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Articles by George Elsmere
10 Most Unexpected Celebrity Cameos In Comics
Celebrity cameos are common on TV shows, but many real-world stars have graced the pages of comics too. Some celebrity cameos make sense, whether because the star in question is a fan of the title, has some connection to the story, or has been added to the story to encourage readers to pick up the book. Nobody is surprised to see Stan Lee appear in the background of a Spider-Man story, or hear Deadpool make jokes about Ryan Reynolds.
10 Inspiring Comics Based On True Events
Many people associate the world of comics with fantastical feats, superpowers, and adventures. However, there are lots of comics that are a lot closer to home. Comics have been used as a medium to tell countless true stories, too, such as memoir comics, retellings of historical events, or stories inspired by amazing tales from real life. Genres from biography to true crime have found a home in comics, making these stories available to a whole new audience.
10 Best Comic Adaptations Based On Classic Books, Ranked
Comics and graphic novels have been used to tell all kinds of stories, from inspiring memoirs to classic superhero adventures. Comics have also been used to adapt existing stories, such as tie-ins to television series, or adaptations of classic or famous works. Adapting a classic into a comic has proved to be a popular way to explore a well-known story in a different way, or to make a daunting classic feel more accessible to readers.
10 Forgotten Comic Book Couples That Made No Sense
Maintaining a relationship is hard work when as a comic book character. It's challenging enough to meet someone who understands the challenges of living with a secret identity and the pressure of saving (or taking over) the world, let alone finding time to date and keeping one's love safe from enemies.
10 Avengers The World Forgot
The Avengers are one of the most recognizable superhero teams in comics, but not all their members are quite as memorable. Many obscure heroes and even ex-villains have served on the Avengers over the years. As part of the iconic team, heroes like Iron Man, Captain America, and Hawkeye have made a name for themselves by saving the world from all kinds of evil. However, not all Avengers members have been so lucky.
10 Things You Didn't Know About Wonder Woman's Creation
Wonder Woman is one of the oldest and most famous superheroes around. Only Batman and Superman have the same longevity, but the man behind her creation kept his name a secret for many years. Even when his involvement was revealed, there were still plenty of secrets and little-known facts about how the Amazonian Princess came to be. Her origins have always informed the character, from the weapons she uses to the causes she chooses to fight for.
10 Comic Book Characters Based On Real People
Comic characters are usually fantastical creations and aren't known for being realistic. However, inspiration has to come from somewhere, even if you're dreaming up superheroes, and a surprising number of characters have been based on or taken inspiration from real-life figures, whether in personality or appearance. Some of these imitations are more obvious and more flattering than others. Some writers and artists have openly admitted to borrowing from real life.
10 Worst Couples In The X-Men Comics, Ranked
The X-Men have often been described as a superhero soap opera, and what soap opera is complete without some seriously dramatic relationships? Love doesn't come easily when you're part of the X-Men. There are many obstacles in the path of true love. Sometimes a hero's powers get in the way, or they accidentally marry a clone. X-Men have fallen in love with villains and inhuman constructs. Even some of the X-Men's most famous couples haven't been all that healthy in real-world terms.
10 Weaknesses You Didn't Know Wonder Woman Had
Wonder Woman has been around since the 1940s, using her incredible powers and god-forged weapons to fight evil and injustice in all its forms. The Amazonian warrior is known for her strength and strong morals, but like any hero, she has her weaknesses. Even the sometime daughter of Zeus makes mistakes, and some have managed to use Wonder Woman's most famous attributes against her. Diana may be a demigod, but she's never been all-powerful.
Spider-Man's 10 Biggest Weaknesses
Spider-Man is one of Marvel's flagship heroes, and he's known for his incredible feats of agility and bravery. The Wall-Crawler regularly goes toe-to-toe with some terrifying villains, like the Green Goblin, and he has access to a wide range of powers from web-slinging to his famous spidey-sense. However, Spidey isn't without his weaknesses. Spider-Man vulnerabilities are part of what make him such a beloved hero.
10 Must-Read Comics About Mental Health
The biggest selling titles in comics are those about superheroes. However, the comic book industry covers a lot more than caped crusaders fighting crime. Many comic book creators use the medium to tell stories about serious subject matters, and some produce comics about mental health. These comics vary from autobiographical accounts of mental health struggles to writers using the classic capes to tell stories about mental health through the lens of a superhero.
10 Things About She-Hulk That Make Zero Sense
Stan Lee and John Buscema created She-Hulk in 1980. Jennifer Walters is a lawyer who received her Hulk powers after a blood transfusion from her cousin, Bruce Banner. Unlike her cousin, Jen keeps a lot of her personality when she transforms into a Hulk. Jen can also change in and out of her Hulk form at will. In later series, her transformation is permanent. Since her creation, She-Hulk has been known for running gags, irreverent humor, and breaking the fourth wall.
The Most Obscure Marvel Villains With The Weirdest Powers
From Thanos to the Green Goblin, Marvel has some of the most iconic supervillains. Marvel's villains often come with incredible power sets, ready to give Marvel's heroes a hard time knocking them back. Of course, not everyone is an iconic villain with frightening powers. For every Thanos, there's an obscure villain from Marvel history with weird powers. Most comic book fans have forgotten their existence, and they don't have many appearances in the drawn pages these days.
10 Hilariously Bad Marvel Supervillain Costumes
Comic books are an inherently visual medium, so artists ensure their greatest heroes and villains look as visually pleasing and distinct as possible. Unfortunately not every hero and villain is as lucky as Spider-Man or Iron Man when it comes to wardrobes. Some Marvel Comics villains receive costumes that don't make a lot of practical sense or look downright ridiculous. It's hard to be taken seriously as a supervillain when costumes provoke laughter rather than fear.
10 Worst Marvel Comics Couples
Some pretty beloved couples have graced the pages of Marvel Comics over the years. Lots of readers dream of finding the kind of love shared between characters like Spider-Man and Mary Jane Watson or Gambit and Rogue. Of course, in the world of comics, happiness rarely lasts forever, and there are plenty of couples who aren't quite so healthy or adorable.
Deadpool's 10 Best Fourth-Wall Breaks
Breaking the fourth wall doesn't happen very often in Marvel Comics, but there are a few comic series that use it to great effect. Writers and artists sometimes use fourth wall breaks to add their own comments or jokes, and there are some characters who are aware of their fictional statuses. These characters, including She-Hulk, Gwenpool, and Ambush Bug, often reference their own comics. One of the most famous fourth wall breakers is Deadpool.
10 Worst DC Comics Couples
The path of true love never did run smooth, and that's definitely true in the world of DC Comics. After all, it's hard to find the time to maintain a romantic relationship when trying to save or take over the world. As a result, there are a lot of difficulties for DC characters trying to find love. Secret identities, threats from supervillains (or heroes), and hate from fans can cause unhealthy relationships, toxic couples, and much-needed break-ups.
10 Things You Didn't Know About Storm and Black Panther's Relationship
The Avengers and the X-Men have often crossed paths, sometimes as allies and sometimes as enemies. Some members have moved across both teams, and relationships have formed between them. In some cases, even romance has blossomed. One of the most beloved Avengers/X-Men romances is the one shared by Black Panther and Storm. The King of Wakanda and the weather goddess first met as children.
The 10 Most Brutal Things Daredevil Has Ever Done
Daredevil, also known as the Man Without Fear, has been a tough character since his creation. Inspired by his boxer father, Matt Murdock relies on combat skills and street smarts to carry out his vigilante work. Daredevil has been known to be a brutal hero, particularly in his famous, grittier runs under the guidance of Frank Miller. He may operate as a hero, but Matt has turned to darker methods on more than one occasion.
10 Things Only Comics Fans Know About Daredevil
Thanks to his Netflix series, Daredevil has never been more popular in the mainstream medium. With another series coming to Disney+, his profile is only rising. With almost sixty years of comics behind him, Daredevil has become one of Marvel's best characters. With such a long history, it's no wonder there are elements of his backstory that remain secret even to Marvel fans.
10 Things About Daredevil That Make No Sense
Daredevil has a long history in comics and is known as a gritty hero determined to help Hell's Kitchen. Like any long-standing hero, Daredevil has been through some strange times, as writers experimented with his story, powers, and motivation. The Matt Murdock fans know and love best is a blind lawyer by day, a superhero vigilante by night, and the orphaned son of a boxer.
10 Things You Didn't Know About Thor & Jane's Relationship In Marvel Comics
When Thor first appeared in Marvel Comics in 1962, he disguised himself as a human doctor named Donald Blake. Jane Foster was a nurse who fell in love with Donald and later learned the truth about her beau and fell in love with Thor too. Since then, Thor and Jane have shared a complicated relationship. They've fallen in and out of love over the years and struggled with many challenges coming between them, from supervillains to Jane's cancer.
Ms. Marvel's 10 Strongest Villains In The Comics
Since her debut, Ms. Marvel has proved herself to be a strong and capable hero. She's gone up against some tough enemies, including former friends. The Inhuman hero has tackled some of the strongest villains in the Marvel Universe, all while trying to survive high school and navigate her family. While Ms. Marvel has faced powerful foes, she's battled her fair share of unusual villains in the mix too, including a bird clone of the inventor Thomas Edison.
10 Powers Spider-Man Never Uses Anymore
Spider-Man does whatever a spider can, but since his creation in 1962 by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, he's showcased plenty of unique powers. Comics fans may be most familiar with the Web-Slinger's spider sense, web shooting, and ability to crawl up walls, but Spider-Man has almost a dozen other powers that he doesn't use very often. Among the abilities the Web-Head has demonstrated, there's a handful of powers that seem to have been forgotten, both by Marvel's writers and by Spidey himself.
Hulk’s Greatest Accomplishments
Since his debut in 1962, the Hulk has worked hard to live up to his moniker, "Incredible." The huge green hero has earned a reputation for his super-sized strength. Unfortunately for the Hulk, several other heroes possess super-strength, which can make it difficult for him to distinguish himself from his heroic colleagues. Despite the fact he's often classified solely by his strength, the Hulk has achieved some pretty incredible feats in his time.
10 Times Talia Al Ghul Was Batman's Best Love Interest
Batman may be known as a brooding loner, but he's managed to find time for some intense romantic relationships. He's been linked to several morally gray women, including Catwoman and Talia al Ghul. Fans are divided on the topic of Batman's one true love. Many fans strongly feel that Catwoman is Batman's perfect partner, while others feel that Talia al Ghul is the better choice. Talia is a beautiful assassin, the daughter of Batman's enemy, Ra's al Ghul, and the mother of Batman's son, Damian Wayne.
10 Reasons Why Matt Murdock and Elektra Are Perfectly Matched
Matt Murdock has fallen for some of the most alluring and dangerous women in the Marvel Comics universe, but his relationship with Elektra is a popular romance that has endured. Elektra is a master assassin, and her romance with Daredevil has been riddled with complications from both of their lives. Daredevil's overwhelming sense of justice often conflicts with Elektra's dark past and duties as an assassin.
10 Times She-Hulk Was More Incredible Than The Incredible Hulk
Comparing superheroes is a classic pastime of comic book fans, and few are more comparable than the mighty green cousins, She-Hulk and the Incredible Hulk. Jennifer became the She-Hulk after getting a blood transfusion from Bruce. Since then, Jennifer has earned her place as a hero in her own right and stepped out of her cousin's shadow. The Incredible Hulk might be the better known of the two, but She-Hulk can hold her own.
10 Times Captain Marvel Was A Jerk
Carol Danvers, or as she's better known, Captain Marvel, is a superhero with a strong sense of justice. However, like a lot of heroes in the Marvel Universe, there are times Carol has made some bad judgment calls. There are times Danvers' decisions are downright bad and others when she attempted to do the right thing but it backfired. She's been a jerk, she's been cruel, and she's done things she regrets.
10 Times Batgirl Was A Jerk
Barbara Gordon has been a member of the Bat-Family as Batgirl since 1967. Like most of the Caped Crusader's charges, she's been through many iterations over the years, but Batgirl has always been known for her intelligence and a strong sense of right and wrong. Throughout her time fighting on the streets of the Gotham, Batgirl has proved herself to be a tough fighter and a strong ally for Batman.
10 Underused Superpowers We'd Like To See More Of
Everyone has a list of superpowers that they'd love to have. Whether you've always dreamed of being able to fly or having super strength, some superpowers just seem more useful or more fun. Writers also favor certain powersets, whether because they work well for story purposes, or they just look cool on the page. Some superpowers don't get the same love. Maybe they're not as cool, not as easy to work into a story, not as easy to show in a comic book format, or not as useful.
DC: Nightwing's 10 Greatest Accomplishments
After doing his time as Robin, Dick Grayson grew up and became Nightwing. Known for his acrobatic skill and for arguably having the best behind in comics, Nightwing is one of the most popular and successful members of the Bat-Family. RELATED: The 10 Saddest Nightwing Comics Whether he's working with Batman, leading a team, or working alone, Nightwing is a hugely successful hero, and he's been able to accomplish a lot since he stepped out of Batman's shadow.
The 10 Cruelest Villains Batman Has Ever Faced
Batman has been fighting some of DC's most iconic villains since 1939. Often viewed as a darker hero than his peers, The Caped Crusader has no shortage of truly evil foes. Most of Batman’s enemies are good old-fashioned mobsters and gangsters — just in wackier costumes. Despite not having superpowers, the Dark Knight's villains are some of the most violent and lethal in comics.
10 Times Professor X Was A Jerk
One of the most famous panels in X-Men history comes from Uncanny X-Men #168 where Kitty Pryde declares "Professor X is a jerk!" The statement can seem surprising, as many hold Charles Xavier to be one of the most respected figures in Marvel. Xavier is the leader of the X-Men, a teacher, and puts forward the appearance of wise and compassionate man. Professor X might be all those things, but there is more to him than meets the eye.
The Most Overused Superpowers In Comics
Superpowers have been a part of comics from the beginning. Over the years, thanks to their long history, pretty much every power has been used at some point, whether they're great powers, useful, useless, or just downright disgusting. Perhaps because they've been around for so long, some of the best and coolest powers have been given to a lot of heroes and villains in comics.
10 Most Unlikely Teams In DC Comics
Sometimes, strange circumstances or unprecedented threats push together some pretty unlikely teams. Share Tweet Email Team-ups and partnerships have always been a part of superhero comics, and DC is no exception. Some of these teams have become incredibly famous and popular, such as The Legion of Super-Heroes, the Suicide Squad, or the Justice League.
Batman: 10 Things That Make No Sense About Robin
Robin is possibly the most famous teenage superhero ever created. Originally created to be a sidekick to Batman in 1940 by Bob Kane, Bill Finger, and Jerry Robinson, Robin's first purpose was to attract younger readers to the Batman comics. Since then, several people have taken on the moniker of Robin – most of whom see Batman as a father figure. After doing their time as Robin, several of the teen sidekicks have grown up to be heroes in their own right.
10 Comic Storylines We Want To See In X-Men '97
X-Men: The Animated Series is remembered very fondly by many X-Men fans, and is largely regarded as the best adaption of classic arcs from the various X-Men comics. The original series tackled big stories, including The Dark Phoenix Saga, Days of Future Past, and The Phalanx Covenant.
10 Superpowers That Are Kind Of Useless
Superpowers have been a staple of comics from the beginning, with the most popular and enduring heroes showcasing some incredible powers. Comics fans have put a lot of time into debating what the best and most powerful powers are, and deciding whether they would want to have the power of flight, super strength, invisibility, or one of the many other incredible options. However, not all superpowers are as cool or impressive. There are plenty that are... less useful.
10 Of The Most Disgusting Superpowers In Comics
Having superpowers must be pretty amazing, right? Being able to fly, punch out bad guys, turn invisible, or control the weather certainly would be pretty cool. But not all superpowers are created equal. There are plenty of superpowers that readers probably wouldn't want for themselves. Some of these powers are useless, a bit odd, or just straight-up disgusting.
10 Comics To Read Before Ms. Marvel Comes To Disney+
Ms. Marvel is set to come to Disney+ in Summer 2022 as the latest of the MCU live-action shows. Fans have been excitedly waiting for the arrival of Kamala Khan to the MCU, although very little is known about the show yet. What is known is that since Kamala Khan was introduced in Marvel Comics in 2o13, she has become very popular and there's no sign of her popularity fading. Khan's introduction to the MCU is bound to be important if her appearances in the comics are anything to go by.
10 Superpowers That Make No Sense
Superheroes and supervillains have been around in comics for decades, and over the years, readers have seen just about every kind of superpower there is, from flight to super strength. Some of these powers are more impressive than others, but some are just downright weird. Some of the most beloved super-powered characters have been around for a very long time too, which has given comic writers plenty of chances to play around with what their powers might be able to do.
10 X-Men You Forgot Existed
The X-Men have been around since 1963. Since then, their original line-up of five has grown to include a lot of mutants over the years. There have been numerous X-Men teams, such as X-Force, New Mutants, Excalibur, and more. And with so many teams and so many years to fill, a lot of heroes have done their time on an X-Men team. The X-Men has included some incredibly famous characters, including Wolverine, Cyclops, and Jean Grey.
10 Times Spider-Man Was A Jerk
Peter Parker is just your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, right? Well...not always. Usually, everyone's favorite web-slinger is an out-and-out hero, working hard to save people and protect his city. However, like many comic heroes, Peter has had his less than stellar moments. Sometimes he has the excuse of being an evil, alternate universe version of himself, and of course, has befallen some terrible tragedies, like the accidental death of Gwen Stacy.
10 Times Wolverine Was A Jerk
Wolverine is one of the most popular and ubiquitous X-Men. Since his first appearance in "The Incredible Hulk #180"in 1974, Wolverine has gained a reputation for being a tough fighter, as well as a stoic, often grumpy, reluctant hero. Wolverine might be a hero, but he's done some pretty terrible things in his time, whether knowingly, by mistake, or under the control of an outside force.
10 Times Loki Was A Jerk
If there's anyone in Marvel Comics' history who deserves to be called a jerk, it's Loki. He's changed his mind about whether he's a hero or a villain more times than fans can count. And even when he's not being an out-and-out villain, he's causing chaos wherever he goes. Loki's bad behavior tends to happen in pursuit of mischief rather than evil (although he's had his moments). Otherwise, he tries to come out on top in his ongoing sibling rivalry with Thor.
10 Sidekicks Marvel Wants You To Forget
Where would superheroes and supervillains be without their sidekicks to help them? Some sidekicks are very successful, becoming as beloved as the character they were created to work with, whereas there are plenty of others that their creators would rather be consigned to history. Many sidekicks were created to bring something new to a comic's lineup, shore up some of the main character's weaknesses, or appeal to a slightly different audience.
10 Funniest X-Men Comics
Since their beginning in 1963, the X-Men have been involved in some of the most iconic stories ever told in comics. Whether they're astonishing, uncanny, or untitled, some of the best writers in the business have turned their hand to X-Men and given us incredible stories. Some of the most famous X-Men stories are known for being dramatic and moving, such as the Dark Phoenix Saga or God Loves, Man Kills.
I Was That Woman Who Doesn't Like Other Women
(Photo: Maksym Azovtsev via Getty Images) I left the bar in a crowd of my male friends, all of us chatting about where to go next. As we rounded the corner, we saw a group of teenage boys of similar age to ourselves, decked out in tracksuit bottoms and baseball caps. Several of them began shouting at my group, throwing the standard insults of teenage male posturing. As the group parted, one of them spotted me. “Hang on a minute. One of them’s a girl!” he shouted. There was a silence.
Why we're obsessed with Digbeth
Digbeth is a real Birmingham gem. It’s home to some of the best food and drink establishments in Birmingham, but it’s an area often overlooked. Yes, it’s a bit of a walk from the city centre, but once you look past the used car sellers, and the crowds of alarming people crammed round the bus stops on Digbeth High Street, it’s really rather wonderful. Here are the five best reasons why you should visit Digbeth right now. The Ruin The Ruin is classic Digbeth.
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