Monday, January 31, 2011

NFL SuperPro Week Day One - The Origin of SuperPro

I love comics and I love football, so what better way to countdown to the Super Bowl than a week long look at the NFL's greatest (and only) Marvel Superhero: NFL SuperPro!

Snap on your helmets and tie them laces, kids, we're in for a crazy week. Let's dive right in.



When most think about SuperPro, they think of that much maligned first issue guest starring Spider-Man. Everyone from Linkara to yours truly has done some kind of review of that 90s 'classic', yet no one has ever taken a look at where the story truly began: the oft-forgotten NFL SuperPro Super Bowl Special One Shot from 1991.

This issue by Fabian Nicieza, Jose Delbo, and Bob Hall showcases not only the origin of everyone's favorite pigskin hero, but sets SuperPro up as something as a vigilante that The Punisher would be proud of.

But I'm getting ahead of myself...



The book starts exactly how you'd expect, with bad puns and excessive violence as SuperPro takes down a few street thugs. They're transporting some chemicals and our hero wants to know who's supplying and who's buying. But before our hero can get all the information he wants, the cops show up and ruin the mood. So SuperPro does what any up-and-coming superhero who's trying to prove to the cops he's on their side would do: mumbles something incomprehensible and flees the scene.



Because you can't be a 90s vigilante if you work with the cops, right SuperPro?

A good block from the scene, SuperPro hops into his Green Honda Civic and changes into this civilian identity, Phil Grayson, and races off to a date he's already late for. If you're keeping track, this means that A- Phil decided he'd rather hang out in a dark alley than go out on a date and B- he's going to smell like a gym sock.



It's clear that Phil's animosity for his date Jane isn't totally one-sided. The date is an awkward, loveless affair full of thinly-veiled insults and fake smiles. It's like watching divorcees talk in front of their kids: no fun for anyone.

Thankfully it's over quick, and we're onto the next day with Phil at his day job as an sports "reporter", and are introduced to his cameraman/defacto sidekick, Ken Reid. After a full day of gabbing with players, Phil gets a hot tip that a rookie, Carl Bennings, is on steroids. And wouldn't you know it, as Phil and Ken are packing the van to go home, they catch Mr. Bennings in a yelling match with what seems to be a dealer. Quick, Ken, shoot it!



Yeah. Thanks Ken. I'm sure those stills of Bennings arguing will work much better than video. As I'm sure you're excellent framing and composition will be much more useful than having some audio of the argument. Sigh. Worst camera man ever.

After a quick chase, Phil and Ken learn the identity of the drug dealer (a Professor Morrison) and get a pretty decent lead on where all these steroids are coming from. Not bad for a jock and a lousy cameraman. So while Ken searches the internets for more information, Phil not-so-casually leaves so he can do some searching as SuperPro.

The search takes SuperPro to an experimental chemical company where he spies Morrison with two other science-types talking about something. Phil can't hear it and it's just as well because he probably wouldn't be able to understand it anyway. Finally the nerds leave the room and Phil leaps into action, utilizing all the computer knowledge you'd expect a big jock to have.



Maybe SuperPro should call in Reed Richards and Tony Stark on this one because clearly he's dealing with some Dr. Doom level intellects here.

Empty handed, Phil returns to his hotel room to be confronted by Ken. You see, while Phil was researching the story, Ken was busy working way too hard to prove that Phil and SuperPro were the same person.



Was all that really necessary? It's not like Phil is all that careful with his identity or that the SuperPro costume is all that secret identity friendly. Regardless, with the cat out of the bag, Ken demands to know the whole story, the origin of SuperPro. You ready for it?

Phil Grayson was a kid with unlimited potential that ended up an injury prone washout who became a reporter, got trapped in a burning building, huffed some chemicals, and borrowed the ultimate football uniform.

Also he beat up a few guys.



At least the chemicals explain his bad puns and inability to keep his identity secret. It almost makes him sympathetic... or pathetic, I can't remember which.

Ken, now satisfied, is ready to get back to work. Together they hit the research and exhaustively show that this Bennings kid is on steroids, even though they already had plenty of evidence. Better safe than sorry, I guess.

Armed with this new information, these two news hounds head out to confront the only name they have: Professor Morrison. Phil could get a Peabody if only he could get Morrison to talk...



No wonder he's teamed up with Ken, Phil's the worst investigative reporter ever. You never let up when you got your prey on the ropes like that. Come on, man.

Lucky for him, Morrison snitches anyway. The school wanted more professional level athletes, which led to the development of a new steroid, which was given to Bennings, the last stage of which was to be administered today. I wonder what that last stage is?



Of Course. The Hulking Super Brute phase. Duh. Just like all steroids because THAT'S WHAT DRUGS DO. DRUGS ARE BAD KIDS!!!

*Ahem. Sorry, I don't know what happened there. I must have been knocked out by the subtlies of the message. Where was I?



Right. The fight.

So these two knock each other around for a bit, with just the right amount of personal and public property damage to be considered a legitimate superhero fight until Monstro-Bennings starts to look like a zit ready to pop.



It seems that Monstro-Bennings condition is getting worse; The more he exerts himself, the bigger and more out of control he gets. SuperPro sees this and knows what he has to do: Pour on the hurt.

And the fight ends how you would expect.



SuperPro kills Bennings. Straight up beats the guy TO DEATH!

What? You didn't expect him to pull his punches and try to save a kid who made a few bad decisions and got in way over his head, did you? It was the 90s, that's what heroes did. I'm sure if the Punisher bothered to pay attention, he would have been proud. Or at least nodded approvingly.



Unfortunately, that's not the only villain SuperPro's killed. Come back tomorrow as I examine the Rogue's Gallery for the NFL's Premiere hero, and see how many actually survived to fight another day...

See you tomorrow!

Sunday, January 30, 2011

More Changes!

What can I say, I needed a change. After a year and a half of minimalist blackness, I decided that this place needed a little color. And just a bit of rearranging.

I hope y'all dig it. Let me know what you think!

Friday, January 28, 2011

Cage #12 in Three Panels

Actually, I take that back. Make that a HARDCORE five panels.







From the HARDCORE duo of Marc McLaurin and Dwayne Turner

Thursday, January 27, 2011

The Return of 8Ball!

Who's that posing threats to the strongest woman this side of Titania?



That's right. Even when bruisers like the Rhino, Dragon Man, or that other dude that I honestly can't place, are in the room only one man is willing to step up and take matter's into his own hands. The hands of a disgraced propulsion engineer/pool shark, and sensational character find of 1991(Sorry Darkhawk), 8-Ball!

I'll be he mops the floor with-



What. No, this isn't how things are supposed to-



Look at him ricochet. Are we sure he's not related to Speedball?



That was fairly unsatisfying. Where's the man that stood toe to toe with Sleepwalker and won? The man who had the balls (see what I did there?) to convince his friends to dress up like him and commit crimes in a flying triangle rack?

It was probably because he didn't have his stick. I'm sure he'd do much better in a rematch. Right?

Right?



At least he's still got his sense of humor! Witty banter is the first step becoming a great super villian. I'm sure we'll be seeing more of him in no time...

This battle royale brought to you by Dan Slott and Paul Pelletier in She Hulk #6

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

The Bill January 26, 2010

No weird shipping tricks this week, just an old fashioned Wednesday release day. Assuming, of course, that you ignore that kerfluffle in The Fantastic Four. Seems interesting-ish, but not enough to get me to buy a polybag again. You got me in the 90s, Marvel, never again!

I did, however, buy plenty of non-polybagged issues. Let me tell you what I think about'em.




Coming To An End:

Chaos War # 5
Writers: Fred Van Lente and Greg Pak
Artist: Koi Pham


I was kind of dreading reading this book. Not because it's bad or anything, but more because it's the end of The Incredible Hercules epic from Pak and Van Lente. But what an ending!

In an era where finale's tend to be let-downs, I'm very happy to report that this one satisfied. If you were reading The Incredible Hercules for big fights, clever plot twists, or some sexy loving, it's all here for you. A fitting end for a fabulous run... Or is it?

The best part about this book? I mean, aside from the massive throwdown between The Chaos King and everyone. The reveal that the Pak/Van Lente Hercules will continue in the much shorter titled 'Herc' in April. Those crafty SOBs, they had me worried for a bit.

April can't come soon enough. Until then, I think I have a run to reread.



Better Than It Should Be:

Avengers #9
Writer: Brian Bendis
Artist: John Romita Jr.


After stumbling out of the gate, Bendis has been doing gangbusters with this story line. It's no instant classic, but it's certainly some of the better Bendis I've read in a while.

This issue dealt with the fallout of the Illuminati reveal last issue and filled in the blanks on how The Hood got out of prison. And while it might not totally jibe with the Avengers Academy version, it was pretty alright. In fact, I would have to say I dug this issue.

But.

You know, because there's always a 'but'. While this issue, and the last for that matter, were pretty good, there's not a lot of momentum building. I can see it swelling, but in a typical Bendis manner, it's a slow swell. My hope is that the next two issues actually have our heroes going and fighting something and not just sitting around and talking.

I'm really afraid that they'll just sit around and talk. Please let them go do something, Bendis. I promise to say nice things about the book if you do...



Man, it is late and I am desperately tired. Questions and comments are always welcome. Especially if you want to give me a heads up on something new to check out. I'm always down for the new.

Until then, more Darkhawk.

Monday, January 24, 2011

No, Seriously, Speedball and Namorita?



Because this is really getting weird. First it was Darkhawk #26 in 1993 and now it's She Hulk v2 #5 in 2004. What is happening? Two separate mentions of something totally innocuous in books separated by ten years. I need to know where this comes from!

Did they ever hook up? Or did Speedball cop a feel at some point? Is he just giving her shit about the time she had a one-night stand with a villain? Or is he just jealous that he wasn't on the receiving end of her drunken horniness?

I'm totally baffled. Can someone help a brother out? Or do I need to add old issues of New Warriors to my list of 90s comics to buy?

Please don't make me buy New Warriors...

The mystery deepens thanks to Dan Slott and Paul Pelletier. Thanks a lot for that...

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Weekend Matinee: SUPERFUZZ

What happens when an ordinary cop gets all kinds of generic superpowers? A terrible movie, is what.

It's another lazy Saturday and if you're anything like me, you're looking for something to fill that time between the Ace of Cakes marathon and Syfy Original movie, Supercrock. What? Don't look at me like that, Ace of Cakes is fun.

Moving on. This week I offer you, SUPERFUZZ. The best movie about a super hero cop that you've never seen.



Starring some dude you've never heard of, and Ernest Borgnine, this movie is an interesting example of early 80s super hero movies. It's very much in that same vein of 'My Secret Identity' and 'The Greatest American Hero', that is to say: heavy on the 'funny' and cheap on the effects.

When caught in a nuclear explosion, David Speed finds himself imbued with super hearing, speed, flight, and invincibility. That is, until he sees the color red.

That's right, where Superman falters at a rare mineral or Spider-Man with feelings of guilt, Dave here wishes that he was red/green colorblind. I want you to take a minute and look around whereever you're at. How much of what you see is red?

Right? Ridiculous.

Anyway, the plot has to do with some kind of drug/espionage circle, or something. Honestly, I kinda stopped paying attention to the plot because it was in no way as interesting as watching Dave freeze his girlfriend with his mind because he was tired of her nagging. And stopped caring once Ernest Borgnine just straight up refused to believe his partner had superpowers, regardless of the first hand evidence that he witnessed.

It's totally wacky and totally awesome. 100% worth the time and effort.

This week's clip is mildly spoiler-y, in that it's the final scene in the movie, but it totally encapsulates what this movie is. If you don't fall in love when you see Ernie Borgnine dance on a giant ballooon, then I don't think we should keep seeing each other.



Now go watch it!

Friday, January 21, 2011

The Bill January 20, 2010

Stupid holidays and their stupid maybe late delivery. Twice in three weeks I was caught off guard by books actually shipping when they should. When did this all happen? WHO'S RESPONSIBLE THIS!?

ugh. Whatever. I got comics and I want to tell you what I think of them. Just try and stop me.



How An Avengers Spinoff Should Read:


Avengers Academy # 8
Writer: Christos Gage
Artist: Mike McKone


Man, there's nothing I don't like about this book. It's got a fantastic cast, a clear vision for itself, a totally awesome artist, and, best of all, it feels like a book that actually counts. Unlike, say, Young Allies which I loved, but totally felt like it didn't 'matter'.

In this issue, our merry gang of students show that they're a little more villainous than heroic when dealing with the tough problems. It was actually a pretty great done in one tale about what it takes to be a hero. Sure, it seems like a good idea to deal out as much hurt as was inflicted on you (or more!) instead of turning the other cheek, but the consequences could be even worse.

It's great, and you should totally be reading it. If not, it'll become another one of my beloved but cut short series and that would just make me sad. You don't want me to be sad, again, do you?

Totally worth it, I promise!



How Not To Do An Avenger Spinoff:

Avengers vs. The Pet Avengers # 4
Writer: Chris Eliopoulos
Artist: Ig Guara


If you're any kind of reader of this blog, you know that I have a crazy soft spot for Throg. That first miniseries with these guys was fantastic! Everything I want in a quality book. I was an instant fan.

Since then there has been a significant, and consistent, decline in quality. And for me, this book will be my last with the Pet Avengers.

You'd think that with dragons, Throg awesomeness (which I stopped featuring because it wasn't all that great), and a big Avenger showdown, this series would be totally awesome, but somehow it just lacked... anything that would make me care.

Not that Eliopoulos doesn't try. Like the previous series, this one was all about finding one's place in the world, just instead of featuring Throg and mythical beasts it featured Lockheed and space dragons. The result was the same: Home is with the people that love you, regardless of their blood relation.

The other difference was the previous series had more going on than this one. This was a story that could have been told in one or two issues that was stretched into four and it shows. It's slow, thin, and just generally unsatisfying. Kind of like the previous series.

So, I'm cutting myself off. Not that it'll make that big of a difference, because I haven't seen anything about another one of these series in a while. Something tells me that Marvel was just as tired of these stories as I was.

That said, I will still totally pick up a Throg series if it ever happens. All five issues of the ongoing...



And that's literally all I got this week. Don't worry though, next week seems to be a big one, it all balances out in the end.

Also, in case you didn't notice, I seem to have figured out this whole domain name thing. With that in mind, I'd like to welcome you to the new home of Platypus Robot. Same as the old, just easier to tell everyone about.

Now, if you'd excuse me I have some sleep and Silver Surfer comics to catch up on.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Making it Official

It's been over a year now, so I've decided to make it official: I bought the platypusrobot.com domain. I'm very excited about this move as it makes me feel like a more official blogger.

However.

Dealing with internet ins-and-outs that don't involve funny looking cats AND/OR awesome comics is kind of frustrating. You'd think that because this involves computers and the internet inherently that it would be a quick process. Brother, it is the opposite.

I'm in the process of making the switch right now, and in doing so, I will probably be intermittent for a day or so. I'll stack up some articles in the meantime, but try not to miss me too much while I'm gone. Okay?

See you on the other side.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Wait. Did Speedball and Namorita Sleep Together?



Am I crazy, or did Speedball just make a very suggestive remark about how Namorita appreciates the responsible use of his powers? I mean, I can buy it. What else are six, highly attractive, aggressively hormonal, and scantily clad teenage heroes going to do in their down time?

Also: I will never look at Speedball the same way again.

This potential relationship was brought to light courtesy of the 1993 classic Darkhawk #26 from Danny Fingeroth and Tod Smith.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Weekend Matinee: 2012

I know what you're thinking: It's Saturday afternoon and you're desperately looking for something to pass the time that doesn't involve fresh air or extraneous activity. Allow me to help you out, with my Weekend Matinee. This week, Ronald Emmrich's disaster 2012.

I was totally blown away by this one. Well, almost. To start, the movie is totally insane. From John Cusack out running an earthquake in a limo and then outrunning a megavolcano in an old RV, to the incredible series of complications that make up the final half hour of the movie, it's amazing. The small looks, the overwrought acting, the sheer audacity of it all is something. What that something is, I'm not sure, but you should totally check it out.

I kept having this though during the first half 2012, that Ronald Emmerich just really hates nature. It seemed that every time he showed some beautiful vista, he'd destroy it with some mega natural disaster that, of course, our human heroes could outrun like nothing. It got to the point where I'd yell, 'Fuck you, nature', at the screen every few minutes.

I may have been drinking a little.

But as the movie progressed, I saw that Emmerich was making sure to ruin every landmark he could, from the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel to the Washington Monument and The White House. And more, that he would randomly kill major characters with little to no fanfare.

By the end of the movie, I convinced myself that Ronald Emmerich hates everything: nature, people, and places. It doesn't matter, if someone might like something and hold it dear, Ronald Emmerich wants to destroy it... in the most spectacular way possible. The man's a menace. I can't wait to see what he does next.

Anyway, 'praise' for this movie notwithstanding, it isn't without it's major faults. Namely, it's two and a half FUCKING hours long. The one thing that keeps this from jumping up in my catalog of amazingly bad movies is it's excruciating length.

While I had some great fun mid way through the thing, by the start of hour two I was just done with it. That last half hour, which is all last minute complications and 'excitement' became an endurance test of how much I could take in this effing movie. I was almost rooting for them all to die so I'd at least get some kind of joy from it all.

So there you have it: Kind of fun, but way too long. And, as always, make sure when you check this out you have plenty of booze around. A little impaired viewing helps ease over all those negatives.

To illustrate my point about the awesomeness, this week's clip is the first big chase scene where Cusack outruns the earthquake in this limo, with all the special effects edited out.

Enjoy!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Sleepwalker: Master of Romance



Sleepwalker proves he knows what the ladies want to hear in Sleepwalker #25 by Bob Budiansky and Kelly Krantz

Marvel Movie Roundup

Typically, I don't like to comment on the goings-on of comic current events. Especially when they pertain to things that in six months time will be totally irrelevant. Regardless, I'm very excited today about the Marvel Movie news that's been surfacing.

1- Edgar Wright on Ant Man.
After taking two years off to make, the admittedly totally worth it, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, Mr. Wright is back working on this mini epic. Here's hoping he gets Simon Pegg to play the titular hero, regardless of which version of the character they go with. Secretly, though, I'm hoping they go with Eric O'Grady.

2- Chris Evans as Captain America.



I'm ridiculously excited for this movie. Let's hope 'The Rocketeer' Joe Johnston, and not 'Jurassic Park 3' Joe Johnston.

3- Andrew Garfield as Spider-Man.


Click here to embiggen


Honestly, everything I see from this movie looks perfect. Those pictures of Emma Stone as a dead-ringer for Gwen Stacey, the head shots of Andrew Garfield, and now this. Somehow they took the perfection that was the previous costume and turned it up to 11. I'm digging the colors, the profile, the non-raised webbing...

Dammit.

I don't want to be as excited for this movie as I am, but I can't help myself. If the movie is half as good as these preview pics make it out to be, I'll be a very happy man.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

The Bill January 12, 2010

I came to the realization this week that almost all of the books I buy are coming to an end. Widowmaker, Thor: The Mighty Avenger, I Am An Avenger, and Dead Avengers (When did I become such a huge Avenger fan, I wonder...) are all over and done with (well almost with Widowmaker), leaving me with a significant hole in my weekly comic buying habit. What am I supposed to do with all this extra cash? Save it? Be serious.

Whatevs, let's get this show on the road. Because it's not a true Wednesday until I tell you what I think about the books I bought.




Saying Goodbye to Old Friends:

Thor: The Mighty Avengers #8
Writer: Roger Langridge
Artist: Chris Samnee


Of all the books ending this week, I'll miss this one the most. Thor The Mighty Avenger was, as I've said before, was probably the best Thor book I've ever read. It was personal, unencumbered by all that crazy Asgard stuff, and just down right fun.

The new issue was no different, although it did ring a bit hollow at the end. As the end of a story arc, it would have been okay but as an end to a series it was... wanting. I get it, the creators didn't have much lead time to craft a fitting finale, but I wish there was a bit more of an effort. Still, minor complaints of a fantastic book.

You'll be missed Thor The Mighty Avenger, but I'll make sure I sing your praises to all that listen whenever the opportunity arises.



Meet The New Weirdo:

The Infinite Vacation #1
Writer: Nick Spencer
Artist: Christian Ward


In another attempt to widen my comic horizons beyond 90s Marvel, I decided to pick up The Infinite Vacation this week. But unlike my venture last week, I'm not sure how I feel about this one. That's not to say it's bad, it's just... confusing.

The conceit of the series is technology has granted us access to the infinite possibilities of the universe that are available to purchase at the touch of a button. So all those bad decisions you made (like Never taking the chance with that one girl, that one last drink that made you throw up, or simply ordering the chicken when you should have gotten a steak) are instantly and easily undone if you have the cash to buy the opposite decision via this application.

Still with me? I don't know if I'm still with me.

See that's the thing, it's interesting but VERY dense. It's such a broad idea that I found myself asking more questions than I was getting answers for. What happens to the lives that are sold? What happens to your own life when you graft this new thing on? Why do you have to wear a name tag? Who would want to sell the good parts of their life? Questions on top of questions.

That's the thing though: I can't stop thinking about it. To me, that's a sign of something good, even if I can't quite crack what's going on in it yet. I'll give the next issue a chance, and we'll see what happens.



There you have it. Now, if you'd excuse me, I have some Sleepwalker back issues that need reading.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Making The Most of Your Minimates

I love minimates. Can't get enough of 'em.

Since 2003, Art Asylum has been pumping out these two inch hunks of plastic and don't seem to be slowing down anytime soon. I've been there since the beginning, so you can imagine that I have a fairly sizable collection.



All I can say is: Thank God their only two inches tall. Can you imagine if I had 200 plus six inch figures? There wouldn't be room for empty space anywhere in the apartment. It'd look like a toy store threw up and/or a five year old's dream come true. I speak from experience, you should see my old place.

I'm getting off track.

My point is, when you've been collecting these for as long as I have, you're bound to have multiple versions of the same character. Sometimes, it's exactly what you want (as in"Finally, the good version I was waiting for") but most of the time it's just different variations on something you already have and like.

Such is the nature of the two or four packs the figures come in that you're more than likely going to have an overabundance of the latter. But here's where the awesomeness of minimates come in. With their modular bodies ti becomes very easy to alter a boring variation into a new figure that's both wanted and likely never to be made. Just check out what I've made:

90s Namor

Parts Used:
1- Invaders Namor
1- Atlantean Soldier Hair
2- Atlantean Soldier Wrist Guard OR Nova Wrist Guard

Say hello to the Savage King of the Seas. After a simple hair and accessory swap, the ordinarily classic Namor goes from 1930s to the 1990s, when, for whatever reason, he grew his hair out and became more violent. Because, you know, the 90s.

As an aside, I'm sure the 90s was a very awkward period for the Illuminati. Between the savage king of the seas, Teen Tony, the full face masked Dr. Strange, Evil Xavier, Teen Black Bolt, and hostage survivor Reed, it was a bad time all around. I'm sure every meeting ended with someone in tears, and it was probably either Teen Tony or Reed.

90s Kristoff Doom

Parts Used:
1- First Appearance Doom
2- Secret Wars Doom feet
2- Secret wars doom arms
1- Silver Iron Man hand

Otherwise known as, that kid who thought he was Dr. Doom, but totally wasn't. Introduced during John Byrne's run as the heir to Doom's throne, and seemingly dealt with at the end of Walt Simonson's run, Kristoff Vernard probably seemed like a good idea at the time. Up until he was co-opted by Tom Defalco, and made an unofficial member of the Fantastic Four (which at the time boasted something like 17 members... Lord I hate that run) and had him fall in love with Cassie Lang for a spell. He disappeared during the Onslaught fiasco and hasn't been seen since.

But hey, that history shouldn't stop you from trying to complete your own 90s version of the Four. This guy goes perfectly with the scarred, bucket-head Thing that came out a few years ago and, God willing, with the Peak-a-boo Sue that I'm sure they'll release at some point.

The recipe here is a bit more complicated, but not by much. Basically just use your new First Appearance Doom as a base, remove the hood, switch out the feet, arms, and hands, and boom. Brand new mate. For a fun added bonus, add an energy effect to one of his hands to make him look just that much more menacing... until you realize that under that armor, he's just a horny 12 year old.

Doppleganger

Parts Used:
1- Six Armed Spider-Man
1- Head of Spider Carnage
4- Arms of other Spider-Men

The good, and bad, thing about the minimate line is that there's always plenty of Spider-Men. Be it new costumes or retreads of the classic, they've probably made exactly what you want, except for maybe this guy.

The Doppleganger was somehow one of the only monstrous double characters that survived the Infinity War crossover (the other being the Daredevil double, because why not), who also had life as a villain for a while. Well, villain is too big of a word for this guy, more like bad guy pet. He was like to Carnage and Shriek what Panthor was to Skeletor or Salacious Crumb was to Jabba; Evil by the nature of who he hung around with.

Anyway, with a quick head and arm swap, suddenly that boring old six-Armed Spidey looks positively threatening. Best of all? If you swap the bare arms with the Smiling Spidey of wave 4, he kinda looks like Mac from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.



Well I think so at least. Maybe if I gave him some fake tattoos...

Monstro

Parts Used:
1- MAX Fireman
1- Wonder Man head
1- X-Force Cable hair piece

Going from obscure 90s to obscure 00s, here's Robert Kirkman's reinvention of Monstro.

Yeah yeah, I know: "Wha..? Who?" Back a few years ago, Marvel had relaunched Amazing Fantasy as a character try out book. And when issue 15 was due to come out, they decided to cram it full of as many new characters as they could, some much better (like Amadeus Cho, Black Jack, and Monstro, of course) than others (everything else).

Later, Monstro popped up again as a member of Damage Control in the short lived (and written by Kirkman) Irresponsible Ant Man series. Since then he's cameoed here and there, but he's pretty obscure, don't feel too bad if you don't know about him.

I, on the other hand, had this custom in my head as soon as I saw they were coming out with firemen. I'm crazy like that. I simply swapped the heads, added some right enough hair, and was on my way.

I'm way more proud of this than I ought to be, I think.

8-Ball

Parts Used:
Scrounged Black body parts
Scrounged white feet and hands
Sculpy
1 MAX Fireman's hook

Yeah, that's right. I made an 8-Ball because he's the BEST CHARACTER EVER! Also, it was really easy to make. If you don't know who this guy is, you should be ashamed, because I wrote a big article on him a few weeks ago. Read it here, it's fun, I promise.

After falling in love, I just had to immortalize him in plastic and it was remarkably easy. I just rolled a ball of sculpy about the size of a minimate head, squished it on the body to get the hole right, and baked it. After baking, I printed out a bunch of 8's, found the font and size that fit, and modge podged it on.

I don't have to tell you, the result is TOTALLY RAD! Look at it again!



There you go, something to start you on your way to making your old minimates work for you. I'll let you know if I get any more bright ideas, but in the meantime if you got any awesome ones and wanna share it, I'm all about it.

Lord knows I'm always looking for some way to repurpose my old figures.