Showcase of Suspense #2

"Mistakes, Misunderstandings, and Missing Ladies!"

Previously: Peter Parker was sent on an assignment to get some photos of the Arak - Arkon movie set.  As usual, things didn't go quite so simply for our favorite photographer - Mysterio decided to make a mess of things.  While Spidey was trying to put a stop to Mysterio's plans, a befuddled Superman showed up and mistook the web-slinger for one of Mysterio's robots.  If not for the Mighty Thor, Spider-Man would have been killed.  That's where our second issue begins.  (Note to readers: It would probably be easier for you to read the truly fantastic, action packed first issue.)

New York City:

"Superman!  Thou must pay for thy misdeed!"  Thor swings his hammer in a circle above his head.  "Thor demands thy surrender!!"

The Man of Steel stands on the ground below.  "Your robots get better every time Mysterio!  Have you been working with the Toyman again?"  Superman flies towards the God of Thunder.  "Don't go far Mysterio, this robot won't take long!"

KA-BLAM!!!!!

Thor's hammer hits Superman squarely in the stomach and throws him back to the ground.  "That actually hurt."  Surprise crosses the face of the Kryptonian.  "Mysterio's toys are getting better.  A lot better."

Thor lands, hammer in hand, to face the Man of Steel.  "Surrender now Kryptonian and Thor will not hurt thee again!" 

Spider-Man watches the fight below.  "Oh man!  These two shouldn't be fighting.  If only I had time to tell Thor that Supes thought I was a robot.  I could yell my lungs out right now and they wouldn't hear me above the sounds of their blows."  Spider-Man turns his attention to the fleeing Mysterio.  "What's your game, bubblehead?"

Our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man swings down towards Mysterio.

A Rooftop Near the Fight:

"So Spider-Man survived did he?  Well it looks like I'll have to change my tactics.  I'll have the blood of at least one of those heroes on my hands today."  Our mysterious villain moves back into the shadows.*  All that can be seen of him is his red cape.

*He's the guy who was talking to the Enchantress at the beginning of issue #1 - Befuddled Baloo

Back to the Fight:

"You're as big a blow-hard as the real Thor!"  Superman lands an uppercut to Thor's chin.  "If Mysterio made you well, you might only end up in about 15 pieces after that punch."  Superman turns to look for Mysterio. 

The Asgardian regains his senses while still flying upwards from the blow.  He twirls his hammer and changes his direction in mid air.  "Enow Kryptonian!!  This ends now!!"  Thor is flying full-speed towards the Man of Steel.

"What the..?"  Thor flies straight into Superman.  Both men are hurled through the street and into the subway.  Thor stands first and grabs the Man of Steel.  "Now feel the wrath of the Odinson!"  Before Thor can land his punch, Superman fires his heat vision straight into Thor's face.  "Aaaaargh!"

"I've had enough of this!"  With a mighty leap Superman tackles the God of Thunder.  "I'm going to dismantle you the hard way!"  Blow after blow rings the air.

BOOM!!!

BOOOOM!!!!

BOOOOOOOOM!!!

A sudden yellow light fills the subway tunnel.

KRA-KOW!!

Lightning strikes everything within the subway tunnel, including our two heroes.  "Ouch!  I actually felt that."  A small voice in the back of Superman's head tells him that lightning shouldn't hurt him this bad.  Unfortunately, our hero's mind-set is not what it should be.

The Daily Planet:

"Olsen!"

"Yeah Chief?"  Olsen runs into Perry White's office.

"Get down to the Arak - Arkon movie set.  There's a fight between Superman and Thor going down.  I've heard reports that Spider-Man might be there too.  Get me some pictures of all three of them!!"

"Yes sir!"

"Why are you still in my office?  Get going!!"  Perry White throws a cigar at Jimmy. 

The Wall-Crawler:

"Going somewhere?"  Mysterio stops in his tracks when he sees Spidey's signal flashing on the ground around him.

"Spider-Man!  Can't you count your blessings that you're alive and take the day off?"

"Aww.  Come on, chrome-dome.  Don't you want to spend some time with your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man?"  Spider-Man lands in front of Mysterio and crouches low.  He knows he has to end this quick before Mysterio can let out his fog.  "You gonna expel gas like you usually do?"

"Does your flippant mouth ever stay shut!?" 

"I knew if I got you angry you'd react slower.  It always works."  Spidey kicks Mysterio's bowl.  Mysterio is staggered.  Webbing shoots out to wrap up our villain.  "Ok.  Now that you're all tied up, who put you up to this?"  Peter Parker knows that Mysterio's gas couldn't have affected Superman the way it did.  "Unless it's more powerful than it used to be.  That's a scary thought."

A Restaurant in Manhattan:

"So you've never seen Peter when he gets the pictures?"  Lois Lane asks.

"Nope."  Mary Jane continues to pick at her food.  She can't believe that Parker is standing her up again.

Lois thinks to herself how odd it is that Peter Parker's girlfriend has never seen him take pictures of Spider-Man.  "Hmmmm.  Is there a connection between the two?"

"What was that?"  Mary Jane asks.

"Oh sorry.  I was just talking to myself."  Lois laughs.  But deep down she's scheming: "This kid is my key to Spider-Man."

"You know Peter really looks up to you."  MJ smiles. "He complains about Jimmy Olsen getting to work with you.  He wishes he could work with you sometime."

"Really?"  Lois can't believe her luck.  She thinks to herself, "Parker's my best shot at Spider-Man.  Now I just have to figure out how to use him."

"If our men don't show up, would you want to go shopping?"  Miss Watson often shops when she's depressed.

"I don't know if I'd call Clark my…"

BOOM!!

The wall of the restaurant has been destroyed and a figure stands in the opening.  His features are hidden but his cape blows in the wind.  "Lois Lane and Mary Jane Watson!  I'm so glad you've made this easier."  Our mysterious villain grabs the stunned and startled women.

Back to Spidey:

Jimmy Olsen sees Spider-Man swinging by and yells "Hey Spidey!  Let me get a picture of you holding Mysterio!"

"Just Great!  Jimmy Olsen!  Hey carrot-top!  Put that camera down and tell me where Superman and Thor are."  Spider-Man moves quickly to avoid giving Olsen a good camera shot.

"Geez!  I don't know where they are.  Why?"

"Why!?  Those two are beating each other's brains in and you don't know where they are?  How do you ever get pictures of Superman?  Does he bring you to the action before the fights start?"  Spider-Man swings off.

"What a jerk!  No wonder they think he's a menace.  Superman never treats people like that."  Jimmy runs to follow Spider-Man to the action.  "The Chief will want photos of Superman and Thor."

Luthor's Lab:

A smile spreads across Lex Luthor's face.  His newest invention is almost complete.  "This time I shall be victorious!"

BEEP!  BEEP! 

"Blast!  Who's bothering me now!?"  Luthor hits a button near his workbench and a viewscreen emerges from the floor.  "This had better be important or you'll pay for annoying Lex Luthor!"

"No need to be so dramatic, Herr Luthor.  The Red Skull will make this discussion well worth your while."  The evil of the Red Skull can be seen by simply looking into his eyes.  The coldness, the hatred - he can't hide any of it.

"Herr Skull."  Luthor mocks.  "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"Do not anger me, Lex.  I have a simple plan for us to rule Earth."

"Oh please!  Like I could trust you to share!  Why don't you try to find the Cosmic Cube again by yourself?"  Luthor turns to press the button to lower the viewscreen.

"You mistake me for your Red Skull, Herr Luthor.  I'm offering you Earth-1.  I only want Earth-2."  The Skull smiles, but the smile never touches his eyes.

Luthor's hand stops short of the button.  "Interesting.  How do I know you won't come for Earth-1 when we are done?"

"Now why would I make that promise?"  Both the Red Skull and Lex Luthor laugh and begin to discuss their plan. 

The Office of Dr. Donald Blake:

Jane Foster is cleaning up the office and preparing for the next day when she hears a noise behind her.  "I'm sorry we're…. <gasp>"

"Come along my dear.  You won't like this one bit."   The man in the shadows laughs at his own bitter humor.

In the Subway:

Superman wipes blood from his lip.  "I don't know how you're hurting me, but this ends now!"  Superman unleashes his heat vision once again but Thor blocks it with Mjolnir, his enchanted hammer. 

"Thou may be the Man of Steel, but thou facest an Asgardian born!"  Thor stands his ground holding Mjolnir before him.  Superman cuts off his heat vision and Thor smacks him with his enchanted hammer.

"Aaargh!  Why does this hurt so much?"  A voice in the back of his mind tells him it must be magic.  The voice is ignored once again.  Superman recovers from the blow to fly into Thor.  The two combatants trade blow after blow.  Parts of the subway tunnel fall from the force of each impact.  The combatants are both bloody, but neither gives an inch. Neither punches nor hammer strikes stop the battle.  The tunnel starts to collapse around them.  Neither one falls back. 

"What the heck are you two trying to do?  Level the whole metropolis of New York?"  Spider-Man's voice is barely heard by the other two heroes.  "Stop it!  Stop this fighting now!"

Superman and Thor turn to face the wall-crawler.  Neither has let go of the other's shirt.  "This better be good and not another trick." 

"Supes, the only trick here was bubble boy getting all of us to fight.  The only question I have is why his gas affected you when it never has in the past."

"You mean neither one of you are robots?"

"Use your x-ray vision and you'll see the truth.  I'm curious, though, why you didn't use it before?"  Spider-Man drops Mysterio on the ground.

"The Enchantress did put a spell on the Man of Steel."  Thor rubs his chin.  "If thou didst think that Spider-Man was a robot then thou art no murderer.  But the Enchantress shall pay for her chicanery!  So swears Thor!"

"She isn't the one you should be worried about."  Mysterio starts to laugh.

"What do you mean?"  Superman lifts Mysterio off the ground.

"He means you should worry about me!"  The mysterious villain stands revealed before them. 

"The Composite Superman!!"  Superman prepares to attack.

"Now, now Superman.  You wouldn't want to risk the life of Lois Lane would you?  Not to mention the lives of Mary Jane Watson or Jane Foster.  You can attack me or save them!"  The Composite Superman sends a telepathic image to each hero telling them where they can find the women.

The Enchantress walks up beside the Composite Superman and lets him put his arm around her.  The villain, whose costume is half Superman-half Batman, then speaks once again.  "You can either fight me and lose or die trying to save your pretty little women."  The smile on his half-green face gets wider and then he and the Enchantress start to laugh.

To Be Continued:  Can our heroes save the damsels in distress?  And if they do, how do you stop a man with all of the powers of the Legion of Superheroes, the Enchantress, and Mysterio?  Don't miss the next issue or you'll be kicking yourself.

Fantastic Action Letters:

I got plenty of letters for the first issue.  Please keep them coming, even if they're negative.

What can I say, Mark? This has classic written all over it. Besides the 80s, the 70s versions were always my favorite. During that time, it was an exciting era to be a comic fan. You capture this all too well, not to mention being able to mix both universes' characters together. It reminded me even further of the Amalgam titles a few years back, but done right. It was great to see Lois not knowing about Clark and Superman and of Spider-Man worrying about missing a date with Mary Jane. Sure, today those times have passed and I doubt we could ever go back, but what you've done is a great way to at least visit them each issue. Now I have a list of things I'm eager to see:

 

1) Hulk in Bizarro World. Well, what do you know? You already have this planned! Read my mind, huh? =)

2) A confrontation between JJJ and Perry White. These two great newspapermen need to meet!

3) JJJ vs. Lex Luthor! In modern Marvel time, JJJ didn't take too kindly to Norman Osborn buying his paper, so what's so different about Lex?

4) Impossible Man vs. Mxy (I could never spell his name!).

5) The Fantastic Four visit Apokalips.

6) Finally, Galactus coming to Earth in a Crisis of Infinite Earths battle with all of the DC and Marvel characters. Okay, well maybe not all, but the major ones. Of course, this might wear you out, so I'll be quiet and keep this a pipe dream. ;)

 

Again, I'd like to thank you for bringing a great title into being. You have my promise that I'll be following it as long as you're writing it.

 

Jason Snyder

P.S. If you're looking for a letters page title, my bet goes for either Amalgamated Assemblies or Reminiscient Ramblings.

Thanks for the kind words Jason.

1)      Gonna happen in issue #4.

2)      I'll try to work that in somewhere.  I hadn't thought of that, but it would be cool.

3)      If I'm doing something that's the opposite of the current Spidey titles, then I'll assume I'm doing alright.

4)      This was done in the Superman/Silver Surfer one-shot so you won't see it here.

5)       I want to do this storyline, but I'll probably have someone else write it.  It is the perfect FF story for a universe like this.

6)      Yeesh!  I thought you liked this series.  Now you want to kill me?

Here's a letter from the guy who's taking over for me on Champions (that's a sneaky way to get you to read my issues while making it look like I'm giving Sam a plug):

> SHOWCASE OF SUSPENSE #1 (Mark "Baloo" Beaulieu)
>
> The Premise: Two comic book companies!  One world!
> Lots of action!
>
> The Good:
> --Baloo picked the two best characters to showcase
> in
> the first issue: Superman and Spider-Man.  It's just
> fitting.
> --All the little details from both worlds, and how
> they relate to this one world.  Too many of 'em in
> this issue to describe, but you'll like 'em when you
> see 'em!
> --Supes vs. Spidey!  Woohoo!
>
> The Bad:
> --Nothing that I can see, really.  Baloo's set up
> what
> is bound to be the funnest series at MV1.
>
> The Grade:
> 5 out of 5 Roos.  It'll be worth your time to check
> it
> out.  It's apparent Baloo's having fun writing this
> series, and you're gonna have a ball reading it!

Wow!  Another positive review!  I must be doing something right.  I'm going to try to keep putting in all of the little details from each world, but it was hard to do in this issue.

Here's a letter from someone I sent the story to knowing that they'd give me an honest appraisal.

 

Dear Mark,

 

I know you want an honest appraisal and I was bound and determined to give you one so I read your story as critically as possible. And I have very little to criticize. The premise is great and well handled. The plot is engaging. I like the relationships between "universes" and the relative ease with which you merged them. This is far better than that amalgram crap that we saw a few years ago. This is more like what we want to see -- the world that the first Superman/Spider-Man clash might have taken place in.

 

My criticisms are minor and few. The dialog seemed a bit stilted in places -- especially in the beginning. Parker's first line -- the Enchantress' opening speech. Finally, the title -- while appropriate is misleading. You'd expect the Fantastic Four to be here -- not Spidey.

 

But that's the best I could do in the harsh department. I ripped thru the story with growing rapidity and interest. I look forward to more.

 

Michael

Yeah, I always have stilted dialogue.  The villains I try to write that way.  It makes me feel like I'm writing Silver Age villains.  Unfortunately, Peter's dialogue shouldn't be stilted.  Mike's comment about the Fantastic Four comes from my bad.  I sent him a copy of the story with the title Fantastic Action Comics.  But I later changed the name because it sounded too much like the anthology title Fantastic Adventures.  No need to confuse readers.  Hey I like this.  So far I'm 3 for 3 in positive reviews.

Showcase of Suspense #1 - "She Put a Spell on Me"
by Mark Bealieu, at the Tapestry Branch
-I highly looked forward to this series once I heard about Mark leaving
Champions, so once it hit, I read it immediately (it's the most
recently-posted Tapestry story I can find, too). I've always liked the tone
and feel of Pre-Crisis stories from DC, as if they were from another time,
and this story has the same feel, plus the John Romita-age feel of Spider-Man
and Marvel at the time, in general. The pairing of the Enchantress and
Mysterio as the main villains seemed at first strange but I quickly realized
how alike the two are. The small details between the two universes and the
way they meld together impress me greatly, and my general love for
Elseworlds/Alterniverse tales like this makes it all the better. I truly hope
that Mark keeps this one going for a long time.
Over-All Grade: 4 out or 5 Stars

-Will Short

Another positive one.  My head is getting too big.  I can barely type.  Seriously though, thanks for the comments Will and I do plan on doing this for quite awhile.  I do plan on having people help out here and there though.  There are certain characters I don't feel comfortable enough writing but I want them in here so I'll get someone who can help me do the issue or who can write the whole thing themselves.

This next letter is almost as long as this issue. J

Showcase of Suspense #1 by Mark Beaulieu:

I've always thought that the concept of Marvel/DC team-ups has been a good one, although the finished product that has been put out over the years hasn't entirely been to my liking. I certainly think this is a good idea for a series, though, and look forward to seeing what Mark has in store for us.

The first issue got off to a good start, with a lot of good elements from both Spider-Man and Superman present. Peter still working at the Daily Bugle, getting grief from Jameson contrasted nicely with the events at the Daily Planet with Clark, Lois, and Jimmy. As a fan of both characters who hasn't been thrilled with the way either of them has been written in years, this was a refreshing change. I also enjoying the competition between the Bugle and the Planet, and the way that the respective publishers looked at Spider-Man and Superman as boosting circulation for the other paper.

In fact, this issue put me in mind of the second Superman/Spider-Man team-up, with the classic John Buscema art. I thought a lot of interesting things were done in that issue, including Peter's reaction to Perry White (particularly in comparison to J. Jonah Jameson). I don't know if this was your intention, but I did get some of the feel of that old crossover treasury when reading this.

Your portrayal of Spider-Man was interesting. Although he seems to be more capable of being recognized as a hero on this world, he hasn't submitted to an interview with Lois to set the record straight. Of course, she might give him the Jim Gray treatment, in which case he'd be worse off than he is now. It was good to see a lot of the old elements of Spider-Man intact in the first issue-the wise cracks, the harried lifestyle, and the streak of bad luck.

I thought that Mysterio's plot to turn Spider-Man and Superman against each other was a pretty novel one-particularly in light of the fact that this is the only time that Superman would use what constitutes deadly force against an opponent (thinking he is a robot). Thor's involvement, and a clash between Thor and Superman, is certainly a good reason for me to pick up the next issue, in addition to the fact that I like where the storyline is going.

I am in strong support of using the DC characters as they were pre-Crisis. This is the only era I have interest in where DC is concerned, and I really liked that stuff. Having the multiple Earth set-up will lend itself to some really strong possibilities, as your future installments would seem to indicate (I'm really looking forward to the JSA/Invaders/JLA/Avengers team-up).

Do you intend to do story arcs with different Earths, or is this all going to be a continuing series with the same continuity? I wasn't too clear on that one.

The only complaint I have about this issue is your decision to use the modern Luthor, who I have never liked. He always came off (to me) as a cheap rip-off of the Kingpin. While I prefer the stories of the 60's where Superman is concerned, and Luthor participiated in some great stories back then, I think the Luthor of the 70's is probably my favorite incarnation of the character. Still, the devious scientist of the 60's and 70's has always had a strong appeal to me. "The Death of Superman" (original) was an all-time classic, and really showcased what Luthor was capable of doing if he put his mind to it.

One thing I look forward to seeing in future installments is more character interaction, like we saw with Mary Jane and Lois Lane in this issue. How do the characters (and not just the super-heroes, although that is interesting too) interact with one another on this world? How many know each other, and what do they think of one another?

This is a strong beginning to what looks like a great series.

Jeff

I want to address some of Jeff's concerns here.  First, I haven't read the second Superman/Spider-Man in years.  I will read it when I'm done with this story though.  I don't want to unintentionally swipe anything.  But I remember enjoying the story as a kid and I take it as a compliment if I did something similar to one of those classic crossovers.  Second, this will all be one universe.  I have a pretty big playground to work with so I don't see a need to have each story take place in its own little world.  Third, the Luthor in this world is a businessman, but he got that way by patenting his scientific inventions.  So he's a scientist and a businessman.  I like the combo of the two.  I hope you continue to like what I've done. 

Let me see if I've counted right, 5 out of 5 positive reviews.  I'm feeling pretty good right now.  Just one more letter to satiate my ego:

 Showcase of Suspense # 1 by Mark Beulieu

     I utterly hate DC/Marvel crossovers. I also hate the fact that Mark is
giving up one of the most well-written titles, The Champions, to write it.
Mark is an absolutely terrific writer, but I just can't get past my distaste
for the book's entire premise. Sorry. 

      My rating: It rots in hell; however, if you aren't encumbered by my
extreme distaste for crossovers of this nature you should probably read it.
You'll probably like it.

Shan

Yikes!  This guy knows how to burst my bubble. J 

Well that's it for this time.  I hope most people out there don't think this issue Rots in Hell, but if you do, let me know.  Most of the above letters were posted to MV1 Talk.  MV1Talk can be found at onelist.com and is setup for people to discuss the stories found in MV1.  I hope to see you there. 

Rots in Hell.  I think I'm gonna cry.  I thought you guys liked me.

 

Mark Beaulieu

A Ulysses and Pandora Production.