BOTBG #1 – Fantastic Four, the 1960s

Today we debut a new Marvelologist feature called “Bring on the Bad Guys!” or “BOTBG” for short. In BOTBG, we’re spotlighting the Top 10 villains from the rogues galleries of our Marvel heroes, by decade and/or series. We begin, as Marvel Comics did, with the Fantastic Four antagonists of the 1960s, as they appeared in the main FF magazine, the Human Torch stories in Strange Tales, and the applicable Annual issues for both series.

Characters are ranked in the following categories: Personality, Powers, Cultural Impact, Design, and Mythology/Back Story. Each category is worth five points.

#1) Doctor Doom 

• First Appearance: Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, #5 (July 1962)
• Number of 60’s Appearances: 19
• Real Name: Victor von Doom
• Place of Birth: Latveria, Earth.
• Creators: Stan Lee, Jack Kirby
• Powers/Abilities: Genius-Level Intellect, Sorcery, Superior Mental Strength, Martial Arts Expertise, Mind Transference, Master Inventor with emphasis on robotics, high-tech armor and weaponry.

The clear and obvious choice, Doom has been a nemesis to the entire Marvel Universe from (almost) the very start. The Avengers, Spider-Man, the X-Men…every major superhero, and most of the big name villains, have had their beefs with the Latverian dictator, but it always comes back to his legendary feud with the Fantastic Four, and Reed Richards in particular.

In the 60’s, Doom wasn’t quite as flushed out as he would be in the 70s, but already he stood out from the crowd. He ruled his own country, was a mad scientist, a master sorcerer and sublime manipulator, and of course he acted with diplomatic immunity. He also once ended a battle with the Fantastic Four because a priceless piece of art had been destroyed. Even heroes listen when Doom commands.

Dr. Doom has appeared in almost every FF mythology. He is one of the few Marvel characters to have appeared in an animated series in every decade of Marvel’s existence. He is a regular video game boss and is the primary antagonist in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, LEGO Marvel Super Heroes, and Marvel Heroes Online, which is now defunct. Every Fantastic Four film ever made has included Doom, although none have done his character justice.

Points Breakdown:

• Personality: 5
• Powers: 5
• Mythology/Back Story: 5
• Design: 5
• Cultural Impact: 5
• TOTAL: 25

#2) Galactus

• First Appearance: Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, #48 (March 1966)
• Number of 60’s Appearances: 7
• Real Name: Galactus (previously Galan)
• Place of Birth: The Planet Taa, in the universe previous to ours.
• Creators: Stan Lee, Jack Kirby
• Powers/Abilities: Galactus is one of the most powerful entities in existence, as he possesses the Power Cosmic. His only known weakness is his insatiable hunger. Basically, if you can think of something, Galactus can do it.

Galactus was a huge departure from the standard comic book villain in the 60’s. A force of nature, the lone survivor from the previous universe, the master of cosmic power, and devourer of worlds. Yeah, the guy eats planets.

He, and his herald, the Silver Surfer, first starred in what is now known as “The Galactus Trilogy,” when Galactus arrives in Earth’s atmosphere to devour the planet. In what is now comic book legend, the Silver Surfer turns against his master and helps the FF save the world.

What still makes Galactus special is his existence beyond good and evil. He only devours planets to ensure his own survival, and he represents the cosmic power of entropy. He often compares the human race to ants, as they exist beyond his notice. And his power is so vast that usually he must be defeated through strategy (or the Ultimate Nullifier, the best named weapon in the Marvel Universe).

Galactus appeared hidden in a cloud in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, which means both the top two folks on this list have been severely mishandled on the big screen.

Points Breakdown:

• Personality: 4
• Powers: 5
• Mythology/Back Story: 4
• Design: 5
• Cultural Impact: 5
• TOTAL: 23

#3) The Skrulls

• First Appearance: Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, #2 (January 1962)
• Number of 60’s Appearances: 8
• Real Name: Various
• Place of Birth: The planet Skrullos
• Creators: Stan Lee, Jack Kirby
• Powers/Abilities: Shapeshifting primarily. Various individual Skrulls possess high levels of intellect and/or military acumen, as would be typical of variety inherent in an entire race.

I suppose it is cheating a bit to include an entire race, while still including the Super Skrull, who is most famous. But, like so many of the FF’s initial foes, they were the first on the scene with their respective characteristics. Never before had a specific race appeared so regularly, and so often as a foe.

The shape-shifting Skrulls debuted by trying to frame the Fantastic Four and sew the seeds of distrust among the general public. Mr. Fantastic’s famous gambit resulted in the transforming of these initial Skrulls into cows, which would be a key point in the Kree-Skrull War, said to be a backdrop for the Captain Marvel film arriving early next year.

The previously mentioned Super Skrull went though a rigorous series of scientific tests that allowed him to possess the powers of each of the FF and he’s come awfully close to defeating them.

Points Breakdown:

• Personality: 3
• Powers: 4
• Mythology/Back Story: 3
• Design: 4
• Cultural Impact: 4
• TOTAL: 18

#4) Namor

• First Appearance: Motion Picture Funnies Weekly, #1 (1939)
• Number of 60’s Appearances: 7
• Real Name: Namor McKenzie
• Place of Birth: Atlantis, Earth
• Creator: Bill Everett
• Powers/Abilities: Atlantean physiology (ability to live underwater in great depths), superhuman strength, flight, limited communication/command of sea creatures.

Namor is an anomaly on this list in that he’s typically counted among the heroes of the Marvel Universe.

Of course, Namor was a World War II hero, along with Captain America and the original Human Torch, but his feisty attitude and unwillingness to befriend surface dwellers has led to significant conflict, especially between Namor and the Fantastic Four.

Namor worked with villains such as Dr. Doom and Magneto and even led an attack on New York City with aquatic monstrosities in tow. But each time he inched to the villainous side, the FF held Namor in check, and he has been a reluctant ally in more recent years, while putting any thoughts of being classified as a villain behind him.

Points Breakdown:

• Personality: 4
• Powers: 3
• Mythology/Back Story: 3
• Design: 3
• Cultural Impact: 5
• TOTAL: 18

#5) The Mole Man

• First Appearance: Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, #1 (November 1961)
• Number of 60’s Appearances: 6
• Real Name: Harvey Elder
• Place of Birth: United States, Earth
• Creators: Stan Lee, Jack Kirby
• Powers/Abilities: Near-genius intellect, command of subterranean monsters, radar senses, martial artist specializing in use of a bo staff.

The Mole Man is this high on the list almost solely because he is the first super-villain in Marvel history. Yes, the previous anthology series like Tales to Astonish or Journey into Mystery had villains, but they usually appeared once or twice, and then they were gone. And the biggest threats were usually not human. The Mole Man was the first in a long line of recurring super-villains that called Earth home.

In many ways, Mole Man bridged the gap between the monsters and suspense of Atlas Comics and the modern super-villain. In the Atlas days, villains were usually monsters or mad scientists. Mole Man is a mad scientist who controls monsters. In the Atlas days, a typical plot revolved around the potential consequences of war and the nuclear age. Mole Man’s first scheme involved the destruction of nuclear power plants around the world.

The Mole Man is not to be trifled with, either. He has a tendency to appear when least expected, and although he is usually no match for a fighter like the Thing or Spider-Man, he has thousands of underground minions that stand ready to help.

Points Breakdown:

• Personality: 2
• Powers: 3
• Mythology/Back Story: 3
• Design: 4
• Cultural Impact: 5
• TOTAL: 17

#6) The Frightful Four

• First Appearance: Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, #36 (March 1965)
• Number of 60’s Appearances as a Team: 6
• Number of 60’s Appearances as Individuals:
  • The Wizard – 7
  • Trapster – 3
  • Sandman – 5
  • Medusa – 3
• Creators: Stan Lee, Jack Kirby
• Powers/Abilities: Wizard – Near genius intelligence, flight and gravity manipulation via his battle suit. Sandman – Super-strength, can turn body into sand. Trapster – Mastery of adhesives and trapping. Medusa – Prehensile hair, superhuman durability.

Rather than including the members of this team separately, as some of them deserve, including the whole team allows for the inclusion of more characters, which is much more fun.

The Frightful Four have had decent success battling Marvel’s First Family. The Wizard’s cunning brain, along with the specialized powers of his team, allow for equal footing with their rivals, who have had to resort to outside help, on occasion, to win the day.

The founder of the team is, naturally, the Wizard, who provides the brains and technological resources. Sandman, these days thought of primarily as a Spider-Man foe, actually appeared in more Fantastic Four comics in the 60s. The Trapster (formerly known as Paste-Pot Pete) is one of the Human Torch’s first enemies, along with the Wizard.

The fourth spot on this team is the one most often changing. Initially, it was held by the Inhuman Medusa, victimized by amnesia. Medusa would leave the team when her memory returned and she realized the error of her ways.

Points Breakdown:

• Personality: 3
• Powers: 3
• Mythology/Back Story: 3
• Design: 3
• Cultural Impact: 3
• TOTAL: 15

#7) Maximus

• First Appearance: Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, #47 (February 1966)
• Number of 60’s Appearances: 6
• Real Name: Maximus Boltagon
• Place of Birth: Attilan, Earth
• Creators: Stan Lee, Jack Kirby
• Powers/Abilities: Superhuman intellect, highly advanced inventive skills and capacity for learning.

A pattern with Fantastic Four characters in the 60s is that they very often “graduate” to the Marvel universe at large and take on their own mythos. Black Panther, Silver Surfer, the Skrulls, and, of course, the Inhumans, are perhaps the best examples of this.

Maximus is the brother of Black Bolt, king of the Inhumans. In comic books, you can bet that this also means he’s jealous of the throne and its power. If there was upheaval enough in the Inhumans’ Himalayan home of Attilan to get the attention of the Fantastic Four from the other side of the globe, it was usually Maximus’ fault.

Maximus, sometimes known as “Maximus the Mad,” uses his silver tongue, advanced inventions, and place of power to attempt to wrest away control of his brother’s kingdom. And although he has been successful on more than one occasion, the Inhumans, often with the assistance of allies, have always foiled his plans.

As Black Bolt and his family grew away from the Fantastic Four, Maximus stayed their primary antagonist, although his schemes have often plagued other Marvel heroes.

Points Breakdown:

• Personality: 4
• Powers: 2
• Mythology/Back Story: 3
• Design: 2
• Cultural Impact: 2
• TOTAL: 13

#8) Diablo

• First Appearance: Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, #30 (September 1964)
• Number of 60’s Appearances: 3
• Real Name: Esteban Corazón de Ablo
• Place of Birth: Zaragoza, Spain, Earth
• Creators: Stan Lee, Jack Kirby
• Powers/Abilities: Extended lifespan, mastery of alchemy with access to a devastating array of potions.

Diablo is a character with a strong beginning, who has become a bit of an enigma as the years advanced. You’ll see him appeared often in lists such as this one, but his motivations have never really been strongly defined, which is something Stan Lee expressed regret about in a 2013 interview with Nerdist.

Nevertheless, the 60’s saw Diablo at his high points, with all the nefariousness and cunning that longtime FF fans expect from him. In his first appearance, he temporarily succeeds at turning the Thing against his friends. He does so by “curing” Grimm with alchemy in order to gain his trust.

Diablo is also known for bringing Dragon Man to life, and masquerading as an academic elite to garner access to sensitive information.

Points Breakdown:

• Personality: 2
• Powers: 2
• Mythology/Back Story: 3
• Design: 3
• Cultural Impact: 2
• TOTAL: 12

#9) Puppet Master

• First Appearance: Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, #8 (November 1962)
• Number of 60’s Appearances: 7
• Real Name: Phillip Masters
• Place of Birth: Dragorin, Transia, Earth
• Creators: Stan Lee, Jack Kirby
• Powers/Abilities: Constructs dolls/puppets from radioactive clay, which allows him to control the minds of those he makes likenesses of.

Puppet Master is a classic 60’s villain in that he is corny, odd, and his “super-power” doesn’t always hold up to scrutiny. Where does this radioactive clay come from? How does it get its powers? How exactly does it work? Most explanations are glossed over, which is, of course, fine.

But beyond the oddball nature of Phillip Masters are some interesting details. He comes from a life of tragedy, despises the Thing (this being due to Ben Grimm’s love for Masters’ stepdaughter), and seems to have it out for pretty much anyone.

Puppet Master has appeared in three different animated series (Incredible Hulk from the early 80s, and both of the most recent FF shows), as well as the video game tie-in to the 2005 Fantastic Four film.

Points Breakdown:

• Personality: 2
• Powers: 2
• Mythology/Back Story: 3
• Design: 2
• Cultural Impact: 3
• TOTAL: 12

#10) The Mad Thinker

• First Appearance: Fantastic Four, Vol. 1, #15 (June 1963)
• Number of 60’s Appearances: 10
• Real Name: Julius
• Place of Birth: Unknown
• Creators: Stan Lee, Jack Kirby
• Powers/Abilities: Genius-level intellect, eidetic memory.

The Mad Thinker earns a place on this list merely because he appears so often in the 60s. He can be an interesting foe, but unfortunately, most of his schemes tend to be very similar.

Nevertheless, he’s been the cause of a lot of trouble for the FF. His technological mastery has resulted in androids that take on a life of their own, such as Quasimodo and Android Man, and his initial hammerhead shark-like Awesome Android always seems to turn up in the least convenient places. He may look boring, but his brain is anything but.

The Mad Thinker has appeared in two different animated series (The Marvel Super Heroes from the 1960s, and in The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. We are not counting his Ultimate counterpart, as the character is too different.

Points Breakdown:

• Personality: 3
• Powers: 2
• Mythology/Back Story: 2
• Design: 1
• Cultural Impact: 2
• TOTAL: 10

10 Superhero Video Games We’d Like to See

With the addition of the new Spider-Man title to the stable of great video games, he and Batman continue to stand alone as the two most successful superheroes in the virtual world. We’re well past the days when a blockbuster film called for an accompanying game/cash-grab, but we’re well established in the era of great video game storytelling. So how long until we get to see more superhero games with great gameplay and stories?

Here’s a list of ten superhero game ideas that we’d love to see get made. The only qualifications: no Batman, no Spider-Man, and no “company wide” titles like Injustice or Marvel’s Ultimate Alliance. The proposed games focus mainly on single properties.

1) X-Men

Everyone’s favorite mutants have starred in some wonderful games in the past, but recently they have fallen flat, so it is time to go back to basics.

In this origins-style game, you’d choose to start as either Professor X or Magneto. From there, you’d recruit mutants to defend (X-Men) or oppress (the Brotherhood) humanity. Your potential team members? The original X-Men of course (Cyclops, Beast, Angel, Iceman, and Jean Grey) and a menagerie of other characters from the classic 60’s days of the X-Men: Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, Mimic, Blob, Toad, Mastermind, the Vanisher, Unus the Untouchable, Juggernaut, Banshee, the Changling (Morph), Mesmero, Havok, Polaris, and Sauron.

Imagine the possibilities. Will you make it a family affair and pair Cyclops and Havok with Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch? Go with the brawn of Beast, Juggernaut, Blob and Unus? Or maybe you’d prefer the ranged attacks of Iceman, Banshee, Polaris and Mimic?

Even cooler would be potential sequels where you could recruit Wolverine, Storm, Nightcrawler, Colossus, Proteus, and more.

2) Hit Monkey

Sure, the developers of the Deadpool game trolled audiences by saying they were working on a game starring this little known supporting character, but it would be even better as fact instead of fiction.

Hit Monkey is a Japanese macaque who is one of the world’s deadliest mercenaries. Who wouldn’t want to play a game as that? No dialogue from the main character, but plenty of memorable interactions as he makes his way through international worlds of vice and crime.

3) Swamp Thing

How many games do you know of where you can play as the Avatar of the Green, a character connected to all plant life on Earth? So much to work with here. Zombies (the Rot), monsters, trippy and beautiful scenery, powers that would be easily upgradable and some great storylines to choose from. Throw in an open world bayou and backwater towns and you’d have something that really stands out.

4) Booster Gold

Time travel is a common trope in video games, and it can be quite memorable if used correctly. Booster Gold is from the future. He’s famously known as a glory hog who uses his knowledge of the future to be in the right place at the right time, so he can save lives and make money while doing it. You know how you can choose sponsors in sports games these days? Incorporate that here. Get sponsors, make money, become famous, save the timeline.

5) Black Panther

Possibly the best candidate for an open world on this list. Travel throughout Wakanda and Africa as the Black Panther, while upgrading your tech, developing new weapons, and fighting off threats such as Klaw, Killmonger, Man-Ape, and more. Some suit customization and vehicles to cruise around in would make for cool add-ons, as well as costume variants, which are super popular in Batman and Spider-Man games. In Black Panther’s case, of course there’s the MCU costumes, as well as Doomwar, Urban Jungle, Man Without Fear, and the original costume from the comics.

6) Thanos

Why not play as a villain? This game could feature one of a number of stories. Sure there’s Infinity War, but what about the recent Thanos Wins story? Or just take control of the Mad Titan as he conquers world after world, taking down foes such as the Silver Surfer, Adam Warlock, Galactus, the Kree, and the Skrull. Choose who to destroy and who to save in your quest to win the heart of Death herself.

7) Hellboy

The first video game featuring him wasn’t good. Time to try again. With the success of Uncharted and the Tomb Raider reboot, adventure games set in open worlds are on the rise in quality and popularity. Focusing on the investigative aspect of Hellboy and giving him some creepy or legendary locales to romp in could merge the superhero genre with pulp fiction and the result could be legendary.

8) The Punisher

You could go two different routes here. One would be setting the game in New York and having Frank Castle targeting the mob, with the Kingpin, the Russian, or Jigsaw as the main villain. Side quests would be plentiful and you could offer assistance to the denizens of the Big Apple as you choose. In the same vein as Sleeping Dogs, you could make choices that raise your standing with the police, or with the underworld.

The second choice would be setting the game in Vietnam, as part of a black ops mission. Too similar to Call of Duty? Maybe. But in either game the weapon upgrading and acquisition could be super fun.

9) Gambit

Set outside the world of the X-Men, a Gambit game would be set in the southern U.S, perhaps in the Bayou or New Orleans. The Ragin’ Cajun would be back in his element as a master thief. Pilfer from the rich and give to the poor, take down illegal gambling dens, and rescue your fellow thieves from jail. Use the iconic bow staff for close combat or range attack with the classic charged playing cards and work your way to the top of the Thieves Guild or eliminate a new criminal presence in town. Either way works.

10) Green Hornet

Seth Rogen’s recent film didn’t do much to make people respect the character, but if we get back to his roots the options are intriguing. Britt Reid is a newspaper mogul by day, and the Green Hornet by night. To the public, the Hornet is a criminal, but he’s secretly taking down crime from within. With access to all sorts of fun tech (including the Black Beauty, his classic car), a game where you can play as journalist Britt and vigilante Hornet could be quite entertaining.

BONUS!

Great Moments in Comic Book History

Issue #121 – Cover Art by John Romita

It would need a different name, but how cool would it be if you could actually play through some of the most iconic moments in the history of comics, perhaps as the hero or the villain? It would be made up of different scenarios and not a full campaign, but think of the possibilities! Here are some potential selections.

• Death of Superman (Play as Superman or Doomsday)
• Kraven’s Last Hunt (Play as Spider-Man or Kraven the Hunter)
• The Death of Gwen Stacy (Play as Spider-Man or Green Goblin)
• The Dark Knight Returns (Play as Batman or Superman)
• Incredible Hulk #180 (Play as Wolverine or Hulk)
• The Origin of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Play as the Turtles or Shredder)
• Knightfall (Play as Batman or Bane)
• Fantastic Four #25-26 (Play as Hulk or the Thing)
• The Galactus Trilogy (Play as Silver Surfer, the Fantastic Four, or Galactus)
• Extremis (Play as Iron Man or Mallen)

Do you have any ideas for fun superhero video games? Let us know in the comments!

RIP Len Wein

The comic book world lost a giant this week. Len Wein worked on comics that starred a significant chunk of both Marvel and DC’s stable of characters, and introduced, wrote, drew, and edited some legendary runs, including the X-Men of the mid-70s, Swamp Thing, Watchmen, Teen Titans, Fantastic Four, and The Incredible Hulk.

He wasn’t confined to the comic page either. He worked on four episodes of “Batman: the Animated Series” as well as helping author scripts for Iron Man, Avengers, Spider-Man (including my favorite episode “The Alien Costume: Part One”), and Godzilla TV shows.

As a tribute to Len, and to show just how influential he was in the comic book world (Joss Whedon said via Twitter that Wein “co-kickstarted the modern comic book era”), here are Wein’s top ten greatest (co-)creations.

10) Libra – DC Comics (with Dick Dillin) 

This little known villain garners a spot here for two reasons. First, he founded the first Injustice Gang, and second, he is the author of the havoc brought about in the Final Crisis, where he appears to grant every super-villain their greatest wish.

9) Red Star – DC Comics (with Marv Wolfman)

Red Star, aka Starfire, was the first Russian superhero in DC Comics. He hasn’t been used a great deal throughout the years, but has appeared in the Crisis on Infinite Earths, the Sinestro Corps War and Flashpoint, as well as in the animated Teen Titans TV series. Red Star often comes into conflict with other heroes due to his political views, although he has come through in the clutch to help the Teen Titans when they have been in need.

8) Mockingbird – Marvel Comics (with Neal Adams)

Bobbi Morse started out as a simple S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, sent to retrieve Ka-Zar from the Savage Land to help locate the mysteriously missing scientist Ted Sallis. Her mission leads to confrontation with A.I.M, the Man-Thing, and several would be conquerors. Today she’s one of the most famous S.H.I.E.L.D. operatives, having appeared in her own series, alongside Hawkeye, and on the MCU’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

7) The Human Target – DC Comics (with Carmine Infantino)

Wein’s Human Target was the second comic book character to bear the name, but clearly the best known. The character has been the lead in two television series and has appeared on Arrow.

6) Lucius Fox – DC Comics (with John Calnan)

Where would Bruce Wayne be without all his tech? Surprisingly, it took decades for someone to come up with a character like Lucius, someone to obtain/create/handle the Batman tech for Wayne’s war on crime. Morgan Freeman famously plays the character in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy.

5) Colossus – Marvel Comics (with Dave Cockrum)

The X-Men were floundering in reprints and special guest appearances in the mid-70s. Wein and company single-handedly revitalized the series by introducing a new team of mutants with a bit of international flavor in Giant-Size X-Men. Colossus was one of those mutants. Hailing from Russia, he’s evacuated his role on the team more than once, even joining Magneto’s Acolytes on Asteroid M, but he’s always back with the good guys. His best film version can be seen in Deadpool.

4) Nightcrawler – Marvel Comics (with Dave Cockrum)

Basically a tie with Colossus here. Nightcrawler is German by birth and has been at the center of many of the X-Men’s greatest battles since he appeared in Wein’s new X-Men team. He’s been revealed to be Mystique’s son, and has even been a part of the mutant team across the pond, Excalibur.

3) Swamp Thing – DC/Vertigo Comics 

Alan Moore may be known as the iconic writer of this character, but it was Len’s to start with. Swamp Thing has become more visible in recent years, joining Justice League Dark and starring in two of his own critically acclaimed series. The Moore run will always been seen as the best though.

2) Storm – Marvel Comics (with Dave Cockrum)

Yet another member of the new X-Men team. Storm was the first major black female super-hero and would become one of the X-Men’s greatest leaders and participate in some of the most iconic events in the Marvel Universe. Too bad about that toad-getting-hit-by-lightning line in the film.

1) Wolverine – Marvel Comics (with John Romita, Sr.)

Wein had co-created Wolverine as a Hulk nemesis before his X-Men debut. He brought Logan on board the mutant train in Giant Size X-Men and the ol’ canucklehead hasn’t looked back. He’s safely one of the top five comic book characters of all time. After all, he’s the best he is at what he does.

The Actual 50 Most Powerful Superheroes (For Real)

Entertainment Weekly announced today that this week’s issue will feature the Top 50 Most Powerful Superheroes of all time. By “powerful,” they don’t just mean brute strength or the best abilities. They mean power and influence in reality, not just in their fictional histories. Basically, they rolled all the different ways a superhero can be powerful into one big conglomerate.

Characters were evaluated based on “a 100-point system that rated each character in nine categories: Cultural Impact, Bankability, Design, Modern Relevance, Mythology, Nemeses, Originality, Personality, and Powers.” Each category was worth 10 points except Cultural Impact, which was worth 20. And while they won’t announce the full list ahead of time, they did announce who their #1 ranked hero is: Wonder Woman.

EW said of Wonder Woman: “On her 75th anniversary, it’s time she finally gets her due.” But if we’re being honest, there’s only one reason WW took that spot, and that is that EW wanted to be progressive. In fact, if you ask the question, “Why is it important that Wonder Woman finally gets her due?” The answer will most likely be something like “well, it usually goes to Batman, or Spider-Man, or whoever.” The reason it usually does is because, well, Spidey and Bats SHOULD be ranked before Wonder Woman. Look at all the categories EW listed. Spider-Man and Batman clearly rank better than Wonder Woman in every one of those categories, except maybe powers. So its pretty clear what’s going on.

So rather than just let EW get away with this, the following is a list of the ACTUAL 50 most powerful heroes, based on the exact same categories that EW used, and with the benefit of actually having studied and read these comics and their history, rather than just being a fan, like those at EW.

#1) Batman – DC Comics

Honestly, how can any other hero rank above Batman? The best rogues gallery in all of comics, the iconic mythology, the genius level intellect. Films, TV shows, stage plays, art, etc. They have all been influenced by the Caped Crusader.

#2) Spider-Man – Marvel Comics

Spider-Man makes the most royalty money in the real world, even though Peter Parker has never been anything close to rich. Stan Lee and Steve Ditko went against pretty much everything their editor said when they created a teenage superhero who wasn’t a sidekick, had a bunch of personal problems, and used a spider motif. We all know how that turned out.

#3) Superman – DC Comics

For much of his existence, Superman may have ranked higher than Spidey, but his popularity has waned in recent years, and Zach Snyder’s deconstruction of the Man of Steel’s nobility has not done Kal-El many favors. But his origin is iconic and his legend has always gotten back to the roots of Truth, Justice, and the American Way.

#4) Captain America – Marvel Comics

I can’t recall where I read this, but someone on Facebook said that DC is making fans question if Superman should exist, while Marvel has convinced fans that Captain America should exist, not just on the big screen, but in real life. Chris Evans’ portrayal of the star-spangled man has brought an amazing example of strength, loyalty and virtue to his viewers.

#5) Iron Man – Marvel Comics

Robert Downey Jr. is almost singly responsible for this ranking. He’s shown us that a genius, billionaire, playboy philanthropist can be relatable. And the really neat part of it all was that even back in his early days in the 60’s, Tony Stark had always grappled with his role in creating weapons of war. Marvel Studios, rather than reinventing the wheel, brought that story to the big screen. Iron Man remains one of the most influential comic book films to date, thanks in large part to its place as the beginning of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

#6) Wolverine – Marvel Comics

Easily the most popular X-Man, Wolverine’s own rogues gallery is pretty impressive (Sabretooth, Omega Red, Silver Samurai, Lady Deathstrike) on its own. Factor in his quick-healing and the groundbreaking adamantium backstory, and you have an icon whose catch phrase has permeated to popular culture.

#7) Wonder Woman – DC Comics

Here we go. Listen, there’s no denying Wonder Woman’s place in the upper echelon of comic book characters, but if we’re really grading on the scale that EW is using, her rogues gallery is one of the shallowest in all of comics, her origin isn’t as iconic as the others, and until Batman v. Superman was released, public interest in her was very much waning in favor of gals like Harley Quinn, Catwoman, and Black Widow. Now she’s getting more popular again, so perhaps the list will change, but even so, she will never be able to pass Batman, Supes, and Spidey.

#8) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Mirage Comics

Easier to rank as a team rather than individually, people seem to forget about these guys, and yet there’s been six feature films, multiple TV shows, and many classic video games made from this franchise. Their nemesis, Shredder, is one of the top villains of all time, and not only are the four incredibly formidable in battle, they also introduced many of today’s adults to sais, nunchucks, and “Cowabunga!”

#9) Hulk – Marvel Comics

The Jekyll & Hyde-inspired tragic hero is simply the “strongest one there is.” Despite this very basic character, there’s never been a shortage of great stories about the Jade Giant on TV, film, or in the comics. We’ll be seeing part of the World War Hulk storyline adapted in Thor: Ragnarok, but even with all the big screen success, the main reasons Hulk ranks so high are his immense strength and constant popularity.

#10) The Flash – DC Comics

The CW show has renewed interest in him, but the Flash has always been quite the character. He fights talking gorillas, terrorists from other timelines, and rogues that shoot ice, fire, or mirrors, and he can travel through time. People don’t realize how packed with power he really is.

#11) Thor – Marvel Comics

The god of thunder is the most powerful of all the Avengers. Mjolnir has become an icon the world over, and his brother Loki is one of the greatest villains in modern memory.

#12) The Fantastic Four – Marvel Comics

I may take some heat for this one, but its worth it. Just for a minute, throw out the three awful films and go back to the start. The FF paved the way for all other Marvel heroes. They are a family, full of bickering and love, and nothing like that existed in comics before they came along. With a truly iconic and revolutionary mythos, the team includes the smartest man in the Marvel Universe, a hotshot with mastery over fire, a monster capable of going toe-to-toe with the Hulk, and the first woman in comics to be hailed as the most powerful person on their team. Not too shabby.

#13) Dick Grayson – DC Comics

He’s been known as Robin, Nightwing, Batman, and now just Grayson. He may just be the most connected person in the DC universe. He’s worked with the Justice League, Teen Titans, and now SPYRAL (an incredibly shady covert ops team) and hardly ever misses a beat. An expert gymnast and combatant who learned from the very best, it seems like there’s no way to keep him from getting the upper hand in every battle.

#14) Supergirl – DC Comics

Superman’s cousin has had an increased presence in the comics lately, and yet folks still tend to forget that she basically has all of Superman’s powers, and she’s a little bit more of a wild card, which can lead to some tough situations for the bad guys.

#15) Deadpool – Marvel Comics

Is he a hero? He’s done just enough good, even through questionable means, to merit a spot. He’s almost unkillable, and he can talk you to death as well.

#16) Guardians of the Galaxy – Marvel Comics

Another team here. They have always had the firepower, and now they have the recognition to match up. They have actually had more powerful members in the comics than in the films, but we’ll see the MCU’s version add Nebula, Mantis, and Yondu in their next go ’round.

#17) Daredevil – Marvel Comics

Charlie Cox as Daredevil on Netflix.

The blind Man Without Fear has burst on the scene with two great Netflix seasons, but people seem to forget how many of his opponents we still haven’t seen on screen (Bullseye, Typhoid Mary, Mr. Fear). Here’s hoping they adapt the Shadowlands storyline soon!

#18) Phoenix (Jean Grey) – Marvel Comics

The second X-Man on the list, Jean is a match for cosmic players such as Galactus when she is the Phoenix (she once went bad and destroyed an entire solar system), and plenty strong even when she isn’t. X-Men Apocalypse brought her character back into the limelight, but gosh, they could have done way better.

#19) Silver Surfer – Marvel Comics

When the Silver Surfer got his own comic series in the 60’s, it was very much revolutionary. First of all, nobody had ever come up with characters like the planet-devouring Galactus and his herald (the Surfer) before. Second, despite being more powerful than almost anyone on Earth, the Surfer sought solitude, and often philosophized about the state of mankind. He has been referred to as the conscience of the Marvel Universe, though his pacific outer appearance hides the power of the cosmos itself.

#20) Black Panther – Marvel Comics

He’s even richer than Tony Stark, and he possesses a genius level IQ, a compassionate heart, and the most valuable metal in the world. Oh, yeah, and he’s a king. If you liked what you saw of him in Captain America: Civil War, you’ll be in for a treat when his solo film comes out.

#21) Storm – Marvel Comics

Able to control the weather, Storm has really been sold short in the X-Men films. One of the kindest and strongest women of Marvel, Storm was one of the earliest female team leaders in comics, and hails from Africa. Marvel was ahead of the times in casting her as a powerful African character. It would be great to see her regain what has been lost thanks to the recent films.

#22) Batgirl – DC Comics

Finally another DC character. In addition to being an expert hand-to-hand combatant and disciple of the Batman, Batgirl is perhaps the best role model for young girls on this list. With an IQ through the roof, she is likely the best human computer programmer and hacker in the DC universe, she reads a lot, and has had the iron will and determination to recover from the paralysis of her legs. Oh, and she has a photographic memory.

#23) Luke Cage – Marvel Comics

Until his Netflix series was released this month, I hadn’t thought much about how formidable someone would be with bullet-proof skin. (Spoiler: really formidable). In a world where racial tensions are going through the roof, Luke Cage is the first black super-hero to get a feature show and boy, does he clean up the town.

#24) Black Widow – Marvel Comics

Marvel is supposedly working on a Black Widow solo film, and they better be. Since she appeared in Iron Man 2, the master spy has been the strongest female character in the MCU. And because she’s playing hero so much, it is easy to forget how crafty a spy she was in her past. You don’t get to be the best spy in the USSR without being really good.

#25) Doctor Strange – Marvel Comics

With his film coming next month, we see the arrival of the magical to the MCU. Strange has always been the sole human safeguard to mystical attacks on Earth. Ever since his early days, he’s been an aide to his fellow Marvel heroes, as well as halting several potential apocalyptic events by himself.

#26) Green Arrow – DC Comics

Arrow has been a hit for multiple seasons despite corny costumes, unneeded love triangles, and silly plots. Unfortunately, the CW has missed out on the crusading Ollie Queen, the caring father figure who is fun-loving, but fiercely loyal to his friends. He’s a colorful character, much like the Robin Hood he imitates. We don’t get that in Arrow.

#27) Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) – DC Comics

Hal Jordan welds the most powerful weapon in the universe, the Green Lantern Ring. Limited only by his imagination and willpower, the ring can make thoughts into reality. Green Lantern was (IMHO) the best comic series of the 2000s, and although the film was awful, it can only get better from here.

#28) The Punisher – Marvel Comics

The Punisher may only trail Batman and Superman in terms of how iconic their logos are. The Punisher has been in films and animated series, but until season two of Daredevil, nobody quite got him right. Now, one of the best gunmen on the planet is getting his own series, and he’ll have a full arsenal behind him.

#29) Venom – Marvel Comics

Here’s someone who barely made it in. Mostly known as a villain, the alien symbiote suit known as Venom has actually been bonded to a hero just long enough to qualify. He teamed up with Spider-Man to defeat Carnage, protected the homeless in San Francisco, and was bonded to war hero Flash Thompson as a secret weapon for the U.S. Government. The “black suit” is typically seen as the second most popular Spidey outfit, and the iconic toothy grin, coupled with all of Spider-Man’s power, make him a scary foe for anyone.

#30) Ghost Rider – Marvel Comics

Its usually not a good thing when you’re associated so much with Nic Cage, but Ghost Rider is another hero on a comeback. He’s featured in this season of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and there are rumors swirling that there could be a spin-off. His Penance Stare is one of the most original and destructive powers in all of comicdom.

#31) Shazam/Captain Marvel – DC Comics

One of the few folks that can put a lick on Superman, Shazam (previously known as Captain Marvel) is a force to be reckoned with. He possesses the wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hercules, the stamina of Atlas, the power of Zeus, the courage of Achilles, and the speed of Mercury. His unique secret identity (he’s actually a 12 year old boy who can transform into a grown man) has made for some great storytelling and, of course, “Shazam” is now part of our common speech.

#32) Hellboy – Dark Horse Comics

AKA Ron Perlman. Most folks only know this guy by his films, which is a good start, but his comics are highly acclaimed as well, and where else are you going to find a character whose Invulerable Right Hand of Doom is also the key to the end of the world?

#33) Martian Manhunter – DC Comics

DC chose to bump MM from the Justice League during the New 52 reboot for no good reason. The last surviving Martian, J’onn J’onzz is a master of telepathy, super-strength, and shape-shifting. He possesses a genius level intellect, can fly, and has a healing factor. Some folks maintain that this original founding member of the Justice League is more powerful than Superman.

#34) Cyborg – DC Comics

For years a member of the Teen Titans, Cyborg finally graduated to the Justice League, and serves as their eye in the sky. Able to access anything with an internet connection and form his limbs into weaponry thanks to alien Mother Box technology, Cyborg usually sits behind the scenes, but can pack a punch in battle. His film is coming out in 2020.

#35) Iron Fist – Marvel Comics

Not going to spoil anything here, as his Netflix show will be airing early next year, but Iron Fist helped usher in the martial arts fad at Marvel Comics in the 70’s, and he’s the best known among those particular fighting masters.

#36) Blade – Marvel Comics

His first film officially ushered in the age of superhero movies. When he debuted in the early 70’s, the vampire craze was mostly limited to cheaply made films. Blade was the first vampire hunter with a real personality to be created, and he’s been chasing the creeps ever since. Any guy who can avoid getting killed for over 40 years while hunting Dracula is a guy I want on my team.

#37) Swamp Thing – DC Comics

One of the first hero-monsters, its not actually certain if he or Marvel’s Man-Thing came first, as their creators lived in close proximity to each other. Swamp Thing is the avatar of the Green, able to communicate with all plant life on the planet. He’s nearly impossible to kill, although he hates having to deal with things outside his realm of responsibility.

#38) Spawn – Image Comics

Spawn was such an icon in the 1990’s that every comic fan knew who he was, even if they had never read an issue of his series, which helped launch Image Comics into instant success. He’s been featured in live action films, animation, and video games and Spawn action figures and statues are known for their intricate and accurate detailing.

#39) Winter Soldier – Marvel Comics

Bucky Barnes was one guy who stayed dead, until his resurrection by writer Ed Brubaker exploded into the comic scene. Now the Winter Soldier, a master assassin turned ally, Bucky seeks to right the wrongs he’s committed. Of course, Captain America: Winter Soldier is an adaptation of his return from the “dead.”

#40) Professor X – Marvel Comics

The founder of the X-Men, and the world’s most powerful mutant mind, capable of erasing memories or shutting down all brain function. Thank goodness he’s on our side.

#41) Captain Marvel (Carol Danvers) – Marvel Comics

Originally known as Ms. Marvel, she took up the mantle of Captain, partially to honor the first Captain Marvel, a Kree soldier who made it possible for her to get her powers, which include flight, super-strength and energy blasts. She’s well versed in espionage, and is an expert pilot and marksman. Her film hits theaters in 2018.

#42) Hawkeye – Marvel Comics

Just a guy with a bow and arrow, in many ways Hawkeye has been the soul of the Avengers since he joined the squad in the mid-60s. His newest series has been critically acclaimed and won several industry awards.

#43) The Spectre – DC Comics

A pretty good example of a character so powerful, writers aren’t sure what to do with him, Spectre is a spirit of vengeance, who takes his wrath out on criminals and sometimes whatever sinners are nearby. He’s usually coupled with a human host and most recently appeared in Gotham by Midnight, where he caused some serious issues with the GCPD.

#44) Namor & Aquaman – Marvel & DC Comics

These two are so similar I kept them together. They both control marine life, can breathe air and water, and have enhanced strength. Namor, Marvel’s first superhero, can fly as well. Though they often don’t get the respect they deserve, these two are rulers of their realms with legions of soldiers at their beck and call, and with the monsters of the deep at their disposal, they are not to be trifled with. Aquaman’s film arrives in 2018

#45) Nick Fury – Marvel Comics

The crucial linchpin connecting the MCU, Nick Fury has been behind the scenes of more schemes, wars, espionage, and world-threatening events than anyone in the Marvel Universe (probably…we’ll never know just how many he’s been involved in). As Director of S.H.I.E.L.D, Fury ran the intelligence behind the intelligence, trumping FBI, CIA, and plenty of world governments to keep the world safe. He’s always got one eye open.

#46) Sentry – Marvel Comics

A little-known powerhouse, Bob Reynolds is essentially Marvel’s version of Superman, except he has severe mental issues and can turn invisible. He usually tries to stay out of the public eye but is best known for saving the Earth from a rampaging Hulk. His backstory is among the most compelling in all of comics, complete with a fictional publication history in the real world.

#47) John Constantine – DC Comics

Probably the most unlikable person on this list, Constantine is a jerk who usually only looks out for himself. However, he’s a powerful mage with ancient connections and usually gets away with the trouble he’s caused. He’s saved the world on more than one occasion, although he’s often drunk while doing it.

#48) Cyclops – Marvel Comics

The primary field leader of the X-Men, Cyclops has seen it all. His powerful optic blasts have leveled buildings, Sentinels, and armies, he’s been to the far reaches of outer space, lost more than one wife, and still keeps moving forward.

#49) Judge Dredd – Rebellion Developments

A rare authoritarian police-state hero, Judge Dredd patrols Mega-City One in the future. He serves as judge, jury, and executioner as he enforces the law, often in severe ways, in his hometown. His iconic outfit, excellent fighting and marksman skills, and Lawgiver pistol (capable of firing several different types of bullets, such as armor piercing, heat seekers, or high-explosive) make him a fierce presence on the streets.

#50) Hawkman – DC Comics

Practically an immortal, Hawkman is cursed to re-incarnate through a series of lives. His alien Nth metal harness allows him to fly, and a mace and bladed gauntlet are his weapons of choice. A savage fighter with a short fuse who has defeated Superman in the past, his history is a bit convoluted, but he’s always been willing to lay down his life for the greater good.

Symbiotes on Screen – How to Do it Right!

Spider-Man finally debuted in a Captain America: Civil War trailer, and folks are super excited. In other Spidey-related news, Sony has declared that a solo Venom film is still in the works that will NOT be related to the new rebooted Spider-Man franchise, which will be a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Um…what?

A quick legal summary for those of you who need it: Marvel doesn’t own the film rights to all of their own characters. In the 90s, they sold some of them to several different studios to get much needed cash. And while Marvel Studios has slowly gained most of these film rights back, FOX still has X-Men and Fantastic Four, and apparently Namor’s rights are at Universal Studios. Sony, who still owns the rights to the Spider-Man stable of characters, made a deal with Marvel to bring Spidey into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), however, this deal doesn’t account for all the Spider-Man characters (like Venom) that Sony controls.

Basically, Sony is looking for ways to make profitable films without sharing with Marvel in financial or creative ways, like they will have to do with upcoming Spider-Man films. Their solution is apparently this Venom film…unconnected to Spidey…which would be a disaster.

Marvel Studios has shown a commitment to respecting source material by recruiting writers, directors and actors who are true comic book fans. This has resulted in billions of dollars in revenue, happy fans, and, most importantly, good movies.

Meanwhile, the folks over at Sony are still trying to figure out a magical formula for success. They ruined Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy because they insisted on too many villains in Spider-Man 3. Then they rebooted, made an decent new film, and, in Amazing Spider-Man 2, made the exact. same. mistake.

Look, I get it, they want to make money. I’m sure they have all sorts of analysts trying to predict the next big trend. Those analysts are probably busy saying they can make millions on an R-rated Venom film because Deadpool was so successful. But Deadpool wasn’t successful because it was rated R, it was successful because Deadpool is an amazingly popular character and Ryan Reynolds made sure they stuck to the source material. So there’s the big “secret.” Make a quality film that respects the source material. People will come to watch. It really is that simple. So, that being said, here’s how to do that with Spider-Man, Venom, and all the symbiotes.

1. Space!

The Venom symbiote needs to come from outer space. Not from a lab. When Spidey is stuck on Earth, like in Spider-Man 3, sure, a crash landing of sorts is fine, but with this new MCU Spider-Man, we’re not stuck on Earth.

In the comics, Spider-Man gets his black symbiote suit while fighting in the Secret Wars. Since the suit doesn’t really come into play in that storyline, its a pretty easy switch and have him discover it in the MCU’s next Avengers films, which will involve the Infinity Wars. With the amount of characters they will be needing, I’m sure Spider-Man is a strong possibility to appear in those films. Let him find the suit there. Oh, and it better not be just a black version of his usual suit. Make sure the spider is the big, white one, no webbing needed.

2. Back in Black

Give Spider-Man a full movie with his black suit.

Everything seems so rushed when you try to have Spider-Man discover the symbiote and get rid of it in the same film. Spidey could find the suit near the end of Infinity Wars Part 1, and have it for the remainder of the second film. That way there’s some time to see the slow decay of the symbiote getting into Peter’s brain and you don’t need to have an entire solo Spider-Man film to set up Venom.

3. Introduce Eddie Brock Early

We need to buy into Eddie’s hatred of Spider-Man. Put him on the Bugle staff when Parker shows up. Let him get jealous because Parker is the new kid who folks like, and let him hate Spidey because he’s “in the way of a good story,” but make us care about him. He should be a foil to Peter, who wants to do the right thing the right way. Brock sees that the ends justify the means. We need to feel sorry for him, because it would be some great cinema to have Eddie try to commit suicide, but be saved by a recently cast off symbiote, drawn to Eddie’s emotional state and desire for revenge against Parker and Spider-Man, the “two” men who destroyed his career.

4. A Trilogy of Sorts

After Infinity Wars, Spidey should battle Venom in a solo film. There’s plenty of ways to do this, but the key would be the ending, where the symbiote is removed from Brock, and he is sent off to share a cell with Cletus Kassidy in prison. That’s film one, with Spider-Man in the lead roll and Venom as villain.

Film two would be a solo Venom film based on the Lethal Protector storyline. The symbiote returns and breaks Eddie out of jail. Rather than fighting Spider-Man, he takes off to make a new name for himself as a “Lethal Protector” of the innocent. Much to Eddie’s suprise (remember, he has next to no idea how the symbiote works), the symbiote reproduces, creating Scream, Phage, Riot, Lasher, and Agony, who run amok in the city’s homeless population. Venom battles the new symbiotes and destroys them. In a post-credits scene, we get a glimpse of one final symbiote offspring, left behind in Cletus Kasady’s cell.

Film three could be another Spider-Man film, (or an Avengers film). In it, the final Venom offspring bonds with Kasady, creating Carnage. Carnage breaks out of jail, leaving a trail of bodies in his wake. Spider-Man shows up, and is nearly killed as well. Later, Carnage sees footage of Venom fighting crime in San Francisco. Wanting to kill his “father,” Carnage sets out for California, murdering his way across America. In a final showdown, Spider-Man and Venom converge and defeat Carnage. To make it an Avengers film, add more super-villains that end up teaming with Carnage, or add a symbiote army.

Another wrinkle could have Carnage framing Venom for some murders, which would give Brock enough incentive to team up with Spidey. Adapting the Maximum Carnage storyline, or Carnage U.S.A. would be the best plan here.

I’m pretty flexible with these options, but they do a good job of hitting all the main points. People want to see a good version of Venom on the big screen, and it will be too bad if Sony mucks it up.

Any suggestions?