tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post4434852062824675191..comments2024-03-27T19:04:14.544-05:00Comments on The Absorbascon: The Villainous TarotScipiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16217376618860561999noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-9148913403161050382008-06-13T14:19:00.000-05:002008-06-13T14:19:00.000-05:00Could this be one of the reasons The Spectre never...Could this be one of the reasons The Spectre never quite got off the ground? Even though interesting villains appear in his stories, they rarely survive to a second appearance.<BR/><BR/>Mocker: <BR/>Crime Lord: Gat Benson (1-time appearance)<BR/>Opposite Number: Azmodus / Zor / Eclipso<BR/>Twisted One: The American Scream (1-time appearance)<BR/>Mental Challenger: <BR/>Physical Challenger: Anti-Monitor (1-time appearance)<BR/>Gadgeteer: <BR/>Sexual Challenger: Madame Xanadu<BR/>Evil Genius: Beltane (1-time appearance)<BR/>Manipulator: ShaitanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-90686619234444740552008-06-13T12:25:00.000-05:002008-06-13T12:25:00.000-05:00And, just for fun, here's a Villainous Tarot on Bi...And, just for fun, here's a Villainous Tarot on Bill Clinton!<BR/><BR/>Mocker: Bill O'Reilly<BR/>Crime Lord: Newt Gingrich<BR/>Opposite Number: Al Gore<BR/>Twisted One: Hillary Clinton<BR/>Mental Challenger: Kenneth Starr<BR/>Physical Challenger: Ronald McDonald<BR/>Gadgeteer: Linda Tripp<BR/>Sexual Challenger: Monica Lewinski/Geniffer Flowers/Gina Gershon<BR/>Evil Genius: Karl Rove<BR/>Manipulator: Pat RobertsonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-36783755025691050552008-06-13T09:27:00.000-05:002008-06-13T09:27:00.000-05:00ThorMocker: The CrusaderCrime Lord: The Son of Odi...Thor<BR/>Mocker: The Crusader<BR/>Crime Lord: The Son of Odin is above such mortal concerns<BR/>Opposite Number: Executioner<BR/>Twisted One: Loki<BR/>Mental Challenger: ?<BR/>Physical Challenger: Absorbing Man<BR/>Gadgeteer: Grey Gargoyle<BR/>Sexual Challenger: Enchantress<BR/>Evil Genius: High Evolutionary<BR/>Manipulator: Loki againAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-71407638667739113602008-06-12T18:16:00.000-05:002008-06-12T18:16:00.000-05:00Don't forget Stilt-Man and Beetle, two more gadget...Don't forget Stilt-Man and Beetle, two more gadgeteers, and the circus of crime, a bunch of mocker-gadgeteers, for ol horn-head<BR/><BR/><BR/>And Thor's rogue gallery someone..David Weedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13875241394902488088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-71278737087309837492008-06-09T21:20:00.000-05:002008-06-09T21:20:00.000-05:00Another despute from contrary FLD:DAREDEVILMocker:...Another despute from contrary FLD:<BR/><BR/>DAREDEVIL<BR/>Mocker: The Jester<BR/>Crime Lord: The Owl<BR/>Opposite Number: The Punisher<BR/>Twisted One: Elektra<BR/>Mental Challenger: Bullseye<BR/>Physical Challenger: Gladiator<BR/>Gadgeteer: The Eel<BR/>Sexual Challenger: Typhoid Mary<BR/>Evil Genius: Kingpin<BR/>Manipulator: BullseyeDiabolu Frankhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04685199809207954223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-88586235752167764372008-06-09T20:39:00.000-05:002008-06-09T20:39:00.000-05:00How about for Optimus Prime:Megatron: opp number/p...How about for Optimus Prime:<BR/>Megatron: opp number/phys and mental challenger/ twisted one<BR/>Starscream: manipulator<BR/>circuit breaker: gadgeteer<BR/>Unicron: evil genius<BR/>sexual challenger/mocker: shia labeoufDavid Weedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13875241394902488088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-16639353610059839702008-06-09T20:35:00.000-05:002008-06-09T20:35:00.000-05:00The greatest hero from any universe, i present you...The greatest hero from any universe, i present you,<BR/>Rom, Spaceknight:<BR/><BR/>Manipulator: Galactus<BR/>Evil Genius: Gyrich<BR/>Twisted one: Hybrid<BR/>Sexual Challenger: Starshine aka Brandy Clark<BR/>Physical Challenger: Wraith-hounds<BR/>Mental Challenger: Dire Wraith (female)<BR/>Mocker: Dire Wraith (male)<BR/>Gadgeteer: the torpedo<BR/><BR/>has several opposite numbers, the other spaceknights who fight him towards the end of the series, ditko's run<BR/>yeah!David Weedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13875241394902488088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-55644531298539314182008-06-09T20:30:00.000-05:002008-06-09T20:30:00.000-05:00Daredevil's Rogues gallery winsBullseye - Twisted...Daredevil's Rogues gallery wins<BR/><BR/>Bullseye - Twisted one<BR/>Elektra - Mocker<BR/>Kingpin - Evil genius<BR/>Mephisto - Manipulator<BR/>Mr Hyde - physical challenger<BR/>The Owl - Crime Lord<BR/>Echo - Sexual Challenger<BR/>Leapfrog - gadgeteer<BR/><BR/>..who am i forgetting..David Weedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13875241394902488088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-90850234037956653222008-06-09T02:20:00.000-05:002008-06-09T02:20:00.000-05:00See and this is one of the reasons I've been enjoy...See and this is one of the reasons I've been enjoying Brand New Day. Marvel is, essentially, building a brand new Rogues gallery for Spidey. Sure most of them probably won't stick but at least they're giving Spidey a few guys who'll show up later.<BR/><BR/>Mocker: Screwball<BR/><BR/>Crime Lord: Mr. Negative<BR/><BR/>Twisted One: Paperdoll<BR/><BR/>Physical Challenger: Freak/Deity (Who I think is supposed to return?)<BR/><BR/>Gadgeteer: Menace<BR/><BR/>Manipulator: The BookieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-57109565429391928312008-06-08T21:38:00.000-05:002008-06-08T21:38:00.000-05:00For the Hulk:Mocker: SpeedfreekCrime Lord: Gen. "T...For the Hulk:<BR/><BR/>Mocker: Speedfreek<BR/>Crime Lord: Gen. "Thunderbolt" Ross commands a well-armed organization dedicated to destroying the Hulk. <BR/>Opposite Number: Abomination<BR/>Twisted One: Madman <BR/>Mental Challenger: The Leader<BR/>Physical Challenger: almost all of them, from Abomination to Bibeast to Trauma...<BR/>Gadgeteer: The Hulkbusters<BR/>Sexual Challenge: um... Betty Banner became the Harpy at one point, I guess.<BR/>Evil Genius: The Leader<BR/>Manipulator: Aggamemnon, MephistoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-28593654783278388992008-06-08T20:56:00.000-05:002008-06-08T20:56:00.000-05:00I finally thought of a decent Physical Challenger ...I finally thought of a decent Physical Challenger for J'Onn J'Onzz: Korge (from <I>Justice League of America</I> #115).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-57113427892227500792008-06-08T19:45:00.000-05:002008-06-08T19:45:00.000-05:00I came up with a slightly different tarot for Mart...I came up with a slightly different tarot for Martian Manhunter:<BR/><BR/>Mocker: Ma'alefa'ak<BR/><BR/>Crime Lord: Faceless and VULTURE<BR/><BR/>Opposite Number: Desperro (funny skin colour, physical superpowers and metal abilities, sounds like an evil J'onn to me)<BR/><BR/>Twisted One: Either Ma'alefa'ak or Dr. Trapp<BR/><BR/>Mental Challenger: The Master Gardener from the "American Secrets" mini series<BR/><BR/>Physical Challenger: Tor the evil Martian robot ghost <BR/><BR/>Gadgeteer: Locus <BR/><BR/>Sexual challenger: Bette Noir <BR/><BR/>Evil Genius: Dr. Trapp<BR/><BR/>Manipulator: Either Mr. Bones or Cay'an from the most recent mini series<BR/><BR/>I like yours a lot Totaltoyz. I have to admit, Tor and Faceless aside, J'onn's pre crisis opponents skipped my mind.<BR/><BR/>I also tried one for Azrael:<BR/><BR/>Mocker: Bane <BR/><BR/>Crime lord: Luc Lizardo - more of a sleazy businessman but close enough. Lilhy, Scratch or Biis could fill this role too.<BR/><BR/>Opposite Number: The Asian Azrael<BR/><BR/>Twisted One: Pretty much any Azrael villain qualifies but none more than Brother Rollo<BR/><BR/>Physical Challenger: Calibax<BR/><BR/>Gadgeteer: Biis on at least one occasion<BR/><BR/>Sexual Challenger: Sister Lilhy<BR/><BR/>Evil Genius: The Gray Abbot<BR/><BR/>Manipulator: Nick ScratchMatthew McKinnon-Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16706982039825275300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-72933514769562755832008-06-08T18:52:00.000-05:002008-06-08T18:52:00.000-05:00These comments have shaken out a few new ideas. I...These comments have shaken out a few new ideas. I like the Rival Twin (as distinct from Opposite Number), the Misguided Idealist, and the Friend-Turned-Foe. What about the Unhelpful Helper and the villain created by the very existence of the hero?<BR/><BR/>Do groups get the same tarot?Scott McCormickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00970000544938535959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-36905883473912107312008-06-08T18:43:00.000-05:002008-06-08T18:43:00.000-05:00"Crime Lord : Captain America doesn't really fight...<I>"Crime Lord : Captain America doesn't really fight street crime. I'm guessing that subversive organizations like HYDRa or the ecret Empire might fulfill the role."</I><BR/><BR/>Surely you haven't forgotten Sidewinder and his Serpent Society from the 1980s and 1990s? It was like the Mafia, except instead of Italian-Americans it was all Herpeto-Americans.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-66664454734280724062008-06-08T03:17:00.000-05:002008-06-08T03:17:00.000-05:00Just about all of Firestorm's foes are personal fo...Just about all of Firestorm's foes are personal foes.<BR/><BR/>You've got <BR/><BR/>Multiplex : Martin Stein's lab assistant.<BR/><BR/>Killer Frost : Martin Stein's ex-girlfriend.<BR/><BR/>Typhoon : A bathyscape operator transformed when lightning hits a bathyscape his was operating. i believe the powersource was designed by Martin stein.<BR/><BR/>Hyena : Ronald Raymond's girlfriend's sister.<BR/><BR/>Black Bison : One of Ronald Raymond's teachers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-1922267555581762692008-06-08T03:09:00.000-05:002008-06-08T03:09:00.000-05:00Here's what I have for Captain America.Mocker : Ma...Here's what I have for Captain America.<BR/><BR/>Mocker : Madcap. A person who lost all faith in order in the Universe after a church bus accident he was involved in killed all the church goers including his family, but gifted him with powers of being immune to pain, regeneration, immunity to lethal damage and a madness inducing gaze.<BR/><BR/>Crime Lord : Captain America doesn't really fight street crime. I'm guessing that subversive organizations like HYDRa or the ecret Empire might fulfill the role.<BR/><BR/>Opposite Number I'd say Red Skull as he was the champion of Nazi Germany. Also Flag Smasher, the head of an anarchist organization. Since the last time I saw him he was a completely drugged up tool of a crimninal corporation, I guess he could be a Twisted One now.<BR/><BR/>Twisted One : One of the Captain America's from the 50's went insane and had to be put into suspended animation. He was later reanimatred and bercame Dr. Faustus's champion.<BR/><BR/>Physical Challenger : Crossbones as someone who matches Captain America. Mr. Hyde as someone who is a much bigger physical threat and has to be outhought. Maybe Batroc belongs here. His category seems more to be the out of his league villain.<BR/><BR/>Gadgeteer Machinesmith<BR/> <BR/>Sexual Challenger : Diamondback, maybe the Sisters of Sin.<BR/> <BR/>Evil Genius Armin Zola.<BR/><BR/>Manipulator : Dr, Faustus.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-78007997691088833152008-06-08T02:16:00.000-05:002008-06-08T02:16:00.000-05:00totaltoyz, you could move the Marshal to Physical ...totaltoyz, you could move the Marshal to Physical Challenger and make B'rett the Opposite Number and still keep the Pre-Crisis theme. The only exception in your list was Malefic, who could be replaced by Commander Blanx. Anyone who'd commit genocide to close a real estate deal qualifies as twisted in my book.<BR/><BR/>justin, my thinking was the Roderick Hobgoblin was a more compelling character that could fit in several tarot roles. The Macendale one, besides sucking infinately, was another lousy "gadgeteer," and lesser than Green Goblin.<BR/><BR/>markandrew, got to try my hand at a Captain America revision:<BR/><BR/>Mocker: Batroc the Leaper<BR/>Crime Lord: Baron Zemo<BR/>Opposite Number: Flag Smasher<BR/>Twisted One: Red Skull <BR/>Mental Challenger: MODOK<BR/>Physical Challenger: Serpent Society<BR/>Gadgeteer: Machinesmith<BR/>Sexual Challenger: Viper<BR/>Evil Genius: Armin Zola<BR/>Manipulator: Doctor FaustusDiabolu Frankhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04685199809207954223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-24515255765770955222008-06-07T22:42:00.000-05:002008-06-07T22:42:00.000-05:00Frank: I loved the Hobgoblin, but he hasn't been a...Frank: I loved the Hobgoblin, but he hasn't been ac enduring villain. After Stern/Romita Jr. and DeFalco/Frenz left and they cleared up the mystery, the second Hobgoblin floundered as a second-stringer, became a demon, became a Cyber-Goblin and got killed because no one could figure out what to do with him. Hobgoblin, then, isn't a very strong concept; he just had strong creative teams at first.<BR/><BR/>And a wonderful costume design.<BR/><BR/>markandrew -- Could we consider the Red Skull to be Captain America's mocker?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-65190761349839013302008-06-07T22:27:00.000-05:002008-06-07T22:27:00.000-05:00totaltoyz, that Tarot for the Martian Manhunter is...<I>totaltoyz, that Tarot for the Martian Manhunter is totally-- um, not bad actually. </I><BR/><BR/>Thanks, FLD. I admit I was reaching with the "Martian Mandrills" but I was stuck for a physical challenger. I could have used the Marshal, but to do that I'd have had to either have him in two spots on the tarot or make Commander Blanx the opposite number, neither of which I wanted to do.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-67431308496291445622008-06-07T22:24:00.000-05:002008-06-07T22:24:00.000-05:00OK, let me try it with a Marvel guy who used to be...OK, let me try it with a Marvel guy who used to be my favorite super-hero: Iron Man.<BR/><BR/>Mocker - The Ghost (Tony Stark built his personal fortune and super-heroic career on technology, which the Ghost "mocks" by trying to destroy all technology)<BR/>Crime Lord - Justin Hammer<BR/>Opposite Number - Crimson Dynamo<BR/>Twisted One - Midas <BR/>Mental Challenger - Spymaster? (I'm admittedly stuck on this one) <BR/>Physical Challenger - Titanium Man<BR/>Gadgeteer - Unicorn<BR/>Sexual Challenger - Madame Masque<BR/>Evil Genius - Mandarin<BR/>Manipulator - Obadiah StaneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-82702449428379480932008-06-07T20:55:00.000-05:002008-06-07T20:55:00.000-05:00Interesting!Let me try Captain America:Mocker - ?...Interesting!<BR/><BR/>Let me try Captain America:<BR/><BR/>Mocker - ??<BR/>Crime Lord - Viper<BR/>Opposite Number - Winter Soldier<BR/>Twisted One - Crossbones? <BR/>Mental Challenger - (Not so much a Marvel thing, maybe.) <BR/>Physical Challenger - Cobra/Grey Gargoyle<BR/>Gadgeteer - Machinesmith<BR/>Sexual Challenger - Diamondback<BR/>Evil Genius - Armin Zola<BR/>Manipulator - Doctor Faustus <BR/><BR/>'Couple thoughts.<BR/><BR/>I'd rough-estimate that 60-70% of villains play "opposite number" at some point in their careers. Setting up hero/villain point/counterpoint is almost de rigueur in current superhero comics. This one feels a lot more broad in scope than the others.<BR/><BR/>I can't believe Wonder Woman doesn't have a Sexual Challenger. There's GOTTA be one. Hercules? Maybe? <BR/><BR/>Man DC needs to get on that, like, post-haste.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-37126619589071754042008-06-07T20:11:00.000-05:002008-06-07T20:11:00.000-05:00justin-- How did you feel about the Hobgoblin?sisk...justin-- How did you feel about the Hobgoblin?<BR/><BR/>siskoid-- the problem with a super-team tarot is that there are too few decent super-villain groups, especially with an overall identity, much less enough to be assigned to any one heroic collective. Perhaps that's a fault of super-groups in general, which might explain why so many teams gang up on one uber-baddie. I guess you could tarot the Mr. Sinisters and Starbreakers...Diabolu Frankhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04685199809207954223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-13184337935356535732008-06-07T14:10:00.000-05:002008-06-07T14:10:00.000-05:00This essay has helped me figure out why I've never...This essay has helped me figure out why I've never been real keen on the Green Goblin. It turns out he's really just a glorified Gadgeteer (glider, pumpkin bombs, sparkle blasts, all sorts of gasses) with pretentions to Crime Boss.<BR/><BR/>All of the Goblin's cachet comes from his personal ties to Peter (which weren't in any of the Ditko issues anyway) and killing Gwen Stacy. The Goblin really only *means* something if you know the history (continuity). There's nothing in the concept itself that screams archenemy.<BR/><BR/>Thanks, Scip. I always enjoy the "theory" posts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-85994072641354765042008-06-07T09:23:00.000-05:002008-06-07T09:23:00.000-05:00Green Goblin, with his personal ties to Spider-Man...Green Goblin, with his personal ties to Spider-Man (best friend's father and then the best friend himself) might point us to another Arcana: The Personal Foe. The hero would find it painful to fight this villain because of the personal relationship he has with him or her, or perhaps the villain knows the hero's alias etc.<BR/><BR/>Examples include Star Sapphire, Alfred as the Outsider (or the new and unimproved Jason Todd), Lex Luthor in Smallville, and any friend, girlfriend or family member who has been turned into a monster or villain over the years (the former Supporting Cast member).<BR/><BR/>The Despero discussion brings us to another set of Tarots, those related to teams rather than characters. And let's not forget the Enemy Team Arcana. The Super Revenge Squads of this world, you know?Siskoidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08266365376486695812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-76654234793870596862008-06-07T02:46:00.000-05:002008-06-07T02:46:00.000-05:00Wonder WomanMocker: Duke of DeceptionLying, treach...Wonder Woman<BR/><BR/>Mocker: Duke of Deception<BR/>Lying, treacherous servant of Ares opposing the agent of Aprhodite.<BR/><BR/>Crime Lord: Doctor Cyber<BR/><BR/>Um, she's a crime lord.<BR/><BR/>Opposite Number: Nubia<BR/><BR/>Her symbol is the lion whereas Diana's is the eagle. I would also equate her with the serpent. The battle between which well symbolizes the battle between the celestial gods (Diana's benefactors) and the Chthonic gods (Nubia's benefactors).<BR/><BR/>Twisted One: Silver Swan<BR/><BR/>She's nuts. But use Helen Alexandros rather than one of the shitty post-Crisis versions.<BR/><BR/>Mental Challenger: Doctor Psycho<BR/><BR/>Ectoplasm! Not just generic comic book telepathy!<BR/><BR/>Physical Challenger: Giganta<BR/><BR/>She's giant!<BR/><BR/>Gadgeteer: Baroness Paula von Gunter<BR/><BR/>This is Wonder Woman's actual arch-enemy. See http://nonadventures.com/!<BR/><BR/>Sexual Challenger: Angle Man<BR/><BR/>Though really he had a thing for Donna Troy...<BR/><BR/>Evil Genius: Doctor Poison<BR/><BR/>She's Evil! And she can make poisons! She must be a genius!<BR/><BR/>Manipulator: Egg Fu<BR/><BR/>I know I'd do what he says...Mr. Brettersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16027427846150350121noreply@blogger.com