Retro Comic Recap: Super-Villain Team-Up #1

Good afternoon,

I'm winding down a nice weekend with a discussion of the first issue of Marvel's ongoing series Super-Villain Team-Up.  The cover showed Prince Namor being restrained by his old rival Tiger Shark, as another foe, Attuma, prepared to strike him. A large vision of Doctor Doom appeared in the background. The first chapter of this story was titled "An Alliance Asunder?" The issue had a cover date of August 1975.

The tale began shortly after the events that occurred in the second giant-sized issue of this title. Namor was starting to doubt the alliance he'd initially wanted with the ruler of Latveria, while the pair were still in Doom's castle. The Sub-Mariner flew off angrily after a brief recap of the previous issues' events. 

Victor Von Doom retreated to his headquarters as rain started to fall outside. He looked upon the multiple view screens at his previous bouts with not only the Fantastic Four, but other heroes such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, Thor, Quicksilver, and Daredevil. Doom knew he could destroy a planet by himself, but wondered if he could command it.

Victor then declared that he alone would be sufficient, before striking some of the machinery that sat before him. He needed an ally. Doom decided that Atlantis needed a powerful partner if it were to rise to power again, and dispatched a fish-shaped drone to monitor Namor's activities.

Not far away, Namor returned to the waters near his own home, unaware that he was being followed by Doom's robotic spy. The Sub-Mariner walked onto Hydrobase and unwittingly tripped a security beam. Part two of our saga, entitled "Frenzy on a Floating Fortress" started with Namor's body being shocked relentlessly by a large machine.

Namor struggled with pain, but still continued to advance toward the device before demolishing it with one strong blow. He was weakend yet ready to fight when someone approached him from behind. The stranger was an old friend: Dr. Jennings (from Subby's late, lamented magazine). The Sub-Mariner was warning his comrade of danger when they were attacked by a quintet of blue-skinned humans.

The ruler of Atlantis led the defense, and before very long, all of their attackers were lying unconscious at his feet. Jennings then filled his ally in on what he'd missed. He started with recent scientific experiments that were suddenly interrupted by blasts of ionic rays that took out many in the compound. 

Jennings escaped the assault, but ran into large robots known as Octomeks while he fled. Namor was certain that his old nemesis Attuma was behind such dastardly deeds when he was struck from behind by Tiger Shark. He appeared alongside Attuma and Dr. Dorcas.

The trio of villains had joined forces to fulfill their goal of world domination. A battle began on land that carried over into the sea. Namor had finally bested Tiger Shark and was about to get revenge on Attuma when a gun carrying an electrical charge was fired at him by Dorcas. Dorcas instructed his colleagues to take the unconscious Atlantean back with them. 

After his revival in the 1960s, the Sub-Mariner co-starred with the Hulk in the Tales to Astonish comic. That book was retitled the Incredible Hulk with issue #102, and Namor was given his own title, which lasted 72 issues. Some of these stories pick up where plots from Sub-Mariner's solo series left off. It was good to see Namor in action against his old enemies, although Doom didn't factor into much of the latter half of this issue. 

That's it from me for today. Tomorrow, I'll cover the second issue of this series. We'll find out where Namor was taken after his defeat, what role Dr. Doom played in this escapade, and the return of one of the Sub-Mariner's oldest friends. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Giant-Size Super-Villain Team-Up #2

Good morning, folks!

Hope everyone's been having a great weekend. Time for me to talk about the second giant-sized issue of Super Villain Team-Up. The cover showed Doctor Doom and Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner, fighting side-by-side against a score of robots. The first part of this saga was called "The Slaying of a Titan!" The issue had a publication date of June 1975.

After the splash page, the story began with the tanker Typhoeus, pride of the Patagonian Navy, sailing toward its next destination when the crew was alerted to Namor's presence. The regent of Atlantis commanded that the ship turn around immediately, since it was about to enter Atlantean territory.

The Sub-Mariner felt like he had no choice but to attack the vessel after his order was ignored. He was astride a floating chariot, and Namor piloted his craft on a collision course with the tanker. Two large drills emerged from its interior and began cutting massive holes in its hull.

Before long, the supposedly unsinkable boat was about to meet its final destination at the bottom of the icy waters below. Namor announced that he'd radioed nearby rescue ships to save the crew, warning once more that no boats would be allowed in that area ever again. Shortly thereafter, the prince returned to his undersea home.

Namor walked through a chamber that contained the unconscious bodies of many of his loyal citizens, suspended in their own individual glass capsules. The Sub-Mariner was lamenting his inability to cure his subjects of their current predicament (due to events that unfolded in Subby's own mag before its cancellation) when the sounds of explosions could be heard outside Atlantis' transparent dome. 

The cause of the disruption was revealed in part two of the story, which was called "When Monarchs Meet!" The Sub-Mariner raced to the source, which was an invading fleet. The Sub-Mariner fought off as many of the strangers as he could, until one of them spoke in a voice that was all too familiar to him. As he peered into the person's visor, he saw the grim visage of Doctor Doom staring back at him.

Namor quickly realized that the image was just an illusion, and learned that the Latverian ruler was on the surface. He admitted that the assault was conducted to draw his attention, an incredibly effective ploy. The Sub-Mariner swam away moments before the invading ship was detonated remotely by Doom.

The leader of Atlantis breached the water's surface and located Doom's ship. He flew inside and met the man who declared himself to be his new partner. Namor was surprised to hear this, after Doom refused to assist him (as shown last issue). Victor Von Doom replied that he'd since had a change of heart, adding that he was glad that Namor had demolished the Typhoeus. 

Doom pointed out their similarities, noting that they should more likely be listed as conquerors than villains. Victor then instructed his androids to set a course for his homeland of Latveria. Once there, more would be revealed.

Part three of this plot was entitled "The Armies of Andro!" It began with a battle between two of Doom's androids. One quickly bested the other before Doom showed his guest more of the factory that was used to produce his obedient servants. As the two allies admired the facility, many more androids were gathered in an underground hall, standing before one whom they watched in rapt fascination.

Doom was describing the massive solar battery array he had produced to the Sub-Mariner when the facility was entered by an intruder who called himself Andro and claimed to be leader of the androids. The stranger ordered his lackeys to attack the conquerors, and another battle swiftly began.

During the confrontation, it was revealed that Andro was formerly the very first Doomsman (an artificial entity whose previous exploits were covered in the first three issues of Astonishing Tales). Doom had used the mechanical man as a comrade in his encounter with the Faceless One, and left his robot exiled in a different dimension.

The former Doomsman spotted the Inhuman known as Lockjaw and clung to his body while invisible as the teleporter moved from that particular dimension back to Earth with the Thing. The conflict continued until Victor finally faced off against his creation. Andro teleported away rather than engage in a physical fight with his creator.

Doom and the Sub-Mariner then assessed the damage left by the confrontation. Their plans were delayed but not destroyed. Doom then pushed a secret button on a nearby wall to expose more androids who were far less susceptible to Andro's influences before moving on to continue their work.

The rest of the issue was a reprint of the Living Brain story from the eighth issue of the Amazing Spider-Man. I suppose that this story and several others in the ongoing SVTU series were designed to wrap up some of the loose ends left from the Astonishing Tales and Sub-Mariner titles, respectively. It was good to see Doom and Namor face a common foe, but it still didn't explain just what Doom was going to to do help Namor's subjects just yet. 

I'll return this afternoon with a synopsis of the first regular-sized issue of Super Villain Team-Up. It takes place right after the events of this script, including a few characters from Sub-Mariner's recent past. Until then, have a great Sunday and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Giant-Size Super-Villain Team-Up #1

Happy Saturday, folks!

Hope all's well with everyone. Today's focus is on the first giant-sized issue of Super Villain Team-Up. The cover depicted Namor, the Sub-Mariner, locked in combat with Doctor Doom. The first part of this tale was called "Encounter at Land's End!" The issue had a publication date of March 1975.

The story started with the Latverian monarch falling Earthward after his battle with Darkoth the Death-Demon aboard a spaceship that had just exploded. Part I of this saga, entitled "Sub-Mariner Rising!" found Doom floating unresponsive in a body of water just as a seagoing vessel approached him. The craft was driven by Namor, who found Doom and brought him onboard. 

The Atlantean prince placed Doom upon a device called an electronic stimulatron. After turning the machine on, a series of electric jolts brought his former rival back to consciousness. Victor Von Doom rose, remembering the rift that had grown between him and his savior.

Both rulers of their own kingdoms were reminded of the times in the past when they fought with and against each other. The second part of the story, known as "In the Darkness Dwells Doom!" was a reprint of the classic tale from issue #20 of Subby's own title. It featured Namor's trek across New York City until he came across the Latverian consulate. 

The Sub-Mariner overcame the automated defenses until Doom greeted his guest. Victor offered Namor a partnership, one that was swiftly refused. Doom then declared Namor to be a threat and dispatched his lackeys after him. After a series of battles, the Sub-Mariner emerged from the consulate, relieved to be free of the trappings of the man-made city.

During the interlude, Namor's ship continued to glide underwater. Doom considered Namor's proposal of joining forces. It was certainly tempting. However, he was reluctant to undergo any sort of partnership, thinking back to how his last such encounter fared.

Part III, entitled "This Man...This Demon!" reprinted the classic tale from Marvel Super Heroes #20, in which Doom sought assistance to finally gain a deciding victory over his old enemies, the Fantastic Four. This time, the one seeking an alliance was the magician known as Diablo.

Doom was unconvinced by the stranger's powers until he found his first love, Valeria, imprisoned by the alchemist. Seeing her again brought back memories of spending time with the girl in their youth, including the day when he and his father left their village, after the elder Doom was accused of causing the death of the Baron's wife, a fate that not even the talented man could prevent.

The two wandered for some time, until they were found later with the elder Doom in very poor condition. On his deathbed, Doom's father warned his son to protect. Victor thought that his father's last words meant to protect him, while onlookers knew that the dying man was talking about protecting the world from the one named Von Doom. 

Victor was now an orphan, and quite understandably was very angry with the world. Some time later, he happened upon the magic potions left behind by his late mother. He started tinkering with them to learn more about his heritage, much to the concern of Valeria. After witnessing Victor's obsession with power, she feared that she'd lost the friend she'd known for years. 

Diablo gave Doom some time to think about his suggestion. He sat alone, contemplating possible outcomes. He began to wonder if Valeria would accept him for the person he was now, including his misshapen face, which had been disfigured in an accident that occurred when Victor was in college in the U.S., trying to locate his mother's spirit. 

He lashed out violently before starting to rebuild his confidence in himself and his own potential. When Diablo returned, Doom announced that he would accept the partnership for the time being. The duo went to retake Doom's castle, and Diablo suggested using Doom's time machine.

Once he was sure that Valeria was in no danger, Doom activated the device, sending his former ally many centuries in the future, to an Earth that had been effectively destroyed by decades of conflict. Afterward, Victor sought to rekindle his relationship with Valeria, only to be rebuked. Valeria loved the man Victor had once been, but that man was no longer the person who stood before her now. She left Doom alone once more.

Part IV of the tale began with Doom attacking his host when answering the question of their suggested alliance. The two titans battled as the ship soared toward an old, abandoned Atlantean base. Doom emerged from the craft and strode triumphantly to shore. Namor stayed behind in his ship, steering away from danger before swearing that he and Victor would fight side by side before long, this time to take over the planet Earth.

Doctor Doom has always been my favorite Marvel villain. He's one of the most intelligent characters in the Marvel Universe, and he never does the same thing twice. Namor is an interesting character. Much like Magneto, he's fought on the sides of good and evil on many occasions. The Sub-Mariner was one of Marvel's oldest characters. He was a member of the Invaders in the 1940s, a founding Defender, and would go on to join the Avengers and even align with the X-Men for a time, although he never really seemed to fit in with Xavier's charges very much. 

This series first piqued my interest when I purchased a copy of the second issue of the regular SVTU book from the bargain box at my local comic book shop several years ago. It's a pity that it didn't last very long, but it was one of those titles that had a rotating cast of writers and artists, so I guess I'm not too surprised that it didn't manage to stay afloat for very long. There was still a lot of potential in the storylines and characters that were featured throughout its run.

That's it for now. Tomorrow, I'll discuss the second giant-size issue of Super-Villain Team-Up. True to his word, Namor did ally with Doom once more, in a full-length, brand-new story against common foes. Until then, have a great weekend and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Minnesota Twins 2026 Season in Review

Howdy, folks,

Time for me to talk about the Minnesota Twins' 2026 season. I didn't expect much from this franchise after they traded 11 players from their 40-man roster last year, but they were still in the running for a playoff spot until the last few weeks of the season. I'll go through the roster one player at a time, starting with their offense:

Orlando Arcia (UTIL): .271, 1 HR, 2 RBI in 19 games. This veteran utility man had limited time with the big league club. He provided veteran leadership for the Saints, and I expect him to sign with another club or perhaps play overseas next year. 

Josh Bell (DH-1B): .255, 21 HR, 96 RBI, 2 SB in 154 games. Bell was a veteran leader on the bench and in the field for this team. He led the Twins in runs batted in, and he was a good mentor for many of the young players. We'll see if he's resigned for next year. 

Byron Buxton (CF): .254, 25 HR, 45 RBI, 7 SB in 93 games. Buxton put up All-Star numbers in the first half, before a nagging hip injury wiped out most of the second half of his season. He underwent surgery before the season ended, and should be back patrolling center field in no time. 

Victor Caratini (C-1B): .220, 7 HR, 44 RBI in 106 games. Victor's playing time decreased over the last couple of months, but he's still under team control. If Jeffers leaves via free agency, Caratini will probably be the Twins' main backstop.

Kody Clemens (INF/OF): .239, 27 HR, 81 RBI, 10 SB in 145 games. Clemens had a career year. It's no wonder why he's considered one of the team's MVPs. He reached career highs offensively and proved that he could play all 3 outfield roles along with first and second base. He spent most of the year at second, so that's where I expect him to be in 2027. 

Kaelen Culpepper (SS): .274, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 1 SB in 33 games. Kaelen homered in his first big league game in Milwaukee and proved to be well worth the hype with his defensive play at short. He's almost guaranteed to be the Twins' starting shortstop in 2027.

Kyler Fedko (OF): 0 for 16 with 1 RBI in 14 games. Fedko was one of the Saints' best players who received limited playing time during his call-up. Kyler is now in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.

Gabriel Gonzalez (OF): 2 for 8 in 7 games. Gabriel had a brief cup of coffee in the bigs in 2026. I don't see him starting for the team, or any other MLB club, any time soon, but things could change, of course. 

Tristan Gray (INF): .225, 4 HR, 29 RBI, 2 SB in 66 games. Gray beat out Kreidler for one of the utility infield roles at the end of spring training. He had a good start, including a grand slam during the home opener, but faded and was eventually sent down to the Saints as Kreidler and rookie Kaelen Culpepper took over the job at shortstop after Lee moved to the hot corner. I'd be surprised if Gray returns to the organization next year. 

Alex Jackson (C-1B): .304, 1 HR, 5 RBI in 33 games. I didn't expect the Twins to keep a third catcher on the big league team for as long as they did. Jackson is serviceable, but not outstanding. He's one of those AAAA players that many sportswriters talk about. 

Ryan Jeffers (C): .256, 14 HR, 56 RBI, 1 SB in 92 games. Jeffers looked to be a sure All-Star selection until he went on the injured list with a broken hand, but still had a solid season. He's entering free agency, so we'll see if he returns to the Twins or signs with another team.

Walker Jenkins (OF): .226, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 1 SB in 26 games. I thought that the Twins would have kept Walker in AAA this year to retain more rights in case there's a lockout in 2027. He came up late in the year, and did a good job manning center field after Buxton went on the injured list. I could see him in left next year for the Twins. 

Luke Keaschall (INF-OF): .282, 10 HR, 52 RBI, 20 SB in 152 games. Luke had a breakthrough sophomore season. He moved from second base to right field during the year and proved to be better defensively at his new position. I'm sure he'll be the everyday right fielder, batting leadoff for the Twins in 2027. 

Ryan Kreidler (INF-OF): .218, 8 HR, 29 RBI, 4 SB in 105 games. Kreidler's versatility kept him with the big league squad for most of the year. He usually played the middle infield or center field, filling in for injuries. Unsure if he'll return in 2027. 

Trevor Larnach (LF-DH): .269, 13 HR, 49 RBI, 2 SB in 122 games. Larnach is a good corner outfielder, with some pop as a left-handed gap-hitter. He was nearly traded to Houston this year, and I'd be surprised if he remains with the Twins next year. 

Brooks Lee (INF): .253, 24 HR, 83 RBI, 8 SB in 156 games. Lee also had his best year offensively. He proved that he could handle the hot corner, moving there from shortstop after Lewis was demoted to AAA St. Paul. Expect to see him as the starting third baseman for the Twins in 2027. 

Royce Lewis (INF): .227, 15 HR, 57 RBI, 16 SB in 125 games. An early-season trip to St. Paul helped Royce regain his confidence. He came back ready to play both second base and first, the latter position being his primary place on the field after his return. His low batting average is cause for concern, and it remains to be seen if the former number 1 overall pick will remain with the franchise or be sent elsewhere.

Austin Martin (OF): .228, 3 HR, 24 RBI, 12 SB in 118 games. Martin's average was down significantly and his season was interrupted by a few stints on the IL, but he was still a solid outfielder. If Jenkins nails down the left field spot, Austin's playing time could be reduced to a bench/late inning defensive replacement role. 

James Outman (OF): .156, 3 RBI and 4 SB in 49 games. Outman was part of the compensation the Twins received for trading reliever Brock Stewart to the Los Angeles Dodgers last season. His stock has fallen fast since his rookie year. Outman was eventually picked up by the Detroit Tigers later in 2026. 

Alan Roden (OF): .291, 1 HR, 14 RBI in 32 games. The Twins acquired Roden in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays last season. He's split his time between AAA and the bigs since that trade. I'm not very impressed with him yet, but his big league experience has been relatively small sample sizes so far. 

Emmanuel Rodriguez (OF): .178, 2 HR, 5 RBI in 13 games. Emmanuel made his big league debut late in the season for the Twins. One reason for his recall was that he was almost out of options. He showed flashes of talent, but he might begin 2027 in AAA again, if he's still with the organization.

Ben Ross (INF): .190, 1 RBI and 1 SB in 10 games. Ross was another star of the Saints who finally got his call-up late this season. I expect him to be back in the same utility role with the organization again next year, barring a trade or release. 

Aaron Sabato (1B): 0 for 6 in 3 games. One of the players who you usually see in the Twins' spring training games finally got the call to the show late this year. He's been with the organization so long, I thought his chance might never happen. We'll have to see what the Twins' plans are for first base in 2027. 

Matt Wallner (RF): .167, 4 HR, 10 RBI in 34 games. The pride of Forest Lake has a great arm, but his 53 strikeouts in just 120 MLB at-bats and his batting average are the main reasons he spent most of 2026 in AAA. I think the Twins have given up on him, and I'd be shocked if they don't trade or cut him before next season starts.

Now let's look at the Twins' pitching staff:

Mick Abel: 1-2, 3.98 ERA in 4 games. Most of MIck's season was lost to injury. Hoping he can return to the promise he showed us in 2026 after being traded to the Twins from the Philadelphia Phillies. 

Garrett Acton: 1-1, 5.73 ERA in 7 games. Like Abel, Acton spent most of the season on the injured list. It's a small sample size of work, but I doubt it's enough to re-sign him for next year. 

Travis Adams: 3-0, 4.58 ERA and 3 saves in 40 games. Adams finally settled into a relief role during his sophomore season and performed adequately. I don't see him being another rotation option anytime soon.

Anthony Banda: 2-0, 4.46 ERA, 2 saves in 39 games. This former Dodger's season was finally starting to turn around for the better when he landed on the IL for the rest of the year. I'd like to see what he can do in a full season. 

Taj Bradley: 12-6, 3.73 ERA in 31 starts. Bradley improved greatly over last year after being acquired in a trade from the Tampa Bay Rays. He was the ace of the team's rotation and had his first 200-strikeout season. Look for him to be in the top of the rotation next year.

Kody Funderburk: 3-2, 3.71 ERA, 1 save in 58 games. Kody had an up-and-down year, but he's still a decent left-handed reliever. We'll see where he begins 2027. 

Yoendrys Gomez: 3-4, 3.62 ERA, and 21 saves in 56 games. Gomez was one of the team's best early-season acquisitions. We finally had a capable closer for the first time since Jhoan Duran was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies last year. 

Jeff Hoffman: 0-1, 2.50 ERA and 1 save in 20 games. Hoffman was another acquisition from the Blue Jays. I could see him on this team again in 2027 as another bullpen specialist.

Dean Kremer: 4-1, 3.48 ERA in 10 starts. The Twins acquired Kremer before the trade deadline from the Baltimore Orioles. He didn't get a lot of run support, but still made the case to remain a back-end rotation option next year. 

Cody Laweryson: 1-0, 4.86 ERA and 1 save in 15 games. Cody debuted in 2026 and has been up and down for various reasons ever since. He's still in the running for a bullpen role in 2027. 

Justin Lawrence: 0-1, 18.00 ERA in 7 games. I don't even remember this player. Looking at his stats, I can understand why most fans forgot about him. 

Zebby Matthews: 9-11, 4.90 ERA in 23 starts. Zebby was a fixture in the rotation for most of the season. His ERA was a bit higher than expected, and might see more seasoning in AAA if that trend continues.

A.J. Minter: 1-1, 2.78 ERA, 1 save in 25 games. Minter was a good pickup from the New York Mets. He's a free agent, so we'll see if he returns to the Twins in 2027. 

Andrew Morris: 4-8, 4.40 ERA, and 5 saves in 64 games. This rookie had a few hiccups down the stretch but was one of Derek Shelton's most reliable pitchers for most of 2026. I think his best role is late-inning relief. 

Tommy Nance: 2-1, 4.05 ERA in 25 games. Nance was traded to Minnesota in late July from the Toronto Blue Jays. He pitched well enough to be a reliable late-inning guy. 

Bailey Ober: 7-7, 4.47 ERA in 25 games. Ober also battled with injuries. He was the only Twins pitcher with both a shutout and a save in 2026. Hope he can turn things around in 2027.

Eric Orze: 2-2, 5.66 ERA and 1 save in 36 games. Tampa Bay traded Orze to the Twins last year after the postseason. I wasn't too impressed with him, mainly because of his high ERA. 

Mike Paredes: 0-3, 4.72 ERA in 9 games. The lone Twins game I attended at Target Field this season was started by Paredes, a loss to the Colorado Rockies that was notable because of DH Hunter Goodman's 3 home runs. He shuttled between the rotation and bullpen, and may do the same next year. 

Connor Prielipp: 6-7, 4.87 ERA in 24 games. Prielipp started to figure things out as the season went on. This rookie should be in the running for the starting staff next year.

Taylor Rogers: 6-4, 4.33 ERA and 2 saves in 65 games. Taylor's return to the Twins started a bit rough, but he eventually had a good season coming out of the bullpen. We'll see if he returns in 2027. 

Kendry Rojas: 1-1, 3.34 ERA in 12 games. Rojas' rookie year was interrupted by injuries. If he stays healthy, he could be a back-end rotation option or a long reliever for the Twins in 2027. 

Joe Ryan: 7-10, 3.79 ERA in 27 starts. Ryan's velocity went down for a while, and he started giving up more long balls for a while. Hopefully, Joe can right the ship in 2027.

Cole Sands: 1-1, 8.25 ERA and 1 save in 13 games. Cole was another lefty specialist hit hard by injuries in 2026. If he bounces back, he could be a good bullpen arm once again in 2027.

Justin Topa: 0-1, 8.05 ERA and 2 saves in 23 games. Topa was one of the players the Twins acquired in the Jorge Polanco trade with the Seattle Mariners a few years ago. Most Twins fans weren't surprised to see him designated for assignment in May. Since then, he signed minor league deals with the Toronto Blue Jays, Kansas City Royals, and New York Yankees this year. 

Simeon Woods Richardson: 0-7, 7.74 ERA in 12 games. Simeon pitched his way out of the Twins organization. He landed with Toronto and pitched a few big league games before eventually signing a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners. 

I have to note that starters Pablo Lopez and David Festa missed the entire big league season due to injuries. 

Manager Derek Shelton was a former Twins' bench coach, so he knows the organization fairly well. I give him credit for having consistent lineups and establishing starter and bullpen roles. However, he's never had a winning season.

The Twins have missed the playoffs for five of the last six seasons. As I said before, I didn't expect much from a team that traded away 11 players from its 40-man roster, but they were still in the running for a playoff spot, or even the AL Central crown, until they faded late again, and the Cleveland Guardians and the surprising Chicago White Sox nailed down the division's playoff spots. 

One gripe that I've had about this organization is that they never seem to really invest much in pitchers. When they have good pitchers emerge from their farm system, they're usually traded off to other teams, and the Twins don't really compete for the top stars in free agency. I know they're a small-market team, but every big league club has to have good starters and relievers. They can't keep relying on bargain-basement pitchers in the hopes that one or two of them might pan out. 

Pitching coach Pete Maki has already been replaced with former big league pitcher Ben Reith. Reith has never coached at the major league level before, so we'll see how the staff responds to him. I thought that Latroy Hawkins did well in his move from part-time color commentator to bullpen coach. He knows the young arms, and his lengthy MLB career taught him plenty to impart on his staff. 

The front office has said they'll spend money next year to field a competitive team, but longtime fans have heard that before. The Twins actually cut payroll right after their last playoff season. Attendance at Target Field was down to its lowest level in years, and it's not difficult to see why. Fans want to see a good team that can win. Whether or not the organization can provide that remains to be seen. 

That's all I have for now. Tomorrow, I'll resume my retro comic book blogs with a recap of the first issue of another short-lived Marvel super-character team-up series. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: The Thing #36

Happy Monday, folks!

It's time for me to talk about the thirty-sixth issue of the Thing. The cover for the series finale showed the She-Hulk (Jennifer Walters) and the new Ms. Marvel (Sharon Ventura) about to face off in the background, with Ben Grimm in agony in the foreground. The tale was titled "Going for Broke." The issue had a cover date of June 1986.

The story started in Avengers Mansion in New York City as She-Hulk was in the middle of a workout when her attention was diverted by a television newscast about the Thing being wanted in connection with violence in Los Angeles. He was suspected of destroying several buildings in the area. It was also announced that Grimm's Unlimited Class Wrestling Foundation had suspended all matches for a week.

Walters started thinking about how Ben's luck had gone from bad to worse lately. She asked the mansion's faithful butler Jarvis if she could borrow a quinjet. Jarvis replied that the government didn't allow them to launch their personal craft from the mansion at the moment, but was happy to reserve her a seat on the next flight to Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, Ventura, Lt. Mur,phy, and Grimm were bursting through the Power Broker's headquarters. However, they were suprised to see an empty building. They were followed by Unlimited Class Wrestling Foundation members who had been hot on the trio's trail. The heroes went to defend themselves, including the Thing, who started feeling dizzy again.

The new Ms. Marvel held her own and rushed to Ben's side after he collapsed. The Thing started to mutate after complaining about horrible pain. He ran through the crowd in agony before finally collapsing. Michael Murphy and Sharon joined him in an ambulance, which sped off to the nearest hospital.

In the offices of the Los Angeles Sports Complex, Walters was confronting UCWF head honcho Ed Garner, who was in high demand. He admitted that several of his charges had used the services of the Power Broker, which he had just recently learned. Neither of them knew about the Thing's whereabouts until a subordinate entered, talking about his arrival at the hospital. The She-Hulk and Garner raced out of the room, their next stop being quite obvious.

At the hospital, Grimm was still racked with pain and refused the possible aid of his old friend Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic). His wrestling partner, Demolition Dunphy, was in another room, recovering from the effects of the nerve pills the Power Broker had supplied him. He admitted that the Power Broker had never met the Thing, nor had he supplied him with any drugs.

Ventura spotted the She-Hulk outside the hospital and raced to stop her from entering. The two female titans engaged in a scuffle, part of which Grimm observed before he ran through the hospital wall to escape. He continued on foot until his friends, including Garner, lost him. They wished him well regardless.

The Thing wound up in the back of a garbage truck. He leapt from the moving vehicle and fell down a small hill near a beach. Ben knew the one place where he'd never be called a monster, someplace free from prying eyes and curious onlookers.

This title was canceled along with other ongoing series like Dazzler, ROM: Spaceknight, the Defenders, the Further Adventures of Indiana Jones, Power Man/Iron Fist, and Micronauts: The New Voyages in 1986. I felt like this story was a bit rushed because of the magazine's impending cancellation, but it did bring a bit of closure for some aspects. I still don't know much about the lieutenant who appeared in the previous issue, and it would have been nice to see the wrestling league resume business after the Power Broker business was over. 

Grimm's story was continued in the pages of the West Coast Avengers title. A limited series was planned but never officially released. Barry Windsor Smith later published the planned mini-saga online. The Thing would return to the Fantastic Four in their 25th anniversary issue, and even led the team for a while as Reed and Susan Richards (the Invisible Woman) took a leave to focus on their family. 

Ventura would go on a few adventures with Captain America before joining Ben's new version of the FF, alongside Crystal, a female Inhuman who was once the girlfriend of Johnny Storm (the Human Torch). She would eventually be turned into a female Thing, only to be returned to human form by Dr. Doom. That would cause a rift between Ben and Sharon. She would return as a deformed version of her rocky self, and has popped up again from time to time since then.

She-Hulk would remain an Avenger after leaving the FF. She was still an ally and friend of Ben and attended Johnny Storm and Alicia Masters' wedding. She has had many solo and group exploits since she debuted in the Savage She-Hulk. Her origin story was plotted by Stan Lee and penciled by John Buscema.

That's it for this series. I hope you enjoyed it. My next column will be on the 2026 Minnesota Twins' season. I'll return to my retro comic blogs later this week with another team-up mag. This one was much shorter-lived and featured several characters who will be in the next Marvel movie. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: The Thing #35

Good afternoon, folks,

I'm winding down a busy, hot Sunday with a recap of the thirty-fifth issue of the Thing. The cover depicted Sharon Ventura as the new Ms. Marvel, with Ben Grimm and a cadre of other characters in the background. The story was named "Power Play!" The issue had a publication date of May 1986.

The tale began with Ventura walking down a street in a seedy section of New York, unaware that a trio of crooks was eyeing her as their next victim. She held her own in the ensuing fight, but a hit on the back of her head made Sharon start seeing what she thought was her father. When her senses cleared, she realized that it was a different man in uniform fending off the attackers.

The soldier helped Ventura to her feet and identified himself as Lieutenant Michael Lynch. She begged off further assistance, and as Lynch walked away, Sharon thought back to her father, another military man who drove her to excellence. Ventura put her all into everything she did. One day at the military academy she was attending, Sharon was asked by her superior to indict a friend and fellow roommate for cheating. She refused and was expelled for failing to obey that order.

That incident formed a rift between Ventura and her father. They barely talked in the year that followed, before the older Ventura's passing. At his funeral, Sharon vowed to be the best she could be at anything she pursued. That determination drove her to pursue some rather dangerous professions.

As Sharon was about to enter the Power Broker's domicile, Ben and his wrestling partner Demolition Dunphy were talking about their upcoming plans. Grimm was still experiencing dizzy spells at times, even after being given a clean bill of health by his physician. Dunphy took a few nerve pills to help calm himself before their video shoot. The two left the hotel room after Ben grabbed the Power Broker's card that he had taken from Sharon (in issue #33).

Meanwhile, Ventura waited in a reception area before being directed to a back room that was pitch black. A spotlight filled the room, obstructing Sharon's vision of the man who sat at a desk before her. He claimed to be the Power Broker and described the upcoming radiation and enzyme treatments that she would undergo, which would be followed by an additional treatment so that she'd be on the same level as the Unlimited Class Wrestling Foundation's female Grapplers.

The first part of the process was administered by Dr. Karl Malus, as Ben and Dunphy were in the middle of their video recording in Burbank. Afterward, Grimm started feeling dizzy again. Once he was feeling better, he was determined to follow up on the Power Broker, someone whom Dunphy knew better than his colleague.

Sharon started to hallucinate while attached to the table during the first session. Malus neared her, and was about to begin the second step, hypodermic needle ready in one hand. She refused, and broke free from the restraints. Ventura ran in terror, while Grimm exited a cab a block away and ran into the same thugs that Sharon had encountered at the start of this story.

Ventura was still inside the Power Broker's complex, and she avoided his henchmen and automated traps. She finally reached an area that contained people who had been locked away in cells, their bodies mutated by the villain's experiments. Sharon jumped through a window, only to land outside in the hands of multiple super-powered men. 

By then, Ben had met Lt. Lynch, and the pair were drawn to Sharon's screams. They burst onto the scene to save her. While the Thing took on the brigands, Sharon and Michael ran to Auntie Freeze's hotel room. She had a costume ready for Ventura, which made Sharon look like a superhero after putting it on. 

Freeze excused herself for a moment, stating she had an important call. Lynch and Ventura barely had time to breathe before the female Grapplers headed directly for them. The Power Broker wanted Sharon dead and had dispatched more underlings to accomplish that goal. 

Ben was back in the hotel, trying to console Dunphy, who was in pain without the nerve pills, but admitted to his friend that the Power Broker had called, wanting Ventura to be eliminated. Ben entered the fray once more and escaped with Sharon and Michael.

Grimm stopped momentarily to call an ambulance for Dunphy before guiding his friends into an empty alley. The angry mob of male and female wrestlers ran past. Ben knew that the posse had relied on the Power Broker to augment their abilities, and some were suffering ill effects without those treatments. That was how he exerted power and control over them. Sharon confessed to having visited the Power Broken, which meant that she was still in danger.

I'm glad that we finally learned more about Sharon's history in this issue. We don't know anything about the rest of her family, but at least we can understand why she was willing to engage in dangerous situations. The character was groomed as the next Ms. Marvel and did wear this costume in issues of Captain America and the Fantastic Four before being mutated into a female Thing. 

That's it for today. Tomorrow, I'll cover the thirty-sixth and final issue of the Thing. Ben and Sharon continue to search for the Power Broker, even as they're being followed by his loyal recruits. It's a tale that also involves the Thing's replacement in the Fantastic Four. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: The Thing #34

Good morning, folks,

Time for me to talk about the thirty-fourth issue of the Thing. The cover showed Ben Grimm in an odd pose as he ducked a fist aimed at him by his old enemy, the Sphinx. The tale was titled "Dual Duel." The issue had a cover date of April 1986.

The story started in the Sphinx's mobile flying pyramid, as the decades-old monarch viewed the Thing battling an opponent in the wrestling ring on his monitor. He swore vengeance on the former Fantastic Four member, as his vehicle hovered over a garbage dump. Machines were employed to extract materials from the ground, including lifeless clay that was soon brought on board.

Upon further examination by some of those devices, the clay was transformed into the form of the Puppet Master. The villain had been dismantled after his last encounter with Grimm (in issue #8) and placed in a dumpster, where the Sphinx found it. Upon hearing about his host's plans to destroy the Thing, the Puppet Master offered a partnership. The Sphinx quickly rejected that proposal and kicked the old man out of his flying fortress.

The pyramid flew off, but not before the Puppet Master vowed to find their common foe first. Ben was back in action in the ring at the Unlimited Class Wrestling Foundation's headquarters in Los Angeles a few days later when his sparring partner, Demolition Dunphy, seemed a bit stronger than usual. Grimm eventually realized that his opponent's moves were being deftly guided by the Puppet Master, whom he spied in the arena seats.

After tying up Dunphy, the Thing made a beeline for the elder Masters. He confronted the Puppet Master, who was still angry at him for dating his stepdaughter Alicia. Grimm had to set the man straight. He explained that Alicia had left him for another man, although he wouldn't disclose the fact that her current suitor was his old Fantastic Four teammate, Johnny Storm (the Human Torch). Grimm showed Masters a picture of his current love interest, Sharon Ventura.

The Puppet Master finally started to understand that the Thing simply wasn't interested in Alicia anymore. He fled moments later, leaving Grimm to untie his colleague and explain a bit. He barely noticed that Sharon had gone off with the female Grapplers, but Dunphy reminded him that Sharon was her own woman, and that she needed a bit of space for her own.

Ben was engaged in the marquee match that evening when the contest was interrupted by the arrival of the Sphinx. Their battle raged across town and was captured by local media. Phillip Masters was in a hotel room not far away when his attention turned to a TV broadcast of the destruction. He rushed out of the room after having made a decision to become involved in the affair.

The Puppet Master raced through the crowd of onlookers and neared the two combatants just as it appeared that the Sphinx finally had the upper hand. He used some of his radioactive clay to form a puppet of the Sphinx, which he then manipulated to make the real Sphinx take the Ka stone from his forehead and crush it.

The villain dissipated into dust not long thereafter. Masters walked past Grimm, who was severely weakened from the fight, and announced that the Sphinx would have met his demise anyway once the stone deteriorated. All he did was speed up that process. Grimm was surprised by his old enemy's heroics, but was too spent to do anything more at the moment.

This issue provided a bit of closure from the events that occurred in the ninety-first issue of Marvel Two-In-One. It also showed a different side of the Puppet Master, who was still a bitter rival of the Thing earlier in this series. It did change their dynamic for a while, at least until it was later revealed that Storm was in love with a Skrull who had taken Alicia's place.

That's it for now. I'll return later today with a synopsis of the thirty-fifth issue of the Thing. We'll learn what happened to Sharon Ventura and learn a bit more about her past. Until then, have a great Sunday and don't forget to be kind to one another.