The Archive of Awesome

Spreading my Infinite love for all things geeky.
Especially obscure comic book trivia.

Trivia: The Clayface identity has been used by eight different people. Basil Karlo Matt Hagen Preston Payne Sondra Fuller Cassius “Clay” Payne Peter Malley Todd Russels Johnny Williams Funny thing is, when the first Clayface (Basil Karlo) made his first appearance in 1940’s Detective Comics #40, he only relied on his acting skills, some weapons and a really creepy costume. He didn’t have any shapeshifting powers at all until he steals them from his Mud Pack team mates: Matt Hagen, Preston Payne, and Sondra Fuller.Cool way to update a then-obsolete character. (Cover by Stanley Lau; Batgirl #13 Vol.2)

Trivia: The Clayface identity has been used by eight different people.

  • Basil Karlo
  • Matt Hagen
  • Preston Payne
  • Sondra Fuller
  • Cassius “Clay” Payne
  • Peter Malley
  • Todd Russels
  • Johnny Williams

Funny thing is, when the first Clayface (Basil Karlo) made his first appearance in 1940’s Detective Comics #40, he only relied on his acting skills, some weapons and a really creepy costume. He didn’t have any shapeshifting powers at all until he steals them from his Mud Pack team mates: Matt Hagen, Preston Payne, and Sondra Fuller.

Cool way to update a then-obsolete character.

(Cover by Stanley Lau; Batgirl #13 Vol.2)

Trivia: In Matt Murdock’s first appearance in Daredevil #1 (1964), he sported a yellow and red costume designed by Stan Lee. The costume only stuck for the first six issues. Come issue #7, he switches to the iconic all red Daredevil outfit. In Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale’s “Daredevil: Yellow” series, it was revealed that the yellow part of his costume was made out of the boxing robe of his father, Battlin’ Jack Murdock.Nice reveal Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale.(Art by Rafael Grampá)

Trivia: In Matt Murdock’s first appearance in Daredevil #1 (1964), he sported a yellow and red costume designed by Stan Lee. The costume only stuck for the first six issues. Come issue #7, he switches to the iconic all red Daredevil outfit.

In Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale’s “Daredevil: Yellow” series, it was revealed that the yellow part of his costume was made out of the boxing robe of his father, Battlin’ Jack Murdock.

Nice reveal Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale.

(Art by Rafael Grampá)

Trivia: Even before joining the First Team of X-Men, Warren Worthington III was already a superhero. His first foray into the world of super heroics came when people needed saving from fire somewhere by his college. All of that done while wearing an Angel costume stolen from his college drama department of course. (Imagine how hard it was to pick out of all those costumes.) Soon after, he gets a proper costume and starts calling himself “The Avenging Angel” but that only lasts until Professor Xavier recruits him to the X-Men. Everyone forgets about “The Avenging…” part of the name except for Warren who only ever says it for dramatic effect.*Note: I wonder if Marvel’s ever attached that adjective to his Archangel persona. :|(Cover by Alex Ross; Marvels #2) 

Trivia: Even before joining the First Team of X-Men, Warren Worthington III was already a superhero. His first foray into the world of super heroics came when people needed saving from fire somewhere by his college. All of that done while wearing an Angel costume stolen from his college drama department of course. 
(Imagine how hard it was to pick out of all those costumes.)

 Soon after, he gets a proper costume and starts calling himself “The Avenging Angel” but that only lasts until Professor Xavier recruits him to the X-Men. Everyone forgets about “The Avenging…” part of the name except for Warren who only ever says it for dramatic effect.

*Note: I wonder if Marvel’s ever attached that adjective to his Archangel persona. :|

(Cover by Alex Ross; Marvels #2) 

Trivia: Though Green Arrow debuted in 1941’s More Fun Comics #73, he didn’t sport his trademark Vandyke Beard until Neal Adams (Who drew one of my favorite X-Men story arcs!) retooled his image in 1969’s Brave and The Bold #85. He was a clean cut emerald archer for 28 years!I find that idea awkward.(Cover by Mauro Cascioli; Brightest Day: Green Arrow #1)

Trivia: Though Green Arrow debuted in 1941’s More Fun Comics #73, he didn’t sport his trademark Vandyke Beard until Neal Adams (Who drew one of my favorite X-Men story arcs!) retooled his image in 1969’s Brave and The Bold #85. He was a clean cut emerald archer for 28 years!

I find that idea awkward.

(Cover by Mauro Cascioli; Brightest Day: Green Arrow #1)

Trivia: When Rogue made her villainous first appearance in Avengers Annual #10 (1981) as a member of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, she only had 1 power, Ability/Memory Absorption.

The flight and super strength she displayed from Avengers Annual #10 until Xtreme X-men (AND the Super Awesome 90’s cartoon!) actually came from Carol Danvers AKA Ms. Marvel.

When the mutant Destiny foretold Rogue’s downfall at the hands of Ms. Marvel, the prediction caused Rogue’s Step-Mother Mystique to develop an obsessive hatred for Carol Danvers. In an effort to protect herself and her step-mother, Rogue hunted down Ms. Marvel by herself. During the battle, Rogue’s ability became unstable and she ended up permanently absorbing Ms. Marvel’s powers and psyche.

This left Carol Danvers comatose and amnesiac. That is, until she was brought to Professor Xavier and the X-Men, Rogue’s future team.

More Trivia: Though she made her first appearance in 1981, the story of her battle with Ms. Marvel remained unpublished until Marvel Super-Heroes #11 in 1992, 9 years after she joined the X-Men in Uncanny X-Men #171 in 1983.

(Cover by Terry Dodson; X-Men Legacy #227)
(Reprint Cover by Terry Dodson; Avengers Annual #10) 

Trivia: During the Pre-Crisis age, Huntress was Helena Wayne, Daughter of Bruce Wayne to one Selena Kyle, Catwoman. This was in Earth-2 of course.After Crisis on Infinite Earths (1985), Huntress’ origin was changed. She became Helena Bertinelli, daughter of a powerful mafia family and sole survivor of the mob-ordered murder of her entire family.(Art by Guillem March; DCnU Huntress #2) 

Trivia: During the Pre-Crisis age, Huntress was Helena Wayne, Daughter of Bruce Wayne to one Selena Kyle, Catwoman. This was in Earth-2 of course.

After Crisis on Infinite Earths (1985), Huntress’ origin was changed. She became Helena Bertinelli, daughter of a powerful mafia family and sole survivor of the mob-ordered murder of her entire family.

(Art by Guillem March; DCnU Huntress #2) 

Trivia: There have been 2 Human Torches in the Marvel Universe. The First, Jim Hammond, was a android who fought with Captain America in World War 2 and the other, Johnny Storm, is the currently dead member of the Fantastic Four.More Trivia: Jim Hammond made a cameo in 2011’s “Captain America: The First Avenger”. He was the mannequin inside the glass case when Steve and Bucky first arrive at the Stark Expo. He was still deactivated though.( Art by Alex Ross; Marvels #0)

Trivia: There have been 2 Human Torches in the Marvel Universe. The First, Jim Hammond, was a android who fought with Captain America in World War 2 and the other, Johnny Storm, is the currently dead member of the Fantastic Four.

More Trivia: Jim Hammond made a cameo in 2011’s “Captain America: The First Avenger”. He was the mannequin inside the glass case when Steve and Bucky first arrive at the Stark Expo. He was still deactivated though.

( Art by Alex Ross; Marvels #0)

Trivia: Barbara Gordon has not been Batgirl in 23 years.
She was paralyzed by The Joker in Alan Moore’s “Batman: The Killing Joke” (1988).

Dubbed “Oracle”, she continued to be a superhero who used her intelligence and computer skills to help other heroes and teams. She became a very important figure in the DC Universe and even led her own team called “Birds of Prey”.

This first week of September 2011, after years in a wheelchair, Barbara Gordon returns as Batgirl.

I love Oracle, and I’m a bit apprehensive about this, but I trust in Gail Simone. If someone makes this reboot good for Babs, its Gail Simone.


(Left: Art by Brian Bolland; Batman: The Killing Joke)
(Center: Commission by Phil Noto)
(Right: Cover by Adam Hughes ; DCnU Batgirl #1)