Classic Cover of the Day - MARVELous Monday Edition

 Classic Cover of the Day

(MARVELous Monday Edition)

the Amazing Spider-Man #347

(May 1991)

MARVEL

Saturday Showcase: Sunfire (AoA)

 

SUNFIRE (Age of Apocalypse)

Greetings Nerds,

How the hell have you been?  Me? I've been a busy mofo. Besides that, I have been working on upgrading my technology so that I could get back to doing what I love.  What is that?  Educating my fellow Nerds on everything comic related in this Universe, and my friends, that is one big Universe.

With that said, let's get started by discussing one of my favorite characters from the Age of Apocalypse story-line.  For those of you who don't know the original story, Age of Apocalypse was a future or other dimensional based story arc from Marvel Comics back in the '90s.  It introduced us to a new world starring some of our favorite X-Men characters as well as introducing us to new ones.  One of these characters was the Japanese hero, Sunfire.  I always liked Sunfire in the X-Men comics, but the AoA version took him to a whole new level.  Basically, Sunfire looked like Ghost Rider and the Human Torch were fused together which made him look bad ass!  And that my friends is why he is today's showcase. So, sit back and relax as I fill you in on the vitals of Sunfire.

You Are FREE!

During the beginning of Apocalypse's rise, Magneto approached Japan's greatest heroes, Sunfire & the Silver Samurai, and asked them to work with him and the X-Men to stop Apocalypse. Sunfire accepted the invitation despite his country's isolationist policies and left his cousin behind. During Apocalypse’s blitzkrieg attack on Asia and Europe. Sunfire rushed home to Japan.  When Sunfire arrived in Japan he found his country in flames and Silver Samurai leading refugees away from Apocalypse.

As Samurai continued his evacuation, Sunfire ambushed Apocalypse and his forces. Sunfire fought valiantly but could not stand up to the might of both Apocalypse and his son, Nemesis. Sunfire exploded, releasing a nuclear level blast that destroyed most of Apocalypse's Infinites and scorched a huge area of Japan. The blast did not kill Nemesis or Apocalypse, but it provided Samurai with more time to evacuate Japan. Left a burnt-out shell, Sunfire was captured and given as a test subject to Death, Horseman of Apocalypse, though he was eventually rescued by the X-Men and taken to safety. While Sunfire healed, Magneto created a new suit that would keep him safe from his own powers. Sunfire then returned to the X-Men’s side soon after and continued to fight Apocalypse’s forces.

Sunfire remained a mainstay with the X-Men as Apocalypse continued to overrun North America. Eventually, world tensions led to a cold war between Apocalypse and the Human High Council, which could have potentially ended in a complete nuclear holocaust. In the days leading up to the end of Apocalypse’s reign, Sunfire and Blink discovered a Culling in Chicago, though they were followed by Prelate Delgado. Magneto sent a team of X-Men, including Sunfire, to investigate and they successfully prevented the culling. They also were able to discover the location of an Infinite Processing Plant in Indianapolis and destroyed it.

Later, Sunfire assisted X-Force in their battle against the ascended Archangel. He gave his life absorbing the flames of Genocide, preventing them from scorching the earth through the Doom Fountain. (Information provided by marvel.fandom.com)

Atomic Flame

Origin

Origin: Mutant

Universe: Earth-295

Place of Birth: Agarashima, Japan

Creators: Scott Lobdell & Joe Madureira

First Appearance: Astonishing X-Men #1 (March, 1995)

Appearance of Death: Uncanny X-Force #18 (February, 2012)

Marvel Legends: Sunfire (AoA) 6" Action Figure

Well, I hope you enjoyed this article about Sunfire.  

Until next time, Unleash your inner NERD!

And as always, get your READ on!

Saturday Showcase: American Eagle

American Eagle in the Savage Land

    Jason Strongbow is a member of the Navajo Nation who was born in Kaibito, Arizona.  He attempted to stop a mining company from excavating a mountain sacred to his tribe.( Marvel Two-In_One Annual #6)  He discovered that the villain Klaw was in league with the mining company. Klaw needed uranium to augment his sonic powers. Strongbow's brother Ward did not agree with him about preserving the mountain. Inside the mine, an argument erupted between the brothers and Klaw which led to violence. During the fight, Klaw used his sonic blaster on the two brothers. Somehow, a combination of the sonic energy of the blast and the exposure to the uranium gave both of the Strongbow brothers enhanced physical abilities. Klaw fled with his crew and Ward to the Savage Land in hopes of gaining vibranium to augment his powers.

Marvel Universe Handbook #1

    American Eagle possesses superhuman strength, enabling him to lift (press) approximately 15 tons under optimal conditions. He also possesses superhuman speed, agility, stamina, and sturdiness as a result of radiation-induced mutation. Strongbow's bodily tissues are somewhat harder and more resistant to physical injury than that of an ordinary human. However, he is far from invulnerable. While he can be injured by weapons composed of conventional materials, he can withstand impact forces that would severely injure or kill a normal human with little to no injury to show for it. He can run at a maximum speed of 65 miles per hour for approximately 5 hours before tiring to an appreciable degree.

    American Eagle's sensory organs have also been fortified by the radiation-induced mutation. Like his namesake, the Eagle, he has hyper-keen eyesight, able to see at 800 feet (240 m) what the average human being sees at 20 feet (6.1 m). His senses of hearing, smell, taste, and touch are approximately three times that of an average human being.

He also carries a crossbow which fires special bolts.

New Look, Same Kick Ass Attitude.  American Eagle takes on Bullseye in Thunderbolts #115

American Eagle Breakdown

Alter ego: Jason Strongbow 

Team affiliations:

Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety

        H.A.M.M.E.R.

        Agents of Wakanda

Abilities:

Superhuman Strength

        Superhuman Speed

        Superhuman Agility

        Superhuman Stamina 

        Superhuman Sturdiness

        Enhanced Senses

        As mentioned earlier, he carries a crossbow which fires special bolts

First Appearance:

• Marvel Two-In-One Annual #6 (1981)

Other Key Issues:

• Contest of Champions #1
• Contest of Champions #3
• Incredible Hulk #279 (Vol. 1)
• Rom #65-66
• Marvel Comics Presents #27
• Marvel Comics Presents #128
• Marvel Comics Presents #130
• Marvel Comics Presents #147-148
• Thunderbolts #112-115

Created by:

         Doug Moench & Ron Wilson 

First Appearance was back in 1981 with the 6th annual issue of Marvel Two-In-One.

Until next time, get your READ on!