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The Dirty Little Secret of Comics

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Avengers: Age of Ultron Review

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The Hulk

1) First appearance:

The Incredible Hulk #1 (May 1962) created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby - http://goo.gl/uwmW1

2) Who has been a Hulk

Robert Bruce Banner; Jennifer Walters (She-Hulk in Savage She-Hulk #1 Feb 1980); Betty Ross (Red She-Hulk in Hulk vol 2 #15); General Thaddeus Thunderbolt Ross (Red Hulk in Hulk #1 January 2008); Skaar (Son of Hulk in What If? Planet Hulk #1 Dec 2007),

3) Cancellation - The series was cancelled after 6 issues (March 1963). The Hulk became a founding member of the Avengers and appeared in guest starring appearances until he became a feature in Tales to Astonish in issue #60 (Oct 1964) through issue #102 (April 1968) when it was retitled The Incredible Hulk vol 2.


4) Jumping off point:

The Incredible Hulk: Planet Hulk - http://goo.gl/LMn6lO - exile on a distant planet

World War Hulk - http://goo.gl/ksgFST - return to Earth to seek vengeance

5) Top Villan:

The Leader (Samuel Sterns) in Tales to Astonish #62 (December 1964) created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko - http://goo.gl/iqz1U

The Abomination (Emil Blonsky) in Tales to Astonish #90 (April 1967) created by Stan Lee and Gil Kane - http://goo.gl/8g8yUp

6) Movies like comics:

No. The movies are entertaining for what they are, but the origin is wrong.

TV origin was also wrong and didn't even use the correct name of Dr. Banner. The producer didn't like alliterative names because he didn't think they were believable (Bruce Banner), so he changed it to David Banner.

7) Why I like him:

Bruce Banner initially comes off as whiny and easily dismissed. He is someone you can't wait to leave the page to be replaced by the Hulk. This is missing the whole point of the character. Banner represents each of us. We all have rage when we feel slighted and sometimes it explodes from us. What would it be like to have the rage turn you into an eight-foot-tall green rage monster? This is the underlying story of the Hulk. As a childlike character, he is misunderstood and just wants to be left alone. At times, he retains his intellect and can be quite formidable. Also, he can be somewhere in-between as a self-indulgent bully in the character of Mr. Fixit. All are manifestations of his inner turmoil. How he is able to deal with the difficulties of life is the challenge. He finds a way to persevere even when he doesn't really want to. The Hulk persona saves him from himself. The Hulk gives everyone an outlet for our rage and hopefully keep it in check.

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The Avengers

1) First appearance:

The Avengers #1 (September 1963) created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby - http://goo.gl/OonB


2) Founding Members

Janet Van Dyne (The Wasp); Hank Pym (Ant-Man); Thor (Odinson); Tony Stark (Iron Man) and Robert Bruce Banner (The Hulk - who left after issue #2); Steve Rogers (Captain America in issue #4 made a founder at that time)

3) Jumping off point:

Civil War - http://goo.gl/mw7epy

Avengers: Kree/Skrull War - http://goo.gl/pWRneB

The Avengers Earth's Mightiest Heroes: Marvel Age - http://goo.gl/ZHFTa9

Avengers Disassembled - http://goo.gl/21lXem

4) Top Villan:

Loki modern day first appearance Journey into Mystery #85 (October 1962) created by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, and Jack Kirby - http://goo.gl/gTQeM

Ultron first appeared in Avengers #54 (July 1968) created by Roy Thomas and John Buscema - http://goo.gl/PxNpg

5) Movies like comics:

No. But as with all the Marvel Movies it is still quite awesome and you can forgive that the comics are different.

6) Why I like them:

They are not a family. In many cases, they have nothing in common to link them together. They range from normal humans with skills to demi-gods, with everything in-between. They are together to take on threats that individually they can't handle. There is bickering to remind you that they are flawed, but they also get the job done because it needs doing. Captain America is often portrayed as the moral center of this team and he is, but he is not without fault. Iron Man provides the funding and the tech to keep the team running. They specialize in protecting the Earth. Sometimes that requires a space adventure, but that is really not their strong suit. The stakes are higher and the risks greater. I like them because the roster changes regularly. This allows for constant upheaval and dealing with change. They are forced to find a solution to the worst circumstances with the tools at hand. You might wish you had Thor when entering a given battle, but you don't. So how do you find a way to prevail? This is the coolest part of the team! Power levels vary, but they always overcome the obstacle when given enough time and opportunity.

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The Fantastic Four

1) First appearance:

The Fantastic Four #1 (November 1961) created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby - http://goo.gl/IjvI5

2) Who has been a member:

Reed Richards (Mister Fantastic); Sue Storm Richards (Invisible Girl/Invisible Woman); Johnny Storm (Human Torch); Ben Grimm (The Thing)

Other members over the years include:

Crystal Amaquelin (Fantastic Four #81); Medusalith Amaquelin (Fantastic Four #132); Luke Cage (Fantastic Four #168); Frankie Raye as Nova (Fantastic Four #239); Jennifer Walters as She-Hulk (Fantastic Four #265); Sharon Ventura as Ms.Marvel/She-Thing (Fantastic Four #306); Scott Lang as Ant-Man (Fantastic Four #384); Namorita Prentiss (Fantastic Four vol 3 #43); Ororo Munroe as Storm (Fantastic Four #543); T'Challa as Black Panther (Fantastic Four #543); Franklin Richards (Secret Invasion: Fantastic Four #3); Valeria Richards (Secret Invasion: Fantastic Four #3); Dennis Sykes as Flux (Heroic Age: One Month to Live #3); Peter Parker as Spider-Man (Amazing Spider-Man #657/FF#1) and Darla Deering as Ms. Thing (Fantastic Four vol 4 #2)


3) Jumping off point:

The Fantastic Four Omnibus Volume 1 - http://goo.gl/KxiqGJ

4) Top Villan:

Dr. Doom in The Fantastic Four #5 (July 1962) created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby - http://goo.gl/B8XPL

5) Movies like comics:

No. The powers for the FF are the same. How they got them is not and Dr. Doom is not even remotely close to the correct origin.

6) Why I like them:

Unlike other teams, the Fantastic Four is truly a family first and heroes second. In many ways, they are more adventurers and explorers than super-heroes. This doesn't mean they aren't involved in all the major Marvel events as heroes, but this isn't' their reason for being. The Fantastic Four started the Marvel Universe. They pre-dated Spider-Man and every other modern Marvel character. At one time, it was subtitled as the World's Greatest Comic. As with all Marvel characters, each member of this team is flawed. Some visible (The Thing) and some more emotionally with Reed and Johnny. Sue tries to hold it all together, but it is never easy. Like any family, there is a great deal of sniping at each other and they often say things that they later regret, but they are still family. This is representative of our world. We fight like crazy with our spouse and siblings, but in the end we still love them. We can say things that are hurtful, but that doesn't give anyone else outside the family the right to hurt any member. The tech is overwhelming at times and only Reed truly understands it. This team is about overcoming everything and still loving each other at the end of the day no matter what happens.

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Guardians of the Galaxy

1) First appearance:

Marvel Super-Heroes #18 (January 1969) created by Arnold Drake and Gene Colan - http://goo.gl/CBF7a

Guardians of the Galaxy #1 (May 2008) created by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning - http://goo.gl/AnQUB


2) Founding Members

1969 Version

Martinex T'Naga, Captain Charlie-27, Yondu Udonta, Starhawk, Aleta, Nikki and Major Vance Astro

2008 Version

Star-Lord, Rocket Raccoon, Quasar, Adam Warlock, Gamora, Drax the Destroyer and Groot


4) Jumping off point:

1969 Version

Avengers vol 1 #167-177 (Jan-Nov 1978) and #181 (March 1979)

2008 Version

Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol 2: War of Kings, Book 1 - http://goo.gl/esQRKX

5) Top Villan:

1969 Version

Badoon were first seen in Silver Surfer vol 1, #2 (October 1968) - http://goo.gl/QkRCM3

2008 Version

Ronan the Accuser of the Kree first appeared in Fantastic Four #65 (Aug 1967) - http://goo.gl/Ysq6Fw

6) Movies like comics:

The Movie is much like the 2008 version of the team. The origin story is changed dramatically and some members are not in the movie, but the premise is close enough to count as comic based.

7) Why I like them:

Both versions were sole survivors of other worlds or civilizations. They are outsiders and represent a feeling of loneliness. The original team was united in their fight against and evil empire (ala WWII fight against the Nazis) whereas it was more of an individual conflict with the newer team. There is a connection with Vance Astro between the two teams, but for all intents and purposes these are two completely different teams. They had different goals, purposes, members, and timelines. I enjoy both groups for the battles they are willing to step into. Imagine calling yourself the Guardians of the Galaxy. You are a handful of individuals trying to protect a galaxy. This is daunting when you consider that the Avengers are only Earth's Mightiest Heroes. This group has vastly smaller resources to cover a much vaster area. They still fight the good fight and through shared experiences develop at least a grudging relationship. This parallels how most of us work since we have work relationships for a common purpose that may develop into friendship but may still remain just a work relationship. That is the Guardians. They work together, even if they don't always like each other.

To subscribe to this podcast go to:

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X-Men

1) First appearance:

The X-Men Volume 1 (September 1963) but later changed to Uncanny X-Men with issue #94 created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby - http://goo.gl/fJwFiH. The series was published bi-monthly through issue #66 (Dec 1970) when effectively the series stop publishing original stories, but instead republished previous stories. This continued through issue #93 (June 1975).

The lineup has changed over the years, but started with teenagers: Scott Summers (Cyclops), Jean Grey (Marvel Girl), Warren Worthington III (The Angel), Henry McCoy (The Beast) and the youngest member Robert "Bobby" Drake (Iceman)

The series was relaunched with a much more international lineup with Giant-Size X-Men #1 by Len Wein and Dave Cockrum (the co-creators of Wolverine in The Incredible Hulk #181). The new lineup consisted of Cyclops, Banshee, Sunfire, Wolverine, Storm, Nightcrawler, Colossus and Thunderbird. The series became The Uncanny X-Men with issue #94 (written by Chris Claremont) when Sunfire left the team. Thunderbird was killed in issue #95.

2) Jumping off point:

Days of Future Past #141-142 - http://goo.gl/R7q59c

X-Men: Mutant Massacre - http://goo.gl/7LUO4n

3) Top Villan:

Magneto - The X-Men #1 (September 1963) created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

4) Movies like comics:

There are similarities, but quite a few differences. The storylines are not even remotely like the comics. These movies were the first good Marvel movies to ever be created. The good moniker doesn't apply to X-Men 3 though. This was a horrible and very rushed representation of the Dark Phoenix Saga. If you hadn't read the comics then you would not have understood this story at all.


5) Why I like them:

This team represents the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's. There was a direct correlation made by Stan Lee to represent the Jim Crow Laws and the fear and hatred of the African-Americans of that time period. The whole premise was turned on its head when the oppressed become the oppressor with Magneto and his Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. When pushed into a corner they react accordingly, but always try to rise above it as led by Professor Xavier. He starts out teaching them how to use their powers and then his "dream" ala Martin Luther King, Jr about living in harmony with the normal people. Each member of this team is flawed, some more than others. They are hunted and for much of their history they are forced to hide who and what they are. Some look normal but hide strange and interesting powers. I like them because I wanted to be them. I wanted to look normal but have superpowers. I think every child does at some point. The debate is which power is greatest. Every one of these characters can be beaten alone, but together they can rise above. This is the message. Stick together through everything life has to throw at you and will at least have a fighting chance. Try to go it alone and you will be miserable and defeated.

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DC vs Marvel

1) History of Each

a) DC - founded in 1934 as National Allied Publications merged with Detective Comics, Inc in 1944 but didn't officially become known as DC Comics until 1977 - http://goo.gl/BFVPW
b) Marvel - founded in 1939 as Timely Comics, became Marvel Comics in 1961. - http://goo.gl/g86vL

2) Major Titles and first Publication Date

DC - Batman (Detective Comics #27, May 1939); Superman (Action Comics #1, June 1938); Wonder Woman (All-Star Comics, December 1941)

Marvel - Spider-Man (Amazing Fantasy #15, August 1962) ; Fantastic Four (The Fantastic Four#1, November 1961); Avengers (The Avengers #1, September 1963); X-Men (X-Men #1, September 1963)

3)
Golden Age - Began with the Introduction of Superman in Action Comics #1 (This incorporates Batman, Robin, Wonder Woman, Flash and Green Lantern for DC); For Marvel (as Timely Comics) this included Captain America, The Human Torch and the Sub-Mariner - http://goo.gl/XcBjPC

Silver Age - 1956 - 1970 - Marvel instituted its own Age of Marvel or Sub- Silver Age in 1961 with the Introduction of The Fantastic Four #1 - http://goo.gl/y6ViT

Bronze Age - No specific event led to the founding of this age. It was more of a shift in how comics were written and presented. It ran from around 1970 to the mid-1980's - http://goo.gl/XtKXJ

4)Most Influential Artists and Writers - not specific to each company since many of these individuals worked for both companies - http://goo.gl/3DQnUr

Writers - 1) Alan Moore; 2) Grant Morrison; 3) Neil Gaiman; 4) Frank Miller and 5) Stan Lee

Artists - 1) Jack Kirby; 2) Frank Quietly; 3) George Perez; 4) John Byrne and 5) Neal Adams

4) Which is better - Fan preference plays a huge roll in this. DC is older and more established and has a huge history to draw on. Until the last 10 years, it also had much better movie representation and animated options. Marvel has come on strong since its purchase by Disney comics. Still struggles a bit with animated, but movies have become huge and really making moves on television.

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1) First appearance:

Journey Into Mystery #83 (August 1962) created by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, and Jack Kirby - http://goo.gl/cGjBk

2) Thor Ongoing Series kicked off when Journey Into Mystery became The Mighty Thor with issue #126 (March 1966)

3) Who has wielded the hammer:

Thor Odinson as Donald Blake, MD and Eric Masterson, Beta Ray Bill, Unnamed Female

4) Jumping off point:

Thor the Walt Simonson Years Volume 1 - http://goo.gl/56vTCl

5) Top Villan:

Loki (half-brother) first appeared in Venus#6 (August 1949) and Marvel Universe Journey Into Mystery #85 (October 1962) created by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, Jack Kirby

6) Movies like comics:

Yes - the origin story is reimagined, but the Asgardians are accurate - Jane Foster, not so much

7) Why I like him:

He is loyal to a fault and always relishes the battle for the Norse glory of battle. To his way of upbringing, to die in battle is the surest path to Valhalla. He will never become a member of Mensa, but in a fight he is great to have on your side. He is open to strategy from those he respects, but his first reaction is to hit something. Not unlike many of the other one-dimensional characters in the Marvel Universe, he is strong and every situation requires hitting things. This all sounds like he has very little to like about him, but that would be wrong. He will defend his friends and Earth to his dying breath. He does not give up, ever. He is fallible like every other Marvel Character, but he is the dumb brother we all wish we had when we are in a fight. He makes tough situations just a bit less scary because of his confidence that he will always overcome.

To subscribe to this podcast go to:

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Rent or Own

In order of least expensive to most:

1) Library Rental

2) Free Comic Book Day - http://goo.gl/xdTMuI

3) Marvel App

     a) iPad - http://goo.gl/9nT5m

     b) Android - http://goo.gl/osedUv

4) Marvel Unlimited

     a) iPad - http://goo.gl/OxW0ly

     b) Android - http://goo.gl/VRkZoB

5) Comic Shop - http://goo.gl/xdTMuI

6) Yard Sales/Flea Markets

7) Comic Conventions

8) Online - Mile High Comics http://goo.gl/0AxAn

To subscribe to this podcast go to:

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