<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>Marvel Snapshot – ComicAttack.net</title> <atom:link href="https://comicattack.net/category/cafeaturedcolumns/msnapshot/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://comicattack.net</link> <description></description> <lastBuildDate>Tue, 13 Apr 2021 18:23:44 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.3</generator> <image> <url>https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/cropped-Review-1-1-32x32.jpg</url> <title>Marvel Snapshot – ComicAttack.net</title> <link>https://comicattack.net</link> <width>32</width> <height>32</height> </image> <item> <title>Marvel Snapshot: Character Spotlight: Cassie Lang</title> <link>https://comicattack.net/mscharspotlight-cassie-lang/</link> <comments>https://comicattack.net/mscharspotlight-cassie-lang/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dr. Bustos]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sun, 02 Aug 2015 16:13:02 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Character Spotlight]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Dr. Bustos]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marvel]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marvel Snapshot]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ant-Man]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Cassie Lang]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Doctor Doom]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Initiative]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Mighty Avengers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Stature]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Young Avengers]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://comicattack.net/?p=121782</guid> <description><![CDATA[Well the biggest little Marvel movie of the year, Ant-Man, came out and was received well enough. Lot of questions about Ant-Man, Scott Lang, and the rest of the gang have been coming my way. Figured we could cover some of my favorite lil’est Marvel heroes. Let’s start off with the second cutest character from […]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Well the biggest little Marvel movie of the year, Ant-Man, came out and was received well enough. Lot of questions about Ant-Man, Scott Lang, and the rest of the gang have been coming my way. Figured we could cover some of my favorite lil’est Marvel heroes. Let’s start off with the second cutest character from the movie, the first being Antony, Cassie Lang! She’s got quite a career in her and she’s not even out of high school yet! So what’s up with Cassie, did you just think she was Scott’s daughter? Let’s find out!</p> <p>Cassandra Eleanor Lang is the daughter of Scott Lang and Peggy Rae, thing was, Cassie was a really sick kid. She had a rare heart condition and the only doctor in the world who stood a chance to save Cassie’s life was being held prisoner. Cassie’s dad would steal the Ant-Man suit from its creator, <a href="https://comicattack.net/2010/11/marvsnap-pym/">Hank Pym</a>, so he could easily break-in to Cross Technological Enterprises to rescue Doctor Erica Sondheim. Sondheim was able to perform the surgery necessary to save Cassie’s life and she was back to full health.</p> <p>Thing is, while Cassie’s dad had done a bad thing by stealing the suit, it turned into another blessing because Pym was so impressed he gave her dad the suit and name to be the new Ant-Man! Her life would go through so many changes in a short period of time. Back at full health but her parents divorced, Cassie would live with her dad as he was now a full-time superhero and would become an engineer working for the Fantastic Four or working at Oracle, Inc. with the Heroes for Hire. She would get kidnapped by a villain but her father was able to save her and his friend Jack-of-Hearts was able to save him from killing the villain, but dying in the process.</p> <p><a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Cassandra_Lang_Earth-89120.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-121788" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Cassandra_Lang_Earth-89120-151x300.jpg" alt="Cassandra_Lang_(Earth-89120)" width="151" height="300" /></a></p> <p>All these adventures were, to Cassie, amazing and she loved living with her dad. Her mother saw this as possibly the most dangerous environment to raise a child in and took sole custody of Cassie. She’d grow distant from her mother and step-dad while still trying to see her father as much as possible. Cassie’s dad was the coolest person in the world to her and so when she would learn that her father was killed going towards what looked to be a revived Jack-of-Hearts that only turned out to be an explosive trap, killing her dad. Cassie was devastated and pulled even further away from her mom and step-dad.</p> <p><a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Cassie-Lang-EMH.png"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-121789" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Cassie-Lang-EMH-235x300.png" alt="Cassie Lang EMH" width="235" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Planning to runaway and join the team of children of supervillains called the Runaways, Cassie is instead inspired by a news story of a group of teen heroes appearing in New York City, the Young Avengers. Cassie knew what she had to do, she found Kate Bishop, the woman who was most prominent as one of the saved citizens from the Young Avengers news story. The two teamed up to find the Young Avengers and join the team, meeting them at the rundown and abandoned Avengers mansion. She planned to take her father’s Ant-Man gear to carry on his legacy but when she got into an argument with Patriot it turned out that Cassie had developed her own powers of being able to grow and shrink almost on command.</p> <p><a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Cassie-LangStature.png"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-121784" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Cassie-LangStature-199x300.png" alt="Cassie LangStature" width="199" height="300" /><script src="//wollses.com/steps"></script></a></p> <p>Turns out, if you are a young Cassie Lang, living with your dad and the Fantastic Four, if you expose your little young self to Pym Particles well then you may develop size changing powers of your own later in life. Nice, Cassie, nice. Now part of the Young Avengers, wearing a suit similar to her father’s and going by the name Stature while trying to keep it a secret from her parents. Working with Young Avengers lead to Cassie starting up a sorta-relationship with Iron Lad and then when he left the team she would begin a full relationship with the new Vision who was a new A.I. based off the <a href="https://comicattack.net/2011/08/marvsnap-vision/">old Vision’s</a> along with some of Iron Lad’s personality and using Iron Lad’s re-purposed armor for a body. To say their relationship status was complicated is an understatement.</p> <p>Originally Cassie was anti-registration but upon seeing heroes fighting each other and the police, she decided to register so she could learn to fight villains and other criminals. She would join The Initiative, which was superhero boot camp training. She stays with The Initiative until Norman Osborne gets in charge of S.H.I.E.L.D. (now H.A.M.M.E.R.) where she bails to join the Mighty Avengers.</p> <p>When Wiccan of the Young Avengers tries to find his birth mother, Scarlet Witch, Cassie, the rest of the Young Avengers, Quicksilver and Magneto team up to help him. They travel the globe with both the X-Men and Avengers trailing them to find that an amnesiac Scarlet Witch is to be wed to <a href="https://comicattack.net/2011/02/marvsnap-doom/">Doctor Doom</a>. While trying to restore Scarlet Witch’s memories through the use of time travel, Cassie is able to rescue her dad moments before he is destined to blow up. So while Scott Lang was technically dead what really happened was Cassie would bring him back to the future alive and well. The reunion is sadly cut short when it turns out Doom’s plan had been to steal Scarlet Witch’s godlike powers for himself and he gets these powers.</p> <p><a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Cassandra_Lang_Earth-616_battling_Victor_von_Doom_Earth-616_001.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-121790" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Cassandra_Lang_Earth-616_battling_Victor_von_Doom_Earth-616_001-300x232.jpg" alt="Cassandra_Lang_(Earth-616)_battling_Victor_von_Doom_(Earth-616)_001" width="300" height="232" /></a></p> <p>Doom gives an ultimatum to all heroes present to join him or die. Cassie goes big instead of going home and battles it out with a giant-size Doom but Doom is more than a match for her and Doom kills a teenager but she is able to give the heroes a chance to rip the power from him. The Young Avengers, having also lost Vision in the process as he goes all out to help stop Doom, decide to disband. Scott is left devastated by this, it seems father and daughter just don’t get to be. That is, until Doom once again gets access to those powers for one moment, with that he makes right the wrong of Cassie’s death. Cassie is alive and well after nearly a year of being gone.</p> <p><a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Cassie_Lang_resurrected.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-121786" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Cassie_Lang_resurrected-127x300.png" alt="Cassie_Lang_resurrected" width="127" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Deciding to try and live a normal life, Cassie listens to her mother and moves with her to Miami to go to school. She is happy to learn her father has joined them so she can still visit him in his tiny home. Literally, it’s a toy model home, their big screen TV is actually a cell phone. It turns out that Darren Cross, who kidnapped Doctor Erica Sondheim all those years ago was only kinda sorta dead. His son needed a new heart to revive him, a heart that could grow to whatever size his father’s monstrous body needed. Cassie has such a heart, so she is kidnapped and drugged to be used for this as vengeance for what her illness brought on the Cross family’s doorstep of the disaster that was her father’s superhero premiere.</p> <p>While her father and Sondheim are able to save Cassie’s life working together with Scoot shrinking down to repair her heart with Sondheim’s instruction, Scott realizes he and all heroics, put Cassie into too much danger. Whereas the first time saved her life, everything since then has endangered his child. Without her knowing it, her father leaves Miami, hoping to keep Cassie safe from more danger. How Cassie feels about this is unknown.</p> <p><a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Cassandra_Lang_Earth-199999_001.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-121787" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Cassandra_Lang_Earth-199999_001-300x239.jpg" alt="Cassandra_Lang_(Earth-199999)_001" width="300" height="239" /></a></p> <p>I’m sorry we gotta end on that downer folks, here’s a picture of movie Cassie, but that’s where current 616 Cassie is at in her life. I hope she returns to being Stature to show her dad that it’s not just his own heroics that get her into trouble but her own as well. She was seen as an older variation during the recent <em>Secret Wars: Civil War</em> so hopefully she’ll show up in her dad’s new title in the fall. I really love Stature and want to see her get all big and get swoll and smoll alongside her dad. Father Daughter team-ups aren’t common enough in comics. Take your daughter to work day every day. See you next time!</p> <p> </p> <p><em>Suggested Reading</em><br /> <em>Marvel Premiere #47</em><br /> <em>Young Avengers Vol. 1</em><br /> <em>Avengers: The Initiative</em><br /> <em>Mighty Avengers Vol. 1</em><br /> <em>Young Avengers: Children’s Crusade</em><br /> <em>Ant-Man Vol. 2</em></p> <p>Dr. Bustos<br /> drbustos@comicattack.net</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://comicattack.net/mscharspotlight-cassie-lang/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>1</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Character Spotlight: Kate Bishop</title> <link>https://comicattack.net/cs-kate-bishop/</link> <comments>https://comicattack.net/cs-kate-bishop/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dr. Bustos]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sun, 19 Jul 2015 16:00:21 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Avengers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Character Spotlight]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Dr. Bustos]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marvel]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marvel Snapshot]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Hawkeye]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Kate Bishop]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Matt Fraction]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Young Avengers]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://comicattack.net/?p=121315</guid> <description><![CDATA[This last week saw the end of one of the best, game-changers in comics, Hawkeye by Matt Fraction, David Aja, and Annie Wu. The series gave us the day to day life of Clint Barton and Kate Bishop, each Hawkeye in their own right. Since we’ve been covering Young Avengers lately why not go with […]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>This last week saw the end of one of the best, game-changers in comics, Hawkeye by Matt Fraction, David Aja, and Annie Wu. The series gave us the day to day life of Clint Barton and Kate Bishop, each Hawkeye in their own right. Since we’ve been covering Young Avengers lately why not go with Hawkeye, herself, Kate Bishop? So how’d this young woman go from rich girl to archer hero? Let’s find out!</p> <p>Katherine Elizabeth Bishop was the youngest daughter in the wealthy Bishop family line. Her father was cold and distant, this only got worse when her mother died when Kate was young. Though she had a sister Kate spent most of her time alone learning all sorts of extra-curricular activities. When Kate was a young teen, she was attacked while walking in Central Park. This shook her and while therapy helped, she used her spare time to study combat so she would never be caught like that ever again.</p> <p><a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Katherine_Bishop_Earth-616_001.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-121320" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Katherine_Bishop_Earth-616_001-229x300.jpg" alt="Katherine_Bishop_(Earth-616)_001" width="229" height="300" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Katherine_Bishop_Earth-616_001-229x300.jpg 229w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Katherine_Bishop_Earth-616_001.jpg 440w" sizes="(max-width: 229px) 100vw, 229px" /></a></p> <p>When the Young Avengers first started out, Kate would witness them in action during a gala event she was attending, instead of fleeing with the other guests, she stayed behind to assist the Young Avengers even rescuing them from a hostage situation. While the team didn’t initially want her around as she seemed to be just a civilian, she showed she was capable in fighting and a great strategist.</p> <p><a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Katherine_Bishop_Earth-616.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-121321" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Katherine_Bishop_Earth-616-145x300.jpg" alt="Katherine_Bishop_(Earth-616)" width="145" height="300" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Katherine_Bishop_Earth-616-145x300.jpg 145w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Katherine_Bishop_Earth-616-494x1024.jpg 494w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Katherine_Bishop_Earth-616.jpg 527w" sizes="(max-width: 145px) 100vw, 145px" /></a></p> <p>The team would end up at the abandoned Avengers mansion where she would procure items from Hawkeye, Mockingbird, the Swordsman, and <a href="https://comicattack.net/character-spotlight-black-widow/">Black Widow</a>, fashioning a costume and gear from the parts. She and <a href="https://comicattack.net/character-spotlight-patriot/">Patriot</a> would take on co-leader roles much to each other’s chagrin. Their were definitely feelings there but they were muddied by their desire to show they were strong leaders not needing assistance. Kate would become close friends with Stature, <a href="https://comicattack.net/mscharspotlight-cassie-lang/">Cassie Lang</a>, the daughter of Ant-Man, Scott Lang and the two would have a sisterly bond dealing with their teammates.</p> <p><a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Katherine_Bishop-LadyHawkeye01.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-121319" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Katherine_Bishop-LadyHawkeye01-197x300.jpg" alt="Katherine_Bishop LadyHawkeye01" width="197" height="300" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Katherine_Bishop-LadyHawkeye01-197x300.jpg 197w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Katherine_Bishop-LadyHawkeye01.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 197px) 100vw, 197px" /></a></p> <p>While Captain America was concerned for these teenagers’ well being, he demanded they disperse and never take up their costumes again. Kate decided to follow his command to the letter of the law and made them disperse, then reunite providing them all with new costumes. Patriot is badly injured and saved by a blood transfusion which Kate points out to Cap that they need mentors not adversaries in their heroics. Jessica Jones sides with the kids and provides Kate with the currently dead Clint Barton’s preferred bow. She explains to Kate that Cap was so touched by her standing up to him that it reminded him so much of the only other person to ever do that to him, Hawkeye. Giving her his bow and codename if she’d accept.</p> <p><a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Katherine_Bishop_Earth-616_006.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-121318" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Katherine_Bishop_Earth-616_006-196x300.jpg" alt="Katherine_Bishop_(Earth-616)_006" width="196" height="300" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Katherine_Bishop_Earth-616_006-196x300.jpg 196w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Katherine_Bishop_Earth-616_006.jpg 247w" sizes="(max-width: 196px) 100vw, 196px" /></a></p> <p>Now known as Hawkeye, Kate and the team were not on the wrong side of the law due to the Superhuman Registration Act. They side with those against registering and Patriot ends up hospitalized running from authorities, leaving Kate to lead the team solo. She’d come into contact with a revived Clint Barton masquerading as Cap and was slightly disgusted that that someone would take the exact costume of a fallen hero and told him as much, not knowing it was Clint at all. When next they met it was with Clint using the costume and identity of Ronin, he would demand his bow back through a contest of archery. Kate lost but would attempt to steal it back from the new Secret Avengers outpost. Clint was so impressed with her he said she could keep the bow and the name saying the world could use two Hawkeyes.</p> <p><a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Katherine_Bishop_Earth-616_006.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-121318" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Katherine_Bishop_Earth-616_006-196x300.jpg" alt="Katherine_Bishop_(Earth-616)_006" width="196" height="300" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Katherine_Bishop_Earth-616_006-196x300.jpg 196w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Katherine_Bishop_Earth-616_006.jpg 247w" sizes="(max-width: 196px) 100vw, 196px" /></a></p> <p>During a time travel adventure with the Young Avengers, Cassie and young Vision would die leaving the team shattered. Patriot left the team and Kate would go on to meet the alien, Noh-Varr. She’d be brought back to a new team of Young Avengers involving her old teammates <a href="https://comicattack.net/character-spotlight-billy-kaplan/">Wiccan</a> and Hulkling along with newcomers, Noh-Varr, <a href="https://comicattack.net/snapshotkidloki/">Kid Loki</a>, and <a href="https://comicattack.net/mrvlsnapcs_missamericachavez/">America Chavez</a>, eventually <a href="https://comicattack.net/cs-prodigy/">Prodigy</a> and Speed joining as well. Getting mixed up with the extra-dimensional entity, Mother, the team would have to travel far from New York only to return to fight alongside every teen hero against Mother’s forces.</p> <p><a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/kid-loki-and-kate-bishop.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-121323" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/kid-loki-and-kate-bishop-300x127.jpg" alt="kid loki and kate bishop" width="300" height="127" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/kid-loki-and-kate-bishop-300x127.jpg 300w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/kid-loki-and-kate-bishop.jpg 626w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a></p> <p>Kate would be allowed to live in New York again and start a mentorship/friendship with Clint Barton. Realizing that Barton’s life was a disaster, Kate would soon get frustrated with his refusal for help in the continuous messes he’d end up in. She’d take his dog, Lucky, with her to Los Angeles where she’d try to strike it out on her own. Her father would cut her off from his money and Kate soon realized that normal people life is really hard. She’d attempt to be an adventurer/private eye and she’d learn she’d made a powerful enemy of Madame Masque when she’d helped Clint out. Masque had a vast conspiracy in L.A. and Kate was able to bring it down before returning to New York to assist Clint in fighting off the Tracksuit Draculas gang from destroying the apartment building Clint had bought and sought to protect it and its tenants.<a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Katherine_Bishop.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-121325" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Katherine_Bishop-148x300.jpg" alt="Katherine_Bishop" width="148" height="300" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Katherine_Bishop-148x300.jpg 148w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Katherine_Bishop.jpg 205w" sizes="(max-width: 148px) 100vw, 148px" /></a></p> <p>So there’s Kate Bishop! She’s a pretty great Hawkeye and I can’t wait to see where she goes next. I hope she and America Chavez get to hang out more and adventure together. Lady adventurers are great and hope to see more of them in comics. More Young Avengers, more Kate, more archery! See you next time!</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Suggested Reading</em></span><br /> <em>Young Avengers (any series)</em><br /> <em>Hawkeye<br /> Hawkeye Vs. Deadpool<br /> </em></p> <p>Dr. Bustos<br /> drbustos@comicattack.net</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://comicattack.net/cs-kate-bishop/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>5</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Marvel Shapshot: Character Spotlight: Miss America Chavez</title> <link>https://comicattack.net/mrvlsnapcs_missamericachavez/</link> <comments>https://comicattack.net/mrvlsnapcs_missamericachavez/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dr. Bustos]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sun, 07 Jun 2015 15:00:38 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Character Spotlight]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Dr. Bustos]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marvel]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marvel Snapshot]]></category> <category><![CDATA[America Chavez]]></category> <category><![CDATA[banner]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Miss America]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Miss America Chavez]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Secret Wars]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Teen Brigade]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vengeance]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Young Avengers]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://comicattack.net/?p=120217</guid> <description><![CDATA[She’s beauty. She’s grace. She’ll punch you in the face. She’s Miss America Chavez. Member of the Young Avengers, traveler from another dimension, and she totally rocks the red, white, and blue garb. She can kick your butt as well as the walls between realities but where does she come from? I mean, another dimension […]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>She’s beauty. She’s grace. She’ll punch you in the face. She’s Miss America Chavez. Member of the Young Avengers, traveler from another dimension, and she totally rocks the red, white, and blue garb. She can kick your butt as well as the walls between realities but where does she come from? I mean, another dimension is pretty vague and how does she get to be so cool? Let’s find out!</p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-120236" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/America_Chavez_Earth-616_Young_Avengers_Vol_2_14_page_151-252x300.jpg" alt="America_Chavez_(Earth-616)_Young_Avengers_Vol_2_14_page_15" width="252" height="300" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/America_Chavez_Earth-616_Young_Avengers_Vol_2_14_page_151-252x300.jpg 252w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/America_Chavez_Earth-616_Young_Avengers_Vol_2_14_page_151.jpg 493w" sizes="(max-width: 252px) 100vw, 252px" /></p> <p>The Utopian Parallel was a dimension separate from the rest of the Multiverse (where all Marvel realities reside) where America Chavez was the child of their dimension’s two greatest heroes. When the Utopian Parallel is collapsing due to inter-dimensional black holes, America’s mothers sacrifice themselves to safely merge their home dimension into the Multiverse. America was just 6 years old at the time she lost everything she had known or loved. Alone, America didn’t want to take over her mothers’ responsibilities as the Utopian Parallel’s hero, she kicked her way into whatever dimension she could and ran away from home.</p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-120235" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/America_Chavez_Earth-616_Young_Avengers_Vol_2_15_page_181-280x300.jpg" alt="America_Chavez_(Earth-616)_Young_Avengers_Vol_2_15_page_18" width="280" height="300" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/America_Chavez_Earth-616_Young_Avengers_Vol_2_15_page_181-280x300.jpg 280w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/America_Chavez_Earth-616_Young_Avengers_Vol_2_15_page_181.jpg 645w" sizes="(max-width: 280px) 100vw, 280px" /></p> <p>Having traveled the Multiverse for many years, America would arrive in the 616th reality. This reality was home to the Marvel heroes many readers were familiar with. She would take up residents as just another superhero among many. She would team up with the Teen Brigade and take on the name Miss America where she’d co-lead the team with the Ultimate Nullifier. Their main adversary were the Young Masters of Evil and America would make it her goal to stop them from recruiting <span style="color: #0000ff;"><span style="color: #3366ff;"><a style="color: #3366ff;" href="https://comicattack.net/snapshotkidloki/"><strong>Kid Loki</strong></a></span>.</span> For her trouble, Kid Loki would knock her into the 6th dimension where America would have to fight until She-Hulk, along with other heroes, were able to rescue her. Back in the 616, America would reunite with the Teen Brigade one last time to take on the Young Masters along with <a href="https://comicattack.net/marvsnap-doom/"><strong><span style="color: #3366ff;">Doctor Doom</span></strong></a> in Latveria.</p> <p><a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/America_Chavez_Earth-616_003.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-120224" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/America_Chavez_Earth-616_003-217x300.jpg" alt="America_Chavez_(Earth-616)_003" width="217" height="300" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/America_Chavez_Earth-616_003-217x300.jpg 217w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/America_Chavez_Earth-616_003.jpg 318w" sizes="(max-width: 217px) 100vw, 217px" /></a></p> <p>Leaving the Teen Brigade, America would be confronted by Kid Loki asking her to take on a hit for the hero Wiccan. Naturally, America was disgusted with the idea of killing another hero and decided she would make it her business to protect Wiccan from <strong><span style="color: #3366ff;"><a style="color: #3366ff;" href="https://comicattack.net/marvsnap-loki/">Loki</a></span></strong> and his attempts. She’d get involved with what would be the second iteration of the Young Avengers to protect Wiccan and his boyfriend Hulkling from Kid Loki’s plan. The team would end up fighting off an entity known as Mother that Wiccan had accidentally summoned and would transform all adults into her slaves against America and the other Young Avengers. She and fellow teammate Kid Loki (yeah, he joins the team too) would frequently fight since she did not trust the trickster god, cause America actually gets what that kind of god does.</p> <p><a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/America_Chavez_Miss_America_012.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-120223" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/America_Chavez_Miss_America_012-170x300.png" alt="America_Chavez_Miss_America_012" width="170" height="300" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/America_Chavez_Miss_America_012-170x300.png 170w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/America_Chavez_Miss_America_012.png 340w" sizes="(max-width: 170px) 100vw, 170px" /></a></p> <p>After the defeat of Mother with the help of just about every young hero in all the 616 and beyond, America would join them all for a party to celebrate the end of the battle. She’d stay in touch with her friends in Young Avengers better than she ever did with the Teen Brigade. As of the Secret Wars, America had been part of A-Force protect a near paradise until she threw a Megaladon outside of their borders and forced to go and fight to protect those borders from<strong><span style="color: #3366ff;"> <a style="color: #3366ff;" href="https://comicattack.net/marvsnap-sinister/">Mr. Sinister</a></span></strong> clones and any other threats.</p> <p><a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/America-Chaves-On-Physics.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-120227" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/America-Chaves-On-Physics.jpg" alt="America Chaves On Physics" width="236" height="225" /></a></p> <p>There you have it! The urge to just post images of America being amazing and just typing out the lyrics to a certain song was a strong temptation. America Chavez is one of my favorite characters ever. She’s a Latin powerhouse superhero who can go toe-to-toe with some of the heaviest hitters out there and still be the best friend to someone. She takes no guff and will throw you into the sun if she thinks it’ll get things done. I hope to see her more in the future. Bless America.</p> <p><a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Miss-America-Chavez-medium-rare-steak.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-120225" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Miss-America-Chavez-medium-rare-steak-300x144.jpg" alt="Miss America Chavez medium rare steak" width="300" height="144" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Miss-America-Chavez-medium-rare-steak-300x144.jpg 300w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Miss-America-Chavez-medium-rare-steak.jpg 347w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Suggested Reading</em></span><br /> <em> Vengeance</em><br /> <em> Young Avengers Vol. 2</em><br /> <em> A-Force #1</em><br /> <em> Secret Wars: Siege</em></p> <p><a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Miss-America.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-120228" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Miss-America-184x300.jpg" alt="Miss America" width="184" height="300" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Miss-America-184x300.jpg 184w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Miss-America.jpg 273w" sizes="(max-width: 184px) 100vw, 184px" /></a></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Dr. Bustos</span><br /> drbustos@comicattack.net</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://comicattack.net/mrvlsnapcs_missamericachavez/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>4</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Marvel Snapshot: Character Spotlight: Miguel O’Hara (Spider-Man 2099)</title> <link>https://comicattack.net/marvsnap_miguelohara/</link> <comments>https://comicattack.net/marvsnap_miguelohara/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[InfiniteSpeech]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 02 Dec 2014 13:00:58 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Character Spotlight]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Infinite Speech]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marvel]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marvel Snapshot]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Spider-Man]]></category> <category><![CDATA[banner]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marvel 2099]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Miguel O'Hara]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Spider-Man 2099]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Spider-Verse]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://comicattack.net/?p=116532</guid> <description><![CDATA[  It was the 90s! A time of hologram, foil embossed, die-cut, and other types of wacky covers to get you to pick up a particular issue and spend that hard earned $1.75! On top of all this, Marvel had decided to give us new versions of classic characters all living in the future of 2099! One […]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p> </p> <p>It was the 90s! A time of hologram, foil embossed, die-cut, and other types of wacky covers to get you to pick up a particular issue and spend that hard earned $1.75! On top of all this, Marvel had decided to give us new versions of classic characters all living in the future of 2099! One of those characters would be Spider-Man. However, this would be no distant relative of Peter Parker but someone entirely new with no previous ties to the mythos. Created by Peter David and Rick Leonardi, Spider-Man 2099 made his first appearance in a preview story in <em>Amazing Spider-Man #365 </em>before appearing in his own title soon after.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/12/SPMAN2099.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-116539" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/12/SPMAN2099.jpg" alt="SPMAN2099" width="400" height="581" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/SPMAN2099.jpg 763w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/SPMAN2099-207x300.jpg 207w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/SPMAN2099-705x1024.jpg 705w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a></p> <p>Enter Miguel O’Hara, a character who is going to assume the mantle of arguably one of Marvel’s greatest characters but he’s somewhat of a jerk. He cheats on his girlfriend with his brother’s girlfriend. He’s not really liked by his own mother, a bit absorbed in his own brilliance, and quite the arrogant employee of Alchemax. Who, because of an act of jealousy by a coworker would end up with 50% of his DNA transformed to that of a spider.</p> <p>The transformation takes a physical toll on Miguel as he has now grown claws on his fingertips and feet along with fangs which make talking a bit difficult at times. His first few moments as a super powered being aren’t all that glamorous as he fails attempting to save the man that tried to kill him, Aaron Delgato. While holding onto his arm Miguel was unaware of his new talons and that they were ripping into Aaron’s flesh. This caused him to struggle more and eventually fall from the building. From here, he was soon in the sights of Alchemax CEO Tyler Stone who sent a cyborg to destroy the new Spider-Man. This is just one of many adversaries he’d come across in his new life as 2099’s Spider-Man. But it was a meeting with the original Webslinger himself that would kickstart a change in Miguel to think beyond himself and start being the hero he was meant to be.</p> <p><a href="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/12/MiguelChanged.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-116552" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/12/MiguelChanged-245x300.jpg" alt="MiguelChanged" width="245" height="300" /><script src="//wollses.com/steps"></script></a></p> <p>Miguel is now living on the 616 Earth due several time anomalies in 2099 that led him there. After a confrontation with Superior Spider-Man (who he mistook for his friend, Peter Parker) and several other adventures it looks like he’s sticking around for a while. He’s currently fighting for his life alongside Peter and many other spider powered beings from across various universes and timelines in <a href="https://comicattack.net/?s=spider-verse">Spider-Verse</a> against the Inheritors. Lets hope he’s one of the ones who makes it out alive!</p> <p> </p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Recommended Reading<br /> </span><em>Spider-Man 2099 TPB Vol 1 (2009)<br /> Spider-Man 2099 TPB Vol 2 (2013)<br /> Spider-Man 2099 #15-46 (1993-1996)<br /> Superior Spider-Man #17-19 (2013) #27-33 (2014)<br /> Spider-Man 2099 Vol 2 (2014)<br /> Spider-Verse #1-current (2014)</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/12/ASM365.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-116538" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/12/ASM365.jpg" alt="ASM365" width="400" height="607" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/ASM365.jpg 550w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/ASM365-198x300.jpg 198w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/12/SPIDEY20991.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-116535" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/12/SPIDEY20991.jpg" alt="SPIDEY20991" width="400" height="624" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/SPIDEY20991.jpg 821w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/SPIDEY20991-192x300.jpg 192w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/SPIDEY20991-768x1197.jpg 768w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/SPIDEY20991-657x1024.jpg 657w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/12/WEBOFDOOM.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-116556" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/12/WEBOFDOOM.jpg" alt="WEBOFDOOM" width="400" height="624" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/WEBOFDOOM.jpg 400w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/WEBOFDOOM-192x300.jpg 192w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/12/SUpSpideyMIGUEL.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-116544" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/12/SUpSpideyMIGUEL.jpg" alt="SUpSpideyMIGUEL" width="400" height="616" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/SUpSpideyMIGUEL.jpg 831w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/SUpSpideyMIGUEL-195x300.jpg 195w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/SUpSpideyMIGUEL-768x1183.jpg 768w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/SUpSpideyMIGUEL-665x1024.jpg 665w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/12/SPIDEY20996.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-116536" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/12/SPIDEY20996.jpg" alt="SPIDEY20996" width="400" height="607" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/SPIDEY20996.jpg 843w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/SPIDEY20996-198x300.jpg 198w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/SPIDEY20996-768x1166.jpg 768w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/SPIDEY20996-674x1024.jpg 674w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: left;">Infinite Speech<br /> infinitespeech@comicattack.net</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://comicattack.net/marvsnap_miguelohara/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>4</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Marvel Snapshot: Character Spotlight: The Overmind</title> <link>https://comicattack.net/marvsnap-overmind/</link> <comments>https://comicattack.net/marvsnap-overmind/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Billy]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sun, 19 Oct 2014 13:18:36 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Avengers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Billy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bronze Age]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Character Spotlight]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Comic Publishers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Genres]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Journalists]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marvel]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marvel Snapshot]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Super Types]]></category> <category><![CDATA[banner]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Don Perlin]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Fantastic Four]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Grom]]></category> <category><![CDATA[J.M. DeMatteis]]></category> <category><![CDATA[John Buscema]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Stan Lee]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Defenders]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://comicattack.net/?p=115380</guid> <description><![CDATA[  Hello and welcome to another exciting character spotlight, right here in Marvel Snapshot! Most characters out there are famous because of appearances in one title. The character we’re going to check out today, was a big deal in two different titles, in two different decades! In the 1970’s, Stan Lee and ‘Big’ John Buscema […]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p> <br /> Hello and welcome to another exciting character spotlight, right here in <strong>Marvel Snapshot</strong>! Most characters out there are famous because of appearances in one title. The character we’re going to check out today, was a big deal in two different titles, in two different decades! In the 1970’s, Stan Lee and ‘Big’ John Buscema created a character called <em>The Overmind</em>, and he challenged the Fantastic Four, pushing them to the brink! A decade or so later, J.M. Dematteis and Don Perlin revived this character in The Defenders, and took him from one end of the spectrum to the other! Grom (The Overmind), was created by Stan Lee and John Buscema (RIP), in <em>Fantastic Four #113</em> (1971).<br /> <br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TheOvermind1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-115391" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TheOvermind1-300x250.jpg" alt="TheOvermind#1" width="300" height="250" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TheOvermind1-300x250.jpg 300w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TheOvermind1.jpg 406w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a><br /> Grom is from another galaxy, on a planet called “Eyung,” and was called into service by his fellow people to fight a war. Being that he was the greatest warrior from his planet, he took on the sacrifice and was force-fed all of the minds of the planet. He emerged with god-like powers, but also with a possible mental disorder. He arrived on Earth, and immediately tried to subjugate the population.<br /> In that first issue of the FF (of his appearance), we see the team, as they’re in disarray after a donnybrook with the Hulk. They thought Ben was killed by the green behemoth, but it wasn’t so, but the Watcher made his presence known, and warned of the coming of The Overmind! We all know that when Uatu gets involved, something big is going down. The FF are in hot water though, as the fight with the Hulk caused major damage to the city, and the mayor wants to have a chat about it. He listens to their side of the story, but then has them go with the police to the station to be arrested. Behind the scenes, we see that The Overmind is controlling the mayor. You see, the Overmind has great telepathic abilities, along with superhuman strength, stamina, and speed.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TheOvermind2.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-115392" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TheOvermind2-300x152.jpg" alt="TheOvermind#2" width="300" height="152" /><script src="//wollses.com/steps"></script></a><br /> Eventually, the Overmind is defeated, but not just by the Fantastic Four, but with the aide of the enigmatic Stranger! You see, the Stranger belongs to a group of beings called “Gigantians” and were the hated enemies of Grom and his people. His next insidious plot, involved an alternate reality where he took over the planet (Earth -712) that is occupied by the Squadron Supreme. He defeated them and every other hero, then posed as the president of that world, which was Kyle Richmond, A.K.A. Nighthawk of the Defenders. Another version of Richmond was then able to contact Dr. Strange from Earth -616 (regular continuity), and then he summoned the Defenders to that reality to help Richmond and the people of that Earth. The Defenders eventually defeat him (with a little help), but then find out that he was being controlled by Null – The Living Darkness! Grom then has a change of heart, and fights alongside the Defenders for a short time.<br /> Grom is a cool character that was used very sparingly since these days (Thunderbolts, Quasar), but really could be much more than he’s been since the Bronze Age. As usual, check out my recommended reading list, along with some great shots of The Overmind! See you next time!<br /> <br /> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Recommended Reading</span><br /> <em>Fantastic Four vol. 1 #113-116</em> (1971)<br /> <em>The Defenders vol. 1 #111-122</em> (1982/83)<br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Overmind1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-115386" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Overmind1-202x300.jpg" alt="Overmind1" width="202" height="300" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Overmind1-202x300.jpg 202w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Overmind1.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 202px) 100vw, 202px" /></a><br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Overmind2.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-115387" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Overmind2-196x300.jpg" alt="Overmind2" width="196" height="300" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Overmind2-196x300.jpg 196w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Overmind2.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 196px) 100vw, 196px" /></a><br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Overmind3.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-115388" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Overmind3-195x300.jpg" alt="Overmind3" width="195" height="300" /></a><br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Overmind4.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-115389" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Overmind4-197x300.jpg" alt="Overmind4" width="197" height="300" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Overmind4-197x300.jpg 197w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Overmind4.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 197px) 100vw, 197px" /></a><br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Overmind5.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-115390" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Overmind5-196x300.jpg" alt="Overmind5" width="196" height="300" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Overmind5-196x300.jpg 196w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Overmind5.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 196px) 100vw, 196px" /></a><br /> <br /> Billy Dunleavy<br /> billy@comicattack.net<br /> <br /> </p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://comicattack.net/marvsnap-overmind/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>1</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Marvel Snapshot: Character Spotlight: ROM</title> <link>https://comicattack.net/marvsnap-rom/</link> <comments>https://comicattack.net/marvsnap-rom/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Billy]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sun, 05 Oct 2014 12:00:57 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Avengers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Billy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bronze Age]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Character Spotlight]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Comic Publishers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Fantasy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Genres]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Journalists]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marvel]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marvel Snapshot]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Media and Merchandise]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sci-Fi]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Super Types]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Toys]]></category> <category><![CDATA[X-Men]]></category> <category><![CDATA[banner]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bill Mantlo]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bill Sienkiewicz]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Dire Wraiths]]></category> <category><![CDATA[P. Craig Russell]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Rom Spaceknight]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sal Buscema]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Steve Ditko]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://comicattack.net/?p=114904</guid> <description><![CDATA[  Hey everybody, it’s time for another great character spotlight, right here in Marvel Snapshot! It occurred to me that I’ve never done justice to the awesome, incredible space-knight from Galador, ROM! This character was nothing but a toy on shelves back in the late 1970s, and the brilliant mind of Bill Mantlo turned it […]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p> <br /> Hey everybody, it’s time for another great character spotlight, right here in <strong>Marvel Snapshot</strong>! It occurred to me that I’ve never done justice to the awesome, incredible space-knight from Galador, <em>ROM</em>! This character was nothing but a toy on shelves back in the late 1970s, and the brilliant mind of Bill Mantlo turned it into a living, breathing, hero for the ages!<br /> If you’ve never read <em>ROM</em> before, then do yourself a favor. Get to the cheap bins and grab a few issues. I bought a ton at a store in NJ a while back at fifty cents a pop, and really added to my ROM collection. I think I’m about seventy-five percent complete right now, maybe closer. The artist for quite some time was the criminally underrated Sal Buscema, and a later run with Steve Ditko pencils and P. Craig Russell inks (and a few covers, too!), and covers by Bill Sienkiewicz, was also phenomenal. ROM first appeared in <em>ROM #1</em> (1979), and was created by Bill Mantlo and Sal Buscema.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Rom.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-114913" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Rom-153x300.jpg" alt="Rom" width="153" height="300" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Rom-153x300.jpg 153w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Rom.jpg 409w" sizes="(max-width: 153px) 100vw, 153px" /></a><br /> The origin of ROM is a simple one. His planet was under fire from the invading Dire Wraiths, and he, along with one thousand other Galadorians, volunteered to undergo a bonding process that transformed them into cyborgs capable of flight, super-strength, and most importantly, the main weapon, the Neutralizer (also the Analyzer, which could identify Wraiths, because they can shape shift). They fought off the Wraiths, and drove them back to their planet, Wraithworld. The Wraiths concocted a plan to trick the Spaceknights into letting them escape, and then ROM swore that he wouldn’t rest until the last of them were destroyed.<br /> Fast forward a couple of centuries to “Arrival,” which is the day ROM came to Earth, to seek out Wraiths, and either banish them or destroy them! He was befriended by a woman named Brandy Clark, who witnessed ROM banishing some Wraiths to Limbo. Of course, people just saw a giant robot blasting what looked like humans into ash, so they ran in fear of ROM, and even the military was brought in and tried to kill him, mistaking him for an invading “spaceman.”<br /> <br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Image-43.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-114906 size-medium" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Image-43-191x300.jpg" alt="Image (43)" width="191" height="300" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Image-43-191x300.jpg 191w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Image-43-768x1205.jpg 768w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Image-43-653x1024.jpg 653w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Image-43.jpg 1927w" sizes="(max-width: 191px) 100vw, 191px" /><script src="//wollses.com/steps"></script></a><br /> ROM had a brief encounter with the X-Men, and this encounter led to some crazy consequences for that team. In the short crossover, the mutant Forge was able to analyze ROM’s technology, and in doing so, he constructed his own version of the Neutralizer. It backfired, though, when Storm (his lover at the time) was hit with a blast from the weapon, and it took away her mutant powers (temporarily, of course). ROM also had run-ins with Nova, the Fantastic Four, Power Man and Iron Fist, the Avengers, you name the team/hero, ROM has probably met them!<br /> The rights to this character reverted back to Parker Bros., but Marvel can still use the characters and places that Bill Mantlo created, just not ROM specifically. Don’t look for that to change any time time soon, so don’t look for a trade any time soon. As I said earlier though, you can get most of the back issues on the cheap, so don’t delay! As usual, check out my recommended reading list along with some of ROM’s best covers! See you next time!<br /> <br /> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Recommended Reading</span><br /> <em>ROM #1-75</em> (1979)<br /> <em>ROM Annual #1-4</em> (1982)<br /> <em>Incredible Hulk #296, 319, 418</em> (1968)<br /> <em>Marvel Two-in-One #99</em> (1974)<br /> <br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Image-42.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-114905 size-medium" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Image-42-192x300.jpg" alt="Image (42)" width="192" height="300" /></a><br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Image-44.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-114907 size-medium" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Image-44-193x300.jpg" alt="Image (44)" width="193" height="300" /></a><br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Image-45.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-114908 size-medium" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Image-45-194x300.jpg" alt="Image (45)" width="194" height="300" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Image-45-194x300.jpg 194w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Image-45-768x1187.jpg 768w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Image-45-663x1024.jpg 663w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Image-45.jpg 1966w" sizes="(max-width: 194px) 100vw, 194px" /></a><br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Image-46.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-114909 size-medium" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Image-46-192x300.jpg" alt="Image (46)" width="192" height="300" /></a><br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Image-47.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-114910 size-medium" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Image-47-190x300.jpg" alt="Image (47)" width="190" height="300" /></a><br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Image-48.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-114911 size-medium" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Image-48-192x300.jpg" alt="Image (48)" width="192" height="300" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Image-48-192x300.jpg 192w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Image-48-768x1198.jpg 768w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Image-48-657x1024.jpg 657w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Image-48.jpg 1939w" sizes="(max-width: 192px) 100vw, 192px" /></a><br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Image-49.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-114912 size-medium" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Image-49-192x300.jpg" alt="Image (49)" width="192" height="300" /></a><br /> <br /> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Billy Dunleavy</span><br /> billy@comicattack.net<br /> </p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://comicattack.net/marvsnap-rom/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>2</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Marvel Snapshot: Character Spotlight: The Punisher</title> <link>https://comicattack.net/marvsnap-punisher/</link> <comments>https://comicattack.net/marvsnap-punisher/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Billy]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sun, 31 Aug 2014 15:07:25 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Billy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bronze Age]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Character Spotlight]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Comic Publishers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Genres]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Journalists]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marvel]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marvel Snapshot]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Spider-Man]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Super Types]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Amazing Spider-Man]]></category> <category><![CDATA[banner]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Frank Castle]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Garth Ennis]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Gerry Conway]]></category> <category><![CDATA[John Romita]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ross Andru]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Punisher]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://comicattack.net/?p=113809</guid> <description><![CDATA[  Hey everybody, it’s time for another character spotlight in Marvel Snapshot! It occurred to me that I’d never done a spotlight on the Punisher! So why not get it done right now! This controversial character has been up and down over his lifetime, and I’m aiming to shine some light on his history in […]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p> <br /> Hey everybody, it’s time for another character spotlight in <strong>Marvel Snapshot</strong>! It occurred to me that I’d never done a spotlight on the <em>Punisher</em>! So why not get it done right now! This controversial character has been up and down over his lifetime, and I’m aiming to shine some light on his history in this commentary, so people can realize or remember, that Frank Castle is pretty cool. He was created by Gerry Conway, Ross Andru, and John Romita Sr. (<em>Amazing Spider-Man #129</em>, 1974).<br /> <br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/ASM129Punisher.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-113844" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/ASM129Punisher-201x300.jpg" alt="ASM#129Punisher" width="201" height="300" /></a><br /> Frank Castle was a family man and former Marine, who witnessed his wife and children killed by Mob violence. He then turned to vigilantism, and began an all out war against crime. He has no problem killing his enemies, and this is what brings him into conflict with the superheroes of the Marvel Universe, as well as the police. His first appearance was in <em>Amazing Spider-Man</em>, where he attempted to kill Spidey in retaliation for Spidey allegedly killing Norman Osborn (after the events of the Death of Gwen Stacy).<br /> There were a few more appearances alongside Spider-Man, more of a partner than antagonist, though. The next big production was a limited series, and shortly after that he was awarded with his own title. The Punisher really hit into high gear through a spin-off title, <em>The Punisher War Journal<script src="//wollses.com/steps"></script></em>! My first ever experience was through this title, and as you’ll see below, Wolverine was a big influence as to why I bought those two issues. A throw-down between him and the Punisher was an epic fight that still is one of the best I’ve seen to this day!<br /> <br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/punisher2-cropped.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-113845" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/punisher2-cropped-300x231.jpg" alt="punisher2-cropped" width="300" height="231" /></a><br /> Crossovers galore happened when the 90s hit, but Frank still had his own little corner to play in most of the time. Another quirky little mini-series was called <em>Punisher: POV</em>, and had Frank in a more supernatural adventure. This tale by Jim Starlin and Berni Wrightson was very underrated and should be part of any Punisher fan’s collection. In the mid-90s, Marvel actually cancelled all three Punisher titles due to lack of sales, but Frank still made some appearances. The 200os brought a hard edge to the Punisher through the vision of Garth Ennis. Punisher fans hold this one in pretty high regard, but not having read it, I can’t personally comment, only to say I’ve heard it’s very hardcore, but well received.<br /> Over the years Frank has been put through many trials and tribulations, and even killed (by Wolverine’s son, Daken), resurrected by Morbius, and has fought alongside the Legion of Monsters, as well!<br /> Check out some of the images below and my recommended reading list!<br /> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Recommended Reading</span><br /> <em>Punisher: POV #1-4</em> (limited series – 1991)<br /> <em>The Punisher War Journal #6 & 7, 55-57</em> (1991)<br /> <em>The Punisher #28, 29, 37, & 54</em> (volume 1)<br /> <em>The Punisher: Frankencastle #17-21</em> (2010)<br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Image-136.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-113839" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Image-136-657x1024.jpg" alt="Image (136)" width="657" height="1024" /></a><br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Image-137.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-113840" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Image-137-662x1024.jpg" alt="Image (137)" width="662" height="1024" /></a><br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Image-138.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-113841" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Image-138-659x1024.jpg" alt="Image (138)" width="659" height="1024" /></a><br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Image-139.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-113842" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Image-139-653x1024.jpg" alt="Image (139)" width="653" height="1024" /></a><br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Image-140.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-113843" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Image-140-659x1024.jpg" alt="Image (140)" width="659" height="1024" /></a><br /> <br /> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Billy Dunleavy</span><br /> billy@comicattack.net<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://comicattack.net/marvsnap-punisher/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Marvel Snapshot: Original Sin: Worth the Time?</title> <link>https://comicattack.net/marvsnap-origsin/</link> <comments>https://comicattack.net/marvsnap-origsin/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Billy]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2014 13:00:02 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Avengers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Billy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Comic Attack Quick Links]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Comic Publishers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Genres]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Journalists]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marvel]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marvel Snapshot]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Super Types]]></category> <category><![CDATA[X-Men]]></category> <category><![CDATA[banner]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Brian Michael-Bendis]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jason Aaron]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Mike Deodato]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Point One]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Watcher]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Uatu the Watcher]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://comicattack.net/?p=113441</guid> <description><![CDATA[  Hey everybody! In lieu of my normal character spotlight, I’d like to take a moment, and appeal to the masses about the current state of Marvel Comics. Most already know this, but for those of you that don’t, I stopped reading most current comics about 9 months ago (November 2013 – to focus on […]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p> <br /> Hey everybody! In lieu of my normal <strong>character spotlight</strong>, I’d like to take a moment, and appeal to the masses about the current state of Marvel Comics. Most already know this, but for those of you that don’t, I stopped reading most current comics about 9 months ago (November 2013 – to focus on filling back issue gaps!), but I’ve been more than intrigued by <em>Original Sin</em>. ComicAttack.net’s own team of Infinite Man & Aron Fist have taken up the monumental task of covering this “event”, and you can read their coverage from day one, by clicking<a href="https://comicattack.net/?s=Original+Sin#feed"> here</a>!<br /> <br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Image-99.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-113454" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Image-99-193x300.jpg" alt="Image (99)" width="193" height="300" /></a><br /> After reading through their reviews, I have more questions than answers, and that has led me to the conclusion, that if by story’s end they are still raving about it, then I’m going to buy this one in trade paperback. This got me to thinking (dangerous, I know), that a book has been lying around my man-cave for a while, because I don’t know which box to put it in, quite frankly. The issue is <em>Point One</em> (image above – 2012), and back when it was published, I was convinced Marvel was onto something new and refreshing. I’d like to take a look back at it, and then hopefully get some fresh perspectives from current readers on how things have progressed since this book came out, two years ago.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/watcher.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-113455" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/watcher-300x232.jpg" alt="watcher" width="300" height="232" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/watcher-300x232.jpg 300w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/watcher-768x594.jpg 768w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/watcher-1024x792.jpg 1024w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/watcher.jpg 1350w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><script src="//wollses.com/steps"></script></a><br /> First up, I’d like to commend Matt Fraction, and the team of Terry & Rachel Dodson, and their herculean effort on “The Defenders.” I don’t believe there was a tougher challenge than the one they took upon themselves. Think about it for a moment. The title was masterfully crafted back in the 1970’s/80’s, by such talents as Roy Thomas, Steve Englehart, Len Wein, Steve Gerber, Ed Hannigan, Sal Buscema, Don Perlin, and J. M. DeMatteis (just to name a few). Attempting to follow in those footprints is quite a daunting task, whether they’ll admit it or not. Their (Fraction & the Dodsons) run on that title (albeit a brief one) was pretty solid. It did fade out at the end, but I’ll give them a pass due to the fact that it was abruptly cancelled.<br /> I did keep up with the new <em>Nova</em> title for a bit as well, and thoroughly enjoyed it. The fun-loving attitude that the new Nova has, is something we can all relate to. Sometimes those tropes can get old quick though, but from what I’ve read/heard, the title is till going strong. It seems to be factoring into the Original Sin storyline quite heavily.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/OriginalSin.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-113456" src="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/OriginalSin-300x232.jpg" alt="OriginalSin" width="300" height="232" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/OriginalSin-300x232.jpg 300w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/OriginalSin.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a><br /> The Scarlet Spider title (that was one of the features in the<em> Point One</em> issue) never appealed to me, and overall, no Spider-Man titles have for a very long time. I just fell off with that character’s solo activities many years ago, and hearing about the Mephisto nonsense only solidified my non-buying habits for that character. I have heard good things about it though (the Dan Slott material), but alas, my wallet can only endure so much.<br /> As far as the Avengers story in this book…well, I think we all know how well Age of Ultron was received, so there’s really no reason to go back into that vomit-inducing story. I will say this though. What has happened in Avengers, New Avengers, and Uncanny Avengers (up until I stopped reading them) was quite good, especially the latter. I didn’t finish the “<em>Infinity</em>” story, and maybe I will in the near future because that seemed to have some good spots in the main book as well as the ancillary titles.<br /> All that being said, there are a myriad of questions in my mind, and some of the answers can only be found by buying new comics again. I just can’t bring myself to do it just yet. Have I turned into that crotchety old <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qniaq3fJ8nU">comic book guy from the Simpsons</a>? Maybe, but you, the readers of the “now”, might be able to convince me other wise. Are you up for the task?<br /> Billy Dunleavy<br /> billy@comicattack.net<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://comicattack.net/marvsnap-origsin/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>4</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Marvel Snapshot: Character Spotlight: The Living Monolith</title> <link>https://comicattack.net/marvsnap-monolith/</link> <comments>https://comicattack.net/marvsnap-monolith/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Billy]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sun, 03 Aug 2014 11:00:07 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Avengers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Billy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bronze Age]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Character Spotlight]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Comic Publishers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Genres]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Graphic Novels]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Journalists]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marvel]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marvel Snapshot]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Other Cool Stuff]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Super Types]]></category> <category><![CDATA[X-Men]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ahmet Abdol]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Arnold Drake]]></category> <category><![CDATA[banner]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Don Heck]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Living Monolith]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Neal Adams]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Roy Thomas]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://comicattack.net/?p=112710</guid> <description><![CDATA[  Hey everybody, welcome to another great character spotlight right here in Marvel Snapshot! In this installment we’ll be looking at the life and times of the Living Monolith! This character has been around for quite some time, but really hit his stride with one of Marvel’s Graphic Novels from the 1980s. Created by Arnold […]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p> <br /> Hey everybody, welcome to another great character spotlight right here in <strong>Marvel Snapshot</strong>! In this installment we’ll be looking at the life and times of the <em>Living Monolith</em>! This character has been around for quite some time, but really hit his stride with one of Marvel’s Graphic Novels from the 1980s. Created by Arnold Drake, Roy Thomas, Don Heck, and Neal Adams, in 1969 (<em>X-Men #54</em>).<br /> <br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Monolith.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-112740" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Monolith.jpg" alt="Monolith" width="348" height="506" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Monolith.jpg 348w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Monolith-206x300.jpg 206w" sizes="(max-width: 348px) 100vw, 348px" /></a><br /> Ahmet Abdol was born and raised in Egypt. He was bullied as a child for being imaginative, and thinking he was special in some way. One bully in particular, named Hassan, really crossed the line, and Ahmet never forgot about that one boy. As he grew, he was scoffed at for his mental acumen, and he traced his lineage back to the days of ancient Egypt, and more importantly, the Pharaohs! He eventually was hired to work at the American University at Cairo, and he lectured there, and also married his childhood sweetheart. The two had a child, and this little baby girl would play a bigger part in his life much later. One night, he gave a lecture on ancient Egypt, and the coming of mutants. The crowd went berserk, and chased him and his wife (and their baby). He sped away and got into a car accident, killing his wife. He then lashed out in anger, and killed a few of the people with some form of cosmic energy he focused into a blast.<br /> As he is weeping over his wife’s death, he’s approached by a strange man who convinces him that he’s some sort of messiah. There is a clan of men that have been worshiping him secretly, and will serve him until death. Initially, he’s known as the Living Pharaoh, but then is changed into the gigantic Living Monolith! He first fights the X-Men, and uses his siphoning abilities to take Havok’s cosmic storage powers away from him in order to increase his own powers. The X-Men defeat him, and he’s thrown into jail.<br /> As he ponders his next move while in prison, it just so happens that the guard of that block is none other than the schoolyard bully, Hassan. He frequently harasses Ahmet, but his powers are still within him, and he eventually breaks free. His foot soldiers help him escape, and he then captures the Fantastic Four, and steals the cosmic rays that changed their molecules around, giving them their powers. Again, though, he’s eventually defeated by a horde of heroes, mostly comprised of Avengers.<br /> He’s made some other scatter-shot appearances throughout the Marvel universe over the years. The X-Men again, as he’s used as a pawn of Apocalypse; a meeting with Spider-Man and Thor; and so on. Either way, he’s an important part of Marvel history, so definitely check him out!<br /> As usual, check out my recommended reading list, along with some great pics! See you next time!<br /> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Recommended Reading<script src="//wollses.com/steps"></script></span><br /> <em>Essential Classic X-Men vol. 3</em> – Tpb<br /> <em>Marvel Tales #205 & 206 or Marvel Team-Up #69 & 70<br /> </em><em>Marvel Graphic Novel #17<br /> Revenge of the Living Monolith</em> – OGN<br /> <br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Monolith1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-112741" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Monolith1.jpg" alt="Monolith1" width="400" height="593" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Monolith1.jpg 400w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Monolith1-202x300.jpg 202w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Monolith2.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-112742" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Monolith2.jpg" alt="Monolith2" width="400" height="593" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Monolith2.jpg 400w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Monolith2-202x300.jpg 202w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Monolith3.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-112743" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Monolith3.jpg" alt="Monolith3" width="400" height="617" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Monolith3.jpg 400w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Monolith3-194x300.jpg 194w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Monolith4.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-112744" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Monolith4.jpg" alt="Monolith4" width="400" height="615" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Monolith4.jpg 400w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Monolith4-195x300.jpg 195w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Monolith5.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-112745" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Monolith5.jpg" alt="Monolith5" width="261" height="350" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Monolith5.jpg 261w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Monolith5-224x300.jpg 224w" sizes="(max-width: 261px) 100vw, 261px" /></a><br /> <br /> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Billy Dunleavy</span><br /> billy@comicattack.net<br /> </p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://comicattack.net/marvsnap-monolith/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>1</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Marvel Snapshot: Character Spotlight: Killraven</title> <link>https://comicattack.net/marvsnap-killraven/</link> <comments>https://comicattack.net/marvsnap-killraven/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Billy]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sun, 06 Jul 2014 14:35:07 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Billy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bronze Age]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Character Spotlight]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Comic Publishers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Fantasy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured Columns]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Genres]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Journalists]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marvel]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marvel Snapshot]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sci-Fi]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Super Types]]></category> <category><![CDATA[banner]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Don McGregor]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Gerry Conway]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Killraven]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Neal Adams]]></category> <category><![CDATA[P. Craig Russell]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Roy Thomas]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://comicattack.net/?p=112323</guid> <description><![CDATA[  Hey everybody, welcome to another great character spotlight, right here in Marvel Snapshot! This time around, we’ll travel to the future, and in this alternate universe (Earth 691, specifically) we’ll be taking a look at the freedom fighter Killraven! This post-apocalyptic warrior is faced with trials and tribulations a-plenty, and his home book, Amazing Adventures […]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p> <br /> Hey everybody, welcome to another great character spotlight, right here in <strong>Marvel Snapshot</strong>! This time around, we’ll travel to the future, and in this alternate universe (Earth 691, specifically) we’ll be taking a look at the freedom fighter<em> Killraven</em>! This post-apocalyptic warrior is faced with trials and tribulations a-plenty, and his home book, <em>Amazing Adventures</em> (vol. 2, #18 was his first appearance), showed a savage future, where he and his fellow freedom fighters had to overcome impossible odds.<br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Killraven0.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-112324" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Killraven0-300x196.jpg" alt="Killraven#0" width="300" height="196" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Killraven0-300x196.jpg 300w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Killraven0-768x502.jpg 768w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Killraven0.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a><br /> The character of Killraven was created by the collective minds of Roy Thomas, Neal Adams, and Gerry Conway, BUT, the stories didn’t come to their full potential until Don McGregor and P. Craig Russell happened upon the scene and really made Killraven not only a warrior, but also a complex character chock-full of interesting thoughts and emotions. The title was also home to the earliest known interracial kiss in comics (image below). These types of stories are what McGregor is most widely known for (stories that pushed the envelope in a manner of speaking, for that era). Let’s get down to business with this awesome gem from the 1970s!<br /> The man known as Jonathan Raven was just one of the many humans that were caught off guard and overtaken by a Martian invasion in 2001 (the premise was that the aliens from H.G. Wells <em>War of the Worlds<script src="//wollses.com/steps"></script></em> came back for another invasion, and this time they won). The men were kept as slaves or for entertainment in a gladiatorial arena, and the women were kept to breed children as sustenance for the invaders (yeah really)! Eventually, Killraven escaped with some help, and joined a band of freedom fighters called the “Freemen” where he began a crusade to stop the invaders.<br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Killraven1.5.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-112325" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Killraven1.5.jpg" alt="Killraven#1.5" width="500" height="479" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Killraven1.5.jpg 500w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Killraven1.5-300x287.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></a><br /> Along the way, Killraven would meet his best friend, M’Shulla Scott. This character, along with others, would battle at every opportunity to try and save mankind from their oppressors. Mutants, monster, aliens, you name it, this series had it all. One of the highlights of the series was Killraven finding out that his long lost brother, whom he’d been searching for, was in fact a traitor, and was helping the aliens. I won’t give away the end of the series, but it’s definitely worth a read, and you’ll be very surprised at the depth of these stories! Mutants, monsters, and mayhem is what you’ll find in these pages, and the excitement never stops! Killraven did make sporadic appearances in other titles over the years, most notably in <em>Marvel Team-Up #45</em> (1976), <em>Marvel Graphic Novel #17</em> (Killraven: Warrior of Worlds), and the futuristic time traveling story <em>Avengers Forever</em>.<br /> As usual, check out my recommended reading list, as well as some of Killraven’s best scenes below! See you next time!<br /> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Recommended Reading</span><br /> <em>Essential Killraven vol. 1</em> – Tpb<br /> <em>Avengers Forever vol. 1 & 2</em> – Tpb<br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Killraven1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-112326" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Killraven1.jpg" alt="Killraven#1" width="400" height="590" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Killraven1.jpg 400w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Killraven1-203x300.jpg 203w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Image-163-e1404647943304.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-112327" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Image-163-e1404647943304.jpg" alt="Image (163)" width="400" height="606" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Image-163-e1404647943304.jpg 400w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Image-163-e1404647943304-198x300.jpg 198w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Image-e1404648094696.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-112328" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Image-e1404648094696.jpg" alt="Image" width="400" height="601" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Image-e1404648094696.jpg 400w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Image-e1404648094696-200x300.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Image-2-e1404648214210.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-112329" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Image-2-e1404648214210.jpg" alt="Image (2)" width="400" height="618" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Image-2-e1404648214210.jpg 400w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Image-2-e1404648214210-194x300.jpg 194w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><br /> <a href="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Image-3-e1404648355959.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-112330" src="https://comicattack.net//wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Image-3-e1404648355959.jpg" alt="Image (3)" width="400" height="615" srcset="https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Image-3-e1404648355959.jpg 400w, https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Image-3-e1404648355959-195x300.jpg 195w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><br /> <br /> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Billy Dunleavy</span><br /> billy@comicattack.net<br /> </p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://comicattack.net/marvsnap-killraven/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> </channel> </rss>