Carlos Pacheco's Influence on the MC2

 

With the recent passing of legendary comic book artist and writer Carlos Pacheco, I wanted to make a small post as tribute. While Carlos never directly worked on an MC2 title, not only has his costume designs influenced the MC2, he has also depicted various MC2 characters as we will soon discuss.  

 

At the very end of Tom Defalco’s run on the Fantastic Four title, regular penciller Paul Ryan was replaced by Carlos Pacheco who closed out the comic’s first volume with its final two issues, #415 and #416, which formed part of the Onslaught crossover. It is in these two issues that the Fantastic Four team’s new costumes debuted. Not only do these costumes make a return later starting with Fantastic Four vol. 3 #12 but they also appear to have strongly influenced the costumes of the MC2’s Fantastic Five team.

 

While the Fantastic Five’s first cameo appearance in What If #105 seems to depict them in the classic F4 costumes, starting with their first full appearance the Fantastic Five’s costumes are Pacheco-inspired (Spider-Girl #3). This is evident from the stylized insignia and the gizmos on the gloves, with penciller Pat Olliffe and colourist Christie Scheele adding their own twists to the design; removing the appearance of boots, changing the belt, and giving the various members different costume colours. The late great Paul Ryan would again tweak this design, making small changes and restoring the classic boots for the team’s own title (Fantastic Five Vol. 1 #1). The Fantastic Five’s costumes would change over time, but their basic design owes much to Mr Pacheco.

 

To round out this post, let us look at the time Carlos pencilled some of the MC2 characters. I have briefly touched on the Avengers Forever series a few times in the past, so you may already be aware that various members of the MC2’s Avengers and one from the Fantastic Five make cameo appearances. In Avengers Forever #11-#12 Mr Pacheco gives us his rendition of American Dream, Freebooter, Coal Tiger, and Kristoff Vernard.

 

I hope it is clear I greatly respect the artistic skills and imagination of Carlos Pacheco. I am deeply saddened by another passing of an extremely talented member of the comics pantheon, we have lost too many already especially lately. Thanks for all the wonder you have added to the world of comics, Mr Pacheco.

 

Until I can better express my condolences, I remain

 

frogoat

Firestar in the MC2

I’ve recently had the opportunity to watch through the entirety of the 1980’s classic animated series Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends. This experience, combined with the knowledge that it’s a favourite of arias-98105, has prompted me to take a quick look at a character who originated on the show: Angelica Jones aka Firestar in the MC2.

The character of Firestar was created for the Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends animated series, from an initial sketch by comic artist extraordinaire John Romita Sr that was refined and finalized by Rick Hoberg. Making her debut in animation with the first episode ‘Triumph of the Green Goblin’ in September 1981 which was followed shortly after with her first comic appearance, an adaption of the episode in December 1981’s Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends #1. But as for the first appearance of Angelica Jones as Firestar in the Main Marvel Universe, that took a few years with Uncanny X-Men #193 in May 1985.

While Firestar would have a superhero career alongside teams including the X-Men, Hellions and most notably the New Warriors, it was her eventual membership as an Avenger that we will be discussing today, particularly as it relates to the History of the MC2 Avengers. As I’ve detailed in previous posts, it appears the events surrounding Heroes Reborn and Heroes Return unfolded in the MC2 just as they had in the Main Marvel Universe. However, with the start of the third volume of the Avengers series, it becomes less clear how closely the two worlds mirror each other after this point. What is likely is that in the MC2, the Avengers team reformed much as they had in Avengers vol. 3 #1-4 with Firestar and her main squeeze Justice joining the group officially in Avengers vol. 3 #4.

 I mention all this to lend context to the limited information we have available regarding Firestar in the MC2. In the Main Marvel Universe, Firestar received a new costume designed by fellow Avenger Janet Van Dyne aka The Wasp. This costume was not well received by Angelica, who found it too revealing and soon made modifications to better suit her tastes (Avengers vol.3 #8). Here’s the original costume as well as the first (Avengers vol. 3 #8), second (Avengers vol. 3 #9) and third (Avengers vol. 3 #13) modifications made to it:

As I’ve discussed previously, we know the original Avengers team’s last mission was nearly 12 years prior to the events of A-Next #1, as mentioned by Jarvis when he recounts the details to the new Avengers. Both Firestar and Justice are seen amongst the assembled Avengers during the flashback where it is decided the team must venture through the portal to the alternate world to halt Doom’s multiversal threat. While it is difficult to discern from this cameo, Firestar appears to be wearing the second or third modified variation of the Avengers-era costume mentioned above, so we know she was by that point a well-established member, either one who was on the then-current roster or simply returning for this major emergency summons (A-Next #7).

Along with her fellow assembled Avengers, Firestar agreed to and embarked on the grave mission which saw only seven members return through the portal. While we don’t get a 100% confirmation, it’s assumed Angelica Jones died along with almost all of the Avengers who went on this final mission, including her lover Justice. Despite the sobering tragedy of such a massive loss, the team did succeed in saving their Earth from the threat of Doom (A-Next #7).

While I believe it’s extremely unlikely that Firestar is somehow alive on the alternate Earth ruled by Doom, it should be noted that the reports of Captain America’s death were greatly exaggerated as revealed in A-Next #10. So that is something to consider, if you are so inclined! A huge thank you to arias-98105, who is a big Firestar fan and provided invaluable help with image research, costume information and fact checking!

 

It’s a shame so many of the Avengers died, but it’s an even bigger shame we never got to see younger heroes like Firestar and Justice reach their full potential in the MC2. At least Speedball made it!

Until I become Amazing Friends with Iceman and Spidey and rent a room from Aunt May, I remain

frogoat

Catch Up

I'm a little late. Sorry, it's been a wild sort of week or more. Supanova was fun, fun, fun. Tom Felton was a nice chap, Felicia Day was a delightful woman and both Billy West and John De Maggio are some of the funniest human beings you will ever meet. I bought some nice trades (or 'graphic novels' if you prefer) including two Tom and Ron Thor trades (one of which covers part of the Eric Masterson run) as well as The Complete Ben Reilly Epic Vol 1. I bought an Australian made trade collection of The Soldier Legacy (http://pm-comic.blogspot.com.au/ for anyone interested) and got a couple wall scrolls, one of John Romita Jr's Spidey and the other features everyone's favorite time traveling purple haired half-Saiya-jin sword-wielder, Trunks.

Cosplaying was a blast for my friend ( Super Saiya-jin Goku) and myself (Harry Potter) but the best part of any Con is seeing everyone's incredible efforts. Hat's off to you all! On a downer note, I didn't find a single Spider-Girl trade, digest, poster, figure, or even mention. I was hoping to find a better copy of the second digest at the very least, but alas, it was not to be. Still, a brilliant weekend made even more entertaining by watching my other good friend refereeing five (count 'em, five) Wrestling Matches live throughout the weekend.

All in all, a good time had by all!

Until I cosplay as Sailor Moon, I remain

frogoat