tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266470995513648978.post7827852870995879242..comments2024-03-28T10:18:00.370-05:00Comments on Gentlemen of Leisure: Unstacking the Deck: X-Men Series IAustin Gortonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14281239771248780430noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266470995513648978.post-80596788803043855662016-09-11T13:53:55.202-05:002016-09-11T13:53:55.202-05:00I got a complete set of these — minus the hologram...<br>I got a complete set of these — minus the hologram chase cards and maybe even the Danger Room mosaic — on vacation in the summer of 1992. We stopped at a small comics/cards/collectibles shop, of the kind that boomed and busted quickly in that era, which had assembled sets on sale in small plastic bins for like $5. My sister got a Disney <i>Beauty and the Beast</i> set and I got these, curious about the state of the X-Teams after my brief check-in during the 1991 relaunch; I only took them out of the box like once.<br /><br /><i>// every time I look at these cards //</i><br /><br />What great memories. My equivalent with trading cards specifically is packs of the <i>Empire Strikes Back</i> set from the Woolworth’s catty-corner from my grandparents store the summer of 1980, or more generally comics from the spinner rack and “penny” candy from a small newsagent the next block down. I remember how frustrating it was that the card packs were marked at 25¢ and so 26¢ with tax. Comics jumped to 50¢ that summer too. 8^(<br /><br>Blamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07342343767763035991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266470995513648978.post-254156602863110102016-09-06T22:50:34.302-05:002016-09-06T22:50:34.302-05:00"Other tibbits of note - Caliban is described..."Other tibbits of note - Caliban is described as being able to generate fear in others (I don't remember that particular facet of his power being used before), while Toad is described as being deeply in love with Scarlet Witch (he certainly lusted after her in his early appearances, but it's been awhile since anything was done with that notion)."<br />Caliban was able to use his powers to generate fear in others in X-Factor 51 and 53. As for Toad, during the 1985-1986 Vision and Scarlet Witch series, 3 of the issues were devoted to the Toad's plans to kill the Vision and make the Scarlet Witch his bride.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266470995513648978.post-53339156264023545532016-09-04T08:13:59.607-05:002016-09-04T08:13:59.607-05:00I think his survival owes more to the fact that so...I think his survival owes more to the fact that someone in the X-office (Nicieza?), after Lee and Portacio left, remembered that Empath was supposed to be somewhere in South America/Nova Roma with Magma. Basically, he wasn't supposed to be in Portacio's opening storyline. Unless, of course, he ditched Magma prior to Uncanny #281 and it was supposed to be addressed at a later date.<br /><br />This is Lee and Portacio, so I'd go with stupid fuck-up on their parts for including Empath and then never mentioning him after #281. Had there been more plans for him, he would have been included, possibly with the Upstarts or Selene and the Gamemaster in #283. I mean, these are the same people who gave us the Hellion death scene with over a dozen Hellions; Empath could have easily been included among those slaughtered.<br /><br />http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M0JLCmxlVXY/VpJO-c8WMcI/AAAAAAAAwZg/bwZx7l5rjH8/s1600/xmen282_13a.gifwwk5dnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266470995513648978.post-5313832997705120962016-09-03T09:35:47.878-05:002016-09-03T09:35:47.878-05:00My guess would be Empath, who alone survived the r...My guess would be Empath, who alone survived the re-launch Hellion slaughter and could be conceived to have been associated like this at this time by Jim Lee. Maybe something was in the works for him but got shunted by the X-odus.Teemunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266470995513648978.post-39248191542669083832016-09-03T07:17:10.681-05:002016-09-03T07:17:10.681-05:00Does anyone know who the goober in the green glass...Does anyone know who the goober in the green glasses is on the Hellfire Club card? He's on the front with the core four of Shaw, Frost, Selene and Magneto, but unamed on the back. <br /><br />http://www.uncannyxmen.net/sites/default/files/images/cards/xmen92/76-f.jpgJameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05850180973989295135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266470995513648978.post-56717668430449624762016-09-03T07:16:34.134-05:002016-09-03T07:16:34.134-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05850180973989295135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266470995513648978.post-54447451397268828982016-09-02T23:07:08.039-05:002016-09-02T23:07:08.039-05:00I find it hilarious that so many mutant characters...I find it hilarious that so many mutant characters were popping up that didn't use their powers at all, they just used guns. Cable was the perfect example of this, and now Maverick (Had his powers been seen up to this point?). I still don't know what Shatterstar's powers are either, is he just super agile?Ian Millerhttp://ianjmiller.deviantart.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266470995513648978.post-54904139328836980712016-09-02T23:04:42.748-05:002016-09-02T23:04:42.748-05:00You're right, the original art for these cards...You're right, the original art for these cards was done a little larger than print size, 2 to a standard size 11"x17" piece of paper (Along with character headshots). An example of this is here: http://art.cafimg.com/images/Category_614/subcat_22461/RvaQtpkR_2401151334471.jpg<br /><br />This explains why the lines in the collection books they put out were so thick.Ian Millerhttp://ianjmiller.deviantart.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266470995513648978.post-90497157102814581742016-09-02T17:45:04.270-05:002016-09-02T17:45:04.270-05:00X-Men 94 Flair Ultra was also *my* card series, an...X-Men 94 Flair Ultra was also *my* card series, and I have the same memories regarding Maverick's power and Meggan's unused codename. <br /><br />"I've always liked Lee's Iceman, and appreciate that he adopted Portacio's "ring of ice around his hands" way of depicting his power in action."<br /><br />I believe Walt Simonson established this first? <br /><br />Pedro de Pacasnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266470995513648978.post-39528327690016915562016-09-01T14:43:50.539-05:002016-09-01T14:43:50.539-05:00Worded as his power description is, it sounds pret...Worded as his power description is, it sounds pretty much exactly like Irene "Destiny" Adler always used her powers in a combat situation. Maybe the editorial nixed it because any distinction would have been hard to make, his too having a face-plate and everything. Bad comparison to be in for Mav; he got guns but she got actual character.Teemunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266470995513648978.post-27038557969627696392016-09-01T13:44:34.207-05:002016-09-01T13:44:34.207-05:00Man, this set is so great. The only complete card...Man, this set is so great. The only complete card set I've ever owned. I knew I'd have to have it, so I just ordered a box of them when they were released, which allotted me nearly 2 full sets--I think I just had to do a trade for one missing hologram. I still have the complete set in a binder, only recently having finally sold off all the duplicates.<br /><br />While I like the "time capsule" element of it, I have to admit, there are a few details I'm less fond of--mostly the new looks for classic characters, used instead of their "classic" ones. Havok, Dazzler, Longshot, etc., just look weird when not in their "Outback era" costumes. Still, that's quibbling. It's still remarkable that this set was so closely followed by the Image exodus, and my own as well.Johnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266470995513648978.post-4513863138919474222016-09-01T13:20:30.881-05:002016-09-01T13:20:30.881-05:00I started collecting comics a little later on so m...I started collecting comics a little later on so my introductory set was the 1994 Fleer Ultra cards. Still love those cards. I mainly remember these and the 1993 series for being included with the ToyBiz figures.<br /><br />Maverick's never-used precognition power was even mentioned in the 1994 card set. I wonder if there's a story behind that? Stuff that pops up in other media that's never used in the comics is always interesting to me. I remember Meggan had a card where she was called "Tapestry" and I don't remember her ever using that name. I'm sure there are others I'm forgetting...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266470995513648978.post-14573275386386405162016-09-01T11:59:25.792-05:002016-09-01T11:59:25.792-05:00Oh that Magneto picture is great until you look at...Oh that Magneto picture is great until you look at his thighs and you see that his thighs are bigger than any other part of his body. It really throws me off and has ruined the image for me. Scott Churchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16795112175606617848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266470995513648978.post-22532983941430200352016-09-01T11:37:06.900-05:002016-09-01T11:37:06.900-05:00While I really like this set, it may be runner-up ...While I really like this set, it may be runner-up for me in terms of "finest comics card set ever" I'd probably give that award to the first series of Marvel Masterpieces. I think that was the only card set I went out of my way to collect in its entirety, even buying singles at the local shop. I loved all those Joe Jusko paintings, and the cards were nice and thick, too. I still have my full set in a binder someplace.Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14580725636327122073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266470995513648978.post-32269037279733361992016-09-01T08:26:07.663-05:002016-09-01T08:26:07.663-05:00As nice as this card set still holds up (Jim Lee&#...As nice as this card set still holds up (Jim Lee's somewhat tacky cheesecake leanings aside), some of it certainly is the product of it's era. Cards for Shiva? Maverick? Mojo II? The Upstarts? I'm guessing Omega Red had a card too?<br /><br />As for the Upstarts and anything else Lee and Portacio developed before they bolted, I wonder what plans they may have had for Graydon Creed and Sienna Blaze. <br /><br />Overall, this series holds up well, though for me, the first two Marvel Universe series are still my favorites. wwk5dnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266470995513648978.post-87553497854694469422016-08-31T23:28:21.547-05:002016-08-31T23:28:21.547-05:00“the amazing ability to see into all the various i...<i>“the amazing ability to see into all the various immediate futures of his foes, so he is able to choose the course of action that allows him to come out on top!”</i><br /><br />So he shot Cornelius into head well knowing that he would have Wolverine killed on his next appearance!<br /><br />That's <i><b>two</b></i> you owe me, Jim Lee.Teemunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266470995513648978.post-49954227494303822082016-08-31T20:58:30.757-05:002016-08-31T20:58:30.757-05:00I have more than a few of these cards, and two of ...I have more than a few of these cards, and two of the three issues of the miniseries that reprinted the card set...and still, this post is the first time I've seen many of these images.<br /><br />That off-model version of Graydon Creed also showed up in STRYFE'S STRYKE FILE, as I recall.<br /><br />Hilarious that Maverick's powers on the back of his card are described as “the amazing ability to see into all the various immediate futures of his foes, so he is able to choose the course of action that allows him to come out on top!” Did Jim Lee ever let Bob Harras in on this secret?<br /><br />By the way, the series that reprinted these cards in full-size comic format...it's a bit of a disappointment. Jim Lee clearly didn't draw these cards at standard comic book size (I suspect he took a page of original art and split it in two.) With the art blown up to an exaggerated size, you start to notice things like Meggan's tadpole feet.<br /><br />As a card set, though, it's great. Not only is Lee at his Marvel peak, but the colors are lush and vivid. Possibly the finest comics card set ever.G. Kendallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12279461069684403792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266470995513648978.post-38497339465425384932016-08-31T18:06:18.846-05:002016-08-31T18:06:18.846-05:00I love this set. I mentioned over on my site that ...I love this set. I mentioned over on my site that the X-MEN BY CLAREMONT & LEE OMNIBUS volume 2 reprints the entire set, front and back, which is a really cool bonus feature.<br /><br />"<b>Partially responsible for kickstarting my adolescence.</b>"<br /><br />Same here! Emma was probably my favorite card in the set when I was thirteen.<br /><br />Others I liked were Nightcrawler, Cyclops, Cable, Jubilee, Cyclops, Rogue, Bishop, Cerise (I had no idea who she was; I just liked her visual), Mister Sinister, Stryfe, and the two X-Men team cards (plus the big nine-part Danger Room subset).<br /><br />Whew!<br /><br />So weird that Siena Blaze and Graydon Creed were conceptualized so long before they debuted. I guess Lobdell & Co. continued to follow some of Lee's and Portacio's concepts well after they left.Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14580725636327122073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7266470995513648978.post-65245916481596308382016-08-31T17:00:53.784-05:002016-08-31T17:00:53.784-05:00Holy crap, I didn't realize until now that the...Holy crap, I didn't realize until now that these images were from cards. I knew them from some printed comics put out around the same time that had all the images from the cards blown up to standard comic size. I figured it was just a Jim Lee sketchbook. I used to look through them all the time as a kid and would steal from the images to try and copy Jim Lee's style in my drawings.Ian Millerhttp://ianjmiller.deviantart.comnoreply@blogger.com