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From June to August in 1982, Marvel dared to dream a little more limited. That’s right, rather than go big, Marvel went small publishing its first ever limited series crossover event, Marvel  Hero - Contest of Champions. Despite the singular hero, there turns at to be lots of super heroes, like all of them and few more to appeal to the vital burgeoning European Union market. KMac & Yek Big Swig there way through this event with you for all things that went on to change the Universe of the Marvel: How racist can 80s Marvel characters get? Who is this not some mysterious stranger? & Can 80s Marvel employees count? Hey, look it’s the Illuminati, Drink!

The Team that mined this gem:

• Writers: Mark Gruenwald & Bill Mantlo
• Artist: John Romita, Jr. (Less scratchy scratchy)        
•  Inks: Pablo Marcos     
• Colors: Andy Yanchus (& in her only Marvel Credit, Patricia DeFalco!)
• Editors: Mark Gruenwald & Tom DeFalco
• EIC: Jim Shooter        

Breakdown: The Grandmaster plays a Mysterious Stranger (cough, cough,…Death) in a game of superhero teams capture the 4 parts of the golden sphere flag around the world. 

Heroes Marvel created for this series to pump up those international sales:
(Hero Name, Country, Powers, How Racist?)

• Collective Man, China, Han, Chang, Lin, Sun and Ho Tao-Yu 5 Bros, Like a team of all China in 5 bros,  All those Chinese people’s skills and abilities, A communal yeah.
•  Shamrock, Ireland, Good luck power from the poltergeists of war victims/ Unflattering costume, A wee las of stereotyping
• Talisman, Australia, Dreamtime Bull-Roarering, Standard 80s “That’s not a knife…”
• Le Peregrine, Combinaison de vol savate; Oui oui, formage.
• Defensor, Brazil (but he speaks the Spanich?), Capitán Argentina/Pantera Negra, A little more offensive than defensive with the sexism.
• Blitzkrieg (Der) West Germany, Electrokinesis, Cannot we still bag on Germans even though they aren’t Nazis anymore?

 Rounding out the obscure international flava:
(Hero, Country, How Racist?)

• Arabian Knight, Arabian Desert, Like textbook trope racism with some sexism. 
• Sabra, Israel, Like the hummus brand that shares her name. 
• Sunfire , Japan, No R, but helluva sexist. 
• Darkstar & Vanguard, Mother Russia, It’s the 80s! Bag away on the Commies. 
• Sasquatch, Canada, Sooo much Big-Footism!

The Shakeout:

•  Artic Chill Out: Daredevil sure can float well into a globe piece (+1 GM).
•  Western Ghost Town Shoot Out: Arabian Knight likes baked globe piece bread (+1 D).
•  Emperor Tomb Dead Off: Thing can dig that alien globe piece stench Wolvie & Panthy can smell (+1 GM).
• Amazon Jungle Off: Tropical Blitzkrieg thunder is no match for upside down growing Shamrock (+1 D).

It’s a tie: 2 to 2!

Winner: Grandmaster! He won 3 to 1! That’s right 3 to 1! Elder of the Universe math is beyond your mortal mind. Oh, but Death is a tricky lady. 

Beers:

KMac: Margarita Gose, Cigar City Brewing, Tampa, FL
Style: Fruit Gose, 4.2% ABV, IBUs: 5
Rating: 3 out of 5 Der Blitzkriegers 

 Yek: Unicycle Vigilante,  Silver Branch Brewing /

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