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Welcome to Comics Buyers Guide Presents: Dangerous Curves. Heres the deal:
Spirit #22 (Aug 50) 1950 Everett M. Arnold
Retcon is a term with which most comics buffs are familiar. The longer a super-hero has been around, for example, the more that characters attributes from origin story to costume to powers have morphed. A one-story character (such as Skinny in The Spirit, right) stands unchanged. But a character such as Batmans Catwoman has had more than half a century to develop and even align herself with different sides of the law at different times. In this volume, we provide brief summaries of (in some cases) thousands of panels. So do check out the stories themselves!
When were talking curves, were talking adults, so, no matter how cute Darling OShea is in The Spirit, she doesnt make the cut for this book.
When were talking curves, were talking eye candy, so, no matter how powerful Hazel P. Macbeth is in The Spirit or Agatha Harkness is in The Fantastic Four, they dont make the cut, either.
Oh, and when were talking curves, it may be time to note the power that Good Girl Art possesses when it comes to comic-book sales. Our popular 100 Sexiest Women in Comics came in for much tut-tutting, but its sales demonstrated that it was, indeed, popular. (And well note only in passing that many artists fi nd it easier to draw skin-tight outfi ts than to fi gure out how fabric drapes on characters costumed in ordinary street clothing. Nuff said?)
Just in case it isnt clear, we should note that whether the characters we show are good or bad they appear in entertaining tales. Seek out the ones that intrigue you just as we (and countless others like us) have done over the years!
By the way, Comics Buyers Guide is the longest-running magazine about comics in the Western Hemisphere. Begun in 1971 by a teen in East Moline, Ill., CBG has brought comics fans and pros news, reviews, auction updates, and commentary for four decades. Subscription and other information appears at left. You can also check out selected back issues free on your mobile device through the Google Newsstand, Comics+, and Graphicly apps. Finally, the characters in this volume are our choices. Are they yours? Did we leave out your favorite? Make your case at , or by mail to our editorial offi ces. Ready Aim
Brent Frankenhoff and Maggie Thompson
1. Jean Grey as Phoenix
When she was introduced in X-Men #1 (Sep 63), Jean was the sweetly innocent (and telepathic and telekinetic) teen known as Marvel Girl. Over the ensuing years, she became the most powerful and most dangerous of X-Men. A decade and a half later, The Phoenix Force magnified and added to her own powers, providing such abilities as resurrection and manipulation of time. Oh and endangering the universe. (On the other hand though she was still deadly, many fans remember her fondly as The Hellfire Clubs Black Queen.)
Image source: X-Men: Legacy #211 (Jul 08); 2008 Marvel Characters, Inc.
Image source: X-Men #135 (Jul 80); 1980 Marvel Comics Group
Image source: X-Men #132 (Apr 80); 1980 Marvel Comics
2. Emma Frost, The White Queen
Speaking of The Hellfire Club (see Jean Grey as Phoenix), its White Queen, the snarky telepath Emma Frost, used her mental powers to gain power ruthlessly throughout her career. Later a teacher at Professor Xaviers school, The White Queen has been on both sides of the law. Oh, and tough? Shes diamond-hard when she wants to be.
Image source: Wolverine: Origins #5 (Oct 06); 2006 Marvel Characters, Inc.
Image source: X-Men #131 (Mar 80); 1979 Marvel Comics Group
Image source: Uncanny X-Men #499 (Aug 08); 2008 Marvel Characters, Inc.
3. Scarlet Witch
Originally thought to alter probabilities with her mutant hex power, Wanda Maximoffs abilities and potential to create havoc have waxed and waned over the years. At one point, controlled by an entity hiding within her, she could change reality and de-power other mutants. Youd think that would mean she can do whatever she wants. But life has been more complex for her and her allies to put it mildly.
Image source: Avengers vs. X-Men #0 (May 12); 2012 Marvel Characters, Inc.
Image source: Avengers #128 (Oct 74); 1974 Marvel Comics Group
Image source: Avengers West Coast #56 (Mar 90); 1990 Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc.
4. Enchantress
The powerful Norse goddess Amora, aka The Enchantress, has attempted (and occasionally succeeded) in seducing Thor through magic manipulations. With the ability to control minds combined with her beauty (not to mention powers of energy blasts and manipulation of time), she often calls the shots. Shes a threat, not only to The Thunder God, but also to other gods and mortals.