1.
Marvel Comics
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Marvel Comics is the common name and primary imprint of Marvel Worldwide Inc. formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, an American publisher of comic books and related media. In 2009, The Walt Disney Company acquired Marvel Entertainment, Marvel Worldwides parent company, Marvel started in 1939 as Timely Publications, and by the early 1950s had generally become known as Atlas Comics. Marvels modern incarnation dates from 1961, the year that the company launched The Fantastic Four and other superhero titles created by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko and many others. Most of Marvels fictional characters operate in a reality known as the Marvel Universe. Martin Goodman founded the later known as Marvel Comics under the name Timely Publications in 1939. Martin Goodman, a magazine publisher who had started with a Western pulp in 1933, was expanding into the emerging—and by then already highly popular—new medium of comic books. The issue was a success, with it and a second printing the following month selling, combined. While its contents came from an outside packager, Funnies, Inc, Timely had its own staff in place by the following year. It, too, proved a hit, with sales of one million. Goodman formed Timely Comics, Inc. beginning with comics cover-dated April 1941 or Spring 1941, Goodman hired his wifes cousin, Stanley Lieber, as a general office assistant in 1939. Lee wrote extensively for Timely, contributing to a number of different titles, Goodmans business strategy involved having his various magazines and comic books published by a number of corporations all operating out of the same office and with the same staff. One of these companies through which Timely Comics was published was named Marvel Comics by at least Marvel Mystery Comics #55. As well, some covers, such as All Surprise Comics #12, were labeled A Marvel Magazine many years before Goodman would formally adopt the name in 1961. The post-war American comic market saw superheroes falling out of fashion and this globe branding united a line put out by the same publisher, staff and freelancers through 59 shell companies, from Animirth Comics to Zenith Publications. Atlas also published a plethora of childrens and teen humor titles, including Dan DeCarlos Homer the Happy Ghost, Atlas unsuccessfully attempted to revive superheroes from late 1953 to mid-1954, with the Human Torch, the Sub-Mariner, and Captain America. Atlas did not achieve any hits and, according to Stan Lee, Atlas survived chiefly because it produced work quickly, cheaply. During this time, the Comic Code Authority made its debut in September 1954, Wertham published the book Seduction of the Innocent in order to force people to see that comics were impacting American youth. He believed violent comics were causing children to be reckless and were turning them into delinquents, in September 1954, comic book publishers got together to set up their own self-censorship organization—the Comics Magazine Association of America—in order to appease audiences
2.
Hulk (comics)
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The Hulk is a fictional superhero created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, who first appeared in the debut issue of the comic book The Incredible Hulk in May 1962 published by Marvel Comics. The Hulks level of strength is normally conveyed as proportionate to his level of anger, however, his uncontrollable power has brought him into conflict with his fellow heroes and others. Lee stated that the Hulks creation was inspired by a combination of Frankenstein and Dr. Jekyll, although the Hulks coloration has varied throughout the characters publication history, the most usual color is green. He has two catchphrases, Hulk is strongest one there is. And the better-known HULK SMASH. which has founded the basis for pop culture memes. The Hulk first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1, written by writer-editor Stan Lee, penciled and co-plotted by Jack Kirby, and inked by Paul Reinman. Lee cites influence from Frankenstein and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in the Hulks creation, for a long time Id been aware of the fact that people were more likely to favor someone who was less than perfect. Its a safe bet that you remember Quasimodo, but how easily can you name any of the heroic, handsomer, ive always had a soft spot in my heart for the Frankenstein monster. No one could ever convince me that he was the bad guy and he never wanted to hurt anyone, he merely groped his torturous way through a second life trying to defend himself, trying to come to terms with those who sought to destroy him. I decided I might as well borrow from Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as well—our protagonist would constantly change from his identity to his superhuman alter ego. Kirby, commenting upon his influences in drawing the character, recalled as inspiration the tale of a mother who rescues her child who is trapped beneath a car, Lee has also compared Hulk to the Golem of Jewish mythology. In The Science of Superheroes, Gresh and Weinberg see the Hulk as a reaction to the Cold War and the threat of nuclear attack, in the debut, Lee chose grey for the Hulk because he wanted a color that did not suggest any particular ethnic group. Colorist Stan Goldberg, however, had problems with the coloring, resulting in different shades of grey. After seeing the first published issue, Lee chose to change the color to green. Green was used in retellings of the origin, with reprints of the original story being recolored for the next two decades, until The Incredible Hulk vol. 2, #302 reintroduced the grey Hulk in flashbacks set close to the origin story, since then, reprints of the first issue have displayed the original grey coloring, with the fictional canon specifying that the Hulks skin had initially been grey. Lee gave the Hulks alter ego the alliterative name Bruce Banner because he found he had difficulty remembering alliterative names. Despite this, in stories he misremembered the characters name and referred to him as Bob Banner
3.
Roy Thomas
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Roy William Thomas, Jr. is an American comic book writer and editor, who was Stan Lees first successor as editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics. Thomas was inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 2011, Thomas was born in Jackson, Missouri, United States. As a child, he was a comic book fan. The first of these was All-Giant Comics, which he recalls as having featured such characters as Elephant Giant and he graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 1961 with a BS in Education, having majored in history and social science. Thomas, then a high school English teacher, took over as editor in 1964 when Bails moved on to other pursuits. Letters from him appeared regularly in the pages of both DC and Marvel Comics, including The Flash #116, Fantastic Four #5, Fantastic Four #15. In 1965, Thomas moved to New York City to take a job at DC Comics as assistant to Mort Weisinger, Thomas had already written a Jimmy Olsen script a few months before, while still living and teaching in the St. Louis area, he said in 2005. I worked at DC for eight days in late June and very early July of 1965 before accepting a job at Marvel Comics, the Marvel Bullpen Bulletins in Fantastic Four #61 describes Thomas admitting that he gave up a scholarship to George Washington University just to write for Marvel. Familiar with editor and chief writer Stan Lees Marvel work, and feeling them the most vital comics around, Thomas just sat down one night at the hotel and – I wrote him a letter. Not applying for a job or anything so mundane as that – I just said that I admired his work, I figured he just might remember me from Alter Ego. Lee did, and phoned Thomas to offer him a Marvel writing test, the writers test, Thomas said in 1998, was four Jack Kirby pages from Fantastic Four Annual #2. Had Sol or someone take out the dialogue, other people like Denny ONeil and Gary Friedrich took it. But soon afterwards we stopped using it, the day after taking the test, Thomas was at DC, proofreading a Supergirl story, when Steinberg called asking Thomas to meet with Lee during lunch, where Thomas agreed to work for Marvel. His employment was announced in the Bullpen Bulletins section of Fantastic Four #47 under the heading How About That, Thomas later described his early days at Marvel, I was hired after taking writers test, and my first official job title at Marvel was staff writer. I wasnt hired as an editor or assistant editor, I was supposed to come in 40 hours a week and write scripts on staff. I sat at this corrugated metal desk with a typewriter in an office with production manager Sol Brodsky. Everybody who came up to Marvel wound up there, and the phone was constantly ringing, with conversations going on all around me. Almost at once, even though Stan proofed all the stories, he and Sol started having me check the corrections before they went out
4.
Herb Trimpe
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Herb Trimpe was born May 26,1939, in Peekskill, New York, where he graduated from Lakeland High School. His brother, Mike Trimpe, inked an Ant-Man story that Trimpe pencilled in Marvel Feature #6, of his childhood art and comics influences, he said in 2002, I really loved the Disney stuff, Donald Duck and characters like that. Funny-animal stuff, that was kind of my favorite, and I liked to draw that kind of thing, I loved comics since I was a little kid, but I was actually more interested in syndicating a comic strip than working in comics. As well, I was a big fan of EC comics. Trimpe commuted to New York City for three years to attend the School of Visual Arts, there, Trimpe recalled in 2002, instructor and longtime comics artist Tom Gill needed a student to ink his backgrounds and stuff. So thats how I started, at Dell, doing mostly Westerns and also licensed books, Trimpe then enlisted in the United States Air Force for four years, he recalled in 1997, the standard enlistment time, from 1962 to 1966. I was a weatherman, and our unit was on loan, you might say and we supplied aviation weather support to the First Air Cavalry Division based in the central highlands in Viet Nam. They used helicopters extensively to move troops around, I was just preparing to put some material together and go to DC and Charlton when I got a call from Sol Brodsky, who was production chief. He said they needed somebody on staff in the department to run the new photostat machine they had just bought. I would primarily run the machine and wouldnt be seated at a desk. This kind of opened the door, the staff job didnt pay much by todays standards, I think it started at $135 dollars a week which wasnt as low as it sounds. Remember, it was 1966 and that was a fairly good entry-level salary and his joining the Marvel production staff was announced in the Bullpen Bulletins of Marvel comics cover-dated June 1967, such as Fantastic Four #63. He remained associated with the company through 1996, shortly thereafter, Trimpe and writer Gary Friedrich created Marvels World War I aviator hero the Phantom Eagle in Marvel Super-Heroes #16. In the 1960s, during the known as the Silver Age of Comics, Trimpe was assigned to pencil what became his signature character. Beginning with pencil-finishes over Marie Severin layouts in The Incredible Hulk vol,2, #106, he went on to draw the character for a virtually unbroken run of over seven years, through issue #142, then again from #145–193. Additionally, Trimpe penciled the covers of five Hulk annuals, under the Marvel Method of writer-artist collaboration, Trimpe, like other Marvel artists of the time, was uncredited co-plotter of most of his stories, a working arrangement Trimpe said he enjoyed. Among the characters co-created by Trimpe during his run on the title were Jim Wilson in issue #131, during his time on the comic, he became the first artist to draw for publication the character Wolverine, who would go on to become one of Marvels most popular. The character, designed by Marvel de facto art director John Romita, Sr. was an antagonist for the Hulk,2, #180 and making his first full appearance the following issue
5.
American comic book
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An American comic book is a thin periodical, typically 32-pages, containing primarily comics content. While the form originated in 1933, American comic books first gained popularity after the 1938 publication of Action Comics and this was followed by a superhero boom that lasted until the end of World War II. After the war, while superheroes were marginalized, the book industry rapidly expanded, and genres such as horror, crime. The 1950s saw a decline, due to a shift away from print media in the wake of television. The late 1950s and the 1960s saw a revival. Since the later 20th century, comic books have gained note as collectable items, Comic shops cater to fans, and particularly valuable issues have fetched in excess of a million dollars. Systems of grading comic books have emerged with plastic sleeves and cardboard backing available to maintain the condition of comic books, standard comics are 6.625 inches ×10.25 inches and about 32 pages long. While comics can be the work of a creator, the labour of making them is frequently divided between a number of specialists. There may be a writer and artist, or there may be separate artists for the characters. The process begins with the coming up with an idea or concept, then working it into a plot and story. After the art production, letters are placed on the page, the creative team, the writers and artists, may work with a comic book publisher for help with marketing, advertising, and other logistics. A distributor like Diamond Comic Distributors, the largest in the U. S. helps to distribute the product to retailers. Another part of the involved in successful comics is the interaction between the readers/fans and the creator. Fan art and letters to the editor were printed in the back of the book until the early 21st century. Comic specialty stores did help encourage several waves of independently-produced comics, the development of the modern American comic book happened in stages. The G. W. Dillingham Company published the first known proto-comic-book magazine in the U. S, the Yellow Kid in McFaddens Flats, in 1897. The 196-page, square-bound, black-and-white publication, which also includes text by E. W. Townsend, measured 5×7 inches. The neologism comic book appears on the back cover, despite the publication of a series of related Hearst comics soon afterward, the first monthly proto-comic book, Embee Distributing Companys Comic Monthly, did not appear until 1922
6.
Superhero
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A female superhero is sometimes called a superheroine. Fiction centered on characters, especially in American comic books since the 1930s, is known as superhero fiction. By most definitions, characters do not require actual supernatural or superhuman powers or phenomena to be deemed superheroes, some superheroes use their powers to counter daily crime while also combating threats against humanity from supervillains, who are their criminal counterparts. Often at least one of these supervillains will be the superheros archenemy, some long-running superheroes such as Iron Man, Captain America, Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, and Spider-Man have a rogues gallery of many villains. The word superhero dates to at least 1917, antecedents of the archetype include such folkloric heroes as Robin Hood, who adventured in distinctive clothing. The 1903 play The Scarlet Pimpernel and its spinoffs popularized the idea of a masked avenger, during the 1940s there were many superheroes, and only a few of these were female. The Flash, Green Lantern and Blue Beetle debuted in this era, most of the other female costumed crime-fighters during this era lacked superpowers. The most iconic comic book superheroine, who debuted during the Golden Age, is Wonder Woman, inspired by the Amazons of Greek mythology, she was created by psychologist William Moulton Marston, with help and inspiration from his wife Elizabeth and their mutual lover Olive Byrne. Wonder Womans first appearance was in All Star Comics #8, published by All-American Publications, in 1952, Osamu Tezukas manga Tetsuwan Atom was published. The series focused upon a robot boy built by a scientist to replace his deceased son, the 1950s saw the Silver Age of Comics. During this era DC introduced the likes of Batwoman in 1956, Supergirl, Miss Arrowette,1958 saw the debut of superhero Moonlight Mask on Japanese television. In 1963, Astro Boy was adapted into a highly influential anime television series, Phantom Agents in 1964 focused on ninjas working for the Japanese government and would be the foundation for Sentai-type series. Another important event was the debut of Mazinger Z by Go Nagai, Go Nagai also wrote the manga Cutey Honey in 1973, although the Magical Girl genre already existed, Nagais manga introduced Transformation sequences that would become a staple of Magical Girl media. The dark Skull Man manga would later get a television adaptation, the protagonist was redesigned resemble a grasshopper, becoming the renowned first masked hero of the Kamen Rider series. Kamen Rider is a motorcycle riding hero in an insect-like costume, both major publishers began introducing new superheroines with a more distinct feminist theme as part of their origin stories or character development. Examples include Big Barda, Power Girl, and the Huntress by DC comics, and from Marvel, the second Black Widow, Shanna the She-Devil, and The Cat. In 1975 Shotaro Ishinomoris Himitsu Sentai Gorenger debuted on what is now TV Asahi, it brought the concepts of multi-colored teams, in 1978, Toei adapted Spider-Man into a live-action series. In subsequent decades, popular characters like Dazzler, She-Hulk, Elektra, Catwoman, Witchblade, Spider-Girl, Batgirl, volume 4 of the X-Men comic book series featured an all-female team as part of the Marvel NOW. branding initiative in 2013
7.
Marvel Universe
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The Marvel Universe is the shared universe where the stories in most American comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Entertainment take place. Marvel superheroes such as the Avengers, the Fantastic Four and the X-Men are from this universe, in this context, Marvel Universe is taken to refer to the mainstream Marvel continuity, which is known as Earth-616 or currently as Earth Prime. Headline characters in one title would make cameo or guest appearances in other books, eventually many of the leading heroes assembled into a team known as the Avengers. The Marvel Universe was also notable for setting its central titles in New York City, by contrast, care was taken to portray the city and the world as realistically as possible with the presence of superhumans affecting the common citizens in various ways. What happens on Earth in the main Marvel Universe would normally have no effect on what happens on a parallel Earth in another Marvel-created universe, however, storywriters would have the creative ability to write stories in which people from one such universe would visit this alternative universe. In 1982, Marvel published the mini-series Contest of Champions, in all of the major heroes in existence at the time were gathered together to deal with one threat. The Marvel Universe is strongly based on the real world, Earth in the Marvel Universe has all the features of the real one, same countries, same personalities, same historical events, and so on. However, it contains many other fictional elements, countries such as Wakanda and Latveria, and organizations like the espionage agency S. H. I. E. L. D. and its enemy, HYDRA. In 2009 Marvel officially described its worlds geography in a two-part miniseries, most importantly, the Marvel Universe also incorporates examples of almost all major science fiction and fantasy concepts, with writers adding more continuously. Aliens, gods, magic, cosmic powers and extremely advanced human-developed technology all exist prominently in the Marvel Universe, monsters also play a more prominent role with east Asian origins of magical incantation, outlandish sorcery and manifesting principle in the Marvel Universe. One such case is Fin Fang Foom arising from the ashes of tantric magic, thanks to these extra elements, Earth in the Marvel Universe is home to a large number of superheroes and supervillains, who have gained their powers by any of these means. Marvels major heroes were created in the 1960s, but the amount of time that has passed between then and now within the universe itself has most recently identified as thirteen years. Consequently, the settings of some events which were contemporary when written have to be updated every few years in order to sense in this floating timeline. Thus, the events of previous stories are considered to have happened within a number of years prior to the publishing date of the current issue. Because of the timeline, where stories refer to real-life historic events. For instance, the origin of Iron Man was changed in a 2004 storyline to refer to armed conflict in Afghanistan, additionally, the DC Comics Universe is also said to exist in the Marvel Universe as one of the many alternative universes. The reverse may also be said with respect to the DC Universe and this is one method of explaining the various crossover stories co-published by the two companies. Pop culture characters such as Dracula and Frankenstein actually exist in the Marvel Universe and this is usually justified as a second hand account of events as told to credited authors Bram Stoker and Mary Shelley although the general public continues to believe them as fictional
8.
Ty Burrell
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Tyler Gerald Ty Burrell is an American actor and comedian. He originally rose to prominence in several roles on Broadway including Macbeth, and the off-Broadway plays Corners, The Blue Demon, Burn This and his first feature film role was in 2001s Evolution. He also appeared in Black Hawk Down, Dawn of the Dead, Muppets Most Wanted and he has since voiced characters in a number of animated films Mr. Peabody & Sherman, Finding Dory as Bailey the Beluga Whale and Storks. Burrell had recurring on then television series Out of Practice and Back to You, Burrell was born in Grants Pass, Oregon, the son of Sheri Rose, a teacher, and Gary Gerald Burrell, a family therapist. He is of mostly English and German descent, and confirmed on the series Finding Your Roots that his great-great-great-great-grandmother was an African-American slave, Burrell grew up in the small southern Oregon town of Applegate, near the California border. He attended Hidden Valley High School in Grants Pass, where he played football and was a lineman for the Hidden Valley Mustangs. After graduating, he enrolled at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, while in college, he worked as a bartender at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. During this time, Burrell attended the University of Oregon and became a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and he continued his education at Penn State University, where he earned an MFA and was a member of the Theatre 100 Company along with Keegan-Michael Key. In 1999, Burrell worked as an actor at the Utah Shakespeare Festival. Burrell has also stated that for a period of time in graduate school, Burrells first credited film roles were 2001s Evolution and Black Hawk Down. He subsequently appeared in the 2004 remake of Dawn of the Dead and he was a co-writer and actor in the original production of the offbeat comedy The Red Herring O Happiness directed by Russell Dyball. Burrells stage work includes writing and working in the off-Broadway play Babble with his brother. He has also made an appearance as a New Jersey Prosecutor in Law & Order, after that, he was cast as Oliver Barnes, a shallow but well-meaning plastic surgeon, on the CBS sitcom Out of Practice, also created by screenwriter Christopher Lloyd. The show was canceled in May 2006, with eight episodes remaining unaired in the United States, after the shows cancellation, he played Allan Arbus in the film Fur, An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus. In the Marvel film adaptation of the comic The Incredible Hulk, he played Leonard Samson, who had a short relationship with Betty Ross. In 2007, he had a role in the film National Treasure. On the show, created by Steven Levitan and Christopher Lloyd, the show was canceled in 2008. His current role is as real estate agent Phil Dunphy in the acclaimed ABC situation comedy Modern Family which is created by Christopher Lloyd
9.
The Incredible Hulk (film)
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The Incredible Hulk is a 2008 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character the Hulk, produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Universal Pictures. It is the film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film was directed by Louis Leterrier, with a screenplay by Zak Penn and it stars Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, Tim Blake Nelson, Ty Burrell, and William Hurt. In The Incredible Hulk, a new backstory is established where Bruce Banner becomes the Hulk as a pawn in a military scheme to reinvigorate the supersoldier program through gamma radiation. After the mixed reception to the 2003 film Hulk, Marvel Studios reacquired the rights to the character, filming mostly took place in Toronto, Ontario, from July to November 2007. Over 700 visual effects shots were created in using a combination of motion capture. Critical praise went to the visuals, action sequences. The film was one at the box office, grossing over $263 million worldwide. The Hulk destroys the lab and injures or kills the people inside, Banner becomes a fugitive from the U. S. military and Ross in particular, who wants to weaponize the Hulk process. Five years later, Banner works at a factory in Rocinha, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. On the Internet, he collaborates with a colleague he knows only as Mr. Blue and he is also learning meditative breathing techniques to help keep control, and has not transformed in five months. After Banner cuts his finger, a drop of his blood falls into a bottle, using the bottle to track down Banner, Ross sends a SWAT team, led by Russian-born British Royal Marine Emil Blonsky, to capture him. Banner transforms into the Hulk and defeats Blonskys team, Banner returns to Culver University and reunites with Betty, who is dating psychiatrist Leonard Samson. Banner is attacked by Ross and Blonskys forces, tipped off by the suspicious Samson, the ensuing battle outside the university proves to be futile for Ross forces and they eventually retreat, though Blonsky, whose sanity is starting to falter, boldly attacks and mocks the Hulk. The Hulk seemingly kills Blonsky and flees with Betty, after the Hulk reverts to Banner, he and Betty go on the run, and Banner contacts Mr. Blue, who urges them to meet him in New York City. Mr. Blue is actually cellular biologist Dr. Samuel Sterns, after a successful test, he warns Banner that the antidote may only reverse each individual transformation. Sterns reveals he has synthesized Banners blood samples, which Banner sent from Brazil, into a large supply, fearful of the Hulks power falling into the militarys hands, Banner wishes to destroy the blood supply. Meanwhile, Blonsky is revealed to have survived the battle and has completely healed and he joins Ross forces for a third attempt to take Banner into custody
10.
Dan Slott
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Following this, Slott wrote other childrens comics, including DCs Scooby-Doo, Looney Tunes, and Powerpuff Girls. After work on Batman Adventures and Justice League Adventures, Slott was given the chance to pitch a series for DC, the resulting miniseries was Arkham Asylum, Living Hell with artist Ryan Sook in 2003. In 2004 he wrote the 4th Parallel storyline for the Justice League which introduced the Red King, Arkham Asylums success led to Slotts return to Marvel in 2004 to launch a new She-Hulk series. The title focused on She-Hulk as a lawyer in the Marvel Universe. After relaunching in October 2005, the series met with higher sales. In 2007 Slott left the title with volume 2 #21, Slott gave the team the Great Lakes Avengers their first ever solo miniseries in GLA, Misassembled, which featured a character being killed in each issue. He made the first roster changes to the team since its inception by creating a new character, Grasshopper, during this period, Slott signed an exclusive contract with Marvel. At the end of 2005, Slott was assigned to write The Things first solo series in 20 years and it was not a sales success, and was canceled with issue #8, despite Slotts attempts to rally readers in a campaign he called Pull My Thing. The eight issues have been released in a paperback entitled Idol of Millions. Slott was the writer of Marvels Avengers, The Initiative, which launched following the conclusion of the 2006–07 Civil War storyline and he was one of the four writers of the thrice-monthly The Amazing Spider-Man, a schedule which began in January 2008 following the controversial storyline One More Day. Slott took over writing duties on The Mighty Avengers after writer Brian Michael Bendiss departure, starting with issue #21 and he wrote the story for the Spider-Man, Shattered Dimensions video game, which was released in September 2010. In November 2010, Slott took over The Amazing Spider-Man as the writer, marking the books change to a bi-monthly schedule. The Big Time storyline ended with The Amazing Spider-Man #700, its final issue, the first issue went on to win the 2013 Diamond Gem Award for Comic Book of the Year Over $3.00. The Superior Spider-Man ended with issue #31, with Peter Parker back as Spider-Man, the first issue of this new version of The Amazing Spider-Man is, according to Diamond Comics Distributors, The Best Selling Comic of the 21st Century. Slott and artist Mike Allred launched a new Silver Surfer series in May 2014, in 2016, Slott & Allreds SILVER SURFER #11 won the Eisner Award for Best Single Issue of the Year. The Complete Skrull Kill Krew collects #16-#19 Avenging Spider-Man #8, Marvel Comics collected in Spider-Man, Ends of the Earth collected in Spider-Man, Issue #1 collected in Marvel NOW. #52 and #63, 1993–1994 What The--, #23 and #26, Marvel Comics, 1993–1994 Wolverine #102
11.
Paul Di Filippo
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Paul Di Filippo is an American science fiction writer. He is a member of the Turkey City Writers Workshop, along with Michael Bishop, Di Filippo has published a series of novels under the pseudonym Philip Lawson. Antonio Urias writes that Di Filippos writing has a tradition of the bizarre and this is a satire of Victorian mores, politics, and, of course, of the stereotypical mad scientist. The second novella is Hottentots is less funny, at least on the surface. The final novella, Walt and Emily, follows Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitmans blossoming love as they join a spiritualist, more than either of the previous stories, Walt and Emily delights in literary references and games. The story is saturated with poetic quotations and the unrepentant silly fun not only of a story between Dickenson and Whitman but the idea of them visiting the afterlife. Official website Paul Di Filippo, authors page at 40kBooks
12.
Tulsa, Oklahoma
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Tulsa /ˈtʌlsə/ is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 47th-most populous city in the United States. As of July 2015, the population was 403,505 and it is the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region with 981,005 residents in the MSA and 1,151,172 in the CSA. The city serves as the county seat of Tulsa County, the most densely populated county in Oklahoma, with urban development extending into Osage, Rogers, Tulsa was settled between 1828 and 1836 by the Lochapoka Band of Creek Native American tribe. For most of the 20th century, the city held the nickname Oil Capital of the World, once heavily dependent on the oil industry, Tulsa experienced economic downturn. Subsequent diversification efforts created a base in the energy, finance, aviation, telecommunications. The Tulsa Port of Catoosa, at the head of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, is the most inland port in the U. S. with access to international waterways. Two institutions of education within the city have sports teams at the NCAA Division I level, Oral Roberts University. It is situated on the Arkansas River at the foothills of the Ozark Mountains in northeast Oklahoma, the city has been called one of Americas most livable large cities by Partners for Livable Communities, Forbes, and Relocate America. FDi Magazine in 2009 ranked the city no.8 in the U. S. for cities of the future, in 2012, Tulsa was ranked among the top 50 best cities in the United States by BusinessWeek. People from Tulsa are called Tulsans, the area where Tulsa now exists was considered Indian Territory when it was first formally settled by the Lochapoka and Creek tribes in 1836. They established a settlement under the Creek Council Oak Tree at the present day intersection of Cheyenne Avenue. This area and this tree reminded Chief Tukabahchi and his group of trail of tear survivors of the bend in the river and their previous Creek Council Oak Tree back in the Talisi. They named their new settlement Tallasi, meaning old town in the Creek language, the area around Tulsa was also settled by members of the other so-called Five Civilized Tribes who had relocated to Oklahoma from the Southern United States. Most of modern Tulsa is located in the Creek Nation, with parts located in the Cherokee Nation, although Oklahoma was not yet a state during the Civil War, the Tulsa area did see its share of fighting. The Battle of Chusto-Talasah took place on the side of Tulsa. After the War, the tribes signed Reconstruction treaties with the government that in some cases required substantial land concessions. On January 18,1898, Tulsa was officially incorporated and elected its first mayor, Tulsa was a small town near the banks of the Arkansas River in 1901 when its first oil well, named Sue Bland No. Much of the oil was discovered on land whose mineral rights were owned by members of the Osage Nation under a system of headrights
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Oklahoma
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Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central United States. Oklahoma is the 20th-most extensive and the 28th-most populous of the 50 United States, the states name is derived from the Choctaw words okla and humma, meaning red people. The name was settled upon statehood, Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory were merged, on November 16,1907, Oklahoma became the 46th state to enter the union. Its residents are known as Oklahomans, or informally Okies, and its capital, a major producer of natural gas, oil, and agricultural products, Oklahoma relies on an economic base of aviation, energy, telecommunications, and biotechnology. In 2007, it had one of the economies in the United States, ranking among the top states in per capita income growth. Oklahoma City and Tulsa serve as Oklahomas primary economic anchors, with nearly two-thirds of Oklahomans living within their metropolitan statistical areas. With small mountain ranges, prairie, mesas, and eastern forests, most of Oklahoma lies in the Great Plains, Cross Timbers, interior Highlands—a region especially prone to severe weather. The name Oklahoma comes from the Choctaw phrase okla humma, literally meaning red people, equivalent to the English word Indian, okla humma was a phrase in the Choctaw language used to describe Native American people as a whole. Oklahoma later became the de facto name for Oklahoma Territory, and it was approved in 1890. Oklahoma is the 20th-largest state in the United States, covering an area of 69,898 square miles and it is one of six states on the Frontier Strip and lies partly in the Great Plains near the geographical center of the 48 contiguous states. It is bounded on the east by Arkansas and Missouri, on the north by Kansas, on the northwest by Colorado, on the far west by New Mexico, much of its border with Texas lies along the Southern Oklahoma Aulacogen, a failed continental rift. The geologic figure defines the placement of the Red River, the Oklahoma panhandles Western edge is out of alignment with its Texas border. The Oklahoma/New Mexico border is actually 2.1 to 2.2 miles east of the Texas line, the border between Texas and New Mexico was set first as a result of a survey by Spain in 1819. It was then set along the 103rd Meridian, in the 1890s, when Oklahoma was formally surveyed using more accurate surveying equipment and techniques, it was discovered the Texas line was not set along the 103rd Meridian. Surveying techniques were not as accurate in 1819, and the actual 103rd Meridian was approximately 2.2 miles to the east and it was much easier to leave the mistake than for Texas to cede land to New Mexico to correct the surveying error. The placement of the Oklahoma/New Mexico border represents the true 103rd Meridian, cimarron County in Oklahomas panhandle is the only county in the United States that touches four other states, New Mexico, Texas, Colorado and Kansas. Its highest and lowest points follow this trend, with its highest peak, Black Mesa, at 4,973 feet above sea level, situated near its far northwest corner in the Oklahoma Panhandle. The states lowest point is on the Little River near its far southeastern boundary near the town of Idabel, Oklahoma, which dips to 289 feet above sea level
14.
Yeshiva
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Yeshiva is a Jewish institution that focuses on the study of traditional religious texts, primarily the Talmud and Torah study. Study is usually done through daily shiurim and in pairs called ḥavrutas. Ḥavruta-style learning is one of the features of the yeshiva. In the United States and Israel, the different levels of education have different names. In Israel, elementary-school students are enrolled in a Talmud Torah or cheder, post-bar mitzvah-age students learn in a yeshiva ketana, a kollel is a yeshiva for married men. It is common for a kollel to pay a stipend to its students. Students of Lithuanian and Hasidic yeshiva gedolas usually learn in yeshiva until they get married, historically, yeshivas were attended by males only. Today, all non-Orthodox and a few Modern Orthodox yeshivas are open to females, although there are separate schools for Orthodox women and girls, yeshivas for women do not follow the same structure or curriculum as the traditional yeshiva for boys and men. Alternate spellings and names include yeshivah (/jəˈʃiːvɑː/, Hebrew, ישיבה, sitting, metivta and mesivta, Beth midrash, Talmudical Academy, Rabbinical Academy, the word yeshiva, lit. sitting, is applied to the activity of learning in class, and hence to a learning session. The Mishnah tractate Megillah mentions the law that a town can only be called a city if it supports ten men to make up the required quorum for communal prayers. Likewise, every beth din was attended by a number of pupils up to three times the size of the court and these might be indications of the historicity of the classical yeshiva. As indicated by the Talmud, adults generally took off two months a year, Elul and Adar, the preceding the pilgrimage festivals of Sukkot and Pesach. The rest of the year they worked, the Geonic period takes its name from Gaon, the title bestowed on the heads of the three yeshivas in existence from the third to the thirteenth century. The Geonim acted as the principals of their individual yeshivot, and as spiritual leaders, the yeshiva conducted all official business in the name of its Gaon, and all correspondence to or from the yeshiva was addressed directly to the Gaon. Throughout the Geonic Period there were three yeshivot, there was however, no requirement for this, and each community could choose to associate with any of the yeshivot. The yeshiva served as the highest educational institution for the Rabbis of this period, in addition to this, the yeshiva wielded immense power as the principal body for interpreting Jewish law. In this regard, the community saw the Gaon of a yeshiva as the highest judge on all matters of Jewish law, each yeshiva ruled differently on matters of ritual and law, the other yeshivot accepted these divisions, and all three ranked as equally orthodox. The yeshiva also served as an authority, in conjunction with local communities
15.
Samson
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Samson is sometimes considered to be an Israelite version of the popular Middle Eastern Heracles figure. However, if Samsons long hair was cut, he would lose his strength, in some Jewish traditions, Samson is believed to have been buried in Tel Tzora in Israel overlooking the Sorek valley. There reside two large gravestones of Samson and his father Manoah and it is located between the cities of Zorah and Eshtaol. Samson is said to have lived during a time when the Hebrew Bible suggests God was disciplining the Israelites by giving them into the hand of the Philistines, Manoah was an Israelite from Zorah, from the family of the Danites, and his wife had been unable to conceive. The Angel of the Lord appeared to Manoahs wife and proclaimed that the couple would soon have a son, the Angel of the Lord stated that Manoahs wife was to abstain from all alcoholic beverages, and her promised child was not to shave or cut his hair. He was to be a Nazirite from birth, the wife believed the Angel of the Lord, her husband was not present, so he prayed and asked God to send the messenger once again to teach them how to raise the boy who was going to be born. After the Angel of the Lord returned, Manoah asked him his name, Manoah then prepared a sacrifice, but the Angel of the Lord would only allow it to be for God. He touched it with his staff, miraculously engulfing it in flames and this was such dramatic evidence of the nature of the Messenger that Manoah feared for his life, since it was said that no one could live after seeing God. However, his wife convinced him that, if God planned to slay them, in due time, their son Samson was born, and he was raised according to the provisions. When he was an adult, Samson left the hills of his people to see the cities of the Philistines. He fell in love with a Philistine woman from Timnah, whom he decided to marry, ignoring the objections of his parents, in the development of the narrative, the intended marriage was shown to be part of Gods plan to strike at the Philistines. According to the account, Samson was repeatedly seized by the Spirit of the Lord. The first instance of this is seen when Samson was on his way to ask for the Philistine womans hand in marriage and he simply grabbed it and ripped it apart, the spirit of God divinely empowering him. However, Samson kept it a secret, not even mentioning the miracle to his parents and he arrived at the Philistines house and became betrothed to her. He returned home, then back to Timnah some time later for the wedding. On his way, Samson saw that bees had nested in the carcass of the lion and he ate a handful of the honey and gave some to his parents. At the wedding feast, Samson told a riddle to his thirty groomsmen, if they could solve it, he would give them thirty pieces of fine linen and garments, but if they could not solve it, they would give him thirty pieces of fine linen and garments. The riddle was an account of two encounters with the lion, at which only he was present, The Philistines were infuriated by the riddle
16.
Betty Ross
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Elizabeth Betty Ross is a fictional character created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. She made her first appearance in Incredible Hulk #1 as a romantic interest of the Hulk and is the daughter of General Thunderbolt Ross, over the years, the character has undergone multiple transformations, including the antiheroine Red She-Hulk. She was portrayed by Jennifer Connelly in the 2003 film Hulk, Betty Ross debuted in The Incredible Hulk #1 by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby. She was an on-and-off again supporting character in the Hulks various series for decades, in 1989, Betty Ross Banner received an entry in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Update 89 #1. Stan Lee originally portrayed Betty Ross as a strong willed and independent-minded, mid-1980s Incredible Hulk writer/artist John Byrne portrayed her as more wilful and confrontational, characterizations which would remain in place during Peter Davids long run as the series writer. Betty has a miscarriage in The Incredible Hulk vol.2, though this occurred during Davids run on the series, the issue was instead written by editor Bob Harras. David recalled, The reason I refused to do it was because Betty was really losing her child to editorial fiat and it was decided by the powers-that-be that Betty and Bruce were not to become parents because that would make the characters seem ‘too old’ to the younger readers. My run on the book almost ended with issue, I nearly walked over it. But there were so many stories I still wanted to tell that ultimately I stayed with it, in Hulk vol.2 #15, she appears for the first time as Red She-Hulk, who was created by writer Jeph Loeb and artist Ed McGuinness. Loeb said, Weve been very careful with the creation of this character and we wanted to make sure she didnt come off as silly -my memory of the introduction to She-Hulk- before anyone had read a page. But the character was a different take on the Hulk. Our intention is Red She-Hulk will make an equally important impression on the Marvel Universe, Red She-Hulk is also present in the Chaos War and Fear Itself storylines in 2010 and 2011 respectively. Red She-Hulk becomes a member of the team the Defenders in The Defenders vol.4 #1 by writer Matt Fraction. She goes around leaving these Betty-shaped holes in the wall, the series was discontinued in November 2012, after 12 issues. In October 2012, as part of Marvel NOW, Hulk was retitled Red She-Hulk starting with issue #58 by writer Jeff Parker and artist Carlo Pagulayan. About the series Parker said, Shes become convinced of a threat to humanity which is essentially, Shes conflicted over losing her own human side, and shes acting out on a large scale based on that. But the thing is she may well be right, the only daughter of General Thaddeus E. Thunderbolt Ross, Betty spent her formative years firmly under her fathers strict supervision. After her mother died during Bettys teenage years, she was sent away to boarding school, the head scientist on the project is Dr. Robert Bruce Banner
17.
S.H.I.E.L.D.
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S. H. I. E. L. D. is a fictional espionage, law-enforcement, and counter-terrorism agency appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Strange Tales #135, it deals with paranormal. The acronym originally stood for Supreme Headquarters, International Espionage, Law-Enforcement Division and it was changed in 1991 to Strategic Hazard Intervention Espionage Logistics Directorate. S. H. I. E. L. D. s introduction in the Strange Tales feature Nick Fury, Agent of S. H. I. E. L. D. Occurred during a trend for action series about secret international intelligence agencies with catchy acronyms, which Stan Lee stated in a 2014 interview, was the basis for him to create the organization. Colonel Fury was reimagined as an older character with an eyepatch. Fury series reappeared as agents of S. H. I. E. L. D, most notably Timothy Dum-Dum Dugan, Furys bowler hat–wearing aide-de-camp. Its most persistent enemy is Hydra, an organization founded by Baron Wolfgang von Strucker. Much was revealed over the years to fill in its labyrinthine organizational history, Stan Lee wrote each story, abetted by artist Kirbys co-plotting or full plotting, through Strange Tales #152, except for two issues, one scripted by Kirby himself and one by Dennis ONeil. Steranko quickly established the feature as one of historys most groundbreaking, innovative. Ron Goulart wrote, ven the dullest of readers could sense that something new was happening, … Which each passing issue Sterankos efforts became more and more innovative. Entire pages would be devoted to photocollages of drawings ignored panel boundaries, the first pages … became incredible production numbers similar in design to the San Francisco rock concert poster of the period. Larry Hama said Steranko combined the figurative dynamism of Jack Kirby with modern design concepts. The graphic influences of Peter Max, Op Art and Andy Warhol were embedded into the design of the pages —, all this, executed in a crisp, hard-edged style, seething with drama and anatomical tension. The series won 1967 and 1968 Alley Awards, and was inducted in the year to the awards Hall of Fame. Steranko himself was inducted into the Comic Book Hall of Fame in 2006, the 12-page feature ran through Strange Tales #168, after which it was spun off onto its own series of the same title, running 15 issues, followed by three all-reprint issues beginning a year later. Steranko wrote and drew issues #1–3 and #5, and drew the covers of #1–7, stories would not appear for nearly two decades after the first solo title. A six-issue miniseries, Nick Fury vs. S. H. I. E. L. D. was followed by Nick Fury, Agent of S. H. I. E. L. D
18.
Rhino (comics)
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Rhino is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. and first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #41. A version of the Rhino using powered armor, portrayed by Paul Giamatti. Described by writer Mike Conroy as famously one of Spider-Mans dimmest villains and he volunteers to participate in an experiment that bonds a super strong polymer to his skin and also augments his strength and speed. The Rhino returned in Hulk, vol,2, #104, and although he dies at the end of the story, the character proved popular enough to be revived, becoming a perennial opponent for both Spider-Man and the Hulk. The character achieved significant exposure in the 1980s and 1990s, appearing in both a solo capacity and as a villain for hire in over a dozen titles,2, #13 -15, in which the Rhino begins to rethink his lifestyle. Aleksei Sytsevich was a thug who worked for Eastern Bloc scientists, the scientists subjected him to a process which gave him an artificial skin covering which granted him superhuman strength. After being empowered, Aleksei Sytsevich rebels against the agents who gave him his powers and he is subsequently hired to kidnap Colonel John Jameson in order to obtain extraterrestrial spores to which Jameson has been exposed during a space mission. Jameson is rescued and the Rhino defeated by the superhero Spider-Man, the Rhino is imprisoned and kept there with sedation but soon breaks out and continues to try to kidnap Jameson. Spider-Man uses a web imbued with a developed by Curt Connors to melt off his Rhino hide. After serving his prison term, the Rhino is approached by the same scientists with a more powerful. The Rhino agrees to find and kidnap Bruce Banner for his knowledge of gamma radiation, however, he finds himself hopelessly overpowered by the Hulk, who shrugs off his strongest blows, pummels him to the brink of death, and leaves him in a coma. The character is out of his coma by the Leader months later. However, the Rhino betrays the Leader by attacking Banner the moment he transforms, the Rhino is still unable to harm the seemingly invulnerable Hulk, and he turns on the Leader after the Leader accidentally shoots him. Rhino is caught in the explosion of the Leaders ship and left in a coma, Leader, who was paralyzed after a previous encounter with Hulk, finds and takes mental control of the still-comatose body of Rhino and attacks Hulk. The battle eventually leads to a world, where Leader abandons control of Rhino. Bruce and an unconscious-but-now-recovered Rhino travel back to Earth via a rocket, the Rhino reappears with Abomination, and the pair activate a gamma bomb at the Hulkbuster base in an attempt to destroy Hulk. Jim Wilson deactivates the bomb, and Hulk tricks the villains during combat, forcing them to collide, Rhino reappears as a member of the supervillain team, the Emissaries of Evil, in search of a rare jewel. Opposed by superhero team, the Defenders, Rhino and Solarr initially hold their own until defeated by Doctor Strange, while in hiding, Rhino is found and outwitted by scientist Doc Samson and is eventually defeated
19.
Leader (comics)
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The Leader is a fictional character, a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Leader first appeared in Tales to Astonish #62, created by writer Stan Lee and he has mainly appeared in Hulk related comic books over the years and was one of the featured characters in the Marvel NOW. In 2009, The Leader was ranked as IGNs 63rd Greatest Comic Book Villain of All Time, Sterns worked as a janitor in Boise, Idaho when he was exposed to gamma radiation. The radiation mutated him into a green skinned, super-intelligent entity who names himself the Leader and he is repeatedly foiled by the Hulk, who overcomes all of the Leaders schemes as well as his artificial henchmen known as the Humanoids. Sterns would later be transformed, causing his cranium to change into the shape of an oversized brain. As part of the Intelligencia he is an part of the Hulked Out Heroes storyline. Actor Tim Blake Nelson portrays Dr. Samuel Sterns in the 2008 superhero film The Incredible Hulk, in the movie, Sterns is shown to be mutating, but the film does not use the character beyond the initial mutation. The character first appeared in Tales to Astonish #62, and was created by Stan Lee, born Samuel Sterns in Boise, Idaho, he worked for a chemical plant in a menial capacity. While moving radioactive materials into a storage area, some of the radioactive materials explode. He recovers, and finds that the radiation has changed him from a human into a green-skinned. The Leader creates a spy ring to overthrow the United States federal government and he sends a spy to steal a robot Dr. Bruce Banner was developing. The spy is knocked into a pit by the Hulk. The Leader dispatches the Chameleon to find out why the spy has failed to report back, although the Chameleon fails at this, he informs the Leader of the secret shipment of a newly developed nuclear device, the Absorbatron. The Leader sends a Humanoid to steal the device, the Humanoid is stopped by the Hulk, who the Leader sees for the first time through his Humanoids eyes. He deduces that the Hulk is a creation of gamma radiation like himself, however, the Hulk is unwittingly saved from capture by US army troops. A third attempt at stealing the Absorbatron is successful, and the Hulk is delivered into the Leaders hands at the same time, however, while the Leader is still scientifically studying him, the Hulk breaks free and proves impossible to reason with. He destroys the Absorbatron, and the Leader narrowly escapes with his life, in order to sell his 500-foot -tall Humanoid to hostile nations, the Leader arranges a demonstration of its power by ordering it to attack a nearby missile base. However, the hits the Humanoid with a Sunday Punch missile
20.
Warren Worthington III
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Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The X-Men #1. Angel is a member of a subspecies of humans known as mutants and he originally possesses a pair of large feathered wings extending from his back, enabling him to fly. He is the heir to a corporation called Worthington Industries. This privileged background results in Warren being stereotyped as a self-absorbed playboy during his years with the X-Men. This personality was replaced with a more introspective and brooding personality in the late 1980s. One of the original X-Men, Archangel has had a frequent presence in X-Men-related comic books throughout the years and he appeared occasionally in X-Men animated series and video games. Ben Foster played the role of Angel in the 2006 film X-Men, The Last Stand and Ben Hardy portrays him in the 2016 film X-Men, the character was created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-creator Jack Kirby and first appeared in X-Men #1 as Angel. He appeared as a character in that title until it was cancelled with issue #66. The title was revived shortly after, reprinting earlier issues from issue #67 to #93, in 1970 and 1971, a three-part Angel solo feature was published as a back-up strip in Ka-Zar #2 and #3 and Marvel Tales #30. Angel appeared in the X-Men revamp by Len Wein and Dave Cockrum in 1975 with the introduction of the All-New, All-Different X-Men, Angel and fellow X-Men Iceman were transitioned into a new series called The Champions, which ran from 1975–1978. The series was written by writer Tony Isabella, and was conceived as a showcase for both former X-Men characters. Angel returned to the X-Men briefly in Uncanny X-Men #134, officially returning to the roster in issue #138 before once again leaving in issue #148, Angel would stay with the title, as the groups leader, for the books last three years of publication. The series was canceled in 1986 to free up Angel and his fellow X-Men to star in X-Factor, Angel remained in the book until issue #70, which was the last issue before the book was revamped with an all-new roster. During X-Factor #16–24, the character is presumed dead after losing his wings, Angel was dramatically revamped as a character, given a new costume, blue skin, and metallic wings which could fire blades. He first appeared as Archangel in X-Factor #24, Angel was added to the cast of the Uncanny X-Men title and appeared in that series and its companion series X-Men for most of the 1990s. In 1996, Marvel also published a one-shot story simply called Archangel and he also appeared alongside Psylocke in a limited series called Psylocke & Archangel, Crimson Dawn. From 1999 to 2001, Angel also featured in the series X-Men, The Hidden Years, under Joe Casey and Chuck Austen, Angel became leader of the X-Men team that appeared in the pages of Uncanny X-Men. After Chris Claremont replaced Austen on that title, the character went away for months before reappearing in the pages of another Claremont-written series
21.
Master Mold
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Master Mold is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe. The Master Mold first appeared in X-Men #15–16, and was created by Stan Lee, the Master Mold received an entry in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Update 89 #5. Master Mold was created by Dr. Bolivar Trask during the run of X-Men comics. For unknown reasons, some of the mutants that are cataloged as the Twelve are not part of the group, the Master Mold has Trask captured, and decides to take over humanity to keep it safe. Another Master Mold appeared in Incredible Hulk Annual #7 and it claimed to be Steven Lang, who was thought to be dead after Project Armageddon. It was nearly destroyed by Hulk, who was with Angel, then it was completely destroyed when the asteroid exploded, right after Hulk, Angel, and Iceman managed to escape. Master Mold also claimed the name and identity of Stephen Lang during a story arc running from issues 17 through 24 of Marvel Comics Presents. In this story, later reprinted in the novel, Cyclops, Retribution. During this arc, it is revealed that he blames Cyclops entirely for his death as Stephen Lang and he hypnotizes Moira MacTaggart and uses her to unleash the virus, infecting Cyclops, Callisto, and Banshee, who is completely incapacitated. However, MacTaggart breaks free of his grasp, Cyclops, though weakened from the effects of the disease, nearly single-handedly destroys the Master Mold before finally succumbing to his illness and falling unconscious. The virus is then cured before it has a chance to spread, another Master Mold is built in secret in the jungles of Ecuador. This Master Mold is taken over by Cassandra Nova, who uses the Wild Sentinels to destroy Genosha, following their defeat at the hands of Rogues X-Men team, the Children of the Vault escaped and regrouped in the Ecuadorian Master Mold. In Second Coming, X-Force travels to the Days of Future Past timeline where there are two Master Molds, one of them producing Nimrods and another one protecting the first Master Mold, the Steven Lang Master Molds were also capable of self-repair. In Ultimate Fantastic Four/X-Men it is revealed that in a future a severed Wolverine is used as an original template to create an army of Sentinels which share his personality traits. Toward the end of the present day Rogue and Wolverine discover the mutilated body. In X-Factor Forever Master Mold, Master Mold is bonded to Cameron Hodge by Apocalypse to form Master Meld, seeking to unleash a wave of the armors upon the world, Stane is stopped and this Master Mold ultimately destroyed. Master Mold also serves an important role during the first season of the mid-1990s X-Men animated series voiced by David Fox. In one episode, the X-Men Gambit, Storm, and Jubilee are kidnapped by Sentinels, sent by Trask and Henry Peter Gyrich, the X-Men eventually escape Genosha and destroy most of the Sentinels by Storms flooding the dam
22.
Moonstone (comics)
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Moonstone is a fictional character, both a supervillainess and anti-heroine appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared as a gun moll of the villain Dr. Faustus in Captain America #192 and she was later revealed to be a member of the shadowy organization known as the Corporation. She appeared in Avengers as part of the team the Masters of Evil. During the disappearance of the Avengers and the Fantastic Four, the Masters of Evil, after 12 issues, their true identities were exposed. Moonstone returned to the Thunderbolts series in 2007s Thunderbolts #110, as the new field leader. She appeared as a character in the Dark Avengers series from issue #1 through issue #16. Moonstone returned to the Thunderbolts in issue #144, after the Dark Reign era and she became part of a government program led by Luke Cage to reform villains. Joining them was Juggernaut, Ghost, Crossbones, and Man-Thing and she remained with the team after the title transitioned into Dark Avengers beginning with issue #175. Karla Sofen was born in Van Nuys, California and she grew up in the mansion of Hollywood producer Charles Stockbridge, as the child of the butler Karl Sofen. It has been revealed Karla murdered her mother by suffocating her, Karla Sofen worked briefly for the Corporation, controlling the Hulk and manipulating General Thunderbolt Ross into a nervous breakdown. She battled Captain America, Falcon, Hulk and Quasar on behalf of the Corporation and she continued to pursue greater power, stealing Curt Connorss Enervator and searching the moons surface for further moonstone fragments, but wound up fighting Spider-Man. Egghead recruited her for the third Masters of Evil and she fought the Avengers, however, her tenure was short-lived as she surrendered after the Masters of Evils defeat. It wasnt long before she broke out of confinement at Project, Pegasus with Blackout and she traveled to Earths Moon where she battled Dazzler and the Inhumans, and was then returned to Pegasus. Later, Baron Helmut Zemo recruited Moonstone for the fourth Masters of Evil and she participated in the Masters takeover of Avengers Mansion. She battled Captain Marvel and became paralyzed for a time and she then had a rematch with Captain Marvel. She was kidnapped by the original Moonstone, now known as Nefarius and she defeated Nefarius, but was recaptured. Eventually, she decided to out her prison term and give up her criminal life. When Baron Zemo formed a group of villains to masquerade as heroes, Moonstone was broken out of the Vault and she returned to villainy as Meteorite
23.
Thunderbolt Ross
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General Thaddeus E. Thunderbolt Ross is a fictional character who appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. After the creation of the Hulk, Ross pursues the creature with an obsession, and after learning that Banner and the Hulk are one. In 2008, Ross was transformed into the Red Hulk in order to combat his nemesis. In 2009, Thunderbolt Ross was named IGNs 71st Greatest Comic Book Villain of All Time and he was portrayed by Sam Elliott in the film Hulk and by William Hurt for the Marvel Cinematic Universe films The Incredible Hulk and Captain America, Civil War. Thunderbolt Ross first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1, and was created by Stan Lee and he was a reappearing character throughout this series. His character origin was revealed in The Incredible Hulk #291, the Red Hulk first appeared in Hulk vol.1 #1 where he was created by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuiness, but his identity as Ross was not revealed until later. He starred in this series of 5 volumes. The origin of Red Hulk was revealed in Hulk #23, Red Hulk began appearing as a regular character in Avengers vol. 4, from issue #7 through its final issue #34 and his popularity resulted him starring as a main character in the 2012 Thunderbolts series by Daniel Way and Steve Dillon. He also guest starred in the issues #1-3 of the 2011 series, The Avenging Spider-Man by Zeb Wells, Ross grew up in a military environment with both his father and paternal grandfather in the military. Ross is a General in the Air Force who is in charge of Bruce Banners gamma bomb project and his daughter, Betty, takes a liking to the young scientist, a fact which only enhances the dislike the rough Ross has for the weakling scientist Banner. Dismissed from the military, he shows up at Betty and Bruces wedding with a gun, Agent Clay Quartermain to merge with the electric creature Zzzax, a process that gives Ross superpowers, but also makes him mentally unstable. He is later restored to form but retains some residual energy-generating powers. Finally, a mutant who drains people of their energy attacks Gamma Base in search for a strong host. Giving his blessing to Bruce and Betty, he dies in his daughters arms, Ross body is later stolen by the Leader, who uses the powers of one of his followers to resurrect Ross. He turns him into a replacement for his fallen soldier Redeemer. Ross is eventually recovered and revived by agents of the alien Troyjan and he would later come up with a more cost-effective method of confronting the Hulk when he is in his childlike stage, active non-resistance. He and his men simply do not fire on or engage the Hulk in any way, the Hulk, confused, does not smash and leaps away
24.
Woodgod
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Woodgod is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics. Woodgod is a genetically-engineered sentient life-form and he physically resembles a satyr, and was created using cloning techniques by combining human and animal DNA. Woodgod first appeared in Marvel Premiere #31, and was created by Bill Mantlo, Woodgod was created by two scientists, David and Ellen Pace, on their farm in New Mexico. They also had working with nerve gas for the federal government. When people from the town of Liberty, New Mexico discovered Woodgod they stormed the farm. One of the townspeople smashed a canister of the nerve gas within the barn, killing the Paces. When Col. Del Tremens and the U. S. Army came to investigate what happened in Liberty, they found and battled Woodgod, later, the Hulk and Spider-Man turned up in Liberty, and Col. Tremens and the army tried to kill both them and Woodgod. Woodgod escaped and returned to the Pace farm, using David Paces notes to himself how to read. He resisted a coup by the murderous Changeling Leoninus and he soon left the Pace farm and found a valley in the Colorado Rocky Mountains where he established a community for the Changelings, and became the Lawgiver of the Changelings. Some time later, Woodgod was revealed to have become a subject of the Stranger on his laboratory world. Woodgod then returned to Earth in Jack of Heartss caravan, Woodgod later thwarted attempts by Leoninus and Roxxon to take control of the Changelings breeding patterns. Woodgod later returns to Earth and fights Red Hulk, Red Hulk sends Woodgod running as a Hulk that is not the one he knows appears. Woodgod is an artificial being created through advanced genetic engineering techniques, Woodgod has mastered advanced methods of genetic engineering that enabled him to create the Changelings. Woodgod resembles the Greek mythological half-man half-goat, forest god Pan, Woodgod at Marvel Wiki Woodgod at Comic Vine
25.
Spider-Man
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Spider-Man is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko, when Spider-Man first appeared in the early 1960s, teenagers in superhero comic books were usually relegated to the role of sidekick to the protagonist. Marvel has featured Spider-Man in several book series, the first. In the 2010s, he joins the Avengers, Marvels flagship superhero team, Spider-Mans nemesis Doctor Octopus also took on the identity for a story arc spanning 2012–2014, following a body swap plot in which Peter appears to die. Spider-Man is one of the most popular and commercially successful superheroes, the character was first portrayed in live action by Nicholas Hammond in the 1977 television movie Spider-Man. Reeve Carney starred as Spider-Man in the 2010 Broadway musical Spider-Man, in 1962, with the success of the Fantastic Four, Marvel Comics editor and head writer Stan Lee was casting about for a new superhero idea. He said the idea for Spider-Man arose from a surge in demand for comic books. At that time Lee had to get only the consent of Marvel publisher Martin Goodman for the characters approval, in a 1986 interview, Lee described in detail his arguments to overcome Goodmans objections. In particular, Lee stated that the fact that it had already decided that Amazing Fantasy would be cancelled after issue #15 was the only reason Goodman allowed him to use Spider-Man. While this was indeed the issue, its editorial page anticipated the comic continuing. Will appear every month in Amazing, regardless, Lee received Goodmans approval for the name Spider-Man and the ordinary teen concept, and approached artist Jack Kirby. Lee and Kirby immediately sat down for a conference, Theakston writes. Steve Ditko would be the inker, when Kirby showed Lee the first six pages, Lee recalled, I hated the way he was doing it. Not that he did it badly—it just wasnt the character I wanted, Lee turned to Ditko, who developed a visual style Lee found satisfactory. Ditko recalled, One of the first things I did was to work up a costume, a vital, visual part of the character. I had to know how he looked, for example, A clinging power so he wouldnt have hard shoes or boots, a hidden wrist-shooter versus a web gun and holster, etc. I wasnt sure Stan would like the idea of covering the characters face and it would also add mystery to the character. Although the interior artwork was by Ditko alone, Lee rejected Ditkos cover art, as Lee explained in 2010, I think I had Jack sketch out a cover for it because I always had a lot of confidence in Jacks covers
26.
Thing (comics)
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The Thing is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is a member of the Fantastic Four. The character is known for his trademark rocky orange appearance, sense of humor, blue eyes, the Things speech patterns are loosely based on those of Jimmy Durante. In 2011, IGN ranked the Thing 18th in the Top 100 Comic Book Heroes, the Thing was named Empire magazines tenth of The 50 Greatest Comic Book Characters in 2008. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The Fantastic Four #1, the change was intended to liven the comic through the always humorous chemistry between the Torch and the Thing. They were replaced in #135 with the version of Nick Fury. Who had already been appearing in Sgt, after a 1973 try-out in two issues of Marvel Feature, the Thing starred in the long-running series Marvel Two-in-One. In each issue, Ben Grimm would team up with character from the Marvel Universe. The series helped to introduce characters from Marvels lineup, by way of teaming up with the more recognizable Thing, in 1992, Marvel reprinted four Two-in-One stories as a miniseries under the title The Adventures of the Thing. The series was cancelled after 100 issues to make way for a solo series, the cancellation of Marvel Two-in-One led to the Things first completely solo series, which ran for 36 issues. It was originally written by John Byrne and later, Mike Carlin, the series also featured art by Ron Wilson and later by Paul Neary. It was notable for elaborating on Ben Grimms poor childhood on Yancy Street in its early issue, a full third of the series stories take place on Battleworld. The series was written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Scott Kolins, in 2003, Marvel released another four-issue miniseries, The Thing, Night Falls on Yancy Street. The story was of a less action-oriented and more character-driven and analytical type than is usual for the Thing, some reviewers considered the story a nostalgic homage to Silver Age comics, while others found its noir-ish atmosphere depressing. It was written by Evan Dorkin and illustrated by Dean Haspiel and it was canceled with #8 in 2006. The Thing was a member of The New Avengers, when that team debuted in their series in 2010. He appeared as a character throughout the 2010–2013 New Avengers series. Born on Yancy Street in New York Citys Lower East Side, to a Jewish family, Benjamin Jacob Ben Grimm had a life of poverty and hardship, shaping him into a tough
27.
Champion of the Universe
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The Champion of the Universe is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is not necessarily a villain but has played the role in the past through his impetuous and he first appeared in Marvel Two-in-One Annual #7, and was created by Tom DeFalco and Ron Wilson. The Champion is one of the alien Elders of the Universe and he is an immortal who claims to have been born billions of years ago in the Ancrindo Nebula within the direction of the Magellanic Clouds. Although he wishes to prove himself the greatest warrior in the universe and he keeps himself busy by fighting powerful warriors throughout the universe. The Champion of the Universes Promoter Supreme named Proja preceded the Champions journey to Earth, the Champion ended up disqualifying Namor for refusing to stoop to training. Then he disqualified Doc Samson for not being sufficiently skilled to qualify as an opponent, alone of all of Earths superheroes not previously disqualified, Thing managed to put up a semblance of fight against the Champion and lasted longer than any previous opponent the Champion had fought. Of all the opponents the Champion ever faced, only Thing lasted more than two rounds, although the Champion fought Thing and ultimately defeated him with ease, Thing would not surrender, as he was convinced that the entire planet was in danger. Thing believed that everyone depended on him, and fought on despite broken bones, Thing astonished the Champion with his resilience and courage leading the Champion to say Thing was the opponent he had sought through the ages, the one who would require all of his might and skill. His jaw broken and severely beaten after collapsing at the end of the third round, when forced to choose between killing his defeated opponent or yielding, the Champion yielded. When Thing said he was just too stupid and ugly to give up and he might break his bones and his body, but he could not break his spirit. The Champion then stated that any planet which could produce a champion such as the Thing was a truly worthy world, the Champion later attempted to kill the Silver Surfer to prevent him from interfering with a Skrull plot to use Nova to force Galactus to destroy the Kree Empire. The Champion was overpowered by the Silver Surfer, suffering his first known defeat in combat, the Champion was one of the eleven Elders who sought to restart the universe by killing Galactus. He attempted to kill Mantis but she was rescued by the Silver Surfer, the Champion then battled Galactus and the Silver Surfer but was converted to energy and consumed by Galactus. The Champion and the other four Elders devoured by Galactus caused Galactus cosmic indigestion from within until they were forced out of him by Master Order and Lord Chaos. Once the In-Betweener had been defeated by Galactus the five Elders used their Infinity Gems to instantaneously travel far away from Galactus. As a result, the Champion ended up with the Power Gem in his possession, however, instead of helping the Champion after receiving the Gem, Thanos caused the Champion to fall to another world. By defeating Skardons most powerful fighters in the natives boxing-ring-esque arena and he then deliberately let the living conditions deteriorate on Skardon, and let it be known that he would continue to do so until a worthy challenger defeated and dethroned him. The Champion was ultimately unseated by the She-Hulk, who was sent to Skardon as a representative of the universal judiciary body known as the Magistrati, at Pips request
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Vision (Marvel Comics)
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Vision is the name of several fictional superheroes appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The first iteration was a created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby who first appeared in Marvel Mystery Comics #13. The second iteration is an android and a member of the Avengers who first appeared in The Avengers #57 by Roy Thomas, Stan Lee, the third Vision is a time traveler that fused with the second versions operating system. The character is portrayed by Paul Bettany in the 2015 film Avengers, Age of Ultron, the first Vision was created by the writer-artist team of Joe Simon and Jack Kirby in Marvel Mystery Comics #13. Decades later, editor Stan Lee and writer Roy Thomas decided to add a new member to the superhero-team series The Avengers. Thomas wanted to bring back the Golden Age Vision, but Lee was set on introducing an android member, Thomas ultimately compromised by using a new, android Vision. The second Vision first appeared in The Avengers #57, Thomas wanted the character to be white as befitting his ghostly name, but printing limitations of the time would have rendered him colorless, with un-inked paper where his skin should be. He settled on red as he did not want Vision to be green like the Hulk or blue like the Atlanteans, the character has been compared with Spock from Star Trek, but Thomas said that he was barely aware of the TV series at the time. He acknowledged being influenced by the Adam Link character by Otto Binder, in The Avengers #75, the Scarlet Witch is reintroduced to the team and soon becomes a love interest for the Vision. So they became a pair, for just such practical considerations and it was finally followed up in The Avengers #134–135. Writer Steve Englehart explained, That plot was well known in-house for years, and since Roy and Neal hadnt had a chance to do it, I did it on my watch with Roy’s blessing. In 1972 the Vision appeared with Spider-Man in Marvel Team-Up #5, A Passion of the Mind, the Vision and Scarlet Witch were married in Giant-Size Avengers #4. The couple starred in the limited series Vision and the Scarlet Witch #1–4, by writer Bill Mantlo, the Vision Quest story in West Coast Avengers #42–45 by writer/penciller John Byrne took the character away from his earlier depictions as a synthetic human and emphasized his android nature. Journalist Karen Walker later commented, This image alone has probably more to shape how future writers perceive the character than anything before or since. Once seen broken down into component parts, it’s hard to move past that image and think of the Vision as a synthetic man. The Vision appeared in a limited series, Vision, #1–4, by writer Bob Harras. Nearly a decade after that came a second volume, written by Geoff Johns. Vision appeared as a character in the 2010–2013 Avengers series
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Avengers (comics)
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The Avengers are a fictional team of superheroes appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1, created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby, labeled Earths Mightiest Heroes, the Avengers originally consisted of Hank Pym, the Hulk, Iron Man, Thor, and the Wasp. The original Captain America was discovered, trapped in ice, a rotating roster became a hallmark, although one theme remained consistent, the Avengers fight the foes no single superhero can withstand. The team, famous for its battle cry of Avengers Assemble. has featured humans, mutants, inhumans, robots, aliens, supernatural beings, and even former villains. The team has appeared in a variety of media outside of comic books including a number of different animated television series. A second Avengers film titled Avengers, Age of Ultron was released on May 1,2015, the team debuted in The Avengers #1. Much like the Justice League, the Avengers were an assemblage of pre-existing superhero characters created by Lee, between 1996 and 2004, Marvel relaunched the primary Avengers title three times. In 1996, the Heroes Reborn line took place in an alternate universe, the Avengers vol.3 relaunched and ran for 84 issues from February 1998 to August 2004. In January 2005, a new version of the team appeared in the ongoing title The New Avengers, followed by The Mighty Avengers, Avengers, The Initiative, Avengers vol.4 debuted in July 2010 and ran until January 2013. Vol.5 was launched in February 2013, after Secret Wars, a new Avengers team debuted, dubbed the All-New, All-Different Avengers, starting with a Free Comic Book Day preview. After the group vanquished Loki, Ant-Man stated that the five worked well together and suggested they form a team, Captain America soon joined the team in issue #4, and he was given founding member status in the Hulks place. The Avengers went on to fight such as Baron Zemo, who formed the Masters of Evil, Kang the Conqueror, Wonder Man. The next milestone came when every member but Captain America resigned, Giant-Man, now calling himself Goliath, and the Wasp rejoined. Hercules became part of the team, while the Black Knight, Spider-Man was offered membership but did not join the group. The Black Panther joined after rescuing the team from the Grim Reaper, the X-Men #45 featured a crossover with The Avengers #53. This was followed by the introduction of the android the Vision, Pym assumed the new identity of Yellowjacket in issue #59, and married the Wasp the following month. The Avengers headquarters was in a New York City building called Avengers Mansion, the team encountered new characters such as Arkon in issue #75, and Red Wolf in #80. The Avengers briefly disband when Skrulls impersonating Captain America, Thor, the true founding Avengers, minus the Wasp, reformed the team in response after complaints from Jarvis
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Northwestern University
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Composed of twelve schools and colleges, Northwestern offers 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees. Northwestern was founded in 1851 by John Evans, for whom the City of Evanston is named and its founding purpose was to serve the Northwest Territory, an area that today includes the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and parts of Minnesota. Instruction began in 1855, women were admitted in 1869, today, the main campus is a 240-acre parcel in Evanston, along the shores of Lake Michigan 12 miles north of downtown Chicago. The universitys law, medical, and professional schools are located on a 25-acre campus in Chicagos Streeterville neighborhood, in 2008, the university opened a campus in Education City, Doha, Qatar with programs in journalism and communication. In 2016, Northwestern opened its San Francisco space at 44 Montgomery St. which hosts journalism, engineering, Northwestern is a large research university with a comprehensive doctoral program and it attracts over $650 million in sponsored research each year. Northwestern has the tenth largest university endowment in the United States, in 2017, the university accepted 9. 0% of undergraduate applicants from a pool of 37,255. Northwestern is a member of the Big Ten Conference and remains the only private university in the conference. The Northwestern Wildcats compete in 19 intercollegiate sports in the NCAAs Division I Big Ten Conference, on January 28,1851, the Illinois General Assembly granted a charter to the Trustees of the North-Western University, making it the first chartered university in Illinois. The schools nine founders, all of whom were Methodists, knelt in prayer, John Evans, for whom Evanston is named, bought 379 acres of land along Lake Michigan in 1853, and Philo Judson developed plans for what would become the city of Evanston, Illinois. The first building, Old College, opened on November 5,1855, to raise funds for its construction, Northwestern sold $100 perpetual scholarships entitling the purchaser and his heirs to free tuition. Willard Residential College is named in her honor, Northwestern admitted its first women students in 1869, and the first woman was graduated in 1874. Northwestern fielded its first intercollegiate football team in 1882, later becoming a member of the Big Ten Conference. In the 1870s and 1880s, Northwestern affiliated itself with already existing schools of law, medicine, Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law is the oldest law school in Chicago. The Association of American Universities invited Northwestern to become a member in 1917, in 1933, a proposal to merge Northwestern with the University of Chicago was considered but rejected. Northwestern was also one of the first six universities in the country to establish a Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps in the 1920s, after the golden years of the 1920s, the Great Depression in the United States hit Northwestern hard. Its annual income dropped 25 percent from $4.8 million in 1930-31 to $3.6 million in 1933-34. Investment income shrank, fewer parents could pay full tuition, and annual giving from alumni, the university responded with two salary cuts of 10 percent each for all employees. It imposed a freeze, a building freeze, and slashed appropriations for maintenance, books
31.
Iron Man
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Iron Man is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer and editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, the character made his first appearance in Tales of Suspense #39. He instead creates a suit of armor to save his life. Later, Stark augments his suit with weapons and other technological devices he designed through his company and he uses the suit and successive versions to protect the world as Iron Man, while at first concealing his true identity. Initially, Iron Man was a vehicle for Stan Lee to explore Cold War themes, particularly the role of American technology, subsequent re-imaginings of Iron Man have transitioned from Cold War themes to contemporary concerns, such as corporate crime and terrorism. Iron Man has been adapted for several animated TV shows and films, the character is portrayed by Robert Downey Jr. in the live action film Iron Man, which was a critical and box office success. Iron Man was ranked 12th on IGNs Top 100 Comic Book Heroes in 2011, in 1963, Lee had been toying with the idea of a businessman superhero. He wanted to create the quintessential capitalist, a character that would go against the spirit of the times, Lee said, I think I gave myself a dare. It was the height of the Cold War, the readers, the young readers, if there was one thing they hated, it was war, it was the military. So I got a hero who represented that to the hundredth degree. He set out to make the new character a wealthy, glamorous ladies man, writer Gerry Conway said, Here you have this character, who on the outside is invulnerable, I mean, just cant be touched, but inside is a wounded figure. Stan made it very much an in-your-face wound, you know, his heart was broken, you know, but theres a metaphor going on there. And thats, I think, what made that character interesting, Lee based this playboys looks and personality on Howard Hughes, explaining, Howard Hughes was one of the most colorful men of our time. He was an inventor, an adventurer, a multi-billionaire, a ladies man, without being crazy, he was Howard Hughes, Lee said. While Lee intended to write the story himself, a minor deadline emergency eventually forced him to hand over the issue to Lieber. The art was split between Kirby and Heck and he designed the costume, Heck said of Kirby, because he was doing the cover. The covers were always done first, but I created the look of the characters, like Tony Stark and his secretary Pepper Potts. In a 1990 interview, when asked if he had a model for Tony Stark. Heck replied No, I would be thinking more along the lines of some characters I like, which would be the kind of characters that Alex Toth liked
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Wonder Man
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Wonder Man is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, in 2012, Wonder Man was ranked 38th in IGNs list of The Top 50 Avengers. Wonder Man debuted in the superhero-team title The Avengers #9, four years later, Avengers #58 revisited the events of #9, explaining that the Avengers had electronically saved Wonder Mans mind in a computer. Wonder Man was not seen again until The Avengers #102, where he made a appearance in a comatose state. Wonder Mans body was revived by the villain Kang in The Avengers #131-132, and then again by the Black Talon in The Avengers #152, after this last encounter, Wonder Man finally recovered his faculties and joined the Avengers in a full-time capacity in Avengers #160. Marvel Comics then-publisher Stan Lee said in 1978, You know, years ago we brought out Wonder Man, and sued us because they had Wonder Woman, I said okay, Ill discontinue Wonder Man. And all of a sudden theyve got Power Girl, Wonder Man later appeared as a founding member of the spin-off West Coast Avengers first in a four-issue miniseries, and continuing as one of the primary characters in the series 102-issue run. After that team disbanded, he joined the team Force Works in a series that debuted with a July 1994 cover-date, after that team splintered, Wonder Man rejoined the Avengers in The Avengers vol. After the collapse of the team in The Avengers #503, Wonder Man joined a new group called the Mighty Avengers, co-starred in that teams series. Wonder Man starred in a graphic novel in 1986. He then starred in a 29-issue series, Wonder Man, which was followed in by the three-issue miniseries Avengers Two, Wonder Man and the Beast. In 2007, he starred in the five-issue miniseries Wonder Man, Wonder Man appeared sporadically throughout the 2010-2013 Avengers series, but played an important role in the End Times storyline in issue #31 through its final issue #34. Comic book writer Rick Remender revealed in an interview that Wonder Man would be a member of the Uncanny Avengers, Simon Williams is the son of rich industrialist Sanford Williams, owner of Williams Innovations. Simon inherits the munitions factory after his fathers death, but the companys profits fall due to its biggest competitor Tony Stark, on the advice of his brother Eric, Simon tries to embezzle funds from his company but is caught and incarcerated. Simon blames Stark for this and accepts the proposition of master villain Baron Heinrich Zemo after the Enchantress pays his bail, the desperate Simon Williams agrees and is transformed into an ion-powered being with superhuman powers. His powers are tested, and he is shown to have superhuman strength and durability. Called Wonder Man by Zemo, he is sent to meet and join the Avengers. Zemo ensures Wonder Mans loyalty by advising him that as a result of the treatment his body now requires periodic doses of a serum to survive—a serum that only Zemo can provide, the Avengers are lured into a trap and captured
33.
Hercules (Marvel Comics)
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Hercules is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Debuting in the Silver Age of Comic Books, the character is based on Heracles of Greek mythology, the character has starred in three self-titled limited series and been a perennial member of the superhero team the Avengers, appearing in each of the three titles. In 2008, Hercules debuted in his own series titled The Incredible Hercules, the character was ranked 21st in IGNs list of The Top 50 Avengers, and has appeared in various forms of media including television series and video games. The character was adapted from mythology by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby, Hercules debuted in Avengers #10 as a minion of Immortus, although his appearance was revealed in the limited series Avengers Forever #1 -12 as being an impostor. The characters first formal appearance in the Marvel Universe became Journey into Mystery Annual #1, Hercules became a regular guest star in the title Thor, appearing in issue #126. The character guest-starred in Tales To Astonish #79, and a battle with the Hulk established Hercules as a powerhouse. The character teamed up with the Avengers, as of issue #38, in issue #45 of The Avengers, Hercules became a Full-Fledged Avenger by way of Goliaths announcement to the press during the first annual Avengers Day. Hercules also guest starred in Marvel Team-Up #28 and Marvel Premiere #26 before starring along with four other heroes in the Champions which ran for 17 issues, after this, Hercules made a guest appearance in Marvel Two-In-One #44. Hercules starred in two limited series by writer-artist Bob Layton, with set in an alternate universe. A 24th century version of Hercules starred in Hercules #1 -4, the storylines dealt with Herculess exile from Olympus, completion of a series of quests and opportunity to leave his past behind and create a new identity. The story lead directly into the Assault on Olympus storyline in Avengers #281 -285, the character starred in the self-titled limited series Hercules vol. 3, #1 -5, and guest starred in limited series Thor, Blood Oath #1 -6, the series concluded with Incredible Hercules #141, and was followed by the 2-issue mini-series Hercules, Fall of an Avenger. The mini-series is scheduled to lead into the new title, Prince of Power #1, also written by Pak. One 2010 comic includes a development which suggests that Hercules had a sexual encounter with gay male superhero Northstar at an earlier point in time. Writers Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente started a brand new Hercules series, entitled Herc, featuring the hero without powers, Hercules first appears when pulled from the past by the villain Immortus to battle the Thunder God Thor. This story is not referenced in the next appearance, which depicts Hercules. The discrepancy is explained when it is revealed that the first Hercules encountered was actually an alien Space Phantom in disguise. Hercules guest-stars in an extended Thor storyline, defeating a depowered Thunder God, Hercules unwittingly becomes the slave of fellow Olympian god Pluto when he signs a contract which he thinks is for a film, but actually states that he will now rule the Netherworld instead of Pluto
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Namor
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Namor the Sub-Mariner is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. During that period, known to historians and fans as the Golden Age of Comic Books, Everett said the characters name was inspired by Samuel Taylor Coleridges poem, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Everett came up with Namor by writing down noble sounding names backwards, the first known comic book antihero, the Sub-Mariner has remained a historically important and relatively popular Marvel character. He has served directly with the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, the Invaders, the Defenders, the X-Men, and the Illuminati as well as serving as a foil to them on occasion. Namor the Sub-Mariner first appeared in April 1939 in the prototype for a planned giveaway comic titled Motion Picture Funnies Weekly, the only eight known samples among those created to send to theater owners were discovered in the estate of the deceased publisher in 1974. When the giveaway idea fell through, creator Bill Everett used the character for Marvel Comics #1, the final panel of the earlier, unpublished eight-page Sub-Mariner story had included a Continued Next Week box that reappeared, sans lettering, in an expanded 12-page story. The series Marvel Comics was retitled Marvel Mystery Comics with issue #2, in his first appearances Namor was an enemy of the United States. Comics historian Les Daniels noted that Namor was a freak in the service of chaos, although the Sub-Mariner acted like a villain, his cause had some justice, and readers reveled in his assaults on civilization. His enthusiastic fans werent offended by the carnage he created as he wrecked everything from ships to skyscrapers, everetts antihero would eventually battle Carl Burgos android superhero, the Human Torch, when in 1940 Namor threatened to sink the island of Manhattan underneath a tidal wave. When the U. S. entered World War II, Namor would aid the Allies of World War II against Adolf Hitler and the Axis powers. Supporting characters included Betty Dean, a New York City policewoman introduced in Marvel Mystery Comics #3, who was a steady companion, Namor starred in the Golden Age comic book Sub-Mariner Comics, published quarterly, then thrice-yearly, and finally bimonthly, from issues #1–32. A backup feature each issue starred the detective-superhero the Angel, along with many other Timely characters, Namor disappeared a few years after the end of World War II and the decline in popularity of superhero comics. Both these super-groups were built around the core of Namor, Captain America, the Sub-Mariner experienced a brief revival in the mid-1950s at Atlas Comics, the 1950s iteration of Marvel. Along with Captain America and the original Human Torch, he was revived in Young Men #24, soon afterward, Sub-Mariner Comics was revived with issues #33–42. During this time, Namora had her own spin-off series, a planned live-action television program starring Namor did not appear and the revival of the comic book series was cancelled a second time. Storm helps him recover his memory, and Namor immediately returns to his undersea kingdom – identified, for the first time in the Marvel canon, finding it destroyed from nuclear testing, Namor assumes his people are scattered and that he will never find them. He again becomes an antihero during this period, as two elements – a thirst for vengeance and a quest for identity – would dominate the Sub-Mariner stories of the 1960s. He was both a villain and a hero – striking against the race who destroyed his home
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X-Factor (comics)
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X-Factor is an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics. It is a spin-off from the popular X-Men franchise, featuring characters from X-Men stories, the series has been relaunched several times with different team rosters, most recently in X-Factor v.3 as X-Factor Investigations. X-Factor launched in 1986, featuring a team composed of the five original X-Men. The series was canceled in 1998, in 2002 a four-part X-Factor mini-series detailed an investigation by the Mutant Civil Rights Task Force into an alleged conspiracy by hate-groups to commit murder against mutants. The series was written by Jeff Jensen with artwork by Arthur Ranson, in 2005 a new X-Factor series was launched, following the mutant detective agency X-Factor Investigations. The series also won a 2011 GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comic Book, in 2014 a new series written by David, All-New X-Factor was launched featuring a new corporate-sponsored X-Factor team. Beast - A brilliant scientist possessing bestial strength and agility, Cyclops - Former X-Men team leader, with the ability to emit powerful optic blasts from his eyes. Jean Grey - The long-time love of Cyclops, possessing telekinetic abilities, Iceman - A brash jokester, gifted with cryokinetic abilities. The founding of X-Factor hinged upon the reunion of the original X-Men, in the 1970s and early 1980s, Angel, Beast, and Iceman wandered through various superhero teams. By 1985, all three were members of the Defenders, but the monthly Defenders series was cancelled shortly after they joined, a more difficult task was the return of Cyclops and Jean Grey. In 1980, Jean Grey was killed during the seminal Dark Phoenix Saga, instead, the Phoenix entity copied Greys identity and form, keeping her safe in a cocoon-like structure beneath Jamaica Bay. Busiek related the idea to Roger Stern, who related it to John Byrne, Byrne wrote and illustrated Fantastic Four #286, incorporating Busieks idea. In order to join the team, Cyclops walked out on his new wife Madelyne Pryor, an Alaskan pilot who bore a resemblance to Grey. The original X-Men disassociate with the current team because Professor X had placed their old nemesis, Magneto, the five original members set up a business advertised as mutant-hunters for hire, headquartered in the TriBeCa neighborhood of downtown New York City, posing as normal humans to their clients. The mutants that X-Factor capture are secretly trained to control their powers, through their mutant hunting they recruit a group of young wards, Artie Maddicks - A pink-skinned, mute child who could project hologram-like images of his thoughts. Tabitha Smith - A young woman who ran away from her father, who can create handheld energy spheres that she can explode at will. Rusty Collins - A former member of the U. S. Navy whose pyrokinesis first manifested uncontrollably, severely injuring a woman, leech - A green-skinned young boy, who can dampen the mutant powers of those around him. Rictor - A Mexican teenager who can produce powerful seismic waves, skids - A runaway who could project a protective force field around her body
36.
Captain Ultra
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Captain Ultra is a fictional character, a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He first appeared in Fantastic Four #177 and was created by Roy Thomas, George Pérez, when an elderly psychologist could not afford to pay plumber Griffin Gogol, he offers to cure Gogols smoking habit via hypnosis. However, as Gogol later learned, the psychologist was an extraterrestrial, donning a clashing, colorful costume, Gogol became the superhero Captain Ultra. However, it is revealed he suffers from severe pyrophobia as a side-effect, Captain Ultras first appearance is as an applicant to the supervillain team called the Frightful Four. He is at first enthusiastically accepted by the three villains, ecstatic at his large array of powers. However, when one of them began to light a cigarette in celebration, an unauthorized television program informs Gogol of the super-hero team the Defenders. Captain Ultra is one of a group to investigate by traveling to the Richmond Riding Academy on Long Island. There he works with a group to stop a crime spree back in New York. Like most of the applicants, he is not pleased with the Defenders. Soon after, he moves to Chicago and he has since had a minor career as a solo superhero, often teaming up with heroes like Thor to battle minor villains. He eventually overcomes his fear of fire thanks to years of extensive therapy under the super-powered psychiatrist Doc Samson. Gogol began a new career as a comedian and battled Eklr. His comedy career takes him across the country, superheroics interfere with this, such as when the underground dirt creature Mud Pi, kidnaps his entire potential audience, the citizenry of Wash Basin, Texas. Captain Ultra manages to rescue them all. Doorman begged him to join the Great Lakes Avengers, but Captain Ultra angrily rejects him, Griffin then became the leader for the Nebraska team of the Initiative program, part of a government controlled superhero program. After two of his teammates, Paragon and Gadget are killed, Griffin briefly fights Iron Man to protect the rest of his group and he is seen investigating the circumstances of Paragon and Gadgets tragic deaths with Doc Samson and Iron Man. Captain Ultra is recruited by Wonder Man to join his Revengers, during the Revengers attack on Avengers Mansion, he is scared off when Doctor Strange uses an illusion spell to make him believe he is on fire. He and the rest of the Revengers were defeated by all three Avengers teams and were remanded to the Raft
37.
Ringmaster (comics)
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The Ringmaster is a fictional character, a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The best known Ringmaster in the Marvel Universe is Maynard Tiboldt who debuted in Hulk #3, a villain known as the Ringmaster of Death appeared in Captain America Comics #5. This character also appeared later in flashback in Captain America #112. The second Ringmaster is Maynard Tiboldt, since his first appearance in Hulk #3, he has turned up as a somewhat pathetic and luckless opponent for virtually every hero in the Marvel universe, ranging from Spider-Man to Howard the Duck. He is a thin man who sports a Fu Manchu moustache. Nearly every appearance of the Ringmaster ends with him being thrown back into jail, the Ringmaster is a Nazi agent, whose circus was a cover for murdering US government officials. He traveled with midget, Tommy Thumb, snake charmer, Omar, strong man, Zandow and aerialists, after murdering a U. S. sergeant with a tiger, Captain America and Bucky become suspicious of their activities. The Ringmaster kidnaps Betsy Ross and the heroes trace him and his circus, later on Fritz, along with his wife, were killed by the Nazis for their defeat at the hands of Captain America. Following the introduction of Maynard Tiboldt, this character was revealed to be the later Ringmasters father, Maynard Tiboldt was born in Vienna, Austria to the original Ringmaster of Death Fritz Tiboldt, and his wife Lola. He inherited the Circus when his parents were murdered, the Ringmaster is a powerless man with a unique hat which is designed to hypnotize people, thus allowing him to take complete control over their actions. During their show, he would hypnotize the crowd and send his lackeys out to steal any valuables on the victims person, once, while engaging in this activity, he managed to enslave the Hulk when he was under the control of Rick Jones who was attending a performance. However the Hulk captured him when he tried to escape in a chariot, after this failure, he briefly abandoned the Circus of Crime, who became the Masters of Menace led by the Clown. He came back to steal their loot after their capture by Spider-Man and he later schemed to blow up Avengers Mansion during the wedding of Yellowjacket and the Wasp and defeated Jarvis, but fought and was defeated by the Avengers. He later enlisted a mind-controlled Ulik as an accomplice, but was defeated by Thor, with Blackwing, he battled Daredevil once again. He also battled Power Man and Black Goliath, Ringmaster later helped Namor the Sub-Mariner and the Shroud secretly enter Latveria. He later captured the sea-nymph Meriam, and fought the Hulk again, the Ringmaster later enlisted Howard the Duck as an unwilling accomplice, but was defeated by Howard and Iris Raritan. Ringmaster battled the Thing, Iceman, and Giant-Man, Ringmaster next pitted a mind-controlled Hulk against the Dragon Man. The Ringmaster was later hired by the Headmen to test She-Hulks strength and he later attempted to reform, but helped the Circus of Crime escape from the police after battling Power Pack
