Chew the Fat: Evolution of Characters!

Martinex1: Recently, I have been pondering the way some comic characters evolve and the way others seem fully formed from the first time they appear.  Take a look at some of these pictures and I think you will see what I mean.   The art or style may fit the times, but in some cases the characters are virtually untouched while others have significant modifications to design, motives, physical traits and even personality.

BLACK WIDOW: 

SUPERMAN:

WASP:

GREEN LANTERN:

IRON MAN:

AUNT MAY:

CAPTAIN AMERICA:

What makes some characters work right from the start?   Are icons born fully fledged?  Do the different companies respect the genesis of their characters more than others?  Are female characters treated differently than their male counterparts, or have they evolved to reflect the decades of change in our own culture? What about age - does that come into play?   Do some characters need a boost in complexity?   What would cause a total revamp of costume and design?  Who do you think has stayed most true to their original core character over the decades?  And what character do you think evolved the most? 

Don't limit the conversation to the heroes depicted.   Who do you think is worth discussing in this context... the Flash, Cyclops, Reed Richards, Batman, Alfred, or Plastic Man?   Why do some characters work no matter what the era?  Why do others need to change?  What characters dropped from the popular heights because adjustments were not made? 

So much to consider and discuss today at BitBA, so consider the options and open the conversation!  Cheers!

Rank and File: The Better Six!

Martinex1:   Here we are for another round of ranking the Avengers and Justice League of America superstars!   This time around we are taking a look at the female characters.

Scarlet Witch, the Wasp, Zatanna, Black Canary, Hawkgirl, and Ms. Marvel are all to be compared today in terms of their contribution to their respective teams as well as  who generates the most interest for you. 

I have to say that Marvel is the clear leader for me in this category.   I admittedly am not as versed in DC lore; I struggled to name many JLA featured characters although I suspect Power Girl and Vixen could have been added to the list.   While for Marvel, I strongly considered adding Tigra, Black Widow, She-Hulk, and Captain Marvel (Photon) to the list as I felt they were all significant contributors, but discounted their impact due to length of service or contributions to other teams (She-Hulk on the FF and Black Widow and the Champions),

But you can add others to this Rank and File as you see fit.

My personal rankings are:

1. Wasp:  The early days were rough, but I really grew to appreciate Janet Van Dyne during Roger Stern's run as I think he created a wonderful evolution for the character.
2. Scarlet Witch: Although she has had serious retcons and re-imaginings over the years.  I still think of Wanda as a core and interesting member of the team.  I find I prefer eras with her in the cast  more so than those times she is absent.  
3. Hawkgirl: The "Hawk" characters are so convoluted with their various reincarnations and shifting alter egos and origins.  But I still like them.   Out of all of the winged characters, however, I really like the costume and warrior-like intentions of Kendra.
4. Ms. Marvel:  I have mixed feelings about Carol Danvers.  She is a different and bold creation and I enjoy that they made her such a powerhouse,  but I have never found her characteristics to be totally rounded and complete.  I have not read her adventures for a while, but back in the Bronze Age I would have liked to see more depth to her motivation.  And unfortunately Avengers #200 was a complete travesty that had impacted her future.
5. Black Canary:  Despite coming first, I always felt that Dinah was a strange copy of Black Widow but with an added power with her vocal ability.   I am probably completely wrong as I know so little about her history in the JLA, with the Bird of Prey, or when teaming with Green Arrow.   I essentially defer to others' input.
6. Zatanna:  Again, I am at a loss.  Are there major arcs involving Zatanna?   This may say a lot about my DC knowledge, but perhaps it also is a commentary about DC characters in general.   Should other characters be on this list?

I also want to point out that in regards to the Avengers, the Wasp and Scarlet Witch are top tier.  I would bump a couple from my "male" top six to make room for them on the team.   In my eyes, they are more important to the team than Thor, Iron Man, Wonder Man, Black Panther and many others.

What do you think about these heroines?  How do you rank them?  And how do you list them when side-by-side with their male counterparts?
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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....






Nick Fury with the Howling Commandos and S.H.I.E.L.D.?

Black Bolt of the Inhumans?

 

 



Zemo with the Masters of Evil and Thunderbolts?

How about the Wasp?  She had a memorable chairmanship on the Avengers.

 

Night Thrasher of the New Warriors?



Professor X?

 

Black Panther, King or Wakanda?

 

Cyclops and the X-Men?



Namor, King of Atlantis?



Guardian from Alpha Flight?

Iron Man of the Avengers?

Captain America of Avengers and Invaders fame?



Dr. Doom - Ruler of Latveria?

Dr. Strange and the Defenders?







Odin, Ruler of Asgard?



Black Widow of the Champions?



Vance Astro of the GOTG?