Mycomicshop's Comic Blog

Greetings from the Odinson,

Comic books are a big part of our lives.  They are a wonderful source of entertainment.  And there are few things as great as that comic series (usually a particular run) that keeps us coming back week after week to pick up the next issue.  New Teen Titans by Marv Wolfman and George Perez, Incredible Hulk by Bill Mantlo and Sal Buscema, Mighty Thor by Walt Simonson, Uncanny X-Men by Chris Claremont, Fantastic Four by John Byrne, Superman by John Byrne, Amazing Spider-Man by Todd McFarlane – these are the creative runs that kept the Odinson coming back for more and to this day have made comic books a major part of my entertainment budget. 

There was a dark period for me in the ‘90s, a time when the Odinson nearly turned his back on comics forever.  Two words nearly ruined everything for me.  Those two words…CLONE SAGA.  The singular issue that nearly changed the course of my comics history was Spectacular Spider-Man #226.  To this day I can still remember the betrayal and hurt I felt when I learned in these very pages that Peter Parker, the Spider-Man that I had grown up with since the late ‘70s (since around Amazing Spider-Man #148-151), was actually a clone and the real Spider-Man, the original Lee/Ditko Spidey, was in fact Ben Reilly.  I was absolutely floored and quite frankly mad.  Now when this issue hit the stands I was a young adult, but I was still young enough (and had the energy) to really be affected by comic book cliffhangers and shocking moments (i.e. Bane breaks Batman’s back, Doomsday kills Superman). 

It was at this moment and because of this “clone” revelation that a young Odinson swore he would never collect comics again.  And for a few years, the industry made it easy for me, as it adopted flashy big guns-big pecs-super model-super heroes that would come to dominate most of the decade.  The Avengers were running around in leather jackets trying to be the X-Men.  The Man of Steel sported a mullet that would make Billy Ray Cyrus proud.  And Heroes Reborn nearly ruined Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.  So suffice it to say, there was a 2-year period there when the Odinson actually turned his back on comics. 

But, of course, it didn’t last. 

Heroes Return signaled the triumphant return of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and Marvel’s First Family back into the fold of the Marvel Universe and also signaled my own return to the wonderful world of comics.  I will be forever grateful to Avengers by Kurt Busiek and George Perez, Captain America by Mark Waid and Ron Garney, and JLA by Grant Morrison and Howard Porter for restoring my passion for this extraordinary medium.  And thank God for the brick and mortar comic stores like Lone Star Comics that carried the back issues of JLA that I had missed during my hiatus.  Equal parts good storytelling and great artwork, once again comics were fun.  I even learned that Peter Parker was still the real Spider-Man.  I also learned a valuable lesson - not to take works of fiction, and myself, so seriously.

And it seemed that I jumped back on board at just the right time, for as the New Millennium dawned, comic books entered a renaissance.    

Over the course of the first decade of the New Millennium, comic fans would be treated to some of the greatest comics ever produced in history - The Ultimates, JLA/Avengers, House of M, Annihilation, Infinite Crisis, Planet Hulk, The Sinestro Corps War, Civil War, and World War Hulk.  And super heroes weren’t the only comics breaking new ground.  Titles like The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, The Walking Dead, Buffy Season 8, Umbrella Academy, Scott Pilgrim, and other genre-bending titles stormed the racks and helped redefine what a great comic book could be.  Invincible by Robert Kirkman, Ryan Ottley and Bill Crabtree is easily the best teenage super hero comic since Stan Lee and Steve Ditko introduced the world to Spider-Man way back in Amazing Fantasy #15.  Add to this the fact that movies like Batman Begins, 300, Iron Man and the Avengers are getting made is a good sign that the rest of the global community is taking our beloved medium seriously as well.

And as we head into the second decade of this New Millennium, with DC Comics: New 52 grabbing headlines and breaking rules, and Big Events like AVX on the horizon, the train is showing no signs of slowing down. 

Aquaman – Part of DC’s New 52 regime, this series features wonderful characterization by Geoff Johns (something we’ve come to expect form this accomplished writer) and amazing artwork by Ivan Reis (dare I say the best so far in his career).  Aquaman has always been one of those characters that we want to like but over the decades, due to no fault of his own, he has seemingly become a punch line (a candid fact that this series does NOT ignore).  I love how the story is unfolding with the world at large reflecting the feeling of the real world toward this proud hero.  Watching Aquaman deal with the snickers and taunts is part of the gold, especially when he silences the critics with a super heroic feat that drops jaws.  The first storyarc entitled The Deep is 1-part super hero story and 1-part sci-fi/horror.  From the darkest depths of the ocean, horrible flesh-eating creatures rise out of the sea and besiege a small coastal town.  The mystery of these attacks finds Aquaman and his consort, Mera, venturing down into places even the King of the Sea should not go.  The Deep is a good old fashioned 1950s monster movie gold.  Issue #5 kicks off a new storyarc that finds Aquaman stranded in the middle of the desert with no water in sight.  The mystery of how he got into this predicament is part of a bigger mystery involving the lost City of Atlantis.             

Daredevil – I guess Matt Murdock’s life as a broody rooftop vigilante experiencing every single hardship life can throw his way probably started with the classic run by Frank Miller on the title.  Don’t get me wrong, Miller’s is the definitive DD and those that came after him picked up the torch and ran with it.  Kevin Smith killed his girlfriend.  Brian Michael Bendis exposed his secret identity to the world.  Ed Brubaker had him walking a fine line between right and wrong.  And Andy Diggle flat out turned him into a super villain.  Now all five of these writers have had amazing character-defining runs on the Man without Fear but all these dark storylines seemed to forget one thing – Daredevil is a fun guy.  I wouldn’t change anything that has transpired in Murdock’s life over the last few decades but the poor guy deserves a break from the drama.  Enter Mark Waid.  Waid has brought the swashbuckling adventure back to the pages of Daredevil.  Matt seems happier than he’s been since Stan Lee, John Romita and Gene Colan were helming his adventures (see Essential Daredevil).  Daredevil is actually one of those titles that I really look forward to every month, and not one issue since its re-launch has disappointed.  One tale in particular I want to point out is the 2-part team-up with Spider-Man (see Amazing Spider-Man #677 and Daredevil #8).  Through all the years of my comic reading experience I have always enjoyed it when these two characters interacted.  They are the Odd Couple of rooftop vigilantes.  And anytime they are together the writers seem to really have a good time of it.  This tale is no exception.  Spidey seeks the Man without Fear’s help to clear Black Cat’s name.  She’s been framed, and the reasons behind it and the twists and turns of this caper set up even more fun for the future.     

Justice League – Yes, yes, I know that saying this title is a must read is stating the obvious.  But, hands down, Justice League is the cream of the crop when it comes to the current roster of titles out of DC.  Some creative team-ups go together like peanut butter and jelly, French toast and syrup.  Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, Chris Claremont and John Byrne, Marv Wolfman and George Perez, and now Geoff Johns and Jim Lee can be added to the list of no-brainer team-ups of instant greatness.  Comics like Justice League are why we read comics in the first place.  When DC Comics first announced they were doing The New 52 re-launch, Justice League is what the Odinson had in mind.  It’s what the entire affair should have been.  Sadly, only Justice League and a few other titles feel like a true NEW beginning.  The rest of the titles seem to be just business as usual.  I love the feel of this book.  Seeing a neophyte group of heroes coming together to take on a threat so big they will have to learn how to become the World’s Greatest Super Heroes in order to save the day, and we get to witness it happen.  That’s exciting.  Especially since we already know the heights to which these heroes will go.  Justice League gives us a chance to see how they get there.       

If these titles aren’t already on your pull list then they need to be added ASAP.  Fantastic work like this needs to be supported. 

There was a tough stretch there in the mid-90s, when the Odinson nearly turned his back on comic books.  But thanks to the resurgence of the equality of story and art and the renaissance of the last decade, comic books are better than ever.  If you haven’t checked out these titles or maybe you, too, haven’t been reading comics lately for this reason or that, or maybe you have a friend who hasn’t been a part of the scene for some time and they need a way back in, check out the current issues of Aquaman, Daredevil, and Justice League.  You will not be disappointed. 

This is Odinson bidding thee farewell     

Greetings from the Odinson,

Poor Rom only gets one week out of the year to shine and unfortunately, this year, his moment was overshadowed by far more important news.  So, just to show the Big Guy we still care, the Odinson is making ROM this week’s Preferred Customer Password.  Also this week, the Odinson took the time to revisit a couple of graphic novels - one that came out fairly recently and another from a while ago, but topical, nonetheless, due to upcoming events.   

First,

New Teen Titans: Games – Odinson Rating: 4 Hammers - This was a story twenty years in the making and it was executed by the legendary creative team that made these teenage heroes a force to be reckoned with in the first place.  New Teen Titans by Marv Wolfman and George Perez is a huge reason why I read comic books to this day.  So, obviously, I was excited when I heard this baby was going to hit stands.  Games was well worth the wait.  This original graphic novel helped me remember why I fell in love with these characters in the first place all those years ago. 

This GN is unique, as half of it was drawn way back in 1988 and the rest was finished only recently.  Though the plot had been originally worked out by the creative team all those years ago, the script had yet to be written.  There is a whole section in the book discussing the genesis of this project, and the changes that went into the story from its inception in 1988 to its release in 2011.  That in itself is an interesting read.  George Perez is a master storyteller and his considerable talents are on display here.  And what can I say about Marv Wolfman?  The man just knows how to write characters and make the reader actually care about what happens to them. 

In Games, a criminal mastermind known simply as The Gamesmaster uses henchmen and the Titans themselves as game pieces and New York City as the game board for his insane “game.”   During the story, someone very close to the Titans is murdered, one member is pushed to the brink of murder himself, one member is crippled, a DCU monument is destroyed, and the world and mythology of the Teen Titans is forever changed.  My only complaint about this tale, and it’s a small one, is that I guessed the identity of the mysterious arch villain halfway through the story.  I just chalk that up to many years of comics reading experience.   

Everyone in the cast gets a chance to shine.  Raven is confronted with her demonic past and what she might have become if not for the love and support of her friends.  Nightwing proves that all those years under the wing of the Caped Crusader were not in vain as his investigative and leadership skills are on full display.  And Marv Wolfman truly shows why Starfire was a breakout star of the original series.  I love this version of the character and miss the days when Koriand’r and Dick Grayson were an item.  I wish the current rendition of Starfire in the pages of Red Hood and the Outlaws could be a little less tawdry, and a little more like the original.  But, c'est la vie.   

Longtime fans will love it, as it fits seamlessly in with the narrative of the Titans mythos.  New fans can also enjoy it because…well, because they have eyes.  This is truly a modern masterpiece, and I hope Wolfman and Perez are not done and have another Titans story for us at some point in the near future.  I don’t think I could wait another twenty years.       

Next,

The Ultimates – Odinson Rating: 5 Hammers - The Odinson is not a fan of the Ultimate Universe.  For the most part, I just see it as a playground for modern creators to put classic character into ridiculous situations and/or kill them off in outlandish ways they never could in the Marvel Universe.  However, that being said, Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch really caught lightning in a bottle in their little corner of the Ultimate U.  They truly capture the essence of these legendary characters - the man out of time, the billionaire/playboy/philanthropist with flaws, the meek man of science that becomes an unstoppable force of rage when provoked, and the power and awe of a thunder god walking amongst mere mortals.  It’s been said many times before…there is no way these people should be in the same room with one another.  But when they come together they are Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and they assemble to take on the threats no single hero can defeat alone. 

Everything that makes the Avengers great is on display here.  I could spend hours talking about this character or that scene so I’ll just focus on the main reason why I really dig this book – Captain America.  Ultimate Steve Rogers (as is the case with most “Ultimate” versions) is more violent than the real Captain America.  But what I really dig is that when they say he’s a super soldier, they mean it.  If there is one thing that gets under my skin, it’s when some people (it could be other characters in the comics, some of the creators that make the comics, or even other fanboys) refer to Captain America as a regular guy.  Nothing could be farther from the truth.  He’s not just a soldier…he’s a SUPER soldier.  There is nothing regular about a guy that can break chains, jump out of ten-story windows, and take a punch from the Hulk.  Cap can run faster, jump higher, see farther, and bench press more than any regular Joe on Earth, and no version illustrates that better than Ultimate Captain America.  Like I’ve said before, when I read super hero comics or watch a super hero movie, I want to see my super heroes doing super hero things – extraordinary feats beyond the capabilities of ordinary men and women.  The Ultimates got it right.  The Captain America movie got it right. And, most of the time the creators get it right with the Marvel U Cap.  But every now and then there’s that writer that treats him like he’s just a dude in blue chainmail that orders the other guys around. 

But I digress.

The Ultimates is a modern take on a classic book and is the number one reason why the world will be treated to a live action Avengers movie this May.  Ironically enough, Ultimates HC Vol. 1 features an introduction by none other than Joss Whedon himself, creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and director of the aforementioned Avengers movie.  In this introduction, he mirrors a lot of my own feelings about Millar and Hitch’s take on Earth’s Mightiest Heroes (and he articulates it far better than I ever could).  The Ultimates has been adapted into a really cool animated DVD movie (Ultimate Avengers: The Movie) that paved the way for the extremely awesome The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes animated series.  

The Ultimates is the book of the decade and is well worth another read and New Teen Titans: Games, in a modern landscape of many new great original graphic novels, is a standout piece of art and well worth your hard earned shekels. 

This is Odinson bidding thee farewell     

Greetings from the Odinson,

You guessed it, boys and girls, it’s time once again for the Odinson’s annual shout-out to a sorely underused character with all the potential to be a great comic.  Once a year I try to talk up one of my all time favorite heroes from the past in hopes that Marvel will dust him off and bring him back to the fold.  I am, of course, speaking of Rom the Spaceknight, whose series ran 75 issues and 4 annuals from 1979-1987. 

Rom (1979-1986) #1-75 and Rom Annual (1982-1985) #1-4 depict an epic tale of love, loss, redemption, and, of course, scary alien monsters.  Deep in space two centuries ago a decisive battle between the forces of good and evil was fought.  The brave Spaceknights of Galador defeated the evil sorcery and super-science of the Dire Wraiths, and scattered them to the furthest reaches of the galaxy.  Now, in present day their eternal struggle has spilled over to Earth.  Rom, greatest of the Spaceknights, has landed in a small West Virginia town.  Frightened by the arrival of a seven-foot alien, the people of Clairton have called in the National Guard.  Rom is then forced to defend himself against those he has come to save.

Now that’s the kind of set-up that sets the stage for a truly classic story.

Rom was a very important character to the early eighties Marvel Universe.  For example, in Rom #32 Rogue – who at this time was still with the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants - attempts to absorb Rom’s abilities.  Rom’s innate nobility awakens her own goodness, thus helping her on her path to seek out the X-Men (as seen in Uncanny X-Men #171).  The rest is history.  Also, Richard Rider’s story did not actually end with the cancellation of his first series (Nova).  It concluded in Fantastic Four (1961-1996 1st Series) #208 and Rom #24.  After Rom helps Nova defend the planet Xandar from a Skrull invasion (those devious little alien villains who made a big noise in Secret Invasion), Richard Rider decides to give up his Nova powers and return to Earth.  These issues bridge the gap between Nova (1976-1979 1st Series) #25 and New Warriors (1990-1996 1st Series) #1, where Nova made his triumphant return.  In Incredible Hulk #296, when the citizens of a small town are mutated and begin to die from Gamma radiation poisoning, it’s Rom that swoops in and saves the day.  The drama of this tale is part of what sets the Hulk on his spiraling path to his remarkable meltdown in the now classic Incredible Hulk #300.  

Rom is a powerful force for good.  The heart of a true hero resides in his nigh indestructible cyborg- shell.  Marvel keeps teasing us with cameos by the Spaceknights in the space epics Annihilation and Annihilation: Conquest, but where is Rom?  Rom has stood toe-to-toe with the likes of Jack of Hearts, Terrax the Tamer, Gladiator, the Savage Sub-Mariner, and he has survived encounters with the mighty Hulk and Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds.  He is definitely a force to be reckoned with.  The greatest of the Spaceknights has fought side-by-side with some of Earth’s mightiest heroes – the X-Men and New Mutants, Torpedo, Power Man and Iron Fist, the Thing,  Shang Chi, Doctor Strange, the Soviet Super Soldiers (now known as Winter Guard), and Alpha Flight.  And talk about epic events…there is nothing more epic than the final battle between Rom and his sworn enemies, the Dire Wraiths, with the fate of mankind hanging in the balance.  Rom is defeated and victory is within the grasp of the evil Dire Wraiths.  However, one last thing stands in their way and total victory…all those pesky super-heroes Rom spent the first 64 issues of his series recruiting to his cause.  Rom is joined by the Avengers, West Coast Avengers, X-Men, Defenders, Soviet Super-Soldiers and all of the heroes of the world in one last ultimate battle to rid the Earth of Wraithkind forever.  To put it simply, it’s awesome, and it all takes place in Avengers (1963-1996 1st Series) #244-245, Uncanny X-Men #187-188, Rom Annual #3, and Rom #61-66. 

I know Rom received a satisfying and well earned ending at the conclusion to his series, but with these cosmic events that keep creeping into the Marvel U (Annihilation, War of Kings, The Thanos Imperative), surely the Greatest Spaceknight can be enticed to come out of retirement to instill justice in a chaotic universe.  

Rom’s original series features superb writing by Bill Mantlo and some of the best artwork from Sal Buscema’s illustrious career, plus some fantastic covers from Mike Zeck and Frank Miller, and pencils by the legendary Steve Ditko.  I can’t recommend this comic enough.  If you love Sci-Fi, stories of passion and bravery, cool guest appearances, and, of course, scary alien creatures, then Rom is for you.

At the very least this guy has earned the right to get either the Essential or Marvel Masterworks treatment.  I know Marvel no longer possesses the rights to the character but now with the power of Disney backing them up surely they can muster the funds to pave the way for Rom’s return to the House of Ideas. 

In the aftermath of the war with the Cancer-Verse, a cadre of the Marvel Universe’s most powerful galactic heroes unites to form the Annihilators (see Thanos Imperative: Devastation).  The team is comprised of Gladiator, from the Shi’ar Empire, Ronan, from the Kree Empire, Quasar, the protector of the universe, Beta-Ray Bill, Thor’s brother in arms, and the Silver Surfer, Sentinel of the Spaceways.  Now that line up by itself should be enough to get the reader to pick up Annihilators, but it was the wonderful surprise on the final page of Devastation that gave the Odinson goose-bumps.  It seems that these galactic heroes will have their hands full, for in the wake of all the cosmic upheaval over the last few years (i.e. Annihilation, Conquest, War of Kings, and the Thanos Imperative) an old evil will rise once again to threaten the Marvel Universe.  The Dire Wraiths have returned!  And who better to combat this threat than the mighty Spaceknights of Galador.  I, for one, can only hope that this means the triumphant return of Rom, greatest of the Spaceknights.  The Spaceknights are back in the form of a cocky hero named Ikon.  She’s a noble and capable warrior to be sure, but she lacks the compassion and likeability of Rom.  Not only are the Dire Wraiths making trouble for our cosmic heroes but they are also popping up in other places, like the pages of FF.  If these sinister shape-shifting aliens do make another play for universal domination, then the Marvel U is definitely going to need its greatest Spaceknight on the frontlines.

Well, Marvel just keeps teasing us with appearances by supporting cast members like Brandy Clark and returning villains from Rom’s past - villains like Doctor Dredd in the pages of Annihilators and Hybrid in the pages of Avengers Academy.  Rom’s last appearance in comics was at Rick Jone’s wedding in Incredible Hulk #418.  According to the events of Spaceknights (2000), Rom had taken the name Artour (remember his encounter with the ghosts of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table in Rom #37). He is missing and presumed dead.  As we all know, good heroes die hard.  For instance, Rom made a cameo appearance in the instant classic 3-part South Park epic Imaginationland.  What a triumphant moment that was for the Odinson to see one of his all time favorite heroes be recognized like that.  Rom also made a not-so-triumphant appearance in an episode of Robot Chicken.  Several times in recent months, Rom has been referred to and mentioned in all but name.  STOP TEASING US, MARVEL!  Please, work out the rights with Parker Brothers or whoever holds the rights to this awesome hero and return him back to the fold.      

My point is that I’m obviously not the only Rom fan in the world.  There are websites dedicated to Rom.  This is an important character in Comics History.  This is a fantastic creation and dearly needs to come back.  This is my 7th Annual proclamation for Rom’s return and I’m prepared to do it every year until the end of time until the powers that be heed my call.

Marvel, hear my plea.  Bring Rom back!

This is Odinson bidding thee farewell     

Greetings from the Odinson,

It’s that time of year when the most beautiful women in America gather in Las Vegas to participate in the Miss America beauty pageant.  The worlds of science fiction, fantasy, and comics are filled with attractive, talented, smart women, and the Odinson loves them all.  But who is the most beautiful woman in comics?  Instantly, visions of Princess Leia in her gold bikini being held captive in Jabba the Hutt’s palace come to mind.  Dark beauties like Vampirella and Lady Death are unquestionably beautiful, but a little too dangerous for my taste.  The villainess Poison Ivy is sultry and as enticing as a siren of myth and legend.  But one kiss from this femme fatale could be the last.

Rogue is hot, but untouchable.  Wonder Woman is beautiful, but unattainable.  Betty and Veronica are cute, but this is a contest for women.  So, who is the most beautiful woman in comics?  Krause Publications tries to answer this question with their beautifully illustrated book 100 Sexiest Women in Comics.  This is a fantastic look at just about all the beautiful women from across the multiverse.  And though I may not agree with the order some of these beauties fall into, I can say, with all confidence, that this is a must read. 

Well, in honor of the Miss America contest, the Odinson has decided to list the women whom he thinks are the most beautiful women in comics.  Here’s a list of the gorgeous gals that just missed placing in this contest: Black Widow, Storm, Lara Croft, Princess Leia, and Xena.  These five women, and others I’ve already mentioned, are extremely attractive, capable women, but my Top 5 are the cream of the crop.   

So without further ado, here are the Odinson’s Most Beautiful Women in Comics. 

5th Place goes to: Deja Thoris – Right off the bat, this runner up will have the fanboys fanning themselves as their faces flush.  What confidence this Martian princess has in order to be able to prance around as scantily clad as she seemingly is all the time.  Dynamite’s re-launch of the Warlord of Mars series has been a good one, and Deja Thoris is, without a doubt, a major factor for the buzz and success of this series.  Sure, there are other alien beauties, but few can capture your attention and hold it like this Princess of Mars.  All I have to say is, it must be really hot on Mars.  Her Talent: She’s a natural born leader with a natural born talent for looking breath-taking on the red sands of Mars.

4th Place goes to: Buffy Summers – Now I have to admit that I’m a little biased with this pick because I have always had a huge crush in Sarah Michelle Gellar.  But, c'est la vie!  What can I say, the girl is hot.  Buffy is not only attractive, but she’s smart, strong, loyal, and passionate.  And when she falls in love, it’s forever.  To this day, even though it’s been years since they were an item, Buffy can’t lay eyes on her ex-beau without getting flushed and affectionately saying his name – “Angel.”  But make no mistake, Buffy is a heartbreaker.  Just ask Xander, Riley Finn, and Spike.  More so than any other name on this list, Buffy Summers knows fashion and is no stranger to a mall shopping spree.  This is definitely one super heroine that is going to beat the bad guy, and look good while doing it.  Her Talent: Vampire slaying.

3rd Place goes to: Catwoman – One word: catsuit.  From the skin-tight outfit to the leather whip to the devil-may-care attitude, this is one pick that hardly has to be explained.  Since her debut in Batman #1, this sultry vixen has walked a tightrope between villainess and heroine.  She was a scene-stealer in the 1960s campy Batman TV Show (as portrayed by the lovely Julie Newmar).  She was a scene-stealer in the Batman Animated Series (as voiced by the legendary Adrienne Barbeau). And she was definitely a scene-stealer in Batman Returns (as portrayed by the eternally sexy Michelle Pfeiffer).  Not only will this kitten steal the crown jewels, but she’ll steal your heart as well.  Her Talent:  She’s a master thief with the uncanny ability to take even Batman’s breath away.

2nd Place goes to: Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew) – Yes, I know one of her super powers is that she can excrete a pheromone that makes men fall for her.  Well, guess what, it’s working. When I was a young tike, there was a Spider-Woman cartoon and even as a child I found her to be beautiful.  Fast forward many years later and Jessica Jones makes a triumphant return in the pages of New Avengers and as rendered by uber artist David Finch has become, without a doubt, one of the sexiest women I’ve ever seen in a comic book.  How this young lady has remained single is beyond me, but it looks like a romantic relationship between her and Hawkeye is about to take off.  So, not only is Clint Barton the World’s Mightiest Marksman, but he’s also the luckiest one too.  Some guys just get all the breaks.  Her Talent:  This sexy heroine can glide through the air, climb up walls, and zap any evil doer that decides to get a little too handsy. 

1st Place goes to: Invisible Woman – Susan Storm Richards is the most beautiful woman in comics.  Period.  As a founding member of the professional super adventurers the Fantastic Four, Sue has come a long way from her early days of being little more than a damsel in distress.  She’s one of the most versatile and powerful super heroes in the Marvel Universe and she is a loving wife and mother.  This matriarch of the Future Foundation has the patience to deal with her obnoxious younger brother (the Human Torch), the compassion to sympathize with her disfigured friend (the Thing), the understanding to support her scatter-brained scientist husband (Mister Fantastic), and still find time to be a doting mother to her children (Valeria and Franklin).  Powerful men like Doctor Doom and especially Prince Namor of Atlantis are attracted and drawn to her.  But Sue only has eyes for her man, Reed.  Sue Richards is beautiful, smart, brave, loyal and independent.  She is the perfect woman.  Too bad she’s fictional.  Her Talent: Not only can this beautiful and capable woman stare unflinching into the face of Galactus but she can bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan, and never ever let Reed Richards forget he’s a man. 

Obviously, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  For the Odinson, these five women are the most beautiful women in comics.  Did your favorite make my list?  The Odinson celebrates all women and holds a special place in his heart for all of them, especially those brave, beautiful women that protect us from the forces of evil.

This is Odinson bidding thee farewell