The Panel Biter was created to teach fans of superheroes and comic books the kind of stuff that's useless to know, but fun to learn about. To that end, you might be surprised by the kinds of characters to premier in the oddest of places. Here's The Panel Biter's Top 10 Most Surprising Comic Book Premiers!
10. The Savage Land "X-Men #10"
Last on the list mainly for not being in a movie yet, The Savage Land is a jungle area in the Antarctic where time never moved past the age of the dinosaurs. Similar to the novel "The Lost Plateau", this land is inhabited by dinosaurs, neanderthals, and many dangerous plants. It also houses mines of Vibranium, heroes like Ka-Zar and Devil Dinosaur, and has been a location visited by heroes like Spider-Man and The Avengers. Before them though, The X-Men came to The Savage Land when Magneto attempted to enslave its people. Due to the location's mixture of prehistoric magic and bizarre physics many superheroes find their powers disabled when they arrive here, leading to intense survival situations.
Last on the list mainly for not being in a movie yet, The Savage Land is a jungle area in the Antarctic where time never moved past the age of the dinosaurs. Similar to the novel "The Lost Plateau", this land is inhabited by dinosaurs, neanderthals, and many dangerous plants. It also houses mines of Vibranium, heroes like Ka-Zar and Devil Dinosaur, and has been a location visited by heroes like Spider-Man and The Avengers. Before them though, The X-Men came to The Savage Land when Magneto attempted to enslave its people. Due to the location's mixture of prehistoric magic and bizarre physics many superheroes find their powers disabled when they arrive here, leading to intense survival situations.
9. The Martian Manhunter "Detective Comics #225"
While characters like The Flash, Batman, and Aquaman have all headlined their own books early on, The Martian Manhunter has never had that honor. Though he'd have a slew of self-named series down the line, our bald buddy here first appeared in an issue of Detective Comics, a title better associated with Batman. Sad really, when you factor in how MM is just a better Batman and Superman. Think about it. Alien? Check. Detective? Check. Dead parents? Try a dead race. Not to mention having all of Superman's powers and then some! Regardless, J'ohnn J'onzz has remained such the B-Lister he's even been replaced on The Justice League by Cyborg of all people!
While characters like The Flash, Batman, and Aquaman have all headlined their own books early on, The Martian Manhunter has never had that honor. Though he'd have a slew of self-named series down the line, our bald buddy here first appeared in an issue of Detective Comics, a title better associated with Batman. Sad really, when you factor in how MM is just a better Batman and Superman. Think about it. Alien? Check. Detective? Check. Dead parents? Try a dead race. Not to mention having all of Superman's powers and then some! Regardless, J'ohnn J'onzz has remained such the B-Lister he's even been replaced on The Justice League by Cyborg of all people!
8. Deathstroke "New Teen Titans #2"
Anyone who's seen the only good Teen Titans cartoon might remember Deathstroke (or Slade) is the Teen Titans' greatest villain, but fans of "Arrow" as well as "Batman: Arkham Origins" may get the idea that he's a villain of Green Arrow or Batman. And while Deathstroke has tangled with the likes of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and the entire Justice League, Deathstroke works best as a villain for a group of teenagers. Like, if The Justice League deal with world-ending threats every other day, then the equivalent for their younger counterparts would be a guy as effective as Batman and strong enough to fight all of them. When Deathstroke isn't facing down The Teen Titans he just lacks any personal stake in the battle. If it weren't for those pesky Titans his son wouldn't be dead. What am I talking about? Listen to a podcast.
Anyone who's seen the only good Teen Titans cartoon might remember Deathstroke (or Slade) is the Teen Titans' greatest villain, but fans of "Arrow" as well as "Batman: Arkham Origins" may get the idea that he's a villain of Green Arrow or Batman. And while Deathstroke has tangled with the likes of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and the entire Justice League, Deathstroke works best as a villain for a group of teenagers. Like, if The Justice League deal with world-ending threats every other day, then the equivalent for their younger counterparts would be a guy as effective as Batman and strong enough to fight all of them. When Deathstroke isn't facing down The Teen Titans he just lacks any personal stake in the battle. If it weren't for those pesky Titans his son wouldn't be dead. What am I talking about? Listen to a podcast.
7. The Punisher "The Amazing Spider-Man #129"
Sorry Daredevil, but you're not the first red guy to face off against Frank Castle. When The Punisher showed up he began hunting down Spider-Man with the intention of killing him over Spidey's accidental murder of Norman Osborn. Only later did Frank realize Spider-Man wasn't a murderer and the two remained distant allies. The Punisher would sometimes find himself allied with Daredevil and Spider-Man, creating a symbolic trinity of the superhero genre: There are anti-heroes like Punisher, flat-out heroes like Spider-Man, and guys like Daredevil who walk that line. It was always odd to me that a person like Frank Castle would continue doing what he does in a city that houses so many heroes, especially heroes like Spider-Man and Daredevil who take such offense with murdering criminals. But I guess personal responsibility isn't that big a deal.
Sorry Daredevil, but you're not the first red guy to face off against Frank Castle. When The Punisher showed up he began hunting down Spider-Man with the intention of killing him over Spidey's accidental murder of Norman Osborn. Only later did Frank realize Spider-Man wasn't a murderer and the two remained distant allies. The Punisher would sometimes find himself allied with Daredevil and Spider-Man, creating a symbolic trinity of the superhero genre: There are anti-heroes like Punisher, flat-out heroes like Spider-Man, and guys like Daredevil who walk that line. It was always odd to me that a person like Frank Castle would continue doing what he does in a city that houses so many heroes, especially heroes like Spider-Man and Daredevil who take such offense with murdering criminals. But I guess personal responsibility isn't that big a deal.
6. Wolverine "The Incredible Hulk #180"
Hulk fights another Hulk, Hulk fights a robot Hulk, Hulk fights a furry Hulk, Hulk fights a short, hairy psychopath with knives in his hands. Before he was an X-Man, before he was an Avenger, before he was old, before he was more popular than every other Marvel character, Wolverine was just another guy The Hulk had to punch. An agent of the Canadian government, Wolverine was sent in during a fight between The Hulk and a Wendigo to capture them both. Only a few years later would be established as a mutant and recruited onto The X-Men. Thanks Claremont! So if you've read "Old Man Logan" or seen that "Hulk vs Wolverine" animated movie and ever ask yourself "Why the hell are Wolverine and The Hulk rivals" there's your answer! Say, if The Hulk can defeat Thor does that mean Wolverine can too?
Hulk fights another Hulk, Hulk fights a robot Hulk, Hulk fights a furry Hulk, Hulk fights a short, hairy psychopath with knives in his hands. Before he was an X-Man, before he was an Avenger, before he was old, before he was more popular than every other Marvel character, Wolverine was just another guy The Hulk had to punch. An agent of the Canadian government, Wolverine was sent in during a fight between The Hulk and a Wendigo to capture them both. Only a few years later would be established as a mutant and recruited onto The X-Men. Thanks Claremont! So if you've read "Old Man Logan" or seen that "Hulk vs Wolverine" animated movie and ever ask yourself "Why the hell are Wolverine and The Hulk rivals" there's your answer! Say, if The Hulk can defeat Thor does that mean Wolverine can too?
5. Black Widow "Tales of Suspense #52"
Black Widow's credibility has never been a topic of disbelief, she kind of wears her sins on her sleeve. What you might not know is what Black Widow looked like when her villainy began. As a spy for the Russian government Black Widow was a crafty foe for Iron Man to battle as Tony Stark often fought Cold War supervillains. Just kind of weird of this non-powered spy lady to think she could defeat a man who's boots could be classified as "weapons of mass destruction". Years later she'd even battle The Avengers and be revealed to be brainwashed, erasing her alignment with evil and allowing her to join The Avengers. To avenge all the lives she's taken and all the cans of hairspray she went through.
Black Widow's credibility has never been a topic of disbelief, she kind of wears her sins on her sleeve. What you might not know is what Black Widow looked like when her villainy began. As a spy for the Russian government Black Widow was a crafty foe for Iron Man to battle as Tony Stark often fought Cold War supervillains. Just kind of weird of this non-powered spy lady to think she could defeat a man who's boots could be classified as "weapons of mass destruction". Years later she'd even battle The Avengers and be revealed to be brainwashed, erasing her alignment with evil and allowing her to join The Avengers. To avenge all the lives she's taken and all the cans of hairspray she went through.
4. Hawkeye "Tales of Suspense #57"
Did I forget to mention Black Widow recruited Hawkeye to fight Iron Man? See, when her armed goons weren't enough she reached out to a member of The Circus of Crime, Clint Barton. A lot of people forget about this part of Clint's origin because being raised in a circus is something Nightwing and Deadman have covered, but Hawkeye indeed joined Black Widow after a heist both she and The Circus of Crime partook in. In fact, Clint fell in love with Widow and followed her, hoping she might consider reforming with him. As you can imagine the Iron Man/Hawkeye battle was pretty one-sided, but luckily Hawkeye's hopes of working amongst The Avengers with Black Widow would come true. Unfortunately, the man with the sharpest eyes on Earth lost his girl to a blind man from Hell's Kitchen.
Did I forget to mention Black Widow recruited Hawkeye to fight Iron Man? See, when her armed goons weren't enough she reached out to a member of The Circus of Crime, Clint Barton. A lot of people forget about this part of Clint's origin because being raised in a circus is something Nightwing and Deadman have covered, but Hawkeye indeed joined Black Widow after a heist both she and The Circus of Crime partook in. In fact, Clint fell in love with Widow and followed her, hoping she might consider reforming with him. As you can imagine the Iron Man/Hawkeye battle was pretty one-sided, but luckily Hawkeye's hopes of working amongst The Avengers with Black Widow would come true. Unfortunately, the man with the sharpest eyes on Earth lost his girl to a blind man from Hell's Kitchen.
3. The Inhumans "Fantastic Four #45"
Just when you thought their TV show was embarrassing, turns out this not-so-modern family hails from a comic book series stuck knee deep in the swamps of 20th Century Fox. When they first appeared The Inhumans were a family of eight superpowered beings who treated themselves like royal elites. They had no subjects, no "New Inhumans", just a family and their giant dog. They lived on the Moon in the city of Attilan and only rarely came down to interact with Earth. And honestly, they should have stayed that way. Don't get me wrong, characters like Ms. Marvel and Mosaic wouldn't exist without The Inhumans expanding their branches, but the concept of a weird, alien family of "inhuman" people living out in space is much more interesting to me. To focus on these characters as outsiders, foreigners to our world, but connected none the less and to see them interact with their distant relatives would be a story steeping in societal differences and moral understanding. Best executed by a family who got superpowers meeting a family who were born with superpowers.
Just when you thought their TV show was embarrassing, turns out this not-so-modern family hails from a comic book series stuck knee deep in the swamps of 20th Century Fox. When they first appeared The Inhumans were a family of eight superpowered beings who treated themselves like royal elites. They had no subjects, no "New Inhumans", just a family and their giant dog. They lived on the Moon in the city of Attilan and only rarely came down to interact with Earth. And honestly, they should have stayed that way. Don't get me wrong, characters like Ms. Marvel and Mosaic wouldn't exist without The Inhumans expanding their branches, but the concept of a weird, alien family of "inhuman" people living out in space is much more interesting to me. To focus on these characters as outsiders, foreigners to our world, but connected none the less and to see them interact with their distant relatives would be a story steeping in societal differences and moral understanding. Best executed by a family who got superpowers meeting a family who were born with superpowers.
2. Black Panther "Fantastic Four #52"
The first thing Black Panther ever does is kidnap The Fantastic Four. No joke. He invites them to his secret nation of Wakanda, attacks them individually, and then holds them in captivity all to make sure he's strong enough to fight his arch-enemy Klaw. That's badass. Especially when you remember the iconic abilities The Fantastic Four possess and then remember Black Panther is about as strong as Captain America. Again, pretty impressive. Don't mark him down on first impressions. Like The Inhumans, the concept of Wakanda fits perfectly into the weird science-fiction adventures of The Fantastic Four. A nation in the middle of Africa unseen by the world for centuries, housing the rarest metal on Earth, the most advanced technology on Earth, a literal understanding and practice of the mystic arts, and a legit Panther God? You think Doctor Doom had the science/magic thing down to a tee? Black Panther, man. Black Panther.
The first thing Black Panther ever does is kidnap The Fantastic Four. No joke. He invites them to his secret nation of Wakanda, attacks them individually, and then holds them in captivity all to make sure he's strong enough to fight his arch-enemy Klaw. That's badass. Especially when you remember the iconic abilities The Fantastic Four possess and then remember Black Panther is about as strong as Captain America. Again, pretty impressive. Don't mark him down on first impressions. Like The Inhumans, the concept of Wakanda fits perfectly into the weird science-fiction adventures of The Fantastic Four. A nation in the middle of Africa unseen by the world for centuries, housing the rarest metal on Earth, the most advanced technology on Earth, a literal understanding and practice of the mystic arts, and a legit Panther God? You think Doctor Doom had the science/magic thing down to a tee? Black Panther, man. Black Panther.
1. Sabretooth "Iron Fist #14"
Danny Rand-The Immortal Iron Fist and protector of Kung-Lun-was once the bitter enemy of a slobbering, raving mad psychopath who wore furs so furry PETA was founded the minute he was invented. Sabretooth is wildly known as Wolverine's arch-enemy. The Luthor to his Superman, The Joker to his Batman, so to see one-half of such an iconic rivalry begin his career as Iron Fist's foe is pretty damn bizarre. Sabretooth has always been an exaggeration of what Wolverine could have been, a mindless savage who kills for the sake of killing. What made Wolverine different was his ability to aim his rage and use this savagery to protect people. So why would Sabretooth ever be a good villain for Iron Fist? Same principle. Sure, Iron Fist is way more composed than Wolverine, but he still has a sense of discipline that keeps his weapon of justice from being a weapon of death. And really, a beast-man who fights with claws and death fighting a warrior who needs nothing but his fist and his will is a pretty cool setup for a fight, so cool they've brought these two together a few times before. But as far as why Sabretooth went from being Iron Fist's punching bag to Wolverine's brother/father/Highlander opponent comes to down to good ol' Chris Claremont. And if you're pissed he brought an idea from another book and put it in his X-Men books, give The Orb a Google. Seriously, Jason Aaron will put that guy in anything. Pretty sure he'd put him in his coffee if he could.
Thanks for reading!
Danny Rand-The Immortal Iron Fist and protector of Kung-Lun-was once the bitter enemy of a slobbering, raving mad psychopath who wore furs so furry PETA was founded the minute he was invented. Sabretooth is wildly known as Wolverine's arch-enemy. The Luthor to his Superman, The Joker to his Batman, so to see one-half of such an iconic rivalry begin his career as Iron Fist's foe is pretty damn bizarre. Sabretooth has always been an exaggeration of what Wolverine could have been, a mindless savage who kills for the sake of killing. What made Wolverine different was his ability to aim his rage and use this savagery to protect people. So why would Sabretooth ever be a good villain for Iron Fist? Same principle. Sure, Iron Fist is way more composed than Wolverine, but he still has a sense of discipline that keeps his weapon of justice from being a weapon of death. And really, a beast-man who fights with claws and death fighting a warrior who needs nothing but his fist and his will is a pretty cool setup for a fight, so cool they've brought these two together a few times before. But as far as why Sabretooth went from being Iron Fist's punching bag to Wolverine's brother/father/Highlander opponent comes to down to good ol' Chris Claremont. And if you're pissed he brought an idea from another book and put it in his X-Men books, give The Orb a Google. Seriously, Jason Aaron will put that guy in anything. Pretty sure he'd put him in his coffee if he could.
Thanks for reading!
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