Top 12 Avengers-Number 3

Captain Marvel

This name gets tossed around a lot in the comic book world. The first Captain Marvel, and arguably the best is the DC version, but that doesn't have anything to do with the list right now.

We already talked a little bit about Photon and her time as Captain Marvel, but we haven't really talked much about the woman who has bounced almost everywhere in the Marvel Universe.

Carol Danvers started her story as a Security Chief with the US Air Force. At some point, she meets the alien-Kree hero, Captain Marvel. During an investigation, she almost dies in an explosion of the Psyche-Magnetron which melds her DNA with the DNA of Captain Marvel. Ms. Marvel (as she is known at that time) was a strong presence in the Marvel Universe, bouncing between titles on a regular basis.

Later in her story, Rogue decided to kill her. Actually, the precog, Destiny, had seen that Ms. Marvel would cause Rogue to leave Mystique and suggested that they kill Ms. Marvel. Unfortunately for Rogue, she overheard that conversation and took it upon herself to do the job. While absorbing Ms. Marvel's powers, something went wrong, and Rogue ended up absorbing everything from Carol leaving Ms. Marvel a blank slate.

After this event, Carol spends some time with the X-men. While battling the Brood in space, Carol is experimented upon by the Brood, and becomes Binary, who has access to the powers of a white hole. After dealing with the Brood, Carol stays in space with the Star Jammers.

An interesting manifestation of Carol happens inside the mind of Rogue. Since Rogue absorbed all that was Carol Danvers, that personality still lingers as a strong presence. Eventually, Carol is even able to take control of Rogue's body from time to time, especially when Rogue has been knocked unconscious or severely hurt.

Recently, Carol has taken on the title and role of Captain Marvel, left by the Kree hero that left it quite a while ago. It still remains to be seen what will happen with the character, but things are looking pretty good at this point.

Top 12 Stupid 'Sexy' Costumes-Number 1

In a world that is becoming more and more obsessed with 'sexy,' we are bombarded each Halloween with new 'sexy' costumes. Unfortunately, some of them are really stupid. This list will examine the Top 12 stupidest 'sexy' costumes.

Number 1- Sexy Skunk

So how is this any different from the Number 12 post. I mean this is an animal, sort of, and it certainly is poorly done, but there is one major difference: I can't think of a single person that finds skunks an appealing animal.

Think about wolves or bears or any other animal, and at least one person out there feels a connection to that animal, but get one sniff of a skunk, and everyone either panics or at least talks about how nasty they smell. Now relate that opinion to this costume. Sure the costume probably doesn't come with a scent, but I can't help but think of that smell when I see this costume.

I guess you can come up with some lame odor-related pick-up lines, but if you're trying to get attention at a party, then why are you making it so hard? This costume is just designed to confuse. Enjoy.

Top 12 Stupid 'Sexy' Costumes-Number 2

In a world that is becoming more and more obsessed with 'sexy,' we are bombarded each Halloween with new 'sexy' costumes. Unfortunately, some of them are really stupid. This list will examine the Top 12 stupidest 'sexy' costumes.

Number 3- The Lorax

Let's think about this for a moment. Who is the Lorax? The Lorax is a small animal-like creature from a beloved Dr. Seuss character that championed the trees. The story isn't very long since it is a children's book. The movies gives a little more story, but I don't see that justifying this.

Think about any reason why you might find the Lorax sexy. His environmental message might score a point or two. His love of animals and the trufula trees might add a couple more, but let's be honest here, the Lorax was never designed to be sexy. Do you see the other gender of a Lorax? Maybe they don't reproduce, or they do mitosis or something. You might as well have a sexy amoeba or something like that.

If you really want a perfect reason to not think about a sexy Lorax, think about this guy:

This is Danny DeVito, the man that voiced the Lorax in the latest movie version. I got over the choice after seeing how he did with the part, but maybe I can plant in your head the idea of Danny DeVito when you see a sexy Lorax costume.

Top 12 Stupid 'Sexy' Costumes-Number 3

In a world that is becoming more and more obsessed with 'sexy,' we are bombarded each Halloween with new 'sexy' costumes. Unfortunately, some of them are really stupid. This list will examine the Top 12 stupidest 'sexy' costumes.

Number 3- Sexy Darth Vader

Originally, I was going to make this my #1 pick, but then I thought about it some more. When I talk about a costume being stupid, I'm mostly talking about it being pointless and uninspired. This costume does have a point, although it is not your typical kind of attraction.

This costume has to have been put together for the fetish crowd. You've got a mask/helmet, skin tight latex(?), all you need is higher heels.

I'm not against that if that is what floats your boat, but it's definitely not a costume for everyone. Besides, when I think of Darth Vader, I'm not looking to be aroused. Think about what he looks like under the mask. Definitely not sexy.

If you want to do something Star Wars related, there are plenty of options that would actually be considered sexy. (This is the part where I reassure my friend, Matt, that aside from this aside, Princess Leia won't be on this list.) Pick one of those, and stop freaking everybody out. Nah, just do what you want, but if you're going to wear this costume, expect lots of reaction

Top 12 Stupid 'Sexy' Costumes-Number 4

In a world that is becoming more and more obsessed with 'sexy,' we are bombarded each Halloween with new 'sexy' costumes. Unfortunately, some of them are really stupid. This list will examine the Top 12 stupidest 'sexy' costumes.

Number 5-Pokemon

"Gotta catch 'em all!"
"I'd like to get a Pikachu" (peek at you)

I could go on with lame pick up lines, but if you wear this costume, you will hear more than these, and much worse. Think about what Pikachu looks like. He's a small chubby mouse that is bright yellow. There just isn't enough to make me think of Pikachu, and I'd rather not think about an electric mouse like that anyway. I guess I can give the costume makers a point or two for the tail and the ears, not that that really takes any effort, just someone realizing that without them, this is just a girl in a tube top and a skirt.

If you're a fan of Pokemon, then feel free to dress up as your favorite, but do them the courtesy of trying to look like that Pokemon, OK?

Top 12 Avengers-Number 4

Thor

While trying to come up with new ideas for heroes, Stan Lee started thinking about mythology. It occurred to him that while most people were familiar with Greco-Roman figures, they weren't really familiar with other groups like the Norse. Since there would be fewer people complaining about discrepancies, Stan suggested that Marvel try using Thor as a hero.

This was great because not only did we get to have Thor, but Norse mythology had already provided a large group of allies and enemies to make writing a little bit easier. Odin and Loki have been huge features in the book, as well as Fenrir and the Midgard Serpent.

One of the most important parts played by Thor was the reason for the creation of the Avengers. Loki was trying to trick and theoretically kill his brother, Thor, by pitting him against the Hulk. Not only Thor replied to the call for help, but so did Ant Man, Wasp, and Iron Man. The four teamed up, and with the help of the Hulk, they managed to defeat Loki's evil scheme.

Since Thor has to split his attentions between Midgard (Earth) and Asgard, he hasn't always been an active part of the Avengers, but his presence is always welcomed, and appreciated.

I think what I really like about Thor is the option of the different worlds. With Asgard, you also get all of the Nine Realms with all of the insanity. Frost Giant, Dwarves, Dark Elves, Hel are all great possibilities, and you get all of the great enemies and allies like Enchantress, the Warriors Three, Sif and the rest.

I almost forgot to talk about Thor's alternate personalities. Early on, Thor had to spend a good portion of his time as Donald Blake, which was referenced in the Thor movie, but the original concept was Donald Blake as a doctor with a bad leg whose cane turned into Thor's hammer. At another point, Thor had disappeared, and a mortal named Eric Masterson was given the powers of Thor in an attempt to find the thunder god.

Thor is a big hit and he has been for a long time. With the success of Thor and the Avengers, look for more and more people to get interested as well.

Top 12 Stupid 'Sexy' Costumes-Number 5

In a world that is becoming more and more obsessed with 'sexy,' we are bombarded each Halloween with new 'sexy' costumes. Unfortunately, some of them are really stupid. This list will examine the Top 12 stupidest 'sexy' costumes.

Number 5-Nemo

Wow, so some orange and white stripes is all it takes to turn a girl into a clown fish? That doesn't seem quite right. Look around at some of the other costumes to see why this one misses the mark. While looking for an image, I saw a great one with a kid basically carrying a large stuffed fish as a suit.

I guess you can pass it off as just wanting to recreate the colors of Nemo, but you certainly can't pretend that you look like him.

Top 12 Stupid 'Sexy' Costumes-Number 6

In a world that is becoming more and more obsessed with 'sexy,' we are bombarded each Halloween with new 'sexy' costumes. Unfortunately, some of them are really stupid. This list will examine the Top 12 stupidest 'sexy' costumes.

Number 6-Cookie Monster

Let's start with a simple statement that I think that most of us can agree upon-Cookie Monster is not sexy. He is a big blue monster that overindulges in cookies. (I won't deny my enjoyment of cookies, but that is a different subject.)

For this post I have a few pics of different attempts at a 'sexy' costume. This first one is just lazy. Couldn't we at least give her a blue dress to add to the illusion? If anything, it looks like the Cookie Moster has become a zombie and traded his love of cookies into love of brains.

Next up we have Team Sesame in some dresses that don't really do anything for the project. Also, can we just say no to pedophilia 'sexy' Elmo dress? (Yes, I know that Kevin Clash is a mature African-American man, but you don't think of him when you think of Elmo. You usually miss Keven even when Elmo is right there.)

I thought I should be fair and throw in a costume I think is halfway decent. Not only is most of the costume blue, giving an attempt at pretending to be a big blue monster, but she also has a cookie in her hand. Sure Cookie Monster still looks like he's gone full zombie, but at least this costume is trying.

Top 12 Stupid 'Sexy' Costumes-Number 7

In a world that is becoming more and more obsessed with 'sexy,' we are bombarded each Halloween with new 'sexy' costumes. Unfortunately, some of them are really stupid. This list will examine the Top 12 stupidest 'sexy' costumes.

Number 7- R2D2

So we have two options here: one is a awesome small robot, the other one is a person deluded into thinking they look like an awesome small robot. R2D2 is probably the best thing about the Star Wars movies. He's funny even though he doesn't talk in a language we understand, he is always getting people out of trouble, and he's just so adorable.

This costume just doesn't capture any of those characteristics. It completely misses the character and doesn't do him justice. She could at least where some kind of helmet, right?

If you're going to wear this costume, do me a favor and at least figure out a way to make R2 noise, OK? That will make all the nerds of the world feel a little bit better.

Top 12 Stupid 'Sexy' Costumes-Number 8

In a world that is becoming more and more obsessed with 'sexy,' we are bombarded each Halloween with new 'sexy' costumes. Unfortunately, some of them are really stupid. This list will examine the Top 12 stupidest 'sexy' costumes.

Number 8-M&M

I get the appeal of this one, and it should probably be lower on the list. I mean, think about the classic tag line for M&Ms- "melts in your mouth, not in your hand." It's the perfect line to get the attention of that cute person at the party-perfect ice breaker.

That being said, there isn't much to sell this costume. Sure you get to see a lot of skin, but it certainly doesn't look anything like an M&M. At best it looks like an M&M is trying to tear its way out of your stomach. (This usually isn't considered sexy.)

I don't want to be picky about this, but isn't green supposed to be the sexy one? I'm pretty sure that the girl  in the picture above doesn't really want people thinking about a 'boy' M&M when they look at her.

Top 12 Stupid 'Sexy' Costumes-Number 9

In a world that is becoming more and more obsessed with 'sexy,' we are bombarded each Halloween with new 'sexy' costumes. Unfortunately, some of them are really stupid. This list will examine the Top 12 stupidest 'sexy' costumes.

Number 9-Twister

Maybe I'm wrong, but I was pretty sure that girls didn't appreciate it when guys randomly grabbed at them. Unfortunately, this costume practically begs to be touched. All you need is someone to shout "right hand blue!" It's a fun idea, although this costume looks like it could easily pass as a go-go dancer.

On the plus side, this does bring up a classic game with lots of appeal. I'm sure that will get you some consideration. With all of that in mind, I had a friend that just took the 'board' and turned it into a dress one year, and I thought that was a lot more original. It's up to you though. Take this one or leave it.

Top 12 Avengers- Number 5

Photon

Monica Rambeau started her comic book story as a member of the New Orleans harbor patrol and gained her powers while trying to stop the creation of a weapon. Bathed in extra-dimensional energy, she gained the ability to transform her body into any form of energy. This gives her the ability to fly, and project energy either in energy and human forms.

After gaining her powers, Monica decides to become a super hero and takes the name Captain Marvel which while being one of the more popular names in the Marvel Universe, isn't currently in use. After Carol Danvers loses her powers as Binary, Monica gives up the name and becomes Photon.

I don't really know Monica as Photon, but I'll use the name to keep things simpler.

My main connection to Photon is during her time leading the Avengers. I really appreciated her in this role. It wasn't an easy time to be an Avenger, let alone leading the team. The ranks were a bit thin, and the original Avengers all had their own problems that kept them away from the team. Photon still did a great job in my opinion.

She did have some trouble with the Super Adaptoid after it had gained access to the Cosmic Cube, but that is to be expected. Other than that moment, I can't think of a problem she wasn't able to lead the team through.

I especially appreciated her upbeat attitude even in the worst conditions. She hasn't been a regular part of the Avengers for a while, but hopefully she'll be back sometime soon.

Top 12 Stupid 'Sexy' Costumes-Number 10

In a world that is becoming more and more obsessed with 'sexy,' we are bombarded each Halloween with new 'sexy' costumes. Unfortunately, some of them are really stupid. This list will examine the Top 12 stupidest 'sexy' costumes.

Number 10-Sexy Crayons

I know a girl that wore this costume a few years ago (I think it was a purple crayon) and if you're reading this, I'm sorry, but you fell for the trap. The trap is that the makers of cheap costumes don't want you to be creative, or work out ideas of your own. Just like with the Tootsie Roll, they want you to conform to their image of what the costume should look like.

I'll give this one a small amount of acknowledgement for thinking about the crayon tops, but they do look a bit silly. There are lots of better ways to make that work (why not go with a wig the color of your crayon? Most crayons aren't sharpened after all.)

I guess the idea is to have a costume with an association with thin crayons, but that just makes it worse in my opinion. If you're thinking about being a crayon this Halloween, then try to come up with something on your own. I'm sure it will turn out much better.

Top 12 Stupid 'Sexy' Costumes-Number 11

In a world that is becoming more and more obsessed with 'sexy,' we are bombarded each Halloween with new 'sexy' costumes. Unfortunately, some of them are really stupid. This list will examine the Top 12 stupidest 'sexy' costumes.

Random Animals That are Neither Sexy nor Animals

Number 11-Tootsie Roll (and other candy)

So quickly, I want to emphasise that my list isn't an attempt to make people feel bad about their costume choice. Wear what you want. This is more about pointing at the companies that make the costumes and being disappointed that they don't try harder, or provide something more.

Look at this 'costume.' It's really just a dress with Tootsie Roll stamped on the front. Are there really that many people that don't see that? Ladies, you can save yourself some money:

1. Wear the dress you want.
2. Get a piece of paper.
3. Write "Tootsie Roll" on the paper.
4. Stick it to the front of your dress with tape or a safety pin.
5. Go out and spend the money you would have spent on this costume on something worthwhile.
6. Take the sign off the dress.
7. Wear it whenever you want.

Top 12 Avengers-Number 6

Hawkeye and Mockingbird

I know that lots of people are shipping Hawkeye and Black Widow after the Avengers movie, and there is some justification for the connection, but I always preferred to see Clint and Bobbi together. Let's get some background first.

Hawkeye lost his parents at an early age and ran away to the circus with his brother Barney. Clint was trained to be a master archer, and headlines at the circus. Eventually, he decides to use his archery to become a hero. However, his initial encounter with the Black Widow messes that up a little bit. Clint fell in love with Natasha and she convinced him to help her steal industrial secrets from Tony Stark. After a few stories with Clint as a reluctant criminal, Iron Man actually puts him up for membership in the Avengers.

Clint was a part of the smallest team, when the Avengers were really figuring themselves out. It was just Captain America, Scarlett Witch, Quicksilver, and Hawkeye. After a bit, Giant Man, Wasp, and Hercules. Clint was a major player in the Avenger, and the driving force behind the creation of the West Coast Avengers, and the Great Lakes Avengers.

Clint has tried his had at using Pym particles to make him Goliath, but I always prefer him as the man with the bow. He always keeps his foes guessing with all the trick arrows at his disposal.

Bobbi Morse has a very confusing background before she started working with SHIELD and became Mockingbird, and I'm planning to ignore all of that. I want to talk about the woman that got Clint Barton to settle down, at least a little. Mockingbird doesn't have any super powers, but she has been trained by SHIELD, and wields a staff that can separate into two batons that she has been extensively trained to use.

The best thing about Mockingbird is when she takes her name literally, and makes fun of her opponents. (This is something that I appreciate in a lot of heroes.) Hawkeye and Mockingbird make a great team. I'm not sure of their status now that Bobbi isn't dead any more. Hopefully these two can get it together.

Note: There have been lots of stories about Clint hooking up with other heroes. My favorite was the issue of What if? where the heroes of the first Secret War never made it back to earth, and Hawkeye ended up marrying She-Hulk.

Top 12 Stupid "Sexy" Costumes for Halloween

In a world that is becoming more and more obsessed with 'sexy,' we are bombarded each Halloween with new 'sexy' costumes. Unfortunately, some of them are really stupid. This list will examine the Top 12 stupidest 'sexy' costumes.

Random Animals That are Neither Sexy nor Animals

This first one is more of a catch-all, and is designed to get the ball rolling. These costumes are more lazy than stupid, although the laziness makes them all the more stupid. I mean does this look like a Tiger?

Does this look like a Wolf?

I certainly don't think so. At least the Playboy Bunny look doesn't bother trying to look like a bunny, and just goes for the sexy. (Although they do add the cotton-ball tail.) I'm sorry, but those other costumes don't manage to pull off either category as far as I'm concerned.

With that in mind there is one specific animal costume that will get its own ranking, but we'll talk about that one later.

Top 12 Avengers-Number 7

The Hulk

Of all the characters considered to be Avengers, the Hulk is probably the most unconventional. If you go back to the origins of the Avengers, you will find that Loki tried to use the Hulk to destroy his brother, Thor, but unintentionally brought together the heros that would become the Avengers. The Hulk played a huge part in winning that battle, and he agreed to join the team.

Shortly after the team formed, the team's distrust of the the Hulk became apartent to even the Hulk's single-minded intellect. He left the team and rarely has anything to do with them. He does pop up from time to time, usually unexpected, but not unwanted.

The Hulk is a creature that exists because of the bravery of one man, Bruce Banner. While doing tests with Gamma radioation, he noticed a young man, Rick Jones, near the location of a Gamma bomb that was about to explode. Banner hurried to the site and saved Rick, but Banner was caught in the blast. Exposure to the Gamma radiation should have killed him, but instead, it transformed him.

In the original concept, Banner became the Hulk at night, but later, the transformations happened when Banner got angry. Generally the Hulk is only looking to express his anger through destruction, and the madder he gets, the stronger he gets. Bruce is always looking for a cure for his condition, and some of these attempts have led to some very interesting storylines.

Let me tell you about a couple of my favorite Avengers-related storylines involving the Hulk:

It's the 90's and one creative team decides to see what happens when you seperate Bruce Banner from the Hulk. In the comics, the job is done and it doesn't turn out well at all. The seperated Hulk is full of rage and does not have the calming influence of Banner to bring that rage under control. In one issue, the Avengers decide to deal with the problem since the Hulk is one of their own.

The East Coast team sends Hercules, and Namor, while the West Coast team sends Iron Man and Wonder Man. The four heroes do their best, but it isn't enough to stop a Hulk without the Banner persona. This Hulk does not have a limit to how much rage it can possess, and since the Hulk gets stronger the madder he gets, there is no limit to his strength either. Eventually, the Hulk gets bored with the fight and wanders away.

I also really enjoyed the time when the Hulk and Bruce Banner were united as one coherent being. He could think, but he still had the strength to do whatever he wanted. This Hulk was very different from your typical "Hulk smash" creature. Eventually, the rage took over the mind and the Hulk went back to his usual stories.

The Hulk has also been the most used in movies and television. Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno did an excellent job bringing David Banner's story to life. (I guess Bruce just wasn't right.) The show ran for several seasons with tie-in movies involving Daredevil, and Thor.

The Hulk has also had two movies recently and a role in the Avengers. Look for the green beast to continue to entertain.

Top 12 Avengers-Number 8

Vision

At some point during the writing of the Avengers, someone came up with a crazy idea. (In this case, I'm talking about the writing staff right now.) They thought it might be a good idea to make an character that was an android to explore some unique ideas. That is when the Vision was created. Even with an idea, someone has to make that idea work. So the writers started exploring possibilities, looking for ideas that could lead to stories that would draw the readers. (Isn't this the eternal goal of comic book writers?)

Vision was originally created by Ultron in a plot to destroy his own creator, Henry Pym. The sythezoid was given the brain patterns of Simon Williams (aka Wonder Man) who was still believed to be dead. This was an error on Ultron's part since he didn't know that Wonder Man had died his first death as a hero.

Vision had several occasions where he betrayed the Avengers because of his robotic nature. He built Ultron an adamantium body, and driven a bit unstable by losing his body in a fight with Annihilus, Vision tries to take over all of the computers in the world in order to make the world a better place.

Vision develops a relationship with Wanda Maximoff (aka Scarlett Witch) and unconsciously using her hex powers, Wanda enables the couple to have a pair of twins. This relationship causes lots of trouble though, because of Wonder Man's brain patterns. Because Vision is basically Wonder Man, Simon also falls in love with Wanda creating an awkward love triangle.

Although he has had many set backs, Vision is a capable hero who brings a lot to any team he joins. He has super-human strength and the ability to fly, but the most important ability is being able to alter the density of his body. Vision can calculate at amazing speeds, and does not need to sleep so he can handle extended missions.