We’re happy to announce the winners of our first contest here at Mister 8! These were our top five entries that answered the question (spinning out of Costumed Adventurers Week): “Who is your favorite superhero-spy, and why?”
In the end, I’ve decided that everyone will get the full range of prizes! Which means that the following five folks will soon have a package arriving at their doors containing:
- A Nick Fury sketch by yours truly
- A S.H.I.E.L.D. logo Marvel Comics promotional magnet
- A poster from Jeff Parker’s Agents of Atlas
I’ll be working on the drawings over the next few weeks and will share them here when they’re finished! Thanks to all that entered, and if you didn’t win this time, stay tuned — we’ll have another contest soon!
1st Place: Jason Selinger
The first thing I’d ask in response to the question at hand is, what constitutes a superhero? If Batman is a superhero, then is not James Bond pretty much one as well? Whereas Batman has his utility belt and batarangs, 007 carries a variety of hidden gadgets created by Q-Branch. Whereas Batman wears a scary bat suit, Bond has his costumes as well: a tuxedo, or a scuba suit with a duck hat, depending on the situation.
If being a comic character is the defining feature, then what about Tara Chace (my favorite comic book spy)? She’s much more authentic than even the most recent Bond films that have been praised for their realism.
Hopefully, you’ll consider this more “food for thought” than “devil’s advocate.” If it matters, I also like Nick Fury, so I wouldn’t mind winning a sketch!
2nd Place: Ed Barker
The best superhero spies have to be The T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, by far. They serve as a fine legacy to the career of Wally Wood, who I agree with you, is one of the most underrated artists of the silver age of comics. No other book successfully unites the two crazes of the era, spies (like The Man From U.N.C.L.E.) and superheroes (Batman, both in comics and on television) like T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents. The death of Menthor remains one of the most interesting and lasting comic book deaths.
3rd Place: Derrick (no last name given)
My favorite superhero spy is Nick Fury, and it has much to do with the work that Steranko did on the book and in how he elevated the artform of comics. Steranko was a bridge between Kirby and the rest of the world of pop culture, and his run on Nick Fury still holds up well today, in my opinion.
4th Place: Stormer
Mine is Nick Fury, and always has been, ever since I was little. I had Marvel Universe cards and I showed my dad, and he told me, “Hey that’s Nick Fury,” and told me the history. Then I went to the comic book shop and found a bunch for 5 dollars and read then and found out that really, he may not have powers, but he linked to nearly all of the Marvel Universe and was an important character in the old comics. He even mentions Man from UNCLE and James Bond, and has a secret entrance in a barber shop, kind of like Man From UNCLE has Del Floria’s. And let’s not forget the Helicarrier, and his flying car, and needle gun — he is the ultimate spy in comics plus he’s huge in comics now. That’s why I like him.
5th Place: Ned Kelly
I don’t know if you would class him as a spy, but I am kind of fond of Flash Gordon. He’s an innocent bystander who gets drawn into a battle with a guy who wants to take over the world – like a spy villain.
