Back In the Bronze Age: Vance Astro

Showing posts with label Vance Astro. Show all posts

Monday, November 28, 2016

The Quarter Bin: The $1 Challenge of Changing Ways!

Martinex1: It is time for another round of the $1 Challenge.   This time we are taking a look at characters' fighting togs, but not their usual and most iconic examples.   These covers look at the various costume changes for our beloved heroes.   A few of these costumes lasted for a reasonable period, others just for a few issues; some of the looks were tied to power changes and others were simply a dive into the laundry hamper. I may not share the exact issue in which the change occurred, but simply a cover where the change was clearly visible.

Here are my initial thoughts about some of examples below: I liked that Ant-Man look and I'd like to see Hank swing a rusty nail more frequently. Did Binary have any real adventures in that guise?   Is Dazzler still dazzling without the dazzle (say what you want - but I think she needs some glitter)? I refuse to believe Vance Astro had a mullet beneath his space suit. It may be from the year 2000, but I don't mind Hellcat in blue. On the other hand, back in 1993, I am not sure what that were thinking about Sue Storm. I'm a fan of Strange with a mask. And Clint Barton sure picked some extreme clothes over the years.

Pick four that you like and comment on the style and substance of the change. Did you like the design or did you lament the revamp?   Choose your favorites and share some thoughts.   I know I missed some key examples, so feel free to expose those as well.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Rank and File: Marvel Leaders

Martinex1: Hello everyone! Thanks for joining us this Tuesday for another round of "Rank and File."   This time instead of looking at movies, we are going to focus on leaders from the Marvel universe.   Through their decades of publishing, Marvel has created and established a myriad of characters who have leadership skills.   Good or bad, hero or villain, there are dozens of candidates to consider. There are tactical leaders and monarchs and newspaper publishers and criminal emperors. So list your own personal top five bosses and also share one example of a leader that you don't like.

Here are my top five Marvel leaders:

1) Captain America. This one goes without explanation, doesn't it?   Everybody turns to Cap when they need guidance.   He is strategic and tactical. He is calm under pressure and always on the right side.   His only weakness seems to be his ability to maintain a long term personal relationship (just ask Bernie or Diamondback).
2) Hawkeye. I enjoyed his stints with the West Coast Avengers, Great Lakes Avengers, and Thunderbolts.   I find his flaws incredibly engaging (from a reader's standpoint).    He is always trying to be better while bordering on arrogant incompetence. Somehow sheer will and good intentions make the difference.
3) Baron Zemo. Not that I would want to follow him - but he is particularly driven, always has a complex and competent plan, and the will to get it done. Whether battling the Avengers or leading the Thunderbolts, he is extremely watchable and is one villain that I strangely root for.
4) Nick Fury: Whether with the Howling Commandos or with S.H.I.E.L.D, nobody commands respect like Fury. Cantankerous and gruff - he is tough in all the right ways. I was always surprised he never outright led an A-List superhero team back in the Bronze Age.   As far as sheer crabbiness as a style, I almost put J. Jonah Jameson in this spot, but I have to give it to Nick.
5) The Wasp. She was not the strongest nor the most capable.   But I respected how Roger Stern scripted her during the classic "Siege on Avengers Mansion" storyline. She understood her own weaknesses but worked hard to surround herself with talents she didn't have and pushed forward through overwhelming odds.

Sure my picks tend to be Avengers' centric, but there are so many good choices and a favorite of mine, Namor Prince of Atlantis just narrowly missed the cut.

As far as my least favorite - he may not be the "worst" but I just don't grok why the Fantastic Four follow Reed Richards. He may have a brilliant mind, but he seems to lead the team into a lot of trouble. He is so obsessively distracted that he is a poor communicator. Thumbs down from me.

Though there are more options than I can depict, take a gander at some leaders below and using whatever criteria you deem adequate make your selections and share your thoughts.

Until Irving Forbush leads the FF, make mine BIBTA....