Category Archives: Marvel
Forgotten Characters: Ultimate Scorpion
Whatever happened to the Ultimate Scorpion?
All of the other survivors of the Ultimate Clone Saga are still around, but for some reason the Ultimate Scorpion was bottled up by Nick Fury and has never been seen again. Is writer Brian Michael Bendis holding him like an Ace up his sleeve? Considering Peter Parker is now dead, a surviving male clone might be able to fill a pretty cool role.
Clones? Peter Parker, dead? Nick Fury? What the heck am I talking about?
This guy!
Now that's one snappy dresser
Who is he?
Meet the Ultimate Scorpion, a character who last appeared with a pretty ominous cliffhanger in a very popular comic book, but has never been seen or heard from again. He’s got all of the powers of Spider-Man (I think), along with a badass scorpion tail grafted onto his spine. Too bad he’s a little crazy. Other aspects of that clone story are still around and have very prominent roles. But for some reason, Ultimate Scorpion has been completely forgotten. Why is that? I want to know! The Scorpion is one of my favorite Spider-Man villains of all time, and his Ultimate counterpart was pretty badass, with a lot of potential. So whatever happened to the guy?
First, maybe I should explain a few concepts after the jump.
The Top 6 Superheroes Who Celebrate Hannukah
You might not think that religion plays any part in the world of comic book superheroes. But those characters are people just like everyone else, and they have jobs, favorite movies, personalities and faiths. Religion doesn’t come up very often in comic books, but just like in any story, it can be a powerful narrative tool. Or it can just be a fun bit of trivia that fleshes out a character.
This is apparently a thing. Go Menorah Man!
And since tonight is the last night of Hannukah, let’s take a look at the Top 6 Jewish superheroes! Because I have been posting way too much Christmas stuff over the past few weeks.
Ultimate Comics: All-New Spider-Man #5
Now this is more like it! We get some awesome Spider-Man action as Miles Morales finally, officially becomes the new Spider-Man. He’s got to pass through Spider-Woman, Nick Fury and Electro to do it, but Miles kicks ass with flying colors. And he’s funny, too! That’s almost a prerequisite for both Spider-Man and writer Brian Michael Bendis, but here it’s delightful. Miles isn’t Peter Parker, but it’s great to see that Spider-Man will still be witty.
Ultimate Spider-Man #5
If only the Ultimate Universe wasn’t such a crappy place these days.
Comic rating: 4/5: Good!
If Marvel sticks with the tradition of having 6-issue story arcs, then this was the penultimate chapter of Miles Morales’ origin story. Which means we’ve got one more issue to go to wrap this thing up in a bow. I wonder what’s going to happen. Is Miles going to get his own super-villain? Maybe we’ll finally see his parents again. Or maybe he’ll hang out with Aunt May for some reason. Either way, this was a good issue, it’s good to see Miles in his own costume and I’m definitely ready to see this young man spread his webs and fly.
Though I’d probably still make the better Spider-Man. Spoilers after the jump.
Review: X-Factor #229
The story of the ‘dead’ Jamie Madrox picks back up this issue, and it’s a doozy! We’re into a full-on science fiction story, as Madrox seems to be on some strange, interdimensional adventure. A far cry from the noir roots of this series, but I’ll gladly read any tale starring my favorite superhero. He’s not quite dead just yet, and learning his final fate as this story progresses has got me on the edge of my seat. Writer Peter David is promising new revelations about the nature of Madrox’s duplication powers. And while I’m lukewarm to that idea, I’m excited for a good story.
X-Factor #229
And this one is pretty damn good one so far.
Comic rating: 4/5: Good!
What we have here is an alternate reality tale to introduce us to the idea of Madrox’s interdimensional adventure. Familiar characters appear, but everything is just so slightly different because it’s an alternate reality. Madrox is lost and confused, but he’s adapting and figuring it out. One great thing about this issue is that writer Peter David is able to focus on just one character, and the narrative really benefits. There are a lot of questions raised, and a lot of strangeness. Somehow Layla might even be involved. Nothing is spelled out clearly quite yet. But I’m confident we’re going to get answers in this story. It’s just going to be a nail-biter going from issue to issue until the end.
I hope Madrox is still alive by the end, and that he hasn’t been changed into an unrecognizable character. Is it so wrong for me to want to keep my favorite comic book character around?
Spoilers after the jump.
I Love Early 2000s Ant-Man
I’d like to think that my blog has become sort of a celebration of obscure superheroes and comic book characters. I can’t help it, that’s just the sort of thing I’m interest in. And yes, that in no way will help me in any career or with the ladies. I’ve made my peace with that. So when I see something glorious in regards to those obscure superheroes and comic book characters, I can’t help but cheer and want to share it with you.
Which brings us to Ant-Man from the early 2000s.
This is awesomeness defined
That’s a Mini-Mate of the early 2000s Ant-Man costume, and it’s brilliant. That is my favorite Ant-Man costume, and I’m a pretty big Ant-Man fan. Especially the guy who wore the costume, Scott Lang, who was the second Ant-Man. He was a member of the Avengers at the time. How’s that for obscure trivia knowledge, ladies? There’s more where that came from.
Anyway, it’s just a little thing, and I may never be able to buy it, but damn its awesome. Here’s the rest of the set, which will be available for purchase sometime next year:
That's classic Ant-Man in the bottom right. Cool, but not as cool.
Because apparently the world needs more Captain America, Iron Man, Thor and Hulk toys, am I right? For whatever reason, 2000s Ant-Man comes packaged with that purple guy, a Kree Sentry, because fuck if I know why.
Henchman-4-Hire