Flash Dash

Last week was a big one at Big Monkey DC!

On Thursday, we were honored to have Mike Carey with us for a signing; what a delightful and gracious person!

Occasionally, I had to "help" the signing line move along, but, hey, that's why I bought a pitchfork in the first place. My favorite part was Jon Carey's attempt to convince Mike that he was his long-lost, previously unknown eldest son, and that they should write a book together for the Minx line.

"Mike Carey, you are .... .... ...

NOT the father!"

Mike said on his site:

The amiable mob at Big Monkey kept me busy and entertained for an hour and a half – after which some of them actually crossed town to hear the reading at Olssen’s Books, which was very cool. If any of you guys are reading this, it was great spending time with you.

The vibe at Big Monkey was just amazing. I didn't realise I was the first guest you'd had in. I'm honoured. The interview was a lot of fun, too. I'll definitely stop by the next time I'm in DC.

Thanks, Mike; likewise!

Here's Mike with some of the Lovely and Liveley Monkeyettes:



Here's Mike about to be filmed giving Devon an interview (which will air on an upcoming episode of the Big Monkey Comics Podcast).



Speaking of the podcast, we had to scrap the last one; technical difficulties rendered the recording unusable. The good news is, we've gotten some new pro-level equipment, so the podcast should be easier for us to create and upload, with better sound quality. We hope to bang out two in the next two weeks so that we will be "caught up with our schedule". I hope you're still willing to tune in! And, remember, we still want YOU to send us mp3s of your Dramatic Readings to include in the program.

Last Saturday afternoon, we had a JLA/Avengers Heroclix tournament with 12 participants (not counting the staff and me), ably and genially hosted by our avuncular envoy, Judge Tom Price. Thanks, Tom! We even had a guest from France (an airline pilot who, believe it or not, visits us for Heroclix events).

The culmination of the week was ...the Flash Dash!

To celebrate DC's "summer of the Flash", we held a footrace from the corner of the block to the front of the store (trust me, it's longer than it sounds!). The race was officiated by Lance of Lance: The Blog, shown here with the winners.

Anthony, Lance, Jonnie, Big Mike

Those winners are:

Third Place: Jonnie Brooks of Jon Hex Lives and the Big Monkey Podcast. Jonnie is eerily and unexpectedly fast, like a cat all mellow and plopped down comfortably in an armchair that suddenly leaps out of the chair through a window, bolts down the block, then bursts in the petdoor to dash immediately back to his chair and plop down placidly as if nothing had happened at all. That's Jonnie. I mean, except for the licking oneself afterwards part. In addition to the prizes all participants received, Jonnie received a Rookie Flash Heroclix figure.

Second Place: Anthony Fortunato, Turn of the Century Italian Anarchist and Helluvanice Guy. Clearly, Anthony is very fast, but even more impressive is the fact that he wore all black. In Washington DC. In the middle of July. While running. Even then, he didn't perspire; he glowed. I assume his native planet must be warmer than this one. In addition to the participation prizes, Anthony won an Experienced Flash Heroclix figure.

First Place: Mike Pellegrino of Are You Feeling Big Mike and my arch-rival in, well, everything. Of course, Mike won; Mike always wins. Huh; I bet Jon Carey could have beaten him if he hadn't been afraid of spilling his appletini while running. I myself would have beaten him, if I hadn't been slower than he; so there. In addition to the standard prizes, I was forced to fork over, er, happy to present to Mike

• a Veteran Flash Heroclix figure,
• a copy of the Flash Showcase Edition, and
• a coupon for a full massage and facial at the Spa at Mint Fitness.

Congratulations, Mike; you're the FASTEST FAN ALIVE!

All participants received gift certificates at Fleet Feet, coupons at the Bike Rack, and three-day passes at Mint Fitness.

And now, courtesy of cameraman Nate Solloway, it's...

Big Monkey Comics' Flash Dash: the Movie!

Society Signatures: Dr. Fate

Having surveyed offerings from Green Lantern, Sandman, the Spectre, and Hourman, I'm still on my search for a new signature saying.

Next up at bat is the mysterious Dr. Fate, occult master of the ancient mystic arts!

I'm thinkin' Doc's helmet's on just a little too tight, if ya know what I mean.

Okay, gotta hand it to you, Doc; that's definitely mysterious. But I want something more "Dr. Fate" and less "Mr. Wizard".

You take that helmet off this instant, Jack Kirby!

I'm as patriotic as the next fellow, probably more so. But I don't think "Let's go, Americans!" is going to work for me as a signature saying. Particularly not if it requires me to lurch about flanked by beknickered Bowery Boys.

Care to try again, Doc?

If you think it's bad having to play horsey for Dr. Fate when he's feeling spunky, sweetie,
wait'll you get to prison.

That's more like it! An ancient spellification with some Classical reference and a little "ride 'em, cowboy" action? Very much my style.

But I'm afraid for general utility, I'm still going to have to choose as Dr. Fate's entry his statement from last week:


It's hard to beat that for combining the mundane and the bizarre. Plus, I can say it all the time, and all anyone can do about it is smile. Even if I'm staring into a closet when I say it.

HC Objects: Green K

Remember those halycon days when every two-bit heistman who could afford a thin tie and a sharp hat to wear at his bank jobs had a pocketful of kryptonite at his disposal?

That way, he'll be dead and embarrassed about it.

Well, now, kids, you can relive those silver days with this kryptonite pog:

It'll cost you 15 points to swap this sucker out for one of the regular objects at the beginning of the game. Whenever it's within Superman's range, the Kryponite pog cancels out any powers on his dial, as well as any Team Ability.







The lead shield is for your opponent to use. When holding it Superman isn't affected by the Kryptonite, but he can't make ranged attacks. The lead shield, however, is useless if the person holding the kryptonite is adjacent to Superman. Superman cannot carry another object or figure while he is holding the lead shield.

What the kids call the "shout outs"

Couple quick shout outs!

• Thank you very much, Mike Carey, who visited us for a signing at Big Monkey DC yesterday! I promise to send you that picture of you with all the ladies, Mike...! My favorite part was when Jon tried to convince Mike that he was his illegitimate son...
• Forget Jesus. Forget Superman. What would Lance do?
• If you think blogging every day is hard, try doing it with a painting.

Hysteron Proteron

In Classics, my specialty was poetry, in the analysis of which we use lots of terms to describe the tricks of the literary trade. Many are still used to describe modern poetry and literature as well.

Today, while reading The Most Sexist Story Ever Told in the Batgirl Showcase, I came upon a stunning example of hysteron proteron.

Hysteron proteron is saying something in reverse chronological order. The classic example would be, "I am dead (or "I die"); you wound me." Obviously, the wounding comes first and then the dying. But by saying them in the other order, special emphasis and poetic effect is achieved (dying, after all, is more important than being wounded).

Well, that's not exactly what happens in Detective 371, but I've got no other term for it (other than, perhaps, "reversed priorities"). Observe.

Batman and Robin, disguised as beatniks, enter the domicile of one of their stoolies.

Why are they disguised as beatniks, you ask?
Because it's 1968, about 5 years after the end of the beatnik generation. Duh.

So, naturally, the first thing they do is check to see whether he's alive and call for an ambulance.

And, yes, I know he said, "Dick--in his hands!"
That one's too easy for me to bother with, folks.

I said, "the first thing they do is check to see whether he's alive and call for an ambulance."

I actually skipped at panel of Scooby Doo cluifying, by the way.

I hope Batman never finds me wounded and unconscious; I'd die while he was still trying to decipher what message I was sending him with the Heroclix clutched in my hands.


Whether Stuffy's alive or not isn't important to the story; he's a plot device. But the clue is important. So the normal sequence of events ("check to see whether victim is alive, then get medical help") is reversed for sake of emphasis. Note, in fact, that Batman actually SAYS that Stuffy "passed out" before checking for a pulse.

It must be comforting for the citizens of Gotham to know that Batman is more interesting in chasing people who rob from sawmill factories than in saving lives.

Things That Made Me Happy...

in my comics this week.

• The Riddler and Mary Marvel are the new Blue & Gold!
• Hal's root fear? Very clever.
• Busiek's Prankster always makes me happy.
• Jean Loring's name bolded and italicized. Jean Loring's name should always be bolded and italicized.
• Hey, the Guardians read graphic novels!
• Donna Troy continues her ascent into groovyness.
  
• It's great to see that, if I can't see Superman acting like himself in JLA, I can see it in JSA instead!
  
• The Palmerverse.
• Lois Lane is very good at what she does.
• That's okay, Batman; I never liked Karate Kid either. Still, you might consider switching to decaf.
  
• The cover to Green Lantern is awfully YELLOW, isn't it?
• Superman eating sloppy joes at a mental asylum.
• Hawkman at the forge.
• Who says Arkham never cures anyone? Look how many times they've cured Harley Quin!
  
• The cover of the Batgirl Showcase.
• This is the week I finally fell in love with Power Girl and it was because of what she's like, not how she looks.
• "Edison juice"? "Edison juice"?!
  
• Superman getting a pie in the face is always worth a splash page.
• XS? Interesting.
• Mike Carey signing at Big Monkey today!

Signature Sayings: Hourman

Okay, now that we've talked Wonder Woman down off the metaphorical ledge (with the promise of Gail Simone), we need to return to our project already in progress: finding me some signature sayings cribbed from the wisdom of the Justice Society.

Hm. Hourman's up next, and I'm not sanguine about my chances there. Hourman's not much of an orator. Not much of a witticist, either. And not really--oh, heck, he's nothing more than pill-popping, drug-addled Dr. Jekyll in spandex. Still, I am obliged to try.

Rex, whaddaya got for me?

"Wait--I'll try an old trick!"

Uh, yeah. Everyone's already used to hearing me say that, Rex, and I'm not exactly proud of it. Nix on that.

"Anything to oblige!"

No, Rex; that saying is the reason I wound up with all those old tricks in the first place. Can you try a little harder?

"This IS fun!"

You're not helping, Rex.

"Now for the others!"

Yeah, you're a regular riot, Rex. If you didn't want to help, you could have just said so. Perhaps if you have nothing constructive to say, you shouldn't say anything at all!

LATE-BREAKING HAIKU!

We interrupt our regularly scheduled derision of the Justice Society for this breaking news:


WONDER WOMAN IS ATTEMPTING SUICIDE!!!

"Robot plane fly fast!
Dive for the ground at full speed!"
says Wonder Woman.

I'll say this for her; it takes substantial presence of mind to compose haiku (even partial ones) while committing aeronautic suicide. They don't call her Wonder Woman for nothing.

What drove her to such desperate straits? Her conflict with her mother? The delay of her movie? The death of Ellie Wood Walker? I've been trying to ask her, but she's not answering the mental radio!

But we know she's listening to it; we must use it to save her!

Please, for the the love of Zeus, compose a haiku that addresses the cause of Wonder Woman's distress or, better yet, convinces her that life is still worth living. Hera, guide my stanzas!

Society Signatures: The Spectre

For those of you just tuning in, I've been searching for signature phrases for myself, culled from the utterances of the Justice Society. Saturday, we got Alan Scott's scampish entry, followed by Wesley Dodd's ribald riposte on Sunday.

Today we visit the corpse of Jim Corrigan. Surely the Spectre will have something awe-inspiring to say!

YOUR ASKING FOR IT!

Hm, that's a little more ... pedestrian that what I was hoping for, Spec. And less grammatical.

By the way, a note to all you Halloweeners out there; if the Spectre comes Trick or Treating, do NOT give him sourballs. He won't be amused and neither will your next of kin.

Got anything with some more pizzazz, Jimbo?


Ooo! That's fabulous! "Oom's trickery!" is the kind of thing that rolls off your tongue. Plus, it sounds great boomed at top volume at Lauriol Plaza when your waiter brings you a watered down soda.

Still, I'd be kind of worried to use it. It sounds sort of D&D, you know? Wouldn't want anyone to think I was a geek... .

What else ya got?

Well, yes, that does have a ring to it. But people have heard me say that a thousand times already. And that was just at my last birthday party. Besides, I'm looking for something pithier.

Perfect. That'll do nicely. And I can use it every time I finally get the dog to fall asleep.

Society Signatures: Sandman

Well, now that I've gotten an entry from Green Lantern's repertoire for my possible use as a signature saying, I'll call on another mystery man: The eerie Sandman!

What do you have to offer me, Wesley?

Uh ... okay. Thanks. But doesn't that need something else, like "A plane! A lifesaver! No, it's Scipio!"? I mean "A Plane! A Lifesaver!" sounds more like an unfinished palindrome than a signature saying, Wes. Let's try again...


Whoa, sorry, Wes; didn't mean to interrupt one of your opium/absinthe binges; glad I wore the glove. Besides, I'm not really a gas-inhaling, Miraclo-popping kind of guy, so I don't think I'll find that saying very useful.

Don't you have something a little, I dunno, punchier? Something more appropriate for a guy like me, that I can find occasions to say?

Bingo! Thanks, Wes!

Society Signatures: Green Lantern

I'm on a new bent to model my life more after that of the great comic book heroes. I was going to start by acquiring a youthful sidekick, but I found it too difficult to get around pre-existing court orders. Darn those meddlesome social workers... .

Anyway, I decided to start with acquiring a signature phrase, instead. You know... some sort of saying like "Keep 'em flying!" or "Suffering Sappho!" That way, comic book readers on Earth-Prime-2 would easily be able to recognize me, no matter who's drawing me. It's just a sensible thing to do when living in a multiversal environment. And easier than getting my spandex pressed every day.

So I thought, from whom better could I seek inspiration than the illustrious members of the Justice Society? I'll canvas some of their original adventures and see what each member has to offer me.

The dignified Green Lantern seemed like a good candidate to start with. Perhaps he said something appropriate while here in my city of Washington, D.C.?

That's okay Alan; I have trouble understanding the The Politico, too. But I'm afraid, "Hm--what have we here?" is a bit underdramatic, even with the Capitol Dome in my background. Better keep looking... .

"I'd like to do a little beating myself!"

That's really good; and useful daily. Unfortunately, it's subject to possible misconstruction. I mean, I wouldn't want someone to think I intended to hit them....

"Here I come, fruity!"

Okay, I think we have a winner for Green Lantern.

Things That Made Me Happy...

in comics this week.

• FINALLY, someone told Pariah to stop talking like Marv Wolfman.
• Giant flying pockwatches. Complete with fob.
• I got to wear 3D goggles while reading a comic. I only wish I had gone out to restaurant to do it as publicly as possible.
• Supergirl's headband.
• I never thought I'd see anyone quote Seanbaby's Hostess page in a comic book.
• "I'm already retconning our whole thing." Priceless.
• You know, if Millenium Giants had only been one issue the first time, it probably would have been okay.
• Exposing the intrinsic creepiness of circus peanuts.
• Of course Ollie had the hots for Dinah's mother.
• Jonah Hex scalping someone. Who was dead already. Probably.
• Mon-El made me cry.
• Sword of the All-New Atom? Brilliant.
• Only Bart Allen would guest-star at his own funeral.
• "With friends like these, who needs enemies?" That is the best encapsulation of Silver Age Superman I have ever heard; bravo.
• Jonah Hex cleans up a saloon. Jonah would make a bad janitor but a great video games.
• Black Canary versus the League of Elvis Impersonators.
• Don't you think Wonder Girl could use a little time-out? Like, in therapy? Arkham, maybe?
  
• Say what you want about the Joker; he is a good showman.
• Apparently you don't have to be anatomically correct to be the dean of a major university.
• Ryan Choi looks really hot in that outfit; Ariel, do you know how to sew?

A DC Challenge

You--my friends!


I defy you to make sense of this panel.

Happy Fourth of Jean Loring

Today I post simply to thank reader Randy Sims for his generosity in sending me all three of the Sword-of-the-Atom Specials (1984, 1985, and 1988), and another comic too uproarious to be mentioned. Poor Devon made the mistake of reading the unmentioned issue before I could warn him, and had to be assisted to the couch for the administration of oxygen and palliative compounds.

Know, Randy, that you will see the results of your generosity. Not immediately, perhaps, but inevitably.

For now, I simply give you all the comforting thought that somehow, sometime, whether because you've done something wrong -- or perhaps something right -- or perhaps for no reason at all...

Jean Loring might come...









for you.

The Last Encore

Sigh.

I wasn't going to do this, because it seemed too obvious and because I was sure it was going to be beaten to death on every forum in existence. But I've been asked to do it anyway.

Please note, if you have not already, that the new teaser image of bad guys from Countdown is visual reference to "The Last Supper" of Leonardo DaVinci .


And, yes, I know that's a picture of a copy of the DaVinci and not the original; this is an exegesis, people, not a restoration class. The poses aren't exact, of course, but the reference is still pretty clear. I'm not sure whether that's pure genius or just pure kitsch, but I am sure it's rather ballsy.

Granny Goodness, Mary Marvel, and Eclipso replace Bartholomew, James the Lesser, and Andrew. Leonardo's trio seem to express surprise; DC's trio seem to express exultation or delight. Amusingly, Goodness's outfit is the same color scheme as Bartholomew's.

J'onn J'onnz, the Joker, and Catwoman replace Judas, Peter, and John. J'onnz as Judas the Betrayer is clever. Many will assume that it means JJ has betrayed the heroes and become a bad guy. I assume the opposite; in the context of the composition, at least, this suggests that JJ will betrayed Luthor and the other bad guys. Like Goodness, his blue and green outfit mimics that of his counterpart disciple. Some liberties have been taken with the arrangement of people and things in this trio (the Joker, for example, is the one doing Judas's whispering in John's ear routine), but it's close enough for government work and I still think J'onn, not Joker, is intended to represent Judas here. Of course, it works the other way, too. One can easily imagine the Joker betraying anybody. Catwoman (Holly, I assume) stands for John, the youngest of the apostles.

Lex Luthor is Jesus. There's a sentence I never expected to write. Luthor, being more of a drama queen than Jesus, is pulling a Jolson ("Lexor! How I love ya, how I love ya, my dear old Lexor!'). His outstretched blood-covered hands (whatever their more literal meaning in the story) probably mean to evoke stigmata, further cementing the "Savior of Humanity" between the two.

The Crabby Supermen replace Thomas, James the Greater, and Phillip. Like them, they seem kind of upset and focused on the center figure (Luthor/Jesus).

The Trickster, Desaad, and The Penguin replace Matthew, Jude, and Simon. The Trickster looks to the Penguin for explanation and guidance. Truly, don't we all?

The objects you should all recognize with the exception of Jean Loring's Hatbox of Evil at Eclipso's feet (oh, and the skis belong to the Black Racer). Beside the Hatbox of Evil is what I assume is the Crime Bible. Forgotten about that, hadn't you?

That's enough from me, though. Discuss.

JLA set; My guesses

Now that we've got that pesky Avengers set out of the way, we can all concentrate fully on Wizkids forthcoming "Justice League" expansion set for DC Heroclix!

Based on what I know, what follows are my guesses as to what will be in the set. Naturally, I'm sure I'll be spectacularly wrong (I mean, Bronze Tiger would simply never occur to me), but that doesn't stop me from having fun guessing.

1. Bronze Tiger
2. Robin (in his new costume)
3. Connor Hawke (Green Arrow II)
4. Aquafake, Bored of Atlantis
5. Deadman
6. Classic Flash (Barry Allen)
7. Guy Gardner
8. Batman ("Aparo" version)
9. Zatanna (Headmistress of Hotath costume)
10. Lobo
11. Superman
    
12. Tharok (for the Fatal Five)
13. Captain Boomerang (for the Suicide Squad)
14. Brainiac 5 (for the Legion)
15. Dream Girl (for the Legion)
16. Power Ring (for the Crime Syndicate)
17. Batwoman (for the Batman Family)
18. the Penguin (for the Batman Enemies)
19. Brainiac, Silver Age (for the Superman Enemies)
20. Black Manta (Injustice League)
    
21. Crimson Fox
22. Prof. Ivo
23. Amazo
24. T.O.Morro
25. Tomorrow Woman
    
26. Dr. Destiny
27. Kanjar Ro
    
28. Classic Aquaman
29. Classic Green Arrow
30. Classic Green Lantern Hal Jordan
31. Jay Garrick
32. Mento or Niles Caulder
33. Captain Marvel Jr
34. Black Condor
35. Uncle Sam
    
36. Vibe
37. Gypsy
38. Per Degaton
39. Toyman
40. Granny Goodness
41. Classic Trickster
42. Pied Piper
43. Star Sapphire
44. Dr. Polaris
45. Dr. Light 2
    
46. Lightray
47. Bloodwynd
    
48. Firehawk
49. Wonder Woman 1,000,000
50. Golden Eagle
51. Rag Doll
52. Silver Banshee
53. Batman & Robin
54. Amazing Man
55. Gang of thugs
56. Nightwing
57. Grace Choi
58. Huntress
    
59. ?????
60. ???????!
    

Special figures confirmed Tournament LE: Starro Starro Controlled Flash
Starro Controlled Green Arrow
Starro Controlled Green Lantern
Starro Controlled Aquaman

Confirmed Mail-away Figure: The Phantom Stranger (as previously discussed)

1. Bronze Tiger
2. Robin (in his new costume)
3. Connor Hawke (Green Arrow II)
4. Aquafake, Bored of Atlantis
5. Deadman
6. Classic Flash (Barry Allen)
7. Guy Gardner
8. Batman ("Aparo" version)
9. Zatanna (Headmistress of Hotath costume)
10. Lobo
11. Superman

1-11. These aren't guesses at all. We know for a fact that these characters will be in the set, because we have either seen the sculpts in advertisements, seen the characters on the box art, or been specifically told by Wizkids they are in the set. You'll notice there's lots of JLA love in these eleven!

I've seen the Zatanna sculpt, by the way, and, unfortunately, its ass is not on fire. Which is a pity, because it would have been a good use of translucent plastic.

12. Tharok (for the Fatal Five)
13. Captain Boomerang (for the Suicide Squad)
14. Brainiac 5 (for the Legion)
15. Dream Girl (for the Legion)
16. Power Ring (for the Crime Syndicate)

12-16. These characters are near shoe-ins, because they fill in or complete existing theme teams. Tharok is the last of the Fatal Five, and with the new Legion starter out, is a lock. Classic Captain Boomerang is a little shakier, but he's the essential piece missing from the Suicide Squad and is needed for a Classic Central City Rogues team (which is important, since there's finally a Barry Allen Flash in this set).

The Legion will surely gets its usual two members per set. Dream Girl is a good bet because (1) she looks cool (2) she's a female figure (3) she'd bring Probability Control to Legion teams. Besidesm she pairs perfectly with Brainiac 5, who, like her, would be hard to hit (due to his force shield belt) and has 'distance powers' (e.g., Outwit and Perplex). A B5 figure came out in a previous set, but he's not quite up to snuff with the new Legionnaires. His Q rating is darned high; you can have a Legion without Quislet or Quantum Kid, but not without Brainiac 5; expect a remake. And, for those of you about to type

"But surely Starboy or the other Legionnaires from the Lightning Saga will be in the set instead!",

save it; the lead time on making Heroclix sets is too long to have yet been influenced by the Lightning Saga.

Power Ring, like Tharok, is the last member of his evil team (the Crime Syndicate) so he's a shoe-in, too.

17. Batwoman (for the Batman Family)
18. the Penguin (for the Batman Enemies)
19. Brainiac, Silver Age (for the Superman Enemies)
20. Black Manta (Injustice League)

17-20. These characters are additions to an existing Team Ability (most of the main Team Abilities get at least one new character per set, and with 60 characters now in each set rather than 48, it's more likely than ever to be a goal). The guesses here are a lot dicier than than 1-16.

Batwoman's got several things in her favorite: (1) Batman Team Ability, which is always popular. For pity's sake, they made Spoiler. (2) Wizkids always needs female figures to help balance the set. (3) She was riding quite high about the time this set would have been planned.

We might a more obscure Batvillian like Killer Moth or Firefly, but my money's still on the Penguin. The Penguin's been made before, but he was notoriously unusable even at the time he was released. Factors in his favor; very high Q rating; previous sculpt was wrong (white suit); previous dial was unusable; Wizkids new dial designers have a much better handle on how to represent characters like the Penguin; and the Penguin (who has actually fought the JLA and the SuperFriends) makes much more sense in a JLA set then Killer Moth or Firefly. [Yes, Dale; I know that Killer Moth appeared in JLA #35....]

Similar logic applies to Brainiac. The Superman Enemies always need help. Besides, we've had Brainiac13 and the Terminator-Brainiac foisted on us in two previous sets; we deserve the Silver Age Brainiac everyone will recognize.

Black Manta? Well, yes, there are other Aquafoes to make, but here the "Penguin Logic" applies again. All the factors in Penguin's favor (except sculpt; the original Manta sculpt is fine) augur well for Manta as well. Besides, he could add to the figure with the Injustice League ability (look for an alternate Team Ability for IL figures, too; it's current definition is so unwieldy I don't think I've ever seen it used in play).

21. Crimson Fox
22. Prof. Ivo
23. Amazo
24. T.O. Morrow
25. Tomorrow Woman
26. Dr. Destiny
27. Kanjar Ro

21- 27. Well, it is a JLA themed set, after all! Wizkids has said, "all eras and versions of the Justice League" will be represented and nothing says "JLE" like ze Crimson Fox. I'm anxious to see how perfume is represented on her dial.

Prof. Ivo might not be that big on offense, but, since he's an invulnerable mad scientist, he could be a really annoying support piece. Imagine him with Imperviousness and Outwit down the dial!

Wizkids would be fools to pass on the opportunity to remake Ivo's creation, Amazo, for the JLA set, now that they have "special powers" at their disposal. Count on him, with some crazy power for copying the powers of other figures within his sight and range.

The original T.O. Morrow figure is still a lot of bang for the buck, but a new version with Probability Control is in order. And while I personally think "Tomorrow Woman" is embarrassingly ludicrous, she was popular in the way that All Things Morrison seem to be. Besides, she would bring telekinesis and pulse wave to the JLA table.

Dr. Destiny looks cool and is a quintessential JLA villain. And wicked, if he's got some special version of Mind Control that lets him control powerful figures without taking damage. Likewise Kanjar Ro. Okay, fine, Kanjar Ro doesn't look cool. In fact, he looks like a chinless stoolie you'd slap around at bar on Rimbor. But give him a big Gamma Gong with triple incapacitate and he's a serious problem.

28. Classic Aquaman
29. Classic Green Arrow
30. Classic Green Lantern Hal Jordan

28 - 30. This is reverse logic. First, you've got to know that Wizkids is making Starro-ed controlled versions of four characters as giveaways at its "Win a Giant Starro clix" contests. Those are Silver Age versions of Aquaman, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, and the Flash, all with little Starro-fish on their faces. I've seen these, and they are darned pretty. By simply making versions without the Starro-fish on the faces, they get four other figures easily. We know that there will be a Silver Age Flash in the set already, so that makes it even more likely that we'll get Silver Age Green Arrow, Green Lantern, and Aquaman, too.

31. Jay Garrick
32. Mento
33. Captain Marvel Jr
34. Black Condor
35. Uncle Sam

31 - 35. This is more team filling. Jay Garrick was in the first set, but will get a remake for several reasons. (1) He still costs around $30 on Ebay, so a lot of people don't have him. (2) We need a version with the JSA Team Ability. (3) We need a version with some defensive powers.

The Doom Patrol needs a new member, probably Mento, because while he's less important than the Chief, he's easier to represent and is more visual. The Marvel Family is missing only Junior, and the groovy new Black Condor will add to the Freedom Fighters (plus, he's a babe). So would Uncle Sam, whom I think they may make as a giant figure, to take advantage of the new booster boxes that allow them to easily mix figures of different sizes.

36. Vibe
37. Gypsy

36 & 37. Like it or not (okay ... not; no one likes it), the Justice League Detroit is one of the versions of the League. The JLD had three members unique to that version: Gypsy, Steel, and the irrepressible Vibe. Gypsy still has legs (though perhaps not shoes) having been seen repeatedly since the JLD days, even as an operative in Birds of Prey; besides, she's got the Distaff Factor in her favor. Steel? No, I think he'll wait until "Citizen Steel" makes his appearance; there's already a Heroclix figure named Steel, thank you very much. As for Vibe, well, I think we'll see him because he's more closely associated with JLD than any other character. Plus, with some Quake and some BREAKDANCING AGILITY (Deflection or Combat Reflexes), he'd be a nice dial to have on the team. Any team, really. Or, you could just put his sculpt on your nightstand and stare at it every night as you nod off to sleep.

38. Per Degaton
39. Toyman
40. Granny Goodness
41. Classic Trickster
42. Pied Piper
43. Star Sapphire
44. Dr. Polaris

38 - 44. I hate having to pit hero teams against one another just because there aren't enough decent villains! We need those guys. Per Degaton isn't a JLA villain per se, but he's a high profile JSA villain and that's close enough. Besides a dial full of Probability Control would make him a great background figure on any villain team.

Toyman is the missing member of the Legion of Doom. Nuff said.

The Fourth World is (apparently) a necessary evil, so it's time for ridiculous Granny Goodness (or one of the Female Furies such as Lashina). What on earth would be on her dial I cannot imagine, unless they give her a Special Power like BUTT-UGLINESS: Granny Goodness may use a power action to automatically incapacitate any opposing figure the first time she comes within its line of sight.

The Trickster and the Pied Piper are safe bets for Flash Rogues because neither has been made yet (and, no, the "Kid Trickster" doesn't count, particularly since a stiff wind will take him out of the game). The Trickster could be the first flying DC villain to start with Perplex on his dial, and that could be very helpful to the Rogues (who need all the help they can get). And a mind-controlling Pied Piper tp use against any speedster under 100 points (which includes all of the Flash Family) would be useful.

We've got hordes of Green Lanterns and no villains for them to fight; bring on Star Sapphire, in as skimpy and as internet-enraging a costume as possible. Likewise for Dr. Polaris (although, not even I want to see Dr. Polaris in a skimpy costume. Well, not as a Heroclix figure, anyway...).

45. Dr. Light 2
46. Lightray
47. Bloodwynd
48. Firehawk
49. Wonder Woman 1,000,000
50. Golden Eagle

45 - 50. More JLA theme. Dr. Light 2 is definitely in the aforementioned category of necessary evils and she represents the beloved JLI era. Lightray helps fill out the New Gods roster, and was (at some point I'm glad to have missed) a JLA member. Bloodwynd pretty much existed only as a JLA member. Plus he's one of their few mystics and even fewer black members. Besides... he looks fantastic. Who cares what his dial says?

Firehawk? Why, yes, she was in the JLA; the one formed during 52! Besides, she's one of the few even remotely recognizable members of the Firestorm cast and has the Distaff Factor. We know there's going to be a member of the DC 1,000,000 version of the League (whatever it was called... Justice Legion A?). Wonder Woman One Million is the best candidate, other than Starman, from that group. But I'll think she'll get it because she easily dialable, looks cools, bolsters the Wonder Woman box of Heroclix, and has the Distaff Factor.

Golden Eagle was too a member of JLA (okay... mostly honorary). Besides, the Hawkman Family could use someone other than the Man and the Girl. And he plays nicely into the following Teen Titans set. Alright, fine! I just like Golden Eagle.

51. Rag Doll
52. Silver Banshee
53. Batman & Robin
54. Amazing Man
55. Gang of thugs
56. Nightwing
57. Grace Choi
58. Huntress

51 - 58. There's a lot going on here in this little grab-bag. Rag Doll works as a JSA villain, an Injustice League piece, and continues the expansion of the popular Secret Six. Silver Banshee? Well, the Superman Enemies really need a boost and a female foe wouldn't hurt either. Besides, has there every been a more fabulously designed "Nightmare of a Drag Queen" look than Silver Banshee? She should appear regularly in heavy metal videos and episodes of Queer Eye.

Batman & Robin. Yeah. Together. On one dial. The New Dial Mechanism of the Year is the "duo dial", as used for Cap & Bucky in the Avengers set. It's not exactly what I would use it for, but after the Avengers set, it seems pretty clear that if you ain't got an ampersand between your names, it ain't for you. So, unless they're planning on surprising us with Mr. Scarlet & Pinky or Dan the Dynamite & TNT, it'll be Batman & Robin.

Amazing Man. No, I'm not sure how I feel about Amazing Retcon Man, either. But he was a Justice League member, works with JSA teams, and adds to the list of black characters in clix. Not quite sure what they'd do with his dial, but I guess if they did the Absorbing Man they can do Amazing Man. As long as there's one click of "Amazingly Brittle Man"; that still amuses me.

Gang of Thugs. No, I don't really think we'll get this, but we should anyway, and they should have the new Duo Dial mechanism. That would make the perfect foils for Batman&Robin, plus the Batvillains (particularly the Mastermind ones) desperately need them. Besides, with them, we get to say "GET THEM, YOU FOOLS!" while playing. Really, what's the point of playing villains if you don't get to say, "GET THEM, YOU FOOLS!"?

Nightwing, of course, would add to the Outsiders team, the Batman Family, and still count as JLA (thanks to the horror that was "Obsidian Age"). Besides, a lot of people would like him to be remade. I've never had any problems with him as is, but he is kind of front-loaded and a new dial would do him better justice. Huntress likewise. As for Grace Choi, well, there's always got to be one character I can't believe they wasted plastic on, and that would be she.

As for the last two figures, well...

who do you think they will or should be?