Marvel Comics Group 'What If'- a year-by-year wishlist of writing by David Anthony Kraft
David Anthony Kraft wrote a couple of hundred things for Marvel Comics Group! Here on his birthday, I was brainstorming "What Ifs?"
I broke it down by year. Let's say he still departed not only to publish Comics Interview magazine, but the other successful Comics Interview Publishing black and white indies. Here's some stories based on his work that I would've liked to have existed, little changes to the Marvel Universe that was. Maybe in lucid dreams, I'll read them all!
Let's begin, shortly after DAK returned from his West Coast Atlas trip. I'll be referring to Creatures ON The Loose, The Defenders, The Savage She-Hulk, and material in Marvel Premiere #45, 46- all titles written at some point between '76 and '84 by DAK, who'd been a magazine editor before getting the leash for the Man Wolf from Roy Thomas. And if you don't know the Marvel Universe, you'll probably be stuck looking up some cool, cool stuff!
1976
If only Marvel would’ve gotten two George Perez-drawn issues of Star God out closer to the cancellation of Creatures On the Loose! It was part of the Horror Trend Bubble’s burst, letting Creatures go, but arguably, it had become something very different! The kind of space fantasy that would become so popular in ‘77. They may have been ready for 76!
1977
What if Keith Giffen had stayed on Defenders- or worked out something to rotate with Mike Golden a few issues?
That’s one thing I’d do differently about ‘77. But it would be great if a Star God graphic novel was out by spring, 1977!
1978
A 2nd Devil-Slayer arc in Defenders. Val needed another adventure during her college time.
I am not quite sure what kind of story I’d look for, comics wise, but so long as it had a bit of soap opera, fine.
Maybe she and Eric would feel a passing romantic connection. As for college and anything Barbara Norriss: it’s dropped after her berserker problem takes her to Asgard.
I’m sure DAK could’ve thought up the enemy. Kyle could come to the realization of how far he’s gotten away from the idea of crushing on Val. A bit of shadow cloak training for Hellcat on-the-job. Of course, Patsy will be the one to figure out how to get the Defenders moving towards victory- and Hulk? Smash! (‘78)
1979
That origin: Savage She-Hulk #1, I wish Steve Gerber could’ve still been at Marvel, plotted this with Stan. Grab DAK’s The Presence and comrade Red Guardian, maybe seeking Banner in L.A., somehow key in the Jenn-esis. DAK’s coming aboard with #2, but you see where Stan -and DAK’s whole run, you might say- is influenced by the CBS show. (‘79)
1980
The Rhino as the villain around She-Hulk #4. Use him to procure the worm tunneling machine somewhere in this.
A recognizable super-villain perennial on the cover...I’m not even asking for Spidey (the new series Marvel advertising star)
-and know it wasn’t the creative plan. That’s why no Wrecking Crew, for exaple.
The problem, too, is distaff counterparts like Ms. Marvel and Spider-Woman both could’ve made awesome guest stars, but the ‘d.c. problem’ about their conception would be underscored. This is also why Hulk won’t cross her path after the Banner transfusion in Lee’s origin. Darn! But that’s 1980 for ya.
A double dip for (‘81)
DAK as writer of she-Hulk’s MTU #107 shot with Spider-man: even if you left Man-Killer the villain, all the better!
A wry satire of feminism-done-stridently vs. the natural modern Jen Walters woman creature- and maybe a bit more from Matt Murdock’s cameo? (Mmm, maybe a two-parter. The issue they ran had 163 panels, like the cover said- beginning my obsession with counting comics panels as a child.)
Spidey would’ve been in good hands, too, and who knows how DAK would’ve played them together.
DAK loves the original Avengers, so it would’ve been cool to see his take on She-Hulk with Cap and Thor, in addition to Iron Man’s guest spot in #6. I would’ve like to have seen Thor in Savage She-Hulk Annual #1 (1981). Spending time in the presence of a god, and he, in the presence of such an impertinent mortal, would’ve opened great contrasts. They should talk about their fathers! But wait. Here’s what will bring up THAT subject, fathers.
Ms. Marvel gets She-Hulk to help her go kick (from Avengers #200) Marcus’ ass, then sue him in court as Jennifer Walters, too. Now that’s a Savage She-Hulk Annual.
1982
Captain America crossing She-Hulk’s path early in the final story arc would’ve been very cool! She’s in rebel mode as she runs away to start with nothing and deals with her identity crisis . Cap could’ve been investigating her eventual Big Bad, at least, one incarnation of many. Steve and Jen, old-timer transplanted to meet a very modern super woman, would’ve played such a contrast. Maybe SHIELD could come mop up at the end of #25 and fail to recruit our free spirited gamma gal. (‘82)
1983 I'd like to have watched heads explode if She-Hulk had dated Iron Man II!
Finally, the one idea Marvel wasted by curing John Jameson in a Peter Parker Annual could’ve been picked up after She Hulk #14 with a cool mini-series: Star God. We’re in the thick of Space Opera Fever. I rather imagine Jameson was likely to return if DAK had third year She-Hulk plans for the rest of ‘82.
Then? Launch a Star God series.
Aside from their Star Wars title, Marvel’s not doing a lot set in outer space, save for an ‘82 run of X-Men. Xandar's stranded out there and Captain Marvel and Warlock are dead at this point.
But a book with some of the Star Wars feel and Marvel characters often appearing? The key would be balancing the space world stuff with some Marvel Earth, to keep the connection. A couple, three issues a year would suffice, so John could see his father, fight familiar villains, etc. Cosmic entities like The In-Betweener, or a crossover with characters from Titan, are other potential ties. The trick is always, creating not only a monthly story, but contributing a setting or character or legend other writers will tie in- so more of Marvel becomes familiar. (Yet, the X-story-verse is an example of a best-seller with little overall crossover.) Perez cover on #1. Keith Giffen opening arc. P. Craig Russell. He could meet Thor. Dr. Strange. Titans, including Moondragon and Hellcat. The book could become a home for Devil Slayer, a while? (1983)
1984
Team up Jan (star wars) Durrsema and Tom (great at werewolves) Mandrake on year two! Too bad Al Williamson’s stretched thin- he’d be great on an arc or annual. Mike Mignola and Simonson covers.
Fun Star God guests: Iron Fist, Binary & the Shi’ar & Star Jammers, the Fantastic Four; The Stranger, The Collector or other Elder. One last idea: have dimension-hopping Hulk come by for an issue or two- extra fun if it's while Hellcat’s visiting.
(I do realize Patsy was pretty different by this point and married to Hellstrom.)
Part of Star God's world perhaps is ripped away to join to Battle World, a reference to Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars. Speaking of pieces of planet flying around, perhaps a revisit to the origin of the Star God pendant on the Moon can lead to an encounter with the Watcher and fellow Blue Area inhabitants, The Inhumans.
Heck, team-up with Crystar! Too much titular Star power?
For that matter, with Star Wars out as a title, would Marvel have gotten the side-eye publishing: Star God?
Before we make our T-Rex-it...There's one thing I'd love to have seen complete this decade of What the DAK's. Sunbow develops a Star God cartoon. 1985. What a time for heroic fantasy. Especially if Marvel characters from JJJ and John to a dimension-hopping Hulk himself guest star!
In fact, we could still do that cartoon, which didn't exist before, and it'd be new without being 80's Retread Dread. We can assemble the talent.
Who's got money?
Do you have a number for Thirst N. Howell?
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