This is like the second time, just recently, that I grabbed a book from the quarter bin to blog, even though I thought I had a copy somewhere, only to be unfamiliar with it when I read it. Not an unpleasant surprise! From 2013, Marvel Universe Avengers Earth's Mightiest Heroes #11, featuring "With Friends Like These..." Written by Frank Tieri, pencils by Tim Levins, inks by Tom Palmer; and "The Last American Dream" Written by Joe Keatinge, pencils by Khoi Pham, inks by Chris Sotomayor.

Sadly, the Earth's Mightiest Heroes show didn't have time to bring in the Lion of Olympus, Hercules; so the comic will have to do! Herc shows up at Avengers' Mansion, for his traditional punch-up with Thor: Thor suggests, maybe in this time they have to set better examples, but Herc thinks maybe his old sparring partner was getting soft. The ensuing scuffle is broken up, when Hawkeye calls in the Hulk to shut it down. Wasp then has to play mom, and make the boys clean up their mess.

The second story, "The Last American Dream," features Captain America in a traditional trapped-in-a-dream plot, but with an unexpected guest-star: Sleepwalker! Yeah, a future with a happy Steve Rogers, and American Dream and a Capwolf? Of course that's too good to be true. Sleepy helps Cap break out from under Nightmare's grip, although when it's over it's not clear if Cap knows Sleepwalker had been real. Still, Sleepy seems glad to have helped out. Read more!

"Drop."

H.E.R.B.I.E. shows up here and there in the Contest of Champions game: he's part of Mr. Fantastic's special move, and he's been the narrator/presenter for a few quests. I forget if he's in the books right now, though: last I recollect, Valeria had given him free will--and swears--in Incoming #1 back in 2020. That feels like a hundred years ago, but January was 40 years long so that makes sense. 

Tony was actually there last time Satana saw Deadpool, in "Idea," but Pool was dressed up like the Punisher and not the big red Venompool version. Like most Marvel heroes, they consider symbiotes gross, at best.

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"Dubstep."

Even though it's a week between strips, how long has this plotline taken? A long evening, perhaps? A shorter installment today, since I'm behind from the year-end stuff, and have some housekeeping-type stuff to take care of. Read more!

"Methodology."

We're a day ahead, since tomorrow's the Year in Toys! Read more!

"Show of Hands."

There's every possibility I might blog a Sleepwalker comic between typing this and posting it, but my impression was Sleepy wasn't real well-versed in traditional social graces. Still, he's trying. Read more!

"Fill Up."

Moon Knight was going to call Quasar "Wendy," as short for Wendell, but Vaughn is a cooler and more spy-sounding name. That, and like most cosmic types, I think Quasar would see something horrible, react for a moment, then move on. No shortage of terrible existential nightmares in space! 

And yay, Sleepwalker returns! Have I read any more of his comics since the last time he was here? I feel like I've bought some, sure, but...While I'm glad to see him, is Sleepy the one to free them from D'spayre?

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