The Human Torch in the MC2

 

Fresh from seeing Marvel Studios latest release, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, I’m finally reinvigorated and motivated to delve into the MC2 Universe’s own members of the Fantastic Four …. or the Fantastic Five, as they are now known in this world. For today, let’s look at the hot-headed Johnny Storm aka The Human Torch in the MC2.

 

All the core four members of Marvel’s First Family debuted in Stan Lee and Jack Kirby 1961’s Fantastic Four #1, launching the very Marvel Universe itself as we know it today by depicting the fateful space launch which gave this famous four their powers.  

In the MC2, Johnny Storm first appeared in the story which launched a new universe in the pages of What If #105. While it’s only a cameo appearance, it does give us our first glimpse of the MC2’s Fantastic Five.

 

It’s not long until the Fantastic Five make their full debut in the pages of Spider-Girl #3 battling Spyral. We learn Johnny now leads this new team comprised of Reed Richards aka Big Brain, Franklin Richards aka Psi-Lord, Lyja Storm aka Ms. Fantastic and Ben Grimm aka The Thing.

 

In the following issue, Johnny Storm invites his old friend Peter Parker (the retired superhero Spider-Man) out to lunch where he broaches the subject of encountering Spider-Girl. Despite Johnny’s assumption, Peter is less than pleased about the situation (Spider-Girl #4).

 

In a flashback in Spider-Girl #7 we learn that it was Johnny himself who contacted Mary Jane following her husband Peter’s near-deadly maiming in his final battle with the Green Goblin.

 

Here’s the relevant MC2-specific events in Johnny’s past. While we don't know the exact point at which the history of the Main Marvel Universe Fantastic Four stops being the same as that of the MC2 Fantastic Four/Five, we do know a few things about the team’s history. At some point, the Skrull called Lyja joined the Fantastic Four and married Johnny Storm (Fantastic Five Vol. 1 #1). 

 

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).

 

 Unfortunately, the doomsday device had already begun to tear a hole in the fabric of reality. When Reed Richards was forced to overload the device to stop it, Susan Richards attempted to shield him from the radiation with her force field. Caught in the blast radius, half of Reed's body was left in a melted and deformed state. With the reality rip still widening, Susan used her powers to hold the tear in place, with the strain leaving her in a coma and she was placed in suspended animation.

 

In the wake of the tragedy, The Fantastistation was built in the Negative Zone around the tear in reality. This allowed Reed to keep Sue company while she remained in suspended animation as he worked to slowly repair the hole in the fabric of reality (Fantastic Five Vol. 1 #4, Spider-Girl #87). Over the next few months, while the Fantastic Four remained in seclusion, rumours and speculation spread about the fate of Susan Richards despite the team never releasing details to the public. Reed developed the Big Brain robot to allow him to remain on the team by remotely controlling it from the Negative Zone (Fantastic Five Vol. 1 #1).

 

The team formally changed their charter, membership and name, finally re-branding themselves as the Fantastic Five, with John Storm aka The Human Torch leading the team of Ms. Fantastic aka his wife Lyja Storm; Ben Grimm aka The Thing; Reed Richards as Big Brain and Franklin Richards now known as Psi-Lord (Fantastic Five Vol. 1 #1, Fantastic Five Vol. 2 #1).

 

It's obvious Johnny Storm has matured and grown into his role as leader of the Fantastic Five and appears to have settled down as a father and husband Torus and Lyja, respectively.

 

Until I learn how to look cool while on fire, I remain

frogoat

  

The Cameos of Deadpool and Wolverine [SPOILERS]

 [SPOILER WARNING!]

Where to even begin with the Deadpool and Wolverine cameos?

 

How about at the very beginning? A very good place to start. Right off the bat, Deadpool’s first cameo is…Logan….’s skeleton. This being a different version of the character then the one we’ll be following for the majority of the film’s runtime, it definitely counts, Canuckleheads!

 

Next up we rewind to 6 years prior to see just how Wade Winston Wilson got to this point. After Cable’s little time-watch gadget was repaired at the end of Deadpool 2, not only did Wade take the opportunity to ‘clean up the timeline’ but he also hopped over to the Marvel Cinematic Universe circa March 14 2018 (just a few months prior to the events of Avengers: Infinity War) and had a job interview with Jon Favreau’s Harold ‘Happy’ Hogan. This cameo is multifaceted as not only does Favreau portray Tony Stark’s long-suffering bodyguard and forehead of security, but he directed the first two Iron Man movies which kicked off the MCU. But it’s a deeper cut than you might think, as Jon Favreau also portrayed Franklin ‘Foggy’ Nelson in 2003’s Daredevil opposite Ben Affleck’s Matt Murdock and Jennifer Garner’s Elektra Natchios. The film was only 20^th Century Fox’s second superhero movie based on a Marvel Comic property following 2000s X-Men. Needless to say, it was a brilliant move to include one of superhero cinema’s longest contributors in this movie’s cast.  

 

This next cameo was short, sweet and just a little surprising. This time around they actually got Hugh Jackman to portray a comic accurate Wolverine. That’s right, the 6 foot 2 actor finally got it right after 24 years, losing some height for the role and delivering Marvel fans a 5 foot 3 hirsute iteration of everyone’s second-favourite Canadian killer.

 

While the internet has taken to calling this variant Logan ‘Glam Rock Wolverine’ thanks to his fabulous hair, obscure Broadway musical star ‘Huge Action’ plays the one-armed extreme version of Wolverine seen in the pages X-Men: Alpha #1 as part of the Age of Apocalypse event where a new reality emerges when Charles Xavier is killed by his time-travelling son, Legion. Points for comic accuracy again and bonus points for playing ‘The Power of Love’ song from Back to the Future, too.

Appearing in a tailored white suit and eye patch in what looks like a casino in Madripoor, we get a glimpse of a variant Logan using the iconic ‘Patch’ identity which first debuted in the pages of Marvel Comics Presents #9. Despite the internet’s rampant speculation this was going to be revealed as Daniel Radcliffe based solely on a brief shot of the character’s back from the first trailer, this was, in fact, a different actor from different movie about magic; The Prestige star Hugh Jackman who performs the magic trick of pulling brains out of Wade’s skull.

 

 

Some more rapid-fire cameo Wolverine’s next, as an older, more grizzled, rocking-in-a-rocking-chair Logan proceeds to blow Deadpool away (and not in the good way) with a shotgun. This is likely a reference to the ‘Old Man Logan’ storyline which started in Wolverine (Vol. 3) #66, about an alternate future version of the character. Elements of the story have since inspired the 2017 movie Logan and can be seen in Deadpool and Wolverine.

 

Tem-Portaling to a field of bloodied skulls, Deadpool finds a version of Wolverine nailed to an X-shaped cross. No, Jackman wasn’t auditioning for The Passion of the Christ 2, this is a very literally adapted depiction of the iconic cover to Uncanny X-Men #251. Wade tells this poor variant ‘It’s not you, we’re just going in a different direction!’ before making his exit.

 

Deadpool also briefly encounters a variant Wolverine clad in the comic accurate John Byrne created brown and tan costume. Impressed, Wade comments he thought Logan had fought the Hulk in the costume…right before the not-so-Jolly Green Giant himself shows up. There are three clever references jammed into this brief scene: Wolverine first appeared in a cameo in Incredible Hulk #180 before his full appearance in #181, The reflection of the Hulk in Wolverine’s claws is taken directly from the cover of Incredible Hulk #340 where Logan does indeed wear the costume and ‘Marvel Jesus’ himself, Deadpool, begins to blurt out nearly word for word Loki’s rant from Avengers right before being rag-dolled by the Hulk. For anyone wondering, this Hulk resembles Mark Ruffalo’s incarnation, circa 2012’s Avengers, fittingly.

 

After a beWitchering view from behind, Deadpool identifies this next potential Wolverine recruit as ‘the whole package’. Working on his motorcycle, we meet none other than Henry Cavill as Logan, who is not pleased to see the ‘Merc With A Mouth’. Wade promises to treat him ‘so much better than those shitfucks down the street’, but ‘The Cavill-rine’ responds instead by unloading his mighty biceps on Deadpool. 

 

The montage ends by introducing the movie’s main Wolverine, portrayed by fresh-faced, Australian star of stage and screen known for his role in 1999’s Paperback Hero, Hugh Jackman. While he’s called the ‘the worst Wolverine’ he does don the classic yellow and blue comic costume for the first time in the character’s cinematic history.

 

There’s also a brief shot of Chris Hemsworth’s Thor cradling an apparently deathly-unwell Deadpool in what appears to be repurposed and edited footage from Thor: The Dark World. Paradox quickly turns this off as it’s part of Wade’s ‘important future purpose to serve’. Secret Wars teaser, perhaps?

 

In another brilliant example of recycled actors, our next cameo is the surprise return of Chris Evans! Yes, it turns out that actors who leave iconic Marvel roles end up in The Void. From superhero landings, his way with words, to his iconic blue costume, Evans hasn’t missed a beat, effortlessly slipping back into his role as the best member of his team….the Fantastic Four’s Johnny Storm aka The Human Torch. Flame on!

 

Among the villains working for the movie’s antagonist, Cassandra Nova, we have the return of Tyler Mane as Sabretooth from 2000’s first X-Men movie and he’s actually given dialogue this time!

 

We also see a version of Toad that resembles the character as he appeared in 2000’s X-Men portrayed by Ray Park. It’s unclear if this is a returning Park, best known for his performance as Darth Maul in Star Wars Episode One: The Phantom Menace, though his response on social media implies it is. Either way, Toad uses his intellect and prehensile tongue to capture Wolvie and DP. Do you know what happens to Wolverine when he’s struck by a magnetised Sentinel leg?

Update: Toad is portrayed by Daniel Medina Ramos, as confirmed in his Instagram.

A standout among Cassandra Nova’s army in the Void is Aaron Stanford, marking his return to the role of Pyro for the first time since X2: X-Men United and X-Men 3: The Last Stand. It’s also nice to see him in a more comic book inspired costume this time around.

 

 

The chunky X-Men villain The Blob returns to our screens, this time portrayed by independent wrestler Mike Waters also known as ‘Bulk’ of the UK Pitbulls, following in the footsteps of Kevin Durand in X-Men Origins: Wolverine and Gustav Claude Ouimet in an (ironically) small appearance from X-Men: Apocalypse. Waters said in an interview he got the role because he is ‘naturally fat’. It’s basically the part I was born to play.’

 

We get out second skeletal cameo of the film, with the return of everyman hero and immortal funny man, Paul Rudd….’s dead body. Yes, everyone’s seen from the trailers that Cassandra Nova’s base of operations is, in fact, the massive remains of Giant-Man. Deadpool quips ‘Paul Rudd’s finally aged’ but he still looks gorgeous! This may or may not be the remains of one of the Ant-Men seen expiring in Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania. A Giant-Man corpse also appears in the original Old Man Logan story, so this is another direct reference.

 

Billy Clements takes on the role of ‘The Russian,’ the red and white striped hitman sent to kill Thomas Jane’s version of Frank Castle in the 2004 movie, The Punisher. The role was originally filled by professional wrestler Kevin Nash. There are various returning minor antagonists portrayed by new actors in this film, including…

 

The red demonic teleporting mutant called Azazel, seen on-screen portrayed by Jason Flemying in X-Men: First Class and stated to have died off-screen in X-Men: Days of Future Past is here apparently played by an uncredited actor, recently identified as Eduardo Gago Muñoz.

 

The same is true for new but visually similar cameo versions of Lady Deathstrike (formerly played by Kelly Hu in X2: X-Men United, here played by Jade Lye), Callisto (previously played by Dania Ramirez in X-Men: The Last Stand, here by Chloe Kibble), Bullseye with forehead markings (played brilliantly by Colin Farrell in the 2003 Daredevil movie, here played by Curtis Rowland Small),and a Psylocke (portrayed here by Ayesha Hussain, previously played by Mei Melançon in X-Men: The Last Stand and later to visual perfection by Olivia Munn in X-Men: Apocalypse-I hope she’s winning her battle with cancer). No jokes here.

 

Sorry, can't find any pictures of Ayesha HussainAyesha Hussain as Psylocke yet.

Finally, there are cameos from new versions of Quill, previously portrayed by Ken Leung in X-Men: The Last Stand with a female version here played by Nilly Cetin, and Archlight once portrayed by Omahyra Mota now brought to the screen by Jessica Walker.  

A new Juggernaut variant appears, now played by Aaron W. Reed wearing a helmet and costume very similar to the version worn by Vinnie Jones in X-Men : The Last Stand. Counting Deadpool 2’s surprise third act reveal of Juggernaut, voiced by Ryan Reynolds and modelled on director David Leitch, Reed is now the third Juggernaut to appear on the big screen. I hope he doesn’t let it go to his head, it could prove to be his Achilles heel. 😉

 

Alioth, the massive smoke monster that devours everyone who gets cast into The Void (as we learned -and Deadpool recalls- from Loki Season One, Episode Five) returns to collect the rent i.e. Logan and Wade. CGI? Yes! Cameo? Yes! Rent? No!

 

Perhaps the greatest and most adorable cameo of any movie ever: Peggy the Dog, winner of the Britain’s Ugliest Dog Award makes her big screen debut as Mary Puppins aka Dogpool. And she’s a good girl, yes she is! Yes she is!

 

irresponsible pet owner and all around negligent nice guy, Nicepool shows up, portrayed by [checks notes] Ryan Reynolds identical twin brother, Gordon Reynolds. Huh. Okay. Looks just like him, aye? Deadpool covets both Nicepool’s twin golden guns and Mary Puppins, though I doubt this subplot will lead to anything. Nicepool does mention Lady Deadpool, who recently had a Babypool and still looks incredible. Moving on!

 

Meeting the resistance members out in the borderlands, Logan and Wade are introduced to some mighty impressive returning actors and one who never got the chance. Making her return as Elektra Natchios and rocking a new costume reminiscent of both her previous on-screen outfits we have Jennifer Garner back for the first time in nearly twenty years!

 

Next up we have the grandaddy of modern comic book movies, Blade himself, Mr Wesley Snipes, looking as sharp as ever. Blade states he doesn’t like Reynold’s Deadpool, who responds ‘You never did’. This is a biting reference to Snipes and Reynolds reported on-set feud during the production of Blade: Trinity where Reynolds portrayed Hannibal King, his first comic book role.

 

Following this, Channing Tatum makes his on-screen debut as Remy LeBeau aka Gambit, a role he has pursued since being unavailable to play the character in 2009’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine. His dream was seemingly snuffed out when Fox was bought out by Disney, hence some references to the character feeling like he’d always been in The Void and the world never learned about him.

 

Deadpool and Wolverine were brought to the resistance by none other than X-23 now called Laura, the cloned daughter of Wolverine in 2017’s Logan played again by Dafne Keen. I’d make a joke here but it’s just a nice feeling seeing the character again, alive and grown up.

 

Considering the Time Variance Authority play a big part in the plot, it’s nice to see B-15 return and still portrayed by Wunmi Mosaku, who seems to be in a more senior position since the end of Loki Season Two.

We are on the home stretch now, folks! A whole Deadpool Corps shows up led by Lady Deadpool (voiced by Reynolds wife and fellow actor Blake Lively) alongside Headpool (with the disembodied voice of Nathan Fillion), The Deadpool Kid aka Cowboypool (voiced by Mathew McConaughey, alright, alright, alright), Babypool (Reynolds and Lively’s youngest, Ollin Reynolds), Kidpool (Inez Reynolds, making this a whole family affair).

In addition, we also have Reynold’s team Wrexham A.F.C. player Paul Mullin portraying ‘Welshpool’, Ryan Reynolds’ stunt double Alex Kyshkovych plays Canadapool and an unidentified actor portrays Scottishpool. There are several more Deadpool variants amid the Deadpool Corps including Deadpool 2099, Watari aka The Fool, Golden Age Deadpool, Zenpool, a Pirate Deadpool and apparently a Welsh Knightpool. Oh, and according to the credits, dancing Nick Pauley performs Deadpool’s opening dance moves, being billed as ‘Dancepool’.

 

During the ruckus there is a cameo from the late, great Stan ‘The Man’ Lee via a poster on the side of a bus which includes his birth year of 1922. This means all three Deadpool movies have paid tribute to Marvel’s most iconic creator.

 

Saving the best for last, ‘Peterpool’ aka Wade’s friend Peter arrives to save the day, being a constant in all the Deadpool’s realities, they are all happy to see him. With his big dick energy, Peter helps convinces B-15 that Deadpool belongs in this reality.

 

Those were all the cameos we spotted in Deadpool and Wolverine. If there’s any we missed, leave a comment and call us idiots for missing some obscure, blurry figure in the background of a scene. Go on, we dare you, nerds!