Disney is buying Marvel Comics for 4 billion.
Wow.
This was not something I expected to see this morning. Huge huge news for comics. It will be interesting to see what, if anything, this will do to the comics themselves.. I have some hopes, as I think Marvel has been a cesspool of bad writing (with a very few expections) for years, I hope this will make things better. Others will feel differently of course.
The biggest reason, I'm sure, is to get access to the characters for theme parks, movies and videogames.
I've lamented the "disneyfication" of other source material (Hunchback for example, or the Three Musketeers), but as bad as I feel Marvel is right now, I'd welcome it.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Marvel-DC Dustup (Part 5)
All right, it's been a while, but let's pick up the action right where we left off. Since there are a total of nine pairings left, we'll look at five matchups this time instead of four.
Triathlete vs. Steel
Triathlete? I've never even heard of him. What does he do? I'd better look up his powers and skills and see if he can even give Steel an entertaining fight.
:: looks up info ::
Um, no.
Winner: Steel
Sub-Mariner vs. Aquaman
The 'Meh' fight of the series. Seriously, Fishboy vs. Hook-hand? Hard to get excited about this one. Okay, so you can live underwater and talk to fish. That means you have the same powers as Spongebob Squarepants. Oh, except that Fishboy can't even talk to fish.
Winner: Aquaman
Black Widow vs. Black Canary
This is a hard one to call. Black Widow's espionage skills and combat training (armed and unarmed) make her a formidable enemy. Chances are, she'll take you out before you even know she's looking for you. In a straight-up fight, though, Black Canary's sonic scream gives her a profound advantage.
Winner: Black Canary
Tigra vs. Huntress
Another hard one to call. Huntress is so skilled and so driven that it's hard to pick against her in a fight. But the fact is that Tigra is faster, stronger, and more agile. Huntress keeps it interesting, but Tigra eventually takes the fight.
Winner: Tigra
Vision vs. Martian Manhunter
These two have quite possibly the most bizarre powersets for major heroes in their respective companies. Vision is a phasing energy projecting android flying brick. Manhunter is a phasing shapeshifting telepathic alien flying brick. If you were a GM and one of your players brought either of these concepts to you for a character, would you let them play it? Seriously, though, I think J'onn's wildly varied powers would prove too much for Vision to overcome with his wildly varied powers.
Winner: Martian Manhunter
Triathlete vs. Steel
Triathlete? I've never even heard of him. What does he do? I'd better look up his powers and skills and see if he can even give Steel an entertaining fight.
:: looks up info ::
Um, no.
Winner: Steel
Sub-Mariner vs. Aquaman
The 'Meh' fight of the series. Seriously, Fishboy vs. Hook-hand? Hard to get excited about this one. Okay, so you can live underwater and talk to fish. That means you have the same powers as Spongebob Squarepants. Oh, except that Fishboy can't even talk to fish.
Winner: Aquaman
Black Widow vs. Black Canary
This is a hard one to call. Black Widow's espionage skills and combat training (armed and unarmed) make her a formidable enemy. Chances are, she'll take you out before you even know she's looking for you. In a straight-up fight, though, Black Canary's sonic scream gives her a profound advantage.
Winner: Black Canary
Tigra vs. Huntress
Another hard one to call. Huntress is so skilled and so driven that it's hard to pick against her in a fight. But the fact is that Tigra is faster, stronger, and more agile. Huntress keeps it interesting, but Tigra eventually takes the fight.
Winner: Tigra
Vision vs. Martian Manhunter
These two have quite possibly the most bizarre powersets for major heroes in their respective companies. Vision is a phasing energy projecting android flying brick. Manhunter is a phasing shapeshifting telepathic alien flying brick. If you were a GM and one of your players brought either of these concepts to you for a character, would you let them play it? Seriously, though, I think J'onn's wildly varied powers would prove too much for Vision to overcome with his wildly varied powers.
Winner: Martian Manhunter
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Marvel-DC Dustup (Part 4)
All right, it's been a while, but here's the next set of match-ups and the anticipated results.
Crystal vs. Ice
Crystal has the ability to control the four classic Elements: Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. Ice has control over cold and, well, ice. Hey, isn't ice just really cold water?
Winner: Crystal
Machine Man vs. Plastic Man
Is Machine Man really even an Avenger? I know he's worked with them before, but I wasn't aware that he'd ever been a formal member. Regardless, I think Plastic Man wins. Machine Man is probably stronger, but Plas can stretch farther and can really soak up the damage.
Winner: Plastic Man
Ms. Marvel vs. Power Girl
Carol is super-strong, can fly, and has energy manipulation powers. Kara is a Kryptonian. That pretty well settles it. Another nice fight for the fanboys where costumes are concerned, incidentally.
Winner: Power Girl
Note: If Carol is Binary rather than Ms. Marvel or Warbird, she wins. Easily.
Wonder Man vs. Captain Marvel
I would rather see Hercules against Captain Marvel, but I understand the reason for this pairing. It has a hero from each company using the other company's trademark (Wonder Man /Wonder Woman, Captain Marvel/Marvel Comics). Ah, Irony. Anyway, Captain Marvel seems to be the stronger combatant here. However, Wonder Man's ionic energy makes him a dangerous and somewhat unpredictable quantity. I'm picking Wonder Man for the upset.
Winner: Wonder Man
Your responses, gentlemen (and ladies, if any)?
Crystal vs. Ice
Crystal has the ability to control the four classic Elements: Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. Ice has control over cold and, well, ice. Hey, isn't ice just really cold water?
Winner: Crystal
Machine Man vs. Plastic Man
Is Machine Man really even an Avenger? I know he's worked with them before, but I wasn't aware that he'd ever been a formal member. Regardless, I think Plastic Man wins. Machine Man is probably stronger, but Plas can stretch farther and can really soak up the damage.
Winner: Plastic Man
Ms. Marvel vs. Power Girl
Carol is super-strong, can fly, and has energy manipulation powers. Kara is a Kryptonian. That pretty well settles it. Another nice fight for the fanboys where costumes are concerned, incidentally.
Winner: Power Girl
Note: If Carol is Binary rather than Ms. Marvel or Warbird, she wins. Easily.
Wonder Man vs. Captain Marvel
I would rather see Hercules against Captain Marvel, but I understand the reason for this pairing. It has a hero from each company using the other company's trademark (Wonder Man /Wonder Woman, Captain Marvel/Marvel Comics). Ah, Irony. Anyway, Captain Marvel seems to be the stronger combatant here. However, Wonder Man's ionic energy makes him a dangerous and somewhat unpredictable quantity. I'm picking Wonder Man for the upset.
Winner: Wonder Man
Your responses, gentlemen (and ladies, if any)?
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Marvel-DC Dustup (Part 3)
Okay, here's the next round of matchups. Starting at the bottom of the picture:
The Wasp vs. The Atom
Ray (this is Ray, right?) is more intelligent and can shrink to a smaller size, both of which are considerable advantages. Janet's powers are more versatile, though (energy blast and flight), and she has years of experience as the leader of the Avengers. These factors tip the balance in her favor.
Winner: The Wasp
Hawkeye vs. Green Arrow
It's hard to pick against either of these two. They are so evenly matched in speed, skill, attitude, and the ability to make snappy patter to distract an opponent. And both of them rarely miss. As Ronin, however, Clint probably has better hand-to-hand fighting skills. Once they both run out of trick arrows, Hawkeye wins.
Winner: Hawkeye
Beast vs. Vixen
Beast is smarter, stronger, and faster. But Vixen's powers give so many different options in combat, I don't think Beast would be able to keep up. Sorry, Hank.
Winner: Vixen
Scarlet Witch vs. Zatanna
Red combat lingerie vs. Magic fishnets. In picking a winner for this fight, the snarky part of me wants to say "Every fanboy who reads the comic". But on to the actual fight. Zatanna typically has to speak to cast her spells, which could be a disadvantage, but not a major one. Wanda probably has more raw power—chaos magic is nasty stuff. But she's just too unstable to rely on in a fight. Zatanna's skill and steadiness wins the day.
Winner: Zatanna
Comments?
The Wasp vs. The Atom
Ray (this is Ray, right?) is more intelligent and can shrink to a smaller size, both of which are considerable advantages. Janet's powers are more versatile, though (energy blast and flight), and she has years of experience as the leader of the Avengers. These factors tip the balance in her favor.
Winner: The Wasp
Hawkeye vs. Green Arrow
It's hard to pick against either of these two. They are so evenly matched in speed, skill, attitude, and the ability to make snappy patter to distract an opponent. And both of them rarely miss. As Ronin, however, Clint probably has better hand-to-hand fighting skills. Once they both run out of trick arrows, Hawkeye wins.
Winner: Hawkeye
Beast vs. Vixen
Beast is smarter, stronger, and faster. But Vixen's powers give so many different options in combat, I don't think Beast would be able to keep up. Sorry, Hank.
Winner: Vixen
Scarlet Witch vs. Zatanna
Red combat lingerie vs. Magic fishnets. In picking a winner for this fight, the snarky part of me wants to say "Every fanboy who reads the comic". But on to the actual fight. Zatanna typically has to speak to cast her spells, which could be a disadvantage, but not a major one. Wanda probably has more raw power—chaos magic is nasty stuff. But she's just too unstable to rely on in a fight. Zatanna's skill and steadiness wins the day.
Winner: Zatanna
Comments?
Saturday, May 09, 2009
DC vs Marvel Dustups part 2a
My responses to Lord Mhoram's post (below):
Quicksilver vs. Flash:
This fight is over quicker than you can say, "This fight is over." Besides, Quicksilver's a jerk. He deserves to get the snot beaten out of him.
Giant-Man vs. Orion:
Giant-Man loses this fight not because Orion is so much stronger, but because, as Dilliwag pointed out over on his blog, he's Hank Pym.
Black Panther vs. Blue Beetle:
I don't know much about Blue Beetle, but I know that Black Panther is no one to be messed with. Panther wins.
Quasar vs. Firestorm:
Hmm, I'm not as convinced on this one. Quasar, to me, always seemed like a weak Green Lantern knock-off. And in all the published stories in which I've seen him, he seemed either underpowered, unimiginative, or just plain boring. I think Firestorm gives him a run for his money. In fact, I pick Firestorm for the win.
Quicksilver vs. Flash:
This fight is over quicker than you can say, "This fight is over." Besides, Quicksilver's a jerk. He deserves to get the snot beaten out of him.
Giant-Man vs. Orion:
Giant-Man loses this fight not because Orion is so much stronger, but because, as Dilliwag pointed out over on his blog, he's Hank Pym.
Black Panther vs. Blue Beetle:
I don't know much about Blue Beetle, but I know that Black Panther is no one to be messed with. Panther wins.
Quasar vs. Firestorm:
Hmm, I'm not as convinced on this one. Quasar, to me, always seemed like a weak Green Lantern knock-off. And in all the published stories in which I've seen him, he seemed either underpowered, unimiginative, or just plain boring. I think Firestorm gives him a run for his money. In fact, I pick Firestorm for the win.
Friday, May 08, 2009
DC vs Marvel Dustups part 2
I'm going to list what I figure are the blowouts. :)
Quicksilver vs. Flash:
Speed of Sound vs Speed of Light. Duh.
Giant-Man vs. Orion:
A growth based brick (who has fallen to the Hulk pretty easily) vs a guy that can actually hurt Superman. No contest.
Black Panther vs. Blue Beetle:
As much as I love Ted - T'Challa takes him in any kind of fight.
Quasar vs. Firestorm:
I think the Firetorm here is Ronnie, but no Professor. Quasar is one the biggest energy powerhouses in the Avengers. Firestorm has been overwhelmed by Killer Frost and other energy people. Quasar would toast him.
Quicksilver vs. Flash:
Speed of Sound vs Speed of Light. Duh.
Giant-Man vs. Orion:
A growth based brick (who has fallen to the Hulk pretty easily) vs a guy that can actually hurt Superman. No contest.
Black Panther vs. Blue Beetle:
As much as I love Ted - T'Challa takes him in any kind of fight.
Quasar vs. Firestorm:
I think the Firetorm here is Ronnie, but no Professor. Quasar is one the biggest energy powerhouses in the Avengers. Firestorm has been overwhelmed by Killer Frost and other energy people. Quasar would toast him.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
