HERO OF THE WEEK: VULTURE (Marvel)
Real Name: Adrian Toomes
First Appearance: Amazing Spider-man #2 (May, 1963)
Fight Club Ranking: #534

Featured Fights:
- vs AVENGERS: Marvel Knights: Spider-man #11 (Apr 2005)

Spider-man: Homecoming is now in theatres, and most of the world seems to agree that the joint production between Disney and Sony has given Marvel Entertainment one of its most compelling villains to date! Vulture seems an unlikely candidate, but the winning formula was easy to see!

Michael Keaton was always going to be an engaging choice -- not just because of his famous three year reign as the big screen Batman -- or because it played up jokes made in Best Picture Oscar winner Birdman. Keaton is a good actor. A star who brings a lot of character and intensity to even his worst roles. Trailers immediately announced he was taking the role seriously, and the concept as its written gives him plenty to bite into as a regular guy pushed to cruel and unusual action!

The only thing I can't quite get to grips with is the idea that Michael Keaton could be viewed by some of the audience as old. I mean, sure. The Dream Team may be running out of bench, but geez. Marisa Tomei as Aunt May?! Don't get me started, man. Don't get me started!

"Ageism" in the culture, especially Hollywood, isn't exactly breaking news, but it does surprise me that Vulture's age seems to be a tougher sell than the green, fur-lined flying suit. Growing up, I always thought it was kind of a fun distinguishing feature of the character. There was the obvious visual hook of a thin bald man (to look like the bird), but even the idea of an old man pushed to kicking youngster's arse is pretty fun. The more the audience resists, the more it makes sense - to me.

I always thought it would be a lot of fun to see Vulture starring in a Curb Your Enthusiasm type series. A comic that deals with the mundane of the super-villain's existence, and his frustrations in the every day life that push him to criminality. Yes, I rather like the visual of Larry David scowling in the costume, too. It's a thought that's been with me a while, as far back as when Peter Parker unmasked during Civil War. Which struck me as a great premise for comic indignation. Anybody who remembers Peter Parker's late eighties coffee table book, Webs, could understand the humor of a super-villain lawsuit for use of their likenesses without permission.

It's interesting to imagine what might've been had Sam Raimi completed his vision for Vulture in Spider-man 3. Ben Kingsley might not be the cantankerous old man of the comics, but again, I can see a closer visual. I also imagine Raimi's instincts might've veered a little closer to the comics. He certainly went all-in on the memorable image of Sandman. I'd like to think it wouldn't have been another Green Goblin "Power Rangers" suit.

I'm a little disappointed the Homecoming version of the costume veers away from the source, but even the most loyal comics fan probably doesn't demand a green leotard with wings attached.

The vibe of flight jacket is a pretty sympathetic adaptation. I could do without the pseudo-realism of fan-force wings, but what're you gonna do? I have mixed feelings about the helmet, but it's not the worst thing in the world. It's certainly not enough to stop Vulture being our Hero of the Week!

Edit: July was supposed to be the month we built up our fight record with more Vulture action. Sadly, 2017 had a knack for getting in the way of my beautiful, beautiful schedule. With any luck we'll get a chance to dip a toe into the Vulture file again in the future.

<< Hero of the Week 08/07: Shocker       [Home]      Hero of the Week 07/24: Mister Terrific >>

HERO OF THE WEEK: MISTER TERRIFIC (DC)
Real Name: Michael Holt
First Appearance: Spectre #54 (June, 1997)
Fight Club Ranking: #464

Featured Fights:
- vs SOLOMON GRUNDY: JSA #65 (Nov 2004)

It's typical for San Diego Comic-Con International to create a crisis of multiple Hero of the Week contenders, but this year the July stand-outs were few and far between.

Last year Spider-man: Homecoming pipped the competition with a reveal for Michael Keaton's surprising Vulture -- a break-out that lived up to the hype in theatres earlier this month. In 2017: the blockbuster film announcements that typically dominate headlines weren't quite as convincing -- opening the door to another surprising SDCC Hero of the Week: Mister Terrific!

The hi-tech genius is the leader for a newly announced DC Comics team-up called The Terrifics!

Fronting a band that also includes Plastic Man, Metamorpho and Phantom Girl; Mister Terrific is a none-too-subtle surrogate in what is ultimately a nod to another quartet of presently neglected comic book favourites: The Fantastic Four!

It's a pretty cheeky reference, but given Marvel's stubborn neglect toward one of their oldest and most celebrated properties, it may prove to be a rewarding and shrewd choice. Not only does it capitalize on a gaping whole in the market -- it diverts attention from DC's own glaring neglect of their trademarks, throwing shade on Marvel's missteps, whilst subtly addressing their own.

The Terrifics as spin-off from the on-going Dark Metal saga at DC Comics isn't especially thrilling. Their approach to repairing the damage of the New 52 has a clumsiness that feels all too reminiscent of the very events that went horribly wrong. It's getting difficult to remember what was and wasn't explicitly promised for Rebirth, but the implication of iconic reform and unravelling isn't playing out.

Fortunately, The Terrifics appear cut from a cloth more in keeping with Young Animal, where DC have been quietly redeemed under the curation of My Chemical Romance front-man Gerard Way.

There doesn't seem to be any actual connection to Young Animal, where the likes of Doom Patrol and Bug have inspired Heroes of the Week with welcome resurrections. There's just a similar fun, unburdened, comic-pop sensibility. Something that hasn't been seen in the DCU proper for most of the decade!

The character choices alone seem in keeping with Young Animal's liberated choice of third-string icons. Hopefully this team can move forward with a similar sense of whimsical abandon and independence from the grim oppressions of most of the publisher's line-up!

The preview art, with its knowing minimalism, comic book savvy, and pop palette recalls the work of Mike & Laura Allred on Bug, or Nick Derington and colorist Tamra Bonvillain on the new Doom Patrol. It feels as if DC is opening up to the possibility of getting its cool back!

The Terrifics concept seems to lean heavily on the Fantastic Four, with its formally entitled genius, stretchy hero, see-thru girl, and disfigured elemental -- but I'm hoping (and expecting) the series will use this platform to launch into its own brand of fun.

Historically, Doom Patrol were compared to the sci-fi and oddball characters of the Fantastic Four, as well. Yet I'd like to think it proved concept for its own referential touchstone. The Terrifics have a chance to be what the Fantastic Four haven't for quite some time. Let them be Terrific!

Be sure to check out CBR's Terrifics preview for more on the new series. With any luck this signals a trend of fun in superhero comics that sometimes feels missing.

<< Hero of the Week 07/31: Vulture      [Home]      Hero of the Week 07/17: Sabretooth >>

HERO OF THE WEEK: SABRETOOTH (Marvel)
Real Name: Victor Creed
First Appearance: Iron Fist #14 (August, 1977)
Fight Club Ranking: #885

Featured Fights:
- vs IRON FIST: Iron Fist #14 (Aug 1977)
- vs HEROES FOR HIRE: Power Man & Iron Fist #66 (Dec 1980)
- vs JUBILEE: Adventures of the X-Men #7 (Oct 1996)
- vs TEEN TITANS: Unlimited Access #3 (Feb 1998)
- vs WOLVERINE: X-Men (Jul 2000)
- vs WOLVERINE: Wolverine #50 (Mar 2007)

The hits keep on coming! Marvel Legacy is gearing up to get seriously classic on some of your favourite Marvel Comics heroes and series. As Newsarama reports, that means Iron Fist #73 is going to rekindle one of Marvel's forgotten classic rivalries: Iron Fist versus Sabretooth!

Everybody knows there's bad blood between Sabretooth and Wolverine, but not everyone remembers the early days, when mercenary Sabretooth tangled with Iron Fist and Power Man!

It's a good thing the first appearance of Sabretooth in Iron Fist #14 was a featured fight earlier this year! That original cover will be paid homage with an updated variant version, and it's the perfect primer for this newest face-off -- and team-up?!

What ever the case, I'm really enjoying the injection of classic comics into both Marvel and DC's line-ups. It looks like Sabretooth's return to Iron Fist will be a natural, fresh meeting between two characters who have history. By no means regression of forty years, but an encounter that moves forward while getting the most out of their backstory. At least, that's my hope...

If you're a fan of The Comic Book Fight Club rankings, you'll no doubt be glad Sabretooth's keeping relevant while Wolverine remains dead. Secret Wars on Infinite Earths is a constant work-in-progress, and despite several featured fights in the past, Sabretooth is still only ranked #885! A low rung that demands correction at some point in our fighting future! For now, Sabretooth will have to settle for being out Hero of the Week!

<< Hero of the Week 07/24: Mr. Terrific  [Home]  Hero of the Week 07/10: Cyborg Superman >>

HERO OF THE WEEK: CYBORG SUPERMAN (DC)
Real Name: Hank Henshaw
First Appearance: Adventures of Superman #466 (May, 1990)
Fight Club Ranking: #769

Featured Fights:
- vs GREEN LANTERN CORPS & JUSTICE LEAGUE: Green Lantern #25 (Jan 2008)

Man alive! It's comics! DC are playing some familiar old tunes in the latest issues of Action Comics, and it's sweet music to my ears! Dan Jurgens is back, keeping it simple and classic with the formation of an all-new Superman Revenge Squad who represent an all-star line-up of Superman bad guys!

The entire line-up is pretty damn compelling! Mongul, Metallo and Eradicator are seasoned villains with big appeal! General Zod is on the verge of escaping the Suicide Squad, to be their latest star recruit! The one that has me most excited though is the mastermind of the team: Cyborg Superman!

Cyborg Superman is just one of those second-tier villains I get a real kick out of!

He's been sorely displaced since The New 52 reboot, losing the "Cyborg Superman" mantle to Supergirl's dad, Zor-El, who was rescued from Krypton's destruction by Brainiac. The result was a new cyber-organic nasty. A neat concept if you don't mind another survivor from Superman's long dead homeworld, but no substitute for the simple pleasure of Hank Henshaw!

The Henshaw Cyborg is kind of a dunderheaded concept: Astronaut suffers cosmic accident in Fantastic Four pastiche that slowly kills he and his colleagues. Superman is indirectly tied to the solar flare that caused the accident. Henshaw downloads his brain into a computer to become a ghost in the machine. He eventually hacks his way into Superman's birthing matrix and constructs a body of organic and metal components. Briefly impersonates The Man of Steel after his apparent death.

You just can't beat that kind of accumulated history, though. His return gets better, too!

To fight a Revenge Squad you need a Superman Squad, and that means a reformed (yeah, right) Lex Luthor leading a band of heroes that includes another favourite from the early 90s: Steel!

Sometimes it's the simple things in life that are the best. The current run for Action Comics seems to be just that. Don't take my word for it! Check out CBR's May preview for Action Comics #980!

<< Hero of the Week 07/17: Sabretooth    [Home]    Hero of the Week 07/03: Spider-man >>

HERO OF THE WEEK: SPIDER-MAN (Marvel)
Real Name: Peter Parker
First Appearance: Amazing Fantasy #15 (August, 1962)
Fight Club Ranking: #2

Featured Fights:
- vs WIZARD & MYSTERIO: Amazing Spider-man Annual #4 (1967)
- vs DOCTOR DORCAS & TIGERSHARK: Marvel Team-Up #14 (Oct 1973)
- vs TRAPSTER: Marvel Team-Up #58 (Jun 1977)
- vs HULK: Marvel Treasury Edition #25 (1980)
- vs JUGGERNAUT: Amazing Spider-man #230 (Jul 1982)
- vs BLACKLASH: Marvel Team-Up #145 (Sep 1984)
- vs TRI-SENTINEL: Amazing Spider-man #329 (Feb 1990)
- vs CARNAGE: Spider-man Unlimited #2 (Aug 1993)
- vs SCORPION: Spectacular Spider-man #215 (Aug 1994)
- vs SHOCKER: Spider-man Adventures #9 (Aug 1995)
- vs MANTIS & JUGGERNAUT: Unlimited Access #1 (Dec 1997)
- vs SINISTER TWELVE: Marvel Knights: Spider-man #11 (Apr 2005)
- vs BLADE: Ultimate Spider-man #95 (Jul 2006)
- vs MAN-APE: Black Panther #18 (Sep 2006)
- vs SECRET AVENGERS: Civil War #3 (Sep 2006)
- vs MODOK: Marvel Adventures: The Avengers #9 (Mar 2007)
- vs THE HAND: New Avengers #27 (Apr 2007)
- vs VENOM: Spider-man Family #2 (Jun 2007)
- vs GOMDULLA: Spider-man Family #3 (Aug 2007)
- vs MIGHTY AVENGERS: New Avengers #36 (Jan 2008)
- vs THE HOOD/DORMAMMU: New Avengers #54 (Aug 2009)
- vs LUKE CAGE/AGAMOTTO: New Avengers #2 (Sep 2010)

It was tempting to talk about how horrendous Inhumans looks, but I'm not sure dodgy wardrobe and over-lit teevee is really significant enough to warrant Hero of the Week honors! Especially not when the world is looking ahead to the theatrical return of Spider-man this Friday, July 7th!

I say "solo", but marketing has made it abundantly clear that Robert Downey Jr's Iron Man will play a significant role in the formative years of the Disney-influenced big screen Spidey.

I can't say I've ever really dwelled on the issue, but it seems like every time the web-slinger's origin is brought to the masses, there are questions about how he gets his iconic costume. Tech whiz Tony Stark comes with conveniences that allow for mechanical web-shooters, and (unnecessarily) emotive mask lenses, but also unravels the boy's own adventure of Peter Parker's burgeoning genius.

Despite the relative minority of Spider-man's years in high school, there's a determined creative influence that insists he's at his best when he's still a kid. The contemporary youth of Spider-man; Homecoming may prove to be one of its most distinctive details. Star Tom Holland reads very young, and the crossover of Disney star Zendaya seems unlike anything big screen Spidey has seen before.

I've always been pretty comfortable with an adult Spider-man, but in the last twelve months I've been reconnecting with the old favourite through various sources, including the Spectacular Spider-man animated series. In its two seasons, the cartoon repurposed classic characters and stories from the series of the same name, through the prism of a high school Peter Parker. A compelling case for having savvy super-villain battles and high school character dramas.

Another point of pleasure has been (re)discovering, and enjoying immensely, issues of Spider-man from 1997-98. For one reason or another, I wasn't looking in the right direction when Howard Mackie and John Romita Jr were working to re-centre the web-slinger around issues that felt classic in essence, but modern in tone. I think the return of Green Goblin and death of Ben Reilly were still the big stories that overshadowed a welcome return to business closer to usual.

As it happens, both examples feature an iconic Spider-man/Peter Parker confronting the shifting sands of the world around him. They also boast Shocker in a major villain role. Which is something they also have in common with Homecoming. Something we might talk about more in HOTW soon.

I'm given the impression that Marvel crossovers will be a big part of a three act development for Holland's Spider-man. I don't need him to join The Avengers any time soon, but I definitely look forward to some web-swinging fun in the style of Marvel Team-Up! [Not to be confused with last week's spotlight return Marvel Two-In-One!]

The mind boggles at the possibilities for sequel team-ups. Now that Marvel has a live-action Daredevil in its pantheon, the desire to see Netflix TV series matter more to the cinematic universe only becomes greater. Even if the pairing of DD's Charlie Cox and Tom Holland skews the chemistry of the old Marvel buddies.

Naturally I'm still thinking about the mounting options for a big screen version of Maximum Carnage, too! With Tom Hardy on board to star in a Venom film, the relevant characters are getting more compelling!

Just think about teaming Hardy & Holland with the likes of Captain America (Chris Evans), TV's Cloak & Dagger, Netflix's Iron Fist, and rumored spin-off star Black Cat! The basic framework may be a tad ramshackle, but a refined big screen version could be a crazy and fun way to give the Spider-man films their own build-up to an Avengers type climax -- and finally give fans the cohesion of properties they've long been seeking! Throw in Morbius and it'd be tough to look away!

Edit: July was supposed to be the month we featured a whole lot of fresh new Spider-man battles, but 2017 has had a way of putting the kibosh on the best of plans. Be sure to check out the featured links at the top of this post, dive into the Secret Issue Index for more, and keep an eye out for future updates!

<< Hero of the Week 07/10: Cyborg Superman     [Home]     Hero of the Week 06/26: Thing >>

HERO OF THE WEEK: THING (Marvel)
Real Name: Benjamin J. Grimm
First Appearance: Fantastic Four #1 (Nov, 1961)
Fight Club Ranking: #10

Featured Fights:
- vs FRIGHTFUL FOUR: Fantastic Four #129 (Dec 1972)
- vs EGO THE LIVING PLANET: Fantastic Four #235 (Oct 1981)
- vs ULTRON: Marvel Two-In-One #92 (Oct 1982)
- vs AHAB & HOUNDS: X-Men Annual #14 (1990)
- vs DOCTOR DOOM: Fantastic Four #350 (Mar 1991)
- vs JUSTICE PEACE: Fantastic Four #354 (Jul 1991)
- vs PAIBOK: Fantastic Four #358 (Nov 1991)
- vs DOCTOR DOOM: Fantastic Four #361 (Feb 1992)
- vs DOPPELGANGER THING: Fantastic Four #367 (Aug 1992)
- vs ADAPTOID: Fantastic Four: Unplugged #1 (Sep 1995)
- vs MOLEMAN: Fantastic Four #2 (Dec 1996)
- vs SUPER-SKRULL: Fantastic Four #6 (Apr 1997)
- vs ICONOCLAST: Fantastic Four #2 (Feb 1998)
- vs FRIGHTFUL FOUR: Marvel Adventures #12 (Mar 1998)
- vs WOLVERINE: Wolverine #22 (Jan 2005)
- vs SINISTER TWELVE: Marvel Knights: Spider-man #11 (Apr 2005)
- vs GOMDULLA: Spider-man Family #3 (Aug 2007)
- vs SENTRY: Mighty Avengers #10 (May 2008)
- vs LUKE CAGE: New Avengers #2 (Sep 2010)

Joy of joys! Marvel Two-In-One is officially coming back!

Axel Alonso got people talking with a Twitter teaser that implied some version of "Fantastic 2". CBR has since reported the story, revealing cover art with Thing front-and-centre, alongside a cavalcade of prospective Two-In-One allies including his old buddy Human Torch!

Marvel Two-In-One would probably be a welcome classic reference at the best of times, but with Fantastic Four out of print since 2015 -- and many of Marvel's most iconic heroes sidelined in the last twelve months -- it's exactly what weary fans of Marvel Comics should want to hear!

If Marvel Legacy really isn't able to deliver the Fantastic Four; a Thing team-up book is the perfect way to stir up similar feelings. Marvel Two-In-One is the kind of series that really fell out of vogue in the 1990s and 2000s, but has always been a fun concept begging for a revival. The fact that Thing and Human Torch were left displaced in the Marvel Universe after the FF disbanded makes it the kind of intuitive no brainer that's long overdue!

I've found myself revisiting issues of Marvel Two-In-One throughout the year -- not just the classic 1982 Annual -- but non-descript issues, too!

I had particular fun revisiting issue #96, where a variety of heroes attempt to pick up the slack while Thing recovers in hospital from his battles with Champion and Gladiator. A whole lotta bad guys are out causing trouble. There's a particularly nice moment when Sandman manages to slip by the other heroes defenses, only to share a beer with Thing. A very nice, classic Marvel moment!

The possibility of diving back into superhero comics like that is nice, even if a little unlikely. It's presently unclear exactly how the new Marvel Two-In-One will operate, or for how long. Here's hoping we get a lot of fun adventures with the ever lovin' blue-eyed Thing!

If you want to see more of his classic exploits, be sure to follow the featured fights at the top of the post. You can also dive in to the Secret Issue Index for past battles filed by publisher, series and issue number. Follow along on Twitter and Facebook to get daily fight links inspired by the day's topics!

<< Hero of the Week 07/03: Spider-man   [Home]   Hero of the Week 06/19: Wonder Woman >>

HERO OF THE WEEK: WONDER WOMAN (DC)
Real Name: Diana of Themyscira
First Appearance: All-Star Comics #8 (Dec, 1941)
Fight Club Ranking: #14

Featured Fights:
- vs ETRIGAN: The Demon #17 (Nov 1991)
- vs STORM: Marvel versus DC #3 (Apr 1996)
- vs MANTIS & JUGGERNAUT: Unlimited Access #1 (Dec 1997)
- vs MORGAUTH: JSA Strange Adventures #1 (Oct 2004)
- vs SUPERMAN & BATMAN: Superman/Batman #15 (Feb 2005)
- vs ULTRAMARINE CORPS: JLA: Classified #3 (Mar 2005)
- vs MONGUL: Infinite Crisis #1 (Dec 2005)
- vs INJUSTICE LEAGUE: Justice League of America #15 (Jan 2008)
- vs MINOTAUR: DC Universe 0 (Jun 2008)
- vs MARY MARVEL: Final Crisis #3 (Sep 2008)
- vs CHEETAH: Wonder Woman #29 (Apr 2009)
- vs GENOCIDE: Wonder Woman #32 (Jul 2009)

As the world counts down to this week's theatrical release of Wonder Woman, a chorus of voices unites in anticipation of Gal Gadot's solo return to the big screen. Her smile lit up the drab night of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, but will it be enough to reverse a trend of disappointing DC Comics movies? If I'm completely honest - I am not sure.

Finding definitive comic book reference for Wonder Woman isn't always the easiest task. Her most iconic villains vary from second-hand mythological figures like Ares, to the tough-sell spectacle of Giganta and Cheetah. For a film adaptation, this could be liberating license to invent an intuitive definitive vision for the character -- or a blank slate that directs a movie on a rudderless course.

The Wonder Woman film immediately takes the unconventional step of shirking the heroine's roots in World War II to extend her lifespan by centuries, repositioning the film's plot in the first World War. As a lover of retro, my heart belongs to the modern world of the 20s-40s, which already makes this movie a little less appealing.

Usually I have some idea of what I'm getting into before I see a film. There've been surprises, pleasant and less so, but superhero movies rarely surprise. So it's curious that Wonder Woman trailers and limited promotional material leave so little an impression.

Warner Brothers have made moves to tell the world Wonder Woman will be fun. The juggernaut of DC productions may roll on, but WB clearly recognize some amount of course correct will be necessary if the audience is to remain interested (hopefully). I'm not sure if I believe them, or not.

As noted last week, my enthusiasm for superhero movies is mostly reserved for Black Panther. As much as I would love to feel otherwise, it's very hard to believe that a compelling Wonder Woman movie exists behind these trailers. The hope is in what they don't show, but my threshold for gambling on joyless, mediocre superhero movies is rapidly eroding. I hope I'm wrong, but my expectations are very low at this point.

There's already a ring of enthusiasm pouring out for the movie, but so far impressions seem more enamored with the gender of the hero, than the quality of her journey. A lot of superhero movies elicit glowing reviews declaring each new release 'the best movie evarrr'. These seem unique only in their emphasis on genitalia. I'm down with woman, but I'd like some wonder too.

I hope this really is the triumph the DC Extended Universe needs. Nothing about Justice League seems likely to turn frowns upside down. Wonder Woman is certainly the best chance of achieving that. I'm not convinced it will, but I hope it does.

Edit: June was supposed to be the month of Wonder Woman comic book battles, but sadly, 2017 had a way of derailing the best of laid plans! Be sure to check out the featured fights listed at the top of this Hero of the Week entry, and keep an eye out for all-new Wonder Woman updates in the future!

<< Hero of the Week 06/26: Thing       [Home]      Hero of the Week 06/12: Black Panther >>

HERO OF THE WEEK: BLACK PANTHER (Marvel)
Real Name: T'Challa
First Appearance: Fantastic Four #52 (July, 1966)
Fight Club Ranking: #127

Featured Fights:
- vs CAPTAIN AMERICA: Tales of Suspense #98 (Feb 1968)
- vs SUPER-SKRULL: Fantastic Four #6 (Apr 1997)
- vs DOCTOR DOOM: Black Panther #19 (Oct 2006)

Black Panther was an early addition to last year's Hero of the Week when Ryan Coogler was announced as director of the feature film. The hero debuted as a major player in that year's Captain America: Civil War, and twelve months on, we're closing in on the long awaited solo abventure! The first teaser trailer and movie poster were released late last week - and they look exciting!

Of all the superhero movies currently upcoming -- this is the one I'm most excited for!

That comes with the knowledge that the more Disney reveal their movies, the less interesting they usually appear. Doctor Strange was the last must-see destination that quickly lost its appeal as more of the Benedict Cumberbatch performance was exposed, and the details of the adaptation emerged.

Fortunately, anticipation hasn't been damaged by this first big trailer for Black Panther! If anything, my hopes for the film are buoyed by what looks like a movie with the potential to live up to the promise of a unique vision of a Marvel hero!

Aesthetics have been one of the most disappointing aspects of Marvel Entertainment. The trailer isn't presenting a perfect image, but so far I love what we've seen of the visual palette and designs! Wakanda is a wonderful blend of nature and engineering, presenting the city as its always been conceived in the comics: a world in touch with the past and the future!

Its warriors add welcome splashes of colour. I think I'm as excited to see Black Panther's guards as I am to see him! Boy, do we see Black Panther in the trailer!

Whether he's lurking in the shadows of Africa's jungles, or leaping across cars in the urban jungle -- this is a movie that's clearly going to give us a man of action! It's not quite the colour popped sci-fi of Tron, but I'm really enjoying the purple and blue hues of the city where the Panther appears to hunt!

I can't help but wish the Panther's suit had the gold highlights the comics added in the 2000s. I think that would've given the visual an attractive highlight in a lot of these images. That's ultimately a small complaint, though. A preference forgotten with so many other things going right.

In 2017, there will be a racial read of the character and film. So far this seems to be a movie that's embracing the established qualities of the comics, creating a world intuitive to itself. Nothing about the production seems contrived or insincere. I see Black Panther as a character who demands a screen presentation in the same way as any other Marvel hero, but if it also supplies heroic images relatable to a diverse audience -- that can't be a bad thing! Actors from around the world may play the parts, but we don't often see international heroes in big American superhero blockbusters. An African hero will hopefully feel refreshing to everyone in the audience.

Sadly, we still have a while to wait: Black Panther won't be in theatres until next year - February 16th, 2017. With any luck it will be completely worth the wait. I'll certainly be looking forward to the opportunity to dig deeper into some of my favourite Black Panther comics!

<< Hero of the Week 06/19: Wonder Woman     [Home]     Hero of the Week 06/05: Red Hood >>

HERO OF THE WEEK: RED HOOD (DC)
Real Name: Jason Todd
First Appearance: Batman #357 (March, 1983)
Fight Club Ranking: #40

Featured Fights:
- vs THE SOCIETY: Batman #647 (Jan 2006)
- vs BRICK: Green Arrow #70 (Mar 2007)
- vs GREEN ARROW: Green Arrow #71 (Apr 2007)
- vs SPEEDY: Green Arrow #72 (May 2007)
- vs ROBIN: Batman: Battle for the Cowl #2 (Jun 2009)
- vs NIGHTWING: Batman: Battle for the Cowl #3 (Jul 2009)

Last month the featured fights were all about the heroes and villains of Injustice 2, but if you thought the DC fighting game sequel was done and dusted now that it's on sale -- you were wrong!

Warner Brothers and NetherRealm Studios have made a fine-art of selling extra content after the initial release of the game. They aren't wasting any time in revealing the next big character coming via download! As MK Online reports, it's one of the fans' most requested characters: Red Hood!

As is monotonously the case; I feel a slight pang of resistance to our first Hero of the Week of June. The cloud of commerce, and an absence of nuance, makes the arrival of Jason Todd a somewhat bittersweet scenario. It's nice to see a character fairly faithfully recreated from the page, but it's the unremarkable off-the-rack aesthetic of jacket and helmet that makes that a low bar to reach.

If you were here in the mid-2000s, you'll know I wasn't particularly opposed to the return of Jason Todd. The basic premise of resurrecting the dead Robin comes with inevitable friction, but the work of creators like Judd Winick and Doug Mahnke made it a pitch with meat on the bone.

The aesthetically pleasing, urban chess board that appeared in Batman comics at that time didn't need a Red Hood to work -- but both character, and scenario, were ultimately enhanced by one another. The dynamic of characters moving through Gotham City to serve distinct motivations was a very enjoyable experience.

I'm not sure Injustice 2 will receive the same enhancement. Last week I talked about the desire to at least see aesthetic and functional distinctions in fighting game superheroes. Red Hood's gun-toting street fighting doesn't exactly offer a whole lot in either department.

In a game that already comes with the likes of Batman, Robin, Catwoman, Black Canary, and Deadshot -- Red Hood isn't exactly bringing a whole lot to the table. Pre-fight character interactions may offer a few nods to character dynamics, but there's no story involvement for DLC fighters, which means any benefit Red Hood might bring is in the eye of the beholder. Which doesn't necessarily mean Red Hood won't find a market.

The last decade or more of gaming has refocused pretty heavily around shooting guns and moving through urban environments. It's no real wonder Red Hood is a popular character amongst the gaming demographics. As time has worn on, the novelty and meaning of his return has faded. In its place has been an adolescent power fantasy with simple cosplay appeal. Guns, a jacket, and a 'tude that pushes against the establishment. Taxi Driver with a silly helmet might be going a bit far, but the character doesn't always come with overly interesting goals or inspiration. He's bratty teen rebellion in an age where that's the beginning and end of a philosophy that will linger much longer in life. The fight against grown ups.

In another time, a character like Red Hood might've stood for the opposite of burning disposable income on the latest tack-on to a finite purchase. He would've been a figure of counter-culture -- but comics and their multimedia tie-ins have left that spirit behind.

There's always something a little bit ugly about the voracious consumption of a demographic spending more than double the value of an all-content-in-one-box "Komplete Edition" just to gobble up the latest shiny bauble, but I wouldn't want to judge too harshly - it's not all bad. In fact, that audience even performs the service of funding more material, which sometimes opens things up to even more interesting extensions. It's just hard to ignore the gluttony of it all.

I'd love to see the Injustice 2 Gear system offer the short-lived Red Hood design that haunted Batman and Robin during Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely's memorable 2009-2010 run.

The over-the-top absurdity of the design, and its perversion as a market-minded anti-Batman was a whole lot of fun to groove to!

You'd probably have a tough time conveying the concept through the game, but the thought of such an aggressively comic book aesthetic confronting the overly-seemed, grim 'n' gritty, armor-plated gamer is its own pleasure. These games should dare to be that amazing!

<< Hero of the Week 06/12: Black Panther    [Home]    Hero of the Week 05/29: Gorilla Grodd >>

HERO OF THE WEEK: GORILLA GRODD (DC)
Real Name: Grodd
First Appearance: The Flash #106 (May, 1959)
Fight Club Ranking: #355

Featured Fights:
- vs SUPERGIRL: Supergirl #3 (Nov 1996)
- vs JUSTICE LEAGUE: JLA: Classified #3 (Mar 2005)
- vs JUSTICE LEAGUE: Justice League of America #15 (Jan 2008)
- vs MARTIAN MANHUNTER: Final Crisis: Requiem #1 (Sep 2008)

This month on Secret Wars on Infinite Earths we've been spotlighting comic book battles featuring heroes and villains found in Injustice 2!

The DC fighting game sequel has been a sporadic influence on this year's Hero of the Week, but one of the more exciting additions we never got around to acknowledging was Gorilla Grodd! With the game officially available for home consoles -- now seems to be the perfect time for a HOTW salute!

Generally speaking, I'm not the biggest fan of superheroes in the fighting game genre.

Fighting games -- especially in 2017's pseudo-sport, streaming world -- are all about mechanical parity and balance. Superheroes simply don't function that way. They leap around environments and clash with unique chemical reactions determined by story! Shuffling side-to-side with attacks that reach approximate equivalency simply isn't how you get the most out of the characters. I prefer hand-to-hand combatants and distinct martial arts in my fighting games [see; Street Fighter, Tekken].

If you're going to put superheroes in the fighting game arena -- you might as well try to get the most interesting functional and visual distinctions. That was why when Mortal Kombat Online was putting together a Top 10 Villains Wishlist for the first game, I was eager to see Grodd included.

Just as Solomon Grundy was a pleasant surprise in the initial line-up of 2012; Gorilla Grodd was a unique stand-out included very early in the sequel's character reveal cycle.

I'm not the biggest fan of a tubby or armored Grodd, but NetherRealm aesthetics can be pretty hit or miss, particularly in the superhero realm. The imposition of an RPG armor-unlock Gear system at least meant Grodd's accoutrement offered a functional purpose. At his core, he's a weird and wonderful villain to oppose the usual suspects of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the gang.

I also really like the way they've created character for Grodd in his animations, expression and dialogue. Too much real-world gorilla reference always make Grodd a dull boy.

What I've seen of the Injustice 2 story mode doesn't exactly bowl me over. These modes have been widely praised since 2011's Mortal Kombat reboot, but the material is usually pretty weak. There isn't a strong sense of character, or the kind of textured storytelling long time comic book readers would be used to. There doesn't seem to be a huge amount of crossover between the dedicated fanbases, but I have to imagine Injustice functions as a decent enough introduction for new readers.

I thought it was fun that The Society found its way into the games. The basic premise of the Injustice universe is that Superman and a band of loyal heroes are themselves the villains. So to inject a faction of classic villainy pleases me -- even if they wind up somewhere in the grey puddle that a lot of the characters ultimately occupy. That Grodd is in charge of this version of The Society - also fun.

I have a tough time wholly embracing the experience of Injustice, in much the same way Injustice has a tough time wholly embracing the characters and comics it's loosely based upon. Unfortunately, that seems to be a consistent tone throughout many contemporary DC products -- including the current comics themselves.

The fundamental premise of bad guy Superman was so poorly realized, and is so thoroughly without flavor in 2017, there's just no joy there. Which, in a strange way, makes the relative simplicity of Gorilla Grodd and his villainous fellows that much more important.

The variety of the Injustice line-up is very much appreciated. The quality of the game experience - tough to argue with. These are generally pretty good games. Just frustrating if you have any existing attachments, or broader frames of reference.

If you're curious about some of the other Injustice characters who grabbed attention, be sure to flash back to Hero of the Week spotlights for: Supergirl, Reverse-Flash, Black Canary, Cheetah, Doctor Fate and Firestorm! You can also find plenty more of the comic book fighting perspective by diving in to the Secret Issue Index for a complete archive of past featured fights, or by subscribing to Twitter and Facebook for daily links!

<< Hero of the Week 06/05: Red Hood       [Home]      Hero of the Week 05/22: Venom >>

DOCTOR FATE versus HAWKMAN

Chapter Three: What Price Vengeance? (DC)
Where: All-Star Squadron #4 When: December 1981
Why: Roy Thomas How: Rich Buckler

The Story So Far...
December 8, 1941: The combined powers of The All-Star Squadron race to the Hawaiian island of Oahu to witness the aftermath of a terrible attack! The decimation of Pearl Harbor shocks their senses, and strengthens America's resolve to answer the call to World War II.

The unprecedented assembly of heroes flights East to meet their attackers head-on, unaware that a conspiring force anticipates their arrival! The Dragon King lies on a small island somewhere between Hawaii and Japan, plotting to manipulate the super-powered All-Stars with methods of science and the super-natural!

What good will the Justice Society and their allies be when their most powerful members become dedicated agents of The Axis Powers?!

Tale of the Tape...
Strength: Doctor Fate 6 (Invincible)
Intelligence: Doctor Fate 5 (Professor)
Speed: Hawkman 3 (Athlete)
Stamina: Doctor Fate 5 (Marathoner)
Agility: Draw 2 (Average)
Fighting: Hawkman 6 (Warrior)
Energy: Doctor Fate 7 (Cosmic Power)
Total: Doctor Fate 31 (Super Powered)

When it comes to super-powers in the DC Universe -- they don't often come much more powerful than Doctor Fate!

As the wearer of the Helmet of Fate; Kent Nelson is in commune with the very matter and energy of the universe! Guided by Nabu and the Lords of Order: he possesses phenomenal magical arsenals and acumen. He is nigh immortal, invulnerable, and capable of manipulating time, space & reality!

Hawkman certainly has his work cut out for him if he's going to beat his JSA team mate! Not that he's any stranger to fighting beyond his weight class!

In Justice League of America #200 we saw Hawkman go up against Superman in a similar scenario. He was outmatched, but when they met again many years later in Superman/Batman #4 -- The Claw of Horus gave him the physical might to knock Superman out with the force of an entire planet!

The Claw won't show up for twenty years after our featured fight, but the Nth metal its made of is a mainstay of Hawkman's arsenal. Originally "Ninth Metal", it allows him to fly, heal wounds, increases his strength and durability, and has even been known to have occult properties. Is that enough to help him?

Hawkman has the minerals to face down just about any foe, but his usual array of medieval weaponry won't mean much against Doctor Fate!

At the time of this battle, the mighty mystic wears his "half helm". This shortened version reduces the power of his magic in exchange for relieving the possessive nature of the Helmet of Fate. Despite this reduction, he remains super-humanly strong and durable!

If Hawkman's to give himself his best shot, he may need to hit his hexed friend hard and fast -- and hope the peculiarities of magic create a loophole that evens the playing field! We saw how that can work when Doctor Fate was unable to intervene against The Demon's Three in Justice League Unlimited #14.

The Dragon King's mind manipulation targets magically inclined heroes more than others, but who knows what that means! Let's find out!

The Tape: Doctor Fate Ranking: Hawkman (#32)

What Went Down...
Together America's greatest super-powers soar the skies as a single force: The All-Star Squadron! Leaving the battered shores of Pearl Harbor they fly across the Pacific Ocean -- unwittingly passing over a small, sinister outpost!

From the seemingly deserted tropical island: The Dragon King activates a machine powered by The Holy Grail, and designed to target the Justice Society's most magic sensitive heroes! The dynamo spews forth undetectable waves of energy that ripple through the All-Stars like a tingling shock of electricity!

Green Lantern is the first to act upon the impulse to turn against America, soon followed by Johnny Thunderbolt! As Hawkman swoops in to intervene with a voice of reason -- Doctor Fate glides in for a surprise attack!

The sudden uppercut connects with Hawkman's unsuspecting jaw -- but his aerial expertise allows the winged hero to recovery quickly!

He repositions himself to be facing his unlikely attacker, while the mad Doctor Fate orders Green Lantern to destroy the flightless heroes among them!

Hawkman has no choice but to pit his spiked mace against the Helmet of Fate!

Hawkman sends the spiked-ball of his chained weapon colliding into Fate's metallic half helm, but it barely stuns him! Though the mystic may have lost his magical mastery -- he remains an unnaturally strong physical opponent!

The sky becomes the scene of an uncanny chase as Doctor Fate relentlessly pursues Hawkman. His words aim to demoralize as he boasts equal speed and superior endurance to the winged hero. Hawkman listens!

His chained mace drags stubbornly against the wind as Hawkman carves a hard and sudden change in direction! It follows as he flies a path directly for Fate -- undeterred by the mind-altered hero's snide boasts of invulnerability!

The moment of collision arrives -- but Doctor Fate has had a change of heart!

Aerial maneuvers had inadvertently taken them beyond the field of The Dragon King's machine! Doctor Fate's mind returns to that of a great hero, no longer impelled to wage war against the Justice Society of America!

The Hammer...

Let the debate rage on: Who would have won had the fight continued?

It certainly seemed as if Doctor Fate's incredible invulnerability put him firmly in command, but Hawkman's never-say-die attitude is legendary! I'm sure most will come down on the side of Fate, but I like to think Hawkman's will still could've found a way. The Doctor certainly looked worse for wear at the end!

This month on Secret Wars on Infinite Earths we're spotlighting some of the heroes and villains featured in Injustice 2! The fighting game sequel is out now for home consoles, offering an eclectic mix of DCU icons in a universe where Superman has become a threat to truth, justice and freedom.

The exciting addition of Doctor Fate was the subject of Hero of the Week back in March, but alas, Hawkman is yet to make an appearance in the DC video game series! A fighting game without one of DC's greatest fighters?! I know!

Hawkgirl took up the slack with a lone playable appearance in 2013's Injustice: Gods Among Us. Better later than never: the sequel introduces a concept called "Premier Skins", which map all new character assets to existing gameplay. The perfect system for delivering both Hawks, should either ever appear again!

Think Professor Zoom using the moves of The Flash, or Hal Jordan's moves as a base to map John Stewart's voice and appearance into the game. An appropriate compromise to include characters who might otherwise be functionally similar in a video game setting. Imperfect, but a net positive.

Even Jay Garrick gets a run in the Premier Skin system! When you think about the tough times the Golden Age heroes have had of late, especially in comics - that's pretty nifty!

There's really no under estimating the simple "cool factor" at work with Golden Age heroes. Doctor Fate and Hawkman really only need to show up to spark an ember of interest. I've never been a big fan of the "half helm" seen in today's feature fight, but you get that full Helmet of Fate out, and it demands attention!

I can't help but think of the cover of Hawkman (Vol. 4) #24. A pretty cool action shot of Hawkman clubbing Doctor Fate - just like our featured fight! It doesn't actually reflect the contents of the issue, but it's the kind of cover that draws your eye. These characters are just so visually thrilling!

Such is the baffling quandary of publishers shuttling their classic characters out of continuity, or trying to disguise them. Tell readers the story exists in a cordoned off bubble and you might alleviate the "completist" anxieties of a few timid "new readers". Once that plays out, all that's achieved is further division of the audience, and a reinforcement of the idea that backstory is a problem.

In my experience; the uninitiated are often drawn to a visually striking character like Hawkman or Doctor Fate, and have a healthy appetite for learning more of 'the bits that matter' in their history. These "new readers" are willing and interested to engage in deep comics backstory, provided its in a no frills, easily digested format. A litany of reboots and reinventions can only discourage.

Good fiction is constructive, and needn't dwell on details that aren't immediately relevant. Our own lives are an example of the ways old relationships and details can be stirred to relevance, but we don't dwell on everything every time we enter into a situation. A good comic tells you what you need to know.

1981's All-Star Squadron roughly had a foot in both camps. I tend to think the division of Earth-1 and Earth-2 was more trouble than its worth, and freezing the characters in the 1940s is a trickier prospect now - another thirty years on from World War II. Not that its impossible. Retro visions like Sandman Mystery Theatre are, in my opinion, evergreen as a genre style. I also think Nazis deserve their place as the perennial bad guys asking for a kicking!

Ultimately, I prefer the consolidated, forward moving approach that made the mid-2000s a great run for JSA and Hawkman. For a while there, Geoff Johns was the master of striking a balance between the immovable qualities of Golden & Silver Age characters, and their intuitive placement in the modern age.

The more the entertainment world tries to forge hastily assembled histories and imitation shared universes -- the more it seems absurd that comics would ever do anything but promote the unique feature of their genuine back catalogue!

Do you think Hawkman and Doctor Fate are obviously awesome? Be sure to follow links throughout this post, or dive into the Secret Archive Index, to discover even more gems, rants, and superhero smackdown!

Follow along on Twitter and Facebook to get daily links to fights inspired by the topics of the day! A like, share, or retweet is a great way to support the site and spread the battle cry of The Comic Book Fight Club! You can also use the Amazon link provided to sponsor the site at no extra cost to your purchase!

Note: All-Star Squadron #1-#18 are collected in the Showcase reprint series [pictured right], which are a black and white publication. For Carl Gafford's vibrant colours you'll have to seek out original back issues, or digitally sold equivalents. For buyer satisfaction, always remember to research products before buying!

Winner: Draw (Inconclusive)
#31 (+1) Hawkman
#128 (+18) Doctor Fate (Kent Nelson)

HERO OF THE WEEK: VENOM (Marvel)
Real Name: Unknown (Symbiote)
First Appearance: Amazing Spider-man #252 (May, 1984)
Fight Club Ranking: #18

Featured Fights:
- vs BLACKLASH: Marvel Team-Up #145 (Sep 1984)
- vs AVENGERS: What If...? #4 (Oct 1989)
- vs CARNAGE: Spider-man Unlimited #2 (Aug 1993)
- vs IRON MAN: Iron Man #302 (Mar 1994)
- vs SHOCKER: Spider-man Adventures #9 (Aug 1995)
- vs FLASH & QUICKSILVER: DC versus Marvel #4 (Apr 1996)
- vs SUPERMAN: DC/Marvel: All Access #1 (Dec 1996)
- vs AVENGERS: Marvel Knights: Spider-man #11 (Apr 2005)
- vs SPACE PHANTOM: Beyond! #1 (Sep 2006)
- vs JACK FLAG: Thunderbolts #111 (Apr 2007)
- vs SANDMAN: Spider-man Family #1 (Apr 2007)
- vs SPIDER-MAN: Spider-man Family #2 (Jun 2007)
- vs OLYMPUS GROUP: Incredible Hercules #128 (Jun 2009)

Holy moly! A live-action Venom spin-off is officially in the works -- and it'll star Tom Hardy!

It's no big shock that Sony would greenlight development of a Venom solo film -- a symbiote-centric adventure has been kicking around in Hollywood for a good couple of decades now. That they've managed to attract a star the caliber of Tom Hardy is where this goes from just another franchise superhero flick - to something much more intriguing!

The Hollywood Reporter expects Zombieland director Ruben Fleischer to direct, with Hardy signing on to play the title role of Eddie Brock.

Fans disappointed by Topher Grace's turn as a Peter Parker doppelganger in Spider-man 3 will no doubt look forward to a more faithful, physically imposing depiction of the classic Spidey villain.

Hardy's highlights paint a promising picture! He was a man of action in Inception, a lethal protector in Mad Max: Fury Road, and a physically intimidating Bane in The Dark Knight Rises. His 2008 star-making turn in Bronson offered another demonstration of range and moods -- all of which could come in handy in the schizophrenic journey from Eddie Brock to Venom!

Exactly how tangled the webs of Disney & Sony will be is the next big question. The imposing adult frame of Hardy seems an odd match for a pubescent Spider-man created by Tom Holland in Captain America: Civil War. Holland's Peter Parker will star in the official reboot of the Sony Spider-man universe in July, taking the character back to high school in Spider-man: Homecoming.

Will Homecoming drop the first hints of the bigger Spider-man picture? With Venom reportedly coming to screens as soon as October 5th, 2018, it may be the running start the film needs to stitch into a world that it may only tangentially occupy.

A limited role for Spider-man could provide a welcome deviation into slightly more adult fare, appeasing fans who aren't quite ready to pal around with a fifteen year old Spidey. Venom's history as a twisted anti-hero lends itself to a more challenging portrayal of superheroes on the screen, and could really diversify Sony's franchise in similar ways to FOX's Logan and Deadpool.

There's also potential to tell an inverted story. depicting Spider-man only in costume as a perceived antagonist to Venom's troubled title hero. The economy of working with stunt-men and CGI to create Spider-man would no doubt have its appeal. It could also allow Venom to remain indistinct with its connection to the world of Spider-man: Homecoming.

Sony have a deep bench of Spidey villains to pull from, which may mean the web-slinger need not get involved at all! At least in the short term. Emulating Marvel Studios' success with The Avengers could mean eventually building to a bigger Spider-franchise pay-off.

There are already rumors of a team-up film starring Black Cat and Silver Sable. Which would mean the Marvel Cinematic Universe (television included) would soon contain actors playing: Spider-man, Venom, Black Cat, Cloak, Dagger, Iron Fist, Deathlok and Captain America.

That roster is getting dangerously close to the classic line-up featured in Maximum Carnage! A story that isn't just a multimedia milestone of the early nineties, but also provides a natural convergence point for a lot of disparate properties. Lord knows we all want to see those Netflix characters find their way to the big screen!

With any luck we'll find out more in July, but until then, let the speculation run wild! Heck! With Marvel gearing up to go very cosmic in next year's Avengers: Infinity War -- how far off are we from a Venom origin that skews closer to the alien suit of Secret Wars fame? (Do we even want that?)

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