# Dream Super HERO Groups
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-super-hero-groups/101807
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [April 4, 2002, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-super-hero-groups/101807 "2002-04-04T16:57:29Z")
**Posts on this page:** 13
**Page:** 3
### Author:  [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2002, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-super-hero-groups/101807/41 "2002-04-13T01:14:20Z")
**I:** OK, the leader should be **the Shadow,** or maybe kind of a variation on that, with a little Doc Savage thrown in. The other members would be younger & defer to his experience, even though he’s kind of an arrogant boss.
Then there’s a guy with flight & superstrength. There are a lot of these, or you could make one up. He should be a young guy.
Then there’s **the Black Knight,** or a variation thereon, with the mystic enchanted sword that can cut through steel, etc.
Then a telekinetic, who can trap people, or maybe freeze them in place. A telepath would be cool, too, or at least someone who can do illusions. Hmm… How about a younger version of the **Invisible Woman** or **Rachel Summers**? Or both? Rachel can be our resident hottie, too.
Also, some kind of electrical power is always cool. Is **Strange Visitor** available?
I think there needs to be a **Luke Cage** type in this, someone with “attitude.” But if I make up my own characters, I may combine that with one of the above concepts.
Stretchy heroes are fun, & shape-shifters are even better, so maybe a **Plastic Man** type. I would pick Plas 'cos he’s nigh-invulnerable and can take any shape. Also, he has a sense of humor. Wacky is good.
Now have all this drawn by a Dale Keown, or–no, Bryan Hitch! Yeah, too bad there’s not a [comic like that…](http://victorian.fortunecity.com/poetry/518/adghn/adavis/davis-bato1.htm)
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### Author:  [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2002, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-super-hero-groups/101807/42 "2002-04-13T01:35:16Z")
\*\*II: \*\*I want a team with **a bad-ass Kryptonian** –not Supes, but someone more… aggressive, I guess. (Brick)
Then an **Iron Man** type, only in this reality Iron Man went into altering his body–it’s not just armor, it’s part of him, and there are all these weird internal gadgets Tony doesn’t have. (Gadgeteer)
Then some kind of cross between **Wolverine** & **the Shadow** –the ultimate fighter. (Spooky Street Fighter)
Then **Dr. Strange** , & not just as in advisory role. Let the Sorceror Supreme cut loose! (Of course, after two issues of my take on Doc, the editor would probably make me give him a weakness, like he’s been injured horribly and is so hopped up on painkillers he can’t do aught.) (Cosmic Mystic)
Then I’d have a junior mystic guy who looks like he’s in the Trenchcoat Brigade, who can teleport & stuff, but isn’t as all-powerful. (Spooky Mystic)
Just for the cool visuals, throw in **Angel** –Warren Worthington, not David Boreanaz. (Token Visual Freak)
And the leader should be **Strange Visitor** in all her cranky I-don’t-wanna-be-here glory. (Electrical)
Too bad there’s not a comic like [_ **that.** _](http://www.fortunecity.com/tatooine/spielberg/97/brian.html) 😉
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### Author:  [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2002, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-super-hero-groups/101807/43 "2002-04-13T01:36:55Z")
OK, I’m sorry. Back to what you were doing.
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### Author:  [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2002, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-super-hero-groups/101807/44 "2002-04-13T03:59:45Z")
Interesting, I must have missed the rules on who we can pick (I’m nt being snotty, really what are they?)
Assuming we can only pick Marvel/DC, my team for real hard time, no holds barred nastyfights:
Martian Manhunter: all those powers and experience out the wazoo. Always choose exp over power if you can. He could lead.
Batman: He’s Batman, why else? Though maybe Prometheus…
Black Adam: He’s got all the Cheese’s powers, plus centuries of knowledge, he knows how villians think and he potentially could kill Superman (if Marvel could almost do it he could).
For sneaking…Venom. Yeah he’s a bad guy, but if the chips are down that’s what you need. MM can keep him in line with Martian Vision.
And Green Lantern, for versatility and to balance the bad guys.
If, of course, we can pick anyone…dibs on Midnighter, Jenny Sparks and Hawksmoor…was/will there ever be a Wildstorm/Authority/DC crossover? That would be sweet…
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### Author:  [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2002, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-super-hero-groups/101807/45 "2002-04-13T15:52:43Z")
Fenris wrote:
> [@](#):
>
> Anyway, she’s back and healthy again, AND she has the far better name of Photon. (There’s only one Captain Marvel and he’s the Big Red Cheese)
**Fie!**
How soon we all for get Mar-Vell, who held the military rank of captain in the Kree empire!
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### Author:  [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2002, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-super-hero-groups/101807/46 "2002-04-13T16:42:41Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by tracer \*
> \*\*Fenris wrote:
> **Fie!**
>
> How soon we all for get Mar-Vell, who held the military rank of captain in the Kree empire! \*\*
And how soon we forget the Captain Marvel by…umm…Dell Comics\*, perhaps? who’s gimmick was to shoot off body parts by yelling one magic word: SPLIT! and pulls them back in again with one magic word: XAM!
And I havn’t forgotten Mar-Vell or Genis, I just think they’re poseurs. Copyright holding bookmarks.
I’ll stand by the idea that the only _rea_ Captain Marvel is Billy Batson. 😃
Fenris
\*I just checked: He was published by MF Enterprises, whoever they were.
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### Author:  [@Hugh\_Jass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hugh_Jass)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2002, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-super-hero-groups/101807/47 "2002-04-13T17:26:49Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Fenris \*
> \*\*
>
> And how soon we forget the Captain Marvel by…umm…Dell Comics\*, perhaps? who’s gimmick was to shoot off body parts by yelling one magic word: SPLIT! and pulls them back in again with one magic word: XAM!
> \*\*
Did you dig up this information at Don Markstein’s Toonapedia? I just read about the Captain Marvel that splits on that site.
The toonapedia is a pretty nifty site for comic fans. It’s not complete, but he’s working on it. Good info.
That Cap’n Marvel reminds me of my college newspaper. One of the cartoonists was a major comic book fan. He created his own superheroes. The only one I can remember is “Arm Fall Off Boy” who’s powers were to be able to detach his arms. I just remember one scene where he was captured and in chains. His arms fall off and he gets away. I thought that was so friggin’ random. I loved it. But maybe he knew about that Cap’n Marvel.
As I sit here enjoying some Cap’n Crunch, I can’t help but devise another super group. Perhaps the ultimate supergroup.
Behold the
**SUGAR DADDIES**
Team Leader: Capn’ Crunch. He has years of experience.
Strong Man: Tony the Tiger. There was a time when this role would be held by Sugar Bear, but I don’t know if he still makes the scene or not.
Wildcard: Trix the Rabbit
Mystic: Quisp
Stealth: Toucan Sam. People will trust his sophisticated English accent, and his flying ability could be crucial
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### Author:  [@Hugh\_Jass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hugh_Jass)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2002, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-super-hero-groups/101807/48 "2002-04-13T17:27:59Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Fenris \*
> \*\*
>
> And how soon we forget the Captain Marvel by…umm…Dell Comics\*, perhaps? who’s gimmick was to shoot off body parts by yelling one magic word: SPLIT! and pulls them back in again with one magic word: XAM!
> \*\*
Did you dig up this information at Don Markstein’s Toonapedia? I just read about the Captain Marvel that splits on that site.
The toonapedia is a pretty nifty site for comic fans. It’s not complete, but he’s working on it. Good info.
That Cap’n Marvel reminds me of my college newspaper. One of the cartoonists was a major comic book fan. He created his own superheroes. The only one I can remember is “Arm Fall Off Boy” who’s powers were to be able to detach his arms. I just remember one scene where he was captured and in chains. His arms fall off and he gets away. I thought that was so friggin’ random. I loved it. But maybe he knew about that Cap’n Marvel.
As I sit here enjoying some Cap’n Crunch, I can’t help but devise another super group. Perhaps the ultimate supergroup.
Behold the
**SUGAR DADDIES**
Team Leader: Capn’ Crunch. He has years of experience.
Strong Man: Tony the Tiger. There was a time when this role would be held by Sugar Bear, but I don’t know if he still makes the scene or not.
Wildcard: Sonny the Cocoa Puff bird.
Mystic: Quisp
Stealth: Toucan Sam. People will trust his sophisticated English accent, and his flying ability could be crucial
---
### Author:  [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2002, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-super-hero-groups/101807/49 "2002-04-13T18:29:57Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Hugh Jass \*
> \*\*
>
> Did you dig up this information at Don Markstein’s Toonapedia? I just read about the Captain Marvel that splits on that site.
>
> The toonapedia is a pretty nifty site for comic fans. It’s not complete, but he’s working on it. Good info. \*\*
No! Can you post a URL? I’ve never heard of the site. I had one or two of issues of his book (there was another one by the same publisher called (something like) Fatman. I don’t know if I still have it/them though.
\*\*
> [@](#):
>
> That Cap’n Marvel reminds me of my college newspaper. One of the cartoonists was a major comic book fan. He created his own superheroes. The only one I can remember is “Arm Fall Off Boy” who’s powers were to be able to detach his arms. I just remember one scene where he was captured and in chains. His arms fall off and he gets away. I thought that was so friggin’ random. I loved it. But maybe he knew about that Cap’n Marvel.\*\*
Depending on when this was, he either got the idea from or submitted the idea to (I’d guess he submitted the idea to) the Legion of Super Heroes, since there was a pretty funny scene where Arms-Fall-Off Boy actually applied for membership in the Legion of Super-Heroes, ooohhh…in the early '90s, I’d guess. He and his pal Plaid-Lad were rejected, of course.
Fenris
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### Author:  [@Sir\_Prize](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Prize)
#### Post date: [April 14, 2002, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-super-hero-groups/101807/50 "2002-04-14T04:01:21Z")
Leader: **Live Wire/Lightning Lad** is an experienced leader of a large superteam.
Cosmic: **Nexus** has great powers and a nifty space ship. Also the **Badger** and **Judah the Hammer** can show up for comic lunacy.
Brick: **The Big Red Cheese!** Captain Marvel has the wisdom of Solomon and is stronger than Superman or the Hulk (YES! What does “World’s Mightiest Mortal” mean to you?)
Speed: **Impulse** is more fun than any other speeder.
Stealth: **Zot** can turn invisible, fly and has endless optimism. He can also compete with Cap in the squinting department.
Diversity: **Black Lightning**.
Deity: **Thor**. Nuff said.
All the best heroes have ThunderBolts!🆒
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### Author:  [@Hugh\_Jass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hugh_Jass)
#### Post date: [April 14, 2002, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-super-hero-groups/101807/51 "2002-04-14T18:54:47Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Fenris \*
>
> No! Can you post a URL? I’ve never heard of the site. I had one or two of issues of his book (there was another one by the same publisher called (something like) Fatman. I don’t know if I still have it/them though.
Here it is: [Don Markstein](http://www.toonopedia.com/index.htm)
> [@](#):
>
> Depending on when this was, he either got the idea from or submitted the idea to (I’d guess he submitted the idea to) the Legion of Super Heroes, since there was a pretty funny scene where Arms-Fall-Off Boy actually applied for membership in the Legion of Super-Heroes, ooohhh…in the early '90s, I’d guess. He and his pal Plaid-Lad were rejected, of course.
>
> Fenris
Whoa. The college stuff was in the late 80s. Legion of Super Heroes–is that a book or a show? If it’s a book, what issue? That guy had a pretty good sense of humor. I’t’d be neat if he was able to make something of his talent. He went by the name “Chippy Bonehead.” I don’t know his real name.
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### Author:  [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)
#### Post date: [April 15, 2002, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-super-hero-groups/101807/52 "2002-04-15T02:29:54Z")
The Legion of Super Heroes is a comic book team that, in various incarnations has been running on and off (mostly on) since about 1957. It’s about a bunch of teen-age super heroes in the 30th century. One of the neater aspects of the book is that they have open try-outs. You wanna be in the team? Show up at a try-out.
There’s been a tradition for decades to have some _silly_ characters show up as try-outs: Antenna Lad (has big, antler-like ears that can pick up radio broadcasts from the past), Infectious Lass (“I make people sick”/ “I just bet you do!”), Eyeful Ethel (has about 15 eyes in her skull, giving her 360 vision).
In the mid-'90s, “Arms Fall Off Boy” and “Plaid Lad” were Legion Tryouts. My guess is someone had read the strip. They were only in for a few panels, but they were _funny_ panels!
PS: Thanks for the link!
Fenris
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### Author:  [@Jeu\_D\_esprit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeu_D_esprit)
#### Post date: [April 15, 2002, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dream-super-hero-groups/101807/53 "2002-04-15T13:15:42Z")
Team roles? We don’t need no stinkin’ team roles! We’re all so in to it we just know what to do.
\*\* The Omega Force \*\*(the last people you want to see)
-Nexus: Unstoppable on a mission
-Dr. Manhattan: always need a nascent god
-Miricle Man: Hey, get over Moore’s posturing and the potential is great.
-Any Warpsmith: Whenever creatures of speed compare amongst themselves they use one measure, “Fast as a Warpsmith.”
-The Spector: How can you beat a guy who gets whatever power he needs from god?
\*\* The A Team \*\* (for anything other than drastic solutions)
-Superman: go big blue
-Batman: any questions?
-Captain America: tactical leadership and the ability to stand eyebrow to eyebrow with Bats.
-The Shield: the original patriotic flag hero. Good to see him and Cap together.
-Jaguar (the female one): Fast,Feral and Strong.(and flexes so well in those _tight_ pants)
-Zatanna: no brainer for mystic team support.
-Storm: whooa for power and brains.
-Megalith: lots of heart and fierce never give up attitude.
Now who would draw and write them is another question…
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