"Super" Opening!

[OdinAshcroft]

Welcome, true believers! I'm Odin Ashcroft, and I'm the forum's resident comic book nerd...gah, I mean, "Guru". Yeah <..<. Thanks to the kindness of our turbo powered boss hoss, Canaan, I've been given a section of the forum to present many a thing involving comic books. I'm open to all questions pertaining comics, be it about characters/titles/stories/suggestions/continuity/anything...but, seeing how I've tried this once before, I think I'm going to balance it out with a weekly posting of a small top five list that will hopefully spark interesting converstions, and of course, questions (Note: I will try and keep this at a weekly basis, but fair warning that it could be days early or later than a seven day week basis can be).

To start this off, I'm going with a character everyone knows: Superman. You don't have to be a comic book fan to know who Superman is. Standing for truth, justice, and the American Way, Superman is what a hero should be, having been around for seventy years (give or take). But, what if...? A concept DC introduced in the 90s was called Elseworlds. Much like Marvel's long established "What If" series, Elseworlds was a look into situation where a character's life would have played out if something, be it small or large, was changed, radically changing the character and those around him/her. Superman...as you can see...



Is far from excluded from this concept...

So, without further ado,below, is my top five Elseworld Supermen...

Number 5 : Superman...Green Lantern of Krypton!



Though technically an Elseworlds, it was a concept I wish had more focus during "The Key" storyline back in the late 90s when Grant Morrison was writing "JLA". In it, the core members of the Justice League were trapped into virtual and drug driven worlds by a villian known as the Key, tapping into a mix of their dreams and heart's desires. Superman's dreamworld was of Krypton, which did not explode, and he was not sent to Earth. Growing up as a normal Kryptonian, a full grown Kal-El was chosen by a dying Tomar-Re to become his sector's Green Lantern, whose career paralleled that of his work on Earth as Superman, but with more subtle differences, like implementing more Kryptonian styled justice, such as use of the Phantom Zone (A dimension where villians are sent into, becoming as immaterial as phantoms, preveting escape and further crimes). But, once Superman was woken from this dream, this Earth ceased to exist...but still made it on my list.


Number 4 : Superman - North and South



Simple concept : What if Superman landed in Kansas...in 1845? Now, this really appealed to me because of my love for Harry Turtledove books, including his Guns of the South one-shot story and for the epic uberseries of mini-series set in a Universe where the USA and CSA (Confederate States of America) coexisted, going from the end of the Civil War (Where the South won), to a VERY different World War II. But, onto the subject on hand, having Superman participating in the Civil War did change things...for the better. Superman was still raised by the Kents, raised to abhor slavery as well as the withholding of Godgiven rights, and freedom. Fighting on the side of the Union, the face of the war was changed...as will the face of America, by the end of the story...


Number 3 : Superman - The Night That Panicked America



Ah, here's yet another standard of Science Fiction : War of the Worlds. Set in during around the same time the Mecury Theater presented the War of the World's broadcast, a Golden Age styled Superman was one of the few things on Earth that could try and fight back an invaision of Martians and their war machines...and you'll never guess what twist endings...just a bit of a hint : Golden Age Superman...is not quite as powerful as one would recall Superman to be...trust me when I say "Leaping Over Tall Buildings" isn't exactly like flying...

Number 2 : Superman - The Dark Knight



And now here's a fine little piece: What If, Baby Kal-El landed in Gotham City, as opposed to Smallville. Found by the Waynes, he was adopted as their own and named Bruce...you can see where the rest of the story may go, but it wasn't just the idea that fascinated me. It was what this "Bruce" became. He wasn't as clean cut and up straight like Clark Kent, but he was a cool but brooding individual like that other "Bruce Wayne". He was somewhere in between...and it was quite a fascinating read. And you'll never guess who will be HIS archnemesis...trust me. Its unexpected.


And at Number 1 : Superman - USSR's Favorite Son



Thats right, Comerades! Only the slightest of chances, like the positioning of the Earth, had him landing in the Ukraine, as opposed to Smallville, Kansas. Which leads to one of the best lines (Well, paraphrased lines, as this was after Watchmen) to open a book "There IS a Superman...and he's Russian". Thats right, Kal-El, is raised by Joseph Stalin, and soon became the USSR's leader after Stalin's death. He fought for truth, justice...and the Way of the People!. A story filled with so many changes to history and recogniziable character, this is a miniseries I highly suggest to anyone interested in Superman...and What If Scenarios...also, stick around for the ending...its very nice

Well, thats my top five list for this week! I hope you all have enjoyed, and hope you shower me with questions, either from this or anything based in comic books. I'm your Comic Book Guru, and I read it so you don't hav-

*Is cut off by the lawers of That Guy with the Glasses, having not paid copyright fees to paraphrase his catchphrase*

[SliceOfDog]

But of a non-comment here, but I want to point out that I am interested in this section, but unfortunately Superman's just not my thing. Point being, I don't want you thinking I'm just ignoring this post. Probably next time I'll actually have something to say ^^

Actually, the top 2 do look AWESOME. I' might actually consider flicking through them, much as Superman gets on my nerves.

[Rick Canaan]

Yah, I was never much of a Superman fan, either. I enjoyed the cartoons and the black-and-white TV shows when I was a kid, and later, the movies that came out with him. But I never did much get into the Superman comics.

Now you wanna really tickle my fancy, do an expose` on Marvel's What-If comics. I could never get enough of those when I was a kid.

[Slate]

I as well was never much of a Superman fan. However, the U.S.SupeRman did interest me =P

[Rick Canaan]

Oh and Odin, just how much do you know about the Savage Sword of Conan series? I think it has been out of print for years. But when I was a young man, I was a very avid collector.

Could you do an expose' on this, too? I would love to learn some of the history of this comic. They were black-and-white, and I do know that Conan is part of the Marvel universe.

Thanks, Odin!

[OdinAshcroft]

Well, perhaps I shouldn't have started with Superman after all <..< Well, I was going with someone by average, a lot of people would recognize...but duly noted. Now, onto these comments/questions/requests!

Actually, the top 2 do look AWESOME. I' might actually consider flicking through them, much as Superman gets on my nerves.

Well, I am happy that I have your interest, and I'm open to everyone's opinion, and I don't expect everyone to love the character/title/story that I might post or personally like/dislike. But, I AM interested on your reactions, especially like these ones. And to sate your curiousity, the first image is from INFINITE CRISIS, the middle of the Crisis "Trilogy". Quite good, and fits like a much better successor to the classic Crisis, known simply, as CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS (One of the first "maxi-series", which is a term given to a limited series lasting into double digits, planned to begin and end on those number of issues, and now 24 years old since its release.

The second image is from early on in the JLA series (stands for Justice League of America, but the actual title is JLA), during THE KEY storyline, so issues 8 and 9 are what you should be looking for, if you really are interested. Fair warning...there is a big in-joke involving Waterworld (YES, the Kevin Costner movie). Please be advised. Odin Ashcroft will not be liable for mental damage by viewing and making the connection. Please note. Thank you.

Yah, I was never much of a Superman fan, either. I enjoyed the cartoons and the black-and-white TV shows when I was a kid, and later, the movies that came out with him. But I never did much get into the Superman comics.

Now you wanna really tickle my fancy, do an expose` on Marvel's What-If comics. I could never get enough of those when I was a kid.

Tickle you say? *coughs and re-composes himself*

Right, wrong forum for that *blushes and continues* And it was a big favorite of mine as well, alongside DC's Elseworlds (as well as both Companies Handbooks/Secret Files...gobbled those things up). If there are any particular characters/teams you'd like me to focus on, or just a general top five of what I think were the best, I could put that together in the next couple days or so. This is where requests/questions/comments can come into play people! So don't be shy...

*pokes the boss hoss with the feather end of his quill...which he actually has, due to a class*

That means you too ;3

I as well was never much of a Superman fan. However, the U.S.SupeRman did interest me =P

Well, if thats the case, then I suggest the SUPERMAN: RED SON miniseries ,if you want to know the whole story, but since then, this particular Superman has popped up time to time in the main DCU. So, you never know when he may come again next...

Oh and Odin, just how much do you know about the Savage Sword of Conan series? I think it has been out of print for years. But when I was a young man, I was a very avid collector.

Could you do an expose' on this, too? I would love to learn some of the history of this comic. They were black-and-white, and I do know that Conan is part of the Marvel universe.

Thanks, Odin!

Well, I know enough that CROM is one bad motha-...I'm going to avoid the Shaft joke, and say I know Crom as a big diety in that universe. But, what kind of expose would you prefer? A basic layout of the land and its primary characters? Or perhaps a recap of current Conan work. A number of companies have snatched the characters from Marvel since then, but that hasnt stopped reprints and collections from being put out. If you'd like info on that, I could get right on it, boss hoss

[Rick Canaan]

and Odin.

I guess what I am interested in more than anything else where the Savage Sword of Conan is concerned, is just the background and history of the publication. Who were its artists, its writers, how many episodes were published by Marvel, where can the old issues be purchased and other things like that.

The same goes for the "What-If" series that Marvel published. How many episodes were there? What were the top-rated publications? (I also know that Marvel recently released a cartoon on DVD of the Hulk Vs Thor and Hulk Vs Wolverine - which were pretty good.)

I am just curious about backgrounds, where a lot of these old publications can be bought (if they can still be purchased), and other such interesting trivia that can be brought up in good, in-depth editorials.

Also, this is no special request that you write about these right away. I am asking if they can be added to your list of weekly highlights. If one appears next week, then the other the week after, then cool. If there is something you'd rather spot light first, though, then by all means please do - fitting these in when you have the time and interest for them.

Just giving you ideas really, about stuff that personally interests me.

[OdinAshcroft]

and Odin.

I guess what I am interested in more than anything else where the Savage Sword of Conan is concerned, is just the background and history of the publication. Who were its artists, its writers, how many episodes were published by Marvel, where can the old issues be purchased and other things like that.

The same goes for the "What-If" series that Marvel published. How many episodes were there? What were the top-rated publications? (I also know that Marvel recently released a cartoon on DVD of the Hulk Vs Thor and Hulk Vs Wolverine - which were pretty good.)

I am just curious about backgrounds, where a lot of these old publications can be bought (if they can still be purchased), and other such interesting trivia that can be brought up in good, in-depth editorials.

Also, this is no special request that you write about these right away. I am asking if they can be added to your list of weekly highlights. If one appears next week, then the other the week after, then cool. If there is something you'd rather spot light first, though, then by all means please do - fitting these in when you have the time and interest for them.

Just giving you ideas really, about stuff that personally interests me.

*blushes and enjoys the warm if be tight equine hugs*

Well, that I can very well arrange in the span of the following weeks, as well as any other questions/ideas from the growing audience of the forum...I'll probably handle What If first this coming week, since I'm more familiar with it than I am with Conan. Now, I dont mean I'm a complete neophyte to all things Conan, its just experience between the two weighs more to What If. But I see where you're coming from, and and I'll see what I can do =3. I've got ideas for other articles/editorials, but I only have them in case of no questions/requests to be answered, that and to drum up interest.

So, expect an expose on What If in a new thread next week, with a Conan look back following that week. Just a heads up =3...

And no, I won't be making an "Canaan the Barbarian" or "Canaan the Conqueror" jokes. That'd be just tacky hehehehe.

Note: I also saw the "Hulk Vs." double feature, and admit I was impressed at both features, the Thor film was surprisingly good and had a lot of Asagardians I didn't expect to get as much screen time as they did, but it was quite different (but nonetheless good) to the feel of the Wolverine feature (and please note, if anyone at Fox studios/productions is reading this, THIS is how Deadpool is supposed to be portrayed. Made me laugh in every scene he is in). Both were quite good, and have given me renewed hope in Marvel's animation depar-...

*stops and sees the newest production put out by Marvel, called "Marvel Super Hero Squad"*

.....

*rubs his temples, groaning* And here I thought "Next Avengers" was going to be the worst...

[Fenryx]

OK, what Odin started out here with is detailing Superman with a side diversion into Batman. Elseworlds were done as part of the annuals of various titles in the DC universe. Batman and related titles got the most and the most interesting treatments, I'm a Batfan so excuse my prejudice. Now I don't have access to the covers but in various titles, Batman was made into a Samurai Ninja with Robin as his apprentice in Robin. Detective comics saw Batman as a pirate, the best one in the entire run in my opinion, but since then the franchise has been so popular there are graphic novels with even more scenarios like Batman as a knight facing off against Ra's Al Ghul who leads the Muslims. Batman replacing the Scarlet Pimpernel against a sadistic Two-Face.

There was also a series of annuals that dealt with post apocalypse and space adventures as well as an attempt at doing pulp fiction. DC certainly tries hard enough I'll give them that much.

[Blackbriar]

From the split superman image I recognize Kal-L of Earth-2, Superman Red and Blue, Tangent Superman, Red Son Superman, Sunshine Superman, and i think right behind Kal-L is Superman in his original debut incarnation with the upside-down triangle instead of the diamond shield

[Vegas]

Good list, but I was always more of a Marvel fan than a DC fan. The only DC characters I really liked were Batman and his allies/villains. Superman always seemed overpowered to me. I feel that a good hero should have good weaknesses.


As far as Marvel series' go, what's your opinions on the whole Civil War story arc? That was some pretty intense stuff there. I've only recently gotten into comics, so Civil War is the first story arc that I've read completely.

[Blackbriar]

Me, personally, I'm a strict DC fan with a tad bit of Marvel

[OdinAshcroft]

Good list, but I was always more of a Marvel fan than a DC fan. The only DC characters I really liked were Batman and his allies/villains. Superman always seemed overpowered to me. I feel that a good hero should have good weaknesses.

As far as Marvel series' go, what's your opinions on the whole Civil War story arc? That was some pretty intense stuff there. I've only recently gotten into comics, so Civil War is the first story arc that I've read completely.

Well, like I said, possibly it wasnt such a good idea to start off with Superman, but, I digress...

As for my opinion on Civil War, it could be best if I save that for one of my editorial topics, since I enjoyed CERTAIN aspects of Civil War, while abhored others. But, note, I'm starting a list of questions/comments/requests from any member for topics, so, this is quite helpful =3. So, you'll get my opinion in the near future, if thats alright. In fact, I should be able to finish my next topic thread in the next few days, as I promised for a constant schedule, and it'll be based on a facet of Marvel, so it'll hopefully pique your interest.

OK, what Odin started out here with is detailing Superman with a side diversion into Batman. Elseworlds were done as part of the annuals of various titles in the DC universe. Batman and related titles got the most and the most interesting treatments, I'm a Batfan so excuse my prejudice. Now I don't have access to the covers but in various titles, Batman was made into a Samurai Ninja with Robin as his apprentice in Robin. Detective comics saw Batman as a pirate, the best one in the entire run in my opinion, but since then the franchise has been so popular there are graphic novels with even more scenarios like Batman as a knight facing off against Ra's Al Ghul who leads the Muslims. Batman replacing the Scarlet Pimpernel against a sadistic Two-Face.

There was also a series of annuals that dealt with post apocalypse and space adventures as well as an attempt at doing pulp fiction. DC certainly tries hard enough I'll give them that much.

Well, I guess I should be looking out for my job, after all o-o. Actually, I was going to continue my topics with another Elseworlds list, with Batman being the focus, but with all the requests I've gotten, I'll save that for a rainy day. But, thank you Fenryx for bringing these points up, especially for the Elseworlds-esque formats (Pulp Heroes, etc).

From the split superman image I recognize Kal-L of Earth-2, Superman Red and Blue, Tangent Superman, Red Son Superman, Sunshine Superman, and i think right behind Kal-L is Superman in his original debut incarnation with the upside-down triangle instead of the diamond shield

Good Eye, Blackbriar. I can see you also have an eye for detail and quite a bit of comic book knowledge yourself. Guess having a comic book section of the forum might be beneficial after all =3

[Blackbriar]

the only ones I don't know are the knight one, the one between Sunshine and Tangent, and the edge ones where you only see elbows and feet

[Fenryx]

I've severely cut back on my comics reading these days. I skipped Civil War and the only Marvel comic I am currently collecting is Punisher Noir. I'm not very keen on DC right now either with Warlord and some of the space comics getting my pulls. Although I am enjoying the Astounding Wolfman quite a bit actually. Other than those I'm reading the newest incarnations of Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers. I will be looking over at other resources for furry comics though as Diamond has been offereing less and less in those veins.