Here are few pieces to drive you Marvelously Crazy this fine April Fools Day…
This cover to Crazy #1 (1972) by Marie Severin features Forbush-Man summing up the spirit of the early 1970s anti-war protests: Support peace, you super-baddies, or we’ll clobber ya!
Forbush-Man: a character I thought would have taken off more! He looks to be making a comeback in next week’s parody special (of Captain America), Who Won’t Wear the Shield?
What happens when Nick Fury goes scuba diving on vacation? As Bruce Timm sees it, he just can’t stop taking all of his gear along with him, much to Val’s chagrin. Perhaps Hydra was about to strike? It’s a fine homage to Steranko’s covers and penchant for pockets and gear.
It really cracks me up that Fury is smoking a cigar inside that helmet!
Ever wonder what would happen if there was a Marvel-DC crossover event that was more on the romantic side? Fred Hembeck did, back in 1981 for this cover to The Comic Reader 188.
I think it's very funny--especially with Hembeck's design which makes the couples mirror images of each other. You have to wonder what other Marvel-DC swaps would work. A Hawkeye/Black Canary and Green Arrow/Mockingbird pairing might be interesting.
Another John Byrne pic to tickle your funny bone, from The Comic Reader 128 in 1976.
Howard the Duck—who was launched into his own title in 1975—gets kicked in the tail by Rog-2000. Rog-2000 was a creation of Byrne’s that appeared in the back of Charlton Comics E-Man. Far from an emotionless robot, Rog-2000 suffers from a bad case of comic-strip envy. Nuff Said!
When the X-Men creative team was about to change in 1977, Dave Cockrum drew this cover for The Comic Reader #145.
John Byrne introduces himself to the X-Men, who have no idea who he is or why Cockrum is missing.
I can't remember exactly, but I believe this cover appeared a few months before John Byrne's first issue of the X-Men, #108, cover dated December. I do remember feeling the loss of Cockrum on the title, but feeling like Byrne could pull it off, since he had done so well on Starlord (see Claremont, Byrne & Austin's Classic Take on Star-Lord) and Iron Fist.
It was a great way for Dave Cockrum to hand over the reins of the X-Men, a title he visually re-designed for a new era. Nuff Said!
Here's a big laugh courtesy of John Byrne, from The Comic Reader 143, circa 1977. It was around this period when Iron Fist was set to become Luke Cage's best buddy--and share the masthead when Power Man was re-titled Power Man and Iron Fist with issue #50. Claremont and Byrne were the creators behind this odd couple pairing.
The signature reads: John Byrne, from an idea by Roger Stern, with apologies to Don Martin. Don Martin was one of the premiere artists from Mad Magazine, who drew funny characters with elongated features. Why not take a visit to the Don Martin Shrine today? Nuff Said!
John Byrne drew this pinup of Red Sonja in 1975. I thought he captured everything great about this character in a single pinup. Beyond her beauty, the way she carries that sword would make you think twice about propositioning her!
Red Sonja graduated from the pages of Conan to her own series, beginning in Marvel Feature #1, also circa 1975. This title, written by Roy Thomas and drawn by Frank Thorne, lasted seven issues. You can see from this cover to issue #6 that Mr. Thorne had an unmistakable art style.
Dave Cockrum drew this great pinup featuring Storm and Red Sonja, where they swap costumes. It’s hilarious to see Storm wearing Sonja’s metal bikini, and her thought balloon says Good Lord—This bra is enormous! It’s cold too! Near Cockrum’s signature he says Heh Sorry, Ladies. I think we all celebrate Cockrum’s art and design, but let’s not forget his fantastic sense of humor!
Ghost Rider in a Marvel Swimsuit? It really happened, true believer!
The 1993 Marvel Swimsuit issue had this groovy centerfold featuring the Spirit of Vengeance on a beach. Naked, which means burning on the beach. Imagine your surprise if you got to this point in the magazine, expect to see something like a sexy Adam Hughes She-Hulk? Nuff said.
I just watched the first two episodes of Marvel Super-Hero Squad on Cartoon Network. I had to admit that I was wondering if this kid-friendly show (with cute condensed versions of Hulk, Iron Man, Wolverine, etc) would appeal to a veteran like me. Well, the show had me hooked from the opening scene, which featured Stan Lee as the mayor of Super-Hero City. The second episode had an establishing show with an X-Men pavilion, a SHIELD helicarrier, and the rainbow bridge leading out of the city to a floating Asgard.
If modern comics are know for decompressed storytelling--Marvel Super Hero Squad's episodes are compressed to the nth degree! The second episode had Captain America, Falcon, Iron Man, Hulk, Wolverine, Thor and Hawkeye--tackling Dr. Doom's evil dudes--the Wrecking Crew, Modok, the Abomination, etc. The jokes on this show just keep coming--sometimes in the most bizarre ways! Modok and the Abomination play a video game together. At one point the Hulk jumps off the Helicarrier to join a fight but winds up with a Mexican band--wearing a sombrero. Another scene features the heroes looking for a powerful fractal (the series MacGuffin) in a fountain. The camera pans up and you see the fountain is a statue of Lockjaw, with the water spewing out of his mouth and tongue.
The Hulk provides a lot of comic relief, in his "Hulk smash" persona. One thing I noted in the opening credits--there seems to be a different Hulk joke each time? In the first episode, Hulk changes into baby Hulk. In the second episode credits, he changes into grey Joe Fixit.
The voice talent on this show features well known character actors--check out a list of them here on Valerie's site. The Silver Surfer really sounds like a California beach bum and Thor's dialogue is cornier than ever ("Methinketh that what you thinketh").
Marvel Super-Hero Squad is a must-watch program for Marvel fans, young and old. It's currently on Cartoon Network, Saturdays at 8:30am. Nuff said!
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