Who could make great villains for Monica/Photon//Pulsar?

[ChildOfTheDarkholde]

Monica Rambeau aka Captain Marvel 2, Photon and now (sigh) Pulsar?

Since we have talked about what an underappreciated character she is and how cool would it be for writers to build her a decent rogues gallery, any established, underused villains that could make for decent foes for Monica?

My nominations:

SPECTRA
http://www.angelfire.com/comics2/crimsoncowl/spectra.html


PLASMA
http://www.angelfire.com/comics2/crimsoncowl/plasma.html


I wish these two were revamped/amped up/whatever...(I know that Plasma apparently died in an issue of Moon Knight, but that hasn't stopped anyone in comics before)


Any others?

PULSAR ROCKS!!!

[Cayman]

The U-Foes.
Stardust from Beta Ray Bill.

Cay

[The Mirrorball Man]

The Living Laser (http://www.ironmanarmory.com/bioshn.html#llaser)!

[ChildOfTheDarkholde]

Cool choices, y'all!!!
http://www.tomburgos.com/PULSAR.gif

[Dermie]

Her old enemy, BLACKOUT, should be brought back! Or, if not him then some new Darkforce energy manipulator (perhaps Asylum/Darkling from NW).

[ChildOfTheDarkholde]

Dermie, I'm sure u must be sick of all my questions, but could you please help a fellow Monica fan?
What was/is the darkforce exactly?
is there any link or site with info about Blackstar and/or the darkforce?
Thanks!!! :)

[mattbib]

Dermie, I'm sure u must be sick of all my questions, but could you please help a fellow Monica fan?
What was/is the darkforce exactly?
is there any link or site with info about Blackstar and/or the darkforce?
Thanks!!! :)
Blackout (http://www.marveldirectory.com/individuals/b/blackout.htm)

Darkforce: The Darkforce is an unknown, dark substance from another dimension (known simply as the Darkforce Dimension) that can be summoned and manipulated in many ways: to create impenetrable darkness, to solidify it in various forms, and (most notably) to absorb the "life energy" from living beings (not all users can use all these effects). The Darkforce can be also be used to travel to and from its home dimension, but this is dangerous to all except those with Darkforce powers. Some believe that the Darkforce is sentient and sometimes has an evil influence on those who use it.

The Darkforce is/was used by such characters as Blackout, Cloak, Darkstar, Darkling, Black Mamba, and Shroud.

[Atom_basher]

Blackout (http://www.marveldirectory.com/individuals/b/blackout.htm)

Darkforce: The Darkforce is an unknown, dark substance from another dimension (known simply as the Darkforce Dimension) that can be summoned and manipulated in many ways: to create impenetrable darkness, to solidify it in various forms, and (most notably) to absorb the "life energy" from living beings (not all users can use all these effects). The Darkforce can be also be used to travel to and from its home dimension, but this is dangerous to all except those with Darkforce powers. Some believe that the Darkforce is sentient and sometimes has an evil influence on those who use it.

The Darkforce is/was used by such characters as Blackout, Cloak, Darkstar, Darkling, Black Mamba, and Shroud.


Although i completely agree with you (who says a female charecter needs to have a female villain) Darkstar isnt evil

[Anthony]

Interestingly enough, I think a behind the scenes Enchantress may be a good villain for her.

[ChildOfTheDarkholde]

Blackout (http://www.marveldirectory.com/individuals/b/blackout.htm)

Darkforce: The Darkforce is an unknown, dark substance from another dimension (known simply as the Darkforce Dimension) that can be summoned and manipulated in many ways: to create impenetrable darkness, to solidify it in various forms, and (most notably) to absorb the "life energy" from living beings (not all users can use all these effects). The Darkforce can be also be used to travel to and from its home dimension, but this is dangerous to all except those with Darkforce powers. Some believe that the Darkforce is sentient and sometimes has an evil influence on those who use it.

The Darkforce is/was used by such characters as Blackout, Cloak, Darkstar, Darkling, Black Mamba, and Shroud.

Thanks!
Definitely a cool enemy for Photon.
And I do like the Enchantress sugestion too.

[Dermie]

Dermie, I'm sure u must be sick of all my questions,

Not even close! No worries.

Anyway, Mattbib already gave you the bio on Blackout. He is the one of the biggest threats Monica has ever faced--he was selected for the Masters of Evil specifically to eliminate Monica, since she has no defense against his powers. The Darkforce is one of her main vulnerabilities.

As for the Enchantress, she could potentially be a good foe (magic is another thing that can cause problems for Monica) but at last report Enchantress is dead--and she had reformed) at least somewhat before then.

When looking for villains for Monica, some good things to keep in mind are her weaknesses (she has more of them than some people remember):
The Darkforce

Telepaths--telepaths can still affect her in her energy form

Magic--her powers have been negated by magic before

Energy absorbers--obviously a major problem for her. The Wrecking Crew actually falls into this category now, since they now absorb energy to recharge their strength. This can actually make them an interesting challenge for Monica, since she can no longer just blast away at them without making them stronger--but they are too strong for her to fight physically. So she'd have to outsmart them (which shouldn't be too tough for her!)

Energy manipulators--people with these abilities can usually defend themselves against Monica fairly well, and can even affect her in energy form. Someone with powers like Quasar could be a big problem for Monica.

People with the right technology have also been able to hurt her, even in energy form. Energy weapons tuned to the right frequencies can disrupt her, etc.

[Atom_basher]

Not even close! No worries.

Anyway, Mattbib already gave you the bio on Blackout. He is the one of the biggest threats Monica has ever faced--he was selected for the Masters of Evil specifically to eliminate Monica, since she has no defense against his powers. The Darkforce is one of her main vulnerabilities.

As for the Enchantress, she could potentially be a good foe (magic is another thing that can cause problems for Monica) but at last report Enchantress is dead--and she had reformed) at least somewhat before then.

When looking for villains for Monica, some good things to keep in mind are her weaknesses (she has more of them than some people remember):
The Darkforce

Telepaths--telepaths can still affect her in her energy form

Magic--her powers have been negated by magic before

Energy absorbers--obviously a major problem for her. The Wrecking Crew actually falls into this category now, since they now absorb energy to recharge their strength. This can actually make them an interesting challenge for Monica, since she can no longer just blast away at them without making them stronger--but they are too strong for her to fight physically. So she'd have to outsmart them (which shouldn't be too tough for her!)

Energy manipulators--people with these abilities can usually defend themselves against Monica fairly well, and can even affect her in energy form. Someone with powers like Quasar could be a big problem for Monica.

People with the right technology have also been able to hurt her, even in energy form. Energy weapons tuned to the right frequencies can disrupt her, etc.


A ressurected (or death retconned) and pissed off Darkstar may also be a great villain

[mattbib]

Although i completely agree with you (who says a female charecter needs to have a female villain) Darkstar isnt evil??? Did I say she was? Not that she "IS" anything, other than dead...

[Atom_basher]

has an evil influence on those who use it.



I was just referring to that.

[Dermie]

I was just referring to that.

The full sentence though was "some believe that the Darkforce is sentient and sometimes has an evil influence on those who use it." Just because some people believe it doesn't make it true.

Darkstar, Shroud and Cloak all use the Darkforce and none of them are evil. Neither is Darkling, really--just a bit unstable and misguided. He has attempted to become a hero.

[Atom_basher]

The full sentence though was "some believe that the Darkforce is sentient and sometimes has an evil influence on those who use it." Just because some people believe it doesn't make it true.

Darkstar, Shroud and Cloak all use the Darkforce and none of them are evil. Neither is Darkling, really--just a bit unstable and misguided. He has attempted to become a hero.


Thats what i was saying. alot of the dark forcers i have seen arent evil

[Smarty Jones]

In all honesty, ChildOfTheDarkholde, those characters you posted sound like wankers.

Here's a good list of established rogues:

1.) The Living Laser. He's also a being made up of pure light and one with potentially destructive powers.

2.) Klaw. Arguably The Black Panther's most dangerous villian, a being made up of pure sound who can create sonic constructs and is always a very dangerous foe.

3.) The U-Foes. Vector, X-Ray, Ironclad and Vapor may need a slight update, but the nature of their powers can make them a threat.

4.) Will O' the Wisp. A forgotten Spider-Man villain who could be dug out of obscurity.

5.) Nitro. A sense of irony, since his powers killed Captain Mar-Vell, and potentially could disrupt hers.

6.) Graviton. A very powerful villain seen fighting The Thunderbolts regularly. He's presumably dead, though.

7.) Holocaust. Though the "Age of Apocalypse" version was killed in the Exiles book, that doesn't mean there cannot be a Marvel Universe version.

8.) Terrax the Tamer. I understand he is actually not dead. If that is the case and he still has some of his Galactus-spawned powers, then he could be a very dangerous villain.

9.) Abyss. An X-Men character rarely used, his unique abilities (a body that unravels into high-tensile strength coils, generating psionic tremors that scramble the cerebral centers of others, a chest cavity that powers an inter-dimentional void that he can draw objects into) would make him a dynamite enemy.

[tangentman]

Since Pulsar (shakes head) works out of New Orleans, why not bring back a character who has vexed her before--Marie Le Veau, the Witch-Queen of New Orleans? Le Veau has cheated death in the past, which could foil any "but she's dead" excuses. She's a manipulator, which could flesh out a story with various pawns used in plotting and planning. I also think that a mastermind like Marie will not want a truly heroic character like Monica setting up shop in her home town to potentially foil any long-laid plans.

[ChildOfTheDarkholde]

[color=darkred][font=arial]In all honesty, ChildOfTheDarkholde, those characters you posted sound like wankers.


Because Will O The Wisp sounds so fearsome , right? ;)

Actually, I love most of your choices, especially Terrax and Klaw.
And ABYSS sounds like a kickass villain for Pulsar!

[CyberCoyote]

W-o-W still around? He was kinda cool.

What about that microwave energy chick Iron Man fought: Sunturion? There were two of 'em, armors or something but they became pure microwave energy. Supposedly dead, but house of M will be Viagra for all the lost souls of Marvel I'm sure :)

[Kirk G]

In all honesty, ChildOfTheDarkholde, those characters you posted sound like wankers.

Here's a good list of established rogues:

1.) The Living Laser. He's also a being made up of pure light and one with potentially destructive powers.

2.) Klaw. Arguably The Black Panther's most dangerous villian, a being made up of pure sound who can create sonic constructs can be a very dangerous foe.

3.) The U-Foes. Vector, X-Ray, Ironclad and Vapor may need a slight update, but the nature of their powers can make them a threat.

4.) Will O' the Wisp. A forgotten Spider-Man villain who could be dug out of obscurity.

5.) Nitro. A sense of irony, since his powers killed Captain Mar-Vell, and potentially could disrupt hers.

6.) Graviton. A very powerful villain seen fighting The Thunderbolts regularly. He's presumably dead, though.

7.) Holocaust. Though the "Age of Apocalypse" version was killed in the Exiles book, that doesn't mean there cannot be a Marvel Universe version.

8.) Terrax the Tamer. I understand he is actually not dead. If that is the case and he still has some of his Galactus-spawned powers, then he could be a very dangerous villain.

9.) Abyss. An X-Men character rarely used, his unique abilities (a body that unravels into high-tensile strength coils, generating psionic tremors that scramble the cerebral centers of others, a chest cavity that powers an inter-dimentional void that he can draw objects into) would make him a dynamite enemy.

Why are people upset that Monica is thinking of changing her name in the latest T-bolts?
Somebody explain this to me, pelase.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6539082215

[LordAllMighty]

The Living Laser (http://www.ironmanarmory.com/bioshn.html#llaser)!

Living Laser would make an interesting foe seeing that they both draw energy from the same source. The demension Monica draws her powers from is the same one he gains his powers from.

Also love Smarty's Foe List. That a powerful rogue list :D

[Dermie]

Why are people upset that Monica is thinking of changing her name in the latest T-bolts?
Somebody explain this to me, pelase.

It isn't the fact that she is changing her name that has people upset, it is why she is changing it. Because this is the second time Monica has had to change her codename, due to the Genis taking her name.

They consider it an insult to the character, whom Roger Stern had built up to be a powerful and respected heroine, and now she is being seen as abused and shoved aside in favour of a "punk kid" like Genis.
Also, the first time Monica gave up her name, it was because Genis had a family right to it--the original Captain Marvel was his father. But this time around, Genis has no special right to the name "Photon" (although it is more accurate for his powers than hers) so they don't see why she should have to surrender her name again.

Personally, I care more about the character than the codename, so Monica changing her name again doesn't bother me all that much.

[Smarty Jones]

"Living Laser would make an interesting foe seeing that they both draw energy from the same source. The demension Monica draws her powers from is the same one he gains his powers from.

Also love Smarty's Foe List. That a powerful rogue list :D"

I would look forward to reading a book like that if Pulsar could face a rogues' gallery like that.

[Phrozen]

A new (or old) Mysterio would be great. You can do so many things with Mysterio he can be a threat to most heroes. It also gives Monica a more cerebral and tricky threat.

[The Mirrorball Man]

It isn't the fact that she is changing her name that has people upset, it is why she is changing it. Because this is the second time Monica has had to change her codename, due to the Genis taking her name.
At least now we know that Genis' next codename will be "Pulsar"! :D

[Shellhead]

I don't believe that Monica is kind of super-hero who can really have a proper rogues gallery. The nature of her powers tend to make her too much of an all-or-nothing solution to problems. Either she can do something, and will do it instantaneously, or she can't, because plot-induced or character-induced stupidity is preventing her, or else some total plot hose job that takes her out right away. It's the same reason why Phoenix, Jakeem Thunder and the Spectre don't have their own respective rogues galleries. Combine that problem with her hideous poncho costume, and you've got a character that most writers ignore. She's only slightly more popular than Triathalon or D-Man.

[Smarty Jones]

"I don't believe that Monica is kind of super-hero who can really have a proper rogues gallery. The nature of her powers tend to make her too much of an all-or-nothing solution to problems. Either she can do something, and will do it instantaneously, or she can't, because plot-induced or character-induced stupidity is preventing her, or else some total plot hose job that takes her out right away."

The Flash has a similar problem, and his rogues gallery is considerably weaker in terms of power than the one I presented for Photon. The Flash has the advantage of history and standing in his universe on his side, but he's in the same boat with Photon. Yet the creators make an effort to make his situation work.

[Den]

My own thought, one ideal enemy for Monica would be ... Monica. From what I understand, Alternate Universes are pretty 'in' right now. Why not dump some other Monica from an alternate universe where she didn't turn out so nice?

Suddenly we have a foe that:
1) Can do anything our heroine can do
2) Looks just like our hero and thus can mess up her life in her secret ID IF a writer wants to go that way.
3) Provides a mystery (just what happened to this other Monica that made her go bad?)

[Kirk G]

At least now we know that Genis' next codename will be "Pulsar"! :D
Why do superheroes even need "codenames"? For who? To keep who from knowing what?

Think about it.
In the early years of the original student X-men, it might have made sense for the young students to refer to each other by their code names when in public, but what difference does it make now for Kurt Wagoner, or Scott Summers or Bruce Banner, or Mr. Fantastic to even HAVE a code name. It's not like nobody knows Reed Richards is Mr. Fantastic... he stretches in street clothes all the time. Johnny storm bursts into flame all the time. Bruce Banner IS the Hulk.... we all know that...
Even the X-men, living at the mansion, are not out among the public, and even if they should slip and say "Look out, Ororo...." who the heck would connect that to a person living in a private compound under a school's guidance?

It just doesn't make sense. So, why should Monica be upset if somebody else "takes her codename?" Who cares? Nobody can catch her! :D


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=35765&item=6539082215&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

[ChildOfTheDarkholde]

The Flash has a similar problem, and his rogues gallery is considerably weaker in terms of power than the one I presented for Photon. The Flash has the advantage of history and standing in his universe on his side, but he's in the same boat with Photon. Yet the creators make an effort to make his situation work.

Absolutely!

[Dermie]

It just doesn't make sense. So, why should Monica be upset if somebody else "takes her codename?" Who cares? Nobody can catch her! :D


A few reasons--one, Monica was nearly killed once due to a case of superhero mistaken identity. Someone attacked her because they got her confused with another superhero with a similar name.

Two, her loved ones. If someone knows Monica's secret identity, they could go after her parents (or other friends or family members).

Three, common courtesy. :p

[Alan2099]

Why do superheroes even need "codenames"?
It's tradition! Besides, it sounds dramatic and everybody else has code names.

Picture this, there's a major disaster. a group of heroes show up to save the day, and somebody calls out...

"Look it's Captain Marvel, Ironman, Triathalon, the Beast, Thor, and ... Bob Smith!"
See how that just doesn't work?

[Atom_basher]

It's tradition! Besides, it sounds dramatic and everybody else has code names.

Picture this, there's a major disaster. a group of heroes show up to save the day, and somebody calls out...

"Look it's Captain Marvel, Ironman, Triathalon, the Beast, Thor, and ... Bob Smith!"
See how that just doesn't work?

and arent codenames ways of establishing communication, kinda like how people in the airfore use them

[SabrinaMorrell]

It's tradition! Besides, it sounds dramatic and everybody else has code names.

Picture this, there's a major disaster. a group of heroes show up to save the day, and somebody calls out...

"Look it's Captain Marvel, Ironman, Triathalon, the Beast, Thor, and ... Bob Smith!"
See how that just doesn't work?

Feel the awesome might of...BOB SMITH!!!!!!!

[The Mirrorball Man]

Why do superheroes even need "codenames"? For who? To keep who from knowing what?
It's good old-fashioned branding, man. These heroes spend their time selling toys and t-shirts and stamp their codename on it. Where do you think that the money's coming from?

[CyberCoyote]

Half the people I know go by nick-names rather than the real ones. Why doesn't everyone on the board use their own name? :) Most sports-stars have nicks, too. It's just a 'thang'. The whole 'having your family brutalized to get atcha' thing works, too.

So Monica's powers are a bit absolute? I can see that. Should she be altered in some way to limit that situation? I'm always amazed that the likes of Superman, Thor, etc can find challenges month after month, I suppose they could just be creative and have her seemingly forget three quarters of her abilities on a regular basis too..

[protege]

Cool choices, y'all!!!
http://www.tomburgos.com/PULSAR.gif
Hey, I like her costume there.

[protege]

Since Pulsar (shakes head) works out of New Orleans, why not bring back a character who has vexed her before--Marie Le Veau, the Witch-Queen of New Orleans? Le Veau has cheated death in the past, which could foil any "but she's dead" excuses. She's a manipulator, which could flesh out a story with various pawns used in plotting and planning. I also think that a mastermind like Marie will not want a truly heroic character like Monica setting up shop in her home town to potentially foil any long-laid plans.
was there really a marvel character like that?

[Babylon23]

Hi everybody.

I'm fairly new to these boards. I didn't even realise there were Captain Marvel/Photon fans out there. I'm a huge Monica fan from way back.

As others have posted, Blackout is the perfect villain for Captain Marvel. He's trapped her in the past.

AS for magical characters, how about the Black Talon? Sure, he dresses like a chicken, but he is based in New Orleans.

[tangentman]

was there really a marvel character like that?

Yep, she appeared in many stories throughout the 70s and 80s--

A two-issue story in MARVEL TEAM-UP featuring Spider-Man, Dr. Strange, and Ms. Marvel being played by Marie LeVeau (who was briefly controlled by Silver Dagger) to save Clea.

A MARVEL FANFARE back-up story where she sends Captain Marvel/Photon back in time to foil Dracula.

DR. STRANGE, vol. 2 or 3, "The Vampiric Verses", where Marie helps vampires return to the Marvel Universe and helps Strange's vampire brother become the second Baron Blood.

[Dark Soul # 7]

I say Firelord could be an intressting villain for Monica.
He´s not just a super-powerful Human Torch as some people seem to think.
He can control every energy that is a part of a star´s electromagnetic spectrum and he had the guts to go up to Galactus himself and demanded that the big G would release his friend, this was before he was turned into Firelord.
But maybe he´s not a real villain, I´m not sure these days.