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THE LAW IS A ASS for 01/01/2002
JOURNAL ENTRY
"Court's Adjourned" Installment # 2
Originally published on World Famous Comics January 1, 2002
I first learned about it about two weeks before Mid-Ohio-Con, when I read Tony Isabella's proposed programming schedule for the 2001 Mid-Ohio-Con. There it was in the schedule in black and white, because Tony's far too conventional to use fancy colored inks, Sunday at 3:00 "Bob Ingersoll's Trivia Party."
"Tony," I asked him, "What's this 'Bob Ingersoll's Trivia Party?' "
Tony's reply was concise and too the point, "It's the trivia competition you're hosting on Sunday."
"You never asked me whether I wanted to host a trivia party," I said.
"I know," Tony said, still concise and to the point.
"Why didn't you ask me?" I asked, persisting in my attempts to get to the bottom of this so-called Trivia Party.
Tony's answer wasn't quite as concise, but it was even more to the point than any of his answers had been to that point, "Because if I had asked you, you would have said, 'No.' "
I had to admit, he was right.
And that's how I ended up hosting a trivia competition on Sunday afternoon of the 2001 Mid-Ohio-Con.
The problem I had was format to use.
Another frequent guest to Mid-Ohio-Con, Joe Edkin, once developed Comic Book Squares, a comic-book formatted rift on Hollywood Squares which used con guests as the celebrities and let attendees play as the contestants. I allowed as how this was a good idea. The format was familiar to the guests and attendees alike.
One problem, Comic Book Squares was really Joe's creation--after a fashion, anyway. I wouldn't be fair of me to rip-off his rip-off. I had to come up with my own rip-off, that is a trivia competition patterned after a TV game show.
And I needed to come up with an idea which wouldn't require the presence of other con guests. As this was all last minute, I wasn't sure I'd be able to get the cooperation of enough guests in time to prepare.
My first thought was Who Wants to Win a Bunch of Junk?, but I discarded that one. First of all, only a small handful of the attendees would be able to play, as Millionaire is basically a one-on-one game. Second, nothing about my being Reeg screamed "Bob Ingersoll." I wouldn't be able to bring anything that was uniquely me to the table.
So what to do?
The first thing was to determine what was uniquely me. That answer was easy enough, my most salient point is that I'm a smart-ass. Sarcasm in polite company. I needed a game show format which would allow lots of con attendees to participate at the same time and would let me be a smart-ass. The TV show The Weakest Link--where a team of contestants play for a big-money prize and must fight both each other (to avoid being voted off the team as "The Weakest Link" by the other team members and the host, Anne Robinson, who mocks them when they get the answers wrong--immediately sprang to mind. When the name for my own rift of the showThe Geekest Link--sprang to my mind almost as immediately, I knew I had my format.
I could ask the questions, thereby showing off my knowledge and erudition. And, at the end of a round, when someone would be voted off the team, I could throw out a smart-assed insult.
It was perfect for my needs.
So, for the next two weeks, I honed my questions, answers and insults. (And if you believe that, you don't know that I put the "Pro" in procrastinate. In reality, I put everything off until two days before the show.) I came up with six categories for questions: Modern Comics, Silver- and Golden-Age Comics, Television, Comic Strips, Cartoons, and Miscellaneous. I decided one hundred fifty questions would be enough and quick math showed me that twenty-five questions in each category would get me there. Then I decided to weigh certain categories with more questions. There were something like fifty Modern Comic questions, and thirty-six questions in Silver- and Golden-Age Comics and Television. I reduced the number of questions in Comic Strips and Miscellaneous accordingly.
And that's how I came up with my one hundred fifty questions.
Almost. Somehow I miscounted, and only came up with one hundred forty-nine questions. Still, they were more than enough for my purposes as we only got about half way through the questions in the two rounds of The Geekest Link that we played.
Anyway, what follows are my questions, insults and, at the end of the column, my answers. See how many you can come up with.
******
"Court's Adjourned"
Installment # 2
The Geekest Link
by
Bob Ingersoll
******
1 Ted Knight is the father of what former super-hero?
2 What form of transportation did the villain Kanjar-Ro use in his first appearance?
3 The detective Phillip Marlowe is the creation what writer, who shares a last name with the detective from a graphic novel written and drawn by Jim Steranko?
4 What is Chameleon Boy's real name?
5 In response to James Bond, what secret agent identity did Jimmy Olsen adopt
6 In cartoons, who is Gossamer?
7 For what newspaper did the characters played by George Reeves, Phyllis Coats and Jack Larsen work?
8 It has finally been revealed, what is Wolverine's birth name?
9 Alfred E. Neuman graces the covers of what magazine?
10 Frank Gorshin and what other actor played The Riddler in the Batman TV series?
11 Where does Saturn Girl come from?
12 In The Ring Trillogy by what name do we know the character Smeagol better?
13 What classic character debuted in the cartoon "A Tale of Two Kitties?"
14 In pre-Crisis continuity, to what name did Lex Luthor's parents change their name when the moved out of Smallville?
15 Janet Van Dyne, Carol Danvers and Monica Rambeau have all been members of what super-hero team?
16 Gay lovers Apollo and the Midnighter appear in what comic book?
17 Sam Lane was the father-in-law to what super-hero?
18 MLJ character Lancelot Strong adopted what super-hero name, which had already been used by another MLJ character?
19 Frank Rock now leads what team into battle?
20 Desmond Llewellyn and John DeLancie have both played characters named what?
21 In television, by what name do we better know Herschel Krustofsky?
22 What was the name of the device that the Silver Age Hawkman used to absorb all knowledge of a planet?
23 "Plane Crazy" was the first cartoon produced featuring what animated character?
24 Elliot Caplan, writer of such comic strips as Big Ben Bolt and "Peter Scratch" was also the brother to what famous comic-strip creator?
25 Josiah Power, Striker Z, Witchfire, Skyrocket, Bork, Sappphire, and Manhunter will form what super-hero team?
26 The assassin Cain is the father to what super-hero?
27 What actor has played the Frankenstein Monster, Dracula, Scaramanga, and Saruman?
28 What TV cartoon character was patterned after the Ed Norton character from the classic TV show The Honeymooners?
29 In the TV show, where did the Munsters live?
30 Mel Laurus writes both Miss Peach and what other comic strip?
31 Age of Bronze is written and drawn by what creator, who first gained fame creating graphic novels about the land of Oz?
32 In literature, what is the name of the family with whom Harry Potter lives?
33 What was the name of George of the Jungle's elephant?
34 In miles, approximately how far is the planet Rann from the Earth?
35 After what real-life family was the Noble Family in Jay Farber's Noble Causes loosely patterned?
36 Sara Pezzini is better known by what name?
37 The Andy Panda cartoon "Knock Knock" first introduced what other cartoon character?
38 In the TV show, what was the last name of Gomez and Morticia?
39 What comic book will Mark Waid and Mike Weiringo soon take over?
40 Blink leads what comic-book team?
41 Along with being a cry for help, Mayday is the secret identity of what super-heroine?
42 What television show is a joint creation of the man who wrote Alien Nation and the man whose the voice of Kermit the Frog?
43 What actor has played, Doctor Frankenstein, Dr. Van Helsing, Sherlock Holmes and Grand Moff Tarkin?
44 Cartoon characters Pixie and Dixie are what sort of animals?
45 Tony Isabella revived what classic comic strip character in The Comics Buyer's Guide?
46 What four names has Hank Pym used to fight crime?
47 Terry Moore's character Katherine Chuvinski is known to us by what nickname?
48 What was the name of the mechanism by which Mr. Peabody and Sherman traveled through time?
49 What super-hero gained his powers from the unlikely source of receiving a transfusion of Mongoose Blood
50 What hero did Marvel kill to launch it's line of graphic novels?
51 What Mexican wrestler is Mid-Ohio-Con guest George Broderick presently drawing?
52 In literature what was the Shadow's real name?
53 In the comic book Sugar and Spike what is Sugar's last name?
54 In the Hanna-Barbera cartoon, what were the names of the "Goofy Guards"
55 Kevin Conroy, Olan Soule and Adam West have all voiced what cartoon super-hero?
56 In comic strips, Svensen is the janitor of what high schoo?
57 What Marvel and DC super-heroes have both fought a villain named "The Human Eraser?"
58 Robotnik makes life miserable for what character?
59 Bridget, Baraka the fire demon, Kelly, and Janocz are among the members of what team?
60 In Amazing Spider-Man # 3, what super-hero did Dr. Octopus mistakenly call Spider-Man?
61 Connor Hawke shared what super-hero name with his father?
62 Bubbles, Blossom and Buttercup are better known by what name?
63 In what movie would you find Neo, Morpheus, Trinity, and Agent Smith?
64 What super-hero voiced the immortal line, "Only one of us is gonna walk out of here under his own steam--and it won't be me?"
65 Dick Grayson, Tim Drake and what dead teenager have all been Robin?
66 In another life Al Simmons became what comic-book character?
67 Iron Man, Giant-Man, The Wasp, The Hulk, Captain America, and Thor will soon join forces to form what super-hero team?
68 In what movie would you find not one, not two, but three characters named Sarah Connor?
69 "Gertie the Dinosaur," one of the first animated cartoons, was the creation of what famous comic-strip creator?
70 After what murdered comedian was the Phillip Fry, the main character in the TV show Futurerama named?
71 What comic strip took its name from the names of a famous theologian and a famous philosopher?
72 On the cover of Justice League of America # 1, what game is Despero playing with The Flash?
73 Spider Jerusalem writes for what newspaper?
74 What comic-book character was, at one time, from the planet Drakulon?
75 Predating Harry Potter by several years The Books of Magic stars what youthful wizard?
76 In the TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer what is Oz's real name?
77 What is the name of Stan Sakai's samauri rabbit?
78 In literature, who created Professor Challenger?
79 Patrick Warburton and Townsend Coleman have both played what television super-hero?
80 How much did The Atom weigh, when he was Ray Palmer?
81 Snake Eyes, Scarlett, Hawk and Duke are all members of what organization?
82 Bucky Barnes is named after what American President?
83 Comic book character Terry Sloan and TV character Stanley Beamish have both fought crime under what super-hero name?
84 For what agency does detective Jessica Jones work?
85 Until recently, who worked for the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense
86 From what star system did the Silver-Age Hawkman come?
87 In television, for whom was Kawi Chang Caine searching?
88 Sephie fights the minions of Cadador in what comic?
89 Benjamin Braddock was the secret identity to what super-hero?
90 Sean McKeever's The Waiting Place takes place in what midwest town?
91 What Star Trek: Deep Space Nine actress also played Ellen Dolan in the made-for-TV Spirit movie?
92 Moon Boy and what title character were the unlikely heroes of a Jack Kirby comic book?
93 Mr. O'Malley was the fairy godfather to what classic comic-strip character?
94 In the comic book Tomahawk what was the last name of Tomahawk's partner Dan?
95 Detective Simon Archard is the star of what comic book?
96 Thomas Troy is the secret identity of what super-hero
97 Akiko's adventures take place on what planet?
98 "The Man in the Red Mask" became what super-villain?
99 What do the letters ABC stand for in the comic series The A.B.C. Warriors?
100 When Martin Landau left the TV series Mission: Impossible what Star Trek actor replaced him as Paris, the team's new master of disguise?
101 What unlikely super-villain trained Hawkeye the Archer?
102 Len Snart is the real name of what super-villain?
103 What Sax Rohmer character appeared on the cover of Detective Comics # 1?
104 What super-hero once found his dead girlfriend in a refrigerator?
105 What famous movie composer also wrote the theme music to such TV shows as Lost in Space, The Time Tunnel, and Land of the Giants?
106 In the comic book Sugar and Spike what is Spike's real first name?
107 Moon Base Alpha was sent careening through the universe in what TV series?
108 What current member of the Titans shares a name with a former member of the Hero Alliance?
109 In his first comic-book appearance, by what name did Archie Andrews ask to be called?
110 Jack B. Quick, Greyshirt, Cobweb, First American, U.S. Angel, and Splash Brannigan all appear in what comic book?
111 Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot is better known to us under what nom de guerre?
112 During the height of the 60s spy craze, what super-hero fought a villainous organization named as O.G.R.E.
113 Michael Rosenbaum, who plays Lex Luthor, in the TV show Smallville plays what super-hero in the cartoon Justice League?
114 The classic cartoon "What's Opera Doc?" featured what two characters?
115 By what name do we better know Ogami and Daigoro?
116 Mike Grell, Russ Manning, Grey Morrow, Gil Kane, and Eric Battle have all drawn what classic comic-strip hero?
117 The Martian Manhunter was brought to Earth when Dr. Erdel's attempt to communicate with Mars teleported the Martain to Earth, but what hero traveled from Earth to another planet on a communication beam that was transformed into a teleportation beam?
118 In Star Trek, for what does the T of James T. Kirk stand?
119 The Dragon Lady appeared in what comic strip?
120 Joey Chill figures in the origin of what super-hero?
121 Michael J. Pollard, Gilbert Gottfried, and Howie Mandell have all played what super-villain on TV
122 Who is the ruler of Latveria?
123 In the TV show The Man From U.N.C.L.E. what did UNCLE stand for?
124 Fatman, the Human Flying Saucer had the distinction of being the only other comic book that what Captain Marvel writer and artist team also worked on together?
125 What is the name of the super-hero team book that Bill Willingham writes for Lonestar Comics?
126 In the comic strip Nancy what is Sluggo's last name?
127 Arthur Curry is better known to us by what name?
128 What super-villian killed Black Panther's father?
129 What famous writer now gets a special acknowledgment in the end credits of the movie The Terminator?
130 Huey, Louie, and Dewey are whose nephews?
131 The former Avenger Starfox was formerly known by what name?
132 In The X-Files what university did Fox Mulder attend?
133 In literature, what was Doc Savage's real name?
134 Rex Mason became what shape-shifting super-hero?
135 Where did the cartoon The Simpsons debut?
136 What member of the The Avengers first appeared not in a comic-book but a television series?
137 In television, what is Buffy the Vampire Slayer's middle name?
138 In the comic strip Peanuts what was the name of Lucy and Linus's baby brother?
139 What actor has fought crime both as Captain Nice and KITT the car?
140 When Johnny Flagg died, the brain of his brother, Nelson, was transplanted into his own rebuilt and enhanced body creating what super-hero?
141 Grifter, Spartan and Voodoo were members of what super-hero team?
142 Krevlornswath of the Deathwok Clan would be found in what TV show?
144 Joey McDonald, Margaret Wade, and Gina Gillotti are all friends of what comic-strip character?
144 "The Higher United Nations Defense Enforcement Reserves" was the full name of what super-hero organization?
145 What comic-book character owns Ruferto the dog?
146 Ace Morgan, Rocky Davis, Red Ryan and Prof Haley were fought together as what team?
147 What breed of dog is Marmaduke?
148 What was the name of DC's "Time Master?"
149 In pre-Crisis continuity, who hired Joey Chill to kill Batman's parents?
******
Who is the Stone Boy in our Legion of Super-Heroes?
Who is the "Spock's Brain" of our original series?
Who among us are the astronomy majors and who's just taking up space?
Who is the "Worst .... player..... ever?"
Keeping which one of you on the team is the worst idea since letting Greedo shoot first.
Which of you is a grup who deserves a bonk bonk on the head?
When your friends played Justice League which of you had to be Snapper Carr? (For the record, this one got the biggest laugh.)
Which one of you is the Kite-Man in our Rogue's Gallery?
Which of you is the Chief Wiggum to our B-Flats?
Who is the Gleek in our Super Friends?
Keeping one of you would be a worse than giving Joel Shucmacher another crack at Batman.
Who is the Captain Janeway of our little Star Fleet?
One of you players is worse than greenlighting Glitter II?
Who is wearing the red shirt in our landing party?
Who is the Gilligan that should be voted off the Isle?
Who is the Mopee in our little Heaven?
Who here would crash the saucer section, if given the helm?
Team you're playing as if you were the UPN. But which one of you is the "Home Boys" in Outer Space?"
Whose intellect has the proportionate strength of a Ferengi?
Which of you is the Dreadface among our Dr. Dooms?
Who is the Sybok of our Vulcan family tree?
Which one of you is one spin-off series too many?
******
1 Starman
2 "Slave Ship of Space"
3 Raymond Chandler
4 Reep Daggle
5 Agent Double 5
6 The orange, harry monster with hightops in Looney Tunes
7 The Daily Planet
8 James Howlett
9 Mad
10 John Astin
11 Titan
12 Gollum
13 Tweety Pie
14 Thorul
15 The Avengers.
16 The Authority
17 Superman
18 The Shield
19 The Suicide Squad
20 Q.
21 Krusty the Clown
22 The Asorbiscon
23 Mickey Mouse
24 Al Capp (or Caplin)
25 The Power Company
26 Batgirl
27 Christopher Lee
28 Yogi Bear
29 1313 Mockingbird Lane
30 Momma
31 Eric Shanower
32 Dursley
33 Shep
34 25 trillion
35 The Kennedys
36 Witchblade
37 Woody Woodpecker
38 Addams.
39 Fantastic Four
40 The Exiles
41 Spider-Girl
42 Farscape
43 Peter Cushing
44 Mice
45 Everett True
46 Ant-Man, Giant-Man, Goliath, and Yellowjacket
47 Katchoo
48 The Waybak Machine
49 The Whizzer
50 Captain Marvel
51 Santo
52 Kent Allard
53 Plumm
54 Yipee, Yapee, and Yahoee
55 Batman
56 Riverdale High.
57 Giant-Man and Batman
58 Sonic the Hedgehog
59 Soulsearchers
60 Superman
61 Green Arrow
62 The Powerpuff Girls
63 The Matrix
64 Captain America
65 Jason Todd
66 Spawn
67 The Ultimates.
68 The Terminator
69 Windsor McCay
70 Phil Hartman
71 Calvin and Hobbs
72 Chess
73 The Word
74 Vampirella
75 Timothy Hunter
76 Daniel Osborne
77 Usagi Yojimbo
78 A. Conan Doyle
79 The Tick
80 180 pounds
81 G.I. Joe
82 James Buchanan as in James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes
83 Mr. Terrific.
84 Alias Detective Agency
85 Hellboy
86 Polaris
87 His half-brother, Danny.
88 Meridian
89 Captain Britain
90 Northern Plains
91 Nana Visitor
92 Devil Dinosaur
93 Barnaby
94 Hunter
95 Ruse
96 The Fly or Fly-Man
97 Smoo
98 The Joker
99 Atomic, Bacterial and Chemical
100 Leonard Nimoy
101 The Swordsman
102 Captain Cold
103 Fu Manchu
104 Green Lantern
105 John Williams.
106 Cecil
107 Space: 1999
108 Argent
109 "Chick"
110 Alan Moore's Tomorrow Stories
111 The Penguin
112 Aquaman
113 The Flash
114 Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd
115 Lone Wolf and Cub
116 Tarzan
117 Adam Strange
118 Tiberius
119 Terry and the Pirates
120 Batman
121 Mr. Mxyzptlk
122 Dr. Doom
123 United Network Command for Law and Enforcement
124 Otto Binder and C.C. Beck
125 The Pantheon
126 Smith
127 Aquaman
128 Klaw
129 Harlan Ellison
130 Donald Duck's
131 Eros
132 Oxford
133 Clark Savage, Jr.
134 Metamorpho
135 The Tracy Ullman Show
136 Firestar
137 Anne
138 Rerun
139 William Daniels
140 Fighting American
141 WildC.A.T.S.
142 Angel
143 Dennis the Menace
144 T.H.U.N.D.E.R.
145 Groo the Barbarian
146 The Challengers of the Unknown
147 Great Dane
148 Rip Hunter
149 Lew Moxton
So, how's you do?
Bob Ingersoll
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