Previously:
Houston's pride and joy (or at least it used to be) has been called the "Eighth Wonder of the World" and was home to a legendary Texas Team. But the Astrodome has been known for a lot more than just the Astros. Here's a quick look at a few of the times it's popped up in pop culture:
Starman V1 #25 (DC Comics, 1990)
Starman never caught on the way so many other DC characters did. Every so often the publisher tries to make a go of the guy and when they do they usually create a character to be the "new" Starman. That's a common practice in comics and is sometimes used to create conflict.
I mention all that because the plot of this issue involves the son of the original Starman getting pissed at the current (at the time) Starman and challenging him to a fight. Guess where...
Anyway, during the fracas, the new guy takes a pretty good smack which launches him sky high and gives the artist (Dave Hoover) an opportunity to draw a bird's eye view of the Astrodome:
West Coast Avengers V1 Annual #2 (Marvel Comics, 1987)
Yeah, the Avengers are bi-coastal. Typically the New York team is made up of A-listers like Iron Man, Thor and so forth. And the L.A. team has...other people...that being said, occasionally the two groups indulge in some good old fashioned team building exercises like an annual softball game! Guess where...
This has to make the stadium's insurance rates go way up because the whole gang isn't shy at all about using their powers to win the game. So when Thor uses his hammer to take a swing at Wonder Man's fastball, he sends it flying straight up to the roof.
That thing "comin' back again!" is the Silver Surfer who is heralding some crazy nonsense and as soon as ya know it, the whole gang is whisked away and are forced to fight each other or somesuch. But since none of that takes place in Texas...eh.
The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training (Paramount Pictures, 1977)
The sequel is fairly forgettable and really only know for two things: 1. There's no Walter Matthau and 2. The kids play at the Houston Astrodome for some reason. The film does do a good job of showing off what an impressive structure it was.
If you watch the movie, keep an eye open for cameos from some of the Astros at the time. If not, then just Google it.
There's lots more fun that's been had under the dome but it'll have to wait until I track down those particular comics and/or movies. Once I do, let's meet back here.
