“Yesterday’s” Comic> Contest Of Champions #2

Grandmaster and the Unknown visit Toy Fair.

Marvel Super Hero Contest Of Champions #2

Marvel Comics (July, 1982)

The first two teams appear. In the north the team of Daredevil, Darkstar, and Talisman for the Grandmaster and Sunfire, Invisible Girl, and Iron Fist for the Unknown square off with Daredevil winning the prize. In an abandoned old-western town the Unknown sends Iron Man, Arabian Knight, and Sabra (and yes, the Israeli and the Arab Muslim get along as well as you’d think, even in 1982) while the Grandmaster sends She-Hulk, Defensor (sadly not the Autobot…although that would have been awesome), and Captain Britain, with the Knight claiming the prize. At the end of this book we’re at one a piece.

That makes me wonder…if there are eight pieces to the globe, what happens in a draw? Does Grandmaster live but without his brother and the heroes get no prizes?

What they got right: There are attempts to explain the random choice of hero and location in the first round, which I like. While I would complain that the heroes are fighting each other and not working as a team…it’s a Marvel book. What do you expect?

What they got wrong: Does She-Hulk usually get this upset about being treated like woman? Yes, Arabian Knight acts sexist to her, but Defensor’s comment shouldn’t have been enough to get more than an eye-roll, a “please”, and a “I can take care of myself just fine”, not a burning rage her cousin would be proud of. I don’t think Iron Man was trying to be a chauvinist…yeah, I know. Shock from early Tony, but still…

Recommendation: If you want a deep personal story…your in the wrong place. The heroes are sparring but not really trying to hurt each other so I’m kind of enjoying it but I still wish Marvel heroes got along better. You know, like the DC heroes USED to.

Related articles

• “Yesterday’s” Comic overview: Contest Of Champions
• “Yesterday’s” Comic> Contest Of Champions #1