Growler on Superhero Fiction!

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Superhero fiction is one of the hottest storytelling genres out there! It is a hallmark of innovation and quality which is regularly seen in its content in comic books, films and other places. Here's where I comment on everything you need to know.

Rawle Austin presents...

Soaring through the skies and the depths of space!

Definitely one of my favourite Marvel characters, Monica Rambeau aka Captain Marvel first appeared on the scene in a Spider-Man title that told her origin. Trying to destroy an energy weapon Monica was exposed to radioactive energies from another dimension and was transformed into living energy. She was able to convert back to human form at will with difficulty. Adopting the name Captain Marvel she decided to use her new found abilities for good. She sought help from the Avengers to learn to master her new found powers. This was seen in Avengers issue 227. These powers were based around the ability 'to use her body's dimensional interface to convert herself into pure energy by temporarily swapping her body's phyical matter for otherdimensional energy'. Basically, she could turn into any form of radiation (e.g. x-rays, gamma rays) or energy and use it to fly at the speed of light and project beams of solid energy and/or radiation for defensive or offensive use. She was one of the powerhouses (excuse the pun) of the Marvel Universe. Created by Marvel writer Roger Stern and artist John Romita Jr, Stern nurtured the character and together with illustrator John Buscema took her to new heights.

Click here to check out Superman - Doomsday [DVD] (DC Comics)

The Avengers rookie quickly grew in stature and experience taking on some of the teams most seasoned foes and travelling the galaxy.

Avengers issue 279 saw Captain Marvel take on the leadership duties of the team and led the group through some difficult and dangerous adversaries including a dramatic adventure to Olympus, home of the ancient Greek gods.

Click here to check out Justice League - The Brave And The Bold [DVD] (DC Comics)

Her final mission saw her catastrophically lose her powers in an almighty team battle against Leviathan, a gigantic sea serpent. This episode forced her to retire from the team.

After an extended convalescence period her powers began to return but were drastically altered due to the physical trauma she had went through.

Helped by Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four she learnt the extent of her new powers and though they were not as extensive as before they were still formidable. This new chapter was told in a one shot by writer Dwayne McDuffie and artist Doc Bright.

Shortly after Monica Rambeau took the new name of Photon to reflect her new life.

Still a reserve member of the Avengers and recently the leader of the NextWave team (written by Warren Ellis and drawn by Stuart Immonen) I'm looking to see her eventual return to the spotlight of high adventure in the Marvel Universe!

"Witness an evolutionary offshoot of humanity living on Earth who possess greater powers and longer lifespans than the mainstream human race!"

Click here to check out the Eternals By Jack Kirby Book 1 TPB

Jack Kirby created gold when he brought to life these characters! Imagine being able to live forever. Or a very long time (I believe the term used is long lived). Coupled that with a simply fantastic back story about beings created by gigantic ancient space beings, Celestials, who would return sometime in the future to judge their fate. Imagine being twinned with a race so opposite that conflict is a near certainty. Both beings genetically cloned from the first humans to walk the earth but those early men and women had no idea of their existence. So set the scene for the coming of the Eternals and the Deviants. Two races at war with the human race caught inbetween. Loosely modelled on the mythical ancient Greek gods, Ikaris was a kind of Hercules, Sersi named after Circe the sorceress, Thena based on Athena, Makkari after the speedster Hermes (or Mercury) and the father figure Zuras (after Zeus). Jack Kirby wrote and drew this ground breaking series which brought to the fore many original concepts that have entered the rich tapestry of the Marvel Universe and have become classics.

Click here to check out The Eternals By Jack Kirby Book 2 TPB

I just loved Kirby's costume designs and the whole energy and conflict he brought to the table.

The wealth of superhuman abilities displayed by the key players and the cosmic drama and tension that took place on Earth was a real page turner.

Click here to check out the Eternals By Neil Gaiman TPB

A second series written by Walt Simonson and illustrated by Sal Busema, Keith Pollard and Paul Ryan. It introduced new characters such as the Eternal Phastos (based on Hephaestus) and the Deviant Ghaur.

This became a successful sequel to Kirby's epic and the Eternals continue to thrill today with a recent mini series by Neil Gaiman and John Romita Jr. This would make a fantastic TV series and the special effects now exist to do it justice.

I eagerly await the further adventures of the Eternals!

Click here to check out the Eternals: To Slay A God TPB: v. 1

Click here to check out the Eternals: Manifest Destiny TPB  

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