Random Coolness (part 7)

More of the small details that made a BIG impression!

 
1. Cutaway Diagrams: As a kid, one of my favorite little surprises in a comic book story would be when they'd feature a cutaway diagram of a superhero's (or superteam's) headquarters. The level of detail would always make the fictional world of the characters seem just a bit more real as living quarters and other human touches could be seen amongst the more familiar meeting, training or equipment rooms. 

One of the most detailed (and consistent) diagrams was the Fantastic Four's Baxter Building headquarters (seen here), with other cutaway diagrams occasionally appearing in the Avengers, Superman, Justice League, and Batman titles.

2. The Spider-Signal: Yeah, Batman's much more high-profile Bat Signal is cool, but I like Spider-Man's spin on the concept, too.  As a sort of "super-halogen" style light projector housed in his utility belt, Spidey is able to shine a giant circular version of his face mask design on walls or streets, thereby "announcing" his arrival at a crime scene. Seldom used against the "big fish", the Spider-Signal is primarily used to freak out small time criminals (and Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal).

3. Mogo: Long known for their dazzling diversity of life forms, the intergalactic police force known as the Green Lantern Corps had one member that topped them all in its almost incomprehensible immensity. First appearing in Green Lantern #188 (1985), Mogo was a sentient planet who operated as a Green Lantern (with a green equatorial stripe and lantern logo that made it look a bit like an giant striped billiard ball).

Springing from the fertile imagination of writer Alan Moore (who else?), Mogo's participation in the Corps has been somewhat limited considering it's planet-sized gravitational field puts a bit of a crimp in socializing or interacting with other standard-size life forms. It's current role is to serve as a training ground for newly-recruited Green Lanterns...and to remain one of the randomly coolest things in all of comicdom.

Comments

[ShadowWing Tronix]

I'd apologise on behalf of my state for "Captain Lawsuit", but I'm not one of the idiots voting him in every year. Seldom does a day go by that he doesn't do something to get on the newscast.

Wait, where's the FF's bathroom? Seriously, the only time I've seen bathrooms in fictional diagrams is Mr. Scott's Guide to the Enterprise. Now THAT'S detail.

[Kyle]

That Spidey signal toy was my son's first real introduction to the joy that is Spider-Man. According to the article, the batteries lasted "for about 25 hours," but I have to say that we went almost six months of shining the Spidey signal on his bedroom ceiling at bedtime to scare away the bad guys (not to mention the countless times he "accidentally" hid around the corner to "shoot" his big sister with it) before that first one finally ran out of juice. Luckily by then we had finished another box or two of Apple Jacks...

RE: Mojo -- I was a big fan of the Planet Lantern, too. Absolutely loved it when Kyle Rayner rediscovered the living planet a few years back!

[Mark. Engblom]

"Wait, where's the FF's bathroom?"

I can almost hear Ben hollering "It's Clobberin' Time" from inside the FF bathroom, just before he puts his extra-large commode to the test.

"...but I have to say that we went almost six months of shining the Spidey signal on his bedroom ceiling at bedtime to scare away the bad guys."

I love imagining that scene, Kyle. What a precious memory for you. Savor it!

[Michael Lee]

I remember one of those Baxter Building cutaways showed that Reed & Sue had separate bedrooms. Maybe those rumors about Mr Fantastic were true all along!

[De]

I can almost hear Ben hollering "It's Clobberin' Time" from inside the FF bathroom, just before he puts his extra-large commode to the test.

Not to get too juvenile (oh who am I kidding), but what would Ben use to wipe? Sandpaper?

[Mark Engblom]

Too juvenile? On the site that devoted a whole month to Superman and regularly talks about comic book gorillas? Perish the thought!

As for Ben's preferred substrate, sandpaper would definitely do the trick....although maybe Reed rigged up some kind of firehose-strength bidet for him.

[Wes C]

Michael,

I'd be careful with accusations about Mr. Fantastic. The last person who did was given a one way ticket to the Negative Zone!

I'm just saying.....

[suedenim]

I think Bully (the little stuffed bull who hosts Comics Oughtta Be Fun!, natch!) once did a post with *all* the Baxter Building cutaways from over the years.

IIRC, the one where Reed and Sue had separate bedrooms was before their marriage. (While cohabitating under the same roof was probably considered a bit scandalous, at least they maintained *some* degree of propriety!)

In a later cutaway, they do indeed move in together, and I believe Ben winds up with more living space as a result.

I've always liked the Spidey Signal, but when's the last time it's been seen in his series? It seemed to me like, for years, with no fanfare and for no particular reason, they just quietly removed the Signal from Spidey's arsenal. (I imagine it might be back as of Brand New Day - seems like the sort of thing Dan Slott might remember and make a point of using again.)

[suedenim]

Here's Bully's aforementioned page:
http://bullyscomics.blogspot.com/2007/10/our-house-is-very-very-very-fine.html