The Falcon in the MC2

 

When I think I’m out, they keep pulling me back in! Consider this a temporary reprieve. With The Falcon and the Winter Solider show now streaming on Disney + I think it’s the appropriate time to cover Sam Wilson aka The Falcon in the MC2.

 

 

 

Unlike many past Avenger entries, the Falcon is not seen or mentioned in the A-Next #7 flashback to the last days of the original Avengers. While not seen or even mentioned, we actually get our first hint of Sam Wilson’s alter ego in Spider-Girl #6. It’s here we have the debut of the Ladyhawks, aka Rosetta and Regina Morgan the twin daughters of crime lord Boss Morgan. The Ladyhawks costume is clearly an homage to the Falcon’s original green costume first seen with his first appearance in Captain America #117.

 

 

 

Additionally, we also got a mention in the letters page of Spider-Girl #11 when a fan asked if the Ladyhawks would have to pay royalties to Sam Wilson for using his motif

 

We don’t learn of the Ladyhawk twin’s origins until Spider-Girl #60, and it’s there that we discover their father was responsible for the death of The Falcon. Following this, Rosetta and Regina decided to use their (apparently) deceased father’s estate to make amends and wage a war on crime.

 

This is further reiterated in Amazing Spider-Girl #7 where we learn that Boss Morgan remains alive and criminally active. When Rosetta confronts her father, her costume’s resemblance to The Falcon’s is brought up along with the hero’s death which, according to Boss Morgan, was ‘quite some time ago’.

 

Meanwhile, over in the Avengers Next #1 we saw the team battle the magically created ‘zombies’ of various Avengers throughout the team’s history. Among these Sylene-created duplicates was a green-garbed fake Falcon who soon crumbles to dust alongside the others when Sylene loses focus. It’s worth pointing out that Sylene used stolen stored samples from the Avengers Compound, suggesting Sam provided these prior to his death.

 

While it’s not actually the MC2’s Falcon, I wanted to mention American Dream’s first encounter with the Sam Wilson of an altered reality in Captain America Corp #2. Shannon clearly recognizes and admires the hero from her world and also refers to Sam -and Luke Cage and Peter Parker- saying they ‘were heroes--Avengers’.

 

Finally, in the Secret Wars MC2 story featured in the Spider-Island mini-series, we see a glimpse of Ladyhawk (presumably Rosetta Morgan) in a new costume, this time inspired by the Falcon’s later red and white costume. Ironically, despite this Falcon costume being far more prominent and iconic, this is the only time the red and white colouring is seen in the MC2 (Spider-Island #4-#5).

 

Initially I thought the Falcon got a raw deal in the MC2 but looking at the overall impact the winged Avenger has had on this universe, I think it’s fair to say he’s well served. Yes, Sam Wilson is dead, but his legacy lives on through the Ladyhawks and their dedication to fighting crime. Furthermore, while it’s not explicitly stated, I think the Falcon is well-regarded among the next generation of Avengers, particularly American Dream who is herself upholding the legacy of Captain America. There remains a lot of untold stories in the MC2, and the Ladyhawks origins are the perfect place to detail the events surrounding Sam Wilson’s demise. Once again, I ask: can we please have a Ladyhawk mini-series?

 

Until I figure out what happened to Redwing, I remain

 

frogoat

 

 

 

 

A Status Update

 Deviating from my usual posts, I felt the need to give everyone who reads this blog an update. I'm currently swamped in my non-comic life. Not only do I have a family to look after, I work two jobs -one of which involves frontline health work- and have recently and ridiculously returned to part-time tertiary education to improve my skills. There's a few other things in play at present that I'm not prepared to discuss openly but the gist of it is I'm going to be even more sporadic and infrequent with the MC2 posts in the near future. Hopefully this doesn't come as too much of a disappointment to all of my 3 regular readers. Thanks for your support!

 Anyway, I have to get back to hitting the books. With Great Power Must Also Come Great Responsibility and all that.

Until I find a form of time-travel or  develop a cloning technology that enables me to be in multiple places at once, I remain

frogoat

Big Julie the Gangster Gorilla

 

I’ve mentioned other DC Comics references in the MC2 before but here’s one I think is too obvious to ignore: Big Julie the Gangster Gorilla. Yes, I have apes on the brain because I’m excited for Godzilla Vs Kong!

 

Let’s start by looking at Big Julie’s appearances. Julius S. Bridwell first appeared in J2 #9 a criminal gang leader who drew the attention of Assistant District Attorney Sachi Yama. Sachi swore out a warrant for Big Julie’s arrest which led to a shoot out which led to the criminal being riddled with bullets. With the aid of his associate Weasel Whoanellie, Julius was brought to Doc Hackem, a less than reputable medical scientist. Utilizing a unique ‘brain-transference process’ developed and perfected by Doctor Doom, Hackem transplanted the gangster’s mind into the body of a gorilla.

 

After an initial shock, Bridwell soon saw the benefits of having a more powerful primate physique and returned to his life of crime. Learning that ADA Sachi Yama was scheduled to give a speech at her son Zane’s school, Big Julie attempted to enact his revenge. When things start to go south with the intervention of J2, Bridwell takes Sachi to the roof of the school where he climbs atop a tall tower and attempts to use her as a hostage. This plan fails thanks to a swift and well-placed kick from Sachi Yama which causes Big Julie to drop her. J2 manages to catch his mother and defeat the gorilla gangster while Sachi takes care of his fleeing henchman.

 

Big Juile’s next appearance would unfortunately be his final, in the pages of Wild Thing #3 where the gangster went on a crime-spree utilizing a helmet device to temporarily mutate people into primates, disorientating them in the process and leaving him free to rob them. J2 attempted to stop his enemy only to wind up mutated himself. Failing, Zane persisted in his efforts and was transformed time and time again, eventually managed to land a hit on Bridwell and destroy the helmet device.

 

Now let’s talk about the references. Big Julie’s real name, Julius S. Bridwell is actually two references. The first is a reference to influential Silver Age DC Comics Editor Julius ‘Julie’ Schwartz. Following the publication of a story in DC’s Strange Adventures #8 which featured a man trapped in the body of a gorilla, Julius was reportedly asked to replicate the issues high sales. This led to an era wherein a gorilla would grace the cover of a DC Comics titles each month.

 

The second reference is to Edward Nelson Bridwell, more commonly known as E. Nelson Bridwell, a DC Comics Editor and an Assistant Editor to Julius Schwartz responsible for maintaining and tracking continuity, earning him a reputation as ‘DC’s self-appointed continuity cop’.

Finally, while it’s not a DC reference, we can’t ignore the obvious nod to the original King Kong when Big Julie scales the tower which for some reason is atop Zane’s school building.

 

Sadly, we could have seen Big Julie again, as artist Ron Frenz noted on Facebook:

Happy World Gorilla Day!

Big Julie, The Gangster Gorilla created by Ron Lim and

The Legendary Tom DeFalco for J2: Son Of The Juggernaut!

It was MY intention to bring Julie over to Spider-Girl under the moniker of Silverback! Circumstance (and DeFalco) prevented that from happening but the idea WAS ultimately retooled!

Until I stop loving intelligent great apes because, really, who doesn’t love ‘em, I remain

 

frogoat

 

 sources:

https://youtu.be/2YnbvcKzToc

http://absorbascon.blogspot.com/2006/04/why-gorillas-are-in-comic-books.html

Gorillas in Our Midst: A History of Gorillas in Comics (comicsalliance.com)

http://www.tcj.com/this-interview-ran-in-the-comics-journal-214-july-1999/

https://www.cbr.com/i-cant-cover-what-i-am-is-that-a-gorilla-on-the-cover-i-must-have-it/

 

 

 

  

 

 

The Vision in the MC2

 

Now that WandaVision has begun streaming on Disney+ it feels like a good time to take a look at the MC2 incarnations of the show’s protagonists. For this next entry, we’ll be taking a look at the density-changing synthezoid Avenger known simply as The Vision.

 

Banner by Erundel: https://www.instagram.com/erundelsart

The Vision first appears in the MC2 when the MC2 itself first appeared in the pages of What If #105. This was in the form a one-panel cameo appearance on a screen communicating with an Avengers team comprised of Jolt, J2, Jubilee, Speedball and Thunderstrike. Most people tend to brush this off as an oddity that doesn’t fit the canon due to the team’s membership including characters who declined to stick around following the events of A-Next #1. However, I like to think this brief scene took place shortly after the end of that issue, with the older members being summoned back to Avengers Compound to give a formal report to The Vision about their adventure.

 

The first proper appearance of The Vision comes in the form of a flashback in A-Next #7. By this point, I’m sure you know the one: the last days of the original Avengers team. We learn that not only did The Vision join the team on their final mission, he was among the few to return alive. I’m speculating here, but I think this traumatic event took its toll on the synthezoid, as he seemingly retires from super heroics after making it home.

 

It takes a very long time to see The Vision in the synthetic-flesh, with him finally appearing in the pages of Last Hero Standing #3. It’s here we get the explicit mention of his current occupation as a special advisor to President G.W. Bridge. In this role, Vision is sent to investigate the possibility the disappearances present a threat to nation security. Once again, I want to point out the interaction between the Scarlet Witch and The Vision here. This probably warrants it’s own entire post.

 

When Loki mind-controls the Hulk to keep the assembled heroes from uncovering his plans, Vision attempts to stop him using his density manipulation abilities. It does not go well for him (Last Hero Standing #4).

 

The Vision does manage to stick around long enough to witness the passing of his fellow Avenger, Captain America and thanks to the magic of Thor, his ‘rebirth’ in the form of a star to inspire future generations (Last Hero Standing #5).

 

In Last Planet Standing #1, The Vision is placed in charge of the Avengers by G.W. Bridge following Reed Richards deep space warning message about a planetary threat. The Vision delivers the news to the assembled team of Avengers, who do not respond well to political interference (Last Planet Standing #2).

 

With the Fantastic Five back on Earth, Vision places the Avengers on standby much to the team’s chagrin. When the Fantastic Five engage Galactus’ herald Dominas, the Avengers ignore The Vision’s direction to remain on standby and head out to assist (Last Planet Standing #3).

With Galactus now on on Earth and the combined forces of the super hero community working to penetrate his force field and combat his doomsday weapon’s launch, Vision decides to join the fray. Tragically, will attempting to phase through the force field to shut it down, The Vision is killed (Last Planet Standing #4).

 

While not seen on-panel, following the birth of a new entity composed of the Silver Surfer and Galactus which could harness a new form of energy known as The Power Essential, The Vision was reassembled alongside others killed during the battle and the destruction repaired. He was said to be convening with Mr Fantastic, Mainframe and President Bridge (Last Planet Standing #5).

 

The Vision next appears at a secret meeting discussing the grave threat posed by the newly-returned Doctor Doom with the President of the United States G.W. Bridges, Mainframe and Tony Stark. After the crisis is ended, The Vision assesses the situation, noting Doctor Doom’s robot army have suffered a planet-wide systems failure, which Stark concludes is the work of Reed Richards (Fantastic Five vol 2 #5).

 

The final appearance to-date for The Vision in the MC2 is a tiny cameo in American Dream #4 where he is seen on a screen alongside other Avengers and reserve members searching for American Dream, though he does not take part in their later rescue mission.

 

I think the MC2’s Vision is a great character who we’d only scratched the surface with in terms of character exploration. There is a lot left unsaid between him and Wanda aka The Scarlet Witch and it appears The Vision feels he can continue to be of service by working with the President of the United States rather than as an active super hero. I can’t be the only person to notice he still demonstrates emotion more than once. I feel he’s suppressed a lot of his past trauma.

 

Until I manage to phase through solid matter like a wraith, I remain

 

frogoat