The 70s were spent watching Evel Knievel on ABC's Wide World of Sport and the Six Million Dollar man, in prime time. I had both toys and they had awesome team-ups. The only thing wilder was one Christmas. I had gotten the Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle for my birthday, in November (two weeks away) and, for Christmas, I got the Stunt Van. Now, we were in Florida, on a mini-vacation, to see some family of my mother's (and celebrate her aunt's wedding anniversary) and see the sites, including the relatively new Disney World (Kirby, I'm old!). We had Christmas in a motel room. I got the van and my mother had packed the stunt cycle; but, hadn't found Evel. Instead, she grabbed my Mego Dr Zaius figure. She couldn't understand why I was not quite so happy. Duh, Mo, he's from Planet of the Apes. besides, he can't grip the handle bars! Looking back, the idea of a motorcycle-riding Dr Zaius is pretty darn cool, especially if he is jumping things (probably mute human slaves). I can just picture his attempt to jump the Forbidden Zone!

No talk of Evel can leave out this:



and



Recognize the narrator of the Viva Knievel trailer?

I had no idea there was an Evel Knievel film. I really need to see this.

Let us soar the cosmic spaceways with the Silver Surfer! No matter the version of this Herald of Galactus you may enjoy, there is something special about our silver encased star soaring individual. Whether you 1st saw his classic powerful image from Kirby soaring above the New York Skyline or it was the Buscema regally imposed exile wandering the upper stratosphere of earth or you found the sleekly shimmering surfer of Roger's or Lim in the universe does not matter. All you need to know is gleamed (pun intended) from this lonely, sorrowful perpetual wanderer of the cosmos. 

A simple addition by Kirby in thinking that a great and powerful force as Galactus would have a herald declare his coming presence it was soon enough that the Surfer himself became the more popular force in the comic books he inhabited. His nobility combined with his rebellion against his "master" soon made this alien all the more human to us readers. His design so simple and seemingly natural translating a surfer of the sea into a a surfer of the vast starry skies. To this day the Surfer speaks of the wonders and joys to be found in all there is in the world and the possibilities of what is out there beyond the stars. 

Space Ghost is one of my favorite Cartoon Superhero and always remains a favorite of mine and I just loved the opening intro that's so stirring that's always give me goosebumps when I play it on YouTube now and then.

Let us travel backwards to a simpler time and may be considered as the first true adventurer in superhero endeavors: Doc Savage; the Man of Bronze and his trusty team of stalwart compatriots in their never ending adventures of crime fighting. 

The perfect warrior: a super genius, the peak of human evolutionary genes in perfect physical and mental capabilities utilizing his skills to better humanity at every opportunity. Many iterations of Doc have been created over the many years since his creation in 1933 (where he seems most comfortable in excepting for his rebirth in novels of the  late 60's) and it seems every few years some company will try to reinvent the success of the original to little avail. Doc works best in the 30's and 40's and that is where i adore him the most.

The James Bama iconic look updating the ripped shirt motif and the skull cap style hairline is the 1st image i remember of our hero Clark Savage Jr. 2nd most remembered is the Ron Ely movie version and while to many it is corny and comedic it does kind of reflect the world Doc inhabits and i love it. 

Add into the mixture his team of aides, all specializing in their own skill sets: good old chemist/strong guy Monk who looks like his name implies. Ham the nattily dressed debonair attorney and pain in the side to Monk, Renny the incredible strong construction engineer, Long Tom the electrical engineering genius, Littlejohn the big word talking archaeologist and the stunning Pat Savage Doc's and you have a team capable of solving anything and or ending up in the most troublesome of predicaments.

With the possibility of a new movie with Dwayne the Rock Johnson signed on to play Doc perhaps his fame will continue to grow and prosper into a new age! What do you all think of the big hunk of Bronze?

I think Doc Savage is one of the best versions of the whole super-man concept anyone ever came up, certainly in the modern era, (say 20th century onwards). Like most people my age, I first became aware of the character by seeing those fantastic James Bama paperback covers on the stands in the 70s. I think I read a couple of those books back then and found them a bit disappointing but it's so long ago I'm not certain about that. And Marvel's black and white Doc Savage mag was always let down a bit for me by what I consider some bland artwork by Tony DeZuniga. However, I did try the first of the original Lester Dent pulp novels a few years ago and was pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable it was, so I plan to read more of those in the future.

Totally agree with Codystarbuck on the PJF Doc Caliban books. I really wish he had written many more of those, and Lord Grandrith (Tarzan) as well.

I think Johnson looks perfect for the role and hope the movie gets made. I think he could act the role with the right script and direction, so for me it depends more on the director and the writing and the premises of the whole project. If they play it for laughs or don't bother trying to remain true to the essence of the concept it'll be a disappointment.

Moving forward shall we discuss DC's Metamorpho? Whether it just be the geekiness of his series or my own nerdiness i fell in love with Metamorpho after 1st seeing him in the Justice League/Justice Society annual teaming when they went in search of the 7 Soldiers of Victory and then finding 2 Metamorpho issues in a thrift store box. From there i was captivated by the art and crazy story telling of his series.

That his body is composed of all the elements and his ability to mix and match them for whatever purpose to his inventiveness in using his body to create things Rex Mason had my attention. It was cool that he was an archaeologist (looong before Indy came along) exploring when he transformed. It was wild that he has a villainous/love triangle between himself, his bosses beautiful daughter and a thawed out caveman. It was wild that he rebelled against said boss constantly arguing and struggling with him over what is right and what is wrong (reflects most of our work days, eh?) while trying to stop whatever power gain Simon Stagg is planning. 

Metamorpho's visual look: just too cool and stylish! Each body part composed of a different artistic styling to denote his elemental/chemical nature. That each body part is a differing color and his white face with big black eyebrows expressively showing Rex's real inner humanity hasn't been lost. Ramona Fradon drew the best Metamorpho ever in my own opinion! 

To this day while Metamorpho can't seem to catch a break with any continuing series he maintains a high profile appearing as a member in Outsiders or JLA Europe or participant in other series like Doom Patrol or even his new origin in Legends of Tomorrow mini-series. Rex always makes a chemical splash and visual treat whenever he appears and i will grab anything he appears in without hesitation.