Contest of Champions (1982) SERIES BREAKDOWN

[@Foliculad]

I was obsessed with this comic as a kid. I loved all the international heroes. Over the years I have collected all of their sporadic comic appearances. 😊

[@CaptainAway]

All the new international heroes were probably my favorite part of the story

[@HandofOmega]

@@CaptainAway INteresting that they put the Arab and Israeli on the same team...with NO conflict, I doubt that would happen today! I think my fave was Shamrock...probably just as well if she never turned up again, they'd probably have her play up certain OTHER stereotypes, like constantly getting hammered!🤣

[@CaptainAway]

@HandofOmega I wouldn't say no conflict, exactly. The Arabian Knight and Sabra immediately dislike each other, and Iron Man makes a comment about not being able to "fight the Arab/Israeli war" as well as compete in the contest, but you're right that it would probably go very differently today. Shamrock actually does have a few additional appearances in the Marvel universe after this. She eventually hangs up her tights and becomes a hairstylist!

[@ronhubbardjr2624]

This series came out right when I started collecting comics.

[@vwtrombone50]

I bought the original series when they first came out and loved it...except for the GLARING in-story continuity error. In contest 4, Shamrock is on Death's team and she wins. This should have tied the contest 2-2, but the end of the chapter gives the win to the Grandmaster and declares him the victor 3-1. Great story idea and I loved it as a kid, but the narrative is completely blown by this in-story continuity error.

[@CaptainAway]

You're absolutely right. I even made the extra list so I could keep track and still managed to miss that somehow! There probably was going to be a tie breaker game in the original story, but the introduction suggests the original story was never finished, so I guess they just fiddled with the numbers to bring a quicker end and hoped nobody would notice.

[@Darby-qu6hz]

How the fuck do they fuck that up

[@mikeklamecki7510]

I remember reading this as a kid and loving it. Then second read through I was like “Wait-a-minnut”… How did they…? What the…? Totally ruined it for me. I still got the originals. I don’t think I ever looked at them again after that disappointment. 😅

[@jamessatter7418]

In my head Canon, the Grandmaster and Death had an agreement about who would win in case of a tie, but never stated that ahead of time in the exposition. Grandmaster has been duped before when it comes to the rules of his own challenges.

[@CB1494]

you are correct on the final score, i caught it when the books came out, so not only do i still have the original books i have an official Marvel No-prize for catching the mistake

[@jonadams5277]

I loved this review of a frequently forgotten series. You spoke clearly and concisely, giving a thorough overview. As for the series itself, the crowd scenes are phenomenal, pre-dating the assemblage on Monitor's satellite in "Crisis on Infinite Earths.". The new international heroes were an excellent idea, though sadly went nowhere. Yes, the actual execution was awkward, but the story inspired a sense of wonder (especially for someone around age 12) that more than made up for that. By the way, after Avengers #69 and before this, Grand Master last appeared in Giant-Size Defenders #3, 1974, the issue that introduced Michael Korvac. It always all ties together at Marvel.

[@Skaramine]

I liked Darkstar and Vanguard way back in 82. Their powers were imaginative and their look were cool. But, I WAS 12.

[@CaptainAway]

I can definitely see Darkstar. I've always kind of liked her.

[@Zacronomicon13]

Another great breakdown. Please keep at it!

[@ghostlee6434]

So this is what comic Fandom is now? Crapping on artist and comics from the past is cool nowadays I guess...comics were escapism from the real world we didn't want or need everything to be based on realistic things

[@eddiewilson1220]

Ok this vid was mad cool on Sunday! Lol remember reading books 📚 I hope u continue doing vids like this 🖖🏽💥🔥💨

[@joshuaatkison9829]

I love your content! I'm a new subscriber. I hope you do more content on the Teen Titans or the Titans.

[@CaptainAway]

Oh, I definitely want to! Hoping to get to Rebirth Teen Titans in November!

[@____2080_____]

This must be an alternate reality version of Bucky Barnes 18:54 where is my no prize?

[@masterrserch3971]

9:47 FCUK YEAH dude... that site is just MIND BLOWING!

[@Jexel999]

I’ve always been curious about this and really have no idea what it’s all about .. how exciting !!

[@damedan9389]

The "two teams race against time and each other to retrieve an artifact in order to save the world/universe", is/was severely overused by Marvel. They use it in 80% of their crossovers; shit, it was even used in their crossovers with DC. 😅😅😅

[@jonadams5277]

DC was also guilty of over using that formula. Pretty much every adventure of the Justice Society in the '40s and Justice League in the '60s had the team break up into sub-teams. Marvel at least didn't do it every time .

[@HandofOmega]

Funnily enough, another comics channel (I think Casually Comics?) did a retrospective of Dazzler's first issue, which opens with her thinking "I'm gonna get WASTED!" while being chased by some thugs. Funny how a line that originally meant she was afraid of being killed now sounds like she's looking forward to getting drunk! 😅

[@HandofOmega]

It's been an age since I even thought about this series, but it seems cooler than I remembered! Although it's likely a coincidence, a LOT of this seems suspiciously similar to Dragon Ball Super's Tournament of Power...I didn't know Daredevil took on Iron Fist! Was this before his Ninja retcon? Seeing Talisman makes me wonder if Chris Claremont knew about him, he could have used him instead of making up Gateway. I *need* more Ben Grimm/Logan interactions, Ben is about the only dude who can back up the "tough guy" talk even more than Logan! Are there any other stories where they hang out/fight?

[@CaptainAway]

I can't think of any other times wolverine and the thing have hung out or fought together, outside of vaguely being on the same side in secret war, but it would probably be entertaining.

[@RLucas3000]

Question sir? Have you done the original giant Marvel crossover? Fantastic Four Annual 3, the wedding of Reed Richards and Sue Storm?? It’s a must, please!

[@CaptainAway]

I have not, but I'll see if I can cover it as an extra video in August.

[@darrenwashington9842]

Dude, I was thinking to myself! Marvel Comics should've created an all-new team "The Champions" and expanded the lineup. Sabra! Collective Man! Blitzkrieg! Shamrock! Talisman! Defensor! Vanguard! Arabian Knight! and Peregrine! Add in the remaining members; Hercules! Darkstar, Ice Man, Angel, Ghost Rider! The Champions could been as powerful as the Avengers but they fail to see the light!

[@CaptainAway]

I would probably read that. I'd love to see a sort of justice league international but for the Avengers.

[@darrenwashington9842]

@@CaptainAway Same here, guy! Take care and Be safe! Enjoy your week with your loved ones!

[@erictoro6519]

The green goblin has been killed several times but brought back to life from writers like always. By spider man Carol Denvers and other superheroes in the past .

[@SPL0869]

Fun fact: speaking of the astrodome. We also lost astroworld and waterworld too.

[@CaptainAway]

Right, Astroworld! Still can't believe that's gone, either!

[@SPL0869]

@@CaptainAway and they e never done anything with the land. No Hi-Rises like they anticipated. Nothing.

[@jamessatter7418]

In my own head Canon, Grandmaster and Death had other requirements about who could be chosen or the overall makeup of the teams, although I am not 100% certain what those extra guidelines might have been.

[@tylerferguson3193]

Hope you're having a good day

[@arghsonofcliff]

I bought this for my hulk collection, but they just kicked him out and I lost interest I think I still have it somewhere.

[@masterrserch3971]

26:03 Ed Grimley!!! 😂😂😂

[@CaptainAway]

I'm so glad at least one person got that reference!

[@HandofOmega]

That cover was from 1999? I guess if they did it now, they'd have to make him look like Jeff Goldblum...🙄

[@MichaelKurse]

Falcon has something in his eyes.🤔🤔🤔

[@JETVISION1]

It's escapism.😂😂😂😂😂 Jeez!

[@jamessatter7418]

I notice you don't mention a country for Storm. She is from Kenya.

[@CaptainAway]

She is from Kenya. With the X-Men I was unsure if they were supposed to be representing their country of origin or America as members of the team, which is why I also called Wolverine Canadian-American. I probably should have just taken the couple extra seconds to say this in the video.

[@santosereyna3043]

Oh you from the H I'll subscribe

[@masterrserch3971]

I'm about 7 min in and hearing "thw unknown" so many times has broken me lol... I mean at this point is anyone still actually unsure of who that is? I may have a little knowledge bias since I'm 46 ans my brother is 50, so we had these comics 1st run and who doesn't love a giant coming together of coming of a billion characters fighting in teams for ALL THE STAKES like this? So naturally we've read this story 100 times so I obviously know... But come on, the purple-ish blue-ish black-ish hooded cloak, the hands clasped in front, I mean... all that's missing is a certain curved bladed two handles farming tool, just to make it even more painfully obvious 😅.... Anyway I won't "spoil" at this time, if I haven't already lol... but uh... yeah... Cooky....

[@scoobydoo316us]

Great series..... Some of the outcomes were dumb. And they should have done some different characters, But enjoyable. If done today a lot of different winners. Captain marvel and she hulk would have won. Equality over quality

[@kbendle1556]

Canadian American?? Wolverine is Canadian.

[@CaptainAway]

I was suggesting that I didn't know if his time with the X-Men meant he was repping America or if he was supposed to be repping Canada since he's Canadian. I probably should have at least made the "American" a question or fully explain that thought.

[@ManchesterBlack863]

👍🏽

[@ImSakataGintokiComeAtMe]

where was spider-man he was the beginning but just doesnt show up for the rest

[@CaptainAway]

Yeah, this comic shoved in a ton of cameos just to have them in there, but most of them weren't important to the story. I didn't even bother to mention a lot of them because it would've taken up a lot of time for no reason.

[@ImSakataGintokiComeAtMe]

@@CaptainAway yeah.. oh well. by the way, great videos captain, ive been watching you the past few days, this is top quality editing and commentary, these videos are awesome!! 👍

[@CaptainAway]

Thanks!

[@Darby-qu6hz]

I bet you dazzler is

[@kevinschmith9379]

The black panther is an African he’s Wakandain

[@alancarnell2747]

I just don't see that grappling hook capturing such an odd shaped item. Lame.

[@CaptainAway]

Yeah, grappling hooks are incredibly magical in comic books. They do whatever the person holding it needs them to do.

[@Buddha_Klaus]

Dazzler does look a bit coked out

[@_davidboxing]

This is John Romita Jr.??? Wow. Wtf happened over the years?? His drawing has gotten so bad, and his drawing on World War Hulk series was hot garbage and jarring to look at.

[@CaptainAway]

He definitely tried (maybe a little too hard) to create his own style, and I think that ended up hurting his art more than helping it, but you and I seem to be in the minority on that opinion!

[@erictoro6519]

I liked the series its not as marxist feminist as modern comics today .no SJW garbage the unknown figure we knew it was lady death ☠️ all along. Its no mystery .this was a good family fun comic book series not so dark like today's comics . Thanks to Jim shooter.he made the 80s comics the best era there ever was like in the sixties .and 70s

[@dexterandkeovonnewilson-ul8202]

African is not a nationality

[@CaptainAway]

Yes, unfortunate consequence of working too fast. I was originally just going to say everyone's continent and show groups, but then as I felt it would be too much work to make group shots, I started breaking things up individually, but was going to keep Storm and Black Panther together, but then that felt weird so I just showed Black Panther, but then only as I was about to post the video did I realize that the reason it was weird was because I kept him on continent instead of country! Wish now that I'd taken the time to go back and say Kenyan and Wakandan and show both Storm and BP.

[@36dumbdumb]

Excellent