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Post by Reptisaurus! on Feb 20, 2019 1:41:57 GMT -5
I have those first Perez Avengers, what I liked was there were multiple stories running concurrently, opposite of modern decompression; you got a lot of story for your quarter and many reasons to want to get the next ish. Yeah, just really, really, well put together comic books. The plotting was great with (as you said) LOTS going on, the characterization was clear and distinct, the content of the stories were moving into topics that US comics had never touched on. And he's seamlessly merging the romance and western titles into superhero continuity. Englehart's stuff is the last time I ever cared about Marvel continuity (this is before I was born, of course) because he's the last writer who did anything with Marvel continuity I thought was interesting. Englehart was so far ahead of any other Marvel writer at the time. Every basic element of writing is on point, and the formal storytelling is just levels above. And he's good at both light-hearted and fairly intense scenes. (Or going back and forth in the middle of scenes!) I'm re-reading this arc right now and, man, it just slays me. This is the best the "616" Avengers ever were, and his Cap and Doc Strange were even better! * Well, except for Geber. Maybe Doug Monech. Shaxper likes Doug Monech. |
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Post by berkley on Feb 20, 2019 2:28:38 GMT -5
For those who weren't around at the time, having the Avengers (or whoever) go back in time wasn't a new idea, but having them meet Marvel's Western heroes was not at all an obvious thing to do and IIRC there was in fact some consternation from fans expressed on the letters page as to whether this was an appropriate plot-device for a superhero comic. To me, it's one of those things that shouldn't have worked but did - and I think it's a sign of Englehart's talent that he not only thought of the idea but executed it so skilfully.
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Post by codystarbuck on Feb 20, 2019 3:51:14 GMT -5
For those who weren't around at the time, having the Avengers (or whoever) go back in time wasn't a new idea, but having them meet Marvel's Western heroes was not at all an obvious thing to do and IIRC there was in fact some consternation from fans expressed on the letters page as to whether this was an appropriate plot-device for a superhero comic. To me, it's one of those things that shouldn't have worked but did - and I think it's a sign of Englehart's talent that he not only thought of the idea but executed it so skilfully. Ironically, a few years later, the JLA would travel in time and meet DC Western heroes, thanks to the Lord of Time. |
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Post by beccabear67 on Feb 20, 2019 13:17:24 GMT -5
There was an extra Hawkeye and the Two-Gun Kid story at the back of Marvel Tales #100 for those who liked that combination, but written by Scott Edelman.
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Post by codystarbuck on Feb 20, 2019 16:36:18 GMT -5
Avengers #143 Creative Team: Englehart & Perez-"words & pictures", Sam Grainger-inks, Tom Orzechowski-letters, George Roussos-colors, Marv Wolfman-edits. The co-credit for Englehart & Perez is interesting. Co-plotting is not stated, though the "Marvel Method" puts a lot of the storytelling in the artist's hands. I suspect it is both recognition of how much his art is adding to the story and the fact that he is drawing readers. In subsequent works, Perez usually has pretty heavy involvement in the plotting of the story. Synopsis: Kid Colt has his gun on Ace, leader of Kang's desperadoes, and is about to plug him full of holes, unless he starts yammerin' about how to get into Kang's citadel. Thor isn't happy about his methods (he shoots the clothes off of Ace!); but, Hawkeye defend shim. Two-Gun Kid is still feeling inadequate and doesn't take well to Moondragon's queen B routine, or her dress sense. The posse disguises themselves as the bandits (Moondragon wearing her hart Cpl Agarn style....  ...), and they ride into Tombstone. They head toward the citadel and are observed by a suspicious Kang. Moondragon sense that the jig is up and warns the rest; but, the door opens right up. The team is on their toes and runs into...  Hawkeye yells the battle cry and Kang just replies, "Cretins!" and he sends Hawkeye, Moondragon, Thor and Two-Gun Kid through time. He's still pretty pissed about losing the Celestial Madonna and he is going to take it out on them and the rest of the Avengers. Meanwhile, at the Brand/Roxxon prison, Cap tells everyone about that plan he had, last issue. Vision can't pass through the energy flow of their cage, or even put his hand throughthe gaps in the energy "bars". However, Cap can put his shield in the energy flow, though not through it. Vision can then pass through Cap's shield. Somehow, that let's vision pass through the energy field...  He gets outside and unleashes solar eye beams, wrecking things and allowing the rest to escape (while Wanda moons over her hubby's abilities). Back with our other group, turns out they were not transported through time; but, dumped in a cell, to be attacked by a genetically modified coyote. Great shades of Acme! Wile E is getting the better of Hawkeye, Moondragon and TGK; but, Kang notices the bearded blond guy is missing. he then detects a sizeable hole in the wall, as beardy guy stands behind him...  HAMMER TIME! Thor proceeds to kick Kang's sorry butt all over the page. TGK freezes, while in the grasp of Mega-Wile E and Moondragon saves him by giving the monster a psychic lobotomy. TGK is pretty miffed about being rescued by a dame. Thor beats Kang so badly that he has to draw more and more power, until he disintegrates and disappears from time, taking his citadel with him. Immortus gets in contact to say that Kang is gone, for good (or until reassembled, in a later story) and Rama-Tut was Kang in the past, trying to atone; but setting the whole thing in motion. Immortus was the final form, attempting to undo what Kang had done, which ultimately leads to his end, as well. Mondragon cries at this. Thoughts: Would have liked to have had the cowboys involved in the finale; but, Thor getting all viking on Kang's backside is a pretty darn good ending. So, no more Immortus or Kang. Uh, hunh. That is, until a certain editor-in-chief revives him and says there are all kinds of alternate Kang's running around. The Squadron is absent, while the captured Avengers escapes. Cap's method is a bit dubious. It is established tha Vision can't pass through the energy field of the cage (created by Dr Spectrum's power prism). Cap's shield will also not pass through; yet, somehow, he can put it into the energy field and Vision can phase through the metal of the shield. The metal is still within the energy field, so why can Vision now pass through the energy? 'Cause, comics. During our brief foray in the present, Patsy is starting to sound like she may regret holding Beast to his promise to make her a superhero, though that doubt won't last long. Thor hiding as Don Blake is a nice idea, though, again, something gets lost on the page. Kang's dialogue says he notices the hole, after the fact; but, the energy unleashed by Blake changing to Thor, punching through the wall and then switching back went totally unnoticed. Sound's like your monitoring system is crap. Regardless, that scene of Blake sneaking uo in Kang, transforming, than knocking his block off is pretty damn sweet!
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Post by codystarbuck on Feb 20, 2019 17:36:55 GMT -5
Avengers #144 Hellcat! Creative Team: Englehart-author, Perez-artist, Mike Esposito-inker, Denise Wohl-letters, Petra Goldberg-colors, Marv Wolfman-edits. Pretty much now selling Englehart and Perez as the star team. Synopsis: The Avengers are sneaking through the Brand Corp's facilities, which consists of canyon-like areas, with catwalks without handrails.  Turns out, they are being watched by Hugh Jones and Buzz and the Squadron and he fires a guided missile at them, indoors! Iron Man flies up to defuse it, gets blown off and slams into the catwalk, resulting in....  Deep cavernous interiors, precarious catwalks with no safety rails, indoor guided missiles; someone needs to report these guys to OSHA! Makes the Death Star look safety-conscious! Beast rescues Wanda, Vision floats, and Cap grabs Patsy, hurls his shield, then vaults off of it when it impacts, sending he and Patsy into Iron Man's waiting hands. Nice teamwork, even if the physics are a bit suspect! Patsy heads for a door and the rest think she has a pretty good idea. She then has trouble keeping up, in her high heels, as Cap and Iron man find the costume of the Cat, formerly Greer Nelson, who was transformed into Tigra. IM gives a quick synopsis. Cap hits upon the idea for Patsy to put on the costume, though that sounds more like a personal thing than a strategy to escape and defeat Brand, if you ask me. he asks Patsy if she will put it on and we get the whole run down of Patsy's comic days, marriage to Buzz, hero worship of Reed Richards (and attending his wedding), the bad marriage to Buzz, who is changed by Vietnam, the Beast & Brand and now. She immediately says "Yes! Yes!" Cap immediately regrets asking and tries to take it back; but, Patsy ain't having it and starts stripping, telling the boys to turn their backs (I bet Tony has a periscope of some kind, in the armor, for just such an occasion) Iron Man grumbles....  Patsy introduces them to....  Cap's attempt at a bit of fun is interrupted by the rest of the Avengers and then the Squadron. The battle is about to commence when Mr Jones sends everyone to the Squadron's world, after the cops show up, in response to neighbors calls about exploding missiles. Boy, that's stashing the evidence! We get an interlude, where Two-Gun Kid asks to see the future and Hawkeye agrees, provided he can be with him to tutor him. despite warnings otherwise, Thor and Moondragon give in. Thoughts: Nice romp, with plenty of action. Perez keeps getting stronger and shows through more with Grainger and now Esposito. Englehart has a bit of fun with Patsy's history and has some fun character moments with her and Cap & Iron Man. Perez makes Patsy look pretty .....healthy, with a rather short skirt, for the mid-70s (and a pretty tight top!). Once she is in costume, she gets very healthy, indeed! Issues 145-146 were fill-ins, as Englehart and perez couldn't meet their deadline, as we get Don Heck drawing the Assassin, trying to kill Tony Stark & the Avengers.   A friend had 146 and I recall reading it, at the time, not knowing who half the Avengers were, as i had read mostly DC and Gold Key, at that point. I covered these, in an old thread; suffice to say, they aren't spectacular and aren't awful. Just kind of average, with what was not Heck's best art and a middling story, with a gimmick reveal of the villain.
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zilch
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Post by zilch on Feb 20, 2019 20:52:42 GMT -5
I drew a version of the Hellcat pin-up page for my art class in High School (and got an A with the aside from the female teacher that i should not be doing nudes in the future(?)). Even a couple of years after this story, i still wanted to draw like George!
Oh! And i have a notebook with #141 on the cover!
-z
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Post by zaku on Feb 21, 2019 7:07:07 GMT -5
I drew a version of the Hellcat pin-up page for my art class in High School (and got an A with the aside from the female teacher that i should not be doing nudes in the future(?)). Even a couple of years after this story, i still wanted to draw like George! Oh! And i have a notebook with #141 on the cover! -z Do you still have it? Asking,err, for a friend...  |
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Post by codystarbuck on Feb 21, 2019 15:45:35 GMT -5
Avengers #147 "Crisis on Other-Earth!" Now why does that seem familiar... Creative Team: Englehart & Perez, Coletta back on inks (ugh!), Denise Wohl-letters, Petra Goldberg-colors, Marv Wolfman-edits, phone calls from lawyers. Synopsis: The Avengers and Squadron materialize on the Squadron's Earth and it doesn't take the Avengers long to realize it. Dr Spectrum fires the power prism; but, Iron Man intercepts the blast and takes the brunt of it, allowing Hellcat to lead the attack.  The suit appears to enhance her abilities, giving her heightened agility, strength, and speed. Patsy also chalks it up to years of surfing (daddyo!). However, she picked Hyperion to attack and barely annoys him, though she is able to doge his counters. Iron Man has recovered enough to eliminate Whizzer and Vision stops Lady Lark by phasing through her. Golden Archer fires a gimmick arrow at Vision, which does nothing and takes Cap's shield, in the face! Scarlet Witch bests the power prism, as Beast attacks Hyperion, to rescue Patsy.  They are interrupted by the arrival of the Army, as Hyperion notes that they work more closely with the government, since the events of their previous appearance. The Army surrounds them and then Marine One lands, unloading the President of the United States....  Nelson A. Rockefeller!  He is also wearing the Serpent Crown, which Cap recaps its history (from his time as Nomad), where Warlord Krang and the Serpent Squad used it to manipulate Roxxon CEO High Jones. Wanda surmises it is this world's version and Vision hops to it, dematerializing then flying above Rockefeller, snatching the crown from his head and tossing it to Wanda. Rockie tells everyone to stand down, lest the Crown be damaged and Beast tells off Hyperion (who had been choking him out). The Avengers depart and GA yells at the POTUS to let them go after; but he silences him and then reaches out, mentally, to Hugh Jones on the Avengers' Earth.  We then find out that all of the Serpent Crowns, across the multiverse are linked to a single serpentine consciousness and it maintains contact with all who wore the crown. Thus, Rockie and Hugh Jones are linked Wanda receives some psychic emanations from the Crown and has learned that it has been worn by all heads of major conglomerates and, thus, controls the heads of government and big business in a major conspiracy. Cap's interference with Jones and the Serpents prevented this from happening on their Earth. However, when everyone stops yapping, they notice that Wanda is gone! Vision catches up with her and she goes all Gollum, spurning her hubby and running off. Hyperion, Golden Archer and Lady Lark are searching, with the lovers bickering, when Wanda runs smack into Hyperion. Vision follows and yells at Hype to let her go. He attacks, thinking Vision just turns invisible and runs into a diamond wall. GA fires an arrow that passes through and Lady Lark gets solar eye-beamed. Vision gets momentarily stunned by an ultra-sonic arrow, allowing Hyperion to hit Vision with a lamppost and wrap it around him, though he phases through. While this goes on, Wanda fights the power of her Precious! Vision owns Hyperion ...  ...and Lady Lark goes to ambush him; but, Wanda takes him out, having recovered control. Vision takes possession of the Crown. Thoughts: Now we go to school! Englehart ramps up both the action and intrigue, on the parallel Earth of the Squadron. Nelson Rockefeller is president and under control of the Serpent Crown, as are all other heads of Big Business. Englehart is playing up the connection between Big Business and the Government, as a conspiracy writ large. We are told that Hubert Humphrey had been president, when the Avengers were last there, establishing that this world had our Vice Presidents in the Oval Office. he then takes a page out of Tolkien, with the corrupting power of the Crown, even when not worn. The ending makes you wonder if Vision is as immune as he thinks, as we see the Crown glow. Perez is in decent form; but, Coletta's inks are not in sync, as especially witnessed on the splash page...  There is a gag panel as we see two women in bikinis, sunbathing on a rooftop, as Vision and Iron Man fly over. Their names are Lois and Lonni, in a nod to Lois Lane and Lana Lang.  Nelson Rockefeller was a Republican and member of the wealthy Rockefeller family, which was fuelled by Standard Oil. Nelson had served in government under Roosevelt, Truman and Eisenhower. He was Governor of New York, from 1959-1973, then was named as Vice President, when Gerald Ford succeeded Richard Nixon as President of the United States. Rockefeller was part of the moderate and more liberal wing of the Republican Party. As governor, he was noted for eschewing party ideology for practical solutions and it was this mindset and experience that led Ford to naming him his Vice President. he was promised that he would be an equal partner; but, Chief of Staff Donald Rumsfeld soon put the kibosh on this. With massive post-Vietnam inflation, the Ford government was saddled with a crippling economic recession and Rockefeller was put in charge of Ford's "Whip Inflation Now" program, which was largely viewed as ineffective. He was pushed aside for the 1976 Presidential Election, with Sen. Bob Dole named as Ford's running mate, ultimately losing to Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter and Sen. Walter Mondale. The Ford Administration carried a lot of baggage from the Nixon Administration and the Watergate Scandal. The immediate pardoning of Nixon, by Ford, gave the appearance of "business as usual." Rockefeller's ties to his family's money and business was fodder for pundits and SNL, despite his record as NY governor. He garnered enemies in the more conservative segments of the Republican Party, which proved powerful enough to block him as the VP candidate, in '76 and who would shape the Reagan campaign and administration, in 1980. The Moderates lost influence across the decades. Englehart was probably the most politically vocal writer at Marvel, with Gerber being the more satirical. Englehart used a lot of political allegories in his stories and that is at work here, as he focuses on the relationship between business and government, especially under the Republicans, who were in power. Englehart also pokes fun at the conventions of the Justice League, with Hyperion's superior talk, yet less than shrewd brain, heightened bickering between GA and LL, the nod to Lois and Lana (allowing Perez to indulge in a bit of cheesecake). Englehart and Perez also continue to add some comedic touches, with Patsy and Beast, as he ends up choked by Hyperion, then takes a shot, verbally, after they are freed. He even references the Crisis brand name, in the story title. the ending panel announces the next story as "20,000 Leagues Under Justice," further adding to the connection. At this point, it is established that Greer Nelson's old Cat suit is responsible for Patsy's abilities. In the post-Squadron storylines, Moondragon takes it upon herself to train Patsy, both in martial arts and mental abilities, which carries over to her participation in the Defenders. There is a brief interlude, as Hawkeye, Moondragon, Thor and the Two-Gun Kid emerge from the time stream, in the present, and Hawk and TGKgo off on their adventure. Thor notes that Hawkeye has never seemed happier. Clint and Matt Hawk will check in, from time to time, before TGK gets returned to his time period. This eventually evolves into Two-Gun Kid being the inspiration for the future masked heroes of the Golden Age, as seen in Ed Brubaker's Marvels Project, as Matt Hawk is the inspiration for the original Angel, one of the first Timely masked heroes (in the same Marvel Comics #1, as Namor and the Human Torch). Matt Hawk gets further time displaced in She Hulk.
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Post by codystarbuck on Feb 21, 2019 16:39:13 GMT -5
Avengers #148 I love Kirby; but, that is not one of his better covers. Creative Team: Englehart & Perez, Sam Grainger back on inks, Orzechowski letters, Hugh Paley-colors, Marv editing. Synopsis: The link to Justice League is made even more prominent...  The Squadron are in their orbiting satellite, Rocket Central, where Tom Thumb, Amphibion, Cap'n Hawk, Dr Spectrum and Whizzer await word form the others. Hyperion, Lady Lark and Golden Avenger appear and let them know they failed, with GA blaming Hyperion's lack of brain power, in losing to Vision. Cap'n Hawk has spotted the other Avengers and they go to round them up, to draw out Wanda and Vision. meanwhile, we get a bit of meta commentary...  Meanwhile, Rockie and the other members of the Cadre Cartel are meeting about the Avengers and the other Earth. Rockie tells them the Serpent Crown is extending domination there and it is their job to aid it. We then cut to Cap'n Hawk, Tom Thumb and Amphibion taking on Beast and Hellcat (hey, three on two isn't fair Squadron!). Hank and Patsy have split off to search for Wanda, when the SSAers come on the scene and attack. Beast blocks CH and Tom Thumb zaps him. Amphibion comes out of a sewer and tells Patsy that his people don't attack defenseless females and to just surrender. Patsy admits she's no women's libber; but kicks his but anyway, discovering that cracking jokes during combat is fun! In a Freudian moment, TT covers her is a yellowish-white goo and she is incapacitated. Beast destroys his flying Micro-Module, and then piefaces him, while he swings at Hank. he tricks Cap'm Hawk into flying into a plate glass window, taking him out of the fight, then goes to get Patsy out of the goo. Round 2 has Captain America & Iron Man taking on Dr Spectrum and the Whizzer. Whizzer and Spectrum get the early lead, before Cap and Iron man make their comeback. Whizzer's speed an vibrational powers keep Cap's shield from touching him, until he stops to gloat and gets a bounceback in the back of the head. Dr Spectrum has IM in his clutches; but, Tony is able to activate an ultra-violet beam, again, and take out Spectrum, as in their previous meeting (since this power prism did not face IM, before, when he fought the Squadron Sinister Spectrum, and couldn't adapt to the loss). Cap and IM link up with the others, who have found Wanda and Vision. We cut to the White House, where the Squadron report failure to Rockie, then get a speech about how Rockie and his cohorts secretly run things and the Squadron sells out their principles for the almighty dollar, as they give the corporations the power they seek. Turns out, it is Beast, in disguise. They give chase and run into an ambush, which gives IM enough time to activate the dimensional gate and they escape....  Hyperion is all set to follow; but, GA and the rest have heard wat Beast said and vote to let them go and deal with their world's problems. Meanwhile, Moondragon pisses off Thor, with talk of how he is "slumming," with the Avengers and Hank and Janet Pym are released from the hospital and Jan tells Hank she is returning to the Avengers, with or without him. Thoughts: This issue, by far, most explored the JLA pastiche, with the satellite, the digs about how their stories are wrapped up with definite endings, the splitting of teams, in different chapters, and the coming together at the end. The Squadron attacks are textbook JLA routines, with Whizzer using Flash tornadoes and vibrating through things, only for his arrogance to slip him up. In fact, that superiority is routinely their downfall, possibly poking fun at DC's entrenched editorial forces who felt they were superior to Marvel, as Stan and Jack & Steve chipped away at their audience, until Marvel was the dominant publisher (though in a dwindling market, it has to be said, by the mid 70s). Tom Thumb's stature lets him be easily bullied, after his technology is eliminated. Hyperion is all muscle and no brains, while Cap'n Hawk swings a lot of weapons; but doesn't seem to know the first thing about strategy. Definitely more parody than homage. Englehart says his piece about corporate influence on government and society and points fingers at society and government for selling their principles out cheaply (while he does the same, by handing a corporation his stories, without getting a piece of the action, beyond his writer fees, as Dave Sim would point out). Having it come from Rockefeller is effective, until the Mission Impossible moment, when Beast removes the mask. Perez looks much better under Grainger's inks than Coletta's, though I wish it were Bob McLeod or Terry Austin, who really complimented Perez well. This issue's letters page has entries from Peter Sanderson and Jo Duffy, talking about the Western issue. Sanderson praises the effectiveness of the story, noting that time travel is a tricky plot device, while Duffy praises perez's art and his artistic growth, noting that he is able to create unique faces, unlike many of his contemporaries. Fun issue, with the finale to follow, though the Squadron is out of things, at this point.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2019 16:56:17 GMT -5
I remember reading this issue ... because of the reference to Justice League of America and that's kind of bothered me a great deal and I had a hard time swallowing it.
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Post by rberman on Feb 21, 2019 16:59:49 GMT -5
Avengers #148Thoughts: This issue, by far, most explored the JLA pastiche, with the satellite, the digs about how their stories are wrapped up with definite endings, the splitting of teams, in different chapters, and the coming together at the end. The Squadron attacks are textbook JLA routines, with Whizzer using Flash tornadoes and vibrating through things, only for his arrogance to slip him up. In fact, that superiority is routinely their downfall, possibly poking fun at DC's entrenched editorial forces who felt they were superior to Marvel, as Stan and Jack & Steve chipped away at their audience, until Marvel was the dominant publisher (though in a dwindling market, it has to be said, by the mid 70s). Tom Thumb's stature lets him be easily bullied, after his technology is eliminated. Hyperion is all muscle and no brains, while Cap'n Hawk swings a lot of weapons; but doesn't seem to know the first thing about strategy. Definitely more parody than homage. These issues make an interesting counterpoint to the work that Englehart would be doing on the actual JLA just a few months down the road. |
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Post by codystarbuck on Feb 21, 2019 17:36:12 GMT -5
Avengers #149 Perez and Giacoia cover, with changes made by John Romita Creative Team: same bunch as last time. Synopsis: Thor and Moondragon return to Avengers Mansion and Jarvis informs them about the others being gone. MD and Thor continue bickering; but, head to New Jersey to help. There, we find the Avengers making mincemeat out of the Roxxon mercs, who were caught with their pants down. High Jones psychically consults Rockie, who informs them of the Squadron turning on him and the Cadre, as they reveal all to the public. he can't help. Jones decides to unleash his big guns and the Avengers go down, to a big blue arm! He has them rounded up for killing, when Thor and Moondragon show up. They come face to crotch with...   They fight, as you do, and Moondragon's haughtiness is irritating Thor, until she goes down and he feels guilty and lets go. Meanwhile, Mr Jones has the other Avengers on a slab, wired up to machines. It's an instant incinerator of some sort, which will be sold to the highest bidders. Buzz is keen to zap them, including Patsy; but Jones says wait. Thor continues to kick blubber and show why he is the God of Thunder!   Buzz lords it over Patsy, berating her for not growing up, when she pulls loose the wires and gives him one to the face! He fights back but Patsy kicks his sorry butt, then threatens to scratch his eyes out if he doesn't free the others! Hell hath no fury, and all of that. Moondragon is fine and says she held back to show Thor he was more powerful than all of the Avengers and superior to them.. Jones observes Orka go down and tells Buzz to throw the switch; but, he doesn't answer. he goes to look and runs into...  Perez really does comeuppance well! (see the JLA/JSA/New Gods crossover, when Granny Goodness runs into Big Barda!) We end with an epilogue, where Thor demonstrates to the others how much he has been holding back, over the years...  Patsy also contemplates the end of her past and the start of a new life. Thoughts: Well, a slight coda to the Squadron's story, then a whole lot of butt-kicking, with Patsy giving what for to her slimeball ex-husband. Thor cuts loose and we end with a lead-in to issue #150, which was supposed to inaugurate a new team roster; but, ends up being a reprint, since no one could seem to meet deadlines and the EIC wasn't getting the job done (or expanding the editorial ranks to help oversee things better). Instead, we wait for issue 151 for the new team, and an apology for the reprint. The new roster ends up being Cap, Iron Man, Vision, Scarlet Witch, Yellowjacket and Wasp, with Hawkeye on leave, and Thor, Moondragon and Hellcat os special mission status, while they deal with other issues. As far as the Squadron goes, we see them dealing with their world's issues, as they unveil the corporate power grab. It will be some time before they re-enter the picture. In the meantime, the Squadron Sinister members will go solo and turn up in a few places. I'll look at those outings, before returning to the Squadron Supreme's re-appearance, in Thor #280. First up will be Dr Spectrum, who made a couple of appearances, in 1978, in slightly different forms. That will be followed by Hyperion, who runs into the Thing and his guest-stars, while the Serpent Crown reappears. Whizzer will change his name to Speed Demon and encounter Spider-Man a few times
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Post by codystarbuck on Feb 21, 2019 17:51:06 GMT -5
Avengers #148Thoughts: This issue, by far, most explored the JLA pastiche, with the satellite, the digs about how their stories are wrapped up with definite endings, the splitting of teams, in different chapters, and the coming together at the end. The Squadron attacks are textbook JLA routines, with Whizzer using Flash tornadoes and vibrating through things, only for his arrogance to slip him up. In fact, that superiority is routinely their downfall, possibly poking fun at DC's entrenched editorial forces who felt they were superior to Marvel, as Stan and Jack & Steve chipped away at their audience, until Marvel was the dominant publisher (though in a dwindling market, it has to be said, by the mid 70s). Tom Thumb's stature lets him be easily bullied, after his technology is eliminated. Hyperion is all muscle and no brains, while Cap'n Hawk swings a lot of weapons; but doesn't seem to know the first thing about strategy. Definitely more parody than homage. These issues make an interesting counterpoint to the work that Englehart would be doing on the actual JLA just a few months down the road. Englehart did use a bit of dangling sub-plot, in his issues, as Mark Shaw continues beyond the Manhunter storyline. Two-parters were becoming more common at DC, though they rarely did 3 or more, until the 80s. By that point, the old guard was retired or pushed aside; plus, we had the influx of former Marvel writers & editors (usually in the form of the same person). Englehart did a lot of continued storytelling, in both his Batman stuff, in Detective, and Mister Miracle. Really, I think he's poking fun at The Infantino and past regimes, more than Gardner Fox and the others, as we will see, he had enthusiasm for the characters (some more than others). At this stage, the Squadron is a combination of pastiche and parody. It will take a real JLA fan to turn the Squadron into something more serious, in Mark Gruenwald. JM DeMatteis starts the ball rolling, in Defendes; but, there is still more of a satirical edge in that and, the team is still a bunch of losers, whose world is continually controlled by other forces, thanks to their clueless nature. Gruenwald has them finally take responsibility for their world and pick up the pieces, making them into their own characters, for, arguably, the first time. before that, they are exaggerations of the JLA character types. Gruenwald tries to give them their own personalities. |
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Post by codystarbuck on Feb 21, 2019 18:01:27 GMT -5
Forgot to mention, Avengers #148 was the first appearance for Amphibion, who I and others regular misname as Amphibian. He seems to be there mainly for a quick Aquaman joke, from Patsy. So, at this point, the Squadron Supreme is:
Hyperion
Dr Spectrum
Nighthawk (unseen since the previous Avengers stories, since the Squadron Sinister Kyle was with the Defenders)
Whizzer
Cap'n Hawk (renamed, after having been American Eagle)
Tom Thumb
Lady Lark
Golden Archer (also renamed, after being Hawkeye. Ironically, Hawkeye once used the name Golden Archer, to convince Steve Rogers to return to being Cap; or at least, Nomad)
Amphibion
No more new members until Defenders #112
Brain Child was working separately, for the government and was not a Squadron member.
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