NFL SuperPro
| NFL SuperPro | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| Format | Ongoing series |
| Genre | |
| Publication date | 1991 - 1992 |
| No.of issues | 12 + 1 Special |
| Main character(s) | Phil Grayfield |
| Creative team | |
| Written by | Fabian Nicieza |
| Artist(s) | Jose Delbo |
NFL SuperProis acomic bookseries published byMarvel Comics,centered onPhil Grayfield,an ex-National Football League(NFL) player who survives a freak accident and wears a near-indestructiblefootballuniform. Produced in collaboration with the NFL and originally written byFabian Niciezaand artist Jose Delbo, the series started publication in 1991 and ended after 12 issues.[1]
Outline
[edit]Nicieza wrote a story centering on Phil Grayfield, once an aspiring football player. His career ended when he saved a child from falling and suffered a horrific knee injury. He became asports reporterand interviewed an eccentric footballsuperfan,who also happened to be a scientist. This scientist designed a new, almost indestructible football uniform, which has to be molded on an individual basis and costs five million dollars to construct — so it is worth a fortune.
Suddenly interrupting the interview, thieves raid the superfan's house, overwhelm the two of them, steal a van load ofNFL merchandise(but not the uniform), and torch the building. Grayfield, who is tied up and helpless, knocks over experimental chemicals, which — in combination with the fire and ultra-rare football souvenirs going up in flames — do not incinerate him, but turn him into a near-invincible superhero.
Grayfield puts on the superfan's football uniform and brings the villains to justice, dedicating his life to fighting crime and dubbing himself "SuperPro".
Publication history
[edit]The first issue starring NFL SuperPro was "NFL SuperPro Special Edition # 1",cover-dated March 1991. The series began with issue"NFL SuperPro # 1"(cover-date October 1991) and ended with"NFL SuperPro # 12"(cover-date September 1992). On two occasions,NFL SuperProfeatured a crossover, a common practice in comic books to boost sales;Spider-Man(in issue # 1) andCaptain America(in issue # 8).[2]
The character NFL SuperPro has not been seen since the demise of the series. WriterRobert Kirkmanreportedly wanted to use SuperPro in an issue ofMarvel Team-Upbut could not, due to copyright concerns. The closest he came wasMarvel Team-Up#9, in which the characterStilt-Mansays, "I beat up a guy called SuperPro last week. Silliest looking guy...".
Reception
[edit]NFL SuperProhas been called one of the worst comics in recentMarvel Comicshistory, becoming a cult object. Often cited in this claim are issues with the plot and the characters. For example, in the first issue a group of thieves incinerate valuable NFL merchandise but it is never explained why they burn it instead of selling it off. WriterFabian Niciezahas admitted he wrote the story to gain free NFL tickets.[3][4][5]He stated that he still receives flak for the comic.
Nicieza leftSuperProafter four issues, and was replaced withBuzz Dixon;one of Dixon's issues, which featuredHopivillains who usedkachina-themed costumes and weapons, drew substantial complaints from Hopi representatives, leading Marvel to officially recall the comic.[3][6]Dixon leftSuperproafter three issues.[6]
In 2005, the Chicago Sports Review called it "perhaps the worst comic book ever created".[7]
Supporting characters
[edit]- Ken Reid- Ken Reid is a cameraman who accompanies SuperPro's alter ego, Phil Grayfield, to his interviews, and is therefore always present to film NFL SuperPro in action. Over time he becomes Phil's confidant.
- Jane Dixon- SuperPro's former girlfriend and only other person to know his secret identity.
- Protectors of the Forest- Defenders of the Brazilian rainforest.
- Repulsor- an armor-wielding ex football player
- Felicita Oliveri
- The Happy Campers- A superhero team with 4 membe, The Almighty Dollar(with the ability to shoot pennies out of his hands), Streak(who has super speed), Girth(who can hit people with his belly), and Calculator(who can do equations super quickly in his head).
Villains
[edit]- Sanction- Crime Boss Marco Sanzionare, whose dealings are constantly thwarted by SuperPro
- Carl Jennings- A former football player that used an experimental form of steroids
- Quick Kick- A field-goal kicker turned evil ninja, who appears in #2 of the series
- Instant Replay- An assassin with the ability to travel short distances through time
- Carragone -A man who owns a camp to “find your inner hero” but is really trying to figure out how to give people superpowers
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^Morris, Jon (2015).The League of Regrettable Superheroes: Half Baked Heroes from Comic Book History.Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Quirk Books. pp. 224–225.ISBN978-1-59474-763-2.
- ^"NFL SuperPro".atomicavenue.Retrieved25 August2013.
- ^abTwenty-Five Years Ago, the NFL and Marvel Created 'NFL SuperPro'—and It Sucked,by Alex Wong, atVice;published September 21, 2016; retrieved May 11, 2017
- ^Happy Thanksgiving From NFL Superpro, the Football Superhero,by Chris Sims, atComicsAlliance;published November 25, 2009; retrieved May 11, 2017
- ^10 ridiculous superheroes who are their jobs,by Cyriaque Lamar, atIo9;published November 16, 2010; retrieved May 11, 2017
- ^abComic Book Urban Legends Revealed #89,by Brian Cronin, atComic Book Resources;published February 8, 2007; retrieved May 11, 20127
- ^The Top 10 Sports/Comic Book Crossovers,at Chicago Sports Review (viaarchive.org); published February 3, 2005; retrieved May 11, 2017