Spider-Man: No Way Home creator credits

In short: a decent movie whose thunder was slightly claimed first by the animated Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse movie.

My main directory of which creators are responsible for what elements of Marvel Cinematic Universe films can be found here.

Stan Lee: co-creator of Spider-Man, Peter Parker, a teenage super hero garbed in red and blue with a red webbing design, spider emblem on chest, lenses in his mask and webbing in his armpits; Spider-Man swinging around on webbing fired from his web-shooters and climbing up walls; Peter designing his own web-shooters and web fluid and sewing his own costume; Spider-Man motivated to use his powers to help others; Peter's aunt May Parker; of Flash Thompson, a student who bullies Peter at Midtown High School; of Ben Parker, Peter's uncle who died at the hands of a criminal Peter could have stopped; of Peter learning the lesson, "with great power comes great responsibility" (Amazing Fantasy #15, 1962); of J. Jonah Jameson, a blustering newsman from the Daily Bugle who hates Spider-Man; of Spider-Man's spider-sense power which warns him of danger (Amazing Spider-Man #1, 1962); of the Vulture, an enemy of Spider-Man (Amazing Spider-Man #2, 1963); of Dr. Octopus, Otto Octavius, a research scientist whose manipulator arms are fused to his body; driven insane, he battles Spider-Man (Amazing Spider-Man #3, 1963); of Betty Brant, a reporter in New York, friend of Peter Parker; of Flash Thompson as Spider-Man's #1 fan; of Sandman, alias Flint Marko, a criminal who was transformed into a sand-like being by a science accident; Sandman as an enemy of Spider-Man (Amazing Spider-Man #4, 1963); of the Lizard, Dr. Curt Connors, a scientist who transforms into a green reptillian monster and fights Spider-Man; of Spider-Man curing Connors from being the Lizard (Amazing Spider-Man #6, 1963); of the Parkers living in Queens (Amazing Spider-Man #7, 1963); of Electro, Max Dillon, an average man who gains the ability to control electricity; of a three-pronged electrical design over Electro's head (Amazing Spider-Man #9, 1964); of Mysterio, an enemy of Spider-Man who poses as a super-hero; of J. Jonah Jameson being a pawn of Mysterio (Amazing Spider-Man #13, 1964); of the Green Goblin, a superman enemy of Spider-Man clad in green armor with a purple hood; of the Green Goblin's flying apparatus; of the Green Goblin's pumpkin bomb weapons (Amazing Spider-Man #14, 1964); of Spider-Man calling himself a 'friendly neighborhood' Spider-Man; of the Green Goblin's glider flying apparatus (Amazing Spider-Man #17, 1964); of Ned Leeds, an associate of Peter Parker (Amazing Spider-Man #18, 1964); of Peter Parker linked to a love interest whose initials are 'MJ' (Amazing Spider-Man #25, 1965); of Gwen Stacy, a love interest of Peter Parker; of Harry Osborn, son of Norman Osborn, friend to Peter Parker (Amazing Spider-Man #31, 1965); of Norman Osborn, scientist, father of Harry Osborn, enemy of Spider-Man (Amazing Spider-Man #37, 1966); of Norman Osborn as the Green Goblin; of Osborn learning Peter Parker is Spider-Man (Amazing Spider-Man #39, 1966); of Norman Osborn having a split personality as the Green Goblin (Amazing Spider-Man #40, 1966); of the Rhino, a Russian criminal in a superhuman costume (Amazing Spider-Man #41, 1966); of Peter Parker being nicknamed "tiger" (Amazing Spider-Man #42, 1966); of Spider-Man working alongside Dr. Strange (Amazing Spider-Man Annual #2, 1965); of Matt Murdock a blind lawyer with superhuman radar senses (Daredevil #1, 1964); of the Hulk, a powerful superhuman (Incredible Hulk #1, 1962); of the Hulk having green skin (Incredible Hulk #2, 1962); of Thor, Norse god of thunder (Journey into Mystery #83, 1962); of Nick Fury, a soldier in the US Army (Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos #1, 1963); of Doctor Strange, a sorcerer based out of his Sanctum Sanctorum in Greenwich Village who wages war against mystical forces of evil; Strange wearing a blue shirt; Doctor Strange's ally Wong; the Sanctum's window bearing a symbol with two curved lines pierced by a third line; of the magical ability to release a being's astral form while their body slumbers; of Doctor Strange's golden amulet (Strange Tales #110, 1963); of Wong's name (Strange Tales #119, 1964); of Doctor Strange's red Cloak of Levitation and round amulet (Strange Tales #127, 1964); of Iron Man, Tony Stark, a wealthy industrialist whose armor grants him superhuman strength, flight and special weapons (Tales of Suspense #39, 1963); of Happy Hogan, a former boxer turned chauffeur and bodyguard to Tony Stark; Stark Industries, Tony Stark's technology company (Tales of Suspense #45, 1963)

Steve Ditko: co-creator of Spider-Man, Peter Parker, a teenage super hero garbed in red and blue with a red webbing design, spider emblem on chest, lenses in his mask and webbing in his armpits; Spider-Man swinging around on webbing fired from his web-shooters and climbing up walls; Peter designing his own web-shooters and web fluid and sewing his own costume; Spider-Man motivated by a sense of responsbility to use his powers to help others; Peter's aunt May Parker; of Flash Thompson, a student who bullies Peter at Midtown High School; of Ben Parker, Peter's uncle who died at the hands of a criminal Peter could have stopped; of Peter learning the lesson, "with great power comes great responsibility" (Amazing Fantasy #15, 1962); of J. Jonah Jameson, a blustering newsman from the Daily Bugle who hates Spider-Man; of Spider-Man's spider-sense power which warns him of danger (Amazing Spider-Man #1, 1962); of the Vulture, an enemy of Spider-Man (Amazing Spider-Man #2, 1963); of Dr. Octopus, Otto Octavius, a research scientist whose manipulator arms are fused to his body; driven insane, he battles Spider-Man (Amazing Spider-Man #3, 1963); of Betty Brant, a reporter in New York and friend of Peter Parker; of Flash Thompson as Spider-Man's #1 fan; of Sandman, alias Flint Marko, a criminal who was transformed into a sand-like being by a science accident; Sandman as an enemy of Spider-Man (Amazing Spider-Man #4, 1963); of the Lizard, Dr. Curt Connors, a scientist who transforms into a green reptillian monster and fights Spider-Man; of Spider-Man curing Connors from being the Lizard (Amazing Spider-Man #6, 1963); of the Parkers living in Queens (Amazing Spider-Man #7, 1963); of Electro, Max Dillon, an average man who gains the ability to control electricity; of a three-pronged electrical design over Electro's head (Amazing Spider-Man #9, 1964); of Mysterio, an enemy of Spider-Man who poses as a super-hero; of J. Jonah Jameson being a pawn of Mysterio (Amazing Spider-Man #13, 1964); of the Green Goblin, a superman enemy of Spider-Man clad in green armor with a purple hood; of the Green Goblin's flying apparatus; of the Green Goblin's pumpkin bomb weapons (Amazing Spider-Man #14, 1964); of Spider-Man calling himself a 'friendly neighborhood' Spider-Man; of the Green Goblin's glider flying apparatus (Amazing Spider-Man #17, 1964); of Ned Leeds, an associate of Peter Parker (Amazing Spider-Man #18, 1964); of Peter Parker linked to a love interest whose initials are 'MJ' (Amazing Spider-Man #25, 1965); of Gwen Stacy, a love interest of Peter Parker; of Harry Osborn, son of Norman Osborn, friend to Peter Parker (Amazing Spider-Man #31, 1965); of Norman Osborn, scientist, father of Harry Osborn, enemy of Spider-Man (Amazing Spider-Man #37, 1966); of Spider-Man working alongside Dr. Strange (Amazing Spider-Man Annual #2, 1965); of Doctor Strange, a sorcerer based out of his Sanctum Sanctorum in Greenwich Village who wages war against mystical forces of evil; Strange wearing a blue shirt; Doctor Strange's ally Wong; the Sanctum's window bearing a symbol with two curved lines pierced by a third line; of the magical ability to release a being's astral form while their body slumbers; of Doctor Strange's golden amulet (Strange Tales #110, 1963); of Wong's name (Strange Tales #119, 1964); of Doctor Strange's red Cloak of Levitation and round amulet (Strange Tales #127, 1964)

Jack Kirby: co-creator of the Avengers, a team of super heroes (Avengers #1, 1963); of Captain America, Steve Rogers, a patriotic super hero (Captain America Comics #1, 1941); of Captain America's round, red and white shield with star in its center (Captain America Comics #2, 1941); of the Hulk, a powerful superhuman (Incredible Hulk #1, 1962); of the Hulk having green skin (Incredible Hulk #2, 1962); of Thor, Norse god of thunder (Journey into Mystery #83, 1962); of Nick Fury, a soldier in the US Army (Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos #1, 1963); of Iron Man, Tony Stark, a wealthy industrialist whose armor grants him superhuman strength, flight and special weapons (Tales of Suspense #39, 1963)

Jim Starlin: co-creator of half of all people blinking out of existence (Infinity Gauntlet #1, 1991); of the disappeared people being brought back (Infinity Gauntlet #6, 1991); of Thanos, a villainous purple extraterrestrial dedicated to the destruction of life (Iron Man #55, 1973); of the Infinity Gems, six all-powerful stones; Thanos seeking the Infinity Gems to assemble his Infinity Gauntlet (Thanos Quest #1, 1990)

John Romita: co-creator of Norman Osborn as the Green Goblin; of Osborn learning Peter Parker is Spider-Man (Amazing Spider-Man #39, 1966); of Norman Osborn having a split personality as the Green Goblin (Amazing Spider-Man #40, 1966); of the Rhino, a Russian criminal in a superhuman costume (Amazing Spider-Man #41, 1966); of Peter Parker being nicknamed "tiger" (Amazing Spider-Man #42, 1966)

Don Heck: co-creator of Iron Man, Tony Stark, a wealthy industrialist whose armor grants him superhuman strength, flight and special weapons (Tales of Suspense #39, 1963); of Happy Hogan, a former boxer turned chauffeur and bodyguard to Tony Stark; Stark Industries, Tony Stark's technology company (Tales of Suspense #45, 1963)

J. Michael Straczynski: co-creator of Mr. Harrington, a staff member at Midtown High School (Amazing Spider-Man #32, 2001); of May Parker knowing her nephew Peter is Spider-Man (Amazing Spider-Man #35, 2001); of Tony Stark building a new costume for Spider-Man with widget arms (Amazing Spider-Man #529, 2006)

Joe Simon: co-creator of Captain America, Steve Rogers, a patriotic super hero (Captain America Comics #1, 1941); of Captain America's round, red and white shield with star in its center (Captain America Comics #2, 1941)

John Romita Jr.: co-creator of Mr. Harrington, a staff member at Midtown High School (Amazing Spider-Man #32, 2001); of May Parker knowing her nephew Peter is Spider-Man (Amazing Spider-Man #35, 2001)

Robert Bernstein: co-creator of Happy Hogan, a former boxer turned chauffeur and bodyguard to Tony Stark; Stark Industries, Tony Stark's technology company (Tales of Suspense #45, 1963)

Larry Lieber: co-creator of Iron Man, Tony Stark, a wealthy industrialist whose armor grants him superhuman strength, flight and special weapons (Tales of Suspense #39, 1963)

Ron Garney: co-creator of Tony Stark building a new costume for Spider-Man which includes retractable widget arms (Amazing Spider-Man #529, 2006)

Mark Gruenwald: creator of Mysterio's real name Quentin Beck (Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe #7, 1983)

George Perez: co-creator of half of all people blinking out of existence (Infinity Gauntlet #1, 1991)

Ron Lim: co-creator of the disappeared people being brought back (Infinity Gauntlet #6, 1991); of the Infinity Gems, six all-powerful stones; Thanos seeking the Infinity Gems to assemble his Infinity Gauntlet (Thanos Quest #1, 1990)

Tom DeFalco: co-creator of Spider-Man wearing a black costume; of a black alien costume connected to Spider-Man (Amazing Spider-Man #252, 1984); of Dr. Octopus knowing Peter Parker is Spider-Man (Spectacular Spider-Man #221, 1995)

Ron Frenz: co-creator of Spider-Man wearing a black costume; of a black alien costume connected to Spider-Man (Amazing Spider-Man #252, 1984)

Dennis O'Neil: co-creator of Matt Murdock defending Peter Parker as his client (Amazing Spider-Man #218, 1981); of Kamar-Taj, the mystical base of the Ancient One in the far east (Strange Tales #148, 1966)

Bill Everett: co-creator of Matt Murdock a blind lawyer with superhuman radar senses (Daredevil #1, 1964); of Kamar-Taj, the mystical base of the Ancient One in the far east (Strange Tales #148, 1966)

Luke McDonnell: co-creator of Matt Murdock defending Peter Parker as his client (Amazing Spider-Man #218, 1981)

Archie Goodwin: co-creator of the existence of divergent timelines which are accessible by others (Fantastic Four #118, 1972)

John Buscema: co-creator of the existence of divergent timelines which are accessible by others (Fantastic Four #118, 1972)

Christopher Priest: co-creator of Ben Parker as the one who said "with great power comes responsibility" to his nephew Peter (Spider-Man vs. Wolverine #1, 1987)

Mark Bright: co-creator of Ben Parker as the one who said "with great power comes responsibility" to his nephew Peter (Spider-Man vs. Wolverine #1, 1987)

Dan Slott: co-creator of Dr. Strange using magic to help restore Peter Parker's secret identity (Amazing Spider-Man #591, 2009); of multiple versions of Spider-Man from different realities joining forces (Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions video game)

Dwayne McDuffie: co-creator of Damage Control, an organization which cleans up after superhuman battles (Marvel Age Annual #4, 1988)

Ernie Colon: co-creator of Damage Control, an organization which cleans up after superhuman battles (Marvel Age Annual #4, 1988)

Mike Friedrich: co-creator of Thanos, a villainous purple extraterrestrial dedicated to the destruction of life (Iron Man #55, 1973)

Frank Brunner: co-creator of the title 'Sorcerer Supreme' used by Earth's premiere mystic (Marvel Premiere #10, 1973)

Steve Englehart: co-creator of the title 'Sorcerer Supreme' used by Earth's premiere mystic (Marvel Premiere #10, 1973)

Gerry Conway: co-creator of Gwen Stacy dying in Spider-Man's arms with him unable to save her (Amazing Spider-Man #121, 1973); of the Green Goblin being impaled on his goblin glider vehicle, killing him (Amazing Spider-Man #122, 1973)

Gil Kane: co-creator of Gwen Stacy dying in Spider-Man's arms with him unable to save her (Amazing Spider-Man #121, 1973); of the Green Goblin being impaled on his goblin glider vehicle, killing him (Amazing Spider-Man #122, 1973)

J. M. DeMatteis: co-creator of Harry Osborn dying in Peter Parker's arms (Spectacular Spider-Man #200, 1993)

Sal Buscema: co-creator of Harry Osborn dying in Peter Parker's arms (Spectacular Spider-Man #200, 1993); of Dr. Octopus knowing Peter Parker is Spider-Man (Spectacular Spider-Man #221, 1995)

Bob Gale: co-creator of F.E.A.S.T., a charitable organization for the homeless run by May Parker (Amazing Spider-Man #546, 2008)

Phi Winslade: co-creator of F.E.A.S.T., a charitable organization for the homeless run by May Parker (Amazing Spider-Man #546, 2008)

David Michelinie: co-creator of Venom, a man bonded to an alien symbiote (Amazing Spider-Man #299, 1988); of Eddie Brock, Venom's true identity (Amazing Spider-Man #300, 1988)

Todd McFarlane: co-creator of Venom, a man bonded to an alien symbiote (Amazing Spider-Man #299, 1988); of Eddie Brock, Venom's true identity (Amazing Spider-Man #300, 1988)

Peter David: co-creator of a Spider-Man who has organic webbing that emits from his wrists (Spider-Man 2099 #1, 1992)

Rick Leonardi: co-creator of a Spider-Man who has organic webbing that emits from his wrists (Spider-Man 2099 #1, 1992)

Barry Kitson: co-creator of Dr. Strange using magic to help restore Peter Parker's secret identity (Amazing Spider-Man #591, 2009)

Joe Quesada: co-creator of Matt Murdock wearing red-tinted sunglasses (Daredevil #1, 1998)

Kevin Smith: co-creator of Matt Murdock wearing red-tinted sunglasses (Daredevil #1, 1998)

John Byrne: co-creator of Spider-Man as an Avenger (Avengers #316, 1990)

Paul Ryan: co-creator of Spider-Man as an Avenger (Avengers #316, 1990)

Today at Sequart: new Christopher Priest essay!

My newest Sequart essay "Panther's Priest" can now be read online. This is a retrospective of Christopher Priest's career up to when he became author of the Black Panther. I wrote this principally to put his career into perspective so as to better judge how his past writing experiences influenced where he took the Black Panther. I hope you enjoy it!

Spider-Man: Far from Home creator credits

As usual, I have compiled a list of elements in the most recent Marvel Cinematic Universe film which owe a debt to the original comics; this time out it's Spider-Man: Far from Home! Check out my list below and tell me if you have any corrections. My full list of Marvel Creator Credits can be found here!

Stan Lee: co-creator of Spider-Man, Peter Parker, a teenage super hero garbed in red and blue with a red webbing design, spider emblem on chest, lenses in his mask and webbing in his armpits; Spider-Man swinging around on webbing fired from his web-shooters and climbing up walls; Peter designing his own web-shooters and web fluid; Spider-Man motivated to use his powers to help others; Peter's aunt May Parker; of Flash Thompson, a student who bullies Peter (Amazing Fantasy #15, 1962); of Peter Parker's interest in photography; of J. Jonah Jameson, a blustering newsman from the Daily Bugle who hates Spider-Man; of Spider-Man's spider-sense power which warns him of danger (Amazing Spider-Man #1, 1962); of Betty Brant, a reporter in New York, friend of Peter Parker; of Flash Thompson as Spider-Man's #1 fan; of Spider-Man battling a sand-based super-villain (Amazing Spider-Man #4, 1963); of the Parkers living in Queens (Amazing Spider-Man #7, 1963); of Mysterio, a figure glad in green with a purple cape and glass dome helmet; Mysterio posing as a super hero; Mysterio using various tricks to make it appear as though he has super powers; of J. Jonah Jameson being a pawn of Mysterio (Amazing Spider-Man #13, 1964); of Spider-Man calling himself a 'friendly neighborhood' Spider-Man (Amazing Spider-Man #17, 1964); of Ned Leeds, an associate of Peter Parker; Ned in a relationship with Betty Brant (Amazing Spider-Man #18, 1964); of Mysterio using sophisticated illusions to confuse Spider-Man's perception of reality (Amazing Spider-Man #24, 1965); of Peter Parker linked to a love interest whose initials are 'MJ' (Amazing Spider-Man #25, 1965); of Spider-Man battling a metallic heat-based super-villain (Amazing Spider-Man #28, 1965); of the Skrulls, a race of green extraterrestrials with ridged chins who have the ability to shapeshift into anyone (Fantastic Four #2, 1962); of Skrulls wearing the colour purple in their uniforms (Fantastic Four #18, 1963); of Black Panther, a black costumed super hero from Wakanda (Fantastic Four #52, 1966); of Bruce Banner, a famous scientist and the monstrous Hulk (Incredible Hulk #1, 1962); of Thor, Norse god of thunder (Journey into Mystery #83, 1962); of a super hero named Captain Marvel (Marvel Super-Heroes #12, 1967); of Nick Fury, a soldier in the US Army (Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos #1, 1963); of S.H.I.E.L.D., an international espionage agency; of Nick Fury having lost his left eye; Nick Fury as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. with rank of colonel (Strange Tales #135, 1965); of Tony Stark, a wealthy industrialist whose Iron Man armor grants him superhuman strength, flight and special weapons (Tales of Suspense #39, 1963); of Pepper Potts, Tony Stark's secretary and romantic interest; Happy Hogan, a former boxer turned chauffeur and bodyguard to Tony Stark; Stark Industries, Tony's technology company (Tales of Suspense #45, 1963); of Iron Man wearing red & gold armor (Tales of Suspense #48, 1963); of the Black Widow, a black-clad spy (Tales of Suspense #52, 1964)

Steve Ditko: co-creator of Spider-Man, Peter Parker, a teenage super hero garbed in red and blue with a red webbing design, spider emblem on chest, lenses in his mask and webbing in his armpits; Spider-Man swinging around on webbing fired from his web-shooters and climbing up walls; Peter designing his own web-shooters and web fluid; Spider-Man motivated by a sense of responsbility to use his powers to help others; Peter's aunt May Parker; of Flash Thompson, a student who bullies Peter (Amazing Fantasy #15, 1962); of Peter Parker's interest in photography; of J. Jonah Jameson, a blustering newsman from the Daily Bugle who hates Spider-Man; of Spider-Man's spider-sense power which warns him of danger (Amazing Spider-Man #1, 1962); of Betty Brant, a reporter in New York and friend of Peter Parker; of Flash Thompson as Spider-Man's #1 fan; of Spider-Man battling a sand-based super-villain (Amazing Spider-Man #4, 1963); of the Parkers living in Queens (Amazing Spider-Man #7, 1963); of Mysterio, a figure glad in green with a purple cape and glass dome helmet; Mysterio posing as a super hero; Mysterio using various tricks to make it appear as though he has super powers; of J. Jonah Jameson being a pawn of Mysterio (Amazing Spider-Man #13, 1964); of Spider-Man calling himself a 'friendly neighborhood' Spider-Man (Amazing Spider-Man #17, 1964); of Ned Leeds, an associate of Peter Parker; Ned in a relationship with Betty Brant (Amazing Spider-Man #18, 1964); of Mysterio using sophisticated illusions to confuse Spider-Man's perception of reality (Amazing Spider-Man #24, 1965); of Peter Parker linked to a love interest whose initials are 'MJ' (Amazing Spider-Man #25, 1965); of Spider-Man battling a metallic heat-based super-villain (Amazing Spider-Man #28, 1965); of Iron Man wearing red & gold armor (Tales of Suspense #48, 1963)

Jack Kirby: co-creator of the Avengers, a team of super heroes (Avengers #1, 1963; of Captain America, Steve Rogers, a patriotic super hero garbed in a red, white and blue costume with 'A' on forehead and stars & stripes on his chest (Captain America Comics #1, 1941); of Captain America's mask being fastened to his costume; of Captain America's round, red and white shield with star in its center (Captain America Comics #2, 1941); of the Skrulls, a race of green extraterrestrials with ridged chins who have the ability to shapeshift into anyone (Fantastic Four #2, 1962); of Skrulls wearing the colour purple in their uniforms (Fantastic Four #18, 1963); of Black Panther, a black costumed super hero from Wakanda (Fantastic Four #52, 1966); of Bruce Banner, a famous scientist and the monstrous Hulk (Incredible Hulk #1, 1962); of Thor, Norse god of thunder (Journey into Mystery #83, 1962); of Nick Fury, a soldier in the US Army (Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos #1, 1963); of S.H.I.E.L.D., an international espionage agency; of Nick Fury having lost his left eye; Nick Fury as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. with rank of colonel (Strange Tales #135, 1965); of Tony Stark, a wealthy industrialist whose Iron Man armor grants him superhuman strength, flight and special weapons (Tales of Suspense #39, 1963)

Don Heck: co-creator of Tony Stark, a wealthy industrialist whose Iron Man armor grants him superhuman strength, flight and special weapons (Tales of Suspense #39, 1963); of Pepper Potts, Tony Stark's secretary and romantic interest; Happy Hogan, a former boxer turned chauffeur and bodyguard to Tony Stark; Stark Industries, Tony's technology company (Tales of Suspense #45, 1963); of the Black Widow, a black-clad spy (Tales of Suspense #52, 1964)

Brian Michael Bendis: co-creator of Stark Tower, the downtown Manhattan headquarters of the Avengers (New Avengers #3, 2005); of the Skrulls arriving on Earth as refugees (Secret Invasion #1, 2008); of Maria Hill, next in line to command S.H.I.E.L.D. (Secret War #5, 2005); of Nick Fury as an African-American man (Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #5, 2001); of Nick Fury becoming a mentor to teenaged Peter Parker (Ultimate Spider-Man #100, 2006)

J. Michael Straczynski: co-creator of Mr. Harrington, a staff member at Midtown High School (Amazing Spider-Man #32, 2001); of May Parker finding out her nephew Peter is Spider-Man (Amazing Spider-Man #35, 2001); of Tony Stark mentoring Peter Parker (Amazing Spider-Man #519, 2005); of Tony Stark building a new costume for Spider-Man with widget arms (Amazing Spider-Man #529, 2006)

Joe Simon: co-creator of Captain America, Steve Rogers, a patriotic super hero garbed in a red, white and blue costume with 'A' on forehead and stars & stripes on his chest (Captain America Comics #1, 1941); of Captain America's mask being fastened to his costume; of Captain America's round, red and white shield with star in its center (Captain America Comics #2, 1941)

John Romita Jr.: co-creator of a water-based enemy of Spider-Man supposedly empowered by a hydroelectric generator accident (Amazing Spider-Man #212, 1981); of Mr. Harrington, a staff member at Midtown High School (Amazing Spider-Man #32, 2001); of May Parker finding out her nephew Peter is Spider-Man (Amazing Spider-Man #35, 2001)

Len Kaminski: co-creator of the War Machine armor, a suit of Iron Man armor colored silver and grey and outfitted with heavy weaponry, including a shoulder-mounted canon (Iron Man #281, 1992); of the War Machine armor being worn by James Rhodes with a unibeam designed for its chest (Iron Man #284, 1992)

Kevin Hopgood: co-creator of the War Machine armor, a suit of Iron Man armor colored silver and grey and outfitted with heavy weaponry, including a shoulder-mounted canon (Iron Man #281, 1992); of the War Machine armor being worn by James Rhodes with a unibeam designed for its chest (Iron Man #284, 1992)

Dennis O'Neil: co-creator of a water-based enemy of Spider-Man supposedly empowered by a hydroelectric generator accident (Amazing Spider-Man #212, 1981); of Obadiah Stane, a criminal businessman determined to seize control of Tony Stark's company (Iron Man #166, 1983)

Robert Bernstein: co-creator of Pepper Potts, Tony Stark's secretary and romantic interest; Happy Hogan, a former boxer turned chauffeur and bodyguard to Tony Stark; Stark Industries, Tony's technology company (Tales of Suspense #45, 1963)

Larry Lieber: co-creator of Tony Stark, a wealthy industrialist whose Iron Man armor grants him superhuman strength, flight and special weapons (Tales of Suspense #39, 1963)

Jim Starlin: co-creator of half of all people blinking out of existence (Infinity Gauntlet #1, 1991); of the disappeared people being brought back (Infinity Gauntlet #6, 1991)

Christopher Priest: co-creator of Peter and Ned going on a trip to Europe; of Peter needing another Spider-Man costume while in Europe (Spider-Man vs. Wolverine #1, 1987)

Mark Bright: co-creator of Peter and Ned going on a trip to Europe; of Peter needing another Spider-Man costume while in Europe (Spider-Man vs. Wolverine #1, 1987)

John Byrne: co-creator of Spider-Man as an Avenger (Avengers #316, 1990); of James "Rhodey" Rhodes, pilot and friend of Tony Stark (Iron Man #118, 1979)

Luke McDonnell: co-creator of Obadiah Stane, a criminal businessman determined to seize control of Tony Stark's company (Iron Man #166, 1983)

Ron Garney: co-creator of Tony Stark building a new costume for Spider-Man which includes retractable widget arms (Amazing Spider-Man #529, 2006)

Mark Millar: co-creator of the Avengers as a team organized and run by S.H.I.E.L.D. under Fury's guidance (Ultimates #2, 2002)

Bryan Hitch: co-creator of the Avengers as a team organized and run by S.H.I.E.L.D. under Fury's guidance (Ultimates #2, 2002)

John Buscema: co-creator of Vision, an android Avenger with phasing powers (Avengers #57, 1968)

Roy Thomas: co-creator of Vision, an android Avenger with phasing powers (Avengers #57, 1968)

Mark Gruenwald: creator of Mysterio's real name Quentin Beck (Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe #7, 1983)

David Finch: co-creator of Stark Tower, the downtown Manhattan headquarters of the Avengers (New Avengers #3, 2005)

Kurt Busiek: co-creator of Jason Ionello, a student at Midtown High School (Untold Tales of Spider-Man #1, 1995)

Pat Olliffe: co-creator of Jason Ionello, a student at Midtown High School (Untold Tales of Spider-Man #1, 1995)

Salvador Larroca: co-creator of Tony Stark and Pepper Potts as a couple (Invincible Iron Man #15, 2009)

Matt Fraction: co-creator of Tony Stark and Pepper Potts as a couple (Invincible Iron Man #15, 2009)

Mike Deodato Jr.: co-creator of Tony Stark mentoring Peter Parker (Amazing Spider-Man #519, 2005)

Adi Granov: creator of Iron Man armor design (Iron Man #75, 2004)

Bob Layton: co-creator of James "Rhodey" Rhodes, pilot and friend of Tony Stark (Iron Man #118, 1979)

David Michelinie: co-creator of James "Rhodey" Rhodes, pilot and friend of Tony Stark (Iron Man #118, 1979)

Don Rico: co-creator of the Black Widow, a black-clad spy (Tales of Suspense #52, 1964)

George Perez: co-creator of half of all people blinking out of existence (Infinity Gauntlet #1, 1991)

Ron Lim: co-creator of the disappeared people being brought back (Infinity Gauntlet #6, 1991)

Gabriele Dell'Otto: co-creator of Maria Hill, next in line to command S.H.I.E.L.D. (Secret War #5, 2005)

Alan Moore: co-creator of Earth referred to by the number "616" (Daredevils #7, 1983)

Alan Davis: co-creator of Earth referred to by the number "616" (Daredevils #7, 1983)

Peter David: co-creator of Talos, a Skrull warrior (Incredible Hulk #418, 1994)

Gary Frank: co-creator of Talos, a Skrull warrior (Incredible Hulk #418, 1994)

Kelly Sue DeConnick: co-creator of Carol Danvers as Captain Marvel (Captain Marvel #1, 2012)

Dexter Soy: co-creator of Carol Danvers as Captain Marvel (Captain Marvel #1, 2012)

Leinil Francis Yu: co-creator of the Skrulls arriving on Earth as refugees (Secret Invasion #1, 2008)

Mike Allred: co-creator of Nick Fury as an African-American man (Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #5, 2001)

Paul Ryan: co-creator of Spider-Man as an Avenger (Avengers #316, 1990)

Gene Colan: co-creator of a super hero named Captain Marvel (Marvel Super-Heroes #12, 1967)

Ross Andru: co-creator of Spider-Man battling a cyclone-generating super-villain (Amazing Spider-Man #143, 1975)

Gerry Conway: co-creator of Spider-Man battling a cyclone-generating super-villain (Amazing Spider-Man #143, 1975)

Mark Bagley: co-creator of Nick Fury becoming a mentor to teenaged Peter Parker (Ultimate Spider-Man #100, 2006)

Tom DeFalco: co-creator of Spider-Man wearing a black costume (Amazing Spider-Man #252, 1984)

Ron Frenz: co-creator of Spider-Man wearing a black costume (Amazing Spider-Man #252, 1984)

Chris Claremont: co-creator of Spider-Man teaming up with Nick Fury (Marvel Team-Up #83, 1979)

Sal Buscema: co-creator of Spider-Man teaming up with Nick Fury (Marvel Team-Up #83, 1979)

Spider-Man: Homecoming creator credits

I've finally seen last year's Spider-Man: Homecoming and I'm ready to talk about the various people seen in that film. Did I miss someone? Let me know in the comments.

Stan Lee: co-creator of Spider-Man, Peter Parker, a teenage super hero garbed in red and blue with a red webbing design, spider emblem on chest, lenses in his mask and webbing in his armpits; Peter gaining his powers from a radioactive spider bite; Spider-Man swinging around on webbing fired from his web-shooters and climbing up walls; Peter designing his own web-shooters and web fluid; Spider-Man motivated to use his powers to help others; Peter's aunt May Parker, who is not aware of Peter's double life; of Flash Thompson, a student who bullies Peter; of Liz Allan, one of Peter's classmates and a romantic interest; of Seymour, one of Peter's classmates; of Sally, one of Peter's classmates (Amazing Fantasy #15, 1962); of Peter Parker's interest in photography (Amazing Spider-Man #1, 1962); of Adrian Toomes, alias the Vulture, a thief who wears a high-tech flight guide equipped with wings and battles Spider-Man; of the Tinkerer, a master inventor who opposes Spider-Man; of Mr. Cobbwell, a professor who mentors Peter Parker (Amazing Spider-Man #2, 1962); of Spider-Man's spider-signal flashlight (Amazing Spider-Man #3, 1963); of Betty Brant, a reporter in New York (Amazing Spider-Man #4, 1963); of Spider-Man's webbing dissolving after an elapse of time (Amazing Spider-Man #6, 1963); of Spider-Man forming a parachute with his webbing; of the Parkers living in Queens (Amazing Spider-Man #7, 1963); of Montana, a criminal who battles Spider-Man (Amazing Spider-Man #10, 1964); of Spider-Man using spider-shaped tracers to track his enemies (Amazing Spider-Man #11, 1964); of Spider-Man calling himself a 'friendly neighborhood' Spider-Man (Amazing Spider-Man #17, 1964); of Ned, an associate of Peter Parker (Amazing Spider-Man #18, 1964); of Mac Gargan, a criminal who encounters Spider-Man (Amazing Spider-Man #20, 1965); of Liz's mother Doris (Amazing Spider-Man #28, 1965); of Spider-Man struggling to hold back an immense load (Amazing Spider-Man #33, 1966); of the Shocker, a criminal equipped with technology which generates powerful vibrations, battles Spider-Man (Amazing Spider-Man #46, 1967); of the Prowler, an African-American thief (Amazing Spider-Man #78, 1969); of the Avengers testing Spider-Man for membership, Spider-Man refusing to join (Amazing Spider-Man Annual #3, 1966); of the Avengers, a team of super heroes who include Iron Man, Hulk and Thor (Avengers #1, 1963); of Captain America as an Avenger; of Captain America frozen in ice until modern times (Avengers #4, 1964); of Black Panther, a black costumed super hero (Fantastic Four #52, 1966); of Vibranium, a near-indestructible metal (Fantastic Four #53, 1966); of Bruce Banner, a famous scientist and the monstrous Hulk (Incredible Hulk #1, 1962); of Thor, Norse god of thunder, garbed in blue with a red cape and magic hammer (Journey into Mystery #83, 1962); of Thor's magic belt of strength (Journey into Mystery #91, 1963); of the Howling Commandos, a World War II combat unit (Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos #1, 1963); of Tony Stark, a wealthy industrialist whose Iron Man armor grants him superhuman strength, flight and special weapons (Tales of Suspense #39, 1963); of Pepper Potts, Tony Stark's secretary and romantic interest; Happy Hogan, a former boxer turned chauffeur and bodyguard to Tony Stark; Stark Industries, Tony's technology company (Tales of Suspense #45, 1963); of Iron Man wearing red & gold armor (Tales of Suspense #48, 1963); of the Black Widow, a black-clad spy (Tales of Suspense #52, 1964); of Hawkeye, an expert archer with a variety of trick arrows; of Iron Man's repulsor ray weapons (Tales of Suspense #57, 1964); of the Super-Soldier Serum's creator being named Abraham Erskine (Tales of Suspense #63, 1965); of Ant-Man's identity as the enormous, super-strong Giant-Man (Tales to Astonish #49, 1963)

Steve Ditko: co-creator of Spider-Man, Peter Parker, a teenage super hero garbed in red and blue with a red webbing design, spider emblem on chest, lenses in his mask and webbing in his armpits; Peter gaining his powers from a radioactive spider bite; Spider-Man swinging around on webbing fired from his web-shooters and climbing up walls; Peter designing his own web-shooters and web fluid; Spider-Man motivated to use his powers to help others; Peter's aunt May Parker, who is not aware of Peter's double life; of Flash Thompson, a student who bullies Peter; of Liz Allan, one of Peter's classmates and a romantic interest; of Seymour, one of Peter's classmates; of Sally, one of Peter's classmates (Amazing Fantasy #15, 1962); of Peter Parker's interest in photography (Amazing Spider-Man #1, 1962); of Adrian Toomes, alias the Vulture, a thief who wears a high-tech flight guide equipped with wings and battles Spider-Man; of the Tinkerer, a master inventor who opposes Spider-Man; of Mr. Cobbwell, a professor who mentors Peter Parker (Amazing Spider-Man #2, 1962); of Spider-Man's spider-signal flashlight (Amazing Spider-Man #3, 1963); of Betty Brant, a reporter in New York (Amazing Spider-Man #4, 1963); of Spider-Man's webbing dissolving after an elapse of time (Amazing Spider-Man #6, 1963); of Spider-Man forming a parachute with his webbing; of the Parkers living in Queens (Amazing Spider-Man #7, 1963); of Montana, a criminal who battles Spider-Man (Amazing Spider-Man #10, 1964); of Spider-Man using spider-shaped tracers to track his enemies (Amazing Spider-Man #11, 1964); of Spider-Man calling himself a 'friendly neighborhood' Spider-Man (Amazing Spider-Man #17, 1964); of Ned, an associate of Peter Parker (Amazing Spider-Man #18, 1964); of Mac Gargan, a criminal who encounters Spider-Man (Amazing Spider-Man #20, 1965); of Liz's mother Doris (Amazing Spider-Man #28, 1965); of Spider-Man struggling to hold back an immense load (Amazing Spider-Man #33, 1966); of Iron Man wearing red & gold armor (Tales of Suspense #48, 1963)

Jack Kirby: co-creator of the Avengers, a team of super heroes who include Iron Man, Hulk and Thor (Avengers #1, 1963; of Captain America as an Avenger; of Captain America frozen in ice until modern times (Avengers #4, 1964); of Captain America, Steve Rogers, a patriotic super hero garbed in a red, white and blue costume with 'A' on forehead and stars & stripes on his chest; of the scientist whose serum empowers Captain America (Captain America Comics #1, 1941); of Captain America's mask being fastened to his costume; of Captain America's round, red and white shield with star in its center (Captain America Comics #2, 1941); of Black Panther, a black costumed super hero (Fantastic Four #52, 1966); of Vibranium, a near-indestructible metal (Fantastic Four #53, 1966); of Bruce Banner, a famous scientist and the monstrous Hulk (Incredible Hulk #1, 1962); of Thor, Norse god of thunder, garbed in blue with a red cape and magic hammer (Journey into Mystery #83, 1962); of the Howling Commandos, a World War II combat unit (Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos #1, 1963); of Tony Stark, a wealthy industrialist whose Iron Man armor grants him superhuman strength, flight and special weapons (Tales of Suspense #39, 1963); of Iron Man wearing red & gold armor (Tales of Suspense #48, 1963); of the Super-Soldier Serum's creator being named Abraham Erskine (Tales of Suspense #63, 1965); of Ant-Man's identity as the enormous, super-strong Giant-Man (Tales to Astonish #49, 1963)

Don Heck: co-creator of Tony Stark, a wealthy industrialist whose Iron Man armor grants him superhuman strength, flight and special weapons (Tales of Suspense #39, 1963); of Pepper Potts, Tony Stark's secretary and romantic interest; Happy Hogan, a former boxer turned chauffeur and bodyguard to Tony Stark; Stark Industries, Tony's technology company (Tales of Suspense #45, 1963); of the Black Widow, a black-clad spy (Tales of Suspense #52, 1964); of Hawkeye, an expert archer with a variety of trick arrows; of Iron Man's repulsor ray weapons (Tales of Suspense #57, 1964)

Joe Simon: co-creator of Captain America, Steve Rogers, a patriotic super hero garbed in a red, white and blue costume with 'A' on forehead and stars & stripes on his chest; of the scientist whose serum empowers Captain America (Captain America Comics #1, 1941); of Captain America's mask being fastened to his costume; of Captain America's round, red and white shield with star in its center (Captain America Comics #2, 1941)

Len Kaminski: co-creator of the War Machine armor, a suit of Iron Man armor colored silver and grey and outfitted with heavy weaponry, including a shoulder-mounted canon (Iron Man #281, 1992); of the War Machine armor being worn by James Rhodes with a unibeam designed for its chest (Iron Man #284, 1992); of Iron Man using modular attachments to his armor to create a larger suit better able to fight the Hulk (Iron Man #304, 1994)

Kevin Hopgood: co-creator of the War Machine armor, a suit of Iron Man armor colored silver and grey and outfitted with heavy weaponry, including a shoulder-mounted canon (Iron Man #281, 1992); of the War Machine armor being worn by James Rhodes with a unibeam designed for its chest (Iron Man #284, 1992); of Iron Man using modular attachments to his armor to create a larger suit better able to fight the Hulk (Iron Man #304, 1994)

J. Michael Straczynski: co-creator of Mr. Harrington, a staff member at Midtown High School (Amazing Spider-Man #32, 2001); of May Parker finding out her nephew Peter is Spider-Man (Amazing Spider-Man #35, 2001); of Tony Stark mentoring Peter Parker (Amazing Spider-Man #519, 2005); of Tony Stark building a new costume for Spider-Man (Amazing Spider-Man #529, 2006)

Mark Millar: co-creator of Iron Man and Captain America taking opposing sides on the issue of super heroes being registered by the government (Civil War #1, 2006); the Triskelion, S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters (Ultimates #1, 2002); of the Chitauri, an extraterrestrial army who battle the Avengers (Ultimates #8, 2002)

John Buscema: co-creator of the Prowler, an African-American thief (Amazing Spider-Man #78, 1969); of Ultron, the Avengers' enemy, a robot (Avengers #54, 1968); of Vision, an android Avenger with phasing powers (Avengers #57, 1968); of Quinjets, the personal aircraft of the Avengers (Avengers #61, 1969)

Dwayne McDuffie: co-creator of Damage Control's connection to Tony Stark (Damage Control #3, 1989); of Anne Marie Hoag, head of Damage Control, an organization which cleans up the debris following battles between superhumans (Marvel Age Annual #4, 1988)

Ernie Colon: co-creator of Damage Control's connection to Tony Stark (Damage Control #3, 1989); of Anne Marie Hoag, head of Damage Control, an organization which cleans up the debris following battles between superhumans (Marvel Age Annual #4, 1988)

Larry Lieber: co-creator of Thor's magic belt of strength (Journey into Mystery #91, 1963); of Tony Stark, a wealthy industrialist whose Iron Man armor grants him superhuman strength, flight and special weapons (Tales of Suspense #39, 1963)

Robert Bernstein: co-creator of Pepper Potts, Tony Stark's secretary and romantic interest; Happy Hogan, a former boxer turned chauffeur and bodyguard to Tony Stark; Stark Industries, Tony's technology company (Tales of Suspense #45, 1963)

Mark Gruenwald: creator of Herman Scultz's name (Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe #10, 1983); of Jackson Brice's name (Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Deluxe Edition #4, 1986)

Brian Michael Bendis: co-creator of Stark Tower, the downtown Manhattan headquarters of the Avengers (New Avengers #3, 2005); of Aaron Davis, who steals advanced technology (Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man #1, 2011)

Steve McNiven: co-creator of Iron Man and Captain America taking opposing sides on the issue of super heroes being registered by the government (Civil War #1, 2006)

John Romita: co-creator of the Shocker, a criminal equipped with technology which generates powerful vibrations, battles Spider-Man (Amazing Spider-Man #46, 1967); of the Avengers testing Spider-Man for membership, Spider-Man refusing to join (Amazing Spider-Man Annual #3, 1966)

Roy Thomas: co-creator of Ultron, the Avengers' enemy, a robot (Avengers #54, 1968); of Vision, an android Avenger with phasing powers (Avengers #57, 1968); of Quinjets, the personal aircraft of the Avengers (Avengers #61, 1969); of Jim Morita, a World War II Nisei soldier who fought alongside the Howling Commandos (Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos #38, 1967)

Dick Ayers: co-creator of Jim Morita, a World War II Nisei soldier who fought alongside the Howling Commandos (Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos #38, 1967)

Ryan Odagawa: co-creator of Friday, an artificial intelligence used by Iron Man which has a feminine personality (Iron Man #53, 2002)

Mike Grell: co-creator of Friday, an artificial intelligence used by Iron Man which has a feminine personality (Iron Man #53, 2002)

Ross Andru: co-creator of the Tinkerer supplying new and repaired technology to super-criminals (Amazing Spider-Man #160, 1976)

Len Wein: co-creator of the Tinkerer supplying new and repaired technology to super-criminals (Amazing Spider-Man #160, 1976)

David Finch: co-creator of Stark Tower, the downtown Manhattan headquarters of the Avengers (New Avengers #3, 2005)

John Romita Jr.: co-creator of Mr. Harrington, a staff member at Midtown High School (Amazing Spider-Man #32, 2001); of May Parker finding out her nephew Peter is Spider-Man (Amazing Spider-Man #35, 2001)

Kurt Busiek: co-creator of Jason Ionello and Tiny, students at Midtown High School (Untold Tales of Spider-Man #1, 1995)

Pat Olliffe: co-creator of Jason Ionello and Tiny, students at Midtown High School (Untold Tales of Spider-Man #1, 1995)

Sara Pichelli: co-creator of Aaron Davis, who steals advanced technology (Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man #1, 2011)

Bryan Hitch: co-creator of the Triskelion, S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters (Ultimates #1, 2002); of the Chitauri, an extraterrestrial army who battle the Avengers (Ultimates #8, 2002)

Salvador Larroca: co-creator of Tony Stark and Pepper Potts as a couple (Invincible Iron Man #15, 2009)

Matt Fraction: co-creator of Tony Stark and Pepper Potts as a couple (Invincible Iron Man #15, 2009)

Mike Deodato Jr.: co-creator of Tony Stark mentoring Peter Parker (Amazing Spider-Man #519, 2005)

Bill Mantlo: co-creator of Seymour's name (Amazing Spider-Man Annual #17, 1983)

Ed Hannigan: co-creator of Seymour's name (Amazing Spider-Man Annual #17, 1983)

Mark Bagley: co-creator of Spider-Man wearing a hoodie (Spider-Man #52, 1994)

Howard Mackie: co-creator of Spider-Man wearing a hoodie (Spider-Man #52, 1994)

Tom Lyle: co-creator of Spider-Man wearing a hoodie (Spider-Man #52, 1994)

James Hudnall: co-creator of Phineas Mason's real name (The Agent, 1989)

John Ridgway: co-creator of Phineas Mason's real name (The Agent, 1989)

Adi Granov: creator of Iron Man armor design (Iron Man #75, 2004)

Luke McDonnell: oc-creator of Iron Man's ability to control his armors remotely (Iron Man #174, 1983)

Dennis O'Neil: oc-creator of Iron Man's ability to control his armors remotely (Iron Man #174, 1983)

Joe Sinnott: co-creator of Thor's magic belt of strength (Journey into Mystery #91, 1963)

Bob Layton: co-creator of James "Rhodey" Rhodes, pilot and friend of Tony Stark (Iron Man #118, 1979)

John Byrne: co-creator of James "Rhodey" Rhodes, pilot and friend of Tony Stark (Iron Man #118, 1979)

David Michelinie: co-creator of James "Rhodey" Rhodes, pilot and friend of Tony Stark (Iron Man #118, 1979)

Don Rico: co-creator of the Black Widow, a black-clad spy (Tales of Suspense #52, 1964)

Peter David: co-creator of Spider-Man struggling to travel in the suburbs without high buildings to sling from (Amazing Spider-Man #267, 1985)

Bob McLeod: co-creator of Spider-Man struggling to travel in the suburbs without high buildings to sling from (Amazing Spider-Man #267, 1985)

Free Comic Book Day 2016 Roundup

I didn't bother going to the comic shop for Free Comic Book Day in 2015 because I felt I'd rather wait for the year's offerings to turn up on Comixology rather than brave the FCBD crowds. But otherwise, I've been out for Free Comic Book Day almost every year since the first one. My preferred shop offers two FCBD offerings for free per customer, $0.25 for additional comics. I came away with six books; here's what I thought:

The Invincible Haggard West #101 by Paul Pope (First Second).

This is actually a comic book from 2013 which sold for $2.99, but I guess there was a lot of overstock. Free Comic Book Day is actually a good venue for this comic - it's the opening sequence from Paul Pope's graphic novel Battling Boy, telling the final adventure of Haggard West, whose death has reprecussions on the rest of the book. The only thing wrong with this comic was its original cover price; since the entirety of the contents were in Battling Boy, the publisher was basically banking on getting Paul Pope fans to buy something twice. As a free book (or if it had been priced at $1 or lower) it's appropriate as a preview comic - it will make you (hopefully) want to pick up Battling Boy to have the rest of the story. I've already read Battling Boy, but I judged that $0.25 for some Paul Pope was a good deal.

Free Comic Book Day 2016: General (great title there) by Chris Roberson, Stephen Byrne, Mike Mignola, Richard Corben, Brian Wood and Tristan Jones (Dark Horse Comics).

This poorly-named comic contains three original short stories to advertise three ongoing Dark Horse properties. These are Serenity by Roberson & Byrne, Hellboy by Mignola & Corben and Aliens by Wood & Jones. Aliens did not interest me, but Serenity and Hellboy are properties I've enjoyed in the past. The Serenity tale is given the cover along with Joss Whedon's name (he's "executive producer," whatever that means in terms of comic book production; guys, you probably don't need his name to sell a free comic). It's a harmless bit of fluff where River tells a bedtime story to Zoe's daughter about the crew's adventures in the style of a fairy tale. If you already know Firefly/Serenity then it brings nothing new to the table, but it's a good bit of pandering. The Hellboy story involves a young Hellboy deciding to check out a cursed mirror his father told him about and that turns out to be a bad idea. Corben draws some great monsters.

The Tick: Free Comic Book Day 2016 by Jeff McClelland, Duane Redhead and Ian Nichols (New England Comics).

It's hard to go wrong with the Tick; although series creator Ben Edlund has long since moved on, the character is still a lot of fun. This book is easily the best value of all the FCDB titles I picked up as it contains three complete stories. The first two involve the Tick dealing with the problem of various alternate reality versions of himself appearing in the City, while the 3rd story involves "Tickfest," the Tick's first convention (which is actually a trap set by a super-villain). It's entirely suitable for kids or adults with plenty of fun lines of dialogue: "Reality and I have never been great allies, I suppose."

FCBD: March by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell (IDW/Top Shelf).

I've heard many complimentary things about March, the graphic novel adaptation (in 3 volumes) of John Lewis' participation in the civil rights movement. This book collects an example from each volume, together giving a good impression of the scope of Lewis' tale. I certainly do intend to get around to reading March one of these days.

Rom #0 by Chris Ryall, Christos Gage, David Messina, John Barber and Chris Evenhuis (IDW).

IDW has recently picked up the licenses to the Micronauts and Rom, two toy properties whose comic books were produced by Marvel, but everything Marvel invented remains with that company. Can Rom work without Marvel's involvement? I dunno. For some reason IDW has redesigned Rom, taking away his sleekness, making him look bulkier. His distinctive pointy-feet have been turned into normal boots, his mitten-hands are now normal gauntlets and his neutralizer looks completely different. It's the same set up (Ultimate Rom, as it were) with Rom battling the Dire Wraiths. I thought the Dire Wraiths belonged to Marvel, but perhaps the toy company owned the name? Anyway, these Wraiths don't use any of the previous Marvel designs, instead going for an H.R. Giger Alien look. Once again, Rom comes to Earth to stop the Dire Wraiths; this time he'll do it in a clumsier costume and opposite a completely different supporting cast (not introduced here). I think I can safely say this isn't for me - I'm not interested in Ultimate Rom and thought writer Ryall's earlier creator-owned book Onyx was already a decent enough revisiting of the Rom mythos.

Free Comic Book Day 2016 (Captain America)#1 by Nick Spencer, Jesus Saiz, Dan Slott and Javier Garron (Marvel Comics).

Like so many of Marvel's FCBD offerings, this one previews some upcoming stories. Captain America gets the headline treatment because of his new movie and it features him battling Hydra alongside Sharon, the Falcon (who is also Captain America) and another Falcon (who is not Sam Wilson; comics, everyone!). Meanwhile, a Spider-Man story pits him against people who have mysteriously returned from the dead, something which happens every single dang month in comic books, but one assumes it's different this time. I'm still happy to remain on the outside of Marvel and not go back the ol' MU - too many memories. But these are decent previews. If I were still reading super heroes, I'd be following that Spider-Man story.

Young Fears 16: The Bride of Dracula

Each October I like to run a series of Halloween-themed posts on this blog. All this month, I'll be telling anecdotes about things which frightened me while growing up.

Strange as it may sound, I didn't really enjoy Marvel super-heroes while growing up - I much preferred the DC heroes. Still, I would entertain just about any super hero with a TV show so I tried to catch Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends whenever possible. More than any other Marvel program of the 80s, it opened up the paths and byways of the Marvel Universe to characters who were otherwise unfamiliar to non-comic book readers.

In one such episode, "The Bride of Dracula!", that proved to include Dracula himself (seen performing his Elvis routine above), who was, naturally, a Marvel Universe resident. Here, he attempted to seduce Firestar (just as he'd targeted Storm in X-Men #159) and brought along the Frankenstein Monster and a Wolfman. This was the first big monster team-up I can recall seeing and the sight of the Wolfman particularly creeped me out because of my earlier fright at the Lon Chaney, Jr. film. Sure, this episode's adventure turns out be "just a dream," but that didn't make the monsters any less scary to my sensitive soul.

At least the DC super heroes would never insert monsters into their cartoons. Or so I thought.

Missing the mark on Hawkeye in less than three pages

Hawkeye is a fun character. Amongst the Avengers he is one of the physically weakest members, yet the character is traditionally portrayed as holding a bottomless supply of bravado (if not a bottomless quiver of arrows). He's brash, cocky and often a loudmouth who disputes the authority of others. He first joined the Avengers as a hothead who would question Captain America's right to lead the team during their downtime, but over the years he developed - if not a friendship - a high regard for Cap's leadership. Over time, Hawkeye himself honed his leadership skills with the West Coast Avengers and Thunderbolts. He retained his flippant sense of humour but had become a true team player (now that he was finally the one calling the shots).

Allow me now to take you back in time to a scene from Avenging Spider-Man #4 (2012) by Zeb Wells and Greg Land:

Above you see an archery expo suddenly interrupted by Hawkeye's arrows as he ruins the expo for all the participants. Although Hawkeye's loud personality clashes with others, he tends to seek out targets which, to his mind, deserve it; in what way has this expo offended him? As an archer, why would he look down on others for practicing the same skill he enjoys?

But the worst is yet to come as a young male archer asks Hawkeye to autograph his bow.

Hawkeye: "Wha--? A compound bow? Ugh..."
Boy: "My Dad got it for me."
Hawkeye: "Has he always wished you were a girl or something?"

The line between loveable rogue and misogynistic prick needn't be crossed so easily, but by gar, Zeb Wells found a way there by page three! To put this in very simple terms: Hawkeye's characterization can be thought of as "Han Solo with a bow;" writing him as "Ken Titus with a bow" is a horrible mistake. The entire sequence rests on the idea that Hawkeye is someone who "punches down," which is neither funny nor in keeping with his past characterization.

Does Hawkeye look down on the female gender? No, not based on his relationships with formidable women such as the Black Widow, Mockingbird and Moonstone.

Is Hawkeye even someone who disparages compound bows? No, he's used them in past (one is shown in his arsenal in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition, above). In fact, since the character's 2007 resurrection he's used the compound much more frequently than at any other time in his history.

Many archers in the real world do disparage the compound bow; they (usually) find a way to do so without insulting children, fathers or the female gender. Or disrupt archery expos.

Let's tally up!

• Characterization: 0
• Continuity: 0
• Gender politics: -5

Let's see... carry the one... that's going on the permanent record. Gentlemen: think about what you've done.

Why do I like super heroes?

Last week I began preparing what would have been a series of posts about why I stopped reading, supporting and working for Marvel Comics. However, after looking over my first draft I felt disappointed in myself; there's no derth of upset comic book fans raging at how the industry has failed to live up to their standards and this attempted post was just another grain of sand on the beach.
Therefore, in the interest of producing something positive to say about the super hero genre, I asked myself: why exactly did I invest so much emotion into these characters?

While Jim Salicrup was editor of Captain America in the early 1980s, he pointed to the above panel from Avengers#4 (1964) by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby as a defining characterization of Captain America. Captain America is facing the Sub-Mariner in combat, an antagonist whose superhuman strength places him well above Cap's own human strength level. Cap is canny enough to realize how outclassed he is, but remains confident in his ability to win the fight. "He's stronger than me -- but I'll find a way to outmaneuver him!"

This scene has been echoed by other writers through the years and it's often invoked at moments of extreme cosmic peril. For instance, take the Avengers#177 (1978) by Jim Shooter & Dave Wenzel. In this, the climax of the lengthy Korvac Saga, the godlike Michael Korvac quickly plows through the Avengers' ranks, killing each member regardless of their might; in the midst of this, Captain America enters the fray and briefly holds his own against Korvac. "Or maybe you don't even count me -- because I'm just a man? Hear that, Mike? This is no god hitting you -- no super-man! Just a man! It doesn't matter how strong you are! I'll find a way to stop you! I'll find a way!" This brief turn of events ends as Korvac strikes Cap through a wall with so much force that it kills him. Later, of course, all of the Avengers are brought back to life.

Years later in Infinity Gauntlet#4 (1991) by Jim Starlin, Ron Lim & George Perez, the all-powerful Thanos battles what few heroes remain after he's already killed 50% of the universe. The entire fight is a joke; Thanos is in no real jeopardy and engages the heroes only to divert himself and hopefully win the favour of Death, herself. After Thanos kills most of the heroes, only Captain America is left standing. Even with so little hope of victory, Cap fights to the end: "As long as one man stands against you, Thanos, you'll never be able to claim victory. I've lived my life by those sentiments. They're well worth dying for." Captain America does indeed die (after landing one punch across Thanos' jaw), but is later brought back to life.
Why do I like Captain America? Because he struggles against superior forces, heedless of the cost.

Look also to Tales of Suspense#59 (1964) by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby. A gang of ten heavily armed criminals (one wearing Iron Man-like armour) break into Avengers Mansion and find Captain America is the only Avenger present. They assume they can handle just one Avenger - the only Avenger without super powers - but he proves to be more than a match for them. After he defeats the gang, Cap can only remark: "But it's lucky you broke in while I was on duty! If any of the other Avengers were here, you might have gotten hurt! They're really tough!"
Why do I like Captain America? Because he's humble.

In one of the best Avengers stories of them all, Baron Zemo leads a version of the Masters of Evil whose members both outnumber and overpower the Avengers' own. By the events of Avengers#274 (1986) by Roger Stern & John Buscema, the Black Knight has been beaten unconscious, Captain Marvel has been exiled to another dimension, Hercules has been beaten to the point of death and Captain America has been captured, leaving only the Wasp at liberty. Zemo lets his wrath get the better of him as he kicks the bound-up Captain America in the face, gloating he'll finally get revenge on Cap for supposedly killing his father. As he lies helplessly on the floor, bleeding from the mouth, Captain America tells Zemo he hasn't won yet... not while the Wasp is free. And he's right: the Wasp eventually returns to rescue the captured Avengers and round up Zemo's forces.
Why do I like Captain America? Because he believes in his friends.

During the days when Captain America was romantically involved with Diamondback, a former costumed criminal who was inspired to reform by his good example, Diamondback was nearly murdered by her enemy Snapdragon. Traumatized by the episode, Diamondback eventually tracked down Snapdragon and seemingly killed her. After struggling with this secret for more than a year, Diamondback finally confessed what she'd done to Cap in Captain America#424 (1994) by Mark Gruenwald and Phil Gosier. Diamondback thinks Cap could "never love a murderer," but he promises to first, ascertain if Snapdragon is dead and second, get Diamondback the best legal aid possible. He fully intends to help Diamondback redeem herself for the attempt on Snapdragon's life. "I can't presume to judge you. I don't know what you went through. But I do know you're basically a good person. You've more than earned my support."
Why do I like Captain America? Because he supports his loved ones and doesn't judge them, even when they've fallen short.

One of Stan Lee & Steve Ditko's best multiple part stories was a lengthy Doctor Strange arc where his foes Baron Mordo & Dormammu joined forces against him. With Mordo's spies found across the globe, Strange is constantly in danger as he searches for the means to combat Mordo & Dormammu. In Strange Tales#135 (1965), Strange's journey brings him to England, where he asks Mordo's former agent Sir Baskerville for help. However, Baskerville is secretly still an agent of Mordo. He contacts his master and Mordo teleports a minion to Baskerville's castle to destroy Dr. Strange. When Baskerville and the minion return to ambush Strange, they find he's gone, but a suit of armour suddenly comes to life. Believing Strange is inside the armour, the minion attacks it and pursues it through a passageway... right into the path of Dr. Strange, who defeats the minion with a single punch to the gut. How did Strange animate the armour? Simple: he placed his cloak of levitation inside.
Why do I like Doctor Strange? Because he wins fights not through superior power, but superior tactics.

My personal favourite comic book is Doctor Strange#55 (1982) by Roger Stern & Michael Golden. After his lover Clea breaks up with him, Strange is so despondent that his psyche breaks down; it's dangerous for a sorcerer to lose control of his senses because he can't tell what's real and what's being conjured by his subconsciousness. In a moment of anger, Strange wishes he'd "never learned the ways of magic." At this point, a spirit appears and claims his wish has been granted. Strange is soon thrust into a horrible, nightmarish world in which the super hero Doctor Strange... is just a fictional character who appears in comic books. Confronted with this horrible reality - one we readers know is all too true - Strange is coerced to commit suicide as the ultimate escape from reality. Although tempted, Strange finally refuses and fights back against the forces trying to destroy his life.
Why do I like Doctor Strange? Because in the depths of despair, he chooses life over death.

Much has been made of Stan Lee & Steve Ditko's "Final Chapter" story from Amazing Spider-Man, particularly the moment where Spider-Man lifts an immense burden off his back. Personally, there's another moment I like at least as much in Amazing Spider-Man#33 (1966): while trying to escape the fortress of Doctor Octopus and bring a life-saving serum to his Aunt May, Spider-Man is confronted by a gang comprising eight of Dr. Octopus' men. The hero is weary from his struggles, nearly delirious, but flies into battle with them. Without any grace or form, he swings wildly at his foes; the batle goes on for 2.5 pages as the henchmen hold their own for a time. Moments later, Spider-Man is startled to discover he's defeated all of his opponents without realizing it.
Why do I like Spider-Man? Because he's stronger than he thinks he is.
I could carry on, but I hope you've enjoyed this little list.

The case for motion lines, exhibit a

From Ultimate Spider-Man#8, page 15, by Brian Michael Bendis & Sara Pichelli:

On this page, Spider-Man sees a number of metal rings in the air; in the fourth panel, he has to duck to avoid one of them. On the following page, we learn these rings are being hurled through the air by the Ringer.

The problem with this page is that there's no sense of what the rings are or what they're doing. Are they flying through the air? Are they falling from the sky? Are they hovering in place? The only panel where the rings' nature is established is panel 4, when Spider-Man ducks one of them. Here, Pichelli realizes she needs to add motion lines for the action to make sense (if Spider-Man were ducking a seemingly stationary object it would be confusing).

This fourth panel sums up exactly what the other four panels on the page are missing: motion lines. Without the motion lines, we don't understand where the rings are coming from, what path they're following as they travel or how quickly they're moving. Is Spider-Man in danger? Are the civilians in danger? We'd know if the motion lines had been used in panels 1-3 & 5. As it is, the rings appear as threatening as soap bubbles.

Comic book makers: don't be ashamed of motion lines! These, and other such tools belonging to the language of comic books, are in your toolbox for a reason - to be used! "They don't have motion lines in movies" is not a valid defense.

Great Moments in Newspaper Copy

Boy, just imagine the headlines after Harry Osborn says something! I can see it now: "Harry Osborn Has Said Something." Print journalism ain't dead, brother!

(Taken from Amazing Spider-Man Presents: American Son#3 by Brian Reed & Philipe Briones)

Considering 2010: Comics

During 2010 the flow of comic books into my home took on a crazed life of its own. Marvel themselves provided me with a hefty supply of titles, but I also bought into plenty of graphic novels and continued to branch out into other publishers' work.

So, I think it makes the most sense to divvy up 2010 into what I most enjoyed from Marvel...and everything else.

MARVEL

Many years ago (before I was a freelancer) I toyed with the idea of telling the story behind Jeff Mace, the man who (via retcons) served as Captain America circa 1946-1950. I was fascinated at the idea that he was a normal man filling in for a believed-dead hero at a time when no one (including readers) cared about super heroes. Fortunately, Karl Kesel has finally told this story in Captain America: Patriot and he hit on every point I wanted to see covered. This book hits the notes of continuity perfectly (which as a handbook writer I'm still impressed by), but I felt it also did a fine job of characterizing Mace and his personal struggles filling a role he didn't really want for people who don't really want him. Also, Kesel's Sub-Mariner is an absolute delight.

I'm constantly impressed at the work editor Stephen Wacker does on Amazing Spider-Man, employing some of my personal favourite writers (Mark Waid, Fred Van Lente, Roger Stern, Dan Slott) and teams of excellent artists, most notably Marcos Martin. In recent issues, I was stunned to find how much I enjoyed Humberto Ramos' art, having been disappointed with his work almost a decade ago. However I felt about the Ramos of 2001, the Ramos of 2010 is worth following!

As part of a research assignment, I went over Peter David's X-Factor, which I don't normally follow. I already knew some of the details of his most recent storylines, but it was eye-opening to read them for myself. In particular the X-Factor Special: Layla Miller which detailed the young mutant Layla surviving in a totalitarian future, X-Factor#39 with the birth of Jaime Madrox's son and X-Factor#40 featuring Madrox's grapple with life were some of the best stories of David's on this title.

Like so many on the internet, I loved Roger Langridge & Chris Samnee's Thor: the Mighty Avenger, sadly cancelled after a mere 8 issues. Written in a stand-alone continuity intended to bring in fans of the upcoming movie (who will, I guess, get to buy the trade paperback anyway), this is the best Thor comic I've read in about 15 years. The gentle humour and fun characterizations are part of what makes it so engaging, but more than anything it's that Langridge takes nothing for granted - nothing. He doesn't waste the reader's time and he doesn't invest in characters or scenes that aren't worth investing in. Every page and every panel matter to the story, so they matter to me.

Avengers Academy is Christos N. Gage's new series to replace Avengers: the Initiative. The concept - superhuman teenagers considered potential super villains being taught to be heroes by the Avengers - has endless potential. Although the series spun out of the Initiative it's actually the spritual successor to Brian K. Vaughn's Runaways as a series about teenagers grappling with their morality.

Even though Greg Pak returned to Incredible Hulk last year, I felt it wasn't up to the standards of Pak's earlier Planet Hulk or World War Hulk. Well, with an exception: Incredible Hulk#611 in which the Hulk battles his son Skaar led to an exceptional pay-off not only for readers of Pak's work, but for anyone who followed Bill Mantlo or Peter David's Hulk.

Fred Van Lente is always good (and needs to get his Comic Book Comics to ship regularly), but I felt his best work in 2010 was on the mini-series Shadowland: Power Man, featuring a teenager who adopts Luke Cage's old "Power Man" handle, along with Cage's old "Hero for Hire" job. Van Lente crafts a believable picture of life in Harlem...or, at least, the Marvel Universe version of Harlem where you're as likely to meet a ninja as anything.

...EVERYTHING ELSE

Sticking with super heroes, I've been giving Grant Morrison a sober second look lately by trying out some of his most esteemed work. So far that's included All-Star Superman, WE3 and the beginning of his Animal Man. I'm definitely learning to appreciate his writing, although I prefer him on stand-alone projects rather than his shared universe work at Marvel and DC. All-Star Superman has at least three panels which struck me with their visual, emotional power; I want to see more of his work. I blogged some more about WE3 here.

2010 was also the year I discovered Joe Sacco via Palestine, Safe Area Gorazde and Footnotes in Gaza. With all the flat-out fiction I read, it's nice to experience something of the real world in my comics. Sacco's work has done a lot to educate me on Israel and Bosnia and inspired me to learn more; it also helped inspire me to commit myself to a mission in Angola for 2011. After all the suffering I witnessed in Sacco's books, I felt the need to get overseas and help people. I blogged some more about Palestine here.

From Sacco I took an interest in How to Understand Israel in 60 Days or Less by Sarah Glidden. This is an autobiographical story where the author goes on a birthright trip to Israel and confronts her prejudices about the Israelis. She never really confronts the issues about Palestine which formed her beliefs so her story's finish is a letdown...but that's real life, eh?

After promising myself for years that I would delve into Stan Sakai's Usagi Yojimbo, I finally took the plunge in 2010 and it's been providing me with some of the most consistently enjoyable stories on my bookshelf. With more than 20 volumes of trade paperbacks in print Usagi seems daunting to outsiders, but as fans in the know promised me, you can start almost anywhere in the series and find the story easy to flow into; I'm currently devouring the snake at both ends, working my way through the trades in order while buying the new issues as they ship.

The concept of a cat-man who solves crimes sounds simplistic, right? It is. What isn't is the art of Juanjo Guarnido, whose ability to render a lush, verisimilitudinous "funny animal" version of 50s noir made Blacksad an instant favourite. The fact that John Blacksad has whiskers is a tool to catch your attention, and it certainly worked on me. I'm eager to see more of Blacksad as it's translated. I blogged some more about Blacksad (and Usagi Yojimbo) here.

James Turner's Warlord of Io seems to have run its (troubled) course, drifting from serialized print format to electronic-only to trade paperback. It's much more plot driven than Turner's earlier Rex Libris, but the plot - video game crazy Zing being named emperor but facing an immediate coup - serves to introduce all sorts of fun characters, situations and opportunities for Turner to flex his artistic muscles. I blogged some more about Warlord of Io here.

Two of my favourite humourous writers came out with projects in 2010: Jim Rugg with his blaxploitation satire Afrodisiac and Bryan Lee O'Malley with Scott Pilgrim's Finest Hour. Actually, while Afrodisiac is straight-up satire on every page (to the point where you can predict the outcomes - Afrodisiac gets every woman because every woman wants him; lather, wash, repeat), O'Malley's final Scott Pilgrim took itself with a smidge of seriousness when it came to Pilgrim and Ramona Flowers' relationship (as in the previous volume).

I took a gamble on American Born Chinese, but considering it had already won a few awards, it seemed like a safe bet. This book collects seemingly-unconnected tales about people who want to be something other than what they are (notably the titular Chinese-American protagonist). I can't know how growing up Asian in a mostly-white society feels, but I empathized with the feelings of otherness and ultimately, it's why I read fiction - to gain insight into other people's experiences.

For decades now, Batton Lash has been producing Supernatural Law - currently on the web - yet it's seldom brought up in comic book circles and the collections are difficult to locate. Happily, I found the volume Sonovawitch! in which Wolff & Byrd, Counselors of the Macabre, represent a man accused of bewitching a woman to love him. In reality, he's a victim of his witch mother, who just wants her son to get married. Sonovawitch! is just one of the stories collected in that trade but it's typical of Wolff & Byrd's misadventures; I look forward to finding the rest of the series.

Finally, I delved into two well-described titles by John Ostrander: Grimjack and the Spectre. The Grimjack Omnibus was a nice little tome with interesting mash-ups of detective, horror, science fiction and comedy; my favourite was a story where Grimjack was hired by a vampire to catch his killer. Ostrander's Spectre may be the best of his work I've read; over 60 issues he delves into Jim Corrigan, a murdered police man bound to the spirit of vengeance, cursed to combat evil until he understands it. Corrigan's journey through the series, particularly his grief at losing his closest mortal friend, a fight with Superman that's unlike any I'd seen before, the character's philosophical and theological discussions with the level-headed Father Craemer and that final issue, with Corrigan's funeral...seek out the Spectre; back issues can be difficult to locate, but it's well worth the effort.

Tomorrow: books!