One of the first graphic novels I ever bought was Marvel Graphic Novel #9, featuring Dave Cockrum's Futurians. It was awesome. I always wanted to see more from this team, but they never appeared in Marvel comics again after that. Let's take a look at the book and then dig a little deeper to find out what happened.
Dave Cockrum helped to create one of the most influential revival comics of all time in Giant Size X-Men #1, introducing several new characters that he designed in Storm, Nightcrawler, Colossus, and more. In 1983, Marvel gave Cockrum free reign to create his own property, just as they had done for John Byrne and his successful Alpha Flight series. And thus, The Futurians were born.
The Futurians first (and only) appearance in Marvel comics was in Marvel Graphic Novel #9. With story and art by Dave Cockrum, The tale revolved around a future war on Earth against a Mutant Army called "The Inheritors", which culminated in The Inheritors using an enormous tractor-cannon called the Sky-Gripper to pull the Moon towards the Human base, Terminus.
This act destroyed the world, but Terminus was saved thanks to an impenatrable force field. However, Earth was no longer inhabitable, so the Humans decided to use an experimental device called the Transtemporal Projector to timeshift their essence into Humans of past generations. The Human leader, Callistrax, would timeshift his essence into a multi-millionaire named Vandervecken, owner of a vast industrial and highly secretive technological empire called Future Dynamics.
Vandervecken has summoned seven people to Future Dynamics, who find out that they are the first results of an intensive experimental training program. They are given special costumes based on their abilities, then placed in a cocoon-like machine where a giant ball of sunflame from the future streaks out from space and into the machine, turning the seven trainees into The Futurians.
Still with me? If you made it this far, you might get a sense to how confusing the premise turned out to be. It's a very complex story, and I'll guess that Cockrum wanted it to be as epic as possible. This was his first big attempt at writing after all.
The leader of the Futurians, Avatar, wore a costume that very closely resembled that of X-Men's Colossus. Cockrum had every right to reuse it since it came from another character he created, and it does look great for the most part. But there is no denying that several elements of the design are reminiscent of Colossus' look. Avatar's power is his super-strength, also very much like Colossus.
The rest of the Futurians were as follows:
Terrayne, The Earthmover - Giant Behemoth that has the power to control Earth.
Werehawk - Can transform into a half-human Bird-Thing, but once transformed goes berserk...uncontrollable in it's frenzy.
Mosquito - Has Ultrasonic powers and an explosive dart gun, although limited flying ability due to her her small wings.
Blackmane - Lionesque, razor sharp talons and great strength.
Silkie - Has a Manta-form that enables her to fly, and can summon huge torrents of water at will.
Silver Shadow - Can teleport though shadows.
Sunswift - A powerful being that lives in the heart of the sun.
Most of the Futurians' characters were inspired by or based off of characters from the X-Men. Blackmane's attitude and abilities were much like that of Wolverines, while Silkie had powers reminicent of Storm. Silver Shadow could teleport similarly to Nightcrawler, and Sunswift's incredible Solar Wrath felt much like that of Dark Phoenix. The only truly unique character out of the bunch was Mosquito (although she might look like the Wasp to some). I didn't see much of a need for the Blackmane character, as Werehawk was the better "berserker" type, and more interesting due to his uncontrollable rage. Other than Blackmane's cheesy jokes and quips, he added nothing but annoyance to the group.
The story continues as the Futurians split into groups of two as attacks break out around the world. Blackmane and Terrayne head out to St. Louis, where the Inheritors have infiltrated via underground using a giant drilling machine.
Avatar and Silkie head to San Diego to battle a giant sea serpent:
Werehawk and Mosquito go to Chicago to deal with the Inheritors' Aerial Fortress:
And Sunswift and Silver Shadow investigate a bizarre energy manisfestation sucking up nuclear weapons in the southwest:
One thing Cockrum did well with these characters was in emphasizing how powerful they are. Terrayne seems virtually unstoppable as he moves underground and comes up to ambush a giant proton blaster. Silkie's giant torrents of water annihilate anything in their path. There is no stopping Werehawk's frenzy once transformed, and when enraged will attack a fellow Futurian in a heartbeat. And then there is Sunswift, the most powerful character. There is seemingly no limit to her blazing, Solar Wrath.
Once all threats are thwarted by the Futurians, the Inheritors use the Sky-Gripper to pull a giant Meteor to the Earth, causing mass damage. The Futurians eventually find the Inheritor's stronghold, which culminates into an epic battle to save what's left of the planet.
The Inheritors have one last trick up their sleeve, the Annihilator Matrix. It's a weapon that destroys all life within a thousand mile radius. If the Futurians don't act fast...they're toast!
When all else fails...leave it to the guy that can move earth. Terrayne uses his powers to destroy the Inheritor's stronghold, pulling the entire thing underground.
And that just about does it for the Inheritors, as Terrayne carries them to the Earth's core! The rest of the Futurians are concerned about Terrayne as he never comes back as the book ends, but don't worry...he'll rear his ugly head again.
Marvel Graphic Novel #9 turned out to be a success, and went into three printings. After all was said and done, this was Dave Cockrum's first attempt at his own writing, penciling, and inking. While not on par with Giant-size X-men #1, the artwork still held that classic Cockrum style, and many readers were able to look past the convoluted story and stale character designs.
Marvel was ready to give Cockrum his own monthly series. But it would be Dave's next decision that would cost him.
Stayed tuned to see what happened to this franchise in Part Two, which I'll post tomorrow!
Wow. Yeah no kidding about Cockrum using VERY familiar designs, from those photon blasters, to the space beast thingy, to the heroes themselves, it all looks like an issue from his run on the Uncanny X-men, minus the X-Men.
ReplyDeleteStill, have to give him credit for taking a chance and trying to do his own thing with his own characters.