Vartox

[JulianPerez]

I'd love to see Vartox again in some form. He was a part of the exciting space opera vibe that Superman had in the 1970s and 1980s. He had cool and somewhat original powers (Superman-level, yet not a derivation of the flight/tank package that Superman clones like Captain Marvel use), and Vartox was someone slightly more experienced that Superman could look up to and seriously speak to.

Vartox is a sympathetic character; he's endured things that have had the effect of breaking his sanity. Combine someone like Kurt Busiek, who has a wonderful gift for characterization and sympathy, and you have the potential for something not only exciting, but also emotional and tragic.

In some ways, Vartox is an alternate version of Superman. If Superman lost Earth and Lois Lane...who's to say that he WOULDN'T react the way Vartox did?

It's great to give Superman an exclusive supporting cast member that isn't an annoying cub reporter; someone that is a legitimate hero and adventure character in their own right.

Though holy crap, that costume's got to go. He looks like Mr. Slave from SOUTH PARK.

There's a fine line between a BAD costume (e.g. Golden Age Green Lantern, who looks like he got dressed in the dark, and the Curt Swan Legion of Super-Heroes...apparently color-blindness is endemic in the 30th Century) and an INSANELY BAD costume, and Vartox is the latter. He looks like Mr. Slave from SOUTH PARK.

But it's no big thing. Just give Vartox some stylin' threads that play up his dignity - maybe based on certain other Sean Connery characters - and Vartox is good to go.

Other great Bronze Agers: Terra Man and Capt. Strong!

Terra-Man's had some great stories, to be sure (especially under Cary Bates), but...Captain Strong? NO. The only thing I can even conceive as being worse is Superman teaming up with the Super Mario Brothers.

Then again, even Captain Strong has entertainment value, though it's the same as the Superbowl Shuffle or the two Coreys in LISCENSE TO DRIVE: just by existing there's a cheesy value there.

I wonder...Is it possible to so internalize irony that it is no longer possible to distinguish between an honestly cool idea and ironic appreciation?

[Permanus]

But it's no big thing. Just give Vartox some stylin' threads that play up his dignity - maybe based on certain other Sean Connery characters - and Vartox is good to go.

You... You mean a tuxedo?

[crispy snax]

hmmm juilan, i notice that you mentioned the fact that he "looks like mr slave" twice in your last post...

and i say no pants, just to make the auidence real uncomfortable, why not? we would be "breaking new ground" in comic books literature... we could even have batman call up superman to discuss there "relationship"

[Just a fan]

 JulianPerez  wrote "The only thing I can even conceive as being worse is Superman teaming up with the Super Mario Brothers." 

Actually the worst would be Superman and Spongebob Squarepants.

[JulianPerez]

You... You mean a tuxedo?

I was thinking the Derby hat-vest combo he wore in DARBY O'GILL AND THE LITTLE PEOPLE.

That movie is a weird window into an alternate universe. Sean Connery is here trying to be a less dweeby version of Dick van Dyke, crooning dopey love tunes like "My Pretty Irish Girl," but there's a "dirty sex appeal" quality about Sean that doesn't go away. It's like watching a porn star play Snow White.

[Permanus]

You just said that because you knew I'd have to google it, didn't you? Still, a bold new departure, and a foin look fer Vartox, a foin look t'be sure. Still, considering Connery's activism for the Scottish National Party, perhaps a kilt and tam-o'-shanter? Actually, you could make that into quite a good costume in a Braveheart sort of way.

[Uncle Mxy]

You... You mean a tuxedo?

You want The Gentleman from Astro City.