Interception System). Not only does he have the power suit, but M.A.N.T.I.S. is also armed with enough weapons, gadgets, and high tech vehicles to make Batman turn green with envy.
Duncan MacLeod – Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod is over four hundred years old. He is an immortal and he cannot die. He is a fierce warrior and an expert in armed and unarmed combat. With a sword, he has no rival. MacLeod has wandered the earth for centuries, engaged in mortal combat with other immortals. The winner takes the other’s head, and with it, his power. All the immortals must fight until there is only one left. The last immortal standing will win the prize, untold power. In the end, there can be only one. Duncan is from an alternate reality of the Highlander Universe where he is the ultimate force for justice rather than his clansman Connor MacLeod. He has centuries of knowledge and experience at his disposal and he’s a cunning warrior. He would make an invaluable addition to any group of heroes.
The Tenth Doctor – Once again the Doctor would heed the call to arms. This incarnation of the Doctor has the whimsical charm of the Fifth Doctor and the passion of the Fourth Doctor. Armed with his Sonic Screwdriver, a universal tool for any situation, the Tenth Doctor sets a bar of action, adventure and pathos so high that all other Doctors past and future will be judged by it. With his intelligence, his technology, and his charm, no League of Extraordinary Gentlemen would be complete without the Doctor leading the charge.
Now that these brave men and women have kept the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen torch burning for the last few decades, the immortal beauty Mina Murray and her colleagues in the pages of LOEG: Century Vol. 3 “2009” can get back to work saving the world.
This is Odinson bidding thee farewell -
The Odinson Recommends Two Television Dramas with Fanboy Ties
Greetings from the Odinson,
When it comes to entertainment, right now, comic book fans are really living in a Golden Age. TV shows and movies we could only dream about twenty years ago are now becoming reality. As a child of the eighties, the Odinson will always (and with good reason) tout that decade as the greatest explosion of imagination of all time (more on that at a future date). But present day is making a good run at the title.
From Batman Begins to Iron Man, comic books are making a splash on the Big Screen. From the good (Thor) to the bad (Wanted) to the ugly (Kick Ass), comic book movies are drawing in the audiences, and with films like The Avengers, Amazing Spider-Man, The Dark Knight Rises, and Man of Steel still to come, they are showing no signs of slowing down. This past week, I finally got around to watching X-Men: First Class. I have never been a huge X-Men fan, and the fact that this project was straying away from comic continuity (i.e., Beast and Havok being contemporaries of Xavier and Magneto) didn’t help its case. But I went into it with an open mind and to my surprise found myself really enjoying the film. I really love the way the movie portrayed the Beast. His look, both human and blue-furred, was spectacular. They really captured that character for me. When I read the comics, that’s how I envision the Beast. Plus, a certain cigar-chomping mutant’s cameo was priceless.
But the Big Screen isn’t the only area where fanboys and girls are being treated to some gold. The Small Screen is really stepping up to the plate and producing some really great shows. The Walking Dead is absolutely riveting television. It stays true and close enough to the source material so as not to upset the apple cart, but at the same time adds its own elements and surprises to keep the viewers on their toes. Such a great achievement, the show can be enjoyed by those that have never read the comics and by longtime fans that have been on board since Walking Dead #1 was released back in 2003. The best thing about the show is the people. It’s the end of the world and how these normal people, not super heroes, but average everyday people deal with it and interact with each other is the driving force behind the series. Pathos and drama are words I would use to describe this show. Oh yeah, and there are zombies as well. If a show can make the viewer audibly gasp once in a season, then it has done its job. From the mid-season finale to the final three episodes of Season 2, The Walking Dead has delivered shocking moment after shocking moment. Just like the graphic novel it’s based on, it allows you to catch your breath and feel safe, but just for a moment before all hell breaks loose.
Another example of fantastic television is the HBO series Game of Thrones. To say that I like this show would be an extreme understatement. I had heard about it for sure, but I had yet to actually watch an episode, that was until last weekend. I had a day to kill, so around 10:30 AM I pulled up On Demand and watched the first episode, then proceeded for the next ten hours to watch the entire first season in one sitting. The show was absolutely amazing. Game of Thrones is based on the novel by the same name and is the first book in the A Song of Ice and Fire novel series. Set in a fantasy world where summer can last years and winter can last for a life time, Thrones is about seven kingdoms vying for position and control. Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell is asked by King Roberts, his longtime friend and ally, to come back to the capital Kings’ Landing and serve as the King’s Right Hand. Reluctantly Stark agrees, but a series of tragedies and betrayals besiege him and his family as the story unfolds. Meanwhile, across the sea, a white-haired disenfranchised prince and his beautiful sister have allied with a barbarian horde and threaten war with King’s Landing and the Seven Kingdoms. But even more ominous is the unseen threat which begins to gather to the far north beyond the great Wall. An ancient evil is stirring and it has the Night Watch nervous. The Night Watch is an order of rangers stationed at the Wall to protect the Seven Kingdoms from what lies beyond. Again the driving force for this series is the characters and their interaction with each other. The acting is top notch and, like The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones really keeps the viewer on his toes. Dynamite Entertainment has even begun a graphic novel adaptation of Game of Thrones. If you haven’t seen this show yet, do yourself a favor and pick up the DVDs or pull it up on your On Demand. You will not be sorry. It’s like watching a live action Dungeons and Dragons show, for adults.
I’ve never been a cop show or courtroom drama person so shows like Bones and CSI have never been my cup of tea, but I will go on record and say that The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones are two of the best television dramas of the last twenty years. They now have a place on the list next to other must see shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly, Doctor Who and Twin Peaks. Watching the Game of Thrones has made me want to read the A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, so I picked up the first book and I’m ready to dive in. The second season of Thrones starts in April. I can’t wait to see where it goes from here.
This is Odinson bidding thee farewell -
Has the Odinson Come Up with the Equation for Real World-to-Comic Book Time?
Greetings from the Odinson,
Thursday March 22 was the Odinson’s birthday, another year older, if not wiser. Interesting thing about my birthday is that on March 22, 1976 shooting began on what would become my all time favorite movie – Star Wars. That by itself would make my birthday awesome, but even cooler is the fact that on March 22, 1931, Mr. William Shatner was born. That’s right, ladies and gentleman, the Odinson shares a birthday with none other than Captain Kirk himself. I also share a birthday with actress Reese Witherspoon and legendary western writer Louis L’Amour. These are just some interesting facts about the day I was born. Now on to some other things…
The latest mega event at Marvel, AVX, got me thinking about the City of New York. In the Marvel Universe, 90% of the world’s super hero population seems to live in and around New York City. You would think that would make the Big Apple the safest place in the world to be. I suggest the complete opposite. With all the huge building-demolishing super battles that go down in the streets of New York, I’m surprised that there is anyone brave enough to still call that little stretch of land their home.
Just sticking to recent events only - New York City has been almost completely destroyed no less than five times in recent events. What makes this even more amazing is the difference in real time elapsing vs. comic book time. We all know that a decade of real word time does not reflect a decade worth of comic book time. If it did, then Peter Parker would be an old man. I guesstimate, using Peter Parker’s estimated age of being around 33 (see the NOTE below to see how I estimate Parker’s age), that a decade of real time equals roughly 3 years worth of comic book time.
That being said, how in the world is there still a New York City left standing in the midst of a tumultuous Marvel Universe? In 2006, the super heroes of Earth waged a Civil War that decimated half of downtown. Skyscrapers trembled and fell to the ground, victims of the power being unleashed in the streets of the city. But that devastation was nothing compared to what came next. In 2007, World War Hulk engulfed the City of New York. The Incredible Hulk had returned from his exile to the furthest reaches of outer space, and he was not happy. He was madder and stronger than ever and the wanton destruction he unleashed was mind-blowing. Whole city blocks crumbled before his might as he battled against those that betrayed him. Just one year later (real time), in 2008, the heroes and villains of Earth waged war with an invading horde of Super –Skrulls in middle of downtown Manhattan and halted their Secret Invasion, but not without some heavy property damage. Then, in 2011, Fear Itself engulfed the planet and though chaos reigned around the globe, no city on Earth was hit harder than New York City, as Sin, the new Red Skull, unleashed her neo Nazi war machines on the populace and even Avengers Tower came crashing down. And only a few short months later, in Fantastic Four #600-604, the Forever storyline sees a full-on war between the Kree Armada and the Annihilation Wave right over the streets of New York City. Throw in Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and a cosmic brawl between Galactus and the nigh omnipotent Celestials, and I’m surprised there’s a building left standing in the streets of New York.
From 2006 to 2012, that’s 6 years of real time gone by, meaning 2 years of comic book time has elapsed. So in 2 years, the Big Apple has been nearly utterly demolished not once, not twice, but no less than five times, and these are just the times I can think of off the top of my head. I’m not even including your run-of-the-mill Avengers brawl with Norman Osborn’s Dark Avengers. Yet at the beginning of every issue of a new major event or storyline, there’s the Big Apple, all shiny and new. Buildings erected and undamaged as if nothing ever happened. In the real world, it takes about 1-2 years to build one skyscraper. In the Marvel Universe, whole city blocks are being destroyed every six months (comic book time).
First, why would anyone ever live in the Marvel Universe New York City? And second, how in the world does this magnificent cityscape keep getting rebuilt in time for the next Kree invasion? The answer to the first question is simple, New Yorkers have seen it all, and they are a hardy bunch. The answer to the second question has already been addressed by the House of Ideas. The answer is Damage Control. Damage Control is a special company that specializes in the repair and reconstruction necessary after a huge super hero/villain throw-down. They are the ones that put the city back together after every Marvel Big Event, and they do it with speed and efficiency.
So what have we learned here today? We’ve learned how to calculate real world and comic book time (see NOTE below). We’ve learned that New York City in the Marvel Universe is the most dangerous place to live. Despite that fact, and possibly because of it, that’s where most of the world’s super community calls home. We’ve learned that Damage Control is responsible for putting the Big Apple back together again after every Marvel Big Event brouhaha. And, we’ve learned that the Odinson shares a birthday with William “Captain Kirk” Shatner. I leave you now with a look at how I worked out my formula for determining real word to comic book time.
NOTE: In Amazing Spider-Man #185, Peter Parker graduated from college. This puts his age at around 22. That issue came out in 1978. Amazing Spider-Man #1 came out in 1963. That’s 15 years of real world time between issues. If we can all agree that in AMSM #1 Peter Parker was around 16-17 years old then that’s 5 years of comic book time elapsed (22 minus 17 = 5). So take 15 [years of real world time] and divide it by 5 [years of comic book time] and get 3. This signifies that for every 3 years of real time that elapses, 1 year of comic book time has elapsed. Next take 1978 (Peter’s graduation) and subtract it from 2012 (current real time date) and that’s 34 years of real time. Divide 34 by 3 and get roughly 11 years of comic book time. Add 11 to 22 (Peter’s estimated age in Amazing Spider-Man #185) and currently Peter Parker is 33 years old.
**NOTE: A little convoluted I know, but give me a break, I just made up that equation on the spot, and it’s as good an explanation of real world-to-comic book time as any. Though I will go on record as saying that Peter Parker will always be around 25 to me. But for the sake of this article, this is the equation I’m using.
This is Odinson bidding thee farewell -
The Latest Avengers Trailer Inspires the Odinson to Share His Favorite Team Stories
Greetings from the Odinson,
I just got through watching the Japanese trailer for the Avengers Movie, which includes even more spectacular scenes not seen in previous trailers. The Odinson is so stoked to see this movie. I am at once happy and sad, though. Happy that my all time favorite super hero team is being made into a live action movie (helmed by Joss Whedon no less), and sad that DC and Warner Bros. seem unable, or unwilling, to put together a Justice League movie. I grew up on the Super Friends cartoons and later thoroughly enjoyed the Justice League Unlimited animated series. Why is DC dragging their feet on this one? The time is now!
I get so fired up about the Avengers movie and the chance that there will one day be a JLA movie because these are my favorite kinds of stories. When a group of heroes must unite to stand against a common foe or accomplish a goal no single hero can take on alone, this is the subject of legends. In ancient times, Jason and the Argonauts, a group of heroes that included the Boreads brothers, Orpheus, Atalanta, and Hercules, ventured forth upon a harrowing quest to find the magical Golden Fleece. King Arthur and his valiant Knights of the Round Table, a group comprised of brave paladins like Gawain, Perceval, and Lancelot, brought peace to the land and protected the Kingdom of Camelot from the forces of darkness and quested for the Holy Grail. Robin Hood and His Merry Men, the outlaw heroes Little John, Will Scarlet, and Friar Tuck, defied a usurper to the throne of England and fought to restore justice to the land. These are the tales that inspire. And like the Argonauts, Knights of the Round Table, and the Merry Men, comics are full of brave men and women that come together for a common goal.
Team books are so much better than the single hero comics. You get more bang for your buck. Instead of just reading about Superman or Batman, why not pick up an issue of JLA and read about both heroes in the same story. That was the genius of comic book series like Marvel Team-Up and Marvel Two-In-One. Not only was the reader getting treated to an in continuity Spider-Man or Thing story, but the reader also got to see these popular characters interacting and teaming up with other heroes from around the Marvel Universe. Those two series went a long way in establishing a truly shared world in the Marvel Universe. A super hero team up is an event! Those are my favorite kinds of stories.
There are thousands of fantastic team stories out there to enjoy. Here are a few of my all time favorites.
WildC.A.T.s Opening Arc – Ah, back during that first magical year of Image super heroes. What an explosion of imagination and possibilities that was. And standing front and center was Jim Lee’s WildC.A.T.s. In WildC.A.T.s #1-4, a dark conspiracy is unfolding. A sinister evil is about to close its clawed fist around the world and enslave mankind forever. In this opening arc, a group of heroes comes together, some human, some alien, and some mutant hybrids of the two. They suddenly find themselves smack dab in the middle of a war that has been raging in the shadows for centuries and is now spilling over into the light of day. The U.S. government thinks the C.A.T.s are dangerous outlaws. So, this motley crew of heroes must try to stay one step ahead of their government pursuers and try to stop an alien warlord from unleashing hell on Earth. Man, that’s what reading comic books is all about.
Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes – The Legion is a team of super heroes in the 31st Century that are inspired by the heroic exploits of the Man of Steel. In this amazing tale by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank, Superman is notified in present day Metropolis by a distress call from the future. The Last Son of Krypton ventures into the future where he finds the Legion scattered across the galaxy and on the run from a powerful new threat. And worse, he may be powerless to help. Geoff Johns’ writing here is superb and his characterizations of these heroes are dead on. In a cast this size it would be easy for these character’s to blend together and begin to sound the same, but Johns does a great job of making every character distinct. And Gary Frank is easily a Top 5 Superman artist of all time. Anyone that can give me the look of a Christopher Reeve Man of Steel and not make it look like a parody is aces.
Fantastic Four #242-244 – Oh, now this story is exactly what I’m talking about. There can be no greater threat to planet Earth than a creature known as the World Devourer. Terrax the Tamer, the devious Herald of Galactus, has turned on his master and lured the titan back to Earth. He forces a situation where the Fantastic Four must kill Galactus or allow their planet to be destroyed. Due to the actions of his treacherous Herald, Galactus has not fed for sometime and he is at his weakest. But even a weakened Galactus is more than a match for the FF alone. Enter Earth’s Mightiest Heroes! The Fantastic Four team up with the Avengers and Doctor Strange to stop Galactus from feeding on planet Earth. What follows is one of the mightiest displays of super heroic team work ever captured in four colors. This story also features the debut of Nova, a cosmic character that will go on to become quite important to the Silver Surfer in future stories. This is a stand out moment in John Byrne’s already amazing run on the FF and easily one of the Odinson’s favorite Galactus tales.
JLA: Rock of Ages – What can I possibly say about this epic tale by Grant Morrison and Howard Porter that I haven’t already said? JLA #10-15 is quite possibly the perfect comic book story. It all begins when the Injustice Gang, a cabal of the Justice League’s deadliest enemies, bushwhacks the League with evil doppelgangers of the heroes themselves. That by itself would be enough for any comic story, but Morrison has more up his sleeve. Lex Luthor has come into possession of the powerful artifact known as the Philosopher’s Stone, and with its power he and his cohorts will be unstoppable. What follows is a romp through space and time where the JLA meet gods, see the end of everything, and bare witness to a future where Darkseid rules the DCU with an iron fist. This tale just escalates and escalates until its inevitable climax and by the end of the story the reader is left breathless. Rock of Ages is just an amazing piece of fiction.
Avengers: Under Siege – Trying to pick my favorite Avengers story is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. I guess putting down “All of Them” would just be a cop out. So, if I’m forced to make a decision then I’m going to have to go with Under Siege. Baron Zemo has assembled a new Masters of Evil, one more powerful than any incarnation that has come before it. They infiltrate Avengers Mansion and one-by-one Earth’s Mightiest Heroes fall before the villains united might. Mighty Hercules is drugged and beaten to within an inch of his life and left hanging by a thread in a coma. Captain America is captured and forced to watch as the sinister Mr. Hyde tortures poor Jarvis. Captain Marvel II (Photon) is trapped in a dark dimension and the Black Knight is soundly defeated. The only one left to stop these madmen is the Wasp. These are the moments that define a hero. When the Avengers are all but beaten and at their lowest point, the reader watches in amazement as these stalwart heroes fight back and ultimately win the day. This tale also sets up the future as the core members of Zemo’s Masters of Evil will go on to become the Thunderbolts.
New Teen Titans: Kidnapped – Man, like with the Avengers, trying to pick my favorite Teen titans tale is tough. The Judas Contract is definitely up there. As are stories featuring Trigon, Brother Blood, the Fearsome Five, Thunder and Lightning, and the Brotherhood of Evil. I could even make cases for Terra Incognito, Who is Donna Troy? and the Death of Trident. But if I could only read one Titans tale for the rest of my life it would have to be Kidnapped. This is the first time we are introduced to Starfire’s sinister sister, Blackfire. This adventure sends the Titans to the far side of the universe to fight a galactic civil war side-by-side with the Omega Men. This sci-fi epic is a tale of war, betrayal, redemption, and at its core a love story. This is the story where the Teen Titans stopped being just kid sidekicks and started to establish themselves as the next generation of heroes. Tales like this from the masters, Marv Wolfman and George Perez, are a huge reason why I am a comic fan to this day. I’m still waiting for the day when DC will give me a collected trade paperback edition of this magnificent yarn to put on my bookshelf.
Whether it’s in sports, at work, or in the realms of comic books, team work is important. From Jason and the Argonauts to the Teen Titans a group of people coming together and working toward the same goal can always accomplish more than an individual can. These are some of my favorite team stories. What are yours?
This is Odinson bidding thee farewell -
The Odinson Assembles an Elite Team of Video Game Heroes
Greetings from the Odinson,
This week I want to try a little something different. Here’s an idea for a comic book series starring nothing but characters from the worlds of video games.
The Video Game League of Justice
Somewhere deep within the virtual reality that is the Gaming Multiverse, the techno-organic super computer known as Mother Brain comes back online. Its mechanical tentacles reach out and connect with the grid and the villainous A.I. almost chuckles as it makes a startling discovery. Through some unknown means, Mother Brain has now become aware of the Video Game Multiverse. And it is at this moment that Mother Brain decides it must rule them all.
But there remains a huge obstacle. Just like her own little corner of virtual reality, all outposts of the Video Game Multiverse are defended by so called heroes. And Mother Brain’s Space Pirates have proven ineffective against this sort of defense, so Mother Brain devises a plan. It calls forth other like-minded rogues to help it conquer the Video Game Multiverse. Mother Brain summons the demon sorcerer Shang Tsung, a shape-changer with powers both physical and mystical and an ambition that could challenge the gods themselves. Next, Mother Brain decides it will need a little muscle, so it calls forth the monstrous Bowser, the fire-breathing King of the Koopa and despot of the Mushroom Kingdom. If its plan to conquer the Video Game Multiverse is going to work, Mother Brain knows that it will need some weapons of mass destruction on its side, powerful allies with no qualms about dealing out maximum damage and orchestrating mass destruction. For this, Mother Brain calls forth Sephiroth, a genetically created madman with delusions of grandeur and super human powers with few rivals, and the mighty Lich King, a fallen hero with a heart as cold as ice and a legion of undead warriors under his command. And finally, to soften up other worlds for conquering, Mother Brain procures a sinister little invention known as the T-Virus.
Mother Brain’s cabal is assembled. The villain’s mechanical tentacles writhe with anticipation as its master plan begins to go into effect. The first order of business by this evil group is to eliminate the only ones that can stop them. One by one the greatest heroes of the Video Game Multiverse fall, as individually they are no match for the combined might of these villains. In the first wave of attacks Mario, Mega Man, Link, Liu Kang, Sonic, Samus Aran, and Ryu are all defeated and captured. Is this the end? Who could possibly challenge an assembly of video game evil like this? Princess Zelda decides to assemble a force for justice that can turn the tide. Across the Video Game Multiverse magical portals open and send forth a call to arms. Who will answer that call?
Ladd Spencer, the Bionic Commando, is a rescue specialist whose skills will come in handy when it comes time to free the captured heroes. The super ninja Joe Musashi brings his considerable martial arts skills and ninja black magic to the table. Simon Belmont has vast experience with dealing with monsters and armies of the undead and his mastery of the whip is second to none. Cloud Strife is a genetically enhanced super soldier whose mighty broadsword can topple the most powerful of foes. This team of heroes is going to need some Intel and a means of infiltrating the bad guys’ lair. That’s where Solid Snake comes in. He’s a master spy, experienced in black ops and counter espionage tactics. This team of heroes is also going to need some muscle, someone with some real power, and that someone is Kratos, a driven man on a quest for redemption and a man who possesses the power to challenge the gods themselves. Rounding out this team of video game heroes will be Jill Valentine, a member of S.T.A.R.S., a special task force for the Raccoon City Police Department, and an expert when it comes to dealing with the T-Virus and the Apocalyptic hell it can unleash. And finally, Lara Croft brings her vast knowledge of history, ancient legends and mystical artifacts as well as near super human agility and twin semi-automatic pistols to the table.
But who will lead this band of heroes into battle? There’s only one man for the job – Jim Raynor. Captain of the battlecruiser Hyperion and leader of the terran resistance Raynor’s Raiders, this grizzled war vet is a master strategist with a quick draw, and a man that won’t let anything stand in his way of doing what he knows is right. This is a man that inspires fierce loyalty in those that follow him into battle and earns the respect of even his most hated enemies.
Our heroes are assembled, but can even this team of brave men and women hope to overcome the diabolical machinations of the arch villains plotting against them?
____________________
Just imagine a story like this as written by Geoff Johns or Brian Michael Bendis with artwork by Joe Madureira or Jim Lee. Now that’s definitely a comic the Odinson would read.
This is Odinson bidding thee farewell
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