Firebrand

And the Winner of The Super-Villain War is...Firebrand? A meeting of Marvel freelance and staff writers in early 1975… “Hey guys! I’ve got a great story idea to share with all of you!” “What is it, Mike?” “I call it a ‘Super-Villain War!’ We have all our major villains fight each other to the death!” “You mean real death?” “Absolutely! That’s what makes the stakes so high. I’ve already killed off the Mandarin!” “You mean you eliminated your character’s top villain, Mike?

A Train Wreck in Progress… Late in the night at “Perfidy & Pints” - a secluded supervillain bar in 1975… “Octavius! Over here! Quick!” “Huh?” the bewildered bad guy’s gaze falls upon several fellow felons. “Red Ghost. Baron Mordo. What’s going on?” “This way, comrade!” hisses the Soviet Schemer, “And keep your head down.” A moment later, the six-armed antagonist is seated and asks, “What’s going on?” “Keep your head down,” whispers Baron Mordo. “See that fool in the ho

Iron Man's Most Overrated Villain? Does anyone remember looking really forward to meeting someone only to have them truly disappoint you? That was me with Firebrand in the early spring of 1973. I mean, when I rejoined this book, it seemed that his name came up every other panel. “Firebrand knocked out the FM reception in my armor” or “I now only eat my steaks well-done after facing the intense heat from Firebrand.” Our guy seemed to be going through PTSD because of this dud

Onward & Upward to...Mediocrity? Does anyone remember that scene from “Dirty Dancing” where the dorky grandson of the resort owner tells Patrick Swayze that he wants to change things for the big dance during the final evening? Remember how Patrick Swayze’s character is bursting forth with a multitude of ideas only to have this schmuck swat them all down, instead wanting only the most insignificant of revisions to their musical number? I bring that up because in my mind, I en