Eh, the world’s a crazy place when the two finalists were the guys who couldn’t even get the script right last time out

Seconded.

That said, I like the first option better.

Like Scott MacIver, I have a tough time picking two Amazing Friends who aren’t Iceman & Firestar. How about Captain America & Namor the Sub-Mariner? Nice variety of powers & the leader, the smartass & the hothead would make for some nice character dynamics.

I thought the mystery character was Cyborg until clue #4. I forgot that Guy Gardner was from Baltimore.

But if you want Marvel characters, I’d go with Squirrel Girl and The Punisher.

I’m not wrong.

Cover Theme Game: the covers feature characters with ‘Rider’ in their names. Dark Rider from MTU; Rich Rider on NW and Nomi Sunrider on Star Wars.

Correct-a-mundo!

Namorita was the first character to pop into my head, probably because of the cover challenge. Is she still alive? If not, Valkyrie.

For the guy, I’ll go with Falcon. No real reason, I just like how the two characters look together.

Actually, there’s no way we’ll see Falcon & Valkyrie in the same story anytime soon. I think Spidey could brige their seemingly incompatible frames of reference.

Black Cat and Johnny Storm were mentioned above, but they’ve both had their time teaming with Spidey. I think that the flighty banter with them wouldn’t be anything new, and while it would be fun, I don’t think it would be compelling. Beast is an interesting choice, but again, aside from trading one-liners, I don’t see the appeal.

But thinking about the Human Torch brings me right to my first choice; Sue Storm, the Invisible Woman. I think that she’s a strong personality with some interesting character facets that would reflect interestingly with Spider-man’s life. I think that post-Civil War, She could use a break from adventuring with the FF and try some hero-ing without her husband around, and I think that Spidey could bring out a little joie-de-vie from her as well. Plus, the occasional Peter/Franklin scene would never hurt my enthusiasm either.

That leaves the much more difficult third choice to round it off. I wouldn’t want anyone too “bouncy”, as Pete will fill that roll, or someone too stoic, as I’d like to see Sue be the one to open up a little in this run. With Spidey representing the Avengers and Sue the FF, I think that would leave me with someone from the X-verse to really cover the Marvel world. And with that, I’d pick my personal favorite character: Cannonball. He’s a flyer, and he packs a punch. I think that he teamed up well with Spider-Man in the past (Marvel Team-Up #149, X-Force #4), and that he’ll bring a more versatile approach to the team.
It’s a little different, sure, but I’d read it.

Now, as for another amazing friend; someone who can have fun (you’d have to on a team of Spider-Man and Deadpool) but is also forward and straight-laced to add to the team dynamic. So I’m going to have to go with… She-Hulk? Maybe Kitty Pryde? Either way, that’s a pretty ridiculous team, but it could make for an entertaining cartoon.

Male – Dr. Strange, Luke Cage, Booster Gold (If not limited to Marvel), Flash.

Female – Kitty Pryde, Spider-Woman (I was thinking Drew, but any of them could work), She-Hulk, Marvel Girl, Squirrel Girl, Wonder Girl (if not limited to Marvel).

Cover theme game: All 3 covers feature characters from fictional countries? Latveria, Atlantis and I bet SW characters are from fictional places…

Justice League America #35

http://www.milehighcomics.com/cgi-bin/backissue.cgi?action=fullsize&issue=45004343634%2035

(Nobody ever said “Marvel only”.)