Round 11 was really interesting to me. Normally I'd give it to Cyclops, Cable and Emma. But I envisioned a more comedic-in-tone story where the three of them just start arguing with each other, with all three trying to take command and lots of old grudges coming out. Meanwhile Lorna and Strong Guy and Warren are able to come up with a slapsticky hail mary plan and execute it with perfect comedic timing.
I think Jean would hesitate in places where Psylocke and Magik wouldn't and that would be the losing factor.
[Smooth transition to the question of the week]
There's the moment in an Infinity War (the 1992 one) book (i think it MIGHT be one of the FF tie-ins, but i'm not positive) where Johnny Storm is walking around and he sees Psylocke and he thinks damn she's hot and then we see from her perspective that she totally heard that and she's like "too bad you didn't say anything that could have been interesting" and I don't know who i would want to date or whatever but i love moments like that and would love to have more near misses/"we're around all these people all the time, of course there are going to be casual crushes" sort of situations
I'm late to the game for this particular post but I appreciate the "enough fighting, more kissing" question so felt compelled to add 2 cents. Which take the form of 2 thoughts:
1) As a die-hard Longshot fan I skimmed everyone just for him and came up with (presuming there isn't a giant age gap PLEASE) Boom Boom or Magik? The former could be fun and flirtatious, the latter more "the love and luck in me sees the darkness and Limbo in you" sort of thing.
2) Where can I sign a petition for Kelly to write a Longshot mini?
1) Boom Boom is a fun idea, but it's hard to see more than a fling to me -- and maybe her energy is too similar to Dazzler -- which makes it a logical pairing but less interesting because we've sort of seen that already? I'm a hard no on Magik because my personal headcanon for her is that she's ACE. And if not ACE then I'd lean gay or MAYBE bi for her, so I'd be disinclined to pair her with a guy -- even such a sort of non-traditional kind of guy -- right off the bat. But in that respect -- yeah, I can see it. And the pureness and lightness of Longshot, despite where/how he was raised is interesting in combination with the darkness and conflict in Magik thanks to how/where she was raised. That feels like something VERY rich for storytelling.
It looks like someone hasn't been able to decide in the Jubilee & Iceman Vs Colossus & Bishop fight as there's only 42 votes there and all the others have 43! It's gonna be the deciding vote and I can't take it! AAAAAGGHHHH! 🤯
Someone in the comments argued that Kitty can't phase through Siryn's power. I don't know that that's found in evidence/or canon, but if true is a game changer.
I really feel like Angel/Archangel should have a new romance already, but with whooooo???? Because Betsy has moved on with Rachal, Kwannon has moved on possibly with John Greycrow, and that whole deal was hella complicated anyway. Someone his age (not Husk ewww). Someone who understands being possessed by an entity that brings out your darker side? I like his chances with Polaris maybe? Or Siren?
Kinda wish Jubilee would get back with Jono or at least hash things out with him, so leaving her be for now.
Bishop needs a someone badly. He's too serious. He and Jean were unexpectedly fun in Age of X-Man though. He needs someone sincere, but who also who might lighten him up a bit. 🤔 Hmmmm. Sage? Or was that already a thing?
Cerise was too cute with Nightcrawler. Let's just have them back together. Same with Colossus and Domino.
Bobby and Christian seem good for now, so not messing with them.
And nobody better touch Rogue and Gambit for a least two decades. Or just wait until I'm dead out of respect. 😂
Haha ... I'll think on showing my work for the battles later. Kissing first!
I'm glad Kwannon and Betsy are separated and on their own paths, but I agree that I liked Betsy and Warren together. I was bummed when that one fell apart. Although I do like the idea of a lot of old/broken relationships within the X-Men -- because of course that would happen!
I could see Polaris OR Siryn. Yeah.
Aw. Jubes and Jono.
I didn't really get the Bishop/Jean thing, but I'd love to see him with someone in the main continuity. He was with Deathbird for a while and I was...not a fan though...so maybe this is trickier than I thought! I hate Sage. So...NO. lol
I loved Cerise and Nightcrawler together! Peak couple!
Bishop is tough! I can't think who would be able to match his super serious personality, but also maybe lighten him up? 🤔 Krakoa needs a match maker service or something. Yeah, that Deathbird thing was weird and I still have questions about what happened there. 😂 Not a Sage fan? LOL Fair. How her powers work is a bit woo-woo and her personality is tough to nail down really. The version of her on The Gifted was actually kind of better? Hmmm ... does Tempo date men? Her time powers could be interesting for a time traveling character like Bishop and she's very chill seeming. I thought about Johanna Cargill, but then I just imagine they'd be arguing constantly for some reason. Both too hard headed. Can't go with Hope because ... ummm, nooooo. The attempted murder is kind of a problem. 🤦♀️ Hoo boy. This is a hard one.
It's funny, I thought of Frenzy too (Johanna Cargill). Mostly because I really like her and think she's very underused and I'd love to see her get a meaty bit of story. I also think she has good taste in dudes -- having been with Cyclops in an alt reality, and sorta having a crush on Gambit. So Bishop isn't a crazy pick for her. She likes strong/interesting/mostly heroic dudes.
I was going to say I think she's too much of a "bad guy" (i.e. she was at one time a bad guy) for Bishop -- he's SO true blue hero guy. BUT his most significant relationship in comics is Deathbird...and that girl is baaaaad. So what do I know!
And now that we're talking about it...I really want to see it!
Magik & Psylocke nick this one for me (perhaps no surprise!) but oh man I would kill to see that fight! Oh yeah! (Are we allowed to throw the Aubergine/Egg plant emoji in here?! Or is that too saucy?!)
I simply CANNOT decide between the Jubilee & Iceman Vs Colossus & Bishop fight, just when I think I've got it I change my bloody mind!!!
Ok, I've gone with Colossus & Bishop just because Bishop is a soldier and his experience and powers take Jubilee out before she has a chance to fully realise her abilities! Just!
The analogy that I use for super-team fights is basketball (especially because so many seem to be 5-on-5).
In that analogy, the team with the better “Point Guard” has an advantage. They handle the ‘ball’ and put their teammate(s) in a position to be successful. The second thing that you want is a ‘rebounder’ who cleans up messes when the play breaks down.
The last thing that you want is someone who is going freelance, not communicate, or play for their own ‘stats’.
On that basis, the teams with Deadpool, Phoenix, and Quicksilver are automatic outs. There is literally no physical advantage that is so great it cannot be ruined by being a crappy teammate. Ask Dwight Howard.
Conversely, your best ‘rebounders’ are Wolverine and Rogue. If the plan goes badly, then those two are who I want on my team.
Best Point Guard is obviously Cyclops. He has a little Chris Paul in that he gets on everyone’s nerves, but his skills turn a mediocre-to-bad group into a good one. Next best is Kitty. Everyone loves Storm, but she is too much of an introvert and too much of a native ‘scorer’ for my taste. She is like Kobe, who really needed a Derek Fisher to do the vocal leadership thing. Kitty, on the other hand, is sharply attuned to the group dynamic and not afraid to step on toes.
My Orlando Magic loving partner loved this comment, Dean.
And yeah, it's great. Basketball is a great analogy.
So your ideal team based on this is: Cyclops, Someone that is not a wildcard, something that is not a wildcard, Rogue, and Wolverine? ;D
One question -- Rachel is not my fav but is she really in the same "freelancer" category as Deadpool and Quicksilver? (I'd put Mystique in that category, MAYBE Domino, MAYBE Longshot...not because he's a dick but just the unpredictable factor?)...but why Rachel?
Tell your partner (Adam, right?) that he has my condolences and I hope that the DeVos Family sells the team. Bad ownership is the worst. Frank and Jamie McCourt stole years from my life when they owned the Dodgers.
On Rachel, my X-Men reading got very sporadic and creator-driven post UXM #200, so my take on Rachel might be wrong. I most remember her crouching in a dog collar. Maybe she evolved.
On an (modern) basketball team, I would want a PG, two perimeter scorers, a rebounder, and rim protector. Cyclops is the PG. Wolverine, or Rogue, is the rebounder. Jean Grey and Storm are your best 'scorers' in that they could do real damage from almost anywhere. In terms of a rim protector? That is tough. Maybe Beast? His powers aren't defensive, but maybe he would come up with some gadget that defended the team. The other option is Nightcrawler, who could certainly prevent bad things from happening.
Our only constant is our suffering (as relates to Magic Basketball). I mean, it's fine for me, I don't care, but it's a never ending roller coaster of frustration (at least from my POV).
I'm not a super big Rachel fan and there's lots I haven't read, but she definitely seems like a pretty reliable team player these days (and very powerful still).
Cyclops, Wolverine, Rogue, Storm, and Nightcrawler is a pretty great/classic team.
Yeah, the thing about being a sports fan is that only one team ends the year happy. So, you wind up 'paying' more emotionally than you get back. That is probably why I am so phlegmatic about geek stuff. One 'win' every ten years feels like a fair return.
I have pretty much re-invented the Claremont wheel.
While I agree with most of your assessments, I have to say I think you under rate Siryn and Boom Boom’s chances. I think they get the win because Siryn would surprise Kate due to the fact that I don’t believe Kate’s power would save her from Siryn. After all, she can still hear when phasing, which means sound can still reach her. Which means her inner-ear scrambles just like everyone else’s. N once Kate is down, the duo can overwhelm her partner at range no prob.
If you're right about Siryn's power that's absolutely a game changer. If Kitty and Shatterstar really have no defense against Siryn's power, yeah, I agree they'd lose.
Hey Kelly!! I’m gonna go with Angel and Storm. If I recall correctly there were hints and plans for a romance between them in the Wolverine and the X-Men cartoon back in the day before it got canceled and don’t feel bad. I have that problem too.
I think Longshot and Iceman would make a great couple/fling. Especially the more aloof Longshot from the X-Factor books. He was quite funny and seemed like a great time.
Would make for a helluva summer romance for Bobby I would think!
Round 11 was really interesting to me. Normally I'd give it to Cyclops, Cable and Emma. But I envisioned a more comedic-in-tone story where the three of them just start arguing with each other, with all three trying to take command and lots of old grudges coming out. Meanwhile Lorna and Strong Guy and Warren are able to come up with a slapsticky hail mary plan and execute it with perfect comedic timing.
I think in the story version of the fight that is a definite possibility. haha.
I think Jean would hesitate in places where Psylocke and Magik wouldn't and that would be the losing factor.
[Smooth transition to the question of the week]
There's the moment in an Infinity War (the 1992 one) book (i think it MIGHT be one of the FF tie-ins, but i'm not positive) where Johnny Storm is walking around and he sees Psylocke and he thinks damn she's hot and then we see from her perspective that she totally heard that and she's like "too bad you didn't say anything that could have been interesting" and I don't know who i would want to date or whatever but i love moments like that and would love to have more near misses/"we're around all these people all the time, of course there are going to be casual crushes" sort of situations
Agreed.
[Smooth transition to the answer to the question of the week]
I love small little beats like that. The sort of things that happen in the gutters, between panels, or the things we imagine happen.
I'm late to the game for this particular post but I appreciate the "enough fighting, more kissing" question so felt compelled to add 2 cents. Which take the form of 2 thoughts:
1) As a die-hard Longshot fan I skimmed everyone just for him and came up with (presuming there isn't a giant age gap PLEASE) Boom Boom or Magik? The former could be fun and flirtatious, the latter more "the love and luck in me sees the darkness and Limbo in you" sort of thing.
2) Where can I sign a petition for Kelly to write a Longshot mini?
Haha.
1) Boom Boom is a fun idea, but it's hard to see more than a fling to me -- and maybe her energy is too similar to Dazzler -- which makes it a logical pairing but less interesting because we've sort of seen that already? I'm a hard no on Magik because my personal headcanon for her is that she's ACE. And if not ACE then I'd lean gay or MAYBE bi for her, so I'd be disinclined to pair her with a guy -- even such a sort of non-traditional kind of guy -- right off the bat. But in that respect -- yeah, I can see it. And the pureness and lightness of Longshot, despite where/how he was raised is interesting in combination with the darkness and conflict in Magik thanks to how/where she was raised. That feels like something VERY rich for storytelling.
2) I will ask around. ;D
I'm not sure Kitty and White Queen would make a great couple, but the fanfic...oh my...
(I'm so sorry. The thought entered my head and wouldn't leave until I typed it out.)
It looks like someone hasn't been able to decide in the Jubilee & Iceman Vs Colossus & Bishop fight as there's only 42 votes there and all the others have 43! It's gonna be the deciding vote and I can't take it! AAAAAGGHHHH! 🤯
Hahahaha!
Man seeing these cards really takes me back!
I feel so awkward bc most of my votes are with the minority. :)
We need lots of opinions. Diversity of thought makes everything stronger.
I am 100 percent. Team Boom Boom and Siryn, not even sorry.
They definitely have the power/energy, no doubt.
Someone in the comments argued that Kitty can't phase through Siryn's power. I don't know that that's found in evidence/or canon, but if true is a game changer.
I really feel like Angel/Archangel should have a new romance already, but with whooooo???? Because Betsy has moved on with Rachal, Kwannon has moved on possibly with John Greycrow, and that whole deal was hella complicated anyway. Someone his age (not Husk ewww). Someone who understands being possessed by an entity that brings out your darker side? I like his chances with Polaris maybe? Or Siren?
Kinda wish Jubilee would get back with Jono or at least hash things out with him, so leaving her be for now.
Bishop needs a someone badly. He's too serious. He and Jean were unexpectedly fun in Age of X-Man though. He needs someone sincere, but who also who might lighten him up a bit. 🤔 Hmmmm. Sage? Or was that already a thing?
Cerise was too cute with Nightcrawler. Let's just have them back together. Same with Colossus and Domino.
Bobby and Christian seem good for now, so not messing with them.
And nobody better touch Rogue and Gambit for a least two decades. Or just wait until I'm dead out of respect. 😂
Haha ... I'll think on showing my work for the battles later. Kissing first!
I'm glad Kwannon and Betsy are separated and on their own paths, but I agree that I liked Betsy and Warren together. I was bummed when that one fell apart. Although I do like the idea of a lot of old/broken relationships within the X-Men -- because of course that would happen!
I could see Polaris OR Siryn. Yeah.
Aw. Jubes and Jono.
I didn't really get the Bishop/Jean thing, but I'd love to see him with someone in the main continuity. He was with Deathbird for a while and I was...not a fan though...so maybe this is trickier than I thought! I hate Sage. So...NO. lol
I loved Cerise and Nightcrawler together! Peak couple!
Agreed on your last few thoughts. ;D
Bishop is tough! I can't think who would be able to match his super serious personality, but also maybe lighten him up? 🤔 Krakoa needs a match maker service or something. Yeah, that Deathbird thing was weird and I still have questions about what happened there. 😂 Not a Sage fan? LOL Fair. How her powers work is a bit woo-woo and her personality is tough to nail down really. The version of her on The Gifted was actually kind of better? Hmmm ... does Tempo date men? Her time powers could be interesting for a time traveling character like Bishop and she's very chill seeming. I thought about Johanna Cargill, but then I just imagine they'd be arguing constantly for some reason. Both too hard headed. Can't go with Hope because ... ummm, nooooo. The attempted murder is kind of a problem. 🤦♀️ Hoo boy. This is a hard one.
It's funny, I thought of Frenzy too (Johanna Cargill). Mostly because I really like her and think she's very underused and I'd love to see her get a meaty bit of story. I also think she has good taste in dudes -- having been with Cyclops in an alt reality, and sorta having a crush on Gambit. So Bishop isn't a crazy pick for her. She likes strong/interesting/mostly heroic dudes.
I was going to say I think she's too much of a "bad guy" (i.e. she was at one time a bad guy) for Bishop -- he's SO true blue hero guy. BUT his most significant relationship in comics is Deathbird...and that girl is baaaaad. So what do I know!
And now that we're talking about it...I really want to see it!
Magik & Psylocke nick this one for me (perhaps no surprise!) but oh man I would kill to see that fight! Oh yeah! (Are we allowed to throw the Aubergine/Egg plant emoji in here?! Or is that too saucy?!)
I simply CANNOT decide between the Jubilee & Iceman Vs Colossus & Bishop fight, just when I think I've got it I change my bloody mind!!!
Ok, I've gone with Colossus & Bishop just because Bishop is a soldier and his experience and powers take Jubilee out before she has a chance to fully realise her abilities! Just!
Same!
Yeah, that one is super close for me too. But I went the same way you did for the same/similar reasons.
Ooh another level to war! Hmmm much to ponder...
The analogy that I use for super-team fights is basketball (especially because so many seem to be 5-on-5).
In that analogy, the team with the better “Point Guard” has an advantage. They handle the ‘ball’ and put their teammate(s) in a position to be successful. The second thing that you want is a ‘rebounder’ who cleans up messes when the play breaks down.
The last thing that you want is someone who is going freelance, not communicate, or play for their own ‘stats’.
On that basis, the teams with Deadpool, Phoenix, and Quicksilver are automatic outs. There is literally no physical advantage that is so great it cannot be ruined by being a crappy teammate. Ask Dwight Howard.
Conversely, your best ‘rebounders’ are Wolverine and Rogue. If the plan goes badly, then those two are who I want on my team.
Best Point Guard is obviously Cyclops. He has a little Chris Paul in that he gets on everyone’s nerves, but his skills turn a mediocre-to-bad group into a good one. Next best is Kitty. Everyone loves Storm, but she is too much of an introvert and too much of a native ‘scorer’ for my taste. She is like Kobe, who really needed a Derek Fisher to do the vocal leadership thing. Kitty, on the other hand, is sharply attuned to the group dynamic and not afraid to step on toes.
My Orlando Magic loving partner loved this comment, Dean.
And yeah, it's great. Basketball is a great analogy.
So your ideal team based on this is: Cyclops, Someone that is not a wildcard, something that is not a wildcard, Rogue, and Wolverine? ;D
One question -- Rachel is not my fav but is she really in the same "freelancer" category as Deadpool and Quicksilver? (I'd put Mystique in that category, MAYBE Domino, MAYBE Longshot...not because he's a dick but just the unpredictable factor?)...but why Rachel?
Tell your partner (Adam, right?) that he has my condolences and I hope that the DeVos Family sells the team. Bad ownership is the worst. Frank and Jamie McCourt stole years from my life when they owned the Dodgers.
On Rachel, my X-Men reading got very sporadic and creator-driven post UXM #200, so my take on Rachel might be wrong. I most remember her crouching in a dog collar. Maybe she evolved.
On an (modern) basketball team, I would want a PG, two perimeter scorers, a rebounder, and rim protector. Cyclops is the PG. Wolverine, or Rogue, is the rebounder. Jean Grey and Storm are your best 'scorers' in that they could do real damage from almost anywhere. In terms of a rim protector? That is tough. Maybe Beast? His powers aren't defensive, but maybe he would come up with some gadget that defended the team. The other option is Nightcrawler, who could certainly prevent bad things from happening.
Our only constant is our suffering (as relates to Magic Basketball). I mean, it's fine for me, I don't care, but it's a never ending roller coaster of frustration (at least from my POV).
I'm not a super big Rachel fan and there's lots I haven't read, but she definitely seems like a pretty reliable team player these days (and very powerful still).
Cyclops, Wolverine, Rogue, Storm, and Nightcrawler is a pretty great/classic team.
Yeah, the thing about being a sports fan is that only one team ends the year happy. So, you wind up 'paying' more emotionally than you get back. That is probably why I am so phlegmatic about geek stuff. One 'win' every ten years feels like a fair return.
I have pretty much re-invented the Claremont wheel.
haha.
While I agree with most of your assessments, I have to say I think you under rate Siryn and Boom Boom’s chances. I think they get the win because Siryn would surprise Kate due to the fact that I don’t believe Kate’s power would save her from Siryn. After all, she can still hear when phasing, which means sound can still reach her. Which means her inner-ear scrambles just like everyone else’s. N once Kate is down, the duo can overwhelm her partner at range no prob.
If you're right about Siryn's power that's absolutely a game changer. If Kitty and Shatterstar really have no defense against Siryn's power, yeah, I agree they'd lose.
Hey Kelly!! I’m gonna go with Angel and Storm. If I recall correctly there were hints and plans for a romance between them in the Wolverine and the X-Men cartoon back in the day before it got canceled and don’t feel bad. I have that problem too.
Oh wow. Interesting, I've never heard that one before!
I think Longshot and Iceman would make a great couple/fling. Especially the more aloof Longshot from the X-Factor books. He was quite funny and seemed like a great time.
Would make for a helluva summer romance for Bobby I would think!
Oooh! I can see this. I wonder if they're both a little too goofy for long term -- too much of the same vibe? But I could be into a summer fling. ;D
Right! Def not long term, but Bobby showing he’s also “Alpha Level” in the dating world would make for some really fun reading haha
Like next-Gen Marvel Team Up.... Iceman and His Amazing Friends where he’s on a different date every issue and some random hyjinx ensues lol.