1991 Marvel Universe II Trading Cards

I was so stoked to see a list from CBR rating the best of the 1991 Marvel Universe Trading card sets!  I absolutely loved to collect these when I was a kid.  Remember this was before the craze of "collectible card games" hit the comic shop scene.  These days when someone says "Magic" in a comic shop you can be pretty sure they're talking about Magic The Gathering card game but in those days either someone was talking about a Dr. Strange comic or a dude making a living pulling a rabbit out of his hat at kids parties.

I remember it like it was yesterday (I know that is a common saying but now that I really think about it, as I recall this memory I'm VERY aware it was over two decades ago): saving my lunch money to buy a card pack next time I get to go to the comic shop, going through the box to try to pick the pack that for sure has the cards you don't already have, opening it to be overwhelmed by the smell of new cardboard and ink, rushing through the cards to see which new ones you got and then meticulously reading every word and carefully adding it to your collection making sure not to bend the corners as you put it in it's designated sleeve. *sigh* Good times.

This particular card set had a special detail added that was new: character power ratings!  Not only was it a cool new feature but these cards became the ultimate resource to consult when arguing with your buddies about who would beat who in a battle to the death between your favorite heroes and villains!  So when some jerk would come along and say Daredevil could totally beat up Spider-Man BAM!  Immediately race to the geek cave to consult the cards!  All these kids with their smart phones and tablets don't know what fun they're missing ;)

Check out the articles Marvel Trading Cards: 15 Greats from Marvel Universe II and Marvel Trading Cards: 15 Greats from Marvel Universe I for more info and pictures!

Am I ashamed of the fact that I own every single card in this series and the 1990 series?  NO!  But if you ask my wife she might give you a different answer.

Going home to flip through the collection and reminisce,
~Steve

The History of Dr. Strange Master of the Mystic Arts

Other than the fact that he spells his name incorrectly I love Dr. Strange!  Like every Marvel character he's had some rough story lines during his time but there is just something about him that keeps me constantly rooting for this M.D. turned Mystic to play a larger more awesome role in the MCU.  With the movie coming out he's getting more of the attention he deserves and this article does a great job of summarizing some of his cool and unusual history and plot lines:

STRANGE HISTORY: THE LONG, STRANGE JOURNEY OF DOCTOR STRANGE

Looking forward to seeing Doctor Stephen Vincent Strange on the BIG SCREEN,
~Steve

Amazing Spider-Man Renew Your Vows

It's no secret, I'm a huge Spidey fan but byass aside (if that's possible) the mini series Amazing Spider-Man Renew Your Vows was simply fantastic!  There is a ton to say about how well Dan Slott and Adam Kubert nailed the essence of Peter Parker through the art and writing in this story but instead of doing that I'm just going to say go read it and share some of my favorite panels. 

I know what you're thinking and yes I wish Stan Lee officiated my wedding too!
~Steve

Recent Reading: Amazing Spider-Man Renew Your Vows #1

This first issue of Amazing Spider-Man Renew Your Vows #1 was nothing less than amazing!  This one panel represents the very thing that drives this story line and Adam Kubert just nails Venom and Spidey.

New THOR #1 Thorina, Lady Thor, Thorette, Female Thor

So my first reaction was, "Thor's got boobs?!?"

Eh hem.  Ok now that that is out of the way, seriously a female Thor?  Look don't get me wrong I was on board with the female Loki.  That made sense, trickster god of mischief who can shape-shift, no big stretch.  But how exactly can they justify turning Thor into a lady?  We'll find out shortly since it's slated for publishing in October but I don't know how they're going to pull this off believably.  (And yes I do see the irony in asking a comic book plot line about Norse Gods to be more believable)

Look I know what the hammer says, it's like an incantation we chant at Geekaholics Anonymous: "Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor".  But lets get literal.  It says, "shall possess the power of Thor" not "shall become Thor".

Jerk: But if you have the powers of Thor doesn't that make you Thor?

Me: No!  If you got the powers of Superman would you be Superman? No! You'd just be some jerk with Supermans powers.

See more @ CBR.com Here and Other Here.

Wondering what the female version of myself looks like,
~Steve

Marvel Event Evil "Axis" in October with Rick Remender at the Helm

Marvel events are always hit and miss.  Everybody has their own ideas about how they tie in to the Marvel Universe and what, if any, lasting effect they have on the characters and plot lines and I'm no exception.  But this next one coming up has sparked my interest.  Why you ask?  One word.  REMENDER.  Ok so technically its a name but I have loved this guys work ever since his big run on X-Force and of course his Captain America stuff has been awesome.  So, in short.  I have hope!

Check out more details over at CBR - Remender Spins Marvels Evil "Axis"

Crossing my fingers for a hit,
~Steve

New Marvel What IF Age of Ultron

Nothing like awesome art to pique my interest!

 Check it out at Marvel.com What IF Age of Ultron

Enjoy,
~Steve

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STAN LEE! 91 Years Young! Excelsior!

One of my personal heroes turns 91 today.  The outstanding, stupendous and infallible STAN LEE!

Here are a couple of my favorite pictures of him posted over on CBR's Robot Six.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HERO!
~Steve

"Mini" Reading - X-Men Black Sun

Mini (Series) reading can admittedly suck sometimes.  For the most part they are, as a rule, hit and miss but every once in a while you get a winner.  The X-Men are mini-series whores.  Like a few cheerleaders, they might not know it but they just are.

I actually bought these books on a whim from ebay.  You know when you buy something and then that same seller has other items for good prices and your like, "heck why not, I'll get combined shipping".  Yep this was one of those.  I really enjoyed it for a few reasons my number one was the return of MAGIK!  Not only is she like my 6th favorite X-Men but that is also my preferred spelling of the word magik (also known as magic).

Chris Claremont does a great job weaving this tale but I wont go over the whole story because some poor soul has already done that in great detail @ UXN.

I did want to however want to share some of my favorite panels.  Even though it's painfully clear the art in these books are classic late 90's early 00's style there is still some really cool stuff from artist Tom Derenick.

As seen above there is some great stuff in this mini-series and any X-Men fan should have a copy in their collection!  And in the last pages, a classic comics wrap up and who doesn't love a good "with great responsibility..." speech?

Back to reading more comics,
~Steve