Refurbished Doombot

I wonder if they've done similar experiments on the blood of daycare workers or kindergarten teachers.

I guess pediatricians might see fewer children, but more infectious children for the math to tilt their way.

"This is it. The moment we should have trained for."

- Turanga Leela, Futurama

"Wow, bad things happen when we let these guys unfreeze!"

"Okay, back into the freezer they go!"

This is from What If 10 (What if Jane Foster had Found the Hammer of Thor?) - Aug 10, 1978

The writer was Don Glut, with Rick Hoberg (artist), Dave Hunt (Inker), C. Gafford (Colorist), Carol Lay (Letterer), Roy Thomas (Editor) and J. Shooter (Consulting Editor).

I think that's a Shakespeare quote, isn't it?

Radiation = superpowers! Everyone knows that.

Snow Cops. If there wasn't a 90s tv show or movie, there should have been.

When you say anything or anybody could be behind the mask, do you mean to say that you think anyone could be a gorilla in a mask?

Follow-up question! Are you a gorilla in a mask, sir?

A picture of Uatu the Watcher with part of his forehead dissolving into some kind of massive energy discharge. His outstretched palm has six planets of different sizes and colours hovering above it.

And finally, Cosmic Uatu. I love this panel and kind of wish Bluesky had vertical banners of some kind.

A drawing of Uatu the Watch that really looks like another Marvel character, the Kingpin.

That month that Kingpin stood in for Uatu and no one noticed.

Uatu the Watcher, but his eyes are almost blank white spheres with pinprick pupils.

Frank Robbins gives us Dead-Eyed Uatu.

Uatu the Watcher, but his head is much wider than his neck, which seems very frail. His features are pinched and gaunt.

Q-tip Uatu.

Uatu the Watcher, but he's drawn as if he is a hundred feet tall with a very rectangular shape.

And then we have Jumbo-Sized Uatu, where he's the size of a building.

Uatu the Watcher, in his white tunic and blue sash and collar, but he is very muscular and has an almost rectangular head.

One of my favourite things about reading What If? is how it's written and drawn by a changing cast, but because it's all alternate timelines, there's no feel of discontinuity.

It does, however, lead to Uatu the Watcher having a lot of different looks. First we have Gym Enthusiast Uatu.

One of my favourite things about Kingpin is when superheroes realize how strong and how quick he is for the first time.

An excerpt from a 1977 Marvel comics letters page of one letter and the response. The letter reads, "Dear Marvel Readers, With all their super powers Spider-Man and the rest of the Marvel gang are powerless against diseases like polio, measles, and rubella. These diseases can cripple or even kill. But, they can also easily be prevented with pailess vaccinations. In most States (including New York), it's the law: No Shots, No School! For more information on immunization, all the Immunization Hotline at (212) 349-2664. Outside New York City, call your local Health Department. Stay Healthy! Carol Bellamy, President, New York City Council." The response reads, "We here at the Marvel Bullpen agree with you, Carol, about the importance of this program. Thanks for reminding everyone."

I read comic books because they're a beautiful medium for understanding the times they're written while simultaneously immersing in timeless stories and lessons.

Sometimes those lessons are subtle and abstract.

Sometimes they're not.

From a 1978 Marvel comics letters page:

That makes sense and matches his dialog. Thank you!

Congratulations! That's great news!

Okay.

Hey, can anyone explain how Cyclops's eye blasts work? Are they like some kind of telekinesis?

Cap and Nick Fury conversations often read very much like two members of the Marvel staff dealing with what it's like to be middle-aged men.

I've said it before, but if you're going to a superhero wedding in the Marvel universe, you better be ready to fight.

A mentor of mine once said that the internet allowed us to get into arguments with the kind of people we'd know better than to talk to in real life.

Oh look. It's that time on a Friday afternoon where I stop pretending to be productive and start reading comics book instead.

"Would you like to play a game?" is a pretty strong line too. Say that with the right tone, and most people will know exactly where it's coming from.

See now you're just pandering to us.

Don't stop though.

I think that if I had an opportunity to be a co-worker of the woman around whom everyone is murdered or a murderer, I would not take that job.

Mmm ... regret

Yes! I've always liked him as the kind of villain who would knock over a bank but would also save a kid from a fire or speeding vehicle, or even team up with the heroes to fight a villain like Carnage or similar.

I've always loved Sandman. He gets his start with Spider-Man, and then it's like the Marvel bullpen realized the full visual and storytelling range of his power. Then they "promote" him, and suddenly he's going head-to-head with Thor.

"Hey guys! The emperor has a new quest for us! Someone get the cleric!"