FANTASY LEAGUE: NEW TEAMS
AND NEW RULES!
Finally the update has come back to the Fantasy League! Wait no longer as we officially canonize the teams that have been competing during this first month of the Infinite Wars Fantasy League!

Before we get to the pretty colours, there's some housekeeping to be dealt with first. Probably the most important is to assure all you readers out there that there's nothing to be afraid of! If you haven't yet drafted a team, but think you might want to, then head over to the sign-up page, where you'll get the oh-so easy registration instructions that require nothing more than a functioning e-mail address, and a megalomaniacal desire to manipulate heroes and villains like pawns on a chessboard!

Even with a month of competition nearly behind us, it's still a wide open arena! The fluctuating influence of the Super Stock means you never can be sure just who'll be on top! I suppose it's a bit like matching wits with the Joker, in that respect. Only if you lose a round of Fantasy Fights, there's always next month!

We'll get to the next wave of teams momentarily, but first, there's one last matter of importance -- the much talked about new rule -- which is really more of an addendum, but who's counting?...

Since the Fantasy League isn't an exact science, we're going to balance out the odds by introducing a new factor -- the Fantasy Fights! Influenced by current events, it seems fitting that the [statistically] inconsequential rounds contribute to the success of your team! Obviously, given the current situation, that's potentially a bigger advantage to those with DC draftees in their team, but all hope isn't lost! In the Punch-Up we'll have more information about how you can turn your points into opportunities in a bid to win the month, and win the year!

First, just like last time, here's a chance to get to know your enemy!...

THE REVOLUTION [Captained by CaptainSkill!]
Effectively the modern lynchpin of the Marvel Universe; Iron Man's a solid bet in this pony race. Next month sees the release of a major motion picture, and all the merchandising that comes with it, ensuring a catalogue of Iron Man for future reference. Speaking of stockpiling; The Punisher and Magneto promise to pay dividends when future sequels resume their assault on the box office; while Bucky Barnes brings a strong show from the comics as the new Captain America in a series widely acclaimed as one of Marvel's best books! Bringing up the rear is Robin who may yet follow in his counterparts footsteps, should things go according to plan in the upcoming Batman storyarc, RIP.

THE BLACK DEATH [Captained by Buzzlefett!]
The Merc' with a Mouth, Deadpool, has just been announced to star in a new on-going series off the back of his appearances in Wolverine: Origin. This reneissance of the 'Poolman might pick up the slack for Black Adam, whose time seems to have reached a conclusion, pittering out during Countdown. Black Canary hasn't had any problems maintaining her presence as leader of the Justice League and partner to Green Arrow. Darkseid, on the other hand, has it worse than anyone! The gamble on the New Gods has backfired, Darkseid having just been killed in a prophetic clash with his son, Orion. Lobo's future is anything but predictable, as the character loiters around outsider projects.

DIVINE JUDGMENT [Captained by Rafael!]
A supernatural bent makes for a great looking team, but when it comes to the statistics, it's as grim as the line-up. Apocalypse brings doom to the Ultimate Universe in an arc set to cancel Ultimate X-Men; while the Phantom Stranger remains an unknown quantity with the death of the New Gods. Mediocrity saw the recent Blade series cancelled as Marvel continue to bungle the pioneering character; and a similar effect is being felt in the Ghost Rider book, which continues to be an exercise in disappointment. The Spectre's goateed visage looms ominously over the coming Final Crisis, but the involvement of the Crispus Allen character remains to be defined in a series set to defy all expectation!

MAKIN' IT HAPPEN WITH THE CAP'N [Captained by Chris!]
Steve Rogers may be dead, but Skrulls, clones, and time travel keep the real Captain America in the spotlight! Even as Bucky deals with the Red Skull's sponsorship of a potential return, the character plays vital roles elsewhere. The same can be said for Libra, who, despite being incredibly obscure, looks to follow in the footsteps of the Psycho-Pirate, to be a key element in the upcoming Final Crisis. A gamble far less certain than Thanos, who might haved been finally killed by Drax, but continues to tear things up in Ultimate Fantastic Four. Powergirl and Zatanna don't have anything specific on their agenda, but with the heavyhitters to be tied up pretty quickly by Final Crisis, anything goes for the other heroes of the DC Universe, all eligable for this round of Fantasy Fights!

THE CORPS [Captained by Calvin!]
Calvin jumps on something I've been wanting to see - strong theme in a team - but will it come with a cost? The Green Lantern Corps have enjoyed a reneissance under writer Geoff Johns, but even as Mongul embarks on his quest to obtain ultimate power, the Lanterns appear in a period of event-transition, leaving behind the Sinestro Corps War, with promise of Final Crisis and Blackest Night.
A Golden Age undercurrent on the site puts Alan Scott in good stead, but Hal Jordan, Kyle Rayner, Guy Gardner, and John Stewart seem at even-odds, tied up in filler issues, and the chance to appear in the new MK vs DC game.

X-PARTY [Captained by Tyler!]
Tyler does his best to draft a team reminiscent of the days in Madripoor, and with Wolverine being the best there is at what he does, those odds look pretty decent. The X-Men might be in their latest version of shambles, but the Canuck remains a safe bet at the core of Secret Invasion, the various X-series, and a new First Class book. At this point; your guess is as good as mine regarding the whereabouts of Rogue, Jubilee, Dazzler, and Psylocke; but the X-franchise has a way of doubling back on itself, so they won't stay gone for long.

The Hammer...
And there you have it, folks!
The ebb and flow of the Infinite Wars remains a mysterious science. Though fluid like water, it's reaction to influences can be unpredictable. Do you think you've got the winning formula for the ultimate team? We want you to join the fight today, by following drafting instructions for the first annual Infinite Wars Fantasy League!

It's as simple as doing as the captains of the teams featured today have done -- have your pick, and await the slow burn excitement of the monthly punch-up's results! It's as involving or demanding as you want it to be, with the potential to trade characters, and maneuver your way to the ultimate victory of becoming 2008 champion!

COMING: Friday promises another round of black and white fisticuffs, before we wrap up our spotlight on the first four teams in the weekend Cover to Cover. Also in the C2C; more Mortal Kombat/DC Universe action, continuing into Monday, before we crown our first champion in the Monthly Punch-Up! PLUS! May is Invicible Iron Month on the Infinite Wars! Stay tuned!

IN STORES: April 23, 2008
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 Infinite Wars now has a gift shop!
Now you'll find Amazon purchase links to hardcovers, trade paperbacks, and other collections, not only on regular entries -- but also new releases at the bottom of the Shipping List, and now a whole catalogue of potential purchases via the Infinite Wars: Amazonian Gift Shop. [Men are also welcome!] By shopping with Amazon via our purchase links, you not only find yourself a great deal, but also sponsor future entries on the Infinite Wars.


Thin and Crispy...
FEB080218 BIRDS OF PREY #117 $2.99
FEB080220 CHECKMATE #25 $2.99
JAN082148 HULK #3 $2.99
FEB080223 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #20 $2.99
FEB080272 SECRET HISTORY THE AUTHORITY HAWKSMOOR #2 (OF 6) $2.99
FEB082252 SHE-HULK 2 #28 $2.99
FEB080234 SPIRIT #16 $2.99
FEB080260 SUPER FRIENDS #2 $2.25
FEB080213 SUPERMAN BATMAN #47 $2.99

The Deep Dish...
- JAN080162 BATMAN #675 $2.99
You'd have had to be reading all the other comics sites to not know Batman's headlining not only a major motion picture (July's The Dark Knight), but now also one of the most unlikely crossover video games you could imagine -- Mortal Kombat versus DC Universe! This indomitable run might only be jeopardized by the promise of Batman's death! Swirling rumors of a Captain America-style exit from the land of the living were squashed by reliable sources, but with Grant Morrison at the helm for Final Crisis and upcoming Bat-arc, "RIP," who knows what to expect!? After a shakey start, Batman's definitely becoming a book to watch!

- JAN080197 BATMAN CHRONICLES TP VOL 05 $14.99
I was all ready to glaze over this, much the way my eyes glaze over when it comes to the devolution into boobery that was Batman in the 1950's. More than content with the thirties and early forties stories collected in Archive Editions, I thought I didn't care, but I do.
It dawned on me that if DC can remain committed for the long haul, this could be one of the most compelling collected series ever seen. The premise is to feature affordable bites of the Batman catalogue, printed in chronological order! This volume includes issues from Detective Comics, Batman, and World's Finest, making it a one-stop shop. If they last to the seventies, eighties, and nineties, that could be one damn intriguing read!

- FEB080180 COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS 1 $2.99
I'm by no means a fan of the New Gods, but I've said it before, and I'll say it again -- I don't get the hate for Countdown! Psuedo-sports league that we are; it was a personal tragedy to learn of last week's epic clash between Orion and Darkseid, because that's exactly the kind of weekly action we should be covering! Alas, poverty prevails! Countdown looks to be ending on a strong note, and I'm positively bursting at the seams in anticipation of Final Crisis! Online retailers -- if you're looking for advertising space -- we can talk!

- FEB082311 DEADPOOL CLASSIC TP VOL 1 $29.99
Sure, we all know he's still DP from the block, but a heckuva lot of Johnny-Come-Latelys have absolutely no idea where their favourite Merc' with a Mouth comes from! Before there was rockin' to the oldies with Blind Al, darting Taskmaster in the butt, and midnight pig shooting with Weasel, Deadpool had a whole other bunch of pals!

Hopefully Deadpool Classic is just the beginning of a long overdue collectiong program for the character. This first volume collects his early years at Riverdale High, where he and the gang get up to the usual panty raid mischief on Veronica's mansion, and milk shake roulette with Reg... Wait, no, that's not right...

Deadpool does go back to school, but in true Slade Wilson style, it's purely to menace the middle school mutants under the protection of then-skunk haired time traveller, Cable! Collected are his first appearances in New Mutants, the first two mini-series (from 1994), the first issue of the on-going, and highlights from his attacks on the Teen Titans. Wait, no... That last part isn't right... There's no such thing as a Teen Titans highlight, they stink! HAH!

- FEB082227 HULK VS HERCULES WHEN TITANS COLLIDE $3.99
Another character getting positively screweed over by my financial woes is Hercules! Out of the ashes of World War Hulk, the Greek demigod has had all the momentum in the world, having taken over starring chores in Incredible Hulk. It looks like it's only going to get better as the Hulk comes home to roost! With Hercules on the rise, it's hard to go past two of Marvel's league leading bruisers! 'Nuff said!

- FEB082243 MIGHTY AVENGERS #12 SI $2.99
It's hard to imagine what's going to move more units of this comic: The official return of Nick Fury after a Civil War hiatus; or the return of former Daredevil-artist, Alex Maleev!
I'm not traditionally a big Nick Fury fan, and with the retro fisticuffs of the last few issues [Mighty Avengers #10] done and dusted, this would ordinarily be a book I'd be happy to pass up. However, with the Secret Invasion being the catalyst for Fury's return, the missing years are sure to feature some interesting insights. Theoretically, at least. This is Bendis. Consistency of events aren't exactly his strong point.

- FEB082272 WOLVERINE FIRST CLASS #2 $2.99
I can't think of many things the world needs less in this time of global warming than a new Wolverine title. The character might have quietened down a little, but that still isn't license for a third on-going series for the character. Then again, if it's the gallows for a book, then surely Wolverine: Origins proves the weakest link, with Daniel Way continuing to serve arc after arc of mediocrity.
If the First Class pedigree is anything to go on, this book should serve up a treat, even if it does co-star Kitty Pryde.
After Jeph Loeb's dismal run brought an end to Sabretooth, I suppose I'm happy to get what I can of the character, particularly anything throwing back to a time when the character was better handled. As a tour of Wolverine's deadliest foes, I fully expect Wolverine First Class to outdo Way's efforts, but on the whole, I'm not yet convinced. Especially with the inevitable deluge of Wolverine matter sure to arrive come 2009's X-Men Origins: Wolverine film.

Know Your Trade...
FEB082303 AVENGERS TP KREE SKRULL WAR NEW PTG $24.99
JAN080197 BATMAN CHRONICLES TP VOL 05 $14.99
FEB082301 DAREDEVIL TP VOL 02 HELL TO PAY $15.99
FEB082311 DEADPOOL CLASSIC TP VOL 1 $29.99
FEB082310 DEADPOOL VS MARVEL UNIVERSE TP $24.99
DEC070245 JSA HC VOL 02 THY KINGDOM COME PART 1 $19.99
FEB083840 SPEED RACER CHRONICLES OF THE RACER TP $17.99
FEB082273 X-MEN FIRST CLASS VOL 2 #11 $2.99



Site Update...
Plenty of activity on the site over the past week, pushing us over the big 90k hits! Yay!
It seems MK vs DC has been a real winner, and we'll have plenty more of that talk coming, as well as a balance of Infinite Wars classic, for those of you looking to get away from more event crossovers!

Speaking of events -- if you haven't yet signed up for the Infinite Wars Fantasy League, you should feel compelled to draft a team today! We'll have an update on the League tomorrow bringing you not only more of the teams you're up against, but also an update to the rules that could change the game forever! So be sure to stay tuned for that, and the looming Punch-Up, where we'll crown our first winner!

Last, but not least, if you're a fan of RSS feeds but haven't been able to get an up-to-date signal on the Infinite Wars, that's changed! I finally got around to fixing the feed (only nine months late), so if you're so inclined, make good use of it, and spread the word of the Infinite Wars!

HUSH versus BATMAN
Hush Chapter Twelve: The End (DC)
Where: Batman #619 When: November 2003
Why: Jeph Loeb How: Jim Lee

The Story So Far...
When a dramatically mutated Killer Croc partakes in the kidnap of a rich man's child; Batman unwittingly enters into a game of manipulation design to break his will, and lead him down a path toward destruction.

Having suffered severe injuries after a fall from a batline, severed by an anonymously thrown batarang; Wayne recalls the name of renowned surgeon, and former childhood friend, Dr. Thomas Elliot. The doctor returns to Gotham to perform the surgery and reacquaint himself with the city and his former friend, but the trip is cut short when the Joker and Harley Quinn raid a stage show. After taking pursuit of the clown prince of crime in an effort to recover a family heirloom; Thomas Elliot is murdered -- or so it seems!

In reality, this is but another chapter in the tale of Hush, the newest villain to enter Batman's murderous rogues gallery! Vengeful over wrongs commited when they were children, Hush has manipulated the heroes and villains of Gotham City in an effort to play Batman for a fool, but even as the dark knight desperately tries to unravel the mystery, the bandaged villain prepares to play his final hand.

Tale of the Tape...
Strength: Batman 3 (Athlete)
Intelligence: Draw 5 (Professor)
Speed: Batman 3 (Athlete)
Stamina: Batman 5 (Marathon)
Agility: Batman 4 (Gymnast)
Fighting Ability: Batman 5 (Martial Artist)
Energy Power: Batman 4 (Arsenal)


- Born into wealth; Thomas Elliot spent his childhood in loathing of his parents. In an effort to gain independence and control of his family's estate, the child orchestrated a murder plot to sever the brakes on his parent's vehicle, after convincing them to pardon their driver. The horrific accident that ensued would bring the socialittes under the knife of Dr. Thomas Wayne, father to Elliot's best friend, Bruce Wayne. The doctor would fail to save Tommy's father, but leave him a mother to care for.

As Hush; Elliot is soon revealed to be the manipulator whose influence had led Batman to call upon his services as a surgeon when he suffered head injuries from a fall, also part of Hush's plan. Having teamed with The Riddler and an adult Jason Todd; a spiteful Elliot fulfills a lifelong goal of revenge for the Waynes' part in his mother's survival, and the jealousy felt toward Bruce for living the life he wanted.

- After witnessing the street murder of his parents, the young Bruce Wayne's destiny was forever shaped to be one dedicated to an ideal. Having spent his formative years studying the various sciences, martial arts, and crime fighting techniques, Bruce is ultimately inspired to become the one-man war on the criminal element in Gotham City: Batman.

Perhaps Batman's greatest power is the millions inherited from his industrialist parents, and the various facilities that came with that. They prove crucial in the design and construction of his many weapons, which are typically non-lethal, and have a variety of uses.

Complimented by his keenly strategic mind is Batman's expertise in the martial arts. He is extensively trained in multiple fighting styles, and commonly regarded to be one of the greatest hand-to-hand fighters in the world. He is also extremely proficient in general urban warfare.

The Math: Batman Ranking: Batman (#2)

What Went Down...
Revealed to be the man responsible for planting subliminal messaging devices on his computer hardware, Batman's once malformed technical supporter, Harold, drops with two bullets in him. The gunman -- Hush -- a man who has helped orchestrate a string of horrific events and attacks in the life of the Batman.

Alone with the killer on a bridge in the pouring rain, Batman launches himself into action, avoiding further gunfire from his newest nemesis. Perched atop the bridge structure, he returns fire with a handful of batarangs, but like Hush's own ammunition, they fail to make a crucial hit.

Closing in, the dark knight jumps toward the gunman as he counts the final bullets in his round, and unleashes weapons of his own. Hands and feet, trained to kill, and so masterful they need never strike a lethal blow.

A boot and a fist don't stop the marksman, but they reveal the necklace Tommy Elliot was buried with; his mother's. The distraction gives Hush the opportunity to the turn the tables, while Batman continues to analyse every fine detail in an effort to deduce the bandaged man's identity.

Hush makes continued references to Tommy Elliot's childhood with Bruce; facts that plague the dark knight detective as much as the physical blows from the masked man. Hush denies him the opportunity to pull the bandages from his face, impaling Batman's hand with a blade.

Hush challenges Batman to puzzle the reason for their confrontation on the bridge in the rain. Resonance of the night Tommy Elliot's parents crashed their car is not lost on the Batman, but still he refuses to believe the taunting of a masked man, over the facts of his witness to Elliot's death at the hands of Joker.

The two engage in an exchange of acrobatics and fisticuffs, continuning to dance around the specifics of both man's true identity. Hush returns the favour for a punch to the face, and Batman strikes back with a chop to the neck, each blow bringing with it a little piece of the past.

With a kick, Hush puts some distance between he and the wounded Batman, only to reveal the true motivation for his endless machinations: The thwarting of his childhood dream to murder his parents to inherit independence and wealth!

The revelation rocks Batman almost as hard as the bullets that cause the Batmobile to explode behind him, triggering C-4 charges planted during Batman's brief reunion with Harold.

Revealed, the truth floods from Hush like the deluge hitting the bridge.
He compares the struggle of life with his mother, and her slow death to cancer, as tokens that Bruce Wayne was lucky enough not to have. In so many ways, he is revealed to be the anti-thesis to every aspect of the Batman, who now lies badly injured at the villain's feet.

A commanding voice echoes onto the bridge, and from out of the bellowing smoke steps former GCPD commissioner, James Gordon. Implicated in the staged murder of Thomas Elliot, Gordon is accompanied by a man intimately aware of the details of his innocence -- Harvey Dent.

Dent, having had his facial scarring repaired by Elliot as a part of his sinister plot, appears ironically cured of his alter-ego, Two-Face. With clarity and a zealous penchant for justice, he willfully turns his back on his agreement with Hush to take the shot, when Jim Gordon proves unable to fire with Batman at such close proximity.

He doesn't miss.
An appropriate two shots hit Hush in either shoulder, forcing him away from his would-be victim, and off the side of the bridge. Batman does his best to find a body, but even with nightvision technology, he proves unable to find anything in the murky Gotham waters below. Hush lives to strike another day.

The Hammer...
So, for striking the deciding blow, I've got no choice but to call it a victory for Harvey Dent! For fighting valiantly, despite very nearly suffering defeat, Batman picks up the assist, with Jim Gordon sharing in the honor. Valuable info for you Fantasy Fighters out there!

As you might have seen, the Infinite Wars is gearing up for all the hype surrounding the recently announced, Mortal Kombat versus DC Universe video game, set to be released in the fall. The unlikely crossover pits the fighting kombatants against DC's icons in a story featuring contributions from Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray, as well as series co-creator, Ed Boon, and the rest of the MK team.

Since Batman is bound to be at the forefront of the DC movement, I wanted to throw a feature up here that at least touched on his capacity to exist in this environment. With the announcement of the game, it seems the two camps have quickly devolved into violent distain over the dimished degree of violence, and utter bemusement, for those comic fans disinterested in the gimmick-laden fighting property. It seems all perspective has gone out the window, so hopefully the Infinite Wars can become a middle ground for both groups.

If you haven't already seen them, you might like to check out the first of our weekly rundowns of potential match-ups between the two brands [Fantasy Fights: Round 1], as well as a C2C flashback to previous entries touching on some of the characters and action you might be seeing in the game.

With the benefit of hindsight, I can see it might have been better to go with a scenario more flattering to Batman, but then, I think the grim tone of the issue is probably good for MK fans to see.

Hush was a twelve-issue storyarc with a lot of momentum. Written by Jeph Loeb, the man behind stories vital to inspiring the movies; The Long Halloween and Dark Victory; it promised another year-long romp through Gotham City, with the introdution of a brand new villain, sure to menace Batman far into the future, should he survive that long!

Batman: Hush also brought superstar artist, Jim Lee, back to the drawing board, after taking an active interest in less involved responsibilities with Wildstorm Comics (bought-out and assimilated by DC comics, as it so happened).

Despite mixed reactions to the conclusion of the story, which effectively resolved the year-long mystery with a reveal described by many as anti-climactic and heavy handed, given the first-appearance introduction of Tommy Elliot (Hush) at the beginning of the story. So disappointing was this fact, it nearly dwarfed Elliot's partnership with the Riddler, and the shock implication of the dead Robin's resurrection; later confirmed under writer, Judd Winick.

Fans of the comics might be surprised to learn of scepticism from the Mortal Kombat fans for DC's ability to assimilate into their gothic world of interdimensional mayhem, infernal resurrections, and frivilous ninjary.
Much of this has been sparked by the announcement of a T rating, and the first time a Mortal Kombat game will be released without their trademarked finishing system of gory, over-the-top slayings -- fatalities.

MK's penchant for gore has earned the series it's fair share of infamy. Often viewed as little more than a distraction for a teen demographic overlooking the technical flaws of the series; I tend to think of fatal violence as an expendable trademark of the series. I'm much more interested in the characters and story of the MK universe, which are obviously arenas the DC universe is more than ready to match them in.

The balance of power has been another keenly debated topic.
I probably could've done better to showcase Batman's ability to battle foes far more powerful than he. On the Infinite Wars alone we've been routinely privvy to successful matches against the likes of; Gorilla Grodd, Dr. Light, Killer Croc, Superman, Amazo, Captain Nazi, killer robots, murderous cults, et al.

Likewise, confusion at the other end of the scale has caused a glitch in the suspension of disbelief. The unfortunately common misconception that Superman somehow dwarfs all other superheroes, and is therefore a terminally flawed character, is the result of a lot of supposition, and the phenomenon of internet chinese-whispers. A lot of unconfident and uncertain fans have latched onto this belief, but in reality, it simply isn't true. The Infinite Wars, a site dedicated to tracking heroic defeat and victory, rates Superman at only a 54% win-rate, highlighting the potential fallibility of the character, at least on a fight-by-fight basis.

This argument is also quickly quashed by the prominent existence of playable characters, like Raiden; who is a god and already existant in-game on the precipice of suspended disbelief. Likewise, even the already confirmed Sub-Zero is more than capable of freezing his opponents (ala; Mr. Freeze) to take fatal victory in an instant if not for the competitive mechanics of a video game.
Unfamiliarity shouldn't be left to cloud common sense and precedent for what might be a conceptually flawed compromise between two companies, but otherwise works, strictly based on fundamentals.

Ironically, I don't want to come off too supportive.
I personally regard the game a misstep for a series that promised to step into the arena of the next generation of gaming with a newly rebuilt fight mechanic, and a fresh slate. While it's fair to say everything vaguely promised has been delivered, the implication of losing many mainstay characters suggested something far more immersive for fans awaiting a conclusion to the last game's apocalyptice endings. Though story shouldn't be short with Palmiotti and Gray contributing to a split mode revealing perspectives from both franchises, the longterm viability of referencing crossovers with licensed properties is always unlikely -- effectively rendering this a prolonged interruption in the MK saga.

For me, it comes down to context, and the looming threat of homogenization that was talked about during our last Street Fighter entry [Street Fighter Alpha Vol.1]. DC, notorious for it's sub-par video games, is presumably attempting to extend the reaches of it's branding, while also improving it's stock in the gaming genre. On the flipside, MK benefits from similar expansion of an already incestuous fanbase, with far more expansive mainstream connotations.

I'm interested! With the dust settled, there's no doubting that this is the game that has my attentions as of this moment! That just doesn't distract from the fact that the MK design team have outstanding debts with dedicated fans, and as games gradually become increasingly detached from their brands, MK runs the risk of joining the trend having not yet established it's footing in this generation.
Will it be sloppy seconds for companies classically chasing their more successful counterparts, Marvel and Capcom, or is this the beginning of a turnaround for both? We've touched upon just some of the issues that are sure to be talking points on the Infinite Wars for the next few months! All you MK/DC fans should make sure to stay with us as we count down to the game every Monday with more fantasy match-ups: PLUS! This weekend, a special look at fatalities!

The Fight: 5 The Issue: 6

Not the greatest reveal in the history of comics, but definitely a much better read without the baggage of monthly release, and a year's worth of anticipation. Though not showed off to it's fullest, Loeb and Lee choreograph a fantastic fight scene, despite much of the battle keeping Hush at arms length! If you're looking to get better acquainted with the dark knight and some of the movers and shakers in Gotham City, Hush is a great place in history to start! You can get the whole story in two convenient volumes from Amazon! Amazon not only offer great prices, but by using purchases links provided here, or in the Infinite Wars Amazonian Gift Shoppe, you help sponsor future melees in the Infinite Wars!

FANTASY FIGHTS: MORTAL KOMBAT/DC UNIVERSE! (R1)
A final crisis may be brewing in the DC multiverse, but after last week, fans of the company learnt a new threat will attack in the unlikely medium of video games! Worlds collide as Midway and DC confirmed what the gamers were waiting for; their shock joint venture: Mortal Kombat versus DC Universe!

Having dabbled in the past in fantasy fight combos that brought together the heroes and villains of the Marvel and Street Fighter universes, we're rolling out a massive new crop of fictional fisticuffs as we count down to the Fall release.
Sub-Zero, Scorpion, Batman, and Superman have all been confirmed, but for your pleasure, we'll roll out over one hundred potential candidates for the new game!

Though a fan of both brands, the Infinite Wars is sceptical about the quality and benefit of the crossover. That said, it doesn't mean we can't all indulge in the jois de vivre of pairing up some of the most unlikely rivalries! Featured in our nominations will be a diverse range of characters with the usual resonance of our thematic fantasy pairings, as well as some special attention for characters versed in the martial arts -- a quality overlooked in previous ventures like the Marvel versus Capcom series.

We've already locked in our 100+ selections to be revealed in stages every Mortal Monday, slowly building to the characters you're most looking forward to. That said, as always, everyone is encouraged to have their say, and throw their own speculation into the ring! Registration is not required to comment, so get in there, and challenge your opponent!

RICHARD DRAGON
[NR] :RANK
[3] :STR
[4] :INT
[4] :SPD
[4] :STM
[4] :AGL
[6] :FTA
[1] :NRG
[20%] :ODDS

LIU KANG
RANK: [NR]
STR: [3]
INT: [2]
SPD: [4]
STM: [5]
AGL: [4]
FTA: [6]
NRG: [3]
ODDS: [75%]
LIU KANG versus RICHARD DRAGON
The Hook...
Okay, I know what you're probably thinking.
As far as a starting selection goes, this wasn't what you were expecting, but hold your tongue!
One of the great exercises of a site like this is to provide a friendly arena to expose everyone to characters they might not know.

Take Richard Dragon; one of the most respected martial artists in the DCU. Dragon has been responsible for training Batman, The Question, and others, making him a great candidate to take on five-time champion: Liu Kang!

Some of you might consider this a disservice to a character, (Kang), who carried two major motion pictures to the box office, but fret not. Over the past few iterations of the series, the vanilla champion has been gradually phased out, in favour of stalwart icons like Sub-Zero, and Scorpion. In fact, the opening cinematic for 2002's, Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, opened with the shock murder of the game's champion, resulting in an eventual return in zombie and spirit forms.

It's hard to imagine in which form Kang will appear, if at all, but for our fantasy match-ups, this diminished focus makes for the perfect opportunity to include a strong martial arts character -- something the competition never quite did.

The Battle...
Despite enduring as the penultimate hero in over four games, Liu Kang isn't without his faults. Mortal Kombat has been infamous for diminishing it's heroes with unintentionally dimwitted characterizations. Though undoubtedly a diverse and skilled fighter, it's hard not to think of Liu Kang as a bit of an idiot.

There's still a strong representation within the MK fanbase that wishes to see Liu Kang continue as the franchise's iconic hero. He certainly has far more fans and moxy than his fantasy counterpart, the somewhat obscure, Richard Dragon.

The hi-concept probably says Liu Kang should win here, but in presentation I'm not sure I can respect him as much as I should. Richard Dragon is the fighter responsible for training some of the greatest fighters in the DC Universe. That respect probably should be enough to carry him to the win, but, even he doesn't have the air of the champion that quashes my reluctance.

I know who I'm supposed to choose, and given the license afforded by a stand-alone crossover, I'm not sure I can even hide behind something like the trivial differences between a franchise hero, and a vulnerable zombie. I guess I have to buckle to pressure, but I'll be more than forthcoming about understanding arguments based on the tangible facts of these characters...

WINNER: LIU KANG

KARATE KID
[#366] :RANK
[3] :STR
[4] :INT
[3] :SPD
[4] :STM
[3] :AGL
[7] :FTA
[1] :NRG
[30%] :ODDS

KUNG LAO
RANK: [NR]
STR: [3]
INT: [2]
SPD: [3]
STM: [4]
AGL: [3]
FTA: [6]
NRG: [2]
ODDS: [70%]
KUNG LAO versus KARATE KID
The Hook...
When it comes to premiere martial artists in the DCU; these days Karate Kid might just be at the top of the list. He trumped Dragon's brief appearances in 52 with his own starring role in the follow-up weekly series, Countdown.

The character, who predates the Ralph Macchio movies that had to pay licensing fees for the name, can go toe-to-toe with the best of them.
He even challenge Batman in recent issues of Justice League of America, and as we've seen, that's a pretty big deal, not just for Batman's prowess as a fighter, but as a leading icon from the DC comics.

Kung Lao is the number two to Liu Kang's hero.
The much maligned characterization of the character in Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks saw that rivalry taken to a jealous state, but I'd be more inclined to leave that argument to the fans who prefer the less obvious hero. Suffice to say, he's an exceptionally skilled fighter in his own right, even if he doesn't have the grandeur of Kang, whose sole purpose was to be the hero.

This pairing, as you might guess, continues our desire to put some focus on the martial artists of the DC Universe. Don't worry. As our weekly Fantasy Fights progress over the next few months, there'll be plenty of diversity in picks, but much like the MK games, you'll have to earn your way up the ladder of lesser characters to get to those big names!

The Battle...
Karate Kid is a master of martial arts developed far into the thirty-first century, and that quality makes him a pretty tough competitor, and certainly a character with wide potential for a beat 'em up video game. Most games emphasise characters like Kung Lao, who typically fights with fairly traditional riffs on Shaolin disciplines and popular kung fu.

Karate Kid potentially brings with him a lot of experimentation, like the modern Keysi Fighting Method, represented in the recent Batman Begins films, but still remains on Kung Lao's level as a fighter without a penchant for the chi-based attacks popularized by other characters.

In trying to pick a winner, much like the last entry, I'm influenced by broad perception. Kung Lao's fighting abilities have never really been the emphasis on his characterization and story, so when a character hinged solely on being a superb fighter comes along, I'm inclined to go that way.

Some sources cite Kung Lao as a Shaolin pacifist reluctant to fight, despite actually being more skilled than his champion relative, Liu Kang. As the only direct descendent of the original Kung Lao, a character who championed five hundred years into the series' back story, you could certainly debate his pedigree, but I'm going to go with my gut on this one...

WINNER: KARATE KID

BRONZE TIGER
[NR] :RANK
[3] :STR
[4] :INT
[4] :SPD
[5] :STM
[3] :AGL
[5] :FTA
[1] :NRG
[20%] :ODDS

KAI
RANK: [NR]
STR: [3]
INT: [2]
SPD: [3]
STM: [4]
AGL: [4]
FTA: [5]
NRG: [3]
ODDS: [20%]
KAI versus BRONZE TIGER
The Hook...
As you can see, we're really pulling out all the stops to bring the big guns to the Fantasy Fights. Alright, this is a comic website, so I should show some respect to all those Suicide Squad and Kung-Fu Fighter comic book fans.

Bronze Tiger might look a little bit like King from Tekken, but you forget about prowrestling!
Bronze Tiger's the kung-fu fighting who trained under O-Sensei before Richard Dragon, making him a pretty big deal, if not a master.

Not unlike Kai, Bronze Tiger became his best when he was dedicated to a purpose greater than himself. While Kai joined Kung Lao's Order of the Temple of Light to become a Shaolin monk, Bronze Tiger was captured by the League of Assassins and brainwashed into becoming their ultimate assassin.

A feared name across the glober, the Tiger would eventually become unstuck, but in doing so, was freed of his programming and allowed to redeem himself by doing good in the world with the Suicide Squad.

The Battle...
I know a lot of MK fans have initially been somewhat jarred by the notion of the DC heroes crossing over with their violent fighting game, but it's worth considering that Batman is considered by many to be the benchmark of fighters in the DC Universe. It's a victory over Batman that really symbolizes how great a fighter Bronze Tiger can be, and that's exactly why he's a great, if unlikely, character for a fighting franchise.

As you might have gathered from the previous monologue, Kai isn't a particularly integral part of the Mortal Kombat mythology. He was one of the new inclusions in Mortal Kombat 4, only returning for the anthology title, Armageddon. That said, his MK4 origins position him in one of the fiercest battles in Mortal Kombat history, the struggle against fiendish fallen elder god, Shinnok; feats that earned him the praises of the protectoral god, Raiden.

Both are obscure minority figures in their respective franchises, but if it's status that's influencing my choices for victor, as is so often the case in crossovers, then I'm almost inclined to lean toward Bronze Tiger. Though Kai was to boast motion capture by Sultan Uddin, the speed and graceful complexity of the character never quite eventuated in a clunky 3D build, undermining his supposed skill. Third-rung at best, Kai's the monk who'll never be champ, but Bronze Tiger is a strong and vibrant identity within his own corner, making him...

WINNER: BRONZE TIGER

J'ONN J'ONNZ
[#35] :RANK
[6] :STR
[4] :INT
[4] :SPD
[5] :STM
[2] :AGL
[4] :FTA
[5] :NRG
[75%] :ODDS

CHAMELEON
RANK: [NR]
STR: [3]
INT: [2]
SPD: [3]
STM: [4]
AGL: [3]
FTA: [5]
NRG: [4]
ODDS: [10%]
CHAMELEON versus MARTIAN MANHUNTER
The Hook...
At this point, it might be fair to say I've copped out a little bit when it comes to crowning would-be winners. Not so with this combination, which is the first of the major mismatches.

MK producer, Ed Boon, has acknowledged willfully that some of the DC superheroes out weight the capabilities of the MK counterparts. That said, I don't think it's at all unreasonable to expect some suspension of disbelief, even though it sounds like some acceptable reasoning is being given to try to blur the lines.

Though not confirmed by later appearances, Chameleon is still popularly believed to be a member of the Saurian race; inhabitants of Zaterra that were wiped out near extinction when their realm merged was conquered by Shao Kahn and merged with Outworld. Zaterra's destructive fate, and the loneliness of being the last of a species, are qualities all too familiar to the Manhunter from Mars.

The Battle...
Though substantially more powerful, Martian Manhunter has certain abilities in common with Chameleon, which lend themselves to familiar gameplay elements. Among the obvious is the Manhunter's chameleonic ability to manipulate his molecular structure to become invisible (and vary his density).

Vulnerability to flame is a broad factor, but something that doesn't really give Chameleon any inherent advantages, even with his various energy projectiles. At Superman levels, this really is a clear-cut victory for Martian Manhunter, but I like to think there'd be a bit of fun getting there.

As a mainstay of the Justice League, J'onn J'onnz would have to be the most likely DC character listed to be included in the games. Chameleon, however, was a throwaway mash-up of the other ninja characters in the PSX version of Mortal Kombat Trilogy; and made it in as a last minute entry into Armageddon.
Despite mainstream prevelance in the Justice League and The Batman cartoons, there's always a chance MM is overlooked for a more diverse cast, but with a wide berth of gameplay options, you never know!

WINNER: MARTIAN MANHUNTER

LADY SHIVA
[NR] :RANK
[3] :STR
[4] :INT
[3] :SPD
[4] :STM
[4] :AGL
[5] :FTA
[2] :NRG
[20%] :ODDS

MILEENA
RANK: [NR]
STR: [3]
INT: [4]
SPD: [3]
STM: [5]
AGL: [4]
FTA: [5]
NRG: [2]
ODDS: [60%]
MILEENA versus LADY SHIVA
The Hook...
Hopefully Martian Manhunter didn't get you too excited, because we're still in the early goings.
We bring it back to the martial artist with Lady Shiva; another character widely respected as one of the top martial artists in the DCU.

Another student of O-Sensei; Shiva, like Richard Dragon, has the distinction of training Batman, crucial to his retraining after his back was broken by the chemically enhanced villain, Bane.
A merciless assassin without definite allegiance; Shiva is the perfect foil to the Outworld Emperor's mutant clone, Mileena; who shares a similar prowess for lethality, if not the beauty of the one-time leader of Nyssa Raatko's League of Assassins.

The Battle...
In preperation for these features I made a nice long list of MK characters and did my best to come up with the perfect match for their DC counterparts. With over one hundred characters to consider and very little time, I think I did a pretty good job, but now that I'm doing a write up, choosing is hard!

It's probably important to talk about the odds of these characters being included, because for those of you interested in this upcoming game, but illinformed about one of the sides, I'm the perfect go-between. Or at least, I would be, if I could make a definite call one way or the other! Yeesh!

Mileena has the honor of appearing in Playboy, despite being the hideously deformed clone of Kitana, princess of Edenia. Given the limits on the roster of characters to appear, I'd probably be more inclined to expect Kitana than her sinister shadow, but the two have diverged in ways that leave the colour swapping of the early games far behind them.

Lady Shiva's regularly touted as, perhaps, the most impressive female fighter in the DC Universe. It's a commentary on my own selections that characters like this haven't featured on the site, as well as, to a degree, their mainstream appeal. Lady Shiva's not someone I would be counting on in a game designed to bring potential new fans into the MK fold, but she certainly wouldn't be out of place. Like Sonya Blade, or Kitana, she doesn't have any energy based attacks, but is the perfect vehicle for an exciting fighting dynamic.

Mileena's no stranger to the land of death, and despite her greater recognition, I'm inclined to play this one pure. Like her chances of trumping her royal counterpart, I think Mileena falls down a shaft of spikes, whilst trying to better the lethality of Lady Shiva.

WINNER: LADY SHIVA

HYENA
[#316] :RANK
[4] :STR
[1] :INT
[4] :SPD
[3] :STM
[5] :AGL
[3] :FTA
[1] :NRG
[10%] :ODDS

BARAKA
RANK: [NR]
STR: [4]
INT: [2]
SPD: [2]
STM: [4]
AGL: [2]
FTA: [5]
NRG: [1]
ODDS: [50%]
BARAKA versus HYENA
The Hook...
Alright, we wrap this first round up with something MK fans know all about -- and it isn't another martial artist you've never heard of!

From his first appearance in the now legendary Mortal Kombat II; I've been a big fan of Baraka! Declared king of mutants in that game, he represents the endless horde of the Tarkata: violent mutant inhabitants of Outworld!

DC isn't exactly known for it's mutants, so I actually had a bit of a disappointing time trying to pair Baraka up. He was the character I confirmed last, and with mixed emotions I settled on the animalistic mutant, Hyena.

There isn't a lot bringing these characters together, other than their penchant for bloodlust, and some fanged grins. It was sheer serendipty that mugshots for each character shows an echoed sense of delight in the anticipated violence. A fitting description of two characters happy to serve as foot soldiers in armies amassed by more aspiring overlords.

The Battle...
Mortal Kombat is well known for it's violence, and as much as this may have earned it's status of infamy in better regarded gaming series, it's a charm that's almost disappointing to see leave. Though a dark gothic asthetic and penchant for bloody violence looks to remain intact, corporate malaise means the bloodthirsty fanbase will have to live without it's popular fatalities.

It's this quality that threatens to eliminate cult-favourite, Baraka.
With a massive blade protruding from each wrist, early comic book influences from series co-creator, John Tobias, are obvious. These Wolverine-esque weapons force the character to either be harshly "nerfed," or just plain left out. Not that you'd expect Hyena in the game, unless you buy into early clues featuring African animals, and the prospect of a weirdly ironic animality.

Baraka might not be the sharpest blade in the horde, but Hyena has become identified by his feral demeanor. There might be a struggle between these two characters, but when Baraka sheathes his mutant blades, it's sure to be a bloody lesson even an animal would understand!

WINNER: BARAKA

Remember! With over one hundred characters to be featured, Mortal Monday and the Fantasy Fights will be back next week, so tune in for six more contenders for one of the most unlikely meetings DC has ever been a part of! There'll be blood, sweat, law, and... "wall breaking" DISorder...?! All will be revealed!

COVER TO COVER: AMAZING FANTASY! (ROUND 3)
During the week, we introduced you to the first registrants in the Infinite Wars Fantasy League! If you have not yet signed up then you should do so immediately! The Fantasy League provides a simple platform of interaction with the Infinite Wars by using the results catalogued in our many reviews! By following submission guidelines you're on your way to adopting a team!

The Fantasy League offers us a great opportunity to acknowledge sponsor websites from across the web. Comic Book Weekness isn't just a great name for a blog, it's also the perfect kind of site for the Fantasy League to engage in. There, Stephen typically gives his own run down of the week's top buys, while also embodying the kind of simple fandom that's a reminder of everything positive about comics. Steve's got his own rundown of his team that you can check out on the blog, and hey, if you haven't done this yourself, then give it some thought! The Fantasy League can be an ocassional bit of fun, or as involving a Meme as you can imagine. Get creative!

As implied; today we're taking a look at some of the back catalogue, featuring members of The Knights of Right! Remember, you too can become a part of the fun by enlisting in the Infinite Wars Fantasy League! Blogger membership is not required, and readers new and old are encouraged to join in and promote their corner of the internet. Points have, and will continue to be awarded, as we count down to the Monthly Punch-Up's reveal of the April leaderboard! PLUS! An upcoming review of some of the new teams, and a rule that could change the game!

Power Man & Iron Fist #90 (February 1983)
"The Untouchable!" Busiek/Cowan
Face front, sucka! Sure, Luke Cage might owe his origins to cheesy blacksploitation dialogue, and the seventies standard of teaming kung-fu and afros, but the character has come a long way. Gone is the unbuttoned silk shirt and shiney tiara; in is the smooth scalped surrogate leader of today's Secret Avengers. Quite a noble evolution for a hero-for-hire who rented his services to the highest bidder!

Now an A-lister, Cage stands for everything true, just, and in keeping with high ideals; all whilst playing the unlikely role of father and husband! His villains have escalated to include demonic crooks, zealous cults, body snatchers, and alien invaders -- but make no mistake! Luke Cage knows what planet he came from, and in this flashback, he and Iron Fist take on a street level menace who's such a rat, he'll even rob the locally owned candy store! Sweet Christmas!

Hellboy: The Corpse and the Iron Shoes (January 1996)
"The Corpse" Mike Mignola
Characters come and go on the independent publishing circuit, but few deserve and garner the attention of Mike Mingola's seminal creation, Hellboy! Now a star of big and small screen, the character has endured in ways that other popular selling independents have not, maintaining a consistent and admirable identity, while evolving into a monthly phenomenon with spin-off series like BPRD.

An unlikely success story, the character had his fair share of troubles, like an uncertain origin, and a hellacious history that threatened to prevent his ascension to blockbuster film. Fortunately calmer minds prevailed, and the world now knows of this blue collar demon, whose mythological adventures will be detailed in a July sequel! In The Corpse, HB does his best to save a kidnapped child from Irish faeries, and in doing so clashes with some nasty monsters, and a hangman who just wants a place to nap!

Superman/Batman #14 (January 2005)
"I Pledge Allegiance..." Loeb/Pacheco
Most of the issues we're flashing back on reveal a moment of triumph for the many characters selected in Fantasy League teams. Not so in this issue, which features a dark alternate history where Batman and Superman have been fostered by a villainous trio from the 31st century, who raise them to be the world's draconian protectors.

Green Arrow's politics are just one of the things that have made him far more than Batman crossed with Robin Hood. Here, the character might not succeed in putting an end to the dictatorship of the world, but it's a very true representation of what Green Arrow stands for in his world. A great character in a story that might just be better a second time around! Sure, victory is what matters in the Fantasy League, but it doesn't mean we can't have some fun along the way!

Superman #216 (June 2005)
"Lightning Strikes Twice" Winick/Churchill
Referred to by some as The Big Red Cheese; Captain Marvel is a remnant of the Golden Age that's struggled to endure in the modern era. Despite embodying the kind of innocence and justice that superheroes aspire to, these qualities have proven the character's greatest weakness, leaving many writers confused as they try to figure out how to treat the character in a time where anti-heroes are given more attention.

Once more popular than Superman; it's the feud between these characters, ignited in particular by Kingdom Come, that has helped keep the presence of Shazam's golden warrior in the present. Here we see one of the last tales of Marvel and his mentor, the Wizard Shazam, who granted him the powers of a pantheon, before succuming to the wrath of The Spectre, and his onslaught of the world of magic!

Blue Beetle #1 (May 2006)
"Blue Monday" Giffen/Rogers/Hamner
Something borrowed, something blue, and something new!
Why if you were marrying Jaime Reyes, you really would have snagged the total package! Sure, he's a reluctant teen superhero who gets his powers from a freaky mystical scarab buried in his spine, but what's life without it's mysteries, eh?

In the wake of Ted Kord's murder; a new Blue Beetle bursts onto the scene when the DC Universe needed him most! With Kord having been murdered by former Leaguer, turned Project OMAC drone, Maxwell Lord, it's fitting that the out-of-control OMAC satellite would be finally undone by the Blue Beetle's successor! With the Crisis of OMAC seemingly averted, Jaime plummets back to Earth, but out of this conclusion comes the beginning of a new adventure, as Jaime learns more about the powers bestowed upon him, and the fact that the scarab around Green Lanterns? Not so much!...