'The Death Of "Superman Lives": What Happened?' Makes Me Wish 'Superman Lives' Was Made

Back in the mid to late 90’s, a Superman movie starring Nicolas Cage and directed by Tim Burton was undergoing development.  “Superman Lives” is what would have been the title.  It was scheduled for a 1998 release date – and then 1999 – but Warner Bros. decided to pull the plug while ongoing production.  Forward years later into the Internet Age, Superman Lives somewhat gained an “urban legend” status, and the general perception about it is that it would have been a godawful film.  The major points raised were that Tim Burton’s knack for weirdness would have bastardized the Superman mythos, and that Nicolas Cage was a giant miscast, that he would have been like the “George Clooney as Batman” version of Superman, only worse.  It also didn’t help that the Nicolas Cage photo that was being circulated was this…

   

…which was taken during the earliest of the development process.  Hence, Superman Lives is enveloped with notoriety in the collective Internet consciousness.

But it was also enveloped in intrigue.  There was genuine curiosity for the story behind it and how it could have turned out.  Through the years, details have surfaced in the Internet that provided us glimpses of what might have been, but there has never really been a comprehensive, easily accessible source of the backstory of Superman Lives.

Until now.  And that is Jon Schnepp’s The Death of “Superman Lives”: What Happened?.

In this documentary, Schnepp was able to interview several key people behind Superman Lives – producer Jon Peters; director Tim Burton; scriptwriters Kevin Smith, Wesley Strick, and Dan Gilroy; and other contributors to its production – which, accompanied by concept arts and archival footage, gave us a fascinating picture on how the movie would have looked like during its different stages of production.  And from what I got from it, Superman Lives would have been awesomely convoluted and different.

The story was going to be a loose adaptation of the epic 1992 comic book storyline “The Death of Superman.”  And it was going to have a couple of insane elements.  Here are some of them:

• Lex Luthor, Brainiac, and Doomsday were all going to be in it. 
• Lex Luthor and Brainiac would combine into one entity. 
• Kevin Smith’s early draft – which he himself admitted was fan fiction-y in quality – had Batman giving a stirring speech during Superman’s interment. 
• Kal-El would have had a Kryptonian A.I. companion growing up, which would serve as his “teddy bear”, confidant, and mentor at different stages of his life, which would then serve as Kal-El’s armor while he is healing. 
• Jon Peters insisted that a giant spider should be in it, and Smith complied by writing the “Thanagarian Snare Beast” into the script. 
• Peters apparently also made a horribly stupid suggestion of not having Superman fly in the movie (though this was probably overruled later).

But though the documentary effectively details how much Superman Lives would have departed from the Superman mythology and how bizarre it would have been, Schnepp also made sure that the documentary would also draw attention on some of the cool things that the movie had, as well as raised some points on how it wouldn’t necessarily suck.  There are also parts that kind of criticize fans who tend to collectively rage and prematurely judge a movie whenever they get hold of a piece of information with little or no context at all attached to it.

Personally, I was apathetic or impartial whether Superman Lives should have been made or not.  But after watching this documentary – as the title of this article have already stated – I now do wish that Superman Lives was made back in the 90’s.  Of course, I wouldn’t want to have such movie made at the present time.  But back in 1999?  That would have been great.  It’s going to be a weird and different take on Superman, but I felt in my bones that it would have its moments of entertainment regardless of how the quality turned out to be.  At worst, it could have been the Superman version of Batman and Robin.  And being at this point of time, I wouldn’t mind its awfulness because it would have already been a thing of the past.  We could have made fun of it and go enjoy hating it as we do with Batman and Robin.

On the other hand, it could have been epic.  Tim Burton’s take on the Batman mythos was weird, but it worked really well.  Fans hated the casting of Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne/Batman, but he turned out to be awesome, and is now considered by many (including yours truly) as the greatest live-action portrayal of Batman so far.

And just like Keaton, Cage might have turned out to be unexpectedly awesome, too.  Yes, in present time, he is considered by many as someone that has fallen from grace after starring in too many godawful films (guy needs the money).  But remember that back in the 90’s, Cage was a hot property.  He had won an Oscar in 1995.  And he starred in several beloved 90’s action films like Con Air, The Rock, and Face Off.  Personally, I’m a fan of Nicolas Cage as an actor.  He has genuine talent and could project a lot of acting depth when doing good movies.  And on bad movies, he hams it up so incredibly well (e.g. Vampire’s Kiss, The Wicker Man remake) that his presence would ensure an entertaining time nonetheless.  So whether he would have made a terrific or terrible Superman, it’s almost a guarantee that he would have done an entertaining job.

In the end, we can only really speculate on how Superman Lives would have been.  Thankfully, we now have The Death of “Superman Lives”: What Happened?.  Not only did it give us more fuel for our speculations, but watching it is also the closest thing we’ll have on experiencing Superman Lives – and this documentary is quite an enjoyable experience.  

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Insane Theory: Natalie Portman Is Going to Be the Next Thor

When it was announced last year, as part of Avengers NOW!, that a female will not only assume Thor’s powers and Mjolnir but his name as well, I wasn’t particularly sold on the whole idea.  I argued in a past post that “Thor” is much of a definitive male name as “Spider-Man”, and letting a female assume the “Thor” name will make as less sense as Carlie Cooper assuming the name of “Spider-Man.” 

But, now, eight Thor issues later (and a couple of appearances in other books), I found the character so likable that I’m prepared to overlook the problem with the character name’s gender semantics.  Of course, if this were Spider-Man, I would have been greatly pissed (and I was, when Otto Octavius became the Superior Spider-Man) of the status quo change even if everything was done compellingly.  I do am a Thor fan, but not as deeply as I am a Spidey fan to passionately mind it.

One of my favorite 2015 comic book moments so far

Hours ago (as of writing), it was finally revealed that this new Thor is Jane Foster, and the first thought that came to my mind is --
NATALIE PORTMAN SHOULD DEFINITELY BECOME THE NEXT THOR IN THE MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE!

Natalie Portman – who plays Jane Foster in the MCU – is a smart, brilliant, Oscar-winning actress (and one my most favorite actresses ever).  When the first Thor movie came out, an observation made by some critics was that Portman was overqualified to play the role of a mere “love-interest character” as Jane Foster (and going gaga for Chris Hemsworth’s abs).  There was an understandable bafflement with Marvel’s casting choice.  Now, think about it: what if an actress of Portman’s caliber was cast for Jane Foster because the plan all along was for her to inherit the mantle of Thor from Chris Hemsworth?  Crazy, unlikely theory, I know, but there’s also some sense in it. 

Moreover, back in 2013, while being interviewed for Thor: Dark World, Portman teased:

“There are definitely many strong women [in the MCU], but it will be exciting when there is a central female character which I think is coming – I have heard is coming…”

Was she merely referring to the Captain Marvel movie (this was long before an official announcement)?  Was it just a coincidence that it was her that announced of “hearing” such project in the works?  Or could it be that she was already aware of Marvel’s plans for her character?  Was she already in talks of becoming the next MCU’s Thor?   Very intriguing questions.    

Regardless of it being Marvel’s plan or not, it’s something I really want to see.  I know that Hemsworth is at his peak right now, but, seriously, a choice between him continuing as Thor or seeing the female Thor – as to be portrayed by Portman – being adapted into the big screen is a no contest.  The latter scenario is just much more exciting!   (Besides Hemsworth could still hang around, but, as with the comics, he is no longer the central character, and instead of wielding Mjolnir, he would have Jarnbjorn as weapon.)   

If Natalie Portman’s Jane Foster becoming Thor isn’t actually in the plot of Thor: Ragnarok, well, it should be.  Make it happen, Marvel!    

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Sony Should Adapt 'Spider-Verse' to Revitalize Their 'Spider-Man' Franchise

Click to enlarge for this art’s full magnificence

The future of Sony’s The Amazing Spider-Man franchise is shaky and unclear after the unsatisfying performance of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 in both earnings and critical reception (for the record, personally, I still liked it despite its flaws.  But it was likely because of my extreme loyalty to Spider-Man).  It’s so “shaky and unclear” that rumors of Sony’s next step for their Spidey franchise range from insanely stupid ones like an “Aunt May” movie to insanely delightful ones like teaming up with Marvel Studios to bring Spidey to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  At this point, Sony is still unsure of where to go after ASM2.   

Well, if anybody from Sony can read this, I have this free, crazy suggestion for them to dramatically rejuvenate the franchise as early as possible: let them adapt the “Spider-Verse” storyline!

“Spider-Verse” is Dan Slott’s ongoing Spider-Man mega-event wherein different Spider-Men (and “spider” characters) from different universes band together to face the threat of Morlun and his kin, who are hunting and consuming people across the multiverse that belong to the “spider totem.”  I am currently enjoying it a lot so far, and I think that its premise could work well in making an epic Spidey movie.    

Sony should proceed with ASM3.  Keep the continuity of the first two Amazing Spider-Man movies, but abandon everything related to the “Sinister Six” or Oscorp.  Don’t mention anything about Oscorp or the Sinister Six anymore.  The movie will pick off Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man years after the last movie (the movie can start with a montage of short glimpses of his adventures during the gap between the movies).  Later, Morlun is introduced to the story.  Peter Parker has no idea where this new villain came from; let Morlun’s background be a mystery for a while.  The only thing that Peter knows is that Morlun wants to feed on his spider life force.  To get to Spider-Man, Morlun will threaten Peter’s love ones.  They fight.  Spider-Man experiences the toughest, deadliest fight of his career.  He wins; Morlun is seemingly vanquished.  After the denouement – in a post-credit scene – Spidey is swinging around New York, when, suddenly another Spider-Man swings and called out to him.  Astonished and startled, Garfield’s Spidey jumped to engage the second Spidey in battle.  After a brief skirmish, the newcomer Spidey was able to calm Garfield’s Spidey.  The second Spidey removes his mask, revealing the face of – dum-dum-dum – Tobey Maguire!  “The war is just starting,” Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man says.   Roll credits.  Two years later, The Amazing Spider-Man: Spider-Versehappens.                   

Wouldn’t that be mindblowing?

Aside from getting the chance to see Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man and Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man together, here are other awesome implications of a Spider-Verse movie, where different Spider-Men from different universes will team up:

• Andrew Garfield playing different Peter Parkers, a la Tatiana Maslany’s fantastic performance in Orphan Black.   There is no need for a lot of them (a big roster will probably me too crowded, too messy).  Three or four different Andrew Garfield-played Spider-Men is enough (as long as one of them is Spider-Man Noir). 
• Miles Morales and Miguel O’Hara in the big screen!  For me, “Spider-Verse” is the best approach of bringing these two alternate Spider-Men into the big screen.  I don’t think that a stand-alone Ultimate Spider-Man or Spider-Man 2099 movie will work just as well.   
• One of the players in “Spide-Verse” is “Spider-Gwen”, a Spider-Woman from an alternate universe where Gwen Stacy is the one bitten by the radioactive spider instead of Peter Parker.  Emma Stone killed as Gwen Stacy, and her returning to play an alternate spider-powered version of the character is going to be exciting. 
• A CGI Spider-Ham!!! 

If Sony really want to replicate what Marvel Studios has accomplished so far with the MCU, Spider-Verse is probably their best opportunity to do so.  They want an ensemble of superheroes like Marvel Studios’ Avengers?  Boom, a superhero team made up of different Spider-Men.  They want a shared universe?  Boom, they get a shared multiverse.  They want an answer to Rocket Raccoon?  Boom, Spider-Ham. 

$$$!      

Do it, Sony!

It’s ambitious, but if pulled off, “Spider-Verse” could turn out to be the most epic thing ever accomplished in the history of superhero movies.  

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'Young Justice' Season 3 Should Be Continued As a Comic Book

Post-Justice League Unlimited, there are three superhero animated TV series that I extremely liked:  Spectacular Spider-Man, The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, and Young Justice.   These three are also perfect examples of awesome, well-written TV animated series prematurely cancelled so that the networks can make room for way dumber, awfully-written cartoons that the producers can redirect their resources to, since these would actually prove to be more profitable for them.  All these three shows only had two seasons.  It’s so, so frustrating.     

Of course, I would love to have Season 3’s for all three of them.  But that is quite unlikely to happen in TV format.  But what about as a comic book series?  Smallville, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Angel had their respective subsequent seasons done as a comic book series after its TV conclusions/cancellations.  The unfinished tale of Samurai Jack is being continued now in a must-read ongoing comic book series from IDW.  Even the Firefly/Serenity story is being continued in a comic book mini-series.  Hence, it’s a plausible option.  But among these three – Spectacular Spider-Man, TheAvengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, and Young Justice – it is Young Justice which story I would love the most to get continued as a comic book series.

The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, short-lived as it may have been, had a definite finale.  It would be nice to have more of it if the series had not already provided a satisfactory conclusion.

Both Spectacular Spider-Man and Young Justice still have a lot of unresolved plot points.  But I think Spectacular Spider-Man won’t be as much action-packed and fun if it isn’t an animated series.  Josh Keaton voicing Peter Parker/Spidey is significantly part of its charm.  And the wacky, exciting action that Spectacularhas is fantastic in cartoon format.   Thus, I don’t think Spectacular Spider-Man would work as well in comic book format.  Any continuation should be done in a renewed season on TV (which, again, is unlikely to happen) or a direct-to-video animated movie.  Moreover, I don’t think Marvel can easily make a comic book series based on the animated series since, if I get it right, the show is partly owned by Sony (that’s why the show opted for Tombstone to serve as the “Big Man” crime boss, since the right for Wilson Fisk a.k.a. The Kingpin is with Fox at that time as part of its Daredevil licensing deal with Marvel.)    

I would like Young Justice’s Season 3 to be continued as a comic book since, among the three, it is the most likely to make the move from TV to comics and still retain most of the great quality it had from its original medium.  There’s also the fact that I like Young Justice best among the three.
   

Young Justice had everything: an exceptionally fresh and rich depiction of the DC universe; intense drama and action; interesting storylines; exciting plot twists; sharp and smart dialogue; wonderful animation; engaging characterizations; a great diversity of heroes and villains; and humor.   Its premise of a team of superhero sidekicks/teen superheroes that operates as a “junior” squad engaging in covert missions or serving as an auxiliary arm of the Justice League when required is perfectly executed, which resulted in an overwhelmingly awesome product.   I can’t find any other property that revolved itself around superhero sidekicks or teen superheroes – whether in comic books or TV or any other medium – that have been more delightful and enjoyable as Young Justice.     

Young Justice was overflowing of potential.  It could have been a second, fantastic DC animated universe in the making; could have become more awesome than the classic DC animated universe that Bruce Timm built and maintained (Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series, Justice League, Justice League Unlimited, Batman Beyond, etc.).  Other shows could have spun-off from it.  It’s a great waste of promise, really. 

The waste of the show’s awesome potential can no longer be fully recovered (unless the series and its universe are continued in TV or direct-to-video animated movies).  Still, some of it can be salvaged – at least as far as having the opportunity to give it a fitting end is concerned – by continuing its Season 3 as a comic book series.  In its finale, Nightwing has returned the leadership of the team to Aqualad and asked for a leave of absence; Wally West, a.k.a. Kid Flash, has seemingly perished by disappearing out of existence while saving the world alongside Flash and Impulse (the whole thing reminded me of Barry Allen’s sacrifice in “Crisis on Infinite Earths” in the comics.  Everybody thought that Allen was killed during the event, but his existence was merely displaced.  I theorize that this is also what happened to Kid Flash here, and that in Season 3, it would be revealed that he is still alive); Vandal Savage has taken control of Mongul’s War World and has allied the Light with Darkseid; Lex Luthor seems to be on his way on becoming UN Secretary General; and the “Team” is now stationed in the Watchtower, to work side-by-side with the Justice League.  Aside from tackling those details, there’s still a lot of the DC Universe to cover as material for future stories.   Moreover, the “Team” is likely to expand – other members will be promoted to the Justice League, and new faces will join – to keep the roster diverse, fresh, and engaging. 

So that’s why a Young Justice Season 3 needs to happen.  If not as an actual series continuation on TV, then at least as a comic book.  Make it happen, DC!  Please?

Seriously, DC, don't deny me the reunion of Artemis and Wally.  Don't be cruel.

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Insane Theory: Kobe and Pau Will Go to the New York Knicks

Could this variant 2K10 cover become a reality after all?

When Rick Fox, in his interview with Larry King, said that he thinks Kobe will go to New York if he really thinks that is the best place for him to win another championship, I started thinking about how likely or sensible that would be.   At first, it sounded real absurd to me.  But as I continue to contemplate about it, the scenario started to look a little less crazy and have some plausibility.    

Let’s have a little thought experiment…

It will all start with the Knicks signing Pau Gasol at a discount this off-season.  If the Knicks ever get to sign Pau Gasol,  there will now be three guys in the Knicks organization that have been Kobe’s comrades in winning championships for the Lakers: Pau, Phil Jackson (the Knicks’ new chief executive), and Derek Fisher (which has been recently recruited by Phil to be the Knicks’ new head coach).   Kobe immensely likes and respects these three.  For Kobe, they are people who know how to win championships.    

Now, if the Lakers fail to assemble a team that can contend for the championship, and knowing Kobe’s impatience and hardheadedness, this might lead to Kobe demanding again to be traded.  He would look at Gasol, Jackson, and Fisher there with the Knicks and might see it as the desirable place to be, for he will be around people that, for him, have already proven to be capable of winning.   

That’s just how Kobe thinks. This is the guy who refuses to talk to a teammate until he has proven himself a winner.  This is the guy who would prefer to trade Andrew Bynum for Jason Kidd back in ’05.  This is the guy that would loudly demand a trade when unsatisfied and in doubt of management’s dedication to win.  Kobe is a smart guy, but when it comes to this stuff, his impatience and emotions get the better of him – he won’t be able to think with some forethought.    

Kobe won’t consider the fact that Jackson is an unproven, rookie executive; Fisher is an unproven, rookie coach; and Pau is no longer in his prime.  He would see them as guys that had won championships with him.  And that’ll be enough for him to believe that these guys still have what it takes to win again.  This presumption would make the Knicks a very desirable place for him to go. 

More so if Carmelo Anthony is convinced to stay with the Knicks.  Kobe likes Carmelo.  Going to the Knicks will become more attractive for Kobe because of ‘Melo.  This could also work the other way.  Carmelo, brought into the knowledge that the Knicks will trade for Kobe, might readily decide to stay.     

  

Of course, the Lakers won’t really trade Kobe Bryant no matter how strongly he demands it.  This has happened before; they had opted to keep him, and after a season or two later, they won the championship again.  Still, if the Lakers see that the only card left to play to become contenders again is to trade Kobe, they would do it.  Both parties will get what they want.  Maybe the Lakers would realize that for them to get Carmelo Anthony/LeBron James and Kevin Love/Kyrie Irving, there will be a need to let Kobe’s contract go.  Maybe choose to trade Kobe for Carmelo (via sign-and-trade) or, if they don’t want ‘Melo, some of ‘Melo’s teammates that would be waived later.   Or they can choose to keep ‘Melo and pair him with Love/Kyrie… or proceed to waive ‘Melo (and the Knicks will pick him up again) and go for LeBron and Love/Irving (or a multi-team deal, involving trading Kobe to New York, that will have the same effect).  I’m bad at these technicalities, so pardon me.  The point is: a desperate Laker front office would trade Kobe to the Knicks if he asks for it and if it’s the only option that will significantly benefit the organization’s own rebuilding.    

These are merely insane speculations, of course, in my part.  And it’s very interesting to think of it happening, actually (in fact, it’s not the first time I’ve thought of Kobe joining the Knicks).  Still, as a Laker fan, my primary preference is always for Kobe to retire as a Laker.  Also with Pau.  If they will win another championship, I would love them to do it in purple and gold.

But I have to admit.  My loyalty will have a very complicated dilemma if Kobe and Pau will go to the Knicks.  Kobe was a major reason how I became a Laker fan.  I also have great fondness for Pau Gasol, Phil Jackson, and Derek Fisher – they were among the Laker personalities that I had developed affection for since they were significant contributors during the Lakers’ glory days.   Another major reason I began to love the Lakers is because of their legacy and history.  But they were, in a way, anchored on the great Dr. Jerry Buss, but with him now dead, his son and successor, Jim Buss, has never proven yet that he is capable of living up to and continuing that legacy.  If Kobe leaves the Lakers, the only worthwhile Laker personalities that will be left on the organization will be Mitch Kupchak and Jeanie Buss.  And I don’t have enough affection for them to keep me completely loyal to the Lakers.  Sure, I will remain a Laker fan.  But I’ll probably be rooting for both Lakers and Knicks.  I will have my loyalties split. 

                                            

That’s why I hope that Kobe and Pau will not go to the Knicks.  And this insane theory will be just that… an insane theory.  I don’t want it to be an actual reality.  I don’t want to be put in that situation wherein I will have my loyalty to the Lakers challenged. 

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A 'Captain Marvel' Movie Should Be the Priority in Marvel Studios' Phase 3

An argument for a Captain Marvel movie

Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, and Hulk.  They (despite of Hulk lacking a thriving franchise right now) are the implicit “Big 4” of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  And they are all males.  Now, there is nothing wrong with that.  But it emits some feeling of insufficiency and imbalance.  Therefore, addressing the gender inequality by including a female presence among that pantheon is very much welcome. 

After Ant-Man, Marvel should prioritize making a movie headlined by a superheroine.

The MCU now has Scar-Jo’s awesome Black Widow.  I love the super-spy Black Widow.  But, in my opinion, despite of the character’s successful, kickass live-action depiction, she doesn’t quite make the cut for a solo movie.  Black Widow, awesome she may be, is a character that doesn’t really have the qualities to establish herself in the same page as the MCU’s Big 4.  A “Black Widow” movie might turn out to be cool, but it won’t measure up with the Captain America, Iron Man, or Thor movies; we need a superheroine movie that would measure up with those successful superhero franchises.     

So we need a female character that can be as big as the Big 4.  Someone that can make it a “Big 5.”  She not only need to be as smart and skilled as Black Widow – again, those qualities are unfortunately not enough – but she need to be in the same power level with the Hulk and Thor, must have the leadership potency of Captain America, and is as savvy and competent as Iron Man.  In short, she should be a clear equal to these Big 4. 

And there is only one obvious, logical choice: Carol Danvers a.k.a. Captain Marvel.     

Captain Marvel has emerged as one of my most favorite female characters in fiction ever, and I’ve always wanted her become part of the MCU. 

She is a phenomenal character.   She is super-strong and super-durable that she will have no trouble fighting against or fighting with the Hulk (in fact, in a recent Avengers issue, she even threw Hulk from space to serve as a powerful projectile).  She can fly in super-fast speeds and even in outer space, so Iron Man has nothing on her in terms of aerial combat and mobility.   She can project photonic blasts and absorb energy to augment her own power; so if Thor hit her with lightning, she can just absorb it, and return the force back at him as a blast of light energy.  And like Captain America, she also has military background; and due to this, she is also a proficient pilot (something she is very proud of), a well-trained combatant, and a competent strategist.  She’s a perfect equal to the Big 4.   She is truly deserving of headlining a movie.         

Moreover, she can be the “bridge” between the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy, considering that she just recently joined the GotG’s present line-up (along with Venom), making her a member of both teams.  Bringing Captain Marvel to the MCU now makes more sense.  She can be part of the eventual expansion of the GotG roster in the Guardians of the Galaxy sequel and then be in the line-up of Avengers 3 – that would be awesome.     

At the present, Marvel is way ahead of DC in the movie-making battle.   But if Marvel still manage to make a Captain Marvel movie before DC can make a Wonder Woman movie, then that would not only be another big victory for Marvel, but that would also seem like a massive slap to the face of DC for it would demonstrate again how they still can’t properly bring their act together.  That would be really funny.  Even if the sole reason for making a Captain Marvel movie is this fine chance to mess up with DC further, then that should be worth it already.     

Mar-vell should be in the movie, but he should NOT be the first “Captain Marvel”

In the comics, the original “Captain Marvel” superhero was a Kree alien warrior named Mar-vell.  Carol Danvers became acquainted with him.  One day, she was abducted by Yon-Rogg, an alien enemy of Mar-vell.  Mar-vell went to the rescue, but during that clash, Yon-Rogg’s “psyche-magnetron” device got damaged and exploded.  Mar-vell and Carol was caught in the blast, and the particle bombardment from the explosion altered Carol’s genetic structure: Mar-vell’s Kree DNA got embedded onto Carol.  As a result, Carol gained Kree powers and she adopted the superhero name, “Ms. Marvel.” 

That can basically serve as the framework of the movie’s own origin sequence.  But there should be two major differences.  First, Mar-vell should have his Kree warrior background intact, but he should not be a superhero going along with a superhero name of “Captain Marvel.”   Second, Mar-vell should die due to that blast that gave Carol her powers. 

For the sake of this movie, the “Captain Marvel” superhero name should be taken by Carol Danvers immediately, unlike in the comics where she went with “Ms. Marvel” for a time before choosing to adopt the “Captain Marvel” mantel to honor the name’s original bearer.  Sure, the movie’s narrative can point out that the origin of the “Captain Marvel” name is attributed to a pun of “Mar-vell” (in fact, it is a good approach to do so), but Carol should be set up as the first Captain Marvel.  That would be to the advantage of everything in this movie, for it would establish Carol Danvers as the one and only “Captain Marvel” and not just a successor.        

In the comics, Mar-vell would eventually end up dead anyway (that’s why Carol got the chance to get the “Captain Marvel’ name for herself).   Therefore, keeping Mar-vell around in the movie’s story beyond the sequence wherein Carol gained her powers would serve no purpose at all.  So it’s better to kill him off after using him as the plot device that would give Carol her powers.  Moreover, his death could also serve as Carol’s “Uncle Ben” moment, i.e. the catalyst that would compel her to become a superhero.      

The iconic Ms. Marvel costume should make a brief, early appearance.  But Carol should NOT initially go with a “Ms. Marvel” superhero name. 

      

Again, it is imperative and useful to the narrative for Carol Danvers to immediately go into the “Captain Marvel” name.  Therefore, there is no need for her to debut as “Ms. Marvel” first.  Maybe the “Ms. Marvel” name can be given a fleeting mention during the part wherein she and/or the people around her are contemplating what superhero name she can go with.  But she shouldn’t be a “Ms. Marvel” first and then go with “Captain Marvel” later on; Carol Danvers should be “Captain Marvel” right from the start of her superhero career.      

Nonetheless, Carol Danver’s “Ms. Marvel” career has been pretty popular with fans.  Thus, it would be much appreciated if a good reference to it is made.  The best way is for Carol to be given the opportunity to wear the Ms. Marvel attire in the early part of the movie wherein her Captain Marvel appearance is not yet made definite.  Fans would go crazy.

(Also, the Ms. Marvel costume was hot.  And seeing this in live-action depiction would be a delight.)   

The actress for the role

I prefer a young, capable, and charming actress – someone in her 20’s – to play the part.  We would need an actress that would remain appealing in a span of around ten years of movies – something like three Captain Marvel movies, two Guardians of the Galaxy movies, and two Avengers movies.  I don’t have someone specific in mind at the moment though.      

Seriously, would love to see something like this in live-action:

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My Modern "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" Fantasy

Alan Moore’s League of Extraordinary Gentlemen is one of the most uniquely conceived superhero teams ever.  Why?  Because it’s a team consisting of characters from classic Victorian literature, and that is a brilliant and original concept.  Then, in their adventures, they would also encounter scenarios, elements, and antagonists derived from literature.  Pure genius.      

That’s why – as a thought experiment – hypothetically constructing out a modern reincarnation of the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (LXG) concept is a lot of fun.  It has been done and discussed in a lot of forums in the Internet.  Now, I want to share my own ideas.  I will be discussing here my dream line-up for a modern LXGteam, the recurring characters they would encounter, and the villains of the story.

But, first, I used these guidelines:

1. It shall be made up of characters from modern novels.  Sure, these guys have been portrayed in comics, movies and/or TV shows already, but their original debuts and depiction were in books.  Thus, characters that have been originally from comics, movies, and TV – even if they were later on depicted in books – were disqualified for consideration.  This is for the purpose of conforming to the original model of LXG – a team made up of characters from literature.
2. For the purpose of conceptualizing this modern LXG, the definition of “modern” here is from 90’s to the present.  Thus, the characters and literary elements considered are those that are relevant during that given period or have appeared in books printed during that period.  
3. The characters should have existed – in their respective narratives – sometime during the modern period.  Thus, those characters from novels that were set in the past or future are disqualified.  Just as the original LXG characters could “realistically” encounter each other due to existing in the same time period (Victorian Era), so will the characters of this modern LXG.  (Pity, Katniss Everdeen would have been a fine addition to this team.  Of course, if using “time travel” is allowed…) 
4. The original LXG team has been mostly British, since literature of that era was dominated by the British.  At the present, like all aspects of pop culture, America dominates modern literature.  However, to be as close to the original “feel” of the team as possible, a significant amount of priority was given on characters from British literature to be in my line-up.  Still, a lot of members are Americans (or have American origins).
5. The roster of my modern LXG is small-sized, just like the original.  The original had five.  The movie had seven.  I will up the notch a bit.  My fantasy team will have eight (at most) at a time.  (What do I mean by “at a time”?  Read on to see what I mean) 
6. This is, first and foremost, a presentation of which modern literary characters will appear in the story, and NOT at all a full discussion of the story itself.  I don’t have a complete and organized plot and narrative in mind.    I have ideas on how some things will turn out, but I have no idea on how it would get there.  All I have are some vague story details, which I will share in connection to the characters.  

THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN

The initial line-up is going to be composed of Artemis Fowl (Artemis Fowlseries by Eoin Colfer), Lisbeth Salander (Millennium trilogy by Stieg Larsson), Odd Thomas (Odd Thomas series by Dean Koontz), Neville Longbottom (Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling), Ronald Deschain (The Dark Tower series by Stephen King), Iorek Byrnison (His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman), Henry DeTamble (The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger) and Edward Cullen (Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer).  Later on, one of the original members (continue reading to know who it would be) will leave and will be replaced by Abraham Lincoln (Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith).         

A 12-year old Artemis Fowl (maybe, even 14 at most; an older Artemis than that, the boy-leader charm could be lost) is going to be the leader of this team.  As the mastermind, the success of the team is dependent on his planning and schemes.  And I intend for this team to be almost invincibly successful.  Artemis will be able to put every detail and contingencies into consideration while formulating his flawless strategies; he will be steps ahead of everyone most of the time, and would make use of his team members efficiently.  Even when it appears that Artemis made a mistake or had failed, it will be revealed later on that that “mistake” or “failure” has been part of his general plan all along.  Oh, there will be times there will be legit setbacks and real mistakes, but Artemis will be able to figure out a way to bounce back with a vengeance and adjust his tactics. 

The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo, Lisbeth Salander, shall be the tortured and sole female of the group (as what Mina Harker was in the original LXG).  Though Artemis Fowl is already a very capable hacker, he will assign all the hacking and tech stuff to Lisbeth.  Lisbeth will be the “intelligence officer” of the team.  But her information gathering is not solely dependent on her hacking.   As what was depicted in the books and movies, she is also very capable in doing physical, investigative legwork.  She will be constantly on the go on her bike.  She will be extremely dogged in doing her work, capable of doing everything to get what she wants – even conducting atrocious deeds like blackmail and ruthless torture.    

As what Spider-Man (Peter Parker) was with the Avengers, so will Odd Thomas' role be on my fantasy LXG.  He will be the most moral and charming of the group, as well as the funniest and most talkative (thus, the guy we would all love).  He will be constantly blabbing out witty comments, wisecracks, and random trivia.  His ability to see ghosts and ability to be psychically drawn to people he wishes to find will come invaluable to the team; he will be doing most of the detective work – with the help of the clues provided by ghosts – to help the team connect the dots.  As Elvis and Frank Sinatra became Odd’s ghost companions in America (in the books), his regular ghost companions (since he’ll be in London when this team is assembled) shall be Sir Winston Churchill, Queen Victoria, and the deceased Beatles (he would also encounter other ghosts of famous British and European people).  Being a sort of detective, Odd will be constantly paired with Lisbeth on missions.  Odd’s warm, witty, and chatty personality and Lisbeth’s dark, anti-social personality will definitely clash when they are together – with Odd annoying Lisbeth constantly with his constant gabbing, but Odd remaining good-natured  even when Lisbeth lashes at him or ignore him – and that would make some awesome entertaining moments.  There will be no romance between them, but there will be heavy romantic chemistry.           

  

I consider Hermione Granger and Luna Lovegood first (because there’s no way Harry Potter is going to be on my team.  He’s okay, but he’s not the most interesting character in his own series) to serve as the magician figure of this team, but I feel that Neville Longbottom is going to be a better fit.  And the more I consider it, the more I felt that he’s perfect for a roster spot.  My version of Neville is of him being an adult already, and is now a badass Auror.  Not only is he a powerful wand wielder, but he has also figured out a way to summon the Sword of Gryffindor at will and is highly adept in using it.     

Roland Deschain (making the connection between Roland Deschain and Britain is easy, considering the significance of Arthurian legend to Roland’s background and reality) and Iorek Byrnison shall be the badass “big guns” of this team.  The two of them would be doing the most damage when the modern LXG finally found themselves in combat.  Whenever they enter a room, a huge bodypile will sure to happen.  Here’s how it will go: In one of his looped journeys (this could be even his last trip) to the Dark Tower (since, on the way, he travels through different realities because of informal interlaps between them) Roland, the last gunslinger, will find himself lost in the reality that the bear king, Iorek Byrnison, is in.  After getting acquainted with each other (maybe even after a minor skirmish between them), they would be drawn towards a dimensional door that would send them both to modern London.  And since the two of them are both not of this world and being both hardened warriors – and Iorek seeing the obvious similarity between his late comrade-at-arms, Lee Scorseby, with Roland – the two of them will easily bond with each other better than with the rest of the team. 

Henry DeTamble, who has the ability to time travel but has no control of it, won’t be a regular help to the team.  But I still find his inclusion in my fantasy LXG fascinating.  There’s a potential for narrative brilliance when his unique ability is properly explored and exploited.  The least contribution he can do for the overall flow of the story is providing some funny moments, with his sudden time travelling and appearing out of nowhere naked (since whenever he time travels, the clothes that he is wearing can’t come with him).  And, at most, when the story focuses on him, he can provide for some interesting, unique and dynamic narrative.  Also, Artemis Fowl will surely find a way to efficiently make use of him.  I don’t know yet how it will be so, but I believe he will be the most important part in the success of this modern LXG – both in the sense of the team’s adventures and the actual product.

The inclusion of Edward Cullen in this line-up has surely come as a surprise for you.  Now, don’t get me wrong.  I despise Twilight.  It’s horrible.  But there’s no denying the fact that it is a huge literary and cultural impact. Heck, it’s one of the top 10 most bestselling books in history.  So it makes sense to include a character from it.  Besides, despite how lame and terribly emo the portrayal of Edward is, he’s still a vampire.  Thus, he can rip lungs out and break necks with ease.  He has superhuman strength, speed, and senses.  On top of that, he is a telepath.  If Edward Cullen is written properly, he can be a legit interesting and badass vampire character.  He can crush trucks, move faster than a human eye can follow, and can read minds.  Surely, he is a bonafide asset on my modern LXG team.     

It was revealed at the end of the book (Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter) that the President Abraham Lincolndid not actually perish after being assassinated.  He has gained immortality by being transformed into a vampire.  And since his transformation, he has continued slaying evil vampires up into modern times.  A vampire plot, originating in London, to enslave humanity will bring Lincoln to Britain.  Lincoln will then be joining the team after the departure of one of the original members.   And, yes, Honest Abe is going to be with his trademark customized shotgun-axe.      

RECURRING CHARACTERS

I first consider Hannibal Lecter (from Red Dragon, Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal, and Hannibal Rising by Thomas Harris) to become part of the team, and then as a main villain.  But both didn’t feel right.  And then I thought of making him a “third party” – neither part of the LXG nor a villain – recurring character.  And that’s the best option.  Sure, Hannibal’s terrifying cannibalism will remain a part of him in this story, but, just like in the books, he will only murder and eat those that have caused offense on him – and almost all of those that fit that description (as what have been described in the books) are unlikable d-bags that deserve to die anyway.  He will have a villainous nature, but only bad guys will suffer his villainy.  The LXG will initially go up against Lecter, but he will prove to be an intellectual superior to Artemis Fowl.  However, Lecter won’t be a real villain to the team, but rather will “point out” to them a deeper and bigger evil that they need to address.  Eventually, the LXG and Lecter will have an informal truce.  And though he would remain a target for the LXG, he will be an invaluable indirect ally and benefactor to the LXG, occasionally. 

I also figure that Robert Langdon (from Angels & Demons, The Da Vinci Code, The Lost Symbol, and Infernoby Dan Brown) will be an ally to the LXG.  He will provide some important information to the team from time to time.  In the story, during the recruitment phase of the team, Langdon will be considered for it, but will eventually get a pass.            

The badass CIA spook John Clark (from Tom Clancy’s “Ryanverse” books) shall be responsible for the creation of this modern LXG.  He will be the “Nick Fury” to this modern LXG’s Avengers.   As the leader of Rainbow Six – a group of elite soldiers from different nations – which is stationed in the UK, John Clark will find himself given the responsibility (maybe by Sir Basil, UK’s head spook in the “Ryanverse”) to create a superhero task force that would deal with rising cases of supernatural matters.  He will be the one – with the help of Artemis Fowl – doing the recruitment of the team.  He will also be briefly training them.  In exceptional instances, he will even come along with the team in some of their adventures.  Clark is the LXG’s government connection, and Artemis Fowl reports to him.              

I really, really want Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games trilogy by ) to be part of this for she is probably the strongest female character conceived in recent literature.  Maybe Henry DeTamble can meet her during his time travelling trips.  And heavy implications of Katniss becoming a member of the LXG someday (through time travel maybe) will be constantly given in every time she appears in the story

THE MAIN VILLAINS

After the LXG obtained and enjoyed their early, initial success – like stopping an evil corporation or society from mass producing Monster Blood (from Goosebumps by R.L. Stine) or releasing a “Captain Trips” (from The Stand by Stephen King) bio-weapon to the world or causing a zombie apocalypse (with heavy allusions to World War Z used); and having an adventure in Isla Nublar (the land of dinosaurs in Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton) – they would be facing their first real juggernaut threat: Pennywise(from It by Stephen King) and Bellatrix Lestrange (from Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling), resurrected (don’t ask me how) and teaming up for some massacre (not just murder, but massacre) sprees, mayhem, and terror.  Harry Potter and Percy Jackson will team up to initially face of the two villains, but would be brutally annihilated.  The LXG, of course, will be the ones saving the day, but with extreme effort. 

       

Then, as typical of the LXG, one of the original members will betray the team in the start of the second volume of the story, and will be the central villain.  That traitor will turn out to be an insane Edward Cullen (after Bella had an affair with Jacob Black, and left him), who has been only helping out with the LXG in saving the world so that he can conquer it himself.  All along, he has been the secret mastermind behind the vampire plot of conquering the world, and enslaving humans like cattle.  He has planned to do it one nation at a time, and decided to start with the UK.  It will enforce the fact, that as a general rule, vampires are corrupted, evil, and frightening, and NOT at all cute.  The mad vampire, Edward Cullen, will gather his vampire army, which he has been amassing through the years, in London.  His important subordinates will consist of different vampire characters from recent vampire novels – like Lestat Lioncourt and other vampires from Anne Rice’s vampire novels, vampires from The Southern Vampire mysteries by Charlaine Harris (to be honest, I have no idea of the mythos of this series.  I only know of it as the series in which the TV series True Blood is based from.  And I haven’t seen one episode of it), etc.  Moreover, it will be revealed that Cullen has been able to make himself the master of the terrifying soul-sucking Dementors (from Harry Potter), who will answer to his every command.  After his betrayal of and departure from the team, that’s when Abraham Lincoln will come in and take his place.  Then, in the epic final battle  between the LXG and their allies versus Edward Cullen’s evil army, Edward Cullen will perish after being simultaneously struck down by Abraham Lincoln and Neville Longbottom (Abe severs Cullen’s head with his axe, while at the same time, Neville severs Cullen’s trunk with the Sword of Gryffindor).

LMAO!  That’s one heck of a crazy and wild take on a modern League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.  Nonetheless, if ever, by some absurd miracle, what I ranted above becomes a reality, I will definitely be the first in line to buy the collected volume of this comicbook series (or the first to download each issue). 

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Top 20 Characters I Want to Become Avengers

This was inevitable.  I’ve been doing top 10 lists in this site for about three years now.  And I knew there would come a time I would encounter a topic that would require more than ten spots to be a more fun and effective list.  I think it’s time to set that precedence.  I’m in the mood to do the first Top 20 of this blog.     

The Avengers celebrates its 50^thanniversary this year.  And since the Avengers is a significant nerd property that I’m greatly fond of, I want to kind of commemorate it by making this list of characters I would love to see become members of an Avengers roster in the near future.

       

The assembling of an Avengers’ team (with the roster usually made official by a press conference), especially the induction of first-time members, has always been thrilling.  Take for example the current Avengers main team (though it hasn’t made any press conference) which is made up of several first-timers (and with heroes like Hulk, Thor, Hyperion, and Captain Universe in it, it’s probably the most powerful Avengers team yet!), thus, it has the potential for significant surprises in character developments and, by extension, storylines.  For all we know, Cannonball can bloom into becoming the next Captain America (as leader). 

Moreover, half of the current number of active Avengers – those of the main Avengers team, the Avengers Unity Squad (“Uncanny Avengers” – the only current Avenger team that had a press conference), and the new “New Avengers” team (it seems those of the present “Secret Avengers” still doesn’t count?  And, of course, the “Dark Avengers” has never been really considered real Avengers.  Moreover, what of this upcoming “Avengers A.I” team? I doubt that the “Avengers” in that team name really gives the team members official Avengers membership, just as it is with “Young Avengers” and “Dark Avengers”.  The upcoming incarnation of the “Mighty Avengers” are likely to have a legitimate and official Avengers status though) – are mutants!  Considering this refreshing trend, about half of the spots on this list go to mutants.  I initially considered making a respective ten for non-mutants and mutants before deciding to make a full 20 instead.    

My picks here are those characters that have never been part of an Avengers team before, thus, if they obtain membership, it’s going to be their first time as Avengers.   

20.) ANOTHER MYTHOLOGICAL DEITY

First was Thor.  Then, Hercules.  And, in mid-2000’s, it was Ares.  Marvel Comics has made superheroes out of popular gods of mythology and turned them into Avengers (and aside from mythological gods, there was also Sersi, an Avenger based on the mythological character “Circi”).  I think it’s time for Marvel to introduce another superhero based on a mythological deity.  If they go with an Olympian, my choice is Artemis or Zeus.  However, the most interesting idea is for a god from Egyptian mythology this time to become an Avenger.  The Egyptian mythological gods – the Heliopolitans – have already been established in the Marvel Universe (see illustration above).  Marvel just has to pick one that has the potential to develop into awesomeness.  My personal pick?  Anubis or Sekhmet.

19.) HUMAN TORCH

The original Human Torch, the android Jim Hammond, has already been an Avenger.  But not the Fantastic Four’s Human Torch, Johnny Storm.   The rest of the Fantastic Four has become Avengers at some point, while Johnny has never been one (sure, he was part of the Anti-Registrations’ so-called “Secret Avengers” during the Civil War, but that doesn’t count as an official Avengers membership).  I think it’s only fair that he also gets an Avengers gig like his Fantastic Four teammates. 

18.) SASQUATCH

Aside from Wolverine, there has been no sometime Alpha Flight superhero that has become an Avenger.  Someone from Alpha Flight becoming an Avenger seems unlikely considering that Alpha Flight is supposed to be Canada’s version of the Avengers.  Still, if it’s going to happen, who I want it to be is Sasquatch; because he looks like a kickass mash-up of Chewbacca and the Hulk.

17.) A YOUNG AVENGER OR AN AVENGERS ACADEMY ALUMNUS

Isn’t that what they were meant for?  To graduate from the “minor leagues” and become official Avengers?  

If I remember it right, Stature is the only Young Avenger that has been able to become an Avenger.  The rest just got honorary memberships, which is not the same thing as becoming an official Avenger.  But Stature is already dead; while Hawkeye (Kate Bishop), Speed, Wiccan, and Hulkling are the Young Avengers that deserve to be official Avengers already (those four are the only ones I believe to be deserving of promotion.  The other Young Avengers – original and new?  Not yet.).  

   

How about those that have graduated from Avengers Academy (who are currently fighting to the death a la Battle Royal/Hunger Games with other young heroes)?  The purpose of the Academy is to make these youths with aptitudes to become supervillains become heroes instead, and to eventually become Avengers someday.  So at least one of them should become an Avenger soon after these “Hunger Games” event among teenage heroes.   

    

Even if they are still teenagers (they have been teenager for years now, Marvel.  When will you make them grow up?), that should not stop them from being part of an Avengers roster.  In fact, having teenage superheroes interact with adult superheroes in one Avengers team is guaranteed for some interesting developments and generation gap clashes.

16.) SILVER SURFER

Too cosmic and powerful to fit with an Avengers team?  Maybe. But Quasar had been an Avenger, and Captain Universe, who could be the most cosmic of everything cosmic, is currently a member.  Would love for the Surfer to hang out for a while with the team.  And think about this, Surfer was a member of the Defenders before.  Does that sound okay with you?  The Silver Surfer had been a Defender but hasn’t been an Avenger yet?

15.) RED SHE-HULK

To be honest, Red She-Hulk hasn’t won me over yet (Marvel is getting crowded with Hulks.  At my last count, there are at least six Hulks out there).  But I’m intrigued that she has her own ongoing solo series right now.  Then, there must be something special about her.  I’m too lazy to check out her comicbook, and would rather evaluate her as an Avenger.  Three Hulks – Hulk, She-Hulk, and Red Hulk – have been Avengers already.  And a Hulk in the Avengers had always been fun.  So having her in the Avengers is the best situation to see what makes her stand out from the other Hulks.  Moreover, it would surely boost Red She-Hulk’s superhero value if she becomes an Avenger.  

14.) GHOST RIDER

Ghost Rider, though more fit at going solo than being on a team, has been part of teams as well, like the Champions.  However, the thought of him part of an Avengers roster is very intriguing.  At first thought, it seems that Ghost Rider would be so out of place with the Avengers – which what actually makes the thought of him becoming an Avenger intriguing.  Because he will be constantly creeping out his teammates.

11.) to 13.) CYCLOPS, MAGNETO, & EMMA FROST

In the aftermath of “AvX”, these three X-Men are no longer in good terms with the rest of the superhero community.  As far as other supeheroes are concerned – including the other X-Men (those that support Wolverine after the schism in the X-Men) – Cyclops, Magneto, and Emma Frost are not “superheroes” anymore but “criminals.” 

The thought here is simple; this is how I fantasize how their path to redemption would turn out – they will be compelled to become part of the Avengers Unity Squad, i.e. the Uncanny Avengers.

Would be a lot of fun to see Scott (Cyclops), who is used to giving out orders as a leader, now has to follow the orders of his brother, Alex (Havok).  But I picture that Scott would eventually take the leadership role in the long run. 

Also, Magneto and Emma Frost as Avengers!  How simultaneously awesome and ridiculous is that thought?!

10.) MR. IMMORTAL

Mr. Immortal is the leader of the so-called “Great Lakes Avengers”, a superhero team made up of oddball superheroes.  But how would Mr. Immortal fare as an actual Avenger?  In my opinion, he would add a lot of fun to the dynamics of the team and would become a fan favorite.  Really.  I am serious. He can be that. 

I am not saying he will become an important member.  What I mean is he will make reading an Avengers book more fun and entertaining.   What do I mean by that?  Well, can you remember the humorous element of whenever an Avengers roster that has Wolverine in it is ambushed?  The other Avengers would be able to block or dodge the attacks, but Wolverine would be caught by the ambush and get hit “lethally.”  Of course, nothing is really lethal with Logan since he has a trademark healing factor.  But those occurrences gave some minor laughs.       

Now picture that same thing happening with Mr. Immortal in the roster instead of Wolverine.  Whenever the Avengers get ambushed, they would be able to dodge or block the attacks with the exception of Mr. Immortal, who will get “killed.”   But since Mr. Immortal’s power is immortality, he would only come back to life fully regenerated whenever he gets killed in this ambush.  And then he gets killed again as soon as he rises up and joins the fray.  So with this, the whole thing would absolutely be hilarious instead of just funny (as with Wolverine).

9.) PHIL COULSON

Yes, Coulson is a member of the current Secret Avengers incarnation, but as I’ve mentioned in the intro, this current Secret Avengers seems to carry no official Avengers status at all (although there are Avengers members in it, they operate as a S.H.I.E.L.D. black ops arm rather than as the Avengers’ black ops team).  It would be really awesome for this fan-beloved badass character to be given an actual Avengers membership – to be a normal, non-superhero black-suited spook standing in the same page with costumed superheroes.

8.) MAN-THING

Here’s another character that seemingly won’t fit with the Avengers at all.  However, if you have read Man-Thing’s stint with the Thunderbolts/Dark Avengers in the comics, you might observe what I had observed about the character – he looks good in a team after all.  Besides, the Avengers would find Man-Thing’s teleporting ability (which can even allow him to open doors to other dimensions and realities) extremely beneficial to the team.

7.) MORPH

The original Morph character didn’t debut on comics.  He has only been exclusively featured in the X-Men animated TV series back in the 90’s.  Morph has yet to appear in Marvel’s main continuity, the Earth-616 Universe (though the concept for the character was originally used on a character named “Changeling”). 

However, the comicbooks does have a Morph, but the character originated from the Earth-1081 reality.  He became part of the Exiles, a superhero team composed of different heroes from different realites – usually X-Men or have some connections with the X-Men – that travels across the Marvel Multiverse to fix the errors in each continuity’s reality.  Morph, because of being a badass despite of usually clowning around, easily became the fan favorite of the team.  The original Morph, from the TV series, has the ability to perfectly mimic the appearance of other people, a la Mystique; while the comics’ Morph’s ability is to shapeshift his into various forms, only limited by his imagination, and his mimicries are not of perfect copy but of the same parodied kind of quality that Genie, of Walt Disney’s Aladdin, does.  In his own reality, Morph is both a member of the X-Men and the Avengers.        

Morph is a really cool and fun character; would really love him to become an expat in Marvel’s main continuity and earn an Avengers membership in it, just as he did in his home reality.

6.) HOWARD THE DUCK

Seriously.  This rude, cynical, ill-tempered, and gabby duck should be an Avenger.  He would be more than a mascot-member since he is actually capable in a fight.  I believe that he can do to the Avengers what Rocket Raccoon has done to the Guardians of the Galaxy.

5.) SCARLET SPIDER

Right now, he is a more likable character than the current Spider-Man (ugh).  These days, I enjoy reading a Scarlet Spider comicbook more than a Spider-Man book (because my animosity for the whole Superior Spider-Man concept – Doc Ock taking over Peter Parker’s body – prevents me from objectively judging with certainty the quality of a Superior Spider-Man issue).  The character development and premise (a darker, grittier Spider-Man; “All of the power, none of the responsibility” slogan) of the Scarlet Spider has been delightful so far.  He should be given an Avengers membership as a reward for being terrific.   

4.) MULTIPLE MAN

Jamie Madrox’s ability to create duplicates (or “dupes”) of himself has always been one of my most favorite superpowers.  Each dupe that Jamie creates has his own independent will and thought, can have his own experiences, and can even limitedly create his own dupes; but is nonetheless emphatically linked to the main Jamie.  Whenever Jamie absorbs back a dupe, he will also absorb the dupe’s memories, knowledge, and skills. Pretty cool, eh?  (Naruto has this power, too.  But I first encountered this ability is with Multiple Man). 

I believe that if the Multiple Man becomes an Avenger, the opportunity is more available for a storyline that would put the character and the utilization of his superpower into a whole new level of awesomeness.

3.) LOKI

Heel-face turns have always been dramatic.  And the Avengers organization has always been ready to welcome with open arms any reformed villains among their ranks; by making them Avengers, they help them in their path to redemption.  Now, what can be more dramatic than Loki becoming an Avenger?

Loki is arguably the Avengers’ most important antagonist, for it was because of clashing with him that the Avengers first banded together.  The Avenger’s most important antagonist becoming an Avenger is going to be a major game-changer, and I completely dig the idea.  

I’m not expecting him to have a total change of heart.  It is even more interesting if he remains narcissistic, power-loving and mischievous, but is totally sincere as an Avenger – his reasons and goals could be selfish, but not necessarily totally evil and harmful.  If ever he becomes an Avenger, his tenure should be lengthy.  Besides, since the current incarnation of Loki – Kid Loki – is already aligned with good anyway (he is a current member of the Young Avengers, but still remains mischievous), the fastest path for Loki to become an Avenger is for him to mature rapidly into adulthood (via magic) and then eventually earning an Avengers membership. 

2.) DEADPOOL

I think it has been long overdue.  It’s got to happen.  With his popularity, “The Merc with a Mouth” should become an Avenger.  ASAP.  

He successfully made breaking the fourth-wall a trademark of his (talking to the readers and having awareness that he is a comicbook character), which is somewhat unique for a comicbook character.  He is both a badass and hilarious anti-hero.  He is both fun-loving and fight-loving.  And he is completely batshit insane but has a heart of gold.  Thus, he has developed into one of Marvel’s most charismatic and deepest character.  And, arguably, he is probably even the most entertaining Marvel character at present.  

If Deadpool becomes an Avenger, the chemistry and the hilarity that would ensue from how Deadpool would interact with his teammates would certainly be epic.  And since there is at present a lack of a smartass clown in the Avengers anyway (because Peter Parker – the Amazing Spider-Man – is no longer in the team), Deadpool should fill that vacancy.   

1.) GAMBIT

He is one of the coolest comicbook characters ever created (that he became a favorite of mine), and I mourn the fact that he is so underrated.  In my opinion, Gambit has the proper qualities that would make him into such kind of premium character as Wolverine.   And I believe that all it takes to propel him into such level is for him to have a successful and memorable Avengers gig.  

Let’s give him that chance, Marvel! 

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