Misty Knight in the MC2

With Luke Cage Season 2 hitting Netflix, I thought I could take a look at one of the show's best supporting characters (and one of my favourites) and cover their counterpart's non-appearance within the MC2 Universe: Misty Knight.

Fun fact about Mercedes 'Misty' Knight: Despite being first mentioned by her good friend and partner in Nightwing Restorations, Ltd, Colleen Wing in Marvel Premiere #20 and first appearing the following issue in Marvel Premiere #21 both published in 1975, a later retcon in Marvel Team-Up #64 (1977) establishes that an unidentified woman who appeared in Marvel Team-Up #1 was Misty. Due to the retcon being introduced by a completely different creative team, and the woman in question having very little in common with Misty Knight, I think it's best to list Marvel Premiere #21 as her true first appearance. Anyway, back on topic!

As Misty Knight doesn't make an actual appearance within the pages of the MC2, you may be wondering why I'm writing this post at all. Well, it's because much like Luke Cage himself, we know Misty's fate in this Universe despite her lack of appearances.

 In the Main Marvel Universe, Misty Knight had long been romantically linked to fellow crime-fighter, Danny Rand aka Iron Fist. When Danny is drawn out of retirement to face Dragonfist, we learn that Misty has died (Spider-Girl #24).

Furthermore, when Danny confronts a former student in an attempt to stop Dragonfist, we learn that Misty Knight and Danny Rand were, in fact, married and she later died of cancer.

A truly heartbreaking end for such a wonderful character but one that speaks to the mundane and worldly afflictions that claim our own loved ones. Now that I've thoroughly depressed you all, go and enjoy Simone Missick as Misty Knight in Luke Cage Season 2 and pray we get a Daughters of the Dragon spin-off.

Until we learn that Misty isn't really dead in the MC2 and it was just a H'ylthri of K'un-Lun who passed away, I remain


frogoat

MC2: The Lost Issues

While I've briefly touched on the topic before, I think I need to give a bit more attention to those complete (and incomplete) issues of various MC2 titles that never saw the light of day. For today, I'd like to cover the earliest known unpublished issues of titles in the MC2 imprint. Here's what we know:

• Both the Fantastic Five and Wild Thing titles were cancelled prematurely with their fifth issue. 
• Two issues of each title were in various stages of completion at the time of their cancellation.
• There are two pencilled issues of Wild Thing, one of which is already scripted.
• One issue of the Fantastic Five is pencilled, and the other exists as a plot.
• All four issues already had covers produced.
• Editor Mike Marts wished to collect these unpublished issues into a 'monster-size' comic in 2000 but this did not come to fruition due to the sales department vetoing the idea.
• When it was announced that these MC2 titles would be collected in digest form in 2005, there was some hope that the unpublished stories would be included.
• In the event, only one of the aforementioned covers saw print, that of Wild Thing #6 which was presented in the Spider-Girl Presents Wild Thing: Crash Course digest in 2007:

While I was unable to find the original fan interview where most of this was originally confirmed by Tom Defalco, this information was gleaned from a Comic Book Resources article which itself referenced these facts. It can be found here and further information was sourced from here.

 I'm frankly curious why the Fantastic Five digest didn't also feature the cover for it's sixth issue. Perhaps one day these lost stories will see the light of day.


Until I stumble upon these missing stories in the Marvel Vaults, I remain


frogoat

Spider-Geddon Looms

So, I'm about a week behind on my weekly schedule and I don't know when I'll find the time to work on a really meaty post, so in the meantime we'll have to make do with talking about the sure-to-date-very-quickly alternative of *gasp* current events!

Apparently a follow up to the Spider-Verse event, we have a new event called Spider-Geddon from Christos Gage and Jorge Molina. While this storyline officially starts with a mini series called Edge of Spider-Geddon, I really don't care. This story will either be very much like Spider-Verse in tone and style, doing further damage to my favourite character or it will surprise me and be only half as bad. I'm usually fairly optimistic or at least hopeful but I can't muster it nowadays, I'm afraid. I stopped reading monthly comics as a direct result of Dan Slott's atrocious writing and I don't have high opinions of anyone hoping to follow it up with a pointless sequel event. That said, maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised?

As for Mayday herself, she at appears on this promo image in her original costume rather than the last costume she was seen in at the end of the Secret Wars mini-series Spider-Island. I do find it strange that she's not in her modified 'Amazing' era costume with the larger blue areas around the axillary area and smaller eye pieces on the mask. Still, this could be merely artistic choice.

While I don't have much enthusiasm for this upcoming event, I will still check it out in some form when time permits. I felt I had to mention it here, if for no other reason than to (hopefully, but not with great likelihood) be spectacularly wrong on record. Thanks for reading my sleep-deprived rambling, everyone!

Until I find a reason to start reading modern comics again, 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

Deadpool in the MC2

With the release of Deadpool 2 in theatres, I figured it was the perfect time for a shameless tie-in! Today I'll be looking at the Merc with a Mouth's solitary appearance in the MC2 in a story written by Tom Defalco and pencilled by Ron Lim from J2 #11.

When American Dream of the Avengers turns down an invitation to participate in a martial arts contest, J2 aka Zane Yama takes it upon himself to attend in her place. Travelling via mystical amulet to a small island, J2 meets the (apparently) blind Howard the Duck, the self-proclaimed Master of Quack-Fu.

From Howard we learn that a few dozen of the world's greatest martial artists were invited to the contest, but only a few of the previous generation's 'old fogies' showed up. Suspecting a trap, Howard had hoped to stack the deck in his favour with American Dream, Stuck with J2 instead, Howard attempts to train the big lug to defend himself but has no success. When J2 reverts back to Zane Yama after his powers temporarily wear off, he encounters Blind Al. Concerned for Zane's well-being in the upcoming contest, Al attempts to get past Weasel to talk to the mystery person who organised the contest: Wade Wilson aka Deadpool.

Having followed Blind Al, Zane learns the contest will have a deadly ending. Encountering Deadpool, Zane turns back into J2 to duke it out with the mercenary. Deadpool reveals he set up the contest to alleviate his boredom. Having overheard his plans, the other contestants proceed to kick Wade's butt off-panel.

And that's it. We never encounter Deadpool again in the MC2. It's nice to see both Blind Al and Weasel make appearances in this story if old briefly and the cameos by the various iconic Marvel martial artists is a fond nod to the characters, including Iron Fist in his first MC2 appearance (more on him another time). The real show-stealer, however is Howard the Duck playing the role of the old martial arts mentor. I'd love to see these characters make a return someday. In the meantime, I'm off to book tickets to see Deadpool 2...

Until I stop shamelessly releasing tangentially related content around the release of popular movies, I remain

frogoat

MC2 Family Trees Master Post

My own self-imposed rule of posting at least once a week hasn't gone to plan due to very limited free time. I'd prefer to put out something rather than nothing but with no time to spare, I figure a full list of my MC2 Family Trees would have to suffice for now. There will be more of these family trees in future, including a few updates to previous entries.

The Yama Family Tree

The Mansfield Family Tree

The Kirby Family Tree

The Hardy/Thompson Family Tree

The Xavier-Marko Family Tree

The Duran Family Tree

The DeSantos Family Tree

The Crazy/Face Family Tree

The Jameson Family Tree

The Carter Family Tree

The Masterson Family Tree

The Lang Family Tree

The Drew Family Tree

The Morgan Family Tree

The Robertson Family Tree

The Dillon Family Tree

The Logan Family Tree

The Forest Family Tree

The Wyngarde Family Tree

The Wakandan Royal Family Tree

The Lang Family Tree *Updated*

The Bryce-Jones Family Tree

The Rambeau-Freeman Family Tree

The Harkness Family Tree

The Brady Family Tree

The Lu Family Tree

That's all of the Family Trees to date. If there are any specific MC2 Family Tree's you'd like to see, please don't hesitate to ask. I'd love some feedback. Even if you think I've got something wrong, tell me!

Until I find more time to put out something more consequential, I remain

frogoat

History of the MC2: The Avengers

I was inspired recently to make a timeline of events covering the history of the MC2, spanning the nebulous 15 year stretch of time after the Main Marvel Universe (or Universe-616) split off and became the MC2 (or Universe-982) and before the next-generation of heroes began to emerge in J2 #1, A-Next #1 and What If #105.

Given that Avengers: Infinity War is tearing up box offices worldwide, I figured a good place to start would be with the MC2's original Avengers team. The final days of the original Avengers is a major mystery within the pages of the A-Next series. The storyline culminates in the next-generation Avengers team learning the fate of the original team and deciding to put an end to the threat that disbanded them over a decade prior.

While we don't know the exact point at which the history of the Main Marvel Universe Avengers stops being the same as that of the MC2 Avengers, we do know a few things about the teams past history. At an unknown point in the team's past, an Avengers team which included Captain America, Iron Man and Thor fought Ultron Extreme, a new model of the team's old foe. Iron Man eventually managed to erase Ultron's programming and the villain's indestructible body was sealed away for over a decade (Avengers Next #3).


The Avengers became aware of an alternate reality in which Victor Von Doom wielded a Universal Cube which would allow him to travel to other universes via portals to conquer them. With all of reality at risk, the Avengers held an emergency meeting. Many attended this urgent summons including (but not limited to) Captain America, Firebird, Firestar, Giant-Man, Hawkeye, Hercules, Iron Man, Justice, Living Lightning, Scarlet Witch, Tigra, Vision and the Wasp (A-Next #7).

With a team assembled, the Avengers headed into the breach between worlds on what would become their final mission. We learn through Jarvis that this was around a year and a half prior to the Avengers officially disbanding. Sadly, many of the heroes did not return, with only Hawkeye, Hercules, Iron Man, Scarlet Witch,Vision and the Wasp re-emerging from the portal (A-Next #7). Unbeknownst to the rest of the world, Captain America had not died, instead choosing to stay behind and continue the fight (A-Next #10).

In the wake of the tragedy, Hawkeye was left blind (A-Next #10); Hercules went mad with grief and was held in facility in Mount Athena (A-Next #6); the Vision left to work in the White House and the Wasp died, leaving her twin children (Henry Pym Jr and Hope Pym) orphaned.

After mourning their fallen comrades, Iron Man and the Scarlet Witch worked tirelessly for months to seal the portal permanently against future attacks. Unfortunately, to achieve this the Scarlet Witch was sealed within a stasis pod, holding the aperture shut. Tony Stark retired as Iron Man, but continued to work to help the world (A-Next #7).

Around this time -though it's unclear whether it was before or after the team's final mission- Tony Stark developed Mainframe, a sophisticated robotic armour with Tony's own brain patterns, designed to ensure there would always be someone to answer the call to assemble (A-Next #7, Spider-Girl #95).

Designing and building a Nanite Agenda in an attempt to aid the Scarlet Witch, Tony discovered too late that his friend James Rhodes aka War Machine had tested it on himself to protect Tony. The Agenda proved harmful, caused a slow erosion of Rhodes' humanity, making him less and less human over time whilst also gifting him increasing superhuman abilities (Spider-Girl #95).

In the interim, a new group of heroes banded together to fill the role of the Avengers. Their roster included Nova, Jubilee, Speedball, Jolt and the Steel Spider. Over time, for various reasons, fewer members answered the call and eventually the team fell apart and the Avengers were officially disbanded (A-Next #7, Spider-Girl #32).

Fortunately, the day would come when a new team of Earth's Mightiest Heroes would answer the call and a whole new generation of Avengers would assemble....


Based on various comments throughout the series, the Avengers officially disbanded some 10 years prior to the events of A-Next #1 which, coupled with Jarvis stating the original Avengers final mission took place approximately a year and a half prior to this, we can form a rough timeline:

·  The Avengers fight Ultron Extreme, eventually erasing his program and sealing his indestructible body away

·  Tony Stark begins work on his Mainframe project to ensure there will always be Avengers

·  The Avengers become aware of the Universal Cube's threat and head to the alternate earth

·  Of all the Avengers who left for the mission, only six return. Captain America staying behind to help on the alternate earth

·  Iron Man and Scarlet Witch work to seal the portal between worlds

·  A new team of Avengers forms but struggles to stay together

·  Scarlet Witch is encased in a stasis pod, holding the portal shut

·  Tony Stark retires as Iron Man and finishes work on Mainframe

·  Tony Stark develops a Nanite Agenda, which James Rhodes tests on himself, gaining powers but slowly losing his humanity in the process

·  The interim Avengers team falls apart and the Avengers are officially disbanded

*At some point -either before or after the original team's final mission- Luke Cage served as a member (Avengers Next #1). Considering he's mentioned as being alive, we can assume he was not involved with the original team's final mission, but this fact does not preclude prior Avengers membership. It's equally possible Cage was a member of the interim Avengers team, as there is no evidence either way.*

Hopefully this helps shed some light on the final days of the original Avengers in the MC2. If I've missed anything or something isn't clear enough, please let me know.


Until I run out of Avengers to Assemble I remain,


frogoat

The Lu Family Tree

For this MC2 Family Tree, we'll be coving May 'Mayday' Parker's former rival on the basketball court, Nancy 'Lucky' Lu and her family.

Nancy Meeko Lu first appears in Spider-Girl #23 as Central High's star basketball player. Demonstrating why she had earned the nickname 'Lucky' with her uncanny fortune on the court, May became suspicious (and perhaps a little jealous) when she and the rest of Midtown's team were beaten.

As Spider-Girl, May followed Nancy home, hoping to uncover something sinister, only to discover Nancy and her family appeared to be the very definition of an all-American family, complete with annoying brother and adorable sister. Eventually, Spider-Girl observes Nancy using her powers to prevent a child from being hit by a car. Confronted, Nancy admits she's a mutant with low-level telekinetic abilities and that she has no interest in being a super hero. We also learn that Nancy was approached by the X-People but turned them down as she wishes to lead a normal life and become a doctor.

Spider-Girl's parting words about not using her powers for anything foolish causes Nancy to quit her basketball team. This news has the unintended consequence of leaving May feeling guilty and contemplating the unfair advantage her naturally super-human power's may give her when competing.

But that's not the last we'd see of Nancy Lu, oh no! After spotting Jack Jameson with Nancy Lu in Spider-Girl #29 May learns that Nancy may be transferring to Midtown High's school district as a result of Mr. Lu changing jobs.

 In Spider-Girl #30 May runs into Nancy with JJ at the Daily Bugle and later Coach Thompson asks Davida and May to convince Nancy to join Midtown's basketball team. Again in Spider-Girl #31, we see JJ and Nancy out together but it's seems Nancy doesn't start at Midtown High until Spider-Girl #32 when we see her and JJ heading to lunch. Nancy makes friends with Davida and May even enjoys a one-on-one game of basketball with her in Spider-Girl #33. May realizes she genuinely likes Nancy despite her previous misgivings. The three girls discuss shoes in Spider-Girl #34 and Nancy joins May's friends for an outing in Spider-Girl #35. Everything is going very well.  So naturally, it won't last.

Nancy learns of Coach Thompson's plan to use May and Davida to recruit her to the school team. When May attempts to explain things to Nancy lashes out with her powers, knocking May into a locker and storming off.

After a failed attempt and a heated encounter with JJ, Nancy apologizes to May in Spider-Girl #43 and we don't see her again for a while.

Spider-Girl #61 is the beginning of a major turning point when Coach Thompson takes Davida off the basketball team's starting line-up in favour of Nancy Lu.

Things only get worse from here on out. During an altercation with Davida in Spider-Girl #64, Nancy instinctively uses her powers to defend herself, exposing herself as a mutant to the school.

Things reach a head in Spider-Girl #67 when Nancy's locker is vandalised and graffitied with anti-mutant messages. At home, Nancy's parents argue over their daughters situation and Nancy's siblings are ostracised at school. Later while attempting to get some air, Nancy is accosted by several hooded figures.

The group attacking Nancy Lu are revealed to be fellow students from Midtown High. When The Buzz (aka JJ) and Spider-Girl intervene, Nancy reveals she's more afraid of hurting others due to a lack of control of her abilities than being hurt herself. Afterwards, Nancy makes the decision to go with the X-People to better master her powers.

And for a while, it seemed like we would never see Ms Lu again. That is until she reappeared in Spider-Girl #92 in a very different role, that of the mutant hero in training: Push. May briefly runs into Nancy Lu before the two both run off to switch into their hero attire in order to stop a imposter-Magneto.

I love how Nancy's X-People costume resembles the original X-Men's first costumes as a nod to her status as a novice hero. Unfortunately Nancy has only appeared in one further story to-date. In a plot-line that references Nancy's own outing as a mutant, student Sara Hingle's story takes a turn for the worse when she ends up recruited and manipulated by Magneta and her Sisterhood of Mutants (Amazing Spider-Girl #22-24).

Unfortunately that's the last we see of Nancy Lu to date. Another nice touch with Nancy's costume now more in keeping with the rest of X-People. From one-off rival to supporting character to full-fledged super heroine, Nancy is a wonderful example of how the MC2 takes small roles and makes them into something truly inspiring. Nancy never stops striving to be a good person and still aims to be a doctor regardless of how others wish to pigeon-hole her into a single category.

A few little tidbits before I wrap this up. Nancy's middle name -Meeko- is given in Spider-Girl #67. Push doesn't appear in Last Planet Standing, which came out within months of her super heroic debut in Spider-Girl #92. If you look closely in Spider-Girl #23, you'll notice Nancy has a cat. I wonder if they accompanied her to the X-Mansion?

I think the idea of the Lu family as 'The All-American Family' is a nice statement in and of itself, while also reflecting aspects of May's own home life. Nancy could have very easily been written as a one-dimensional rival character instead of the nuanced individual we saw develop over time. For that, I'm grateful.

Until I figure out a blogging schedule that includes sleep, I remain

frogoat