Xena and Xenette in the MC2

 

A long time ago in a blog post far, far away there was a look at the fictional television series ‘Everybody’s Happy,’ which helped to flesh out the MC2 universe and gave us Melissa Carsdale who became the villainous Misery. Today we are going to look at another television series that exists within the MC2 and its real-world inspiration.

 

In A-Next #6 we catch up with J2 aka Zane Yama, the son of the original Juggernaut relaxing at the Avengers Headquarters enjoying snacks while watching a television show about ‘Xenette’. According to the program’s narration ‘she is Xenette, daughter of a Warrior Princess forged in the heat of battle’. This is a very clear reference to the character and television series Xena: Warrior Princess who’s opening narration by Don LaFontaine is ‘In a time of ancient gods, warlords and kings, a land in turmoil cried out for a hero. She was Xena, a mighty princess forged in the heat of battle. The power, the passion, the danger. Her courage will change the world!’.

 

For anyone who doesn’t know, the character of Xena first appeared in the fantasy television series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys where she was portrayed by the incredible New Zealand actress Lucy Lawless. Originally introduced as a villainous foil for Hercules, the character proved so popular that she received her own spin-off series, the aforementioned Xena: Warrior Princess produced in part by Sam Raimi, best known for The Evil Dead franchise and the original Spider-Man trilogy. Xena has gained a significant fan following as an icon and role model among the lesbian and bisexual community, partly owing to the dynamic and relationship between Xena and her companion Gabrielle.

 

Not only does the MC2 feature a nice second-generation in-joke with Xenette but we have confirmation that May ‘Mayday’ Parker aka Spider-Girl is probably a fan of Xena: Warrior Princess thanks to a reference to the character in the ‘Dear Diary’ recap story from Spider-Girl Annual ’99 where May writes that she ‘can do flips higher than Xena’.

 

The character of Xena has also had several of her own comic titles through the decades, published by Topps Comics, Dark Horse Comics and most recently Dynamite Entertainment, so she’s no stranger to the medium. Fun fact, the Sam Raimi directed Doctor Stange in the Multiverse of Madness movie’s audio commentary confirms the statuesque warrior woman statue seen within the Illuminati’s Headquarters was intended as a reference to Xena.

 

Anyway, just a quick one for today. Happy Pride Month, everybody!

 

Until I produce a Xena: Warrior Princess Family Tree, I remain

 

frogoat

Spider-Symmetry with Misery

A super-quick one today covering the little homage Ron Frenz pays to Pat Olliffe's work. From Spider-Girl Annual '99 we have a few great images featuring May 'Mayday' Parker aka Spider-Girl and Misery by Pat Olliffe with inks by Sal Buscema:

Then we have these pages by tremendous artist Ron Frenz (again inked by the amazing Sal Buscema) also featuring Spider-Girl and Misery from Spider-Girl #90:

Just some nice examples of the often overlooked care and effort that goes into making these wonderful books. If you spot anymore of these, let me know. There's heaps of them!

Until I stop revisiting old favourites, I remain

frogoat

 

Everybody's Happy

It's often the smaller touches of colour and references that help sell the illusion of the MC2 as a real living and breathing world that the characters inhabit. For today's post, I'll be looking at the fictional sitcom Everybody's Happy.

A show mentioned throughout the MC2, 'Everybody's Happy' was a sitcom about an 'All-American Family' that starred actors Leonard Groote and Melissa Carsdale (Wild Thing #2, Spider-Girl Annual '99). The show was apparently popular enough to have been watched by several of the MC2's denizens (A-Next #11, Spider-Girl #13 Wild Thing #2).

Melissa and Leonard became intimate while working together on the set of the sitcom, with Melissa describing the two of them as 'co-workers...friends...and much, much more.' The couple had shared their ambitions with each other and apparently planned a future together (Spider-Girl Annual '99).

Initially Everybody's Happy was intended to star both Groote and Carsdale as the shows leads. However Groote convinced the show's producer to focus on his character. In the spotlight with his character receiving the major storylines, Leonard became a breakout star, soon dumping Melissa and quitting the show when he was offered a lead role in the film 'Portrait Of A Young Artist' (Spider-Girl Annual '99).

The show was cancelled and Melissa blamed Groote for ruining her career, crushing her dreams and tarnishing her self-respect after she had taught him to act and helped him mold his own career. While things were going south for Carsdale, Leonard's fame continued to rise when he starred in another film called 'The Sensitive Man' (Spider-Girl Annual '99).

Seeking revenge, Melissa attacked Leonard on the set of a new movie as it was filming in New York. Melissa assumed the guise Misery, utilized globes filled with acid, electrified gloves and smoke bombs in her attempt on Groote. Misery was unable to use her final weapon- 'The Grief Machine'- on Groote due to the interference of Spider-Girl, who was placed in the device intended for the actor. Spider-Girl soon broke free and ended Misery's new career as a criminal with a single punch (Spider-Girl Annual '99). Misery would return once more to ensure a bigger ending to her autobiography by attempting to defeat Spider-Girl but was once again thwarted (Spider-Girl #90).

There's probably a few more post's worth of stuff to explore with the character of Misery, so check back soon to see what else I've got in store for you!

Until I stop watching trashy sitcoms and start my new career in acting, I remain

frogoat