The Good and the Bad of Superheroes
With the recent news coverage of the new Batwoman character in the DC Comics world and my going to see X-Men Last Stand yesterday, I’ve been giving some thought to superheroes.
As a teenager I was a really big comic book fan. I had thousands of issues of multiple titles, most of which I still have today. I was a huge fan of comic book titles about groups of heroes rather than individuals, though my collection has plenty of Spider-Man and Superman issues. In particular I enjoyed Marvel Comics’ Avengers titles and DC Comics’ Justice League of America.
Before yesterday’s X-Men film there was a trailer for the upcoming Ghost Rider movie. The trailer actually got an audible cheer from one person in the audience. Ghost Rider is a favorite of many comic readers, even though he is a character that is not really known outside of the world of comics.
Ask anyone who their favorite superhero is and you’ll get the usual answers: Spider-Man, Batman, Superman, or Wonder Woman. My favorites are included in this list too, but what I wanted to discuss here are my favorite non-mainstream characters. I tried to narrow down my favorites down to five, but I just couldn’t do it. There are just so many characters out there that I like, both in the DC and the Marvel universes. However, I have been able to narrow down my five favorite comic book characters from each publisher.
Here they are, with a bit of description for each, in alphabetical order.
Black Panther (Marvel)-His real name is T’Challa, the ruler of the African kingdom of Wakanda. He first appeared in 1966 in issue 52 of the Fantastic Four. As the ruler of Wakanda, T’Challa is allowed to use a heart-shaped herb that gives the Black Panther his superhuman abilities. He has enhanced strength, agility, and perception. The Black Panther has been a member of the Avengers, the Defenders and Fantastic Force.
Black Widow (Marvel)-Real name is Natalia Alianovna Romanova. Romanova is a former KGB agent who defected to the United States. Romaova first appeared in 1964 in issue 52 of Tales of Suspense, and appeared for the first time as the Black Widow in 1966 in issue 29 of the Avengers. As a former KGB agent, the Black Widow is a skilled martial artist and knows her way around all different kinds of weaponry. In addition, she has been given a variant of the Super-Soldier Serum that gives Captain America his abilities. For this reason the Black Widow has been able to remain in top physical condition for decades and has had her aging slowed. She has been a member of both the Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D.
Cyborg (DC)-His real name is Vic Sloane. Cyborg first appeared in issue 26 of DC Comics Presents. Sloane was the victim of a massive gelatinous monster who severely mutilated him and killed his mother. His father, a scientist at STAR labs, outfitted Vic with metallic prosthetics and implants. Sloane adopted the name Cyborg after physical therapy which allowed him to use his implants with great skill. He has great strength as well as having sensors and weapons imbedded into his body. Cyborg is a member of the Teen Titans.
Firestorm (DC)-Firestorm is unique because when not a hero he isn’t just one person, he’s two. Caught in a nuclear accident, high school student Ronnie Raymond and Nobel prize winning Martin Stein were fused together to form Firestorm. He can fly, has great strength, and the ability to adjust his molecular structure as well as to alter matter itself. Firestorm first appeared in 1978’s issue #1 of Firestorm. Firestorm died in 2004 when he was impaled by a magical sword that ruptured his nuclear containment field, which caused him to explode. Firestorm was a member of the Justice League of America and Extreme Justice.
Gambit (Marvel)-He is a mutant whose birth name is Remy LeBeau. Gambit first appeared in 1990 in Uncanny X-Men #266. He is believed to be the first Cajun superhero, if not the only one. As a mutant, all of Gambit’s powers were there from birth. Included in his powers is the ability to change air into poisonous gas, convert the potential energy of any object into explosive energy just by touching it, and he has the ability to make anyone trust him just by talking to them. Gambit became a member of the X-Men. In recent years Gambit changed his name to Death and joined the Horseman of the Apocalypse.
Green Arrow (DC)-Also known as Oliver Queen, Green Arrow first appeared in 1941 in More Fun Comics, issue 73 (which was also the first appearance of Aquaman). Green Arrow is one of the longest running characters in the DC Universe. Though he has no superhuman abilities, he is a master archer is a collection of trick arrows. He is also quite skilled in hand-to-hand combat. The Green Arrow has been a member of many incarnations of the Justice League.
Martian Manhunter (DC)-Also known as J’onn J’onzz, first appeared in 1955 in issue 225 of Detective Comics. J’onn is a native of the planet Mars with the ability to fly, heat vision, great strength, invisibility, telepathy, and the ability to change shape. The Martian Manhunter was one of the former leaders of the Justice League of America and has been a member of some of its offshoot groups including Justice League International and Justice League Task Force.
She-Hulk (Marvel)-Born Jennifer Walters, she is the cousin of Bruce Banner, a.k.a. the Hulk. She first appeared in 1980 in the first issue of the Savage She-Hulk. After being shot by a crime boss, Walters was kept alive thanks to a blood transfusion from her cousin. This gave her the same powers that Banner possesses as the Hulk. The differences between the Hulk and She-Hulk is that She-Hulk is always green (she does not change back and forth between her human form and her status as the Hulk) and maintains a rational, intelligent mind. She also has superhuman strength and a great healing ability. She-Hulk still practices law, maintaining a specialty in Superhuman Law. She-Hulk has been a member of the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, Fantastic Force, and Heroes for Hire.
Vision (Marvel)-The Vision is a synthetic human, who has been known to use the alias Victor Shade. Vision first appeared in issue 57 of the Avengers in 1968. He was created by the evil robot Ultron to be used in the destruction of the Avengers. The Vision eventually joined the Avengers as a member and married fellow team member the Scarlet Witch. He can control his density, as well as having superhuman strength, endurance, and intelligence. When the Scarlet Witch went mad she killed the Vision by taking control of the She-Hulk and getting her to tear him apart.
Zatanna (DC)-Zatanna first appeared in the 1960s in issue 4 of Hawkman. Zatanna comes from an interesting lineage. Her father is a descendant of Leonardo da Vinci and Nostradamus while her mother was a member of the Homo Magi race, who came from Atlantis. Zatanna was a stage illusionist who discovered her powers while investigating her father. She is a master of a very powerful magic, which she commands by saying what she wants, but backwards. Virtually no one is immune to her magic, including Superman himself. Zatanna has been a member of the Justice League of America and the Sentinels of Magic.
OK. I admit it wouldn’t be fair to list my favorites without giving my least favorites. Here is my bottom ten. My reasons for not liking them may not be logical, but I can’t stand them nonetheless.
10. Bloodwynd (DC)-First appeared in 1993 in issue 77 of the Justice League of America. I wasn’t fan because his superhuman ability is based on his being a necromancer. He basically can speak to the dead and draws energy from the dead. Blech!
9. Metamorpho (DC)-He first appeared in issue 57 of The Brave and the Bold in 1964. Again, I didn’t like his superpowers. Metamorpho is able to transmute his body into any elemental compound in the human body at will. Huh?
8. Rocket Red (DC)-Rocket Red first appeared in 1987 in the 208th issue of Green Lantern Corps. I just thought he was a goofball. The one in particular that I am thinking of was Rocket Red #4 who joined the Justice League International. He was a Russian in an armored suit with a very odd sense of humor who loved American culture.
7. Silhouette (Marvel)-She first appeared in the second issue of the New Warriors. One of Silhouette’s powers is transportation through a shadow dimension. This would be cool, but being physically handicapped, sometimes when she transported through this other dimension her crutches ended up being left behind. Then she couldn’t stand up where she teleported to. What’s the use of that?
6. Espirita, a.k.a. Firebird (Marvel)-First appearing in 1981, in The Incredible Hulk 265, the only reason she’s on this list is because of her motivation in being a superhero. She is a devout Roman Catholic, which is fine, but she wears her religion on her sleeve. It is a big part of who she is, and she lets everyone know it.
5. Crimson Fox (DC)-The Crimson Fox first appeared in issue 6 of Justice League Europe. But it turns out that there were two of them: identical twins Vivian and Constance D’Aramis. Both had steel claws, and an ability to control pheremones. Pheremones? Are you kidding?
4. Big Bertha (Marvel)-She first appeared in 1989 as a charter member of the Great Lakes Avengers in issue 46 of volume 2 of West Coast Avengers. Bertha is a supermodel with the ability to increase her mass to well over 600 pounds. Why? She looks like she can barely move when she’s transformed herself.
3. Starfire (DC)-First appeared in 1989 in issue 26 of DC Comics Presents. She’s on this list for only one reason. Look at her. I think she looks ridiculous!
2. Doctor Druid (Marvel)-First appeared in 1961 in issue #1 of Amazing Adventures. I dislike Doctor Druid because he turned evil one he was brainwashed and nearly tore apart the Avengers for good. I can’t like any character bent on destroying my most favorite group of superheroes.
1. Squirrel Girl (Marvel)-She first appeared in issue 8, volume 2, of Marvel Super-Heroes Special in 1991. Her name would be enough to not like, but then when you add in her powers you will realize how silly a character she is. She is a mutant with squirrel-like abilities, including being able to communicate to squirrels. And her sidekick, pictured on her shoulders, is named Monkey Joe. Who came up with this character, and were they high when they did it?
As a teenager I was a really big comic book fan. I had thousands of issues of multiple titles, most of which I still have today. I was a huge fan of comic book titles about groups of heroes rather than individuals, though my collection has plenty of Spider-Man and Superman issues. In particular I enjoyed Marvel Comics’ Avengers titles and DC Comics’ Justice League of America.
Before yesterday’s X-Men film there was a trailer for the upcoming Ghost Rider movie. The trailer actually got an audible cheer from one person in the audience. Ghost Rider is a favorite of many comic readers, even though he is a character that is not really known outside of the world of comics.
Ask anyone who their favorite superhero is and you’ll get the usual answers: Spider-Man, Batman, Superman, or Wonder Woman. My favorites are included in this list too, but what I wanted to discuss here are my favorite non-mainstream characters. I tried to narrow down my favorites down to five, but I just couldn’t do it. There are just so many characters out there that I like, both in the DC and the Marvel universes. However, I have been able to narrow down my five favorite comic book characters from each publisher.
Here they are, with a bit of description for each, in alphabetical order.
Black Panther (Marvel)-His real name is T’Challa, the ruler of the African kingdom of Wakanda. He first appeared in 1966 in issue 52 of the Fantastic Four. As the ruler of Wakanda, T’Challa is allowed to use a heart-shaped herb that gives the Black Panther his superhuman abilities. He has enhanced strength, agility, and perception. The Black Panther has been a member of the Avengers, the Defenders and Fantastic Force.
Black Widow (Marvel)-Real name is Natalia Alianovna Romanova. Romanova is a former KGB agent who defected to the United States. Romaova first appeared in 1964 in issue 52 of Tales of Suspense, and appeared for the first time as the Black Widow in 1966 in issue 29 of the Avengers. As a former KGB agent, the Black Widow is a skilled martial artist and knows her way around all different kinds of weaponry. In addition, she has been given a variant of the Super-Soldier Serum that gives Captain America his abilities. For this reason the Black Widow has been able to remain in top physical condition for decades and has had her aging slowed. She has been a member of both the Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D.
Cyborg (DC)-His real name is Vic Sloane. Cyborg first appeared in issue 26 of DC Comics Presents. Sloane was the victim of a massive gelatinous monster who severely mutilated him and killed his mother. His father, a scientist at STAR labs, outfitted Vic with metallic prosthetics and implants. Sloane adopted the name Cyborg after physical therapy which allowed him to use his implants with great skill. He has great strength as well as having sensors and weapons imbedded into his body. Cyborg is a member of the Teen Titans.
Firestorm (DC)-Firestorm is unique because when not a hero he isn’t just one person, he’s two. Caught in a nuclear accident, high school student Ronnie Raymond and Nobel prize winning Martin Stein were fused together to form Firestorm. He can fly, has great strength, and the ability to adjust his molecular structure as well as to alter matter itself. Firestorm first appeared in 1978’s issue #1 of Firestorm. Firestorm died in 2004 when he was impaled by a magical sword that ruptured his nuclear containment field, which caused him to explode. Firestorm was a member of the Justice League of America and Extreme Justice.
Gambit (Marvel)-He is a mutant whose birth name is Remy LeBeau. Gambit first appeared in 1990 in Uncanny X-Men #266. He is believed to be the first Cajun superhero, if not the only one. As a mutant, all of Gambit’s powers were there from birth. Included in his powers is the ability to change air into poisonous gas, convert the potential energy of any object into explosive energy just by touching it, and he has the ability to make anyone trust him just by talking to them. Gambit became a member of the X-Men. In recent years Gambit changed his name to Death and joined the Horseman of the Apocalypse.
Green Arrow (DC)-Also known as Oliver Queen, Green Arrow first appeared in 1941 in More Fun Comics, issue 73 (which was also the first appearance of Aquaman). Green Arrow is one of the longest running characters in the DC Universe. Though he has no superhuman abilities, he is a master archer is a collection of trick arrows. He is also quite skilled in hand-to-hand combat. The Green Arrow has been a member of many incarnations of the Justice League.
Martian Manhunter (DC)-Also known as J’onn J’onzz, first appeared in 1955 in issue 225 of Detective Comics. J’onn is a native of the planet Mars with the ability to fly, heat vision, great strength, invisibility, telepathy, and the ability to change shape. The Martian Manhunter was one of the former leaders of the Justice League of America and has been a member of some of its offshoot groups including Justice League International and Justice League Task Force.
She-Hulk (Marvel)-Born Jennifer Walters, she is the cousin of Bruce Banner, a.k.a. the Hulk. She first appeared in 1980 in the first issue of the Savage She-Hulk. After being shot by a crime boss, Walters was kept alive thanks to a blood transfusion from her cousin. This gave her the same powers that Banner possesses as the Hulk. The differences between the Hulk and She-Hulk is that She-Hulk is always green (she does not change back and forth between her human form and her status as the Hulk) and maintains a rational, intelligent mind. She also has superhuman strength and a great healing ability. She-Hulk still practices law, maintaining a specialty in Superhuman Law. She-Hulk has been a member of the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, Fantastic Force, and Heroes for Hire.
Vision (Marvel)-The Vision is a synthetic human, who has been known to use the alias Victor Shade. Vision first appeared in issue 57 of the Avengers in 1968. He was created by the evil robot Ultron to be used in the destruction of the Avengers. The Vision eventually joined the Avengers as a member and married fellow team member the Scarlet Witch. He can control his density, as well as having superhuman strength, endurance, and intelligence. When the Scarlet Witch went mad she killed the Vision by taking control of the She-Hulk and getting her to tear him apart.
Zatanna (DC)-Zatanna first appeared in the 1960s in issue 4 of Hawkman. Zatanna comes from an interesting lineage. Her father is a descendant of Leonardo da Vinci and Nostradamus while her mother was a member of the Homo Magi race, who came from Atlantis. Zatanna was a stage illusionist who discovered her powers while investigating her father. She is a master of a very powerful magic, which she commands by saying what she wants, but backwards. Virtually no one is immune to her magic, including Superman himself. Zatanna has been a member of the Justice League of America and the Sentinels of Magic.OK. I admit it wouldn’t be fair to list my favorites without giving my least favorites. Here is my bottom ten. My reasons for not liking them may not be logical, but I can’t stand them nonetheless.
10. Bloodwynd (DC)-First appeared in 1993 in issue 77 of the Justice League of America. I wasn’t fan because his superhuman ability is based on his being a necromancer. He basically can speak to the dead and draws energy from the dead. Blech!
9. Metamorpho (DC)-He first appeared in issue 57 of The Brave and the Bold in 1964. Again, I didn’t like his superpowers. Metamorpho is able to transmute his body into any elemental compound in the human body at will. Huh?
8. Rocket Red (DC)-Rocket Red first appeared in 1987 in the 208th issue of Green Lantern Corps. I just thought he was a goofball. The one in particular that I am thinking of was Rocket Red #4 who joined the Justice League International. He was a Russian in an armored suit with a very odd sense of humor who loved American culture.
7. Silhouette (Marvel)-She first appeared in the second issue of the New Warriors. One of Silhouette’s powers is transportation through a shadow dimension. This would be cool, but being physically handicapped, sometimes when she transported through this other dimension her crutches ended up being left behind. Then she couldn’t stand up where she teleported to. What’s the use of that?
6. Espirita, a.k.a. Firebird (Marvel)-First appearing in 1981, in The Incredible Hulk 265, the only reason she’s on this list is because of her motivation in being a superhero. She is a devout Roman Catholic, which is fine, but she wears her religion on her sleeve. It is a big part of who she is, and she lets everyone know it.
5. Crimson Fox (DC)-The Crimson Fox first appeared in issue 6 of Justice League Europe. But it turns out that there were two of them: identical twins Vivian and Constance D’Aramis. Both had steel claws, and an ability to control pheremones. Pheremones? Are you kidding?
4. Big Bertha (Marvel)-She first appeared in 1989 as a charter member of the Great Lakes Avengers in issue 46 of volume 2 of West Coast Avengers. Bertha is a supermodel with the ability to increase her mass to well over 600 pounds. Why? She looks like she can barely move when she’s transformed herself.
3. Starfire (DC)-First appeared in 1989 in issue 26 of DC Comics Presents. She’s on this list for only one reason. Look at her. I think she looks ridiculous!
2. Doctor Druid (Marvel)-First appeared in 1961 in issue #1 of Amazing Adventures. I dislike Doctor Druid because he turned evil one he was brainwashed and nearly tore apart the Avengers for good. I can’t like any character bent on destroying my most favorite group of superheroes.
1. Squirrel Girl (Marvel)-She first appeared in issue 8, volume 2, of Marvel Super-Heroes Special in 1991. Her name would be enough to not like, but then when you add in her powers you will realize how silly a character she is. She is a mutant with squirrel-like abilities, including being able to communicate to squirrels. And her sidekick, pictured on her shoulders, is named Monkey Joe. Who came up with this character, and were they high when they did it?
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