I see you picked Ghost Girl one of my favorites. Good going. I wish we could see her back in a comic book.
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I see you picked Ghost Girl one of my favorites. Good going. I wish we could see her back in a comic book.
1. How long have you been collecting Alpha Flight?
Just the last couple years but have bought pretty well all of the back issues from each series.
2. What was your first memory of Alpha Flight? If recent, what was your first reaction?
When the crew appeared on the Xmen cartoon in the mid 90s. I was awestruck to find out Canada had superheroes!
3. Who is you favorite Alpha Flight character?
For growth of a character and leadership: Heather Hudson
For heart and soul: definfitly Puck I
For power: Northstar
4. Who is you least favorite Alpha Flight character?
Pathway and Goblin (mainly because they took the places of better characters IMO)
5. Who is you favorite Alpha Flight villain?
Omega Flight
6. Who is your least favorite Alpha Flight villain?
Dept H.
7. What do you think is the best issue / story-arch from Alpha Flight?
V1: Byrnes first 28 issues
V2: Brass Bishop
v3: Hmmm....
8. What do you consider the Alpha Flight "Dream Team"?
Guardian, Vindicator, Sasquatch, Northstar, Nemisis, MML, Shaman, Jeffries (hate the BOX name), Puck and Flex (just for kicks)
9. If you were to be stuck on a desert island with one member of Alpha Flight, Who would it be (powers can not get you off the island)
Aurora... for.... education reasons..... yes....
10. Who was/is/could be the best leader of Alpha Flight?
Heather or Puck.
11. Who is your favorite Alpha Flight writer?
Byrne & Lobdell
12. Who is your least favorite Alpha Flight writer?
Mantlo
13. Who is your favorite Alpha Flight artist?
Byrne created some nice costumes. But so did Henry.
14. Who is your least favorite Alpha Flight artist?
couple fill ins. names don't ring a bell.
15. If you could undo one thing in Alpha Flight history, what would it be?
Northstar Aurora = fairies?
The addition of Pathway and Goblin.
The cancellations :)
Hey Canucklehead,
Welcome to the forum! I'm assuming you are the same Canucklehead from Moncton over at the Alpha Flight message board. Glad to see some more cross over between the two places. No way should the two communties compete, but rather provide different media for fans to enjoy the flight.
Ben
Indeed I am one in the same. Just wanted to let you know how much I love your site. Nice to see such a comunity based around everybodies favorite Canadian Super Team. With any luck, fans like us can keep the series running for a long, long time.
Cheers!
1. How long have you been collecting Alpha Flight?
Since before the second series debuted. I found my uncle's old comic collection and it was Byrne's complete run on the title. How could I not fall in love with it? I swear not even a month later, the second series was announced.
2. What was your first memory of Alpha Flight? If recent, what was your first reaction?
My first memory was not really liking the characters all that much, to be honest. I mean, seriously, I was thinking "A giant monkey? A midget? A fish? A guy who wears half the Canadian flag? Are they serious?" But, then I read the books and my whole opinion changed. LOL
3. Who is you favorite Alpha Flight character?
Guardian, by far. He just seemed like a great mix of Spider-Man, Captain America and Iron Man. Plus, I loved the idea behind his costume's abilities. I know he's had some horrible continuity thrown his way, and I think the ramifications of that upon his character have hardly been looked at in the proper way, and hopefully Lobdell or someone will.
4. Who is you least favorite Alpha Flight character?
Without a doubt, Manikin. Oh, god, lame powers, lame origin, lame character. If bad writing was a felony, then I would hope Bill Mantlo does not live in Texas.
5. Who is you favorite Alpha Flight villain?
The Master. You know, people see him as a poor man's Doctor Doom. Not so. The idea that he commands alien technology that constantly surrounds him instantly makes him unique. Kurt Busiek during his final arc on Avengers made great progress with the Master.
6. Who is your least favorite Alpha Flight villain?
Toss up here. Alpha Flight's had some lame ones over the years. Pink Pearl just because. Omega because of Bill Mantlo almost making a cool character and then not delivering. Bedlam because of what it did to Mac's character and legacy. Raazor for ruining Puck. Llan the Sorcerer because I hate the idea of a "master manipulator". If Llan had so much time on his hands to manipulate, why doesn't he just manipulate the world into thinking him their master? Why bother with Alpha Flight? Llan = lame.
7. What do you think is the best issue / story-arch from Alpha Flight?
Tough one. Unfortunately, Alpha Flight hasn't had too many spectacular arcs to reflect their great cast, but the ones they have had are tough to decide over. I suppose I'm going to have to go with Alpha Flight (vol. 1) issues 11-12. Just great stuff there and the ending was heartbreaking.
8. What do you consider the Alpha Flight "Dream Team"?
The originals. What can I say? I'm a traditionalist. Guardian (Mac), Puck, Sasquatch, Northstar, Aurora, Snowbird, Shaman, and Marrina. Of course, you can throw Heather in there if you want, since Marrina's still technically dead (though she was seen in a stasis pod on the Master's ship during Busiek's last arc on Avengers). Also, I'd take Talisman as Shaman's replacement, since that's what she was always meant to be in the first place.
9. If you were to be stuck on a desert island with one member of Alpha Flight, Who would it be (powers can not get you off the island)
LOL What a crazy question. Puck and Sasquatch would be cool to hang out with, but, damned if Snowbird isn't fine. Yeah, I'd go with Snowbird.
10. Who was/is/could be the best leader of Alpha Flight?
No doubt, Heather. There's really no one else it could be, which is why I was shocked Puck was shown as such a leader during volume two. Not that Puck couldn't do it (he could, of course), it's that Heather would step up before him.
Also, Byrne did a great job showing that Mac was a fine leader during his run, yet Mac simply didn't have the confidence to believe it. It was just another layer that Byrne added to these magnificent characters. If Mac gets back on the team, I can see him butting heads with Heather during leadership, which would be awesome, since they're married!
11. Who is your favorite Alpha Flight writer?
LOL How can anyone not say 'John Byrne'? But I'll give Seagle props for putting such a unique spin on the title.
12. Who is your least favorite Alpha Flight writer?
LOL How can anyone not say 'Bill Mantlo'? No, really...
13. Who is your favorite Alpha Flight artist?
John Byrne, simply because he's been the best and most consistent artist on the title. After he left, Alpha Flight was plagued with amateur artists. Scott Clark could have been great but he couldn't stick to schedule, and Duncan Rouleau was awful. If Clayton Henry can stay on the book, he might just trump Byrne...
14. Who is your least favorite Alpha Flight artist?
Duncan Rouleau. I remember thinking after Marvel announced he would be taking art duties, 'Great, this book is as good as cancelled'. And it was. Rouleau's part of the reason X-Factor couldn't be saved. An artist should fit the tone of the book. Rouleau's style is not well suited for Alpha Flight.
15. If you could undo one thing in Alpha Flight history, what would it be?
Bill Mantlo's entire run. LOL. I mean, seriously, that way I knock off so many birds with one stone: Mac's convoluted comebacks, Sasquatch as a woman, Northstar and Aurora being elves, Manikin, and so many others.
Welcome crozack!
I agree with out about Clayton, he is amazing. I however quite liked Duncan's AF work, I found he was a great story teller with his art. I can see how his style wouldn't sit well with everyone though.
Ben
I think that of all of the artists I've ever seen on AF, I liked Byrne, Rouleau, and Henry the most. Their various styles just sit well with me. I even liked Rouleau's Puck, and especially his Heather, Flex, and Manbot.
You know, okay, maybe I was being unfair to Rouleau. His Puck was very well done (loved the moustache), but there were times were his scenes were so irratic. I remember sometimes looking at characters and scenes where one eye was freakishly bigger than the other, or their posture made them look they had severed spines.
But, at others (and I think Alpha Flight (vol 2) issue 12 is a good example of some of his finest stuff) he crafted some very well done stuff. The caption of Sasquatch holding Radius out of the way of death was heartwrenching.
That being said, on a title that needed an exceptional artist for people to take notice, Rouleau wasn't what was needed, so maybe I was just angry at that fact. I've read the interview on the site and he seems like a really nice guy with genuine love for the characters.
Welcome, crozack! :D Always glad to see another traditionalist here! :wink: What do you think of the new series? I like some of the new characters, (Zuzha, Yukon Jack), but I'm always glad to see the originals show up.
1. How long have you been collecting Alpha Flight?
since the start
2. What was your first memory of Alpha Flight? If recent, what was your first reaction?
COOL!
3. Who is you favorite Alpha Flight character?
Feedback-just a guy who gets caught up in happenings that are bigger than him.
4. Who is you least favorite Alpha Flight character?
Newer version of Manikin, don't mess with what works. making him evolve or devolve was silly.
5. Who is you favorite Alpha Flight villain?
Scrambler-just so creepy in a reanimator kind of way
6. Who is your least favorite Alpha Flight villain?
Caliber-super cool suit with no clue how to really use it in the long run. big let down.
7. What do you think is the best issue / story-arch from Alpha Flight?
I liked most of the Alpha Flight stories, even the bad ones. The one that stands out is a well drawn "what if" with wolverine as the leader of Alpha Flight after the old x-men die due to Northstar keeping a secret.
8. What do you consider the Alpha Flight "Dream Team"?
So many of them after the first run, not sure. Tho anyteam with purple girl on it doesnt hurt
9. If you were to be stuck on a desert island with one member of Alpha Flight, Who would it be (powers can not get you off the island)
I think Cable said it best that his father, Cyclops was the man to help you out in a situation like that. Since he's not a choice then how about Wyre. Smart guy with lots of survival training. Tho Talisman is a cutie!
10. Who was/is/could be the best leader of Alpha Flight?
Heather
15. If you could undo one thing in Alpha Flight history, what would it be?
Put them up against some of the main stream villians for a change. Red Skull tries for what he thinks is an easier target than America, Canada. Another shot at Doom. Go another round with Loki, stuff like that.
Mantlo had nothing to do with any of Mac's returns.Quote:
15. If you could undo one thing in Alpha Flight history, what would it be?
Bill Mantlo's entire run. LOL. I mean, seriously, that way I knock off so many birds with one stone: Mac's convoluted comebacks, Sasquatch as a woman, Northstar and Aurora being elves, Manikin, and so many others.
Didn't the Fabe bring Mac back for real the first time around? And then Furman in the No Future arc?
To my count, Mac has only returned from the dead twice. Once, during Building Blocks. Then, during No Future. I don't count the clone, for obvious reasons. So I honestly don't see how some people have said that Mac has returned from the dead soooooo many times.
I did Fabe handled Mac's first return very well. Ditto for Furman. So I don't roll my eyes when I hear mention of his return. However, I DID roll my eyes during that disastrous Austen issue of Uncanny where Mac ALMOST died. Though I did find Walter's reaction to it funny: "Maybe we should just call it a day and give Heather the bad news."
Nicienza should have created his own backstory for Mac's return rather than trying to incorporate the Qurlns or whaterever from Jupiter (or wherever). That aspect of the story really failed, because NONE of the then-current Alpha said anything even remotely like, "Fool me once..."
I personally don't consider that Mac to be a real one. Courtney did come from Roxxon to begin with.
You just made me think of something, Kozzi, when you alluded to Roxxon possibly manipulating the circumstances surrounding Mac's first return. Was it before or after his return that Alpha Flight went establishment again?
If you mean the time Courtney came as Mac, that was abefore the govn't started funding them again. That happend about 4 issues later.Quote:
Originally Posted by Major Mapleleaf Jr
Ben
I think he's referring to the second time, just after the 'Building Blocks' arc. FabNics first four issues. Mac comes back from Roxxon again, but as was pointed out, why didn't any one say "Hang about, been here before".
My point in asking, actually, wasn't to ask the question "Why didn't anyone point out that we've done this before?", it was to ask the question "Isn't Mac's REAL return from the dead, seemingly orchestrated by Roxxon, a little convenient just as the team decides to start working for the government again?"
Furman's run, especially, had me wondering if perhaps Alpha Flight hadn't bitten off more than they could chew. The whole situation with Hagon's Bill and the Hardliners, it just seemed like the government manipulated Alpha Flight into having to enforce Hagon's Bill, something I wonder if Heather Hudson would have stood for in the past. She's shown before that she has no problem packing up and leaving with the team if they're put into a morally compromising position. So why at that point in time would Alpha Flight remain with the government?
I'm just wondering if Mac's return from the dead had anything to do with that, if perhaps the two are interconnected. Probably not, but there's a lot of subtext if you look for it (at least, I noticed it).
I don't know. I'm thinking returning from the dead once is more than enough for most folks. Just enough to tell stories about the white light at the end of the tunnel. If you keep coming back eventually folks will start thinking you're making up the part about the voice saying "Take a number!" I'm a big proponent of "dead is dead". Ressucitate if necessary, but don't exhume the body first!Quote:
Originally Posted by Major Mapleleaf Jr
Barnacle
1. How long have you been collecting Alpha Flight?
The whole time (lol). I got it right from number one and was a solid Byrne Victim by tweleve when Mac died...erm...the first time around. I stopped for a while in college due to funds but went back and tracked down every single missed issue, re-upped my subscription and within a year it was cancelled. I looked at the V2 series, but even my local comic store didnt' get many for the shelves so I envision having to scrounge up those twenty issues too. Now, V3. Disappointing, but at least it's AF. :)
2. What was your first memory of Alpha Flight? If recent, what was your first reaction?
I'd have to say it was the cover for #1. It was previewed in all the Marvel mags and Sasquatch lumbering over the bounding figure of Puck, the obviously enigmatic leader figure of Shaman (quite obviously also not in front and in the lead!). It ws jsut so cool. I think what drew me in was the clear intent to portray Native American culture and mythos as well as Canadian sensibilities, although it took me years to "get it" that Puck's code name was derived from the hockey equipment and not the Shakespearean Sprite.(lol)
3. Who is you favorite Alpha Flight character?
Too tough to call. Puck, Shaman and Guardian I are right up there, but the deapth of the characters made them all favorites, like a family, just like the X-Men of the Byrne/Claremont era.
4. Who is you least favorite Alpha Flight character?
Um...there's characters I know less about. I don't know any of the V2 versions, but there's been at least one baddie they've killed ...oh...a half dozen times. Let that one go.
5. Who is you favorite Alpha Flight villain?
I loved the Master's backstory, but then I'm pretty old school. There's so many good ones, but it's gotta be the Master in the long run - the tragic villain.
6. Who is your least favorite Alpha Flight villain?
At the time, I thought the Dreamqueen arc just dragged on far too long. Her I got tired of.
7. What do you think is the best issue / story-arc from Alpha Flight?
It's been so long since I read the old issues. I guess apart fromt he "Robo-Guardian" arc in the early issues, I'd have to say the Lionel Jefferies arc was cool. The first one. When he mutated into that huge nasty thing, that was pretty wild. But then, the quest to retrieve Saquatches sould from the Great Beast...hmmm...
8. What do you consider the Alpha Flight "Dream Team"?
Shaman, Sasquatch, Guardian (Heather), Major Mapleleaf, Centennial, Puck, Snowbird, Diamond Lil, Flashback, Wildchilde, Box, Smart Alec, Persuasion and Nemesis. Essentially, make each of them AF members but split the group into "Action Teams" specific to any given mission.
9. If you were to be stuck on a desert island with one member of Alpha Flight, Who would it be (powers can not get you off the island)
Talisman. All the food and shelter could easily be provided by her magic and she's hot too. (lol)
10. Who was/is/could be the best leader of Alpha Flight?
Shaman.
11. Who is your favorite Alpha Flight writer?
Byrne, hands down.
12. Who is your least favorite Alpha Flight writer?
No idea. Were there bad ones?
13. Who is your favorite Alpha Flight artist?
Byrne again.
14. Who is your least favorite Alpha Flight artist?
They were all pretty good.
15. If you could undo one thing in Alpha Flight history, what would it be?[/quote]
Judd being a dwarf due to his posession by the deamon Raazer. I always liked that each character was internally troubled and burdened with his or her own internal conflict(s). Jean-Paul had homosexuality and an aversion to being touched. Jeane-Marie had split personalities. Sasquatch was stuck (way back when) as a huge orange beast and Judd suffered from dwarfism and was in love with Heather. To me, these were enough to keep the characters human and real. The Raazer introduction took away something special from the character and sort of erased the notion that little people can accomplish things spectacular, which I found much more interesting.
Two times doesn't seem like a lot? (lol)Quote:
Originally Posted by Major Mapleleaf Jr
1. How long have you been collecting Alpha Flight?
On & off for the last year or 2
2. What was your first memory of Alpha Flight? If recent, what was your first reaction?
Vol. 1 Series 1, loved the fact that I could read about a group of Canadian heroes :D
3. Who is you favorite Alpha Flight character?
geez? I guess it would be Puck &/or Sasquatch
4. Who is you least favorite Alpha Flight character?
can't think of 1 right now :oops:
5. Who is you favorite Alpha Flight villain?
Pink Pearl.... :lol: no I'd say.....probably the Master
6. Who is your least favorite Alpha Flight villain?
Llan
7. What do you think is the best issue / story-arch from Alpha Flight?
The Alpha Flight/X-Men mini series
8. What do you consider the Alpha Flight "Dream Team"?
The Gaurdian
Puck
Box
Snowbird
Sasquatch
Shaman
Marrina
Vindicator
North Star
Aurora
9. If you were to be stuck on a desert island with one member of Alpha Flight, Who would it be (powers can not get you off the island)
Sasquatch
10. Who was/is/could be the best leader of Alpha Flight?
The Guardian
11. Who is your favorite Alpha Flight writer?
can't think of 1 at the moment or 1 that sticks out over the others :oops:
12. Who is your least favorite Alpha Flight writer?
see above
13. Who is your favorite Alpha Flight artist?
John Bryne
14. Who is your least favorite Alpha Flight artist?
Jeez!!! where do I start!!! it's no wonder the original series failed!!!
15. If you could undo one thing in Alpha Flight history, what would it be?
I would have never broken up the original line up :!:
Hi TheRoy! Glad to see you posting :) Always nice to see a lurker come out from the woodwork ;)
If you have been reading AF for 2 years, I'm curious what it was that got you attention, what with no series being printed at that time.
Nice to have you, hope you don't hide in the shadows of the cupboard too much :)
Ben
Hey Ben,Quote:
Originally Posted by Ben
Long story short I found a box of comics in the garbage that contained Alpha Flight & X-Men comics & it reminded me of when I first started collecting Alpha :D I sold the X-men & since the Alpha issue's were in great shape I decided to start collecting them again for fun,I haven't collected comics for over 10 years but I thought I go back to my teenage years & do the Alpha Flight series,Vol.1,Vol.2 & Vol. 3 :roll:
I spend most of my time collecting Hockey cards now but I'll be adding a Wantlist/Tradelist of the Alpha Flight issue's I still need 8) hopfully someone here can help me out with the specific issue's I need to complete my "sets" :)
Thx
Eric
TheRoy
1. How long have you been collecting Alpha Flight?
Since the beginning of Volume 3.
2. What was your first memory of Alpha Flight? If recent, what was your first reaction?
I think it was a issue of Classic X-Men that reprinted X-Men Vs Alpha Flight, I thought that the Flight would be down for the count (at the time I was a major X-Fan).
3. Who is you favorite Alpha Flight character?
Sasquatch
4. Who is you least favorite Alpha Flight character?
Geomancer, as I know very little about hi,
5. Who is you favorite Alpha Flight villain?
The Master was quite cool during the 80's, but I always saw Omega Flight as the best villians.
6. Who is your least favorite Alpha Flight villain?
The US team that tackled Alpha Flight during "Acts Of Vengence".
7. What do you think is the best issue / story-arc from Alpha Flight?
Currently, IMO its V3 but I also like the very early issues of V1.
8. What do you consider the Alpha Flight "Dream Team"?
Sasquatch, Puck II, Nemesis, Heather, Shaman, Mac, Snowbird and Box
9. If you were to be stuck on a desert island with one member of Alpha Flight, Who would it be (powers can not get you off the island)
Puck II
10. Who was/is/could be the best leader of Alpha Flight?
I think Sasquatch is doing a great job at the moment, but from what I've read of V1 - Heather is the better leader.
11. Who is your favorite Alpha Flight writer?
Lobdell or Byrne
12. Who is your least favorite Alpha Flight writer?
Dont have one yet
13. Who is your favorite Alpha Flight artist?
I'm not too up on artists but I like the current "animated" look of Alpha Flight.
14. Who is your least favorite Alpha Flight artist?
As 12.
15. If you could undo one thing in Alpha Flight history, what would it be?
Alpha Flights past - nothing. What I would undo is The Masters death in Avengers. At the time I thought it was cool, but now I think he should have survived, crawled off and be waiting in the shadows.
1. How long have you been collecting Alpha Flight?
since I was in 4th grade (1988) I read a reprint of Classic Xmen when they appeared and I was hooked
2. What was your first memory of Alpha Flight? If recent, what was your first reaction?
When Northstar and Aurora blinded Nightcrawler and captured him
3. Who is you favorite Alpha Flight character?
Northstar though Mac comes close
4. Who is you least favorite Alpha Flight character?
Wyre-never liked him
5. Who is you favorite Alpha Flight villain?
Master-have to go with the first
6. Who is your least favorite Alpha Flight villain?
Jerry Jaxson-the bastard "killed" Mac
7. What do you think is the best issue / story-arch from Alpha Flight?
IMHO the vol2 ish 12 where the wild Sasquatch died was really good
8. What do you consider the Alpha Flight "Dream Team"?
Guardian (Mac)
Vindicator
Northstar
Aurora
Sasquatch
Puck
Wolverine
9. If you were to be stuck on a desert island with one member of Alpha Flight, Who would it be (powers can not get you off the island)
Aurora-hot babe with hormones to match-that was too easy
10. Who was/is/could be the best leader of Alpha Flight?
Puck could be the best
11. Who is your favorite Alpha Flight writer?
Seagle's run was good. I dont care what other people say
12. Who is your least favorite Alpha Flight writer?
Niceza???
13. Who is your favorite Alpha Flight artist?
Jim Lee-nuff said
14. Who is your least favorite Alpha Flight artist?
the guy that did the art witht he Headlock arc where Diamond Lil gets breast lump
15. If you could undo one thing in Alpha Flight history, what would it be?
Wolverine leaving
1. How long have you been collecting Alpha Flight? Since first edition #27
2. What was your first memory of Alpha Flight? If recent, what was your first reaction? I picked up AF at a drug store one day...the same day I bought one of those old Thing comics(as a wrestler, remember those classics?:)
3. Who is you favorite Alpha Flight character? Aurora
4. Who is you least favorite Alpha Flight character? Not a big fan of that new tribal guy...the guy with the long name:-P
5. Who is you favorite Alpha Flight villain? Loki...yes I know hes not an AF villain, but I really liked those couple
6. Who is your least favorite Alpha Flight villain? lol oh well there were some lame ones, I'll just say Wyre(if that was his name)
7. What do you think is the best issue / story-arch from Alpha Flight? The Byrne Super Skrull issues
8. What do you consider the Alpha Flight "Dream Team"? Aurora/Sasquatch/Vindicator(Heather)/Windsheare(don't laugh)/Purple Girl(I hear u laughing again)
9. If you were to be stuck on a desert island with one member of Alpha Flight, Who would it be (powers can not get you off the island) ...Aurora, no brainer;-)
10. Who was/is/could be the best leader of Alpha Flight? Heather
11. Who is your favorite Alpha Flight writer? Byrne
12. Who is your least favorite Alpha Flight writer? One of the random ones toward the end of series one(name escapes me)
13. Who is your favorite Alpha Flight artist? Jim Lee
14. Who is your least favorite Alpha Flight artist? Rouleau
15. If you could undo one thing in Alpha Flight history, what would it be? um, the crappy artwork during series two that I think led to its short run
Wellcome MattSD! If someone in the cupboard bites you, don't worry, they are just taste testing.
AF 9/10 of vol.1 is also my favorite story line. I however am one of the few people it would seem that like Duncan Rouleau's work on AF. I also aint' laughin' at your choices for dream team Windshear was a good character that just didn't get developed enough, and I liked Purple Girl too.
Ben
1. Since the beginning of vol. 2. I also bought all the back ishs of vol. 1
2. I first saw Alpha Flight in that old X-Men cartoon.
3. My favorite is Talisman
4. least favorite: tie between Chuck Moss and Mannikin
5. Favorite villian: the Master
6. least favorite: Omega/scrambler
7. the best story arc was the llan, the sorcerer arc
8. My Alpha "dream team" would be: Guardian, Vindicator, Puck, Shaman, Sasquatch, Talisman, Flex and Ghost Girl.
9. Aurora!
10. Heather is/was/could be the best leader
11. Hundall was the best.
12. Bill Mantlo was, by far, the worst.
13. I actually really like Henery
14. That Calimme (sp?) guy from the late 80's
15. the "Heather kills a member every other issue" era
7. My problem with this arc is that Hudnall seemed to run out of steam towards the end of it. Some glaring continuity glitches, even in the same issue. I think the last issue of the arc highlights this best. "Talisman, I shall keep you alive so you can see man pollute and destroy this world" (not verbatim) about two pages later "Talisman, I must kill you now, or you could thwart my plans" (again not verbatim). Oi! fella, make your bloody mind up :-)Quote:
Originally Posted by oneyoungman
14. Won't get any arguement from me. The next 'Steve Rude', my arse.
15. Each and every death explained in a clear and concise way (where's the sarcasm smiley)
Welcome oneyoungman!
I also really enjoyed Hud's writing, and think it would have gone over better without Calimee's art to cheapen it. Like Del said, he kinda ran outa steam at the end, but I'm guessing that was after Marvel told him he was out and had to wrap certain things up.
Ben
Hi everyone! :)
Yeah, Hundall did run out of steam toward the end, but I do think it was because the Marvel ptb forced him off the book early.
I read in an interview that he planed to make the storyline lead up to issue 100! It could have been a really great epic....
From what I heard of his plans, his aborted Zietgiest(sp?) and Master/Marrina stories would have been great too.
oh well :(
1. Since Volume 1
2. Seeing them in Uncanny X-Men
3. Sasquatch
4. Marrina
5. The Master
6. Dreamqueen
7. The first 28 issues of volume 1
8. Guardian(Mac), Shaman, Puck, Sasquatch, Windshear, Nemesis
9. Aurora (duh)
10. Mac
11. The Master Himself.......John Byrne
12. No Comment
13. John Byrne
14. No Comment
15. The "death" of James Macdonald Hudson and subsequent "rebirths"
Welcome to the asylum, Weapon X.5. Watch out for the furnature fetishes and stay away from any unlocked cupboards. We can't be held responsible if you get mauled by a cupboard critter.
Thanks for the welcome. Glad to see there are many Alpha fans. Too bad Marvel pulled the plug on the newest volume. But I'll be here til they decide to put it back out for all of us rabid Flighters.
Hey, we're always glad to have new faces (so to speak) around here. Also good to see that, even after all this time, and all the crap they put us through, that Alpha Flight has such a strong following.
Hmm, WX5, I would hope you'd stick around if they DID bring them back for another round! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Weapon X.5
(warning: I'm a fickle nut about the way things are phrased.... o'course, I'm a fickle nut in general, so no biggie :P )
1. How long have you been collecting Alpha Flight? since AF #1
2. What was your first memory of Alpha Flight? If recent, what was your first reaction? really is a favorite.
3. Who is you favorite Alpha Flight character? the original line up mostly. ithee was a lot of depth with that line up.
4. Who is you least favorite Alpha Flight character? like maybe all of Volume 2? LOL
5. Who is you favorite Alpha Flight villain? Omega Flight - Smart Alec
6. Who is your least favorite Alpha Flight villain? Pink Pearl!
7. What do you think is the best issue / story-arch from Alpha Flight? the Death of Mac in #12
8. What do you consider the Alpha Flight "Dream Team"? Puck Aurora Northstar Sasquatch Snowbird Box (Roger) Shaman
9. If you were to be stuck on a desert island with one member of Alpha Flight, Who would it be (powers can not get you off the island) Aurora's cute, but psycho, snowbird's cute but cold, marrina is cute but... well, i don't want to be disenbowelled, heather is fun and fiesty. yeah, Heather!
10. Who was/is/could be the best leader of Alpha Flight? Mac.
11. Who is your favorite Alpha Flight writer? Byrne.
12. Who is your least favorite Alpha Flight writer? whoever did Volume2
13. Who is your favorite Alpha Flight artist? Byrne
14. Who is your least favorite Alpha Flight artist? ugh... many
15. If you could undo one thing in Alpha Flight history, what would it be? Byrne leaving AF!
I meant to say it as..........
I'll be here long after Marvel puts out a V.4, V.5, V.6 etc.......
Or if they decide to put it out and keep it going.
1. How long have you been collecting Alpha Flight?
Since vol 1 issue 43, waaay back in 1986
2. What was your first memory of Alpha Flight? If recent, what was your first reaction?
Picking up that same issue in a 7-11 in Toronto as a 14-year old who had never been into comics before and being amazed to see a battle between Alpha Flight, Mesmero and the Sentinels in the middle of Expo 86 in Vancouver, which I had just come back from that summer.
3. Who is you favorite Alpha Flight character?
Tough one, but for many reasons I would have to go with Northstar.
4. Who is you least favorite Alpha Flight character?
Yukon Jack, because I can't stand garbled speech patterns in comics.
5. Who is you favorite Alpha Flight villain?
Another tough one, but why don't we go with The Great Beasts as a group?
6. Who is your least favorite Alpha Flight villain?
Probably just about anyone from the Furman run (Carcass?? Wrecking Crew?? yuck)
7. What do you think is the best issue / story-arc from Alpha Flight?
Undoubtedly vol 1 issue 12
8. What do you consider the Alpha Flight "Dream Team"?
Northstar, Aurora, Puck, Heather, Madison Jeffries, Sasquatch, Talisman, Snowbird, Diamond Lil
9. If you were to be stuck on a desert island with one member of Alpha Flight, Who would it be (powers can not get you off the island)
Sasquatch (most resourceful, most meat if it came to cannibalism :wink: )
10. Who was/is/could be the best leader of Alpha Flight?
I always thought Puck (do I have to start saying Puck I?) deserved a shot at it.
11. Who is your favorite Alpha Flight writer?
Byrne
12. Who is your least favorite Alpha Flight writer?
Furman
13. Who is your favorite Alpha Flight artist?
Byrne
14. Who is your least favorite Alpha Flight artist?
Broderick. Furman and Broderick are probably the main reason my AF collection is incomplete, I have so little interest in tracking down the last few issues. To be fair to Broderick, pencillers aren't solely responsible for the look of a book, so I guess the inker and colorists from those issues deserve equal disdain.
15. If you could undo one thing in Alpha Flight history, what would it be?
Mac's resurrection, with Snowbird's continuity defying resurrection in the pages of Wolverine a close second, because it basically ruined the backstory of Sasquatch as well.
Welcome Madison! Don't hear of too many folks who disliked Furman's run so much, but always happy to hear new opinions :) Here's a snow shovel, clear a spot in the cupboard for yourself :D
Ben
1. How long have you been collecting Alpha Flight?
I was serious about collecting AF back when they first got their own series, but my attention to the following volumes has been sporadic at best.
2. What was your first memory of Alpha Flight? If recent, what was your first reaction?
My cousin was down visiting from Labrador, and he and I used to bike all over the area looking for new comics. At a mini-mart up a LARGE hill we found one of those old spinning comic racks filled with untouched goodies. I picked up X-Men 171-173 (and to this day love Paul Smith's art)... but as much as I love Paul's art, it was seeing a Canadian team standing large among the Marvel stalwarts that grabbed my attention. Joy. Adulation. Alpha Flight and the X-Men were the first two series I cared enough to buy every month -- and with the X-Men it was because the artist would turn out to be one of the biggest influences on my style. :)
3. Who is you favorite Alpha Flight character?
Guardian -- Dr. James MacDonald Hudson.
4. Who is you least favorite Alpha Flight character?
Major Maple Leaf; it started off as a one-off joke/jab at Captain Canuck, a nationalistic superhero created by Richard Comely, and has sense become a (very bad) running joke. I have more respect for Bob and Doug MacKenzie.
5. Who is you favorite Alpha Flight villain?
The Master. He has so much untouched potential.
6. Who is your least favorite Alpha Flight villain?
Calibre. Not that he's a bad creation, per se; he served his very limited purpose. But there's really no future potential there without a massive re-tooling.
7. What do you think is the best issue / story-arch from Alpha Flight?
Whoooooo. Toughie. Most of the stuff from the first 12 issues really set the overall feel for me, so I'd have to go with something from there. Perhaps Northstar and Aurora's encounter with Ernest; the writing was finely layered. At the time I was oblivious to it, but in hindsight the hints at JP's sexuality are painfully obvious. Excellent all-ages writing.
Either that or the first issue, which was a classic "big bang" opening.
8. What do you consider the Alpha Flight "Dream Team"?
The team from Vol 1, issue 1. There were so many unexplored story arcs with that group that it boggles my mind. The character interactions could have been superb. That and (as I often harp upon the point) they were extremely well designed, utilizing design elements that have provided the core for the genre's most iconic characters. I believe that the original team has that potential if treated with respect and utilized to their fullest.
9. If you were to be stuck on a desert island with one member of Alpha Flight, Who would it be (powers can not get you off the island)
Puck. The man's been everywhere and done everything. Follow his lead, and you'd likely live in comfort. Hmmmm... Shaman's probably a better choice, on second thought. Not only is he familiar with survival techniques, but his combination of magic and medical knowledge could provide a much safer, more comfortable existence.
10. Who was/is/could be the best leader of Alpha Flight?
As written? Heather. She was portrayed as extremely competent. As a literary choice? Mac. His character makes for a better plot device, and is more representative of (certain elements of) the national identity.
11. Who is your favorite Alpha Flight writer?
Byrne.
12. Who is your least favorite Alpha Flight writer?
No comment.
13. Who is your favorite Alpha Flight artist?
Paul Smith. (He did the Alpha/X-Men mini-series where Loki was involved)
14. Who is your least favorite Alpha Flight artist?
No comment.
15. If you could undo one thing in Alpha Flight history, what would it be?
Whoooo! Another toughie! I'd have to go with one of two things:
1) Puck/Raazor: what a freakin' pothole in the road that was! Not only does it contradict prior established information about the character, but it provided for some of the most ridiculous plot twists in the team's history, and managed to take some of the dignity away from Puck. He was unique in being a super-hero who was genuinely afflicted with what is termed as a disability.
2) The death of Guardian: It made for an incredible story, but killing off central characters is, generally speaking, bad for an ongoing serialized tale. Part of the long-term success of the big iconic characters is how recognizeable they've remained over the years, and this in turn projects onto any teams they may be involved with. Gacking Guardian was a bold story choice at the time, but would have been better served as the end of a mini-series rather than the beginning of an ongoing series.
For Alpha to earn the kind of prominence that has gone to the Justice League, Avengers, etc, they need a stable cast of recognizeable, iconic characters filling archetypical roles. To that end, as good a story as the death of Guardian was, it was a tactical error.