FANTASY FIGHTS: DC/MARVEL ROUND 10!
By popular demand, the Infinite Wars are about to go where they've never been before! After two years of comprehensive canonical fight fact coverage, we're delving into the fictional world of fantasy fights, because you demanded it!

In the spirit of the immensly popular '96 DC/Marvel crossover event, we're pitting fifteen of each company's most relevant characters to 2007 against one and other! Stay tuned as we take a look at the imagine struggles of the superhero stars that have propelled the Infinite Wars across two full years of fisticuffs!

MR. TERRIFIC versus IRON MAN
Strength: Iron Man 6 (Invincible)
Intelligence: Draw 5 (Professor)
Speed: Iron Man 3 (Athlete)
Stamina: Iron Man 6 (Generator)
Agility: Draw 2 (Average)
Fighting Ability: Iron Man 4 (Trained Fighter)
Energy Powers: Iron Man 5 (Lasers)


The Hook...
Much like Martian Manhunter/Professor X; we get another opportunity to take a look at the secretive side of superheroics, drawing upon the intrigue and subversive qualities of Checkmate and The Illuminati!

Of course, both characters maintain public fronts as the governing faces of well known superhero groups, the Justice Society of America, and Avengers, respectively. Parallels between Mr. Terrific's duties with the United Nation's Checkmate are also evident when observing Tony Stark's role as Nick Fury's replacement as Director of SHIELD.

The similarities between the two characters don't end there.
As heroes they each employ extensive technologies of their own design, allowing them to compete on a par with many of their mutagenically, or extra terestrially powered contemporaries. In both cases their affiliation with technology has gone beyond the simple holstering of hardware to extend to physiological relationships granting them superhuman powers of some forms.

The Math: Iron Man Ranking: Iron Man (#4)

The Battle...
Every week, we here at the Infinite Wars employ our ever popular system to depict some sort of unversially independent analytical of the abilities of characters, hoping to reflect the liklihood of victory those skills might afford.
You can see in this very entry how that works with the individual measures represented by the superior character in each field, and then the final mathematical equation rated just above, followed by a win/loss ranking.

Our system is comparable to the sciences employed by the two characters represented here today. Michael Holt and Tony Stark are both well known for their technological and tactical competence - it is in both instances one of their key roles in any group, making their strike rate incredibly accurate.

Of course, our statistics are rigid by nature, and fail to take into account certain variable qualities that can encompass the nature of any given battle.
The same unwavering robotic indifference that gives us so many accurate predictions falls before the unique compound of certain combined powers.

After employing an experimental process; called Extremis; Tony Stark created for himself an entirely new physiology. This man who had relied so inevitably on technology made his Iron Man armor a wireless peripheral to his own brain and body, thus; Tony Stark becomes as much machine as he is man.

Mr. Terrific really only has one notable superpower: He is invisible to machines.

If you didn't already know where this battle was going, you can probably now imagine the kind of conclusion we foresee. Despite Iron Man's extensive arsenal that's been proven against even the likes of the Hulk; Mr. Terrific has the obscure advantage of total stealth. While his T-spheres and other technologies might fall before Tony Stark's defenses, he ultimately has the freedom to elude every form of analysis employed by the industrialist, leaving a simple nerve pinch, or sleeper hold to close this battle out.

The Hammer...
... Which is why nothing is infallible, kids!
We're ten deep into the DC/Marvel Fantasy Fights, but I have to say, that was one of the most fun! Unlike some fans, I don't personally hold any kind of malice toward the Iron Man character, so the enjoyment here isn't derived from some sort of fiction-blurring revenge plot for the Civil War. The thrill of this scenario is that it's just good comics. Good, fun, cause-and-effect comics.

Mr. Terrific has been a real breakout character over the past few years, due in no small part to the careful guidance of Geoff Johns on the JSA title.

The tumultuous nature of Checkmate saw the opportunity to somewhat pass the torch as Rucka continued to add another layer through the espionage title, including a love interest in former Bat-flame, Sasha Bordeaux.
Of course, recent tensions between Rucka and DC saw a symbollic split as the 52 writer voiced frustration, and opted not to renew a writer-exclusive deal with the company [What's all the Ruckas?]; thus raising some question to Terrific's, and the already tenuous B-tier title's future.

If we're going to use this opportunity to talk Checkmate, it's probably worth noting that the title has seen a co-writer for quite some time in television writing convert, Nunzio DeFilippis. While the name may prove unfamiliar to the casual observer, many will be familiar with he and wife, Christina Wier's, writing credits on Arli$$, Kim Possible, and Marvel's Academy X comics, amongst other projects, including a string of projects for Oni Press.

One might almost sound critical of the title when describing it as a politically driven comic book that fails to involve itself in any great complexity. The uninitiated may take time to familiarize themselves with characters old and new; and referencial dialogue pertaining to character's roles within the organization could take some getting used to, but for the most part it remains a fairly streamlined and accessible exercise in maneuvers and International pseudo-espionage.

For my money, this actually makes for a positive, allowing easy entry for even the intimidated. Granted, there's still a general mentality to overcome.
A self-conscious industry has somehow managed to not only indulge in, but purvey, the absurd fear of the unknown being carried by many readers. So persistent is this new mentality that it's infiltrated even familiar readers.

Relationships take a vaguely soap operatic emphasis, but play more to the network of different motivations and agendas that are regularly engaged in political negotiation to reach certain goals within certain rulesets. In this respect characters within the organization have the capability of fullfilling roles of 'hero' and 'villain', as much as the characters field agents are sent to battle.

Even so, this isn't nearly as smart a book as that makes it sound.
Checkmate remains a superhero comic at it's heart, and by that very nature, is easily absorbed by anyone willing to jump in and start reading.

The style of combat in the book has made it difficult to incorporate as a regular review on the Infinite Wars, so pleased, consider this the opportunity to recommend it vehemently. It might not be the book for you, but it's certainly worth flicking through a few issues to know for sure, because this series packs in not only it's own stories, but the underpinnings of events percolating beneath the surface of the DCU.

Oh yeah. I'm sure Iron Man is very nice, too...
If you want to tell the world IM is good, or debate the nature of a post-Extremis Iron Man in relation to our result, be encouraged to do so. Few sections of the Infinite Wars are as inviting as the Fantasy Fights.
Also, be sure to scroll back up to vote in the poll that is taking five of you by storm!

WINNER: Mr. Terrific
6 versus 4

FANTASY FIGHTS: DC/MARVEL ROUND 9!
By popular demand, the Infinite Wars are about to go where they've never been before! After two years of comprehensive canonical fight fact coverage, we're delving into the fictional world of fantasy fights, because you demanded it!

In the spirit of the immensly popular '96 DC/Marvel crossover event, we're pitting fifteen of each company's most relevant characters to 2007 against one and other! Stay tuned as we take a look at the imagine struggles of the superhero stars that have propelled the Infinite Wars across two full years of fisticuffs!

GREEN LANTERN versus NOVA
Strength: Nova 5 (Super Strength)
Intelligence: Nova 4 (Tactician)
Speed: Nova 7 (Lightspeed)
Stamina: Green Lantern 6 (Generator)
Agility: Nova 3 (Acrobat)
Fighting Ability: Green Lantern 4 (Trained Fighter)
Energy Powers: Green Lantern 7 (Solar Power)


The Hook...
There's a popular belief that Marvel has built their empire on making characters relatable -- characters with "headaches" who grapple with day-to-day life as much as they struggle against the tribulations of their alter-egos.
The Mickey Mouse to this notion is Spider-man, who for the first few decades was well characterized as a gawky, nerdy teenager who couldn't get girls, had a sick aunt, and was constantly cash strapped.

This common misconception often sees Kyle Rayner; the most recent headlining inductee into the Green Lantern Corps; compared to his web-slinging contemporary. Of course, asthetics aside, there's a character Rayner shares a great deal more in common with. He's a member of a cosmic guard, and in the recent cosmic crossover, Annihilation, he became the sole inheritant of the legacy of this Corps of intergalactic lawmen.

The Nova Corps are Marvel's none-too-subtle answer to their green counterparts, created in the mid-seventies by comics legend, Marv Wolfman. Like Rayner, Richard Ryder's status as Nova has bounced back and forth between being the last of the Centurion, to relinquishing his powers all together. Of course, for the most part, Ryder did much of this before Rayner.

Rayner has had his brushes with omnipotence, absorbing the powers of his predecessor, Hal Jordan, in an instance that saw him become Ion for the first time. This makes for yet another vague parallel, with Nova until recently being the sole possessor of the Nova Worldmind, and the sum of the Corps power.

Both characters are well known for their periods as green around the gills youngsters, but each has been baptized by fire. Today, both are well intergrated into their universes, representing the next generation of superhero leaders.

The Math: Nova Ranking: Nova (#66)

The Battle...
So, I suppose this represents our first foray into the space battle.
We've danced in and around prosey scripted versions of these battles, but as I'm a bit behind, and not feeling terribly visual at the crack of dawn, we might talk about this one from outside the box.

Rayner's had a tumultuous 2007 that we've been unfortunately unable to reflect. The character has seen fluctuations from returning to the Ion identity, to absorbing the Parallax in Sinestro Corp Wars, to traversing the DC mega-verse as a new breed of 'Challenger.' For the sake of this exercise we'll assume he's streamlined to be somewhere around the standard for a Green Lantern, albeit with a costume that straddles the line between retro-chic and plain hideousness.

On the flip side, we're going to give Nova the benefit of his 06/07 transition as the sole possessor of the Nova power. So, I guess it's from this conceit that we're inevitably going to derive our final result.

While the 'yellow imperfection' has been removed and personified as Parallax, there's a fun sort of synergy to the Nova powers being typically represented as yellow. This almost represents the new association of the Sinestro Corps, even though I doubt Nova will inspire fear in the young Green Lantern.

Rayner's been here before, having suffered defeat at the hands of the Silver Surfer, but I'm not sure how much that experience is going to benefit him.
The way I see it, Rayner's going to approach this with the head-on police strategy that's been established in the GL books. While the subject of lethal force has krept up again through the Fantasy Fights [Wonder Woman/Ms. Marvel], I don't think that final resort would apply here, despite the reaffirmed Lantern Corps law enforcement powers.

I would imagine the two would engage each other with a moderate offensive strategy. A lot of the typical Green Lantern constructs are inevitably going to come into play, presumably calling upon regular features in the Rayner arsenal, like suits of armor, and imaginative offensive weaponry.

I think this would keep the pair on even pegging for a while, and the unknown quantity of the Lantern ring is probably going to reduce the Worldmind to speculative insights, at best. Though Nova would be off balance to start, I think that larger pool of independent energies is going to give him the ability to blast through the GL energies, and secure a hard earned victory, perhaps even calling upon more traditional bruising that was absorbed through the Annihilation Wave.

The Hammer...
Wow! Is it just me, or has the Christmas season really taken a toll on quality around here? I think inspiration is going to be an issue bandied about in the upcoming Friday feature, but while we're here, we may as well talk a bit about Kyle Rayner.

It's hard not to feel like there's almost a beat of bad comedy about this result. I would certainly argue that it's a conclusion I believe in, but the Green Lantern is supposed to represent a power unlike any other, so to go down against the Silver Surfer and Nova, would seem like a bit of a bitter pill. Especially for those die hard Rayner fans who already have the feeling they're being slapped in the face time and again.

Between the heavy nostalgia gripping the industry, and contemporary efforts to keep a sense of forward momentum, a character like Kyle Rayner can sort of fall by the wayside. As a product of the nineties he's neither here, nor there, with powerhouses like Geoff Johns and Grant Morrison willingly revelling in the flavours of anywhere from the fifites, to the seventies.

Even the eighties revival of properties like Suicide Squad and Checkmate seems to have left the mid-nineties Lantern somewhere in limbo, and ironically, that's probably been his greatest strength in Season 07.

Countdown has continued the tradition of 52; presenting characters of mixed representation in starring roles. The uninitiated listening a little too carefully to Countdown-criticism might not know that the Green Lantern, whilst starring in Sinestro Corp Wars, has also had a feature role joining Donna Troy and Jason Todd in a mega-verse spanning quest to find Ray Palmer.

This has incorporated not only feature spots alongside Karate Kid and Mary Marvel, but also spin-off one-shots featuring well known universes from DC's now defunct Elseworld books.

While it continues to be a point of chagrin that the Infinite Wars simply cannot support analysis of regular output from the big two, one does tend to assume there's at least a bit more going on than the harshest critics would have you believe. Among other things, the opportunity to show Kyle Rayner in an individual sense is no doubt to great benefit, along with the chance to elevate him beyond the youthful inexperience that has all too often been the defining quality of this newest Lantern.

By this point I'm not sure how much we're actually saying, but then, at 7am in the lead-up to Christmas, I don't know how much you're reading into this, anyway. As such a polarizing character, no doubt someone is stirred to opinion, and as always, feel encouraged to lodge your opinions in the comments section!

The Infinite Wars does it's best to cater to the many fans seeking obscurities and informations, and though our features are often built around one-sided discussions, the ears of the internet are always listening. Yes, even to crazed Green Lantern fans!

And hey, if you're the shy type, why not lodge your opinion through the abstract anonymity of our current poll! This battle brings Marvel back up to a dramatic one-point deficit, but will it be enough to secure victory in our Fantasy Fights?
By this point I'd be lying if I didn't say I had some idea, but in truth, the result is still anyone's! Alas, for now:
WINNER: Nova
5 versus 4

IN STORES: December 19, 2007
You can probably find complete shipping list updates on most major comics sites. Consider this an opportunity to either do all your info-shopping in the one place, or get a speculative perspective on what might be worth checking out. These are untested reads. Secret Wars on Infinite Earths can offer no guarantee or endorsement of quality. These are simply titles that may be of potential interest. Some items may ship late.

The quick list...
OCT072085 AVENGERS CLASSIC #7 $2.99
OCT070137 BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #3 $2.99
OCT070165 BIRDS OF PREY #113 $2.99
OCT070155 CATWOMAN #74 $2.99
OCT070170 CHECKMATE #21 $2.99
OCT070122 COUNTDOWN ARENA #3 (OF 4) $3.99
OCT070129 COUNTDOWN RAY PALMER SUPERWOMAN BATWOMAN #1 $2.99
OCT070168 COUNTDOWN SPECIAL THE ATOM 80 PAGE GIANT #2 (OF 2) $4.99
OCT070116 COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS 19 $2.99
OCT072146 EXILES #100 $3.99
OCT070036 GRENDEL BEHOLD THE DEVIL #2 (OF 8) $3.50
SEP072197 IMMORTAL IRON FIST #11 $2.99
SEP072201 INCREDIBLE HULK #112 $2.99
OCT070176 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #16 $2.99
JUL071979 MADAME MIRAGE #4 $2.99
OCT072114 MARVEL HOLIDAY SPECIAL $3.99
AUG072243 MIGHTY AVENGERS #6 CWI $2.99
OCT073691 PHANTOM CVR B #17 (O/A) $4.50
SEP070215 TALES OF THE MULTIVERSE BATMAN VAMPIRE TP $19.99
OCT070048 UMBRELLA ACADEMY APOCALYPSE SUITE #4 (OF 6) $2.99
OCT072129 WHAT IF CIVIL WAR $3.99
OCT072103 WORLD WAR HULK WARBOUND #1 (OF 5) WWH $2.99

Go deeper...
- OCT072085 AVENGERS CLASSIC #7 $2.99
For some weird reason it's always with chagrin that I find these issues so very enticing. It's been good to see Oeming sticking to what he does best (drawing), and revisiting the vintage flavour of a no-strings-attached Avengers is great. I guess classic retellings just rub me up the wrong way.

- OCT070155 CATWOMAN #74 $2.99
As much as I like the shake-up going on in the Gotham underworld right now, I can't help but feel events have torn Catwoman away from a lot of what's made it so enjoyable. Whether or not the character and title is lost remains to be seen. Then again, relief is probably due, given the book hasn't been dragged down by the return of Ra's Al Ghul. (Ugh!)

- OCT070116 COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS 19 $2.99
Difficult to review this series without being there every week, but from an outsider's perspective looking in, it really seems like some criticism came too soon. Much like 52 the book seems like it's gearing up for a strong third act, and personally I like the prospect of the sampler aspect of the book as it overlays a good cross section of the DCU.

- OCT070122 COUNTDOWN ARENA #3 (OF 4) $3.99
Not the most cerebral read on the racks, but oozes fun.
McDaniel's art is a sticking point as a style that always has a way of feeling unfinished, and I think it ultimately reflects poorly on the book. Starting with marks against it for being an exercise in Secret Wars style comics; McDaniel's cartoony sketches serve only to undercut any noble intentions, depicting it as more throwaway rag than is perhaps deserved.

- SEP072197 IMMORTAL IRON FIST #11 $2.99
Iron Fist in martial artsy action should be a good thing, but this one seems to be suffering from that Brubaker fatigue we've talked about before [Captain America #25; Daredevil #91]. Matt Fraction isn't enough to pull this one back from the pits of boredom. Dramatic changes aside, I think this one might be falling by the wayside. Might be nice to see some familiar faces popping up, ala the recent redemption of Daredevil.

- OCT072114 MARVEL HOLIDAY SPECIAL $3.99
Approaching this one with caution. Cover looks great and is a fun homage to Justice League covers of past, but as we discussed recently [Marvel Holiday Special 1992], these things have a way of being thoroughly average. Which is a shame, because you'd think something so fancy and free would deliver. CB Cebulski seems enthusiastic, but then, he was also very positive about the recent Morbius one-shot he took part in, which, though hinting at potential ramifications for the Marvel Universe's vampire community, was an overpriced floppy.

- OCT072129 WHAT IF CIVIL WAR $3.99
A fun prospect, but seems much too soon, particularly with fallout from the Civil War still resonating through the Initiative, and various other major events spiralling outward.
The effort to justify What If projects seems to have detracted from the longterm hindsight of the classic tales, resorting either to impractical conclusions, or frivilous Elseworlds style reimaginings (ala; feudal Daredevil).

FANTASY FIGHTS: DC/MARVEL ROUND 8!
By popular demand, the Infinite Wars are about to go where they've never been before! After two years of comprehensive canonical fight fact coverage, we're delving into the fictional world of fantasy fights, because you demanded it!

In the spirit of the immensly popular '96 DC/Marvel crossover event, we're pitting fifteen of each company's most relevant characters to 2007 against one and other! Stay tuned as we take a look at the imagine struggles of the superhero stars that have propelled the Infinite Wars across two full years of fisticuffs!

MARTIAN MANHUNTER versus PROFESSOR X
Strength: Martian Manhunter 6 (Invincible)
Intelligence: Professor X 5 (Professor)
Speed: Martian Manhunter 4 (Olympian)
Stamina: Martian Manhunter 5 (Marathon Man)
Agility: Martian Manhunter 2 (Average)
Fighting Ability: Martian Manhunter 4 (Trained Fighter)
Energy Powers: Professor X 6 (Mass Destruction)


The Hook...
At first glance this might seem like an odd pairing.
I mean, sure. Most of us will instantly recognise these two as chrome domed telepaths, but keeping in mind these match-ups are supposed to reflect on 2007 in some way, it might seem a little baffling. Might, that is, unless you've been keeping track of the conspiratory forces of the two major comics universes.

In the aftermath of World War III, it seems Martian Manhunter has finally returned to his fifties escapades, delving into those sci-fi secret agent roots.
If you're among the shameful many who haven't been reading Checkmate, you'll have missed out on the extremely fun, covert operations of the Manhunter, but one assumes you'll be seeing more of that in upcoming Batman & The Outsiders.

On the flipside, Professor Xavier has been involving himself in extra-curricula activities away from his school for gifted youngsters, which, he was incidentally kicked out of. Before he fell victim to the Decimation, he was mixing it up with the secret cabal of powers dubbed The Illuminati.

So, as you can see, this alien and mutant meeting isn't so bizarre.

The Math: Martian Manhunter Ranking: Professor X (#175)

The Battle...
Just as battle locales were subject to variation in the original clash of the two universes, so too do we recognise some degree of variety in conditions.

Here, Professor Xavier finds himself chairbound once more, and staring down a busy business district court, bustling with massive crowds of people. The faces of suits moving pointedly to unknown destinations melt into anonymity, as the Professor begins to probe for his Martian opponent.

It is ultimately the Manhunter's telepathic defenses that give him away, hiding him too well amidst the sea of life, so much so to be noticable. Even so, Xavier's detection of the void of telepathic presence proves moot, as a disguised Manhunter reveals himself directly behind the Professor's chair.

The Manhunter mournfully apologises as he grips the handles of the Professor's chair, and gradually increases his speed as he pushes the Professor toward a row of stairs.

Just as the Manhunter watches his paralyzed opponent fling down the stairs, he awakens to the deception that has clouded his mind. The concrete and steel modern setting fades away to nothingness, leaving the exposed Manhunter alone in a black void.

Martian Manhunter attempts telepathic recourse, using the astral plane to reach out to seek a weakness in Xavier. Groping around for the Professor's fears and regrets reveals a many dark moment from the X-Men's past. The deaths of countless mutants, the decimation, betrayals, defeats, and perhaps the darkest moment that haunts the Professor -- the day he turned his powers against Magneto without remorse or regret.

Plucking the painful memories draws Xavier out into the astral plane, where the two engage in astral fisticuffs representative of their telepathic blows to one and other.

Despite the Manhunter's success in drawing out Xavier's emotional instabilities, he fails to realise that the gambit left him exposed to Xavier's own probing. With a massive power boost provided by the mind Infinity Gem, Xavier launches his overpowering mental assault, englufing J'onn J'onnz in visions of flames and the death of his species.
It is a scenario Xavier feels all too familiar with, and even as he notes the bitter compromise he feels he has made all too often in recent times; Xavier presses the Martian into submission with the image of becoming engulfed in flames.

Alone in the darkness of the astral plane with a whimpering Manhunter -- Xavier stands victorious.

The Hammer...
I can just imagine the collective groan being expelled by some.
Granted, it's incredibly rote by now to resort to the fire fear, and by now there's probably enough precedent to suggest the Martian Manhunter has overcome such fears, especially fictional telepathic visions of such a fate.

Even so, I think there's a justification in crossover events to represent characters with broad strokes. We saw it to a disheartening degree in some of the "real" battles depicted in the '96 crossover, and while some of those were pressed to the point of mischaracterizing character's abilities, I think this is an example of the kind of stroke fans should accept.

I like the idea of the whole switcheroo situation in terms of suggesting scenarios that might be a little bit too much to cram into a crossover like this. Which, yes, is some bizarre indication of the pseudo-realistic publishing rules I'm putting on these fantasy fights, despite the opportunity to go wild.

In trying to represent events from 2007 and characters who have been heavily involved in those sequences, I think we get a really interesting result here.
It's not the first time the two characters have been paired up. The Amalgam project merged the two as alien leader of the JLX, but even so, I think those added layers drawn from books like Checkmate and Illuminati really go to lengths to merge the commonalities of the characters, that can otherwise be overshadowed by Martian Manhunter's secondary-Superman status.

Feel different? Think things should've played out differently?
Feel encouraged to make contact in the comments section below, where even unregistered posters should feel welcome to register their opinions. The less vocal of you (which appears to be a majority) should also be directed to the top of the page, where there's a bit of a fun poll to vote in. Groovy!

This result brings the merry Marvel mano back to the table, but it's still an upward battle with the DC denizens not only two in front, but only three away from victory! Dun da dun dun!
WINNER: Professor X

5 versus 3

COVER TO COVER: TWENTY FIVE - '93-'97!
When you can't get enough of the Infinite Wars, sometimes you've just got to go back to the classics. In the lead up to the new year we're looking back on the last twenty-five years of comic book fisticuffs, all of which has appeared on Secret Wars on Infintie Earths during our two years of reviewing!

As we enter the nineties we pass through a tumultuous era where comics fall between the culturally significant, and the downright disposable! For many it was the obligatory time they were 'out of comics', so this might just be a great opportunity to catch up, even though Maximum Carnage got overlooked for a X-over... Now press the button my friend, and send me back through time!

X-Men #25 (October 1993)
"Fatal Attractions: Dreams Fade" Nicieza/Kubert
Tensions have been building for decades, but as Magneto declares war against humanity, so too does humanity respond in kind with it's Magneto Protocols.

With the Earth surrounded in an electromagnetic field, Magneto refuses to be exiled to his orbital headquarters in Asteroid M, and defies Earth's defenses by summoning all of his powers to return. The move inadvertently throws much of the planet into darkness, the result being an electromagnetic pulse.

With advanced technology and a responsibility to bare; Professor X leads his X-Men into a final battle with the master of magnetism, with horrifying losses to both sides.

Spectacular Spider-man #215 (August 1994)
"The Predator and the Prey: The Monster Within" DeFalco/Lackey/Buscema
The Scorpion is having an identity crisis, and is about to find direction from the most unlikely of places!

Finding an unusual kindred spirit in the broken facade of a Mac Gargan who has come to identify himself by his garrish costume; a wealthy china magnate, Phillip Cussler Sr, seeks to utilize the Scorpion's powers, while bestowing upon the sewer dwelling villain an intelligence and self-confidence he has come to lack.

Scorpion gets a shot at his long awaited rematch when he lures Spider-man to the sewers, but believe me, you won't believe the outcome!

Iron Man #312 (January 1995)
"Hands of the Mandarin" Kaminski/Morgan
The Mandarin's reign of terror on Iron Man's life comes to a head as the villain wages war on technology and America.

With the members of Force Works there to back him up, Iron Man throws himself on the coals in an effort to bring an end to his never ending feud with his ancient asian assailant.

Having entered the Mandarin's castle, Iron Man is at his mercies, but things are not as they seem, and as the villain is about to discover, the marriage of technology and organics can be a powerful thing. The story that kept Mandarin out of action until NOW in the lead up to the movie!

Fantastic Four #412 (May 1996)
"Settling the Score with the Sub-Mariner!" DeFalco/Ryan
It's a feud of super-Shakespearean proportions!

Throughout the decades the Sub-Mariner has often sought the hand of the fair Susan Storm, and during the absence of her husband he was there to aid her in her struggles -- but now that Reed's home, he's not too happy about it.

Having survived the ordeal that left his team believing he was dead; Mr. Fantastic has to survive the throws of passionate jealousy as years of pent-up aggression explode! It's an all-out macho throwdown and the Invisible Woman is the least of their worries!

Deadpool #4 (April 1997)
"Why is it, to save me, I must kill you?" Kelly/McGuinness
Earth's mightiest heroes are dead, and the only one who can save us from the rampage of the Incredible Hulk is the merc' with a mouth: Danananana -- Deadpool!

Well, okay, not quite.
It seems 'Pool's healing factor has been on the fritz, and the only thing that can get him back on track to restoring his dismembered digits is a sample of the Hulk's oozing, gamma irradiated green blood. Easy, right? WRONG!

The Hulk is none too keen to give up the sample, but with his better half trapped in a pocket universe, DP's actually in with a chance as he takes the war to the Hulk!

QUICK FIX DOUBLE FEATURE: Cage Match!
CAGE FIGHTER versus VEGA
The Bloodthirsty Prince: A Lust for Beauty and a Love Potion for Chun-Li (Group TAC/Capcom/Manga)
Where: Street Fighter II V Ep. 14 When: July 1995
Why: Gisaburō Sugii How: Kōji Tsujitani/Skip Stellrecht & Banjō Ginga/Peter Spellos

Quick Fix...
Ah, running behind schedule. It's like coming home.

As you would've gathered by now, I'm quite a fan of Street Fighter II V. Not only has it been a vital component in our weekend thematic look at the series which has now announced a brand new instalment in Street Fighter IV, but it's also just a TV show I look back on with a lot of fond memories. It's almost with a heavy heart that I recall absorbing it all on VHS ten years ago. Time seems to have gone by too fast.

Because of gaps in the comic series and so on, I wanted to maintain a sequential throughline for SFIIV. Being a convenient complete DVD set, we have been able to leapfrog effortlessly from episode to episode, taking a moment to pause on the battles between starring characters.

This marks our first departure from that formula, and I offer up good motivation. I mean, sure, part of my reasoning is the fact that finding two clean caps for a quick fix is a lot easier than rushing out a full entry. This also gives us an opportunity to take a bit of a breather as the series crosses the halfway mark, and begins to become more steeped in events surrounding Bison and his operations with Shadaloo.

I take the opportunity to remind the uninformed that SFIIV is surprisingly wile in it's story telling. The casual observer would be forgiven for assuming this was just thirty episodes of kicking and screaming, but the series manages to make subtle turns that lend an underlying sense of reality to the world faring antics of our teen protagonists; Ken and Ryu.

Episode two is the lynchpin on which the series is built. There's a faint sense of coming full circle come the finale, with the barroom brawl between Guile and Ryu giving the pair of fighters a measure for the fighting prowess they hope to attain. It not only prompts the travelling aspect of the series, but as inferred, provides an overall arc to the series which is revisited during the Dhalsim episodes.

Perhaps my favourite moments of the series are the adventure and escape from Kowloon Palace. These episodes [2 & 3] represent underground fighting in a way often ironically overlooked in Street Fighter, and marries it to shades of the Escape movies as Ken, Ryu and Chun-Li run from various themed gangs while they attempt to reach the perimeter fence of this decrepid portion of China.

Their association with Chun-Li; whose father plays the role of big game cop, instead of her; leads them to Fei Long, and further opportunities to touch upon facets of the film culture in martial arts, while also testing their skills against another keyframe opponent. Episode five marks the first, but not the last appearance of Fei Long in combat with another Street Fighter.

It's after foiling the revenge schemes of the drug running criminal organization called Ashura, that the story really begins to undergo a sense of perpetual motion. The Muay Thai technique used by the Ashura leads Ken and Ryu to Thailand, where Ryu is imprisoned after having drugs planted in his luggage by the group.
While Ken tracks down the names and faces responsible, Ryu has an encounter with the fallen emperor of Muay Thai -- Sagat.

Episode nine marks SFIIV's representation of one of the most famous battles in Street Fighter canon. Of course, with Sagat recast as a much more sympathetic victim of the Ashura, it culminates in a friendship between the two characters, rather than the rivalry that persists after their famous Street Fighter conclusion.

When Ryu is exonerated and freed from prison, Sagat is not far behind, and as a token of his appreciation he reveals the name of a secretive monk who can help Ryu foster his training in the hadou arts. We very recently featured the outcome of the pair's training with Dhalsim, which saw them unwittingly battling each other in episode twelve.

I'd love to elaborate more on all of the story that fills the gaps between the touchstones of character appearances we've looked at, but time is of the essence, so if you find yourself even remotely curious, you know there'll be an Amazon link a few lines down to steer you toward a convenient purchase.

Moving forward, our heroes leave behind their enlightening experiences in India to travel to lighter times in Spain. Interpol is giving out an award for the Ashura bust in which Ken and Ryu were vital, and they've been asked to receive the award along with Chun-Li's father, Chief-Inspector Dorai.

Any Street Fighter fan worth his salt knows exactly what Spain means: which brings us to this first battle for your pleasure. Actually, the circumstances of our fix share a vague parallel with the pageantry under which regular readers observe the Infinite Wars fights.

Episode fourteen opens with images vague and mysterious, as an unnamed fighter finds himself at the mercy of a blurring figure that makes speedy attacks. Suffering kicks, elbows and claw slashes, the fighter is soon on his backside.

The dull rumble of laughter begins to spill from the masked uppercrust that watch on from a balcony surrounding the cage. The besieged fighter finds himself now seemingly alone in the cage, but soon learns the contrary.

Dangling upside down from an elaborate chandelier, his eyes glaring from beneath the white mask that protects his face. The matador launches into a flipping tumble, coming down to strike his opponent with a claw slash that puts an end to him.

Vega represents a comparable foil for Ken, and signifies the turning point in the series as it begins to delve into the operations of Shadaloo and it's mysterious and powerful leader, Bison. The presence of Shadaloo is felt by the extension of Ashura, which serves as a small time tool of the International syndicate.

While there can certainly be arcs recognised in the early episodes, it's here that the story progresses in smaller increments, and is more densly preoccupied with events developing in sequence.

Both military and Shadaloo agents converge on the series protagonists, and this allows more of SFIIV's deviation in character, recasting the roles of a character like Zangief, to be more along the lines of his American feature role.

That said, Vega fullfils much the same role as his depiction in the games, with the opportunity to flesh out the sadistic qualities of his fighting technique.

No doubt we'll feature more Street Fighter II V in the new year, but in the mean time, I've got a whole other section to phone-in. C'mon, it's the holidays, people! Give me a break!

The Fix: 4 The Episode: 6
Winner: Vega

You'll have to stay tuned if you want to see Vega in caged action as he goes up against his rival, Ken Masters, for the affections of an enchanted Chun-Li. It's a truly brutal battle, and hey, if you act now, there might be just enough time to make it yours for X-Mas!

---

VEGA versus RYU
Staff Meeting (Universal/Capcom)
Where: Street Fighter When: December 1994
Why: Steven E. deSouza How: Byron Mann, & Jay Tavare

Quick Fix...
It must've been around 2000 that I was on a big Street Fighter kick. The animated movie and SFIIV series were getting regular viewings, along with a wide array of Van Damme films, so when a triple threat of Van Damme films culminating in Street Fighter was on TV one summer's night, it was a good thing!

Sure, Street Fighter is one of the most maligned video game adaptations, deriving it's material from one of the most exciting and successful properties of the time. I'm not denying that. But in that evening seven years ago, it was a joy to spend the night out with friends, only to get home in time to catch the bulk of Street Fighter.

Okay, that thrilling trip down memory lane has killed a few paragraphs, so I suppose we should get to the "real" stuff.

Not so long ago we teased the possibility of coming back to the Street Fighter movie, but these probably weren't the circumstances I had in mind. A symptom of running behind, I'm afraid, but hey, it's all education!

During our last visit to the feature [Sagat/Vega vs Ken/Ryu] you probably won't have been able to appreciate the arc to the relationship of the four characters concerned. Of course, if you've seen the movie, that probably doesn't help you appreciate it any better, but I digress...

Early in the film we're introduced to Ken and Ryu as supporting characters that deviate dramatically from their established depiction in other media. In fact, while their hearts of gold are alluded to, the pair are actually little more than small time hoods trying to swindle gun smuggler, Victor Sagat, out of a few dimes in the renegade state of Shadaloo.

When the weapons Ken and Ryu are providing turn out to be toys, Sagat decides to throw them in the cage with his champion lapdog, Vega. Though it's never elaborated upon on screen, one might assume the money earned from the fight would make this an economical decision, but then again, you could just as easily assume Sagat is a total moron, because nothing onscreen contradicts that either.

Guile and his UN chronies burst in to arrest everyone before the cage fight between Ryu and Vega is able to kick-off. In it's own peculiar way, this manages to set up the basis for a feud between the two characters that not only lasts the duration of the ninety-seven minute running time -- but even makes sense in it's own context!

Vega gets his first opportunity at a second bite when a prison riot breaks out, as Sagat and his many goons attempt to intimidate and generally rough up Ken and Ryu.

Brandishing a makeshift replacement for his wrist mounted claw; Vega makes like a matador, entering the arena of combat atop fanciful feet.
Despite the apparent elegance of his character, Vega lunges at Ryu with his claw, setting the tone for what will be typical of their battle(s).

While chaos ensues around them (and the Damian Chapa's uninspiring Ken disarms a few faceless goons), Ryu and Vega exchange blows in punches and elaborate kicks. Their battle comes to a quick conclusion when Vega makes another sloppy lunge with his claw, getting it stuck in a wooden structure support.

Byron Mann attacks the claw with gusto, exploding it with a powerful jumping kick. Now, removing the claw from the fight is probably a fair choice, but it's hard not to note the elaborate stupidity of the move, given how average his battle with an animate entity has gone.

The fight is halted as UN troops again swarm in to spoil the fun, and ensure that none of the hodge-podge ensemble cast of the misplaced and unknown upstage Herr Van Damme, who will do his fighting at a more important junction.

It's at this point that one can't help but glance at the back of the DVD and read the promise of "... furious energy, awesome action and breathtaking stunts", and look forward to the alleged new feature that's in production for 2008.

Sure, there's a kitsch value to a movie like this, and when you haven't seen it for a while, I actually think just about anyone can get something out of the misplaced political commentaries, neon colour palettes, and surprise appearance by Simon Callow.

The Fix: 2 The Movie: 4.5
Winner: Inconclusive

If you feel the need to absorb this major motion picture rivalry in a more vivid context, you can find the DVD, like most other reviewed subjects, on sale on Amazon! Give the gift that keeps on giving! Street Fighter: "Ultimate Battle" starring Jean Claude Van Damme, and Kylie Minogue in a decidedly less sexed-up role than you'd expect!

FANTASY FIGHTS: DC/MARVEL ROUND 7!
By popular demand, the Infinite Wars are about to go where they've never been before! After two years of comprehensive canonical fight fact coverage, we're delving into the fictional world of fantasy fights, because you demanded it!

In the spirit of the immensly popular '96 DC/Marvel crossover event, we're pitting fifteen of each company's most relevant characters to 2007 against one and other! Stay tuned as we take a look at the imagine struggles of the superhero stars that have propelled the Infinite Wars across two full years of fisticuffs!

WONDER WOMAN versus MS. MARVEL
Strength: Draw 6 (Invincible)
Intelligence: Wonder Woman 4 (Tactician)
Speed: Ms. Marvel 4 (Olympian)
Stamina: Draw 5 (Marathon Man)
Agility: Draw 2 (Average)
Fighting Ability: Wonder Woman 6 (Warrior)
Energy Powers: Draw 1 (None)


The Hook...
There are definitely comparable examples for Marvel, but I think when you approach a scenario such as this, there are three names that demand representation. They are arguably the lynch pins upon which an entire universe is built, and at least two of this trinity have endured as broad cultural icons.

Wonder Woman hasn't fared the years quite as well as her iconic counterparts, (Batman and Superman), and it was largely this fact that led to her fan-voted defeat in the '96 DC/Marvel crossover, when she was pitted against inferior opponent, but immensly popular X-Man, Storm.
In the decade that followed it was the steady flatline that Wonder Woman has been most recognised by. The occasional trough and peak was reached through events such as the recently maligned Amazons Attack, and a headlining high point with Infinite Crisis, which set the character up to confront moral issues.

On the flipside; Ms. Marvel spent the last ten years earning a credbility that has seen the character front-lining A-list projects such as the newly launched Mighty Avengers, along with a growing following in her solo title.
One of many to ride the resurgance of popular 1970's characters; Ms. Marvel received a boost in New Avengers, before enjoying great success as a result of the division created by Civil War, which allowed her to become one of the faces of the pro-registration Avengers, along with A-lister, Iron Man.

Both represent incredibly powerful female icons within their respective universes, and perhaps even reflect a double helix as Wonder Woman teeters on the brink of a decline, while Ms. Marvel continues to prosper under a conceited support network put forward by Marvel's brightest talents.

The Math: Wonder Woman Ranking: Wonder Woman (#60)

The Battle...
Landing outside the city, the two super women observe the barren landscape that will be their battleground. Ms. Marvel attempts to open a dialogue with her opponent, following one of many prerehearsed procedures developed in conjunction with SHIELD and the Registered Superhero Initiative.

Though a proficient ambassador in her own right, Wonder Woman is all too aware of the stakes they have each entered into. With the fate of her world hanging in the balance once more, the warrior Amazon has little time for words.

Ms. Marvel, having taken a hovering stance above the battlefield, soon finds herself familiar with Wonder Woman's own means of airborne propulsion, as she jets toward the Avenger with staggering speed. Ms. Marvel attempts an offensive-defensive with energy blasts, but the star-spangled Amazon is able to brush them off, colliding with her objective in a spearing mid-air tackle.

Wonder Woman follows the gut wrenching collision with an axe handle blow to the back that sends Ms. Marvel hurtling earthbound, to a tumbling landing.
Marvel rolls through it to spring back to her feet, while Wonder Woman makes a voluntary landing that cracks and shakes the ground beneath her.

Ms. Marvel makes a flying charge of her own, skating just above the ground, to come to a grappling smash with Wonder Woman. The pair lock up like Grecco-Roman warrior gods, Wonder Woman again finding the edge with a stiff headbutt that breaks the lock. She goes for her sword next, but Ms. Marvel blasts it from her hand as it rises above shoulder height in practical menace.

Unphased, WW swings wildly with a closed fist, slapping it across Ms. Marvel's face to send her tumbling to the dirt once again. The Amazon descends on her opponent, wrapping her super powerful hands tight around Marvel's throat.

As her arms and neck bulge with tension, Wonder Woman is able to whisper a faint apology to her "sister", justifying her actions as required. As life seems to leave Carol Danvers through her vacant expression, the declaration of war snaps her back to reality, prompting a swift knee to the Amazon's groin, allowing her the break needed to toss her opponent away.

Seeing a means of victory, Danvers sucks air into her lungs whilst charging toward WW's sword. The Justice Leaguer shows great endurance, speeding in at the last moment to snatch her sword from the greedy clutches of her opponent.
As Ms. Marvel's mouth gapes in shock, WW turns the blade on it's handle, stabbing it at speed into the flesh of Ms. Marvel's thigh.

The Avenger drops defeated as blood gushes from the leg wound.
Wonder Woman, victorious, shows compassion for her, revealing the nature of the cut to be superficial. With that, she uses her own cape to suture the gash until it can be treated, should Ms. Marvel's universe survive that long.

The Hammer...
While it certainly has the potential to read that way, this is a little less than a contrived exercise in fan-fiction. This is an oft requested extension of what the Infinite Wars are, and while the fifteen rounds of DC/Marvel mayhem were cast ahead of time, no efforts were made to prepare for our descriptive debates.

Wonder Woman was a popular subject of discussion earlier in the year, seeing a great deal of analysis and debate directed toward WW's nature as a warrior superhero [Wander Woman]. It's with no subtlty at all that I call upon my preferred interpretation of the character, highlighting what I believe is the kind of warrior force Wonder Woman could be characterized to exert under the right circumstances.

We've seen precedent for this kind of action in Superman/Batman, where an altered timeline gave a parallel example of Wonder Woman fighting for the existence of a reality. Granted, this fight is more about an idealistic effort to restore what should have been, but I think the will is well described.

Likewise, we've referenced in the past books such as Brian Azzarello's Superman, and even the fan-favourite DC: The New Frontier, both of which depict Wonder Woman as a sword wielding warrior willing to go to great lengths for the right cause. The latter example is particularly effective, characterizing Wonder Woman's efforts in Vietnam during late 1940's conflict in Indo-China as thoroughly uncomprising. She liberates a prisoner camp of women who have been tortured and abused, sparing no captor's life.

It should be no secret that it's my opinion, even if she isn't butchering the guilty, Wonder Woman should readily carry her sword for the potential of lethal force. As much of that characterization depends on the delicate balance that maintains Wonder Woman's status as a hero; I make careful effort to depict her struggle (albeit, without dialogue) as intellectually conflicted, and ultimately merciful.

It's Wonder Woman's undeniable good nature that necessitates a conclusion that does not end in Ms. Marvel's death, because no matter how weasly she may have been depicted in elements of Civil War, the character is not evil. And she certainly wouldn't evoke that kind of evil in the context of this battle.

I suppose I should add there's definitely a self-conscious layer when entering into something like this, even if it's a naive sense of it. Something like the recent Tigra incident [New Avengers #35], was interpreted in a very wide range of ways, with varying degrees of reason. Although, in my opinion, both that, and this scenario, fall under the 'pull no punches' rule.

There's always a niggling worry that there's a blindspot that's been overlooked, but for me as a fan of fiction, and as someone who accepts violence in superhero fiction; it strikes me as far more obtuse to expect a story to seriously depict females in a combative environment without the battle scars of their male counterparts. Characterization always has to hold stock as well, and I hope that is noted in what's proposed here, with the 'talk it out' option put forward as a conceit relevent to [Ms. Marvel]'s character, (and some would say, females in general - razz!).

I would hope this kind of even-handed approach to the broad acceptance of violence would not be offensive, but when agenda is involved, sometimes things have a way of serving the argument irrespective of depth. We've probably seen the flipside of this in response to Gail Simone's supposed agenda of female-superiority.

Agree, disagree, or have a different take on it? As is the regular closing statement for the Fantasy Fights; this is the section of the Infinite Wars that is closest to you, the readers! Make your feelings heard, and don't forget to predict the final outcome by scrolling back up to vote in the poll (top-right of menu)!
In a war of only fifteen rounds, it's three more for the DC win!
5 versus 2

SPIDER-MAN versus ELECTRO
The Big X-Mas Blackout (Marvel comics)
Where: Marvel Holiday Special (1992) When: January 1993 Why: Richard Howell & Stan Lee How: Steve Lightle & Al Milgrom

The story so far...
They say Christmas 'tis the season to be jolly, but for Electro, it's just an annual reminder of his many failings as a man and electrically charged superpowered villain.

Not content to see out the holidays without lashing out in an act of senseless violence, Electro storms Rockefeller Centre to interrupt the ceremonial lighting of the tree.
To punish the society that failed him, Electro blacks out the Centre, with the promise of more power drains to come all across New York.

With his night out with Mary Jane ruined: enter a red garbed hero with a Christmas miracle! The spectacular Spider-man's making a list to check twice, and Electro's front and centre on the naughty list, but will it be coal for the villain, or will it be an early present and lights out for the wall-crawler?

Previous Form:
Spider-man (#1): Holds victories over Kraven, Scorpion, Green Goblin, Shocker, Rhino, & Lizard.
Electro (#345): Was defeated by the Avengers as one of the Sinister Twelve.

Tale of the tape...
Strength: Spider-man 5 (Super Strength)
Intelligence: Spider-man 5 (Professor)
Speed: Spider-man 4 (Olympian)
Stamina: Electro 5 (Marathon Man)
Agility: Spider-man 5 (Cat-like)
Fighting Ability: Spider-man 3 (Street Wise)
Energy Powers: Electro 6 (Mass Destruction)


- For embittered electrician, Maxwell Dillon, a simple power line repair would turn out to be a life altering event. When struck by lightning, Dillon underwent an inexplicable mutagenic change that saw his body become conductive and charged with the electrical energies of the storm!

Able to generate, store, and absorb electricity, Dillon lashed out at the world as a super powered petty criminal called Electro!

Dillon's inferiorities would soon see him somewhat fixated with his major Manhattan foil, Spider-man. It would be their on-going feud that would allow him to further hone his powers to varying degrees, allowing total mastery over electricity and electrical charge. At his most powerful this can go beyond projected bolts, to include levitation, and various electrical phenomena, such as limited magnetism.

- A bite from a radioactive spider should have killed highschool nerd, Peter Parker, but instead it would irradiate his own blood, granting him extraordinary powers.

Spider-man possesses the enhanced strength, speed, and agility of a spider. Adding to his arsenal, a precognitive spider-sense that warns him of pending danger, and self-made webshooters, which have since been replaced by a further mutation.
Unlike his previous mechanical build, Spidey's organic web-shooting ability has been shown to be nearly endless, likely reliant upon biological factors.

The Math: Spider-man The Pick: Spider-man

What went down...
Just as the Rockefeller tree lights up the city, and tree, plunge into darkness. From within the gloom emerges the crackling visage of the green and yellow garbed villain -- Electro! From high atop a building he delivers his decree.

Fortunate for the folks below, Spider-man leaps to the rooftop to confront his old foe. Electro has a disgruntled yuletide greeting for the web-slinger in the form of a massive electrical bolt he narrowly leaps away from.

As Spidey disappears into the night on a web-line, Electro boasts over the crowd that Spider-man's bravado was little more than a show. While he decrys Spidey's cowardice, the wall-crawler does some climbing inside the giant Rockefeller Christmas tree, giving Electro time to work himself up into a frenzy of over-confidence. Then, from within the tree, he launches his attack!

A hail of over-sized baubles puts an end to Electro's pontifications, but his silence proves to be a symptom of his growing rage! Charged up to maximum power, Electro unleashes his energies on the tree, blasting wildly in an attempt to flash-fry Spider-man!

With nowhere to hide, Spidey leaps through the rain of electrical bolts, and connects with a double-boot to the face! Pumped up on the electrical juice of the city, Electro proves unphased by the physical assault.

Spider-man dances around his opponent whose power seems only to continue to grow, swirling into an electrical storm that sounds both of them.

Electro blasts at near point blank distances, promising to put an end to Spider-man's superheroing career once and for all.
Doing his best to distract, Spider-man throws a steady stream of his trademark quips. Unable to close-in on his opponent, Spidey desperately throws a web-line toward the Centre tree, hoping to snare a weapon: which he does!

As Electro builds to cosmic levels of energy, Spidey swings the world's biggest Christmas ornament from the top of the Rockefeller tree, bringing it crashing down atop the Christmas villain!

With Electro out cold; Spidey leaves him char broiled for authorities, returning to his beloved wife. Together they enjoy the cheer of the Christmas tree lights as power resumes in the city of New York, and the people return to their merry times.

The hammer...
Your winner, and still holiday season champion, Spider-man!

As much as I'd love to exchange in lengthy pleasantries (and probably will, anyway), I've got to bang this one out, because by Infinite Wars time it's a little late, and we've got a special deadline to meet -- because it's the last week in this round's Friday Night Fights, brought to you by he who hungers, Bahlactus!

For anyone wondering about the Infinite Wars schedule over the holidays, we'll be doing our best to make sure there's plenty of content prepared ahead to pepper across the month. That will include all the regular features (described in the menu), as well as December's Fantasy Fights fun times!
Speaking of the aforementioned fun times, be sure to scroll back up to the top of the right-side menu to take part in the frivilous fun of a poll! Revel in pointless interactivity, brought to you by Secret Wars on Infinite Earths!

Despite a whole stack of regular features, we're trying to keep things free flowing in the holidays. Electro's one of those characters that's been begging for representation for quite some time, so this Christmas themed short story from Marvel's 1992 Holiday Special seemed like the perfect time to go there.

I'm not sure there's any great philosophy or essay to be derived from Electro.
Hideously unlikely costume, reality-defying powers, two-dimensional characterization. He's really the quintessential example of the 1960's Stan Lee recurring supervillain. There's a thin layer of psychological turmoil that typically binds villains like these, and while this 90's script plotted by The Man never outright describes Electro's motivations or thought processes, we've inflected a little with our own take.

Looking at two of the most prominent rogues galleries of villains - Batman and Spider-man's - I think you can observe a study of quality vs quantity. Sure, both have lengthy lists of zealous enemies, but examples aside, Batman's villains are much more deeply entrenched in psychological motivation.

When writing The Kirby Martin Inquest; which has been noted in reviews as an ambiguous superhero book; I approached the character of White Ghost with a philosophy of the modern superhero. In the same way I intend to propose wealth and will as contemporary superpowers; I think the Bat-villains celebrate the idea of a similar level of social liberation, and mental illness as the dark side of superpowers -- the [contemporary] enabling counterpart to being doused in chemicals, or bitten by a radioactive spider.

Conversely, Spider-man's villains succeed, I think, largely on the basis of excess. As much as the two groups share commonality of gimmickery, the lethal foes [of Spider-man] represent brightly coloured exercises in building around a superpower. Whereas, the bat-villains seem more grounded in building around the human disfunction, and not surprisingly draws influence from the pulp genre that Batman was born out of.

I suppose, if we're undertaking a one-sided conversation, we could suppose that this is an example of the distant effect of Superman; whose adventures coloured the superhero genre for decades to come with it's success in perpetuating brightly coloured costumes, more than anything else.

Ultimately I think both sets of antagonists supply a reader/writer with plenty of ammunition for the kinds of stories we spend a lot of time talking about. Amidst the many requisites and rules of comics writing, the ability to logically bring characters back is a must, and it's wriggling into satisfying logics that derive their fiction from the conceits of the past that makes characters like Electro so effective -- even on the level of defeat/imprisonment/escape.

I'm assuming we're about to see this theory realised well in Ed Brubaker's Daredevil, where the series appears to be turning against some of our previous criticisms, to showcase more of the urban criminal element. Characters like the Wrecker and Razor Fist not only service this ideal, but pay eerie homage to things we've discussed in the past -- like shifting the Wrecker to this corner of the universe, away from his usual association with the Thors and Avengers.

And hey, if you want to see more stories like those featured in the Infinite Wars, why not make a Christmas donation to the PayPal? Ooohhhh, see what I did there? Yessir. Smooth operator.

Jokes aside, you can also find links to my work in The Kirby Martin Inquest at Nite Lite Theatre, where ComixPress are ready and waiting to receive your online order for the first issue. I'm hoping we can have the second issue ready early in 2008, while I've also been working on a three-page short story starring supporting KMI character, The Russian Man.

The short explores more about the mysterious villains, exploring his feelings about the home he's made for himself in America, whilst pitting him against a terrorist. I think it's an interesting study of the character, but it's hard not to have reservations about people's reaction to something like this.
Exactly how the short will be released is uncertain at this point. I've got a lot of ideas about printed collections, but these things tend to be at the whim of other contributors, so you might see that as a webstrip, or KMI back-up. If you have an opinion there, be encouraged to make it known.

In the meantime, one last shout out to Comic By Comic, where Rich unwittingly inspired a bit of Photoshop distraction. This is my thanks for his thanks for the banner I tooled together. Glad he likes it, and Rob didn't shiv balls nasty.
Maybe one of these days I'll make myself a better banner. :-p

Happy holidays folks, and stay tuned for a little Sunday Street Fighting!
(And remember to vote in the poll!)

The Fight: 3.5 The Story: 3.5

Holiday Specials tend to have a stigma for being sub-par stories, and while this one probably does little to change that trend, I can't help but take note of panels depicted here. Lightle's pencils fluctuate between the mediocre, to the graphically inspired, probably benefitting from Milgrom's finish. Be sure to soak in the delicious contrast of the blacks used in yellow/white panels above!

COVER TO COVER: INVASION OF THE SKRULL!
They were once a peaceful race of shape-shifters, but once driven to a life of conquest, their battle lust became insatiable. The Skrull identity has become one inevitably characterized by battle and conquest - traits ingrained in the Skrull psyche by fervid wartime culture, as much as any genetic predispositions, though they would have you believe the latter, as they themselves do.

These militant invaders from beyond would come to seek conquest of the tiny planet Earth, finding an unlikely strain of resistance for a planet considered so remote. Over the decades they suffered innumerable defeats at the likes of the Fantastic Four, Avengers, and Silver Surfer.

In 2008; the most recent invasion plans will be hatched, as the Skrull employ the use of technologies acquired from a cabal of Earth's most powerful heroes. Technologies that allow them to disguise themselves better than before, hidden in plain sight, and masked to even the most spirited of detection methods.

If Earth is to be invaded, then you the reader must be ready and informed to recognise any mistake, any sign, that will give these green skinned aliens away. The Infinite Wars archives offer you information on some of the Skrull's greatest champions, and defeats motive for revenge. Use it wisely, assuming of course, this entire resource isn't just another nestled ploy of Skrull misdirection!

Incredible Hulk #374 (October 1990)
"No Autographs" David/Keown
If you thought the Skrulls were new to disguised infiltration, then you have a lot to learn, friend!

Watch as the Hulk, Rick Jones, and Betty Ross come face to face with an incursion led by none other than Kl'rt; the Super-Skrull champion granted the powers of the Skrull's most hated Earthbound enemies -- the Fantastic Four!

Typical human compassion not found in the warrior-born Skrull elite... is on full show, as Rick Jones endures the psychological torture, while, as Bruce Banner; the Hulk walks helplessly into the alien invader's trap, lured by the helplessness of a lost little girl. It's clobberin' time!

Fantastic Four #358 (November 1991)
"Whatever happened to Alicia?!" DeFalco/Ryan
The Human Torch is about to discover the woman he married is not who anyone thought she was!

Watch in horror as the blind sculptress' web of deceit comes undone, tearing Marvel's first family apart! Revealed as a Skrull; the phony Alicia is tossed aside, despite her empassion pleas, as the FF take off for space to rescue the real Alicia who is being held in stasis!

Though the truth is revealed far sooner than the Skrull would intend, they welcome the Fantastic Four's opposition as the latest soldier of science is unleashed in the field: Introducing the Power Skrull -- Paibok!

Fantastic Four #6 (April 1997)
"Retribution" Lee/Choi
Trapped in a pocket universe of their son's design; Reed Richards and Susan Storm are again about to come face-to-face; with their allies Thing, Human Torch, and the Black Panther; with their oldest foe -- for the first time!

Prisoners in Latveria; the FF and Wakandan ruler become the guests of Dr. Victor Von Doom. As he reveals a plot to harness the unfathomable cosmic energies of a mysterious stranger from space, Doom's hand in the heroes' fate is revealed with yet another twist: His man is a double-agent!

With the Super-Skrull revealed, a struggle begins as the various super powers compete for the energies of a living star!

New Avengers: Illuminati #1 (February 2007)
Bendis/Reed/Cheung
Hidden from their friends and allies, the collective known as The Illuminati make decisions to steer the course of super-human events on Earth.

Having been narrowly defeated by the combined forces of Earth's mightiest heroes, and the Kree armada; the Skrull plot their bitter revenge. Tired of invasion plots, the Illuminati confront the shape-shifting aliens with a warning: Earth is off limits.

Five alone against the Skrull armada prove to be odds too overwhelming, leading to the secret sect's capture, and the Imperial acquisiton of the secrets of the power!
The keys to the Skrull Invasion begin here!

New Avengers #27 (April 2007)
"Revolution: Part One" Bendis/Yu
Even before the Invasion begins, the Secret Avengers are unwittingly there to confront the machinations of the Skrull sleeper agent who has taken control of The Hand!

Disguised as Elektra, the Skrull soldier commands the mystically empowered legion of ninja against the one called Ronin, bringing her into full conflict with the American heroes who mount a rescue mission.

The defeat of "Elektra" marks the beginning of Earth's underestanding of their predicament. With the first Skrull revealed, the super community already divided by suspicion and paranoia is presented with what could be the ultimate answer -- or hardest question!