Category: Books

Raising Hellcat!

It’s time for Hellcat to prowl again!

The Defenders are back in action and on front line of the Marvel Universe. A new series debuted this week by Matt Fraction and Terry Dodson. Doctor Strange recruited Red She Hulk, Namor, Iron Fist and Silver Surfer for this latest incarnation of the ‘non-team’ team to face the supernatural threats unleashed by the events of Fear Itself storyline.

Ed Brubaker brought ex-Defender Valkyrie back for his Secret Avengers run. The Norse warrior woman is now starring in The Fearless racing against Sin and her own teammates to recover the mystical hammers summoned to Earth by The Serpent during Fear Itself. 

  This Defenders comeback is making me long for the return of their sexy former teammate, Hellcat.

  Patsy Walker was a child actress/model and star of a comic book within a comic book. She dreamed of being a real superhero. A chance meeting with Beast led to her becoming a costumed hero. Patsy joined the Avengers, the Defenders, went to Hell and married a devilish husband, Son of Satan. Pasty was last seen as part of the limited series Marvel Divas.

  I always love her adventures with Valkyrie. The sexy cat and steely warrior woman were a great female duo during their Defenders run and I’m hoping Hellcat gets to use one of her nine lives in a new series or make an appearance in the new Defenders or The Fearless series. Now that the Defenders are back “in” it’s time to raise a little Hellcat!

  Check out her Marvel.com bio for more on the history of Patsy Walker.

By Editor

In Defense of The Defenders

Defenders #1 courtesy Marvel.com

  If at first you don’t succeed, relaunch with a hot creative team after a huge crossover event. Matt Fraction and Terry Dodson made mutant magic on Uncanny X-Men. Fraction’s Fear Itself epic unleashed supernatural forces on earth courtesy of The Serpent.

  Now Doctor Strange recruits a new team to face threats unleashed by the Asgardian God of Fear . Namor the Submariner, Red She Hulk, Iron Fist and Silver Surfer join the Doctor’s mission against mystical monsters threatening the planet.

  When you’ve got teams of Avengers and the X-Men plus the Fantastic Four, why does the world need The Defenders? I’ve always been puzzled why the “non-team” keeps getting reboots. 

  Fraction joins a fraternity of writers including Roy Thomas, David Anthony Kraft, Steve Gerber, Kurt Busiek, Keith Giffen and Joe Casey that have crafted the adventures of a team of outsider/lone wolf types.

  Doctor Strange, Hulk and Namor are the most iconic members that have appeared in most versions of the series. My favorites have always been Valkyrie and Hellcat. The steely noble warrior woman and the sexy crimefighter were odd couple that worked great together.

Defenders #63 courtesy Marvel.com

  My earliest memory of The Defenders is their most outrageous storylines. You could say Kraft’s Defender for a Day was ahead of its time. Long before reality shows took over television, this story showed how slick producers and wannabes could exploit and tarnish the most heroic ideas.

  In Defenders #62-#65 a promoter exposes the team to the world and announces a membership drive and videotapes the whole thing for a documentary. Some of the lamest back burner characters and villains invaded the Defenders home hoping to join the team. It was great fun with hilarious moments especially from the Hulk. The story is infamous now but as a little kid I loved seeing so many costumed characters all packed into one issue. And if Captain Ultra has a shot maybe I could be a Defender?

Does the world really need another variation of the Defenders? Maybe not. But with this creative team and membership it’s definitely worth finding out.

By Editor

Phoenix Versus Scarlet Witch!

New X-Men #154 courtesy Marvel
New X-Men #154 courtesy Marvel

I almost posted this last night but couldn’t wrap my head around it but after today’s Avengers Versus X-Men announcement – my brain is spinning!

Jean Grey/Dark Phoenix versus Scarlet Witch (during the Avengers Disassembled period.)

Who would win?

Both formidable females are beautiful, all powerful, consumed by their power and out of control because of their emotion.

Two beloved women on two of the most important teams in comic history. What would happen if these two women at their most powerful…went to war? Continue reading Phoenix Versus Scarlet Witch!

Doctor Who’s Long Lost Story

It’s the biggest mystery of the Doctor Who universe! Now fans will finally experience the long lost storyline..kinda.

Shada is a 6 part story from the 1979-80 season that was never broadcast. It was written by Douglas Adams, author of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. The whole lost story can finally be experienced…as a book.

Shada was released as a radio play. In 1992 footage was released on video with recorded narration from star Tom Baker. This will be first time the full story will be available.

 Shada is a prison planet created by the Time Lords to cage would-be conquerors of the universe. One of the galactic bad guys finds a way to unlock the secrets of Shada on Earth in the form of a retired Time Lord. As with most of the serials, The Doctor just happens to be visiting and  eventually saves the day…or universe.

The above photo is the book cover tweeted by BBC books. The other is Tom Baker in his curly haired, scarf attired Whoness on the cover of the VHS movie.

The new book will be written by Gareth Roberts who wrote recent episodes of the BBC show. Thanks to MTV Geek for the story and to BBC for confirming what I remember about the story of Shada’s long strange trip.

If news of this long lost classic from the Tom Baker era makes you nostalgic, IDW publishes Doctor Who comic books from various eras.

X Marks Northstar

 

Northstar to the rescue. Courtesy Marvel.com

Northstar belongs in the X-Men now. Seeing Jean Paul reunited with this sister and the rest of Alpha Flight was enjoyable. Now that the title is cancelled, it’s time for Jean Paul to rejoin the X-Men but which team?

While Alpha Flight was on duty, the X-Men were choosing sides between Cyclops and Wolverine.  Both mutant leaders would benefit from having a mutant with multiple powers on one of their squads. Northstar has superhuman speed, durability, can fly and manipulate light. Jean Paul was the first openly gay superhero character. The X-Men have always been a metaphor for minorities, anti-discrimination and acceptance of others who may be different. Northstar is a hero and a positive role model as a confident gay man.

Cyclops could have many different roles for Northstar on his Utopia based team. Given Jean Paul’s speedster powers, he would be perfect for tactical and recon on the Extinction Team or Security Team. When the X-Men first relocated to San Francisco, Northstar proved himself during battles like Secret Invasion and the rescue of Illyana from Limbo.

Logan should welcome Jean Paul to his senior staff at Westchester. Northstar was recruited by Professor X to teach business, economics, French and flying.  Jean Paul’s experience as an Olympic skier and entrepreneur make him a perfect academic instructor. He could be a flying and physical education instructor too. Jean Paul could continue to be a mentor to the younger mutants, especially young gay teens like Anole and Graymalkin.

It would be stereotypical to assume a gay hero would automatically want to be based in a gay mecca like San Francisco. I would love to see Jean Paul and Emma have a night away from Utopia delivering icy barbs and enjoying the finer things in life. The White Queen and the icy Prince out on the town would be fun, clever and expected. I will give Marvel credit. Jean Paul could have been portrayed in various gay clichés over the years.

I hope Marvel will move Northstar to Logan’s team. Jean Paul would be a great fit as a mentor and role model for all the students at the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning and for all the scared young kids out there in the real world to see that it gets better – even in comic books.

By Editor

Phoenix Rising?

X-Men Origins: Jean Grey courtesy Marvel
X-Men Origins: Jean Grey courtesy Marvel

I love you Jean Grey. I hope you stay dead. Two X-Men books arrived this week with perhaps two different signs. Uncanny X-Men #1 featured an image of the Phoenix and Hope in a preview double spread titled Things to Come. Since before Hope’s birth, the clues have been dropping of a possible return. This week’s image was the latest in the line of hints that the Phoenix Force could be rising again.

In Wolverine and the X-Men #1 Logan rebuilds the Westchester school in Jean’s honor. The Jean Grey School for Higher Learning is the new academy for young mutants. This is a fitting tribute to one of Xavier’s most gifted and most tragic students. I hope it’s a sign that Jean will continue to rest in peace.

Jean has been killed and resurrected too many times. Scott and Logan have both moved on. A reunion with the Phoenix Force can only end in destruction again. During Here Comes Tomorrow Jean demonstrated her ability to put Scott, Logan and all humanity first. Jean is the greatest heroine not only because of her tremendous power but of her heart.

By Editor

 

Kitty’s Nightmare Before Christmas!

 

Uncanny X-Men 143 cover from Marvel.com. An uninvited guest at Xavier’s!

Uncanny X-Men #143 is a classic confrontation that’s perfect for Halloween. This issue titled “Demon” is one of the most my favorite comic book chillers.  It’s a true nightmare before Christmas as a rookie X-man is alone in the mansion being stalked by a N’Garai, a nasty hybrid of Alien and Michael Myers.

The youngest X-Man terrorized by a relentless demon then learns the painful way that her mutant phasing power will not save her from the otherworldly predator. Just like the cinema horror heroines, Kitty uses the adrenaline and thinks on her feet to find way to kill the monster. I’m not giving anything anyway obviously because we know Kitty is alive and well – until the next villain goes after her.

You should give this one issue thrill ride a go to see how Kitty survives.  If you can’t find this single issue, this story is collected in Essential X-Men Volume 2, which includes another creepy one issue story with Cyclops facing the demon, D’Spayre, and features a guest appearance by Man-Thing.

This creepy cover image above features the art of John Byrne and Terry Austin. Check out Marvel.com for more of the X-Men’s clashes with these demons.