I see Aztek. Not sure if he’s forgotten, because HBO Max’s new brilliantly named MAX app….has Aztek from JLU as one of the profile icons. Keep in mind that Flash, Green Lantern, and Hawkgirl aren’t icons, and Aztek spoke in one episode for one scene. So I guess…someone at Max remembers him….?
Agent Liberty was doomed for the Wrong Box from the getgo. His cover is literally him crossing his arms in an X in front of him. He's telling you to not read him.
The first time I saw Aztek was as one of the player costumes in Scribblenauts Unmasked so if nothing else, he's definitely a Scribblenauts developer's favourite character
If I could make a suggestion for a GBU episode: Super-villain teams. Whether it's a group of villains have a book, they're the main focus of a book, or some other criteria involving "It has a team made up of super-villains." Because there is a reason nobody remembers the Sinister Syndicate.
That would be a good one! You've got the original Thunderbolts, Freedom Force, Sinister Syndicate, Dark Avengers, Superior Foes of Spider-Man, The Secret Society of Super Villains, The Suicide Squad. I'm sure there's plenty more.
I had an Aztek action figure when I was a little kid, had no idea who he was but loved it. When he showed up in one random scene of JL Unlimited I flipped the table (metaphorically)
Fun trivia: Checkmate was a spin-off of from Paul Kupperberg's Vigilante run. After Checkmate ended, Kupperberg wrote a treatment for a potential sequel series about the recurring character Black Thorn. However, those plans did not go forward.
I always love the choices of comics you feature on gbu. A great discussion as always with comics i would not think to read. Thanks for all you guys do!
I want a comic where someone from "our reality" goes to the DC universe and realizes that the DC characters perceive the color yellow differently, almost like black and that's why they use it on stuff that should be tactical
I’ve been waiting for an episode with this theme for a while! I love obscure Dc characters! I’ve come close to sending in my floppy of Doom Patrol #45, The Beard Hunter, but that bad boy is staying with me for good, I think. The shows Beard Hunter was cool, and the show is great, but comics Beard Hunter is so much better. He’s such an absurd character that I think the whole crew would enjoy.
Yeah, Black Thorn and Bullock were both supporting characters in the old Vigilante comic series back in the 80's Black Thorn is ex CIA turned Vigilante and was Adrian Chase's lover/partner.
Best Spin off title of a main book? Like for GREEN LANTERN you'd have GREEN LANTERN MOSAIC, GUY GARDNER-WARRIOR and NEW GUARDIANS? I'd love to see you guys do GREEN LANTERN MOSAIC in anyway shape or form. Such a slept on gem from the 90's.
Dusty Abel ,the artist of that issue of Agent Liberty, later went on to do character designs for various animations including legend of Kora and DC animated films.
I'm digging the new set! Man, after all these years of seeing Agent Liberty on the background of many of my 90s comics, I've never knew he was so bland lol
I was reading Wizard magazine when Aztek came out & omfg they constantly pushed it for many issues. I never bought it purely for the fact people acted like he was ment to be the next big thing.
Spiral, checkmate, the global peace agency, S.H.A.D.E, & A.R.G.U.S., The council, The circle, Leviathan, The court of owls, The leagues of shadows & assassins, Stormwatch, Halo Corporation, Task Force X, Intergang, H.I.V.E, The cobra cult, The CIA, FSB, Masson, Vandal Savage, The Outsders & the secret society of supervillians all in a free for all but being manipulated by Spy Smasher from Gail Simone' Birds of prey. Except she's being manipulated by Black zero from some old fossil program in the fortress of solitude taking over brother eye. Then MI-6 is involved because Alfred is Alive! So Batman....
Now I'm curious. Checkmate was fairly early in both the appearance of Amanda Waller and Harvey Bullick as mainstays in the DCU. I honestly don't remember which came first Checkmate or Suicide squad? I seem to recall Checkmate as one of DC's earlier more premium heavier stock books. From around the same time as that gadawful New Guardian's book best remembered for "Snowflame! He does Cocaine".
I remember when Checkmate popped up in Action #598. They made so little sense, but I figured they had to have been established somewhere else. Nope, that was their first appearance.
*Agent Liberty* got quite a boost in popularity back in 2018/2019, because he was the "Big Bad" of season 4, which had a lot of eyes on because we knew Lex Luthors Jon Cryer (who was in only 3 episodes, but they were really good) In *Supergirl* , Ben Lockwood and hi gang, the Sons of Liberty, were the season's Big Bads (with Lex pulling the strings, and showing up in person with just a few episodes left), and his "Agent Liberty" costume was pretty damn cool looking Full disclosure, I haven't watched the 3 seasons of Supergirl before that, nor did I keep watching it afterward, except the season 5 episodes in which Lex Luthor had a big part, since I was so into this new, improved Lex Luthor (last one was the DCEU version that everyone hated, and that I kinda liked for some strange reason)... Which reminds me, I haven't watched the new Superman & Lois episode yet (season 3 episode 10), and I think it's the one in which the new Arrowverse Lex Luthor from Earth-TUD25 finally shows up (played by Michael Cudlitz). Keep up the good work!
A GBU I think could be fun is 3 appearances of the Uni-Power or Captain Universe. Off the top of my head Spider-Man and the Hulk have had it. And maybe the random from Secret Wars 2015.
Always wondered--was Checkmate inspired by the Charlton backup feature "The Knight?" Technically DC would have owned that, I guess. The Knight was probably the vaguest premise I ever saw in a comic. Some secret organization did... something. And they had chess ranks. And something.
Aztek I will always remember because he is a random background League member in Justice League Unlimited. As a kid I thought he was a much bigger figure because of that
theyve made a bunch of Checkmate agents and the leaders too, But no Agent Liberty. it would be an easy repaint of a cheap Captain America Heroclix though. you would just need to make sure he could fly.
Greg Rucka had a great run on Checkmate in the mid-2000’s when he brought the series back.
I see Aztek. Not sure if he’s forgotten, because HBO Max’s new brilliantly named MAX app….has Aztek from JLU as one of the profile icons. Keep in mind that Flash, Green Lantern, and Hawkgirl aren’t icons, and Aztek spoke in one episode for one scene. So I guess…someone at Max remembers him….?
Hawkgirl and Green Lantern now have icons, still no jlu flash though
"brilliantly" LMAO
Does Grant Morrison work for HBO?
@@jonasquinn7977 Countdown to King Mob icon...
I'm suprised the question isn't there as he was a major part of the cadmus arc. Huntress being there makes it obvious to me.
Ooh, I’m a big fan of Salan Moore and Grant Morrisal, but I don’t think I’d ever seen Sal’s Gaiman impression before!
Sail Gaiman?
I've only ever watched Back Issues, just discovered a whole new channel! Love you guys!
Agent Liberty was doomed for the Wrong Box from the getgo. His cover is literally him crossing his arms in an X in front of him. He's telling you to not read him.
Or that he's gonna give it to ya
I love your pants Tiffany. In fact, your whole outfit is a sharp and well-crafted ensemble that deserves the Comic RUclips Cool Duds award this year.
Thank you!
The first time I saw Aztek was as one of the player costumes in Scribblenauts Unmasked so if nothing else, he's definitely a Scribblenauts developer's favourite character
If I could make a suggestion for a GBU episode: Super-villain teams.
Whether it's a group of villains have a book, they're the main focus of a book, or some other criteria involving "It has a team made up of super-villains." Because there is a reason nobody remembers the Sinister Syndicate.
That would be a good one! You've got the original Thunderbolts, Freedom Force, Sinister Syndicate, Dark Avengers, Superior Foes of Spider-Man, The Secret Society of Super Villains, The Suicide Squad. I'm sure there's plenty more.
I had an Aztek action figure when I was a little kid, had no idea who he was but loved it. When he showed up in one random scene of JL Unlimited I flipped the table (metaphorically)
Comic Pop on a Tuesday? I’m blessed
*We are
Comic Tuesday on a Pop? I'm blessed
Oddly I always think back issues is supposed to drop Tuesday’s
Fun trivia: Checkmate was a spin-off of from Paul Kupperberg's Vigilante run. After Checkmate ended, Kupperberg wrote a treatment for a potential sequel series about the recurring character Black Thorn. However, those plans did not go forward.
Greg Rucka brought the series back later on. That run was good.
Lmao I always like Sal’s reactions when the others are telling stories, just being like “yes!” at the goofiest shit
I like this set-up for GBU! Looks really nice!
I always love the choices of comics you feature on gbu. A great discussion as always with comics i would not think to read. Thanks for all you guys do!
"I gave at the office" is the action hero's "Check, please!".
Love the random out of nowhere James Cameron avatar reference
"What is he? A baby?"
" Yeah, making noise, doesn't know what to do"
I want a comic where someone from "our reality" goes to the DC universe and realizes that the DC characters perceive the color yellow differently, almost like black and that's why they use it on stuff that should be tactical
Like the majority of the DC universe has Tritanopia (Blue-yellow) color blindness? That would explain a lot
I love the new set!! So stoked for this GBU!
“The Ultimate Man…which was on my dating profile.”
Not gonna lie I spit out my water lol.
I’ve been waiting for an episode with this theme for a while! I love obscure Dc characters! I’ve come close to sending in my floppy of Doom Patrol #45, The Beard Hunter, but that bad boy is staying with me for good, I think. The shows Beard Hunter was cool, and the show is great, but comics Beard Hunter is so much better. He’s such an absurd character that I think the whole crew would enjoy.
Yeah, Black Thorn and Bullock were both supporting characters in the old Vigilante comic series back in the 80's Black Thorn is ex CIA turned Vigilante and was Adrian Chase's lover/partner.
A new episode of GBU popping up in my feed is always a very welcome surprise!
For future GBU I would LOVE to see something like comic book adaptations of movies or comic book sequel or even comics of older cartoons
Best Spin off title of a main book? Like for GREEN LANTERN you'd have GREEN LANTERN MOSAIC, GUY GARDNER-WARRIOR and NEW GUARDIANS?
I'd love to see you guys do GREEN LANTERN MOSAIC in anyway shape or form. Such a slept on gem from the 90's.
Seeing a new unexpected GBU in my feed, has made my day. Thanks crew! 👍
Dusty Abel ,the artist of that issue of Agent Liberty, later went on to do character designs for various animations including legend of Kora and DC animated films.
I loved Agent Liberty back in the early 1990s!!!
You all are awesome. So happy to see some new GBU. Great set. That big blue wall needs an Ultimate Fantastic 4 poster. LOL
You guys all have a good raport together which is cool. I think Checkmate seems like the best one to propably read. GReat video.
Need a GBU, Michael Bendis edition, #1 issues.
Agent Liberty deserves a major comeback, DC!!!
I missed these and Tiffany hair is fire, like it litterally looks like fire
It was having a day
Alternate universe spider-men should be a gbu
Ooooo, I love it when I've read all 3 books!
I'll never forget you, Agent Liberty, Aztek and Checkmate...
I'm digging the new set! Man, after all these years of seeing Agent Liberty on the background of many of my 90s comics, I've never knew he was so bland lol
15:36 - Those Pawns really have to do all the degrading jobs. (Phrasing)
I kinda like Aztek's design. If he was a bit more grounded he could've been cool. Maybe even a bit like Moon Knight
Hey! 😀 I remember that guy! 😁 He used to be one of the background heroes in that Justice League Unlimited show 😆 Nice 👍
No wonder Tiffany fell for you The ultimate man
Before watching the set looks dope and I love tiffs shirt
I was reading Wizard magazine when Aztek came out & omfg they constantly pushed it for many issues. I never bought it purely for the fact people acted like he was ment to be the next big thing.
These make me so happy, you have no idea 😊
Loving this set up.
I want to see Spyral take on Checkmate in a Spy vs Spy thriller event!
Spiral, checkmate, the global peace agency, S.H.A.D.E, & A.R.G.U.S., The council, The circle, Leviathan, The court of owls, The leagues of shadows & assassins, Stormwatch, Halo Corporation, Task Force X, Intergang, H.I.V.E, The cobra cult, The CIA, FSB, Masson, Vandal Savage, The Outsders & the secret society of supervillians all in a free for all but being manipulated by Spy Smasher from Gail Simone' Birds of prey. Except she's being manipulated by Black zero from some old fossil program in the fortress of solitude taking over brother eye. Then MI-6 is involved because Alfred is Alive! So Batman....
new X-Men teams could be a fun Good Bad and Ugly
Introducing The Next Class of X-Men
Another great GBU! Also, diggin the new set.
DC has so many cities.
Didn't realize Ben got a haircut till Tiffany started on Aztec.
“Never seen that pipe before in my life”
NEW GBU setup?! Let’s fucking gooooooo!
Some glorious 90s talk here
Checkmate always sounds like it should be a hoot.
Also… Back Issues on The Janus Directive when?
Future GBU suggestion , obscure DC super team Xenobrood , S.T.A.R. Crops , Primal Force
We only had enough super material for the sleeves. It'll be fine Wonder woman only has enough for her wrists.
Sounds like the ‘heroes’ of Agent Liberty are the villains of Checkmate.
Now I'm curious. Checkmate was fairly early in both the appearance of Amanda Waller and Harvey Bullick as mainstays in the DCU. I honestly don't remember which came first Checkmate or Suicide squad? I seem to recall Checkmate as one of DC's earlier more premium heavier stock books. From around the same time as that gadawful New Guardian's book best remembered for "Snowflame! He does Cocaine".
I remember when Checkmate popped up in Action #598. They made so little sense, but I figured they had to have been established somewhere else. Nope, that was their first appearance.
Aztek, a rare misfire from Morrison. Weird and convoluted but not with their usual exciting, iconic style.
*Agent Liberty* got quite a boost in popularity back in 2018/2019, because he was the "Big Bad" of season 4, which had a lot of eyes on because we knew Lex Luthors Jon Cryer (who was in only 3 episodes, but they were really good)
In *Supergirl* , Ben Lockwood and hi gang, the Sons of Liberty, were the season's Big Bads (with Lex pulling the strings, and showing up in person with just a few episodes left), and his "Agent Liberty" costume was pretty damn cool looking
Full disclosure, I haven't watched the 3 seasons of Supergirl before that, nor did I keep watching it afterward, except the season 5 episodes in which Lex Luthor had a big part, since I was so into this new, improved Lex Luthor (last one was the DCEU version that everyone hated, and that I kinda liked for some strange reason)...
Which reminds me, I haven't watched the new Superman & Lois episode yet (season 3 episode 10), and I think it's the one in which the new Arrowverse Lex Luthor from Earth-TUD25 finally shows up (played by Michael Cudlitz).
Keep up the good work!
It's so weird how often Aztek the Ultimate Man has been brought up on Comic Pop
One of my favorite shows!
Checkmate was a fun book.
This would be a great subject for an Elseworlds Exchange
A GBU I think could be fun is 3 appearances of the Uni-Power or Captain Universe. Off the top of my head Spider-Man and the Hulk have had it. And maybe the random from Secret Wars 2015.
Tiff's hair got a power up
I let it dry on its own....mistakes were made
Always wondered--was Checkmate inspired by the Charlton backup feature "The Knight?" Technically DC would have owned that, I guess. The Knight was probably the vaguest premise I ever saw in a comic. Some secret organization did... something. And they had chess ranks. And something.
That Checkmate story reminded me of a meme
SEND DUDES
I'm sorry did you mean nud-
SEND MEN
I'M IN A FIGHT
Aztek I will always remember because he is a random background League member in Justice League Unlimited. As a kid I thought he was a much bigger figure because of that
Now we know that Ben is really Fighting American...ermm, i mean USAgent...no, wait...Agent Liberty?
Man we got a book for the wrong box too
I have the enitre Aztek run. Really hope he comes back one day!
36:56
He was assigned Vanity at birth. AVAB if you will lmao
I remember reading this as a very little kid and I totally thought the guy in the golden mask was named "Checkmate"
Yes! I love Ben's reference to old school battle chess!! 😂
Aw man. I was hoping that Guardian would be in this.
How many patriotic-themed characters can Sal confuse Agent Liberty with? Answer: All of them!
I love GBU so much thank you for uploading (:
Honestly, CheckMate is the only one of these guys closest to well-known thanks to Infinite Crisis & all that stuff.
Oh shit! I didn't realize this was GBU or it would have been watched right away xD
Now this day is truly complete. 🙏
I thought agent liberty and Gaurdian were the same character just different costumes.
Me too!!
How could anyone forget the Ultimate Man? He was part of Morrison's JLA and then....uh...uh...
And then he showed up in an episode of justice league unlimited for 6 seconds
I realize this wasn’t the intention of the video (and it’s my first video of your channel) but…I’m going to buy all three of these issues now lol.
As a matter of fact, it is the intent of every video to get people to buy comics, so we're happy to hear it.
I totally forgot that Agent Liberty was in the CW Supergirl.
They also need to clean up and reboot Firestorm. That would be a great film character!
Lol love the Fugitive Devlin MacGregor joke
41:28 Rubble & Meat: The NSFW Flintstone Film
Here’s an idea you’ll hate Sal: lamest Avengers villain debuts.
I have an Aztek Heroclix from about 18 years ago . He is pretty cool .
i love the Aztek anthem "..I'm the Ultimate Man! Who cares? Meeeeeeeee..."
theyve made a bunch of Checkmate agents and the leaders too, But no Agent Liberty. it would be an easy repaint of a cheap Captain America Heroclix though. you would just need to make sure he could fly.
Chase is DC's most overlooked character. The fact that that comic hasn't been revived for a limited series, much less a streaming series, is criminal.
Checkmate snds like a cool idea. Like a shield light. Wait a minute....
Two Fugitive references on one video in 2023... well done
That falafel line wasn't Bullock it was from Flass. From Batman year One. Yeah, I know. It doesn't look anything like him.
I bought that Aztek comic when it came out.
new wrongbox comic letsgoooo
I forgot aztek was a thing
Always enjoy a GBU ep
So wait who is Checkmate about??? The Knight or the organization itself...
Yes
Obscure character GBUs are the best GBUs!
This Agent Liberty is way different than the human supremest played by Sam Witwer in the Supergirl series.