Friday, November 29, 2013

Cosmic Custodian

The Cosmic Custodians are several character created for public domain by Micheal P. (who is also called "Yzz"). He also created two alternate realities for these characters to live in. Earth-A was actually fleshed out unlike Earth-I. Both settings are also public domain.
Earth-A
The two versions that Micheal P. created
This version is extremely similar to Green Lantern. The Cosmic Custodians are an intergalatic police force. The powers band are created by the unseen characters called "Keepers of the Cosmos".
The first Earth Cosmic Custodian was pre-World War I Irish-immigrant Jeremy O'Brien, who worked as a farmhand. He got the power band from a miniature star that turned into the bands when he volunteered to become a titan (superhero). He started his carrier in 1914 thus becoming the second titan. He helped stop World War One and accidentally prevent the rise of the Nazis in Germany. Despite this, World War II (called the "Second Great War") still happened for some reason. He died in the war. Four unseen people also became the Cosmic Custodian at one point or another. The current Cosmic Custodian (the sixth) is David O'Brien, Jeremy's descendant. David has glowing blue eyes.
The Cosmic Custodians use power bands. The power bands gives the use life support, energy projection, flight and super durability. David (unlike the rest of the Custodians) can make simple energy constructs.
Earth-I
The robot version
This version is an alien robot. The aliens created the machine to protect the solar system (which they saw as their property). The Custodian laid dormant for thousands (if not millions) of years. What happened to these aliens in not explained. The CC was turned on by alien raiders. He decided to stop any alien invasion, but is unsure what to do with the "aliens" already in the solar system.
This version had a different set powers than his Earth-A counterparts. He has high-level invulnerability and super strength. He is super smart. CC can fly faster than light.
Citations
Micheal P. wants people to credit him for his creations. However, I found two different citations. For the Earth-A version, you have to insert:
"Earth-A, Athena (Earth-A) , Cosmic Custodian, and Scarlet Stalker (Earth-A) were created by Michael P. and are available for use by anyone, with only one condition: This paragraph must be included in any publication involving Earth-A, Athena, Cosmic Custodian, and Scarlet Stalker, in order that others may use these properties as they wish. All rights reversed."
However, the Earth-I has a different citation:
"Cosmic Custodian was created by Michael P. and is available for use by anyone, with only one condition: This paragraph must be included in any publication involving Cosmic Custodian in order that others may use this property as they wish. All rights reversed."
References:
http://pdsh.wikia.com/wiki/Cosmic_Custodian_(Earth-A)
http://pdsh.wikia.com/wiki/Cosmic_Custodian_(Earth-i)

Thursday, November 28, 2013

U.S.

Plot
The plot revolved around a white-haired homeless man that dresses like Uncle Sam. He constantly had visions of American injustices (such as taking Native American lands, lynch mobs and the Civil War) while wandering around aimlessly. He eventually remembered he is Uncle Sam. He met other national personification, who give him advice, such as the Russian Bear and Britannia. He confronted and ultimately stood up to a self-satisfied and evil version of our hero. He regained his sense of his past and purpose.
Relationship to DC Comics Uncle Sam
He is stated to be Uncle Sam. It is unclear if he is the DC Comics version of the character possessing a homeless man or not. The comic shows things that support both angels.
There is evidence to support this. He sees visions of things the DC Comics version of the character would be aware of. In one of the vision, we see a Revolutionary soldier named "Sam". The DC Comics Uncle Sam was the spirit of a dead soldier Sam, who happens to manifest in the form of the national personification of America at the time.
There is evidence to disprove this. If he was a spirit possessing a bum's body, how come the spirit didn't simply take him over? The DC Comics version of Uncle Sam never interacted with other living symbols of other countries. Aside from the visions, "Sam" never displays any super powers.
References:
http://www.raintaxi.com/online/1998summer/unclesam.shtml
U.S. issue 1

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Plot of Deathmate

As I mentioned, almost no one on the world wide web has a complete summary of Deathmate. Having acquired all six issues, I will do a summary. Despite the creators saying that all the issues (except the prologue and the epilogue) can be read in any order, the series has to be read in a specific order for it to make sense. The order is prologue first, issue red, issue yellow, issue blue and epilogue last. Issue black (having a different setting and poor writing) is the only issue that can be read like the creators said.
Prologue
The real comic is silver not white
In the Valiant Comics universe, Gayle, Doctor Solar's girlfriend, was suicidal. She convinced a reluctant Solar to absorb her life force thus killing her. Naturally, he was upset by this series of events. He and Void (from the Image Comics universe) were sucked into "unreality". A future version of Solar tried to find the past version of himself, but found Void instead. They made out. Because their energy powers are incompatible, they merged their universes into a single dying one. Geoff, a Geomancer, had visions of the universe merging. The new version of the Berzerkers attempted to capture him for "the company". However, the Prophet (who remembers the original universes) saved him and ran off with Geoff.
Issue Red
The scan makes it look maroon
Shaft (the leader of Youngblood) was informed of a terrorist attack on a power plant. He assembled his team, which consisted of the rock-man Badrock, the gun-wielding Bloodshot, the cyborg Diehard, the gymnast Vogue and the oddly-named Dutch. They then murdered the terrorists. The Geomancer-less Prophet watched this, but was knocked out by an unseen man. When he woke up, he questioned by the rebel group Knightsabre. They explained Toyo Harada is the tyrannical and genocidal leader of New York City. After earning their trust, Prophet joined them. Knightsabre attacked a parade (which had many high-ranking officials). Most of Youngblood (who worked for Harada and defended the officials) and Knightsabre was killed in the resulting battle. Prophet mourned the dead.
Issue Yellow
Finally a scan with the right color
Issue Yellow is an anthology. The first story takes place in 3000 AD. The brothers Ivar (the skinny one) and Adam (the fat one) avoided chaos on the street. They discovered that the timeline is collapsing (shown by the city disappearing). They used a time portal to go Ancient Rome. Lord Emp (who speaks English despite everyone else speaking Latin) told them they needed to find the Geomancer of this era. The second story takes place in modern day. Zealot was sent by Heydrich to kill Toyo Harada. Darkque was revealed to be controlling Heydrich to kill Harada. Zealot met her old flame Ninjak, who was working for Harada. After seemingly defeating Ninjak, Zealot fell into a trap set by Ninjak (who faked being wounded). In the next story, Heydrich sent H.A.R.D.C.A.T.S. (a combination of H.A.R.D. Corps and Wild C.A.T.S.) to kill Harada. However, the team decided to save Zealot instead. They were ambushed by Haradda's troops. Several H.A.R.D.C.A.T.S. members were killed. Softcore (who gave the members their powers) was killed by Heydrich for punishment for the team's lack of cooperation. The team got out with Zealot (who somehow got out of the trap by herself). Chahosky (a thought-dead member) killed Heydrich. In the last story, Darkque tried to learn about the crisis. There was a diversion to a character called "Shadow". Darkque resurrected the dead Doctor Solar villain Doctor Eclipse to serve him.
Issue Blue
The scan makes it look navy blue
Like Yellow, Blue is an anthology. Magnus the Robot Fighter fought Battlestone, who killed his father. Geoff reappeared to tell them how they are all doomed. This turned out be a vision. In the next story, Cyberforce stopped an assassination attempt. Geoff convinced them to get to Harada's base so he can warn him about the coming apocalypse. When they got there, Secret Weapons fought them. Harada (who is somehow aware of the plot) attempted to warn Solar about what he is going to do, but Solar didn't believe Harada until Geoff confirmed it. In the last story, Doctor Solar contacted Supreme. As they decide to go stop the future Solar, Darkque and Eclipse appeared. Fearing they lack enough brute force, they allowed the villains to help them.
Issue Black
At least it looks black
This issue was by far the most confusing. It has a different setting than the others. This issue takes place in another dystopia (although it is very similar to the other one). This one is ruled by the blue-skinned Mother May I (pronounced "mother may-eye") and the Council (who are secretly under her control via a machine that harnesses Union's powers). Gen 13 were revealed to rebels fighting Mother May I. Ripclaw defected from May's side to Gen 13. He convinced an older Voodoo to join the team. Warblade (a Gen 13 member) was mind controlled by Mother to betray Gen 13. When he was freed, Warblade destroyed the machine controlling the Council thus freeing Union. Union flied away.
Epilogue
The actual comic is silver
Darkque, the past Doctor Solar, Supreme and Doctor Eclipse entered unreality to stop the future Doctor Solar. Union arrived as well. They tried to stop the future Solar, who assumed they are villains. He absorbed the past Solar. It turned out Darkque wanted the merging of realities to happen in the hope of becoming a "supreme being". Doctor Eclipse (under Darkque's control) killed Supreme. Union attacked future Solar thus freeing the past one. Future Solar and Void kissed. Somehow, Union acted as a shell that protected the two realities and the past Solar thus everything went back to normal.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Stone Men of Saturn

The Kornans in their debut issue
Kronans (a.k.a. the Stone Men of Saturn) were the first villains Marvel Comics' Thor fought.
History
The Kronans live in a military dictatorship. They attempt to conquer new worlds and expand their empire. However, they have little success in doing so. They attempted to conqueror 3000 BCE Earth, but was stopped by Gilgamesh and a time-displaced Captain America. They moved to Saturn hence why they are called "Stone Men of Saturn". They attempted to invade Earth again, but was stopped by Donald Blake / Thor (who had just discovered Mjolnir). They fled since they didn't know if all humans were as powerful as Thor or not. After crashing on an asteroid, they entered suspended animation. When they awoke, they attempted to steal the Star-Jammer (a spaceship piloted by Thor), but lost and the asteroid was destroyed. Another Kronan crew was stranded. After repairing their ship (with help of the Kree), the Stone Men were caught in a space warp and were separated. Kronans were among the aliens attempting to get rights for Rick Jones' biography (in the hope of learning about how he used the Destiny Force), but found the book useless. We met a Kronan Starblasters member named "Zardok". Some Kronans helped the New Immortals led a fight against the High Evolutionary. However, Thor and Godpack defeated them. On Sakaar, the Red King used "obedience disks" (which cause pain) to make the Kronans his slaves. He forced them into gladiatorial combat. The Hulk and the Warbound freed them.
Physical Traits
The Stone Men are silicon-based aliens. They are extremely resistant to heat and cold. The Kronans eat rocks and lack other biological needs (such as sunlight, oxygen and water). In Earth-like environments, they can live for centuries and lift roughly 100 tons. Stone Men can enter suspended animation during which they have limited senses about their environment. They can only be killed if shattered or grounded into dust.
References:
http://marvel.com/universe/Kronans

Monday, November 25, 2013

Les Heroes de Paris

Clockwise: Le Vent (top left), Fantome, Docteur Q,
Adamantine, Comte, Bleue, Cowboy and Anaïs
I mentioned Marvel had the Squadron Supreme, a Justice League homage. Les Heroes de Paris (although "Les Héros de Paris" is correct French) is also a Justice League stand-in.
History
The team's origin and history before contacting the Thing is unknown. The Thing (who was went to France due to the events of Civil War) was asked by the team to help them fight the villain I'Empereur du Monde Souterrian and his army of rock men. The Thing, nostalgic for "the good old days", agreed. During the battle, I'Emperur revealed he was villain to impress his ex-girlfriend. After defeating him, they got him back with his girlfriend (since he didn't caused any real damage). Impressed by I'Emperur's devotion, she married him. Later, the Thing and Anaïs looked for a Hydra base. They captured the terrorists and had the French Police take them into custody.
Members
  • Docteur Q- He was a weapon designer, but decided to use his abilities and weapons to help peace. He uses a suit of power armor. If he is supposed to be based on a DC character, I have no clue who it is supposed to be. He is similar to Iron Man.
  • Adamantine (Superman)- He is the leader of the team. His alter ego is a street vendor. He destroyed the machine I'Empereur was using. He has poorly-defined powers, but seems have super strength, flight and invulnerability. He is also skilled at disguise.
  • Anaïs (Catwoman with elements of Wonder Woman)- She is the exiled queen of a Sahara civilzation of cats. She helped the Thing (who she has a crush on) defeat some HYDRA terrorists. She controls cats.
  • La Lumière Bleue (Green Lantern)- He has a (Blue) "Light of Truth", which gives the power to fly and "[reveal] all secret".
  • Comte de Nuit (Batman)- He is caped crime fighter. His father was murdered by thieves thus inspiring Comte to become a hero.
  • Detective Fantôme (Spectre)- He is an undead spirit. He became a superhero to earn his way into Heaven. He has intangibility.
  • Le Vent (Flash)- He is "the fastest man in... Europe". He has super speed, but cannot slow down (due to a magic curse).
  • Le Cowboy (Vigilante?)- He is a skilled shootist that doesn't speak alot.
References:
http://marvel.wikia.com/Les_Heroes_de_Paris_(Earth-616)
http://www.comicvine.com/les-heroes-de-paris/4060-49480/
http://marvel.wikia.com/Adamantine_(Earth-616)
http://marvel.wikia.com/Comte_de_Nuit_(Earth-616)
http://marvel.wikia.com/Anaïs_(Earth-616)
http://marvel.wikia.com/Detective_Fantôme_(Earth-616)
http://marvel.wikia.com/Docteur_Q_(Earth-616)

Sunday, November 24, 2013

DESTROY!!

The cover character is a Red Basher
Destroy!! was a comic book created by Scott McCloud. It is an affectionate parody of superhero while being a mostly plotless 32 page fight scene.
Plot
Red Basher was wrecking Manhattan, but Captain Maximum attempted to calm him and make peace. However, Red Basher just yelled "DESTROY!!" and then attacked him. This led to a nearly 32 pages-long fight scene. Captain Maximum at first attempted to stop him. But as the battle escalated out of control, he lowered his expectations until he convinced Red Basher to just shut up.
Why?
32 pages of the comic is just one almost meaningless fight. Why did Scott McCloud a comic like this? After hearing people saying Super Boxer "nothing but senseless violence from beginning to end", he thought it sounded interesting only to discover it had "distractions" such as characterization and plot.  He decided to make Destory!! to get it right.
Refernces:
http://fraziersbrain.blogspot.com/2010/01/out-of-vault-destroy.html
http://scottmccloud.com/2-print/older/destroy/
http://www.comicvine.com/marvel-graphic-novel-8-super-boxers/4000-117740/

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Sonic the Hedgehog (promotional comic)

The cover art
This American comic attempted to give an explanation of the hit game Sonic the Hedgehog.
Plot
After avoiding Doctor Robotnik's robots and death traps (Robotnik being the main villain of the game), Sonic meets up with several rebels. The rebels say they should find Doctor Kintobor to help them. Sonic revealed Kintobor is Robotnik. Sonic tells them the origin of Robotnik.
Sonic was a brown hedgehog that befriended the benevolent Doctor Kintobor. Sonic ran on one of Kintobor's treadmills, but ran too fast. This caused an explosion that (due to "the cobalt effect") turned him blue. Kintobor attempted to use the Chaos Emeralds (which he harnessed by the "Retro Orbital Chaos Compressor") to remove all evil from their world. However, Sonic spilled a soda and egg on the machine turn Kintobor into the evil, egg-shaped Robotnik.
After explaining this, Sonic leaves to fight Robotnik. He reenacts the event of his game. In the end, Robotnik escapes via his hovercraft.
Continuity
As mentioned before, the comic was supposed to explain the plot of Sonic. However, the comic (even at the time) isn't an "official" part of the Sonic mythos. As such, the Japanese explanation is treated as the "true" origin as oppose to this.
References:
http://info.sonicretro.org/Sonic_the_Hedgehog_(promotional_comic) (which has a summary of the plot and scans of the comic)
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Comicbook/SonicTheHedgehogPromoComic