The Living Tribunal in the MC2

 

The Living Tribunal has appeared on the big screen very briefly thanks to the new Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness following a brief cameo on the small screen in Disney+ series Loki. So, as usual I’m going to detail the character’s MC2 counterpart: The Living Tribunal in the MC2.

During the events of Last Planet Standing, with Galactus poised to destroy the entire universe in an attempt to rid himself of his never-ending hunger, a gathering of the Great Powers of the Universe took place to discuss the threat posed to reality. The cosmic forces in attendance included Master Order, Lord Chaos, The In-Betweener, The Shaper of Worlds, The Stranger, The Gardener, The Collector and of course The Living Tribunal (Last Planet Standing #2).

 

The Great Powers of the Universe’s attempt to reason with the World-Eater one last time fails. Ultimately deciding they must destroy Galactus using a combined destructive bolt strong enough to wipe out the Earth and the entire Milky Way Galaxy, the Great Powers are halted in their attempt when Reed Richards is forced to use his Transdimensional Cannon's single shot on the cosmic beings (Last Planet Standing #3).

That’s all we glimpse of The Living Tribunal in the MC2. Presumably the form of the Living Tribunal that is hit by the Transdimensional Cannon is an M-Body or Manifestation Body or simply wasn’t destroyed but merely delayed. I say this because the Living Tribunal is multiversal in nature and exists across all universes as a single entity with various forms.

 

Anyway, let’s see what I cover next.

 

Until I find myself with three heads and maintaining celestial balance in the multiverse, I remain

 

frogoat

 

The Collector in the MC2

 

The Collector aka Taneleer Tivan has returned to screens thanks to the new Disney+ series What If following his appearances in films such as Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers: Infinity War. So, as usual I’m going to detail the character’s MC2 counterpart: The Collector in the MC2.

 

During the events of Last Planet Standing, with Galactus poised to destroy the entire universe in an attempt to rid himself of his never-ending hunger, a gathering of the Great Powers of the Universe took place to discuss the threat posed to reality. The cosmic forces in attendance included Master Order, Lord Chaos, The In-Betweener, The Shaper of Worlds, The Living Tribunal, The Stranger, The Gardener and of course The Collector. Tivan argues they had failed to destroy Galactus in the past and would place Earth in jeopardy by attempting to again. (Last Planet Standing #2).

 

The Great Powers of the Universe’s attempt to reason with the World-Eater one last time fails. Ultimately deciding they must destroy Galactus using a combined destructive bolt strong enough to wipe out the Earth and the entire Milky Way Galaxy, the Great Powers are halted in their attempt when Reed Richards is forced to use his Transdimensional Cannon's single shot on the cosmic beings (Last Planet Standing #3).

 

That’s all we glimpse of The Collector in the MC2. It’s interesting to see Taneleer appear in his more alien form in Last Planet Standing, as this is apparently a more powerful form which fits with the seriousness of the threat of Galactus’ plot. Perhaps someday future writers will return to the MC2 and play around with the Great Powers of the Universe who reside there?

 

Until I finish my never-ending MC2 collection of posts, comics and products, I remain

 

frogoat

The Watcher in the MC2

 

With the new What If...? show now streaming away on Disney+ I figure now is the best time to talk about one of the series most iconic characters, everyone’s favourite observant extra-terrestrial in a toga, Uatu aka The Watcher in the MC2.

 

Despite May ‘Mayday’ Parker aka Spider-Girl making her debut in the pages of What If (vol. 2) #105, the comic series ‘host’ The Watcher doesn’t appear within to set up the tale nor play the narrator as he often did.

  Uatu actually first shows up in the pages of the mini-series Last Hero Standing with issue #1. It’s here he gives the reader a quick history of the MC2 reaching back to birth of Age of Heroes, clearly referencing the Main Marvel Universe’s beginnings. The Watcher notes he can see that a pivotal moment is coming which may end the modern Age of Heroes and bring a new era of darkness.

 

At the conclusion of Last Hero Standing, Loki is revealed as the antagonist and leaves Captain America dying. Uatu watches as Thor combines Asgardian magic with his friend’s spirit, transforming the hero into a new star in the sky. The Watcher informs the readers that it will shine until the end of time and ‘serve to inspire countless new generations of heroes!’ (Last Hero Standing #5)

 

Unfortunately, the next time we see Uatu is also the last time. The Watcher states ‘the time has come for me to witness one final critical juncture’ before he and half of the Earth’s Moon are blasted away by Galactus’ herald Dominas. Presumably The Watcher is killed in this attack, though this is not confirmed (Last Planet Standing #3).

 

 Fortunately, the newly birthed being composed of the combined Silver Surfer and Galactus uses a new form of energy- The Power Essential -to repair the damage wreaked during his former self’s plot. So, it’s possible -though again, not stated- that Uatu was restored also (Last Planet Standing #5).

 

That’s all we have for everyone’s favourite Watcher in the MC2. Brief, but surely true to form for the character. Perhaps he’ll narrate something momentous in the future?

 

Until I figure out how to look *that good* in a toga, I remain

 

frogoat

President of the United States of America in the MC2

 

In my part of the world there is an election on the horizon, which inspired me to finally cover the most non-controversial aspect of the MC2: Politicians! Today I’m going to introduce you all to the President of the United States of America in the MC2.

 

The President of the United States of America during the present-day era of the MC2 is none other than George Washington Bridge. For those unfamiliar, G.W. Bridge first appeared in X-Force #1 and was a high-ranking member of the spy organisation S.H.I.E.L.D. and a long-time member of the time-travelling Cable’s mercenary team Six Pack. While he’s a solid existing Marvel character to draw on when selecting a fictional President, I suspect he was chosen as much for his name which has a nice ring to it as any other reason.

 

The MC2’s G.W. Bridge made his first appearance in Spider-Girl #31, glimpsed on a video call with Tony Stark which gets interrupted by a depowered Spider-Girl who comes crashing into Stark’s office riding a Goblin Glider. Naturally President Bridge offers to call S.H.I.E.L.D. but is dissuaded by Stark. This issue was released in early 2001, so it’s kind of forward thinking (or predictive) of the creative team to feature an African American as President.

 

While President Bridge doesn’t technically appear, we do hear from his Special Advisor (and former Avenger) the Vision in Last Hero Standing #3. Vision reports that the President is concerned about the recent rash of super hero disappearances present a possible security threat to the nation.

 

In the follow up mini-series Last Planet Standing, President Bridge does make a few on-panel appearances, starting with #1 when he discusses the missing Fantastic Five (led by Reed Richards) and the current team of Avengers with Vision. The President is not filled with confidence by the present line up of heroes defending the world.

 

 In Last Planet Standing #2 Vision informs the assembled Avengers that he has been sent by President Bridge to coordinate and supervise all efforts to safeguard the world in the Fantastic Five’s absence. This news is not well received by the Avengers.

 

In Last Planet Standing #3, the Fantastic Five manage to establish communication with the President and update him on the nature of the threat to the planet. President Bridge also asks Vision to convey his sincerest gratitude to the Avengers, placing the Fantastic Five in charge and putting the Avengers on standby, an instruction that is not well received either. Vision points out that as a government-sanctioned team they all serve at the will of President, though Stinger maintains that they are volunteers and shouldn’t be on the sidelines in such a situation. Soon after, the whole Avengers team disobey orders and head off to join the fight as Galactus’ Herald arrives on Earth.

With the world-threatening crisis deteriorating, President Bridge contacts the Fantastic Five only to be brushed off by Reed Richards who tells him that the use of nuclear weapons would be both futile and tragic as it would have no effect on Galactus (Last Planet Standing #4).

 

With the Fantastic Five, Avengers and various other heroes failing to stop the threat of Galactus, the President asks one of his advisors how soon they can attempt a nuclear strike. Learning this would require hours to evacuate ground forces and days to clear the civilian population, President Bridge states ‘I hate this job.’ (Last Planet Standing #5)

 

When Doctor Doom returns imbued with cosmic power and sends his virtually indestructible Doombots across the globe to dismantle the world authorities, President Bridge holds an emergency meeting with his advisors and other major governments before determining his course of action. With no other option, G.W. Bridge contacts Doctor Doom and informs him that the governments of the world have agreed to surrender to save millions of lives (Fantastic Five vol.2 #4).

 

With a cosmically powered Doombot hovering above the White House, President Bridge holds a secret meeting with Tony Stark, Vision and Mainframe. The President learns the Avengers have defeated one of the Doombots and Stark believes he can eventually design a program to jam the robots but things look grim. After Doctor Doom is defeated, President Bridge discusses the need to attempt to reverse engineer the Doombots despite his desire to simply melt them down. Tony Stark admits he has tried to replicate Doom’s technology and discloses it’s impossible. Stark concludes they own the world’s safety to Reed Richards.

 

President Bridge has a secret conversation with a shadowy figure (actually Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D.) about the accidental release of ‘Specimen 297’ (a piece of the Carnage symbiote) on the streets of New York City (Amazing Spider-Girl #10).

 

Finally, in Amazing Spider-Girl #16 we hear from one of G.W. Bridge’s special advisors that the President is strongly committed to aiding the people of China. Following Doctor Doom’s attack on the Chinese Government during his attempt to conquer the world, the country faces an economic crisis which affects the entire global community. During his public appearance in Paris, this special advisor is assassinated by the invisible mercenary Deadspot.

 

That’s it for today, folks. Maybe in the near future I’ll dedicate a post to more politicians in the MC2? Don’t forget to take part in the democratic process by voting. We’d hate for a Doctor Doom-type to try to take over the world now, wouldn’t we?

 

Until I figure out how to fill in a ballot, I remain

 

frogoat

How Old is Torus Storm?

 

Consider this a sort of spin-off of the A-Next Ages series, because today I wanted to try and resolve something that’s honestly been on my mind for the last few years, at least since I made my History of the MC2: Fantastic Four and Skrulls in the MC2 posts: How old is Torus Storm?

 

Keep in mind this isn’t definitive unless it’s spelt out on the page and is merely a rough estimate based on in-universe information or- where necessary- statements from the creative teams involved in the characters creation and development. Here’s what we know:

 

Approximately five or so years prior to the events of Fantastic Five Vol. 1 #1, the Fantastic Four prepared to battle Hyperstorm, a cosmically powered warlord from an alternate future who had built a doomsday weapon in the Negative Zone (Fantastic Five Vol. 1 #4, Spider-Girl #87). Lyja was pregnant at this time and did not join the team on their mission (Fantastic Five Vol. 1 #4). Franklin engaged Hyperstorm in a 'mind-war' on every plane of existence which ultimately left Hyperstorm comatose and apparently stripped Franklin of much of his god-like power (Fantastic Five Vol. 1 #4).

 

Presumably, Lyja Storm is heavily pregnant with none other than Torus in the scenes depicting the Fantastic Four preparing to leave for the mission. Now this is significant because as I mention above, we know this mission was only ‘five or so years’ prior to the MC2’s present day. So, is Torus Storm only around 5 years old?

 

 

From the book Comic Creators on Fantastic Four by Tom Defalco, we got this comment from Fantastic Four and Fantastic Five artist Paul Ryan:

Tom Defalco: You felt Johnny and Lyja should have actually had a baby, right? Do you want to explain why?

Paul Ryan: I thought it would have been a new dynamic for Johnny, in that he would have to start facing some grown-up responsibilities. I thought that it could make for an interesting character, too, because the child of a Skrull and a human would be totally unique – and it could lead to some interesting story arcs in which the Skrull Empire wanted to get hold of the the child for some reason. We could have done things with the child itself, like accelerated growth rate; maybe the Skrulls mature faster. Also, things could have been very interesting where the child had the ability to face-shift, as well as he cosmic ray-based powers of heat and flame, which is something you experimented with in Fantastic Five. Finally, I thought it might bring Johnny and Lyja closer together, and there could have been some exciting story possibilities there.

 

I think Mr Ryan provides us with a very good explanation for why young Torus Storm looks and behaves more like a 10-year-old than a 5-year-old. Skrull hybrids are a rarity, and one that we know little about. For example, a later hybrid, the Kree-Skrull hybrid known as Hulkling appears to be in his late teens in Young Avengers, despite being conceived amid the Kree-Skrull War storyline which can only have occurred around a decade prior to the present-day Main Marvel Universe. Maybe Skrull hybrids really do age and mature faster?

 

So, unless we get confirmation otherwise, we know that Torus Storm can only be around 5 to 6 years old in the present day MC2. I’ve added the extra year of age for the approximate year of time which had passed in-universe from the beginning of the MC2’s published history to its end. Hope this clears up any confusion rather than contributes to it.

 

Until I run out of reasons to reference the Comic Creators books, I remain

 

frogoat

 

 

Nick Fury in the MC2

So, my last post about Carol Danvers in the MC2 made me wish I had more to talk about. So today, I'm going to talk about Carol's co-star in the Captain Marvel movie, by discussing his counterpart on Earth-982: lets talk about Nick Fury in the MC2.

To begin with, Nick Fury does actually appear in the flesh in the MC2, but isn't mentioned by name for several years. Fury is first alluded to in A-Next #5 when, following the unconfirmed appearance of Doctor Doom in Latveria by S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents, the Fantastic Five are tasked with investigating. When Cassie Lang aka Stinger requests the Avengers conduct the investigation instead, Johnny Storm aka the Human Torch is initially reluctant, saying 'The Big Guy himself' had asked them.

A few issues later, while helping the hero Argo to find his father Hercules, the Avengers find themselves in the secret S.H.I.E.L.D. facility within Mount Athena. There they learn 'The Merchandise' (actually Hercules himself) is buried several miles within the mountain in a special Adamantium cell. Hercules identity as 'The Merchandise' is kept strictly need-to-know and none of the S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents at Mount Athena are privy to this information. However, Agent 33 receives orders from 'The Top Man himself' to allow the Avengers to take custody of 'The Merchandise.'

Unless I'm mistaken, we don't get any more mentions of Fury until Amazing Spider-Girl #9 when Maria Hill mentions her 'Superiors' tasking Special Agent Arthur Weadon with securely transporting 'Specimen 297' (actually a piece of the Carnage symbiote) through New York City. When the transport convoy is attacked by a faction of  S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents led by Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine and the Specimen accidentally let loose in the city by Spider-Girl, Carnage is reborn.

Nick Fury makes his first on-panel appearance - albeit shrouded in shadow-when he assures President G.W. Bridge the situation would be resolved despite the complications (Amazing Spider-Girl #10).

It's in Amazing Spider-Girl #12 that we finally see Nick Fury in full and learn the entire plot. As the United States was unwilling to destroy the Carnage symbiote despite the United Nations stance on the use of bio-weapons, G.W. Bridge and Nick Fury organised for the team of disguised S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents to 'steal' the Specimen, setting up Weadon's team to fail.

 This was all to demonstrate the dangers to the congressional committee wishing to keep the symbiote for bio-weapon research under the guise of finding a cure for cancer. Despite the operation not going as planned, the situation was salvaged thanks to Spider-Girl's intervention, providing the President with a sound rationale to convince the congressional committee to destroy the remaining Specimen.

As you can see, Fury is still up to his classic spymaster shenanigans, though he appears to prefer to remain in the shadows (both literal and figurative) more than before.

Until I find a nice fitting eyepatch and retire to the darker corners of the MC2, I remain

frogoat