Super Friends

This is one of the most hated comic-related topics ever: The Super Friends!

Television Shows

Super Friends

The Super Friends was a stupid kiddie version of the Justice League created by Hanna-Barbera. The name of the series made no sense, since the team was referred to as the Justice League. The line-up included Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, Aquaman and three new characters: Marvin, Wendy and Wonder Dog (who were non-powered kids and their dog that were complete rip-offs of Scooby Doo). Despite being super heroes, the team almost never used force against their foes. The battles were limited to lassoing people and battling "non-living threats" (ex: robot). Their "enemies" were misguided individuals that were doing bad things for good reasons and the SF had to talk them into changing their ways. They had Ted Knight as a superfluous narrator. Also, in between the segment were shorts showing kids health tips and how to make crafts, that I think were superfluous as well. This show did not last long.

All New Super Friends Hour

This version had been split into four segments. The second segment would feature the alien teen duo: the Wonder Twins (Jayna able to turn into any animal and Zan able to turn into any form of water (ice, gas, liquid)). The duo had an annoying space monkey called Gleek. Also, Marvin, Wendy and Wonder Dog got kicked out of the roster (the Wonder Twins were intended to be their replacements). To diversify the team, several new characters were added: Black Vulcan (a rip off of Black Lightning), an African American with electric abilities; the Asian Samurai, who could use magic-like abilities via saying a Japanese phrase for each power; the Native American Apache Chief (the most well-known), able to increase his size via saying "Inyuk-chuk"; and the Tarzan-esque Rima the Jungle Girl. These new characters were all somewhat stereotypical.

Challenge of the Super Friends

The Super Friends (sadly) lived on. Despite this actually being part of a revamped All New Super Friend Hour, due to the fact it had it's own title sequence, people mistook it for an all new show. Finally, the Super Friends actually fought villains, but the violence was still toned down. Also, the Legion of Doom became the arch-enemies of the Super Friends. The members were Lex Luthor (leader), the super smart Brainiac (who was pantless) and the imperfect Bizzaro (enemies of Superman); the zombie Solomon Grundyand yellow power-ring wielding Sinestro (Green Lantern foes); Black Manta (enemy of Aquaman); the riddle-obsessed Riddler and the fear-obsessed Scarecrow (enemies of Batman); Captain Cold and the super-genius Gorilla Grodd (enemies of the Flash); the size-increasing Giganta and the beautiful-but-deadly Cheetah (Wonder Woman foes and the only female members) and Toyman (enemy of both Superman and Batman). They were based in a hidden swamp base (that looked somewhat like Darth Vader's helmet). Also, they always had an escape plan, so they could come back next Saturday and try (and fail) to kill the SF.

The World's Greatest Super Friends

The show was revamped again (ugh...). This show was lame even to the Super Friends' expectations. The Legion of Doom and most of the extra characters (except the Wonder Twins) were sent to the unemployment line. This series simply ripped off of any popular fiction at the time. The most notable example was The Lord of Middle Earth episode (Lord of the Rings rip off), where the Super Friends go to Middle Earth. Due to the complete lack of originality, the show sunk.

Super Friends II

The show's creators decided to revamp the show and call it Super Friends again. Here, the writer actually came up with their own stories and introduced a Latino hero, El Dorado (who was somewhat stereotypical). The show was canceled due to a writer's strike (maybe they though it was too hard to actually be original for once).

Super Friends: The Legendary Power Show

Despite the strike, this came into a nightmarish reality. The many of the abandoned ethic heroes came back and the pre-existing, molecule controlling Firestorm joined. Darkseid (the main antagonist of the Fourth World saga) became the main villain. The show was renamed Super Power Team: Galactic Guardians and reluctant superhero Cyborg (well known for being a member of the Teen Titans), who on the show was a friend of Firestorm, became a member. This would be the final chapter of the Super Friends... Woo Hoo!

Reaction

Most people found the Super Friends more annoying and stupid than entertaining (especially the Wonder Twins) and (as such) the team has been a target for parody. The parodying is also supported by the team's oddities and seemingly uselessness. Fans of Aquaman were especially mad, because although in the first series he displayed super strenght and various other power, but, in the other series he only displayed his underwater breathing and sea-life telepathy, enforcing the weak image of the character. So, they accused the Super Friends of making Aquaman a laughable and unpopular character (which is not completely off).

References:

http://www.youtube.com/user/PatchOBlack#p/c/DF447047E3E3DED6/3/DU8nT-fT98s

http://www.youtube.com/user/PatchOBlack#p/c/DF447047E3E3DED6/4/SFaX7v5p7LQ

http://www.youtube.com/user/PatchOBlack#p/c/DF447047E3E3DED6/5/W9L-ddvs8c4

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquaman_in_popular_media

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c0/Super_Friends.jpg

Eclipso

He is both a hero and a villain!

Bruce Gordon

Bruce (unconnected to the other 50 billion other comic characters named that) was in a jungle to view a solar eclipse, but an evil witch doctor attacked him and fell off a cliff. But before doing so, he managed cut Bruce with a black diamond. This cause it so when ever there was an eclipse, the rightmost two-thirds of Bruce's face would be covered by a blue-grey or purple and he would turn into the evil Eclipso. As Eclipso, Bruce had generic superpowers: super strength and near-invulnerability. He could also fire "beams of black light" via his black diamond. In House of Secrets, he Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde-like misadventures. Eclipso could, later, come out during solar and lunar eclipse, or any object blocking a source light. However, a bright flash of light would turn him back into Bruce.

The Darkness Within

Eclispo was retconned as a demon that was trapped in a giant black diamond called the Heart of Darkness. But in the 19th century, the diamond was made into smaller diamonds and Eclispo could possesses any one that got mad and had a piece of one of the diamond. Notably, he didn't need an eclipse and mere pretended to be Bruce's evil half. During the next century, he got all of the diamonds and planned to destroy them (on his moon base), but decided to use them to mind control the Earth's heroes. He explained he picked on Bruce because of his solar research (Eclispo is weakened by light). At the climax of The Darkness Within storyline, Bruce led an army of heroes to stop Eclispo. Eclispo absorbed the possessed heroes, but the fifth Starman destroyed Eclispo's base (freeing them) and the diamonds were still on Earth.

Solo Series

Eclispo decided to take over the country Parador one person at a time. Bruce Gordon, Cave Carson and Mona Bennet (Bruce's fiance) were sent to invested (although CC was left at the border due to breaking his legs). Various heroes tried to stop him. But when it looked like Eclipso won, it turned out the Phantom Stranger had all the diamonds and fused them back into one big diamond, trapping Eclispo again.

Spectre

The Spectre series revealed Eclispo was an embodiment of God's wrath. But, he got replaced by the titular character. While the Spectres wants to avenge, Ecilpso wants revenge. It was also revealed Eclispo caused the Great Flood from the Bible. The Spectre used the holy power of God to burn the Heart of Darkness and Eclipso's base to ashes. However he appears in Countdown to Mystery, where possess several heroes to get them to fix the Heart of Darkness. Crispus Allen (the Spectre's newest host) tracked down Bruce. Bruce is later possessed by Eclispo, but later gains control over him, but they can't split up.

Alex Montez

Eclipso became an ally to shadow-themed heroes. Alex, mad about his sister's death (caused by Eclispo), melted the pieces of the Heart of Darkness (how it got broken again is unknown), but one, and injects them into himself and used magic tattoos, so when he got angry, despite having Eclispo's powers, he was still in control. He joined Black Adam's loose cannon hero team. During Black's rule in Kahndaq, he fell in love with the female Nemesis, but one of the tattoos are broken and Eclipso took over Alex and killed Nemesis. Alex killed himself, so Eclipso wouldn't control him. Now, Eclipso didn't have a limitless supply of his diamonds. Oddly, Alex never was seen using Eclipso's eye blasts. Alex is brought back to life via magic and the Heart of Darkness was fixed.

Lightning Strikes Twice

Despite the lost of many of the diamonds, Eclipso tried to take over Superman and managed to do so. The wizard Shazam battled the Eclipso-corrupt Superman. Captain Marvel managed to do damage to Eclipso (due to Superman's magic weakness) and shoot him with lightning. Shazam sucked Eclipso into his diamond. The diamond was later seen in the Arkham Asylum with the Atom's insane ex-wife, Jean Loring.

Jean Loring

Naturally, Jean became Eclipso's new host. She tricked the Spectre to attack magic-using heroes. Nightshade launched her into the orbit of the sun. Alexander Luthor, Jr. got Superboy-Prime to get the diamond and manipulated Eclipso into manipulating Spectre. Jean was trapped in a time loop thanks to Spectre, but is freed by Eclipso and possessed her, only to be launched back into space. After possessing other heroes and Jean was declared dead, Eclipso returned to Bruce.

Reference:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eclipso

http://www.cosmicteams.com/microheroes/villains/eclipso.gif

Comic Book Death

Overview
Comic book death refers to the death of a comic character, but despite death being a serious subject, comic book deaths are rarely taken seriously or are treated meaningfully. You see, usually a writer will kill off a character to create dramatic tension or gather publicity, or simply they want to kill off a character they don't like. But, usually some previously unestablished plot device will "resurrect" the character. Because of this, when a character dies, the readers don't feel a sense of loss, but simply wonder for how long or what plot device will bring them back. As Prof. Xavier (of the X-Men) said "in mutant heaven there are no pearly gates, but instead revolving doors." The term "comic book death" doesn't apply to characters like Multi-Man and Solomon Grundy, who have the power to come back from the dead.

Notable Examples
The two most notable comic book deaths were Superman's (in Death of Superman) and Jean Grey (in the Dark Phoenix Saga). But whereas Superman's death was intended not to be permanent, Jean's death was intended to be permanent, but she was "resurrected", so she could join the X-Factor. Peter Parker's Uncle Ben is one of the few characters to be dead and stay dead.
Parodies
In Astonishing X-Men #6, Emma Frost said "Jean Grey is dead." To which Agent Brand replied "Yeah, that'll last."
In Next Wave: Agents of Hate, two characters were talking about Magik. One mentioned how she died, to which, the other one said, "So what? The X-Men come back to life more than Jesus". In the Great Lakes Avengers, Mr. Immortal (whose power allows him to resurrect himself from the dead) dies and comes back to life in every one of his appearances. Also in the GLA miniseries, to further poke fun at comic book deaths, a character dies in every issue.
Resurrections
Commonly, to "resurrect" a character that "died" it's reveal something happened off-panel that creates the illusion that the character died (on-panel), or they were simply put into a coma or suspended animation. Another method is that it is revealed that the person who died was an impostor. Some times the characters really die and are brought back to life (such as when Martian Manhunter was turned into a zombie via a Black Lantern ring). Rebooted timelines or recreations of characters has been known to "resurrect" some characters.
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comic_book_death

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c1/Uncanny136.jpg

Local Comic New of Texas

Hello, readers. I have decided to complain about a comic book-store related article in a magazine. I know normally I talk about comic books. But since is this my blog, I can do as I want. In the Dallas-Fort Worth magazine, D Magazine, there was an article that claimed the "Best Comic Book Store" is Zeus Comic and Collectibles. I think that is ☠☠☠☠-ing untrue. I believe Titan Comics is superior to Zeus (despite what happen in Greek mythology). Despite what the magazine says Titan is not a "well-curated mix of of books and toys" nor is it good for a "causal fan" of comic books. Zeus does have a lot of comics. However, they are so crammed together you can't leisurely skim through the comics. The only thing there that are easy to look through are the toys and Essential Marvel / DC Showcase paperbacks. Titan has a greater amount of comics and you can easily skim through them. And the staff is very kind. If you are ever in Dallas, visit both and see for yourself. I highly recommend Titan Comics over Zeus.

Extremists

History

The Extremists were an homage to several Marvel Comic villains akin to how the Champions of Angor were homages to the Avengers. The original team were from the planet Angor in another dimension.
Destruction
They were destroyed along with all other natives of Angor (minus the Champions of Angor) in a nuclear holocaust they created. However, before this, a theme park made robot copies of the Extremists for a ride. The robots were too accurate. They went on rampage and tracked down remaining members of the Champions of Angor and tried to destroy them. It turned out Dreamslayer was the real deal and was the only one of the real Extremists to survive. The Heroes (with the help of Mitch Wacky, the owner of the park) turned off the robots, while Silver Sorceress defeated Dreamslayer.
Breakdowns
The robots were sent to "Madame Clouseau's" (spoof of Madame Tussauds) in London. Maxwell Lord (possessed by Dreamslayer) restored the robots, during the Breakdowns storyline. Despite dying from being shot by an arrow, Silver Sorceress managed to defeat Dreamslayer again and (since his magic was powering the robots) the robots were stopped in the process. Queen Beatriz, later, tried to create an army she based on the team's armor, only to be stopped by Captain Atom and Extreme Justice.
New Extremists
Dreamslayer, trapped in the astral plane, was contacted by an villain called The Overmaster. The duo created a villain team call the New Extremists. This was intended to be a "lead-up" for the Judgement Day storyline. After the Overmaster got what he wanted, he sent Dreamslayer back to the astral plane, but the New Extremists are assumed to still be at large.
Extremists Return
In Supergirl, an villain called Twilight activated Extremists robots, but the titular character stopped them. How the robots were rebuilt hasn't been revealed. This version of the team appeared in the JLA/Avengers crossover.
Earth-8
After Infinite Crisis, on Earth-8, the Extremists are revamped as a group of villains that refused to comply with a law stating superhumans must register themselves to the government. In Countdown # 29, Donna Troy, "Bob" the Monitor, Kyle Rayner and Jason Todd meet this version of the team. The Extremists capture the heroes only to be interrupted by the arrival of Bob's brother, Monarch and Forerunner. In the confusion, the heroes escaped. The Extremists refused to join Monarch's army and Lord Havok tried to kill Monarch. Jason killed Barracuda. The team had a mini-series. In issue 1, it's revealed they are superhumans that refused to submit themselves to the goverment's Megahuman Act (a parody of Marvel's Civil War). They battled against the Mega-Militia, led by Tin Man (Iron Man spoof). The team based themselves in a country called Slovekia. After refusing Monarch, Monarch sent forces to attack Tracer and places important to the team. In Countdown to Final Crisis # 13, Superman-Prime rips open Monarch's suit and, as a result, destroys Earth-51, while Lord Havok (using some power he stole from Monarch) teleported his team to a hidden moon based.

Members

The Extremists

• Lord Havok (Doctor Doom)- An arrogant villain with hi-tech armor. He is the team leader.
• Dreamslayer (Dormammu)- A sorcerer (and a very powerful one), who is possibly a demon. In Extremists, he is (in fact) a she. She has her own religion (even has followers).
• Gorgon (Doctor Octopus)- An overweight man, who has tentacles coming out his head and two metal claws. In Extremists, he can turn people into "Extremist form",which is shorter than his original version.
• Tracer (Sabbertooth, but the Earth-8 version is similar to Wolverine)- Feral and has blades attached to his arms. He also has superhuman senses (hence the name).
• Doctor Diehard (Magento)- Magnetic manipulation. He wears a red cape and a helmet that exposes his face. The Earth-8 version has a school for "Zen-Men" (Professor X homage).
• Carny (Arcade)- Has a robot copy that appears in Extremist Vector storyline. His first "real" appearance is in Lord Havok and the Extremists # 1, where Hovak killed him for not serving him.

New Extremists

• Brute- A not-very-smart powerhouse
• Cloudburst- A man with weather control
• Death Angel- She has (possibly) poisoned claws.
• Gunshot- He is a " taciturn weapon-user." Enough said.
• Meanstreak- Able to shoot energy bolts. She is very vicious.

Earth-8 Extremists

• Earth-8 versions of Lord Havok, Dreamslayer, Doctor Diehard, Gorgon, Tracer and Carny.
• Barracuda (Namor)- A fish-like being.

References:
DC Encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extremists_(comics)
http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20071105144233/marvel_dc/images/thumb/7/71/COUNTDOWN_PRESENTS_LORD_HAVOK_AND_THE_EXTREMISTS_1_pg_17.jpg/250px-COUNTDOWN_PRESENTS_LORD_HAVOK_AND_THE_EXTREMISTS_1_pg_17.jpg

General Glory

Joseph Jones
He was a World War II soldier, that Lady Liberty gave "superior abilities", when he said:

"Lady of Liberty, hear my plea — 

For the land of the brave —

And home of the free!"

Similar to Captain Marvel, saying this would transform him into a superhero. Under the authority of Agent Newkirk Sharp, he became a government agent. Sharp made it so a General Glory comic would be made, so people would think he wasn't real. Akin to Captain America, he disappeared on a mission in the Arctic. Albeit, he returned to America (in his Joseph form) and had little memory of his past. It turned out Sharp drugged him for some reason. Many years later, Guy Gardner outbid him for a General Glory comic. But, he got Guy to let him read it (he paid Gardner). When he said the magic words, he transformed into General Glory. Then, he was arrested. It turned out Sharp framed General Glory for his own purposes. But, Glory exposed Sharp. Glory became an on / off member of the Justice League. He died of old age. This version of General Glory says "Stars 'n' Stripes!", when shocked, a parody of various superhero ejaculations (such as Superman's "Great Krypton!").
Donovan Wallace
One time when Glory turned into Jones, he had a cardiac episode and was sent to a hospital. He was in the same one as Donovan Wallace, who was a cop crippled by gangsters. Due to not being able to turn into Glory, Jones told Wallace about his superhero career. Despite being skeptical at first, Jones convinced him. Wallace tapped into the same energy that souped-up Jones and became the second General Glory. He used this to arrest the gangster that crippled him. He returned to Jones. Jones was having a heart attack, so he gave his power to Donovan to kept his legacy alive. As a result, Donovan regained his ability to walk. As Wallace become the second GG, Jones died. It turned out Donavan was going to have a wedding, but it was ruined by the Nazi-themed Fourth Reich. This team (with Vandal Savage) plotted to destroy all patriotic superheroes. In the 52 series, Martian Manhunter made a memorial for the JLA near Happy Harbor (were the JLA was originally based). There was statue for the dead members of the team, Glory included.
Powers and Abilities
Joseph Jones
He has super strength (enough to lift a tank) and durability and was an Olympic athlete in all other areas and seemed to be ageless, but only as Glory. Jones had no super powers. So becoming "normal" lead him to die from old age. When he was alive, he could give "long winded" patriotic speeches. This actually prove useful to the JLA, when villains attacking the JLA decided to kill him instead, so they wouldn't have to listen to his speech.
Donovan Wallace
Donovan had the same powers as Jones, but he had some weapons and powers Jones didn't. He had a sharp star (for throwing) that came back to him like a boomerang and could fly via golden bird wings.Trivia

• General Glory was intended to a parody of Captain America.

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Glory
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rp_ymE_qIjrXnJefSWeaXwT9I1Lg4XxKxhCon5WR7n4Rva8-AH2LIcz2feL-m2R44p7p2vwp5hbZo9lfn_avlwgbRjefn_cmjBxIvqRVcW7FYkX-rBlaJZkDNRqmXVlrDV08j7uHWkM/s320/05-09-2007+09%3B52%3B45PM.JPG

Captain Thunder

Captain Thunder was homage to the original Captain Marvel. However, this was odd, because DC Comic owned the rights to the Cap.

History

Young Willie Fawcett (reference to Captain Marvel's original publishers) appeared in Metropolis, but for some reason didn't recognize it's famous hero, Superman. When he saw a robbery, he rubbed his belt and yelled "Thunder" and turned into Captain Thunder! His name was reference to Captain Marvel's original name. Oddly, Cap. Thunder helped the robbers. Then, he fought the Man of Steel, before turning back into Willie. Willie wanted help from Clark Kent (who he thought was Superman's friend). He explained he gained his powers from an Indian (reference to the Wizard Shazam) and he is Captain Thunder. He went on and said he fought the Monster League of Evil (Monster Society of Evil homage) across 1,953 dimensions and, after imprisoning him, they did something to him. Clark, believing the story, but still unsure if Willie is Captain Thunder, took him to the police station to find out if he had been reported missing. Willie (seeing a crime) instinctively transformed into Captain Thunder, but the evil persona took control. Superman tricked Thunder into using his wisdom. Figuring out what happened (removing his evilness), he goes home.

Powers

He had power similar to Captain Marvel, but his powers are from:

• Tornado: Power
• Hare: Speed
• Uncas (Indian Warrior chief): Bravery
• Nature: Wisdom
• Diamond: Toughness
• Eagle: Flight
• Ram: Tenacity

References:
http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/William_Fawcett_(Earth-T)

http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080825004856/marvel_dc/images/6/6a/William_Fawcett_%28Earth-T%29_001.jpg