Without going into too much detail, what/who would you like to see in Alpha Flight (Vol.4) #9 onwards and why?
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Without going into too much detail, what/who would you like to see in Alpha Flight (Vol.4) #9 onwards and why?
I'd love to see Snowbird fleshed out more. They are really playing up her shape shifting in the new series, which is awesome, but I'd like to see her (verbally) step out of the background more often. Being a Goddess, I always imaged her as the Thor of the team. I'd like to see the bad guys fear and respect her Narya form. She been around long enough, she shouldn't have to turn into the Wendigo and say BOO! for people to fear her. I'd also like her to visit her parents more. Like Thor, I'd like to see her go back and forth from the "God plain" and Earth. I want to see the team from a God's perspective. I'd also like them to do something with Anne McKenzie now that she's being used again. Does she have her own personality or is she just another shape? I find it funny she, a God, (along with Shaman) is the only one with a day job. I'd like to see her job be of use to the team like when she was an RCMP.
I love that they're giving Mac a personality. Along with Heather, as Leader, he is the only one who can take off the suit and be a normal person. I'd like to see that explored. And maybe for one storyline see what it would be like if the Northern God's (somehow) gave him the power of the suit. Since it's powered by the Earth, I figured they could (somehow) make HIM powered by the earth to officially become the North's Guardian. Since he's a reluctant hero to begin with, I thought it might be fun to explore how his daily life would change if given powers he never wanted. To go from a Iron Man/Cap type of hero to a "Superman-light" type. Not permanently, just for a storyline or two. Afterwards, when he turns back to normal, he'll appreciate the freedom he has and be able to relate to Northstar a little more, knowing he can't just turn off his mutant power.
I haven't really thought about it, but some of the better oldies to put in an appearence. Maybe Dreamqueen, The Master (if he doesn't appear beforehand), and Talisman. Also, just a continuance of the excellent writing and art we've had so far.
Two things: Keep it simple and keep it entertaining.
Bring in some more of the early Alphans (Madison Jeffries in particular). while staying away from the later ones (Please God... nothing from vol. 3). Maybe find a way to bring back Diamond Lil and Nemesis, two of my favourite secondary characters.
Continue to focus on the actual character dynamics and bring in interesting villains that can create an extended story arc... not just a "bad-guy of the month" that appears in one issue, gets the crap kicked out of them, and we never hear from them again. I've always thought that villains like the Master, Graviton, or even the Great Beasts are layered enough to provide a strong story arc. There's also plenty of cross-over potential with Wolverine, Wild Child, and Sabertooth. Even the Magik - Witchfire connection could turn into an Alpha Flight/New Mutants story.
My point is... there is so much material available that they do not need to bring in a bunch of new stuff just for the heck of it. My Dad always told me when I was younger... "if its not broken, don't fix it". :)
I agree with Del. I'd love to see Dreamqueen again, plus revisiting the Master, Talisman, Flashback, Nemesis, Bochs, Goblyn and Laura. I want Jeffries to return. I hope that the creative team puts their spin on a Beta Flight and a new Omega Flight. And I hope we get to see Marrina clock Namor. :D
Well, regarding volume 3, I sent Van Lente a gushy nerd fan email awhile back that brought it up, and he replied that he hasn't even read it, so I consider that yet more good news, really. As for what I'd like to see? Jeffries. From what I've read of Pak, he's good with brilliant savant types, so that I'd like to see.
Definitely bring back Talisman. In many ways, she is just as powerful as Shaman. Plus, she was so devastated in the Omega Flight series over her father's apparent death, she should be showing up soon.
Same with Wolverine. Mac and Heather were pretty much the only "family" he has ever had... hoping for an emotional reunion for the three of them once Heather gets her head on straight again. :)
I also agree about the Dreamqueen....She's one of the few triumphs of the Mantlo's run (I also happen to have liked Pestilence...He was just sooooo darned evil).
I also mentioned in another thread about expanding the supporting cast (Walter's never before seen son, Heather's huge family, former team members who are now possibly de-powered, etc...)
@Canucklehead, I've never heard of Mac's suit being Earth-powered...Heather's second powersuit in Vol. 2 was Earth-powered (and possibly magic, that mystery was never cleared up), but Mac's suits have always been electro-magnetic energy generating.
I would like to see the North gods be shown as major manipulators, constantly meddling in mortal affairs (doing some nasty deeds here and there too to further their own ends)...maybe putting Snowbird and Alpha at odds on occasion.
Villains I'd like to see also (some have already been mentioned), The Master, the Great Beasts, Graviton, Caliber (don't laugh! LOL!), Nemesis (not necessarily as an enemy, just more of a vigilante thorn-in-Alpha's side and there's no reason why it has to be the same woman, as most of the times she's appeared it seems to have been various women, anyway)....I'd really love to see Delphine Courtney uploaded/rebooted/etc.. into a new body somehow (Jerry Jaxon alive would also be deliciously evil)...Wild Child too.
Dana
Oh...I want a team pic cover by John Byrne too...:D
Dana
As I mentioned before, they can bring back whoever they want, as long as it's done with a meaningful purpose, smartly and it contains some kind of evolution in the development of the character.
Totally agree with Canucklehead on this. Great points!Quote:
I'd love to see Snowbird fleshed out more. They are really playing up her shape shifting in the new series, which is awesome, but I'd like to see her (verbally) step out of the background more often. Being a Goddess, I always imaged her as the Thor of the team. I'd like to see the bad guys fear and respect her Narya form. She been around long enough, she shouldn't have to turn into the Wendigo and say BOO! for people to fear her. I'd also like her to visit her parents more. Like Thor, I'd like to see her go back and forth from the "God plain" and Earth. I want to see the team from a God's perspective. I'd also like them to do something with Anne McKenzie now that she's being used again. Does she have her own personality or is she just another shape? I find it funny she, a God, (along with Shaman) is the only one with a day job. I'd like to see her job be of use to the team like when she was an RCMP.
This is also a good point. Disagree with the rest about Mac's powers, however.Quote:
he'll appreciate the freedom he has and be able to relate to Northstar a little more, knowing he can't just turn off his mutant power.
Alphan East, although i hated most of the stories in Volume 3, i think a lot of the characters there were really good, and would have no probloem seeing more of them (anyone who has read my rants in favour of Rob Liefeld knows that i REALLY appreciate the creation of good characters!). Outside of Yukon Jack (who i really think would make a better villain, and for sure a great foil for Snowbird, lol), I don't think i'd like any to actually join the team, tho.Quote:
Bring in some more of the early Alphans (Madison Jeffries in particular). while staying away from the later ones (Please God... nothing from vol. 3). Maybe find a way to bring back Diamond Lil and Nemesis, two of my favourite secondary characters.
Yup, for sure.Quote:
There's also plenty of cross-over potential with Wolverine, Wild Child, and Sabertooth. Even the Magik - Witchfire connection could turn into an Alpha Flight/New Mutants story.
Um...no thanks! After how he was so reluctant as a hero when he originally showed up, and then later his convoluted relationship with Heather...i really don't think FVL and Pak will want to touch this guy. And nor should they, imho.Quote:
I want Jeffries to return.
Lol. That should be at the top fo the list. That's still gonan be an awesome sight. Hm...maybe we should add a few appearance by Mailman Mike, with the team standing in a line and everyone taking turns b*t%#-slapping him! lol.Quote:
And I hope we get to see Marrina clock Namor.
Yes, yes, and yes! Although...colour me weird, but i do not see Heather being a 'good guy' in the near future. I could be wrong, but...Quote:
Definitely bring back Talisman. In many ways, she is just as powerful as Shaman. Plus, she was so devastated in the Omega Flight series over her father's apparent death, she should be showing up soon.
Same with Wolverine. Mac and Heather were pretty much the only "family" he has ever had... hoping for an emotional reunion for the three of them once Heather gets her head on straight again.
Quote:
I also agree about the Dreamqueen....She's one of the few triumphs of the Mantlo's run (I also happen to have liked Pestilence...He was just sooooo darned evil).
I also mentioned in another thread about expanding the supporting cast (Walter's never before seen son, Heather's huge family, former team members who are now possibly de-powered, etc...)
Pestilence was great, and should be brought back...agreed! And, yes, continue the "Alpha is a family (disfunctional, tho)" line of thought, for sure!
Awesome idea!Quote:
I would like to see the North gods be shown as major manipulators, constantly meddling in mortal affairs (doing some nasty deeds here and there too to further their own ends)...maybe putting Snowbird and Alpha at odds on occasion.
Agree with all of these.Quote:
Villains I'd like to see also (some have already been mentioned), The Master, the Great Beasts, Graviton, Caliber (don't laugh! LOL!), Nemesis (not necessarily as an enemy, just more of a vigilante thorn-in-Alpha's side and there's no reason why it has to be the same woman, as most of the times she's appeared it seems to have been various women, anyway)....I'd really love to see Delphine Courtney uploaded/rebooted/etc.. into a new body somehow (Jerry Jaxon alive would also be deliciously evil)...Wild Child too.
Hm. Not much more to add, you have all really covoured most of the major stuff already! Hm...I would like to see the series be written just a bit like the West Coast Avengers run was at its beginning. That series was always more about character conflict within the team, more than the villains they fought. Everyone argued with everybody else, yet somehow they also still got along and did a great job; like family. Oh, and the way they dragged out the "who will be the sixth member" storyline was great; Alpha could easily eventually do something of that sort as well.
Nobody mentioned Earthmover yet. Even if he isn't 'used', per se, we should still get some sort of update on him that at least explains where he is and what he has been doing!
Looking forward to a great, long run of the The Flight! May those Canadian outlaws live forever!
I want the Dreamqueen to be brought back, a new Beta, Gamma and Omega Flights, Lil, Jeffries and Wildchild brought back. A new Box, preferably not Jeffries. More Master (I'm almost positive he's behind the stuff currently going down) a gigantic Great Beasts story. I'd love to see more Earthly avatars of the great beasts, ya know. Ghost Girl, Flex, Radius and Murmur to come back. Some awesome new villains. A crossover with the Hulk, or the X-Men. New characters who aren't going to be part of the team, just expand the group of Canadian supers. I'm sure I can think of more if I put my mind to it. And of course, Talisman is to be brought back immediately.
I want to see Snowbird get an arch-nemesis in Raven the trickster, or Loki. Someone who could mess with her on a godly level, and engage her in a kick butt shape shifting battle.
I like Talisman's idea of the Great Beasts having Earthly avatars, but I'd want them more like Juggernaut: humans embodying the gods' powers. They wouldn't be as powerful as the Beasts, but you'd have a nice little super villain group working to constantly bring the GB's back, or just using their powers to create mayhem.
AF needs more supporting characters like Kyle. Puck needs a girlfriend for starters. Walter should stop chasing after Aurora, it's obvious she ain't into him at this point, and find a new squeeze. Snowbird should find a new love interest too.
Bring back Colin Hume, either re-powered as Windshear, or put him in the Box armour if we can't have Jefferies. Colin is too good a character to waste. Maybe stick him in Beta Flight at first.
Mac and Walter should be putting their great intellects to better use, and supe up AF's existing tech. Why not use the Guardian tech in their Alpha jets so they can jaunt across the continent, or the ocean, albeit in a westerly direction only?
Build up a really good, really deep pool of villains. Make one of them Graviton. Put together a villain group to rival AF.
i agree. Walter should go after some one more like him. here is my pick.
Attachment 1418
SQUIRREL GIRL
I'd like to see the team having lives outside of superheroics, so we get to spend time with them as people.
I want them having good times to counteract the constant fighting.
I want to see heroes saving the world. I want so spend time on it, too; show them working out the villain's plot, and tension over just how they'll foil it.
I'd like to see a realistic colour scheme, rather than the washed-out drab one that's de rigeur these days. I want some green - and I don't just mean on thirty-year-old costumes.
I'd like to see the team upholding ideals of heroism and nobility.
Y'know, the usual stuff I blubber about.
- Le Messor
How many Zen Buddists does it take to change a lightbulb?
Four, one to change it, one not to change it, and one to change and not to change it.
i would love to see some of beta, gamma, and omega flight come back. my biggest hope is the return of gilded lily and pink pearl. loved those two as villians and pink pearls group of carnies was great. my main want tho is a great comic that last for a very long time.
As we are likely to see appearences from second stringers in the 'Commonwealth of Heroes'. I think it would be a perfect opportunity to reawaken the 'ClanDestine'. Like the original 'New Warriors' they were the nearest to the way Alpha were portrayed.
And one to miscount it.Quote:
How many Zen Buddists does it take to change a lightbulb?
Four, one to change it, one not to change it, and one to change and not to change it.
I'd like to see Canada. It's a big beautiful country and I would love to see more of it.
I also want the kids back, in Beta/Gamma Flights
Also, I want Zuzha Yu back, with her backstory as Puck's daugter properly explained.
And more appearances for Rocksie, who deserves an ongoing series as a spinoff.
I think seeing members of Weapon Prime show up would be fun. Maybe have Llan come back as well. A new Zodiac, maybe more mystical ties to them. Gilded Lily and Smart Alec's return.
Absolutely !!!
I remember in the early Byrne issues, Alpha traveled all over Canada. Their were stories in B.C., Northwest Territories, Ontario, Quebec... they even showed scenes of Marrina's home in Newfoundland.
I think non-Canadians may become more interested in the Alpha Flight series if it showed them more of what Canada is. I have a great amount of respect for Toronto. Its the 5th largest metropolitan area in North America... but it is not the be all and end all of Canada. :)
I'd like to see Weaon Prime, and some of the old AFers who we hadn't seen for a while just to see what they've been up to.
I just want Fred Van Lente and Greg Pak to continue doing a great job on this title like they've done up until now for many many years to come. I trust them and their ability to continue to tell great stories that build on the history of the characters, and not just tell their stories with characters that look but don't act like the ones we know like many other writers do these days (I'm looking at you, Grant Morrison and Brian Bendis!).
I would like to see a complete resolution of Department H and K. There were hints during Omega Flight that Department K did exist in some form, hence Weapon Omega during Dark Reign. I think we really need to see just how these orginazations lasted all these years and just why they were more brought on testing their team with various threats and experiments instead of actually letting them be a team. Of course we get hints of that now in the curren book, but we really need to see a resolution instead of: "Well, we just do it because we feel like it."
You know what? I kinda second wanting to see Zuzha Yu at some point. The rest of that later stuff might as well be skipped over, but it does feel like there's now a lot of extra canon with Puck that should at least be resolved. Unless we just pretend none of it was part of their story anyway. I guess that works too.
1.Corporal Anne McKenzie! Defo need to see more of snowbirds human alter ego
2.Elizabeth Twoyoungmen as Talisman
3.The Hudsons move into their old house on the hill from volume 1 Byrne issues (world recession etc etc) and not get divorced as per Johnny/Lyja, seperated as in Scott/Jean, parted as in Vision and Scarlett Witch
4.Tamarind Island!
5. Gilded Lily-Menacing, Mysterious, Macabre!
I'd totally love to see resolutions to storylines that never got finished such as Zuzha Yu and other dead AF members, but I would also love for death to mean something too. I understand that without resurrections (or help from Great Beasts) we wouldn't have Alpha Flight back again, but sometimes death should be permanent so you long for something that was good and want to see something as good come up eventually. Not a meaningless death, but a death that brings more to a story, executed well, can be quite gripping.
Sypes I agree with everything you said, but I'm curious what you're referring to when you mention meaningful deaths, since the AF mass kill-off was about as anti-climatic as it gets.
I know that it's kind of a staple of big comic crossover events to kill off a lesser known character or two to show how serious the situation is (or how "badass" an author's new pet villain can be) but doing so with roughly twenty characters off-panel is particularly brazen.
Yeah, i'd like to see this too, eh!Quote:
You know what? I kinda second wanting to see Zuzha Yu at some point.
Totally agree. And the good times will come. Right now, they are in the fight of their lives!Quote:
I'd like to see the team having lives outside of superheroics, so we get to spend time with them as people.
I want them having good times to counteract the constant fighting.
I'd actually vote 'no' on this one. These concepts have never worked that well.Quote:
I also want the kids back, in Beta/Gamma Flights
That'd be good!Quote:
A new Zodiac, maybe more mystical ties to them
Who says he HASNT returned?!?Quote:
Smart Alec's return
I partially disagree. To anyone outside of Toronto, it is definitely the 'end' of Canada...the back end.Quote:
I have a great amount of respect for Toronto. Its the 5th largest metropolitan area in North America... but it is not the be all and end all of Canada.
IMHO, a better idea than Gamma and Beta Fligths.Quote:
some of the old AFers who we hadn't seen for a while just to see what they've been up to.
That's exactly my point. I hate when they kill someone just for sale or kill him/her/them in a cheap way. The death should either be a well planned surprise or a thrill ride to the end.
I thought Guardian's first "death" was exciting. I didn't see it coming, the serie had only started, it was unexpected and shocking (at least to me). And I feel the team grew from that point, Heather came in to herself and a leader, there were painful memories associated to their history, a background story. And Guardian became a symbol that the others could aim to become, establish deep team values and honor in memories...
if any of that make sense haha
Heroes: Talisman!! Laura (to teleport the team). Re-designed and 3-dimensional Goblin. Radius as the new Box. Depowered Flex as communications/admin officer. whitman as the team doctor. Also, since they are everywhere…Wolverine and Spiderman. (Kidding)
Villains: Pestilence, Loki, the Master, Great Beasts, Dream Queen, Wyre (think he’d be good as villain), Pink Pearl as a kingpin leading a group of low level super-criminals. Run ins with the China Force/Winter Guard/Weapon Prime/Michael Pointer.
Plots lines: Some stand alone character driven stories focusing on one or two members. The complete explanation/resolution of Marrina’s leviathan mess so that it is washed away for good, never can be brought up/used again, and forgotten. The Smallwood’s reaction to the new Marrina. A visit from the Submariner (his wife is alive again…). (Yes, this is Marrina heavy, but I have always liked her and feel she is the most under-used & abused and has potential.)
USA vs Canada would be sweet. alpha flight wants mailman mike to stand trial for his crimes in canada and the usa won't let him go. so all heroes from canada would band together against the american super heroes in an epic war. it would be interesting.
I did write a long-ass post yesterday, but it was just as the site went down so I'll try and remember most of it;
I'm quite apprehensive. as an ongoing doesn't automatically guarantee us a set number of issues. The title may well just run to #12.
Volume's 2 & 3 were ongoing let's not forget.
Because of that I don't want the series to just become a Marvel Two-In-One and have guest appearances all the time in order to try and boost sales/'save' the series.
I want a chance to let these characters grow and shine and get the team some face time as a team.
Having The Avengers & Wolverine show up to check on Canada after the global carnage caused by Fear Itself makes sense so I don't mind, but I'd rather have a massive global terror take over the rest of the world and incapactitate The Avengers and AF have to go and save them and the world; the complete opposite of The Collective storyline. That kind of thing.
Having Wolverine just turn up and be Wolverine for no reason at all would just jarr with me.
Likewise, Captain Britain & MI:13 make sense because of the Commonwealth aspect, and is a nice throwback to the AF World Tour. If the UK is involved I'd quite like to see a cameo panel of Windshear, even if unnamed for the fans.
I'd like to see cameos/guest appearances of AF in other titles too. Editorial kept saying that lots of people had pitched AF series' but they weren't quite right untill Freg's. That must mean that there are Marvel writers who like AF. Let's see them put some in.
Let's see Mac & Walt used as geniuses in their relevant fields. Let's see Shaman being a shaman and a doctor.
I'd like to see a crossover with Herc. It makes sense with the writing team and it'd be nice to see Snowbird's affections now Herc is mortal. The fact that half the team is alive due to him is relevant too.
How 'Regenesis' affects Northstar & Jeffries positions on X-teams could lead to stories later on.
Similar sort of thing with Namor. I'd like to see a punk Marrina slap him.
Having Loki, Belasco & Witchfire show up as villains down the line would work, integrating more with the MU and giving real reasons for guest appearances from Thor/Avengers/Magik/X-Men/New Mutants.
I don't think bringing back too many old characters is a wise idea.
The team is already pretty big and adding past members will just confuse and put off new readers.
Seeing Talisman actually reconnect with her father would be a nice touch. She's still in recent memory from Omega Flight and the Unity computer simulation. But I wouldn't want her to join the team. She's too similar to her father for casual readers. A panel of her training an unnamed Earthmover possibly, or something.
Depending on how the Fear Itself storyline wraps up would affect the outcome of Persuasion/Purple Woman.
If Heather does leave AF due to her actions I'd like her to become more of a behind the scenes person ala how Byrne had her at the start.
I could see Persuasion filling her spot if it turns out she's been brainwashed all along. It's relevant and the rehabilitation angle works. It'll also cause tension with her & Northstar over Kyle etc.
If however she hasn't I could see a rogue Alpha Strike team operating as regular villains. Possibly becoming a new Weapon PRIME rather than Alpha Strike when no longer government sanctioned. I don't see the point in both teams existing as they're pretty much the same thing.
I think that was about it, but I've probably forgotten stuff.
EDIT: I did;
It would have been nice to see Puck's backstory with Zuzha and for Walt to y'know, actually tell them they're related, but now she's dead I don't think there'd be any point rehashing it out.
I do however think Walt's son should be introduced, possibly as a villain although that may be a tad cliché.
Some arguments with his ex-wife too perhaps.
Another EDIT:
I'd love, love, LOVE for Marvel to try and offer an olive branch to Byrne and get a variant cover for an issue, but I don't think it'll ever happen.
A crosshairs cover for #12 is on my wishlist too.
Dear Greg Pak and Fred van Lente,
Now that you have an ongoing Alpha Flight series (congratulations!), who are you going to kill off in issue 12? Better get cracking on that answer, it comes quick!
Also, don't forget to get Dale up to speed on what the cover for that issue will look like. ;)
Fligthpath07
Congratulations on Alpha Flight becoming an on-going. I agree with Jason that I hope Fred, Greg, and Dale can continue to express their vision of the team. At this point, I would like to see a self-contained story (a la 0.1) from time to time; the multi-issue arcs that get collected into hardcovers have become too common, IMO, just like the cross-hair #12. Time for something different.
As much as I love all of the history AF has, I think developing the core team is the way to go, at least for the first two years. I don't want to scare new fans away, and a lot of AF's past is pretty scary. :p
Also, whoever said Sas + Squirrel Girl = genius. LOL
... Ooh! Ooh! Pick me!
ClanDestine returns in all their Alan Davis glory, and Alpha guest star!!!
I've just always wanted to see Alan Davis' take on the team.
There. Were. FOUR LIGHTS!!!
Last I checked, I thought they were back there. For no adequately explored reason.
Creepy. Cooky. Mysterious. Spooky!
Nice cover quote!
- Le Messor
"I sat all the way through Thor, and they didn't play KISS's God Of Thunder? Nobody said 'Stop! Hammer time!' I don't care that I enjoyed it, I want my money back!"