The Mystery of Jimmy's Sister

Just a brief post today. I came across a little something while looking through early issues of Spider-Girl recently. 

Jimmy Yama, the nerdy friend of May ‘Mayday’ Parker is mentioned in the letters page for Spider-Girl #4. In a letter speculating about the connection between Jimmy Yama and Zane Yama, also known as the Avenger J2, the letter-writer suggests Jimmy and Zane are brothers. Obviously, as we learn in Spider-Girl #8, Zane and Jimmy are cousins. Curiously, however, whom ever addressed readers’ letters for this issue (I’m assuming series writer/editor Tom Defalco) mentions in response ‘Jimmy has an older sister, but no brothers. (He does however have many cousins.)’

While the latter statement references the soon-to-be-revealed familial connection between Jimmy and Zane, it is the first part of Tom’s answer that really grabbed my attention. Jimmy has a sister? Does that ever come up again?  

Well, let’s take a look. We are introduced to Jimmy’s parents -Catherine and Donald- in Spider-Girl #8. Jimmy’s family are at the Queens County Courthouse discussing the charges against Jimmy (following his fight with ‘Moose’ Mansfield) with Donald’s sister Sachi Yama, who is the Assistant District Attorney. Sachi is Zane Yama’s mother and Cain Marko aka the Juggernaut is his seemingly-dead father. Now you know the story! So Jimmy’s mother, father, aunt and cousin show up to support him, but not his unseen sister.

…and that’s it. Unless I’m mistaken, we don’t see Jimmy’s family again. So…do we assume he doesn’t have a sister or that she was merely absent (at college, maybe? She is older) for his court date. Is this a case of early installment weirdness? Does it even count if it's only mentioned in the letters page?

Until I stop re-reading old letters pages from 18 years ago, I remain

frogoat

Captain America: Civil War Movie Review

Being, as I am, an Australian and not an American (nor a Briton, for that matter) has given me the fortunate opportunity to watch the new Marvel film before many others. Hopefully that doesn't come across elitist because really, I'm just stoked that I got to see it so soon. My partner in life and I suited up appropriately, too. I in her Captain America shirt. She in mine. Don't read into that statement too much. Anywho, shall I give you a review? Warning: Potential Spoilers Ahead!

Playing Catch Up

While I was planning on making a more extensive post about particular topics soon-ish, I felt the urge to put keystrokes to computer screen and make another entry on here on my much-neglected blog. So I'll briefly touch on various little things not worthy of a full post (or perhaps not until later, when I find time) and see how far that takes me.

The mobile-platform game Spider-Man Unlimited continues to be the only video game I can find time for in my busy schedule. Considering I can play it anywhere (at home, at work, on the loo) certainly lends itself to my lifestyle far more than a console game. Rumblings behind the scenes at Gameloft have told us Spider-Ham and Spider-Ham related characters are coming very soon.

 Interviews with the development team previously indicated they would have to build a know new character model for smaller characters such as Spider-Ham However the most recent character added to the game, Annie Parker (from the Renew Your Vows story) appears to use a scaled down version of the female character model...which sometimes glitches back to the standard size while retaining the proportions of the smaller character.

But more importantly, the character comes with a new voice over. The credits of the game currently don't indicate any new additions to the voice cast and the dialogue can't simply have been designed for little Annie because when kicking an enemy, she'll sometimes exclaim 'Taste my hooves!' So, positing a theory here....I think this new voice over is intended for a female Spider-Ham related character....namely Swiney-Girl.

Moving onto comics now, I finished and thoroughly enjoyed the MC2 back-up stories in the Spider-Island mini series. I have some very mixed feelings about the actual events leading into the story (both Spider-Verse and Secret Wars) but I believe on it's own merits the entire 31-page mini-epic was a strong read and a welcome return to down to earth, emotionally based storytelling for Mayday. On a more personal note, the story ended around the one year anniversary of my fathers death. Seeing May struggling to define her role in her family while dealing with the guilt and anger she feels surrounding her fathers passing hit home for me. I generally try to avoid placing personal bias into my thoughts about a comic, but once again I find myself truly connecting with May's swath of emotions. Her journey in many ways reflects my own. Learning to live without a loved one after they die is something that permanently alters your outlook and irrevocably changes your life. I respectfully and sincerely appreciate Tom, Ron, Sal and the entire creative team for their dedication to portraying the fallout of such a life-altering event.

I'm very glad May is not stuck wearing her fathers old costume.

On a lighter note, the ongoing series Web-Warriors will feature Mayday's Spider-Girl--erm I mean Spider-Woman as a recurring member of the cast. Judging by the first issue, I like the concept of a reality-hopping team reminiscent of the Exiles comprised of Spider-People. I think the series could be a fun ride, but I do question how Friendly Neighborhood May can be if she is flitting about across the Multiverse. Obviously, it's not the writers fault May comes to the series a changed character from the one Spider-Girl fans remember, so I won't hold that against them. Honestly, I found the characterization fairly on-target, all things considered. But why hasn't she been on any of the covers?! I'm giving this a chance. Stay tuned, I guess.

Until I find the time to actually write a wordy and well-researched blog entry again, I remain

frogoat

Look Who the Cat Dragged In!

So, it's only taken me this long to pull this particular Spider from the portal. I can't tell you how happy I am right now.

 

 Until the next MC2 character is added to the game, forcing me to game hard to satisfy my obsessive need to collect everything MC2, I remain

 frogoat

 

Costume Analysis: The Spider-Girl Unlimited Costume

 

The Spider-Girl (May 'Mayday' Parker) 'costume skin' used in the Spider-Man Unlimited game uses a distinctive mix of both the original Spider-Girl series costume design and the Amazing Spider-Girl updated costume design.

Love the cool pose but what is with the speech balloon?

 The adjective-less Spider-Girl series costume was obviously not designed for Mayday originally, being first worn by Ben Reilly. Despite being designed for a man, the costume works aesthetically for a female character. When the Spider-Girl series was relaunched as Amazing Spider-Girl, Ron Frenz took the opportunity to make some slight alterations to the design to further suit May.

Notice the BIG eye pieces on the mask with the distinctive pointy bit at the top? While the original Spider-Girl series featured this eye design, the Amazing Spider-Girl series matured the look with smaller eye pieces.

The web-shooters here are not from the adjective-less Spider-Girl run, instead more closely resembling the 'bracelet' look Ron Frenz refined for Amazing Spider-Girl. Arguably May's web-shooters design changed over time during the original series, but this design seems to be taken from the Amazing series. With me so far?

Another big thing to note is the lack of 'blue'  in the underarm or axillary region. The updated Amazing Spider-Girl costume had more blue coming across the chest, enhancing the 'feminine' look already apparent in the costume's design. So, together with the Amazing Spider-Girl web-shooter 'bracelets' and the Spider-Girl style eye pieces, the Spider-Man Unlimited game presents a hybrid of both designs.

Until I find more time to work on this poor semi-abandoned blog, I remain

frogoat

Mayday as Spider-Woman in Spider-Man Unlimited

The Spider-Man Unlimited mobile phone game created by Gameloft will soon be adding Spider-Island themed characters to it's already extensive roster. In addition to a new playable Spider-Island Mary Jane character, it looks like we will also be getting a new playable costume for the MC2's own May 'Mayday' Parker in the form of her current appearance as 'Spider-Woman' in the Secret Wars tie-in series Spider-Island which recently started publication.























Last year, the MC2's Spider-Girl became the first female Spider-Character introduced into the game. Then the MC2 took home another first with the Scarlet Spider (Felicity Hardy) becoming the first playable character introduced with the new 8-Star Rank called Titan. And now this! I wonder if there is an MC2 fan amongst Gameloft's development team?

The recent Mary Jane love going on with the current 'Manga Mary Jane' Event which allows players to snag the new Mangaverse Spider-Woman aka Mary Jane and the upcoming Spider-Island promo image both make me very happy, too. These instances and past uses of Mary Jane over other female love interests within the game (for example the Valentines Day Event) suggests people at Gameloft know how important Mary Jane Watson is to the Spider-Man mythos. Good going, Gameloft!

Until actually manage to obtain these new characters, I remain


frogoat 

Mainframe Returns to Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.

Marvel has tweeted a clip of the upcoming season two finale to Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. which features a gathering of animated universes various heroes including the series iteration of Mainframe.

The Agents of S.M.A.S.H. series previously introduced the animated version of the MC2's own Mainframe in the Season 2, episode 18 'Wheels of Fury' where he was voiced by Jeffrey Combs. Appearing initially as an artificial intelligence created by Tony Stark, at the conclusion of that episode, he took on a form resembling his armored MC2 design.

  
The season two finale of Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.  is titled 'Planet Monster (part 2)' and is set to be broadcast on June 28th on Disney XD.

Until American Dream shows up in a Captain America Corps animated series voiced by Tara Strong, I remain

frogoat

Alex Ross Loves The MC2

Even without the knowledge that Tom Defalco, Ron Frenz and Sal Buscema are returning for a new tale featuring the characters of the MC2 Universe (The MC2U? MCU2? Nah, forget it!) I think I would have been at least a little bit placated by the sight of the first Secret Wars image from Alex Ross.

This image was also used as the cover for the Free Comic Book Day Secret Wars #0 issue. Can you see all the MC2 characters? Here, this might help:

That's enough to be getting on with, surely? But there's more! Mr Ross also did a variant cover to issue #1 which features another of our merry MC2 mates:

 

Wild Thing! Don't she make your heart sing?

Yup, Wild Thing takes Wolverine's place in this homage to the original Marvel Heroes Secret Wars #1 cover. This next one I'm not entirely sure about, though some sites seem to identifiy the character below as an MC2 character:

Apparently the 'Thor' in the foreground (bottom left) is the MC2's own Kevin Masterson aka Thunderstrike. While I agree the hairstyle is reminiscent, I don't remember Kevin getting around shirtless nor having wrist bands. And before anyone points it out, I noticed he's holding a hammer, despite Kevin being bonded with his father's Thunderstrike mace in A-Next #1. I guess it could be a stylistic thing, right?The thing that really gets me though, is Mr Ross clearly knows what Kevin's costume looks like, because he's in the first promotional image above in his MC2 costume. Which leads me to believe this is not Kevin Masterson of the MC2. Let's move on.

  Here we have the cover to Secret Wars #7 and if you look above Doom's pinky finger....it's J2! I'm not sure if it's worth pointing out, but ol' Juggie Junior has his father's shirt tied around his waist, something he did during his original series, though when his father returned he took to wearing a pair of shorts. Then again, it's the end of the world, so we can forgive J2 for being sentimental.

All up, that's a lot of MC2 love coming our way from Mr Alex Ross. I'm starting to think he's a fan! What do you think? Have I missed anything? Do you think we are likely to get another MC2 cover cameo appearance before Secret Wars concludes?


Until Alex Ross exclusively illustrates MC2 characters, I remain

frogoat

First Look: Colored Pages for Spider-Island MC2 Story

Once again, Ron Frenz goes the extra mile and shares a first look at the inked and colored pages for the upcoming Spider-Island MC2 story he is working on along side co-writer Tom Defalco, inker Sal Buscema and colorist Andrew Crossley.




Thanks once again to Mr Frenz.

Felicity Hardy Confirmed for Spider-Man Unlimited

Well, after the current Mysterio update for the Spider-Man Unlimited mobile game, I think it's safe to confirm Felicity Hardy, aka the MC2's own Scarlet Spider will soon be a playable character. Don't believe me? Take a look for yourself:

The Spider-Man Unlimited facebook page gives her debut event dates:


June 15th – 21st
New Spidey: Scarlet Spider (Felicity Hardy)
Event:  Release Event (Titan)


Well, there ya go then. Who's next, Gameloft? There is a nice trend starting up recently of MC2 characters popping up all over the place in unexpected ways! Mainframe in Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. and Hope Pym appearing in some form in the upcoming Ant-Man movie. Spider-Girl and now Felicity Hardy in the Spider-Man Unlimited game. Maybe there is something to that?

Until the world stops throwing MC2 characters into the fray, I remain

frogoat

Felicity Hardy Coming to Spider-Man Unlimited?

A recently leaked image of Felicity Hardy- Scarlet Spider coming soon to the Spider-Man Unlimited mobile game. This would be the characters first appearance in another medium, and the games second MC2 character to appear after Spider-Girl (May Parker) who was the first female Spider-Person to be introduced to the game. Keep in mind, it’s not official yet, so things may change.

I'm rather excited to see the character included in the game, as now I can have another reason to keep playing. I look forward to more MC2 character being added in the future too, perhaps Mayhem, Dark Devil, Gerry Drew, Kaine in his duster jacket and armor and why not a Black Suit Spider-Girl for good measure?

I can dream. Until the game is retitled Spider-Girl Unlimited guest starring other Spider-People, I remain

frogoat

The Greatest Responsibility

Recently, I just haven't been feeling comics. I still follow the rituals and pick up my monthly collection from my not-so-local comic shop, but it seems lately I don't feel a burning desire to go and pick up and read the latest issue of some of my former favorite titles. Honestly, I've been feeling less and less like comics are for me nowadays and more like comics are changing into something I'm not completely sure I want to dedicate so much of my time, money and passion into collecting and digesting.

I have more pressing matters to consider, for starters. Work, bills, study. Oh, and just today I became a father. Me. A dad. I never saw this coming in a million years, but my god he's beautiful and my word he's worth protecting, raising and loving wholeheartedly and without condition. I guess that's the point of existence, right? Striving forward, making way for the next generation and accepting the many changing and growing responsibilities of raising a family.

And it hit me.I get it, now. I mean, sure I thought I got it before, but now....now I really feel it. It's so clear.

Thought I may still have affection and nostalgia for comics and what they represent to me, I have a whole new little life right in front of me just waiting to be shaped and moulded into a kind, caring individual. That takes time, that takes money, but most of all it takes love and responsibility.

Oh, sure, I'll pick up the odd title here and there -especially if it's an MC2 thing by Tom, Ron and Sal- but moving forward my plan is to stop collecting comics and focus on making time for what matters most, 'It's high time I put away the toys of my youth and assumed my real responsibilities'.



Until he's old enough to read and I dig out the ol' boxes of comics, I remain

frogoat

Mainframe in Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.

It's been brought to my attention that A-Next's own Armored Avenger, Mainframe recently made something of an appearance in the Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. animated series. Mainframe is voiced by Jeffrey Combs.


Mainframe appears in Season 2, episode 18 'Wheels of Fury' as an Artificial Intelligence created by Tony Stark to play games against. Iron Man, Hulk and gang end up in a high stakes game of Roller Derby against Mainframe. At the conclusion of the episode, Mainframe determines that humanity has many games to offer, taking on a familiar armored form similar to his MC2 design and setting out to discover the world.

I don't really have a strong opinion about the series, as this was the only episode I've ever seen. My interest is certainly piqued by the use of a MC2 character in animated form, considering May 'Mayday' Parker was passed up for the derivative gender-swapped 'Petra Parker' in the Ultimate Spider-Man animated series.

Until the entire MC2 makes an appearance in another medium, I remain

frogoat

Something Fun

I don't always beat the tar out of Daemos....

 

...But when I do I'm Spider-Girl.

Number Games

On one of my many re-reads of Spider-Girl, I noticed something. Sports is an important part of May's life. Aside from her love of basketball, she also played sports growing up, along with her friend Davida Kirby. It's one of the many little things that differentiates her from her father.

As usual, I overthought things and here is the result:

May's basketball Jersey number is 34. Check it out.

 Not only do Ron Frenz and Pat Olliffe keep the numbering consistent (much as they did for May's wardrobe) but even guest artist Casey Jones was paying attention!

Davida's number is less consistent. It might have a '2' in it:

Does that '2' come from the number 20, perhaps? 

Or maybe Davida's number is '11'? In fairness this was after both May and Nancy Lu left the team. Perhaps Davida changed her number.

Speaking of Nancy Lu, her number while attending Central High was also 11:

Oddly, we never actually see Nancy play for Midtown and thus it's unknown if she retained her number or changed it upon transferring to Midtown. it all takes place off-panel. Could it be that Davida changed her number to 11 because of the falling out she and Nancy had which led to Nancy's subsequent departure from the school?

Switching sports to Football now, Brad Miller's number seems to be 12:

Maurice 'Moose' Mansfield also plays on the team and we see an assortment of football jersey's throughout the series:

                                     

Considering he wears the number during practice, I'm going to assume his number is 35. I say 'assume' because he also wears other numbers:

So...maybe he has a collection of his favorite players jerseys which include
0,00,7 and 13? He is a sports fan after all. It's worth noting we don't see Moose's sport's stuff after he returns to Midtown. I wonder if he ever rejoined the team?

And now for the one no one was wondering about. Gene Thompson:

Gene's number is 7. It's on his letterman jacket which he gives to May (and Simone...) and it's on his jersey. He's nearly always wearing his sporting apparel so it's easy to deduce.

Well, that was a lot of fun. Until I find something else to overthink, I remain

frogoat