AWARDS: Heroes

Posted on January 15, 2024 by Chrissy

THE MARVELOUS AWARDS!!

HERO AWARDS

Now this is more like it! As much as I dreaded last time having to give so much attention to the super-villains, that’s how much I enjoy the prospect of now giving our superheroes the proper respect.

THAT’S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR

That comparison is strongly demonstrated in our first Award, for as much as super-villains are unable to work together, that’s how much superheroes lend a hand to their fellow superheroes when the going gets tough.

In the category of That’s What Friends Are For, the nominees are…

  • When Scott is overwhelmed, the other X-Men pitch in to help him

  • Human Torch helps the X-Men against Juggernaut

  • The Avengers comfort Giant-Man when Wasp is injured

And the Award goes to…

The Avengers, for consoling Giant-Man as Wasp lies near death’s door. Of course, all superheroes help each other in battle, or assist their teammates whenever needed, but I don’t believe providing emotional support is overtly included in the job description. The Avengers may have needed to step outside their comfort zone somewhat on this one, but in the end, they go above and beyond—which is what superheroes do!

SUPERHERO FASHION

Lookin’ good! Well, that applies to all our superheroes, but this year, a few fashion choices demand special attention.

In the category of Superhero Fashion, the nominees are…

  • Doctor Strange’s dramatic high collar

  • Daredevil’s new comfortable and distinctive costume

  • Black Widow’s new sexy costume, including boots, cape and mask

And the Award goes to…

Daredevil, for taking the time and making the effort to give his costume a much-needed upgrade. His attention to comfort is easily understood, but I also commend him on striving to create a costume that is more “distinctive.” Now he looks extremely snazzy, rather than like a bumblebee or school bus, which was his unfortunate impression in yellow and black.

TEAMWORK

I’m beginning to feel like I’m beating a dead horse (or should I say, “a dead super-villain”) if I have to talk one more time about how well superheroes play together. The following are all excellent examples of the hallowed tradition of Teamwork in the Marvel Year 1965.

In the category of Teamwork, the nominees are…

  • Fantastic Four Annual #3

  • Amazing Spider-Man Annual #2

  • X-Men vs, the Juggernaut

And the Award goes to…

Fantastic Four Annual #3, not only for the incredible array of superheroes (“the world’s most colossal collection of costumed characters”) but also because of what brings them all together—the epic event of Reed and Sue’s wedding! A day I’m sure none of them will easily forget!

ROCKS, GET OUT OF MY WAY!

Krakk! Blam! Byong! Krrukk! I would hate to be a rock in the Marvel Universe. Seems some superhero or other is always acting like they’ve got a personal grudge against geological formations. But…who demonstrates this time-honored ritual most spectacularly?

In the category of Rocks, Get Our of My Way, the nominees are…

  • Hulk

  • Thor

  • Thing

And the Award goes to…

Thing. Every Marvel representation of rock-busting is always, of course, a sight to behold, but Thing gets extra points for the poetic irony of rock upon rock. Double whammy! Winner!

SUPERFLUOUS USE OF SUPERPOWERS

Work is one thing, play is another. If you’ve got it, you might as well flaunt it. Our superheroes can’t help it if every now and then they think a bit outside the box and use their super skills for less than super objectives. (Hey! If you could take out the trash with a simple mental levitation after a long day of fighting super-villains, why wouldn’t you?)

In the category of Superfluous Use of Superpowers, the nominees are…

  • Human Torch

  • Iron Man

  • Charles Xavier

  • Beast

And the Award goes to…

Human Torch. Not only for his showmanship, but also for his well-developed sense of self-awareness. There is nothing to be gained from this “little exhibition for my fans!” other than a stroke to his ego. If Torch was doing this today, he would go viral…and he would love it! (Honorary mention, however, to Iron Man, for his sarcastic gloat as he spins Titanium Man like a super-charged top. Great way to end a fight!)

HERO WRONGLY ACCUSED

Oh, the poor misunderstood superhero! How often have we seen these most impeccably honest and righteous fellows (and gals) set up and wrongly accused by their opponents…or sometimes simply by the hand of fate? In 1965, this trend continues (as I suspect it always will, for those whose only objective is to do the most good they possibly can).

In the category of Hero Wrongly Accused, the nominees are…

  • Count Nefaria Uses 3-D Images of Avengers to Declare War on the U.S.

  • Imposter Commits Crimes as Iron Man

  • Daredevil Tricked by the Organizer, Suspected of Robbery

And the Award goes to…

This year, as we hear more and more about the troubling aspects of “deep fakes,” I bestow this Award on the Avengers. All these nominees clearly have the power of the press against them, as well as the insufferable sentiment of “Who ya gonna believe: me, or your lyin’ eyes?” But, with the deep fake of 3-D images of the Avengers committing the most despicable of all acts, declaring war on the United States, the peril to their reputations is unparalleled.

LONELINESS AND ANGST OF THE SUPERHERO

Being wrongly accused is surely emotionally troubling, even for an otherwise stalworth superhero. But this is not where their troubles end. And while every superhero remains susceptible to all the emotional turmoil of any ordinary human being, it may in fact be their superhero-ness that magnifies their emotional distress.

In the category of Loneliness and Angst of the Superhero, the nominees are…

  • Hulk Filled with Grief Over Killed Friend

  • Pepper Hates Tony Stark, but Worships Iron Man

  • Captain America, Despondent over no Private Life

And the Award goes to…

Captain America, as he sits in the elegantly decorated Avengers Mansion, alone, and pondering the depths of his loneliness. You just have to feel for the guy. Out of time, out place, and out of options. A weaker personality probably would not have lasted this long. I look forward to seeing a brighter future for poor Cap.

BEST DEPICTION OF A DOUBLE LIFE

Oh, will we never be done with the dark side of being a superhero! One more thing to consider: in most cases, the superhero feels compelled to keep his identity a secret, thus thrusting himself into a double life. Which of these depictions best represents this unique dilemma?

In the category of Best Depiction of a Double Life, the nominees are…

  • Spider-Man Phones Aunt May

  • Daredevil’s Shadow Behind Matt Murdock

  • Thor Looms Overs Donald Blake’s Decisions

And the Award goes to…

While we are treated to some excellent art in both the Daredevil and Thor nominations, the Award goes to Peter Parker/Spider-Man for this utterly mundane moment. With his Spider-Man mask pulled up only enough to not muffle his voice, Parker quickly checks in by phone with his beloved Aunt May. Here Peter is clearly stuck in a moment between his two worlds, before he must quickly pull the mask back down over his face and go out again to fight crime!

HEROIC BANTER

Now here’s something that’s much more fun about being a superhero—the opportunity to playfully quip and banter with your opponents! Only the most confident and cavalier of superheroes can do this to full effect. Who are our contenders for 1965?

In the category of Heroic Banter, the nominees are…

  • Daredevil

  • Spider-Man

  • Thing

And the Award goes to…

Though Spider-Man will surely someday win the Lifetime Achievement Award for this skill, at this moment Thing most strongly disrespects Doctor Doom with his “mega-whatsis,” New Yawk “ya” instead of “you,” and demeaning reference to a tin skillet. Rock man vs. metal man—I guess Thing is feeling pretty confident!

MOST HULKISH MOMENT

I’ve been hanging out with Hulk long enough now that I’m familiar with his modus operandi. With the same level of glee as I wait for the next joke in a predictable sitcom, I am always on the lookout for Hulk acting most like Hulk.

In the category of Most Hulkish Moment, the nominees are…

  • Hulk lifts pavement

  • Hulk crosses ocean

  • Hulk throws tank

  • Hulk throws tantrum

And the Award goes to…

Hulk Throws Tantrum, because while all the others focus on amazing feats that Hulk can DO, throwing a tantrum speaks more plainly to who Hulk IS. Hulk is, basically, the physical manifestation of a tantrum. It doesn’t get any more elementary than that, Watson.

MOMENT OF VICTORY

Why do we read these comics at all, if not to see our superheroes ultimately prevail in a rousing moment of victory? A lot of breaking of chains and bars in this one, but whose moment of victory will beat them all?

In the category of Moment of Victory, the nominees are…

  • Spider-Man breaks chains

  • Sub-Mariner breaks chains

  • Sub-Mariner breaks bars

  • Tony Stark can live again

And the Award goes to…

Chains and bars, get out of my way! The most momentous moment of victory belongs to Tony Stark, when he passes the test and realizes “Tony Stark can live again!” Victory, emotion, relief, and a promise of so much more to come!

SUPERHERO DRUDGERY

For all their great attributes, superheroes put their pants on one leg at a time. Marvel does not shy away from the mundane—which makes these super characters super-relatable.

In the category of Superhero Drudgery, the nominees are…

  • Spider-Man sewing

  • Hulk eating doughnuts

  • Daredevil applying his own first aid

And the Award goes to…

Hulk eating donuts. Parker and Murdock’s situations may have more of the feeling of “drudgery” to them, but the image of Hulk seated at a table with coffee and doughnuts just made me laugh out loud. Before this, I never stopped to imagine Hulk engaged in any normal activities, and the image is as jarring as it is comical.

WHEN HEROES CLASH

I’ve gone to great lengths now to point out several times how superheroes play well together. But…wait! That’s not always true, is it? Of course, we are usually treated to convoluted extenuating circumstances in order to get to the spectacle of Hero vs. Hero, but when that happens, oh, what a spectacle it is!

In the category of When Heroes Clash, the nominees are…

  • Thor and Hulk

  • Thor and Hercules

  • X-Men and Avengers

And the Award goes to…

X-Men and the Avengers. Did I mention “spectacle”? So much going on here, as power is pitted against power. As they say, “Go big, or go home.” And in 1965, Marvel ain’t goin’ home!

AMAZING ASGARDIAN ARTIFACTS

In the mythical world of Asgard, sometimes a stone is not merely a stone; sometimes a sword or scepter has magical powers with earthshattering implications. In Asgard, everything is bigger than it first seems, and more important than initially imagined.

In the category of Amazing Asgardian Artifacts, the nominees are…

  • The Oversword

  • The Norn Stones

  • Odin’s Scepter of Supremacy

And the Award goes to…

The Oversword, not only for its size, but also for its power to summon the wrath of Ragnorak. Having seen Thor: Ragnorak I now have an intense respect for anything connected to this epic event.

And now our visit with the Superheroes of 1965 is sadly over, but at the same time, we can look ahead to our next installment of the Marvelous Awards, when we shall broaden our scope to consider all the marvels of the Silver Age! See you next week!

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AWARDS: Villains

Posted on January 8, 2024 by Chrissy

THE MARVELOUS AWARDS!!

VILLAIN AWARDS

This is always my least favorite part of the Marvelous Awards, as I prefer to keep my thoughts on all things positive, lovely and enlightening. And there is nothing positive or lovely about Marvel villains…though sometimes their characteristics and behavior can be very enlightening, as we consider all the evil that is in the world. As they say, Art Imitates Life, so as unpleasant as this task may be, it behooves us to now give our attention to the villains of Marvel, in hopes that by understanding them, we may also be brought to a better understanding of all that is both wrong, and right, in the world.

And so…let us begin!

VILLAIN TEAM-UP

Villain team-ups are always so much fun, because you can inevitably count on the members turning on each other. There is additional fun inherent in these three nominees, but I’ll get to that in just a moment.

In the category of Villain Team-Up, the nominees are…

  • The Frightful Four

  • Mister Fear and his “partners”

  • Masters of Evil

And the Award goes to…

Each of these have amusing reasons to be the winner of this Award, but ultimately the Award this year is going to the Frightful Four. The Masters of Evil have appeared before, so they’re almost like old friends, a cozy warm blanket; we already know they are incapable of beating the Avengers. And I was particularly impressed by the way Mr. Fear chose Ox and Eel based on their inferior qualities; are we really likely to see anything good from this selection process? But the Frightful Four is quite a colorful cast of characters! Sandman is still Sandman, but Paste-Pot Pete has reinvented himself as the Trapster; but no matter what he calls himself, he can never really throw off the stench of all that PASTE. Medusa has all that lovely hair, and Wizard is your classic egomaniac leader-wannabe. I can’t wait to see what kind of personal interactions we’re likely to see from this motley crew!

UNEASY ALLIANCE

As mentioned in the last Award, villains don’t really know how to play nice with each other, and this year’s nominees do a stellar job of illustrating the foibles of a Villain Alliance.

In the category of Uneasy Alliance, the nominees are…

  • Loki and Absorbing Man

  • Mole Man and Red Ghost

  • Mandarin and Swordsman

And the Award goes to…

Mandarin & the Swordsman, for hitting so many bullet points in this textbook example. A close runner-up is found in Loki & Absorbing Man, who perfectly illustrate the constant struggle for power in any villain alliance by literally struggling to maintain an object of immense power. Mole Man & Red Ghost are pretty much there simply for comic relief as they personify the inevitable.

ROBOTS

A staple of science fiction since the Industrial Age, Marvel has always taken full advantage of the robot’s creepy potential. They are both like us…and yet, nothing like us, a hollow, shadowy representation of the human condition. As I said…creepy.

In the category of Robots, the nominees are…

  • Sentinels

  • Sleeper

  • J. Jonah…Jameson?

And the Award goes to…

The Sentinels, because there are so many of them. Sort of like an infestation of cockroaches. Though I must admit, both the Sleeper and the Jameson robot have that “creep” factor going on. Nazi threat or Jameson’s crazed leering face? Which one is more likely to keep you up at night? (For me, it’s the cockroaches.)

GIANTS AMONG US

There’s a reason why LITTLE Red Riding Hood has to deal with the BIG Bad Wolf—because BIG is often monstrously scary! When Marvel makes a villain literally larger than life, it’s not by accident.

In the category of Giants Among Us, the nominees are…

  • Leader’s Android

  • Master Mold

  • Mole Man’s Minotaur

  • The Stranger

And the Award goes to…

All these nominees have not only their size, but something else going for them as well. Mole Man’s Minotaur is…well, an ugly scary violent minotaur, and the Leader’s Android, with his huge pink feet crushing the military, evokes the Imperial Walkers of The Empire Strikes Back (which, as I’m writing this Award, I am also viewing, with much delight, on Disney+). But the Award goes to Master Mold, because while all Sentinels are giants, as the leader of the Sentinels, he is in fact a giant among giants! And of course, as a super-logical robot, there’s no reasoning with him. Large and in charge, Master Mold beats his competition hands down. (And you can only hope he does not put that huge hand down on you, or you could be…toast!)

UGLIEST VILLAIN

Look the part. Presentation is key.

In the category of Ugliest Villain, the nominees are…

  • Comrade Bulski

  • Red Skull

  • Seaweed Man

  • Demon Witch Doctor

And the Award goes to…

The Red Skull. Because he looks like a human being…that’s been turned inside out. (And also because I can’t help but remember Hugo Weaving’s performance in the MCU!)

INTERFERING ALIENS

The pickings were slim when I went in search of aliens in 1965 Marvel comics. Oh, for the days of the Skrulls, the Toad Men and the Stone Men of Saturn! I’m so desperate, I would even settle for the Infant Terrible.

In the category of Interfering Aliens, the nominees are…

  • The Stranger captures Magneto to study mutations

  • The Froma deduce all earthlings must be like Iron Man

  • The Kallusians abduct the only doctor who can save Wasp

And the Award goes to…

The Stranger. As mentioned, alien appearances have really waned this year. We know very little about the Kallusians, and the Froma’s greatest superpower seems to be jumping to conclusions. But the Stranger wisely describes himself as someone whose power “is greater by far than you can even imagine!” This dramatic sense of mystery bubbles him to the top of this very short list.

RIDICULOUS VILLAINS

Let’s be honest. Comic book villains (and heroes too, for that matter) are basically ridiculous. If they weren’t, if their experiences were tame and sane, why would we bother looking at them? A certain amount of “ridiculousness” is inherent in the genre, but on occasion, some characters take their ridiculousness to the next level. That is what we celebrate in this next Award.

In the category of Ridiculous Villains, the nominees are…

  • The Ani-Men

  • Stilt-Man

  • The Clown and his Masters of Menace

And the Award goes to…

The Ani-Men. I was ready to grant this Award to the Clown and the Masters of Menace…until I took a good look at the Ani-Men. I quickly realized that though the Clown and the Masters of Menace exactly personify the circus atmosphere that is in so many ways the definition of “ridiculous,” the institution of the Circus is in fact a well-respected tradition. Not only that, the schtick for each one of them is also part of their employment. The Ani-Men, however, are way out in left field. While so many villains (and superheroes) personify particular animals or insects, the sight of these four middle-aged men costuming themselves with dreams of approximating the attributes of certain members of the animal kingdom, frankly, seems a little sad and silly. And Wally Wood’s rendition of their sad-sack expressions only adds to the pathos. And their ridiculousness.

FEMME FATALE

In literature (and comics!), a femme fatale is an alluring woman who uses her charms to drag a man into a bad situation. The nominees below have all done their damage, but only one can win the Award for Femme Fatale.

In the category of Femme Fatale, the nominees are…

  • Countess de la Spirosa

  • Princess Python

  • Debbie Harris

And the Award goes to…

Princess Python. Both Debbie Harris and the Countess enact their schemes due to their romantic entanglements—Debbie has been complicit in the plans of the Organizer because she believed herself in love with him, while Countess Spinoza is exacting revenge on Tony Stark, by whom she feels slighted. But Princess Python, as a member of the Masters of Menace very deliberately uses her feminine wiles in hopes of unmasking Spider-Man, reasoning he would then be beholden to her (and, by extension, beholden to the Masters of Menace). Watch out, Spider-Man! Don’t let yourself be taken in by the charms of this slithery snake-woman!

GLOATING VILLAIN

Who doesn’t love a good gloat? And no one does it better, than a Marvel super-villain!

In the category of Gloating Villain, the nominees are…

  • Scorpion

  • Baron Mordo

  • Mandarin

  • Titanium Man

And the Award goes to…

While all of these are great gloats, I’m going to have to give this one to Mordo for his extreme and poetic imagery. A lot of meat on the bones of all these gloats, but with Mordo’s “crush him like a flea” simile, he adds a splash of tabasco!

KARMA IS A BITCH

Super-villains always have big ideas and big plans. Their downfall often occurs because their big egos cannot allow for the possibility of slip-ups or defeats. Careful what you wish for, oh, super-villain!

In the category of Karma Is a Bitch, the nominees are…

  • Molecular Ray is reversed, shrinking Stilt-Man

  • Absorbing Man turns to helium and floats away

  • Bolivar Trask is captured by the Sentinels he created

  • The Leader dons the Watcher’s Ultimate Machine and immediately zonks out

And the Award goes to…

Boliver Trask in X-Men, for creating the Sentinels that ultimately turn against him with an exclamation of logic: “We can only guard the human race by becoming its master.” How many times have we seen this in sci-fi shows and movies? It’s amazing that nearly sixty years ago, Stan Lee was ringing the warning bell on AI. The question now is: will we heed this cautionary tale?

So! Now we’ve seen what the villains of 1965 have to offer. But what are they up against? Do the heroes of 1965 have what it takes to meet these wicked women and felonious fellows head-on? (You understand, I’m sure, that’s a rhetorical question…) Of course, they do! And we’ll find out so much more about our superheroes when next we meet, for the continuing adventures of the Marvelous Awards!

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AWARDS: Supporting Characters

Posted on January 1, 2024 by Chrissy

THE MARVELOUS AWARDS!!



Welcome to the 3rd Annual Marvelous Awards! As always, it has taken us a while to get here, but that is only because such a great amount of thought and consideration goes into this panoramic view of what has gone on during a single year in Marvel Comics. This is a very busy universe, and 1965 has been a very busy year! And so, without further ado, let us begin…

SUPPORTING CHARACTER AWARDS

Throughout literary history, protagonists have always enjoyed relationships with supporting characters. Listening to Sherlock Holmes babble to himself on a constant basis, rather than explain his reasoning to Dr. John Watson, might soon get tiresome—for us, as well as for him. When the going gets tough, Samwise Gamgee is more than a friend to Frodo, he’s a lifesaving inspiration. Harry Potter has best friends Ron and Hermione, as Buffy enjoys the assistance and camaraderie of Xander and Willow.

In some cases, though, the support may outshine the main character; for instance, who do you most remember from Happy Days, Richie Cunningham, or the Fonz? In other cases, the line is even more blurred; who’s really in charge here, Wooster, or Jeeves?

Love ’em, hate ’em, or entirely indifferent, there’s no denying supporting characters play a vital role in the stories of our heroes. And Marvel Comics is no exception.

With that said, let us proceed through our first batch of Awards, for the Most Outstanding Supporting Characters in Marvel Comics, 1965!

MOST SUPPORTIVE CHARACTER

Superheroes do not exist in a vacuum. As powerful as they are, they can’t always do it all on their own. As the Beatles once said, “I get by with a little help from my friends.”

In the category of Most Supportive Character, we present for your consideration some of Marvel superheroes’ best friends.

  • Balder

  • Happy Hogun

  • Karen Page

  • Dorma

And the Award goes to…

Happy Hogan. These are all good nominees, but after much reflection, the winner is clear. As touching as we find the gals’ support, that support is heavily peppered with a hefty dose of romantic self-interest. And while Balder is Thor’s devoted friend, he is also a hero in his own right, routinely going above and beyond; supporting a friend is in his job description. Happy, on the other hand, is merely the chauffeur, an employee, a regular guy. Nothing requires him to jump into the arena with Iron Man—nothing, that is, except a germ of suspicion that his friend Tony Stark may, in fact, actually be Iron Man. But he doesn’t yet know that for sure. So Happy’s devotion travels a long way on only a dribble of steam, at great risk to his own safety. Not to mention what helping Stark might do to his own romantic interests with Pepper! He is utterly selfless. And that is why this year, Happy Hogan is the most supportive supporting character.

LEAST SUPPORTIVE CHARACTER

On the other hand…not all supporting characters are actually supportive. Some are downright antagonistic!

In the category of Least Supportive Character, the nominees are…

  • Senator Harrington Byrd

  • Major Glenn Talbot

  • Flash Thompson

And the Award goes to…

Major Glenn Talbot. From the moment he was introduced as a supporting character, Talbot has been a thorn in Bruce Banner’s side, always willing to believe the absolute worst about our brilliant scientist. His slimy attentions towards Betty Ross are the icing on the cake of this very frosty relationship. Senator Byrd probably thinks he’s doing the right thing (haven’t we all seen heartfelt politicians that are simply misguided?) and Flash is, frankly, an immature jerk. (Maybe he only needs to grow up?) But Talbot is old enough and smart enough to know better. And yet still…this is what we get from him.

SUSPICIOUS MINDS

Suspicion is the seasoning of so much drama! Which characters are happiest to pepper the pot to the fullest advantage?

In the category of Suspicious Minds, the nominees are…

  • Balder

  • Happy Hogan & Pepper Potts

  • J. Jonah Jameson

And the Award goes to…

Happy Hogan and Pepper Potts. You see what I did there? I sort of gave away the Award with the phrase “happiest to pepper the pot.” But the Award does not go to Happy and Pepper simply to make a literary point, but rather because their sustained disdain and suspicions about Iron Man’s role in the disappearance of their beloved boss creates such extreme tension in the office. Have you ever had to work, day in and day out, with someone you were not sure you could trust? Toxic work environment? I rest my case.

THE NATIVES ARE RESTLESS

This Award could just as well have been called the “Ya Got Trouble Award,” or “The Coup Award.” You get the idea.

In the category of The Natives Are Restless, the nominees are…

  • Asgardian Mariners

  • Atlanteans

  • Lichtenbadans(?) Lichtenbadites(?) Lichtens(?)

And the Award goes to…

The Asgardian Mariners, for an out and out MUTINY! So much fighting, by so many able-bodied and pissed off sailors, in such an enclosed, inescapable arena! The situation is intense, and you have to love the artistic depiction of utter commotion. CLANG! KRAK!

BEST SIDEKICK

Right-hand man. The indispensable guy in the sidecar. And perhaps most importantly, a partner in amusing banter.

In the category of Best Sidekick, the nominees are…

  • Bucky

  • Rick Jones

  • Dum Dum Dugan

And the Award goes to…

Bucky. Dum Dum is part of a “team,” and no one beats Rick Jones for sheer devotion, but the Award goes to Bucky for devotion, teamwork, AND a fearless willingness to employ his skills, such as they are, with the same determination as Captain America himself.

LADY IN WAITING

My unique perspective from 2023 has acquainted me with all these ladies, long before I actually met them in the comics. So I have long been awaiting them in print. But who most of all? And who makes the most dramatic entrance?

In the category of Lady in Waiting, the nominees are…

  • Gwen Stacy

  • Mary Jane Watson

  • Crystal

And the Award goes to…

Mary Jane Watson, because of how often and how skillfully the writers have teased her arrival. I imagine the readers of the day were more excited than Peter Parker himself to finally meet her. And the flower in front of her face? Well played!

MOST AMAZING ANIMAL

The ASPCA approves this next Award, for the most amazing animal in Marvel Comics, circa 1965.

In the category of Most Amazing Animal, the nominees are…

  • Zabu

  • Shazana’s Pet

  • Fenris, the Asgardian wolf

And the Award goes to…

Shazana’s pet. Doctor Strange is able to communicate with the creature, which is pretty amazing in and of itself. But I most love the Dr. Seuss-ish presentation of this poor little odd-looking other-worldly royal pet.

LOVESICK FEMALES

What fun would Marvel Comics be without a beautiful bevy of lovesick females? Little boys who have not yet gotten their twelve-year-old molars might still read such stories…but not me!

In the category of Lovesick Females, the nominees are…

  • Pepper Potts pines for Tony, whom she believes has died

  • Betty Brant falls into the throws of despair when she believes she has lost Peter forever

  • Lady Dorma decides life would not be worth living without her beloved Prince Namor

And the Award goes to…

Betty Brant. Because the pounding on the door is so dramatic. Nice work, girl, taking the soap opera to the next level!

ODIN’S FASHION PARADE

We couldn’t get through these Supporting Characters awards without at least some mention of Odin. This year, my fascination with the Asgardian monarch centered mainly upon his wardrobe.

In the category of Odin’s Fashion Parade, the nominees are…

  • Odin’s Golden Go-Go Boots

  • Odin’s Battle Armor

  • Odin’s Bathrobe and Slippers

And the Award goes to…

Odin’s Battle Armor. Everything in me wants to choose the bathrobe and slippers for their odd juxtaposition of coziness and absurdity, but ultimately Odin’s battle wear wins the day. The horns, cape, and enormous sword are all over the top. But what is that white thing on his headpiece? I haven’t yet figured it out, but it sparks the imagination. (If anyone has any ideas, please post in the comments below. Thanks!)

DAMSEL IN DISTRESS

What good would superheroes be, if they didn’t get to rescue the occasional damsel in distress? This tried-and-true literary staple always graces the pages of Marvel Comics in superb fashion.

In the category of Damsel in Distress, the nominees are…

  • Debbie Harris, Foggy’s old girlfriend

  • Jane Foster, as “Thor Bait” of the Enchantress and the Executioner

  • The White-Haired Girl, imprisoned by Dormammu

And the Award goes to…

Jane Foster. Debbie is only faking it, and though the white-haired girl is at the mercy of a most formidable super-villain, she has shown enough spunk in the past to convince us that somehow she’ll get out of this. On the other hand, Jane Foster is the quintessential “Damsel in Distress,” as if the role is somehow melded into her DNA.

DUDE IN DISTRESS

Despite the long history of the phrase, Damsels are not the only ones who might end up in Distress. We live in an equal opportunity world now! So how do the dudes do, when faced with distress?

In the category of Dude in Distress, the nominees are…

  • Rick Jones, dramatically kidnapped by Zemo

  • Foggy Nelson, beaten senseless when he foolishly decides to play the hero

  • The unconscious Bucky, marked for experimentation by a mad scientist

And the Award goes to…

Bucky, of course! Foggy is no victim; he made his bed, now he has to lie in it. As for Rick Jones, isn’t he always being taken as “bait” to lure the superheroes into the villain’s clutches? Yes, Jones is a mere “boy,” as is Bucky (though you would never know it based on the mature rendition of him in his perfectly tailored green suit), but he’s been through this schtick enough times by now that rather than cry out, “Oh, no! Poor Rick!” our immediate reaction is more likely, “Oh, no! Not this again!” But poor little Bucky looks so small and helpless lying there on that table. He needs a hero to rescue him, and…wait! Is that Captain America crashing through the door?

Well, having just considered all these damsels and dudes in distress at the hands of our merciless villains has raised my hackles at the Marvel super-villains. But at the same time, there is much to admire about their gumption and ingenuity. We’ll consider the Marvel villains of 1965 in greater depth next week, when we meet again for these Marvelous Awards! See you then!

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If Marvel and DC Got Into a Fight, Who Would Win?

Posted on July 1, 2023 by Chrissy

THE FUNNY PAGES
Growing up in Floral Park, New York, in the 1960’s, every day I would visit my family’s Long Island Press to read “the funny pages.” There I followed Peanuts, Family Circle, Beetle Bailey, and my personal favorite, Nancy. (Mary Worth also owned some real estate here, but since there was nothing funny about her story, I skipped it—though years later, my appreciation for soap opera now fully developed as a college student, I again took up a morning ritual with my roommates of visiting the “funny pages” to find out the latest in the saga featuring the sage old woman.)

“Funny pages” were my introduction to the world of comics. As a pre-teen, I knew my younger brother read “comic books,” but fully understood this was something meant for boys only, not for me. I don’t recall ever seeing an actual comic book in my brother’s mess of a room, but assumed they existed somewhere in the heap, because on more than one occasion, my mother expressed her approval by saying, “Well, at least he’s reading something.” Though that always stuck with me, I never experienced any desire to find out what comic books were all about.

KIDS’ STUFF
Said younger brother was also an aficionado of Saturday morning cartoons, so I indirectly became familiar with the classic tune, “Spider-Man! Spider-Man! Does whatever a spider can!” Iconic bits tend to stick with me, so I was also familiar with the classic narration, “Faster than a speeding bullet! Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound!!” I vaguely remember watching black and white Superman adventures on TV, but my main interest was in plucky gal reporter Lois Lane taking complete ownership of her job while dressed to the hilt.

At the time, even I knew that Clark Kent was supposed to look nerdy in his horn-rimmed glasses, but honestly…there was something about his appearance that intrigued me even more than that of his muscle-bound, cape-wearing alter ego. (Since then, I have always had a thing for a man in horn-rimmed glasses. Remember Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Christmas special? My favorite elf was not Herbie, but rather the tall skinny elf that struck me as comedian Steve Allen.)

But I digress. My point is that in my formative years, I had very little knowledge of comics. If I’d ever heard the terms “DC” or “Marvel,” it flew right over my head. As far as I was concerned, all comics came from the same place—a place that barely intersected with my personal universe.

In the late 1960’s, I occasionally caught an episode of Batman but did not watch it religiously. In my lofty nine-year-old opinion, this was nothing more than stupid, silly boy stuff. For “wacky,” I preferred Green Acres, and if I needed a dose of the fantastic, give me Bewitched any day. Even The Flying Nun was better than Batman!

As much as I had enjoyed Bill Bixby in My Favorite Martian, when I followed his career into the 1970’s The Incredible Hulk, I was disappointed. I understood Hulk to be a character from the comics my mom was so glad my brother had been reading, but the premise and execution of this show was laughable. In the late 1960’s, I became infatuated with Bobby Sherman in Here Come the Brides, and the die was cast. A decade later, neither Bill Bixby nor Hulk, as Incredible as he might be, proved capable of capturing my attention.

X MARKS THE SPOT
Fast forward to the year 2000. After a couple decades of personal business—graduating college, getting a “real job,” getting married, having babies—my teenage kids were now dragging me off to see some movie called X-Men. My favorite Star Trek captain was appearing as someone called Professor X, and Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of a powerful but damaged man was absolutely compelling. Again, I had a vague sense that this had something to do with “comics,” but still wouldn’t have known Marvel from DC if they’d both walked up and introduced themselves.

But that movie was the beginning of my real education into the world of comics. Full stop. Turning point. Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, Hulk—get out of my way! Here was story-telling, here was drama, here was excitement. Mind officially blown. I decided I wanted more of this.

A few years later, after many a celebrity crush, when Bobby Sherman had long ago been replaced many times by various compelling young actors, I now became enamored of handsome Welshman Ioan Gruffudd. It began when, through some fluke, I brought home the Hornblower mini-series from our local library. It further manifested with me now dragging my kids off to the movies in 2005 to see Fantastic Four.

Still not knowing the difference between Marvel and DC.

But later that same year, I met Russ. And everything changed. Not only for me personally, but also for my woefully inadequate understanding of comics.

Turns out, though Russ is a comics guy in general, his heart belongs to Marvel, rather than DC. For many years I did not actually read any of the comics he so loves, but I listened and learned. I began to develop a rudimentary understanding that Superman and Batman were part of the DC Comics universe, and Hulk and Spider-Man (I was not yet familiar enough with him to call him “Spidey”) were part of Marvel.

“I AM IRON MAN”
And then Iron Man came out in 2008. And this time it was my husband rather than my kids dragging me off to the theater. I had no idea who Iron Man was, or what, specifically, he did. But I learned quickly. And again, I say: Mind Officially Blown.

And when a very cool looking eye-patched, trench-coated Samuel L. Jackson mysteriously appears in Tony Stark’s living room after the end of the movie and says, “I’m here to talk to you about the Avengers initiative,” I had no idea what was going on, but Russ gasped, and shortly after, explained to me that something big was getting ready to happen, something we had never seen in movies before.

I don’t remember if at that time, he used the phrase “Marvel Cinematic Universe,” but what he described caused me to contemplate…Well, I’d seen and loved all the Lord of the Rings movies, as well as the Pirates of the Caribbean series. This was called a “franchise,” wasn’t it? Was this Marvel franchise going to be bigger and better than those?

Little did I know.

It took years for the Marvel Cinematic Universe to develop, but as it did, I was also sharpening my own sensibilities about the world of comics. I could now look back at my meager experiences in TV and movies and began to develop a sense of critical thinking about what worked best for me. Marvel…or DC? Hmmm…let’s see…

DC VS. MCU
First in line, 1978’s Superman, which of course was a lot of fun at the time, and Christopher Reeve as Superman was inspired casting—so what’s not to like? In fact, my main memory of this movie, beside the wonderful song spoken by Margot Kidder’s Lois Lane, was that for the first time in memory, I heard my mother express an interest in a movie star, she thinking Reeve exceptionally handsome. It’s not always that your mother comes out as a fan-girl, so this is another thing about my mother that has stuck with me down through the years.

The subsequent Superman movies did not make as big of an impression on me—and this was part of my education in the fact that sequels rarely live up to the original. I believe that Gene Hackman’s portrayal of villain Lex Luthor was at least partially meant as comedy or camp, but I found him ludicrously over the top. Was this meant to echo the tone of the 1966 Batman TV series?

But speaking of Batman, let’s go there. I don’t have strong memories of any of these movies, except for superstar Arnold Schwarzenegger as some guy whose power is ice-based, and the alluring Uma Thurman as Poison Ivy. Batman and Robin themselves were nowhere near as interesting. Yet…even as I’m writing this, I’m discovering that George Clooney starred in this particular Batman outing! George Clooney!! And I don’t even remember that! From my fan-girl point of view, it must be a pretty bad movie if I can’t even remember George Clooney.

But then I began to notice a strange thing with the Batman sequels. Each seemed darker than the one before. Batman’s origin story in the first film was much more tragic than Superman’s, and artfully told, but that dark tone soon began to dominate all the movies. Not only were the villains, shall we say, less goofy and much more truly villainous, but the violence also grittier.

Worst of all, when I say “tone” I do indeed mean tone, as it struck me that so many scenes were so dark, I could barely see them! This has always been a pet peeve of mine. If everybody is dressed in black and gray in the middle of the night and I can’t even tell what I’m looking at, then why the heck am I wasting my time sitting in this movie theater?

However, besides the dark tone, and the inexplicably forgettable George Clooney, there was a single dramatic event that sealed my fate regarding the Batman movies.

Before The Dark Knight was released in 2008, we received the devastating news that Heath Ledger had died of a drug overdose. I remember reading a theory that as a method actor, going so deeply into the disturbing role of the Joker may have contributed to his death. I don’t know how true this is, but it’s another one of those things that has always stuck with me. So sickened was I by learning of the senseless death of such a delightful young actor, that I lost any desire to see The Dark Knight. And to this day, I refuse to see any more Batman movies.

CASTING CONUNDRUMS
But, wait. I can’t let this drop. Let’s go back a moment to the George Clooney Batman. That happened…and I can’t remember? Maybe it’s because he spent most of his time behind the mask? Or maybe because I equate Batman with Michael Keaton? Or, hold on…is it Christian Bale? Val Kilmer? No, wait! Didn’t I hear it was Ben Affleck? At some point, I think….Robert Pattinson?

What the heck is going on here?

DC has gone through a long list of actors portraying both Batman and Superman (Christopher Reeve, Brandon Routh, Henry Cavill…) and that might also contribute to my inability to connect with these characters. Marvel on the other hand, has always had impeccable and consistent casting. Whether you’re watching Iron Man 1, 2 or 3, or Avengers 1, 2 or 3, Tony Stark always looks like Robert Downey Jr., and you’ve been through so much with him already, you can’t help but have a vested interest in what happens next. (The only casting misstep was Edward Norton as Bruce Banner, but once Mark Ruffalo got on board, it’s been smooth sailing all the way!)

As time went on, and Russ and I continued to enjoy the developing Marvel Cinematic Universe, the contrast between these two superpowers grew even more distinct. Where DC movies were twisting into a downward spiral of darkness and violence, Marvel sustained the action with occasional stabs of humor. In the same way a “sense of humor” is often cited as a desirable personality trait in a significant other, it also goes a long way in recommending one movie studio over the other.

And not only does Marvel punctuate action with humor, but it also fills its universe with three-dimensional characters, another admirable achievement I did not find so much in the DC offerings I happened to see. For example, Loki: love him, or hate him? Don’t get me started!

And what about Hulk? The Banner/Hulk dichotomy at first glance appears merely two-dimensional, but even when he is purely Hulk, you are never quite sure if he is villain or hero. And then, Marvel morphs him into Professor Hulk, with his fancy talking and horn-rimmed glasses, and I’m more convinced than ever that Ruffalo is perfect casting, and surprise even myself in finding this big green guy so attractive. How do they do that?? (And would my mother be appalled, or agree?)

OUT OF THE DARKNESS
In general, the MCU is much brighter, more optimistic and tons more fun. Both universes overwhelm with spectacle, but Marvel makes you care about the characters before sending them into a life-or-death battle. Sometimes that can be a gut-wrenching, unpleasant experience, but that comes with the territory. I’m willing to abide it, as long as I am also being immersed and entertained at the same time.

For me, the DC movies have largely devolved into a bunch of dark and somber scenes where things get blown up and “fighting ensues.” To be fair, though, DC has lately provided some more palatable fare, which I’ve actually found quite refreshing.

Shazam offered a lot of the humor I appreciate in Marvel movies; but though I enjoyed the lighthearted tone while in the theater, honestly, I can’t now remember a single specific joke. In contrast, so much from the MCU has become so entwined in my cultural consciousness that the smiles continue long after the lights have come up. (For instance, I can no longer hear the word “shawarma” without thinking of the Avengers after-credits scene. Can you?)

Without question, Jason Momoa is the most interesting looking human being on the planet, and Aquaman stunned with gorgeous underwater scenes, a feast for the eyes. The sibling rivalry between Aquaman and his half-brother is Shakespearean in scope…yet somehow I prefer the conflict between Thor and Loki (“He’s adopted.”)

And kudos to DC for bringing us the first strong female superhero in a title role with the perfectly cast Gal Gadot in Wonder Woman. Yet as cool as she is, I get a much bigger kick out of Natasha “Are you kidding? I’m working!” Romanoff.

So, even though I enjoy these DC movies, almost as soon as I get home, I’m asking, “When is the next MCU movie coming out?”

TV PARTY TONIGHT
As the saying goes, “What goes around, comes around,” and in the last decade or so, both DC and Marvel have experienced a renaissance on the smaller screen—and this time, I’m paying attention! In 1993 I took no interest in Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher portraying Lois and Clark, but in the early 2000’s, Russ convinced me to watch Smallville—all ten seasons of it! I confess, it was not difficult to keep my eye on handsome Tom Welling as Clark Kent, but though the storylines were sometimes a bit confusing and convoluted, I believe this series, with its over-the-top teenage drama, was elemental in my developing a strong love of soap opera.

DC ruled the TV 2000’s with further soap operatic offerings like Supergirl, Flash, Legends of Tomorrow—all of which I have watched with varying levels of interest. The only one I could not stick with was Arrow, which after several seasons fell into the black hole that had turned me away from Batman and Superman. My pet peeve was once again activated by the exceptional number of dark scenes in dark alleys, as well as a darkness of storyline, with very few moments of humor. And though I may like soap opera more than the average person, I discovered that when coupled with confusing, convoluted storylines, I just can’t stay interested.

It seems Marvel was a few years behind DC in its television offerings. First came Agents of SHIELD…which I liked very much at the time, but when I look back at it now, my feelings are not as positive. I loved the characters and their relationships, but the storylines were sometimes more complicated than I would like. Remember, I was not trained in comic books from my youth, unlike Russ and others of our generation who have spent decades honing their mental muscles for complex storytelling. I tried to keep up, but sometimes my simple brain got lost along the way. But I guess I enjoyed it as much as I was able.

Agent Carter proved much more fun for me than SHIELD. Spanning two seasons instead of seven, the storyline was more concise, and I love the retro vibe. The clothes, the cars, the music! I liked seeing a young Howard Stark, and Jarvis is such a wonderful character, so poignantly played by another of my favorite actors, James D’Arcy.

Later, Netflix gave us Daredevil. Like some of the DC shows and movies, this series also has its “dark” moments…yet somehow different. I can’t really put my finger on it. Was it that I cared more about the characters? Or did I appreciate the big-screen production values on the smaller screen? In the first episode, there is a fight in a hallway. It’s a brutal encounter, much more violent than I generally care for, but somehow I could not look away. The action just kept coming and coming…and slowly I began to realize, This is one long take. A bold choice! Compelling. I was hooked.

Later in Netflix we moved on to Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, Defenders. Not all of these were my favorite shows ever, but I recognized how well they were done. (I also especially liked that there were usually only about eight episodes, not eight seasons, so even if they weren’t the best show ever, I was willing to make the short-term commitment. And after I made the commitment, more often than not, I was glad I’d stayed for the duration.)

THE MARVELOUS MOUSE
And now at last we come to the most current stage of Marvel on the small screen, with Disney offering a plethora of miniseries stretching the gambit of characters and genres. This wave started strong with WandaVision, still my favorite, though others like The Falcon and the Winter Soldier did not interest me as much, mainly because it was too action-heavy for my liking. And while I’m a big fan of Oscar Isaac, Moon Knight was just too out there. For the same reason, I was disappointed in Loki. Of course She-Hulk was TOO much fun, and I’m hoping to see more of that. (Oh! And one more thing: even though Modok did not run on the Disney Channel, it still needs to be mentioned for its high entertainment value.)

A SOAP OPERA WHERE A FIGHT BROKE OUT
You’ll notice that as I approach the end of this post, it’s all about Marvel, very little DC. I believe there are still plenty of DC offerings out there, but as I am now in my 60’s, not my 20’s, I am painfully aware that I only have so many more years left for reading and watching, so why would I waste them on entertainments that do not adequately capture my attention? As someone once said, “Eat dessert first!” It might not actually be good nutritional advice but makes total sense, when filling your leisure hours.

Going back to the beginnings, I haven’t read much in the way of the old printed DC comics, but my understanding is that, basically, good guys fight bad guys, and the good guys win. Period. Mostly. Whereas, after only a few years of reading Marvel Comics, I’m most enchanted by the personal stories of these superheroes who have real relationships and real-life problems. In regards to the movies and TV shows from both comic houses, DC may be catching up to Marvel in this area, but still, at least for me, they have not yet perfected this aspect of their storytelling.

In addition to comic-based TV shows, Russ will sometimes choose a documentary about Marvel. I always love a good documentary, and the history of Marvel is fascinating. We were recently watching Icons Unearthed, and this whole question of Marvel vs. DC was discussed at length. I was most taken by Jeph Loeb, Marvel writer and Head of Marvel Television, who said, “Marvel Comics were intended to be a soap opera where a fight broke out.”

BINGO! That does it for me! If Marvel and DC got into a fight, there’s no surprise which contender gets my prize.

In her final years, my mother had no patience for entertainment that was overly dramatic, stressful, violent, dark or serious. “When I go to the movies,” she said, “I want to be entertained!” Well, so do I. Maybe in my old age, I’m turning into my mother, after all? However, I’m not quite “old” yet, and at least so far, I’m still willing to put up with a bit of violence, a bit of stress, and a little darkness—as long as ultimately, I’m getting a compelling, interesting well-told story with characters I care about. As I age, that may change, and I may only be able to handle the drama inherent in a cozy mystery or old re-runs of Murder, She Wrote. But for the moment, Marvel fits the bill for me, better than DC.

PINK BOX

OMG! This is an excessively big pink box. I almost think there should be a dozen doughnuts in here, somewhere…

My previous post brought my Marvel Comics reading to the end of 1965, and you know what that means…time for the 3rd Annual Marvelous Awards! These Awards are time-consuming to prepare, so I might not be back for a while. But now that I am retired with more time on my hands, I’m hoping my absence will be only a matter of months.

Meanwhile, I have big news! This blog is moving to a new home, and we’ll soon have the place cleaned up and ready to move in. Be sure to join me next time at www.marvelouszone.com.

Why the big move? After 25 years at the helm of the Marvel Chronology Project, Russ will be retiring this summer, and handing over the keys to Daron Jensen (aka Col_Fury), to carry the flame. That means a new home for our other projects, so the time seemed right for the Marvelous Zone to spread its wings.

You can follow the link above to bookmark the new location, or better yet, sign up for email notifications over on the right, so you won’t miss any new posts, and most importantly, won’t miss the upcoming fabulously stupendous 3rd Annual Marvelous Awards!

Thanks to all my readers for your continued patronage over the years, and I hope to see you again soon at marvelouszone.com!

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