Random Happenstance

"This will not end well."

Seems like I've been waiting for this one for a long time: Doc Samson, from the Hulk/Fin Fang Foom Build-a-Figure series. Sadly, the good Doctor is probably the only one out of the wave that I'm going to buy (barring some freakish alignment of clearance markdowns) since to build the super-awesome looking dragon Fin Fang Foom would be about $120: eight figures at $15 a piece. I bought Samson in Montana, so I at least dodged the sales tax there; but if anyone wants to make a trade for the BAF part, leave a comment and we'll see if we can work something out. (It's a big piece, like Foom's lower torso/upper tail, assocological region. No Kirby shorts, either.)

As far as the figure goes, it's a little less posable than previous Marvel Legends, although that could just mean Samson's a lot more durable, too. He's done in the style of his early appearances in the sixties (no, sorry: Doc Samson first appeared in 1971) but honestly, that's aged better than his leather-and-ponytail look from John Byrne's 80's Hulk run.

Samson's origin is tied to a fake status quo change for the Hulk: Banner is cured by siphoning off some of his gamma radiation, but then mild-mannered psychiatrist Leonard Samson exposes himself to the radiation and gains super strength and luxurious, flowing green hair. Samson then starts making the moves on Banner's longtime girlfriend Betty Ross, so Banner stupidly exposes himself to gamma radiation again so he (or rather, the Hulk) can kick Samson's ass sideways. Fair enough, but then why didn't they just siphon off the radiation again? Ah, there's probably a stupid reason.

I picture Samson as being a rather buttoned-down, staid, and restrained individual; maybe even quiet, introverted, or meek. When he saw the opportunity to irradiate himself and maybe break out of his shell a bit, he took it. But even with the hair and the powers and the notoriety, Samson is still who he is: a little restrained, maybe a bit staid or conservative. He's also still better known for his psychiatric work (which is usually more bizarre and risk-taking) than his superheroing. As such, Samson fills an important spot: I've said before how the Marvel Universe used to have characters that were the go-to guys for a particular occupation. If a character needed a lawyer, Matt Murdock guest-starred. Mystic trouble? Dr. Strange. Photographer? Peter Parker. Psychiatrist? A lot of times, Doc Samson.

We're going to go a little differently this week, and have a new page every day or so. Can Doc Samson cure Deadpool's mental problems? Yeah, good luck with that...