Marvel Tragedy in Wake of Civil War
March 10, 2007 | 6 Comments
Many people predicted either Iron Man (Tony Stark) or Captain America (Steve Rogers) would die in the final throws of Civil War. When the concluding issue #7 came and went with Cap’ surrendering and becoming imprisoned, I believed these two Marvel icons had both dodged death. Shockingly, it came in an epilogue issue of Civil War, Captain America #25 (volume 5). Captain America was assassinated.
Ed Brubaker delivers this tragic event in an equally stunning and touching manor that remains true to the character of Captain America. As Cap’ is being led into the courthouse to be arraigned for his crimes in violation of the Super-Hero Registration Act, he is shot in the back by a sniper. Amazingly, Cap’ spots the sniper before being shot and turns himself into the shot, seemingly protecting the guards escorting him. However, one bullet would not take down this super soldier.
As the crowd scatters, his friend and recent lover Sharon Carter steps from the crowd. She is there working secretly with Nick Fury and Winter Soldier in hopes of avoiding something like this. As she gets to Cap’ we see him shot three times to the stomach from close range. We are left unsure of the shooter at this point. Later we learn Dr. Faustus has manipulated through some sort of hypnotism, Sharon to have pulled the trigger and killed Captain America. When she learns this, Brubaker makes her pain palpable.
Interesting to note in this, is a brief moment of history relating to Captain America. As far as I know, he is one of the first major super heros who was clearly killed, then revived years later. He died in World War 2, but was found by the Avengers frozen in a block of ice. The modern character of Cap’ has repeatedly used this plot point of a man out of time. Since then, it’s almost become a cliche that you can’t really kill anyone for long. The list of characters who have died and been reborn is extensive: Jean Grey, Spider-Man, Hawkeye, Vision, Winter Soldier, Colossus, Elektra, Punisher, Professor X, Angel, Wonder Man, Thor, Human Torch, Captain Marvel, Green Goblin, need I go on? Usually Marvel will wait for a writer change, a major story line, or a big crossover before they come up with some low percentage explanation that allows the revival of a beloved character.
With this death, they haven’t even bothered to wait a week before laying the ground work to bring Steve Rogers back from the dead. In the Civil War: The Initiative one-shot, Brian Michael Bendis delivers a scene where Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew) and Ms. Marvel (Carol Danvers) come into conflict. Spider-Woman is still unregistered and opposing the act. Ms. Marvel tries to convince Spider-Woman to take the pardon and come in. The hurt from Cap’s death is clearly still to near the surface for Jessica and she lays the blame square on the shoulders of Tony Stark. It is at the point that Ms. Marvel states that Steve Rogers is not dead. She says: “He’s tucked away safe on The Raft. No one knows. No one. They’re trying to save his life even as we speak.” When asked how this is possible she retorts: “What am I? A super-soldier serum expert? He’s not dead!” However, Marvel has issued this statement: “Comments from Ms. Marvel in this week’s Civil War: The Initiative, which seemed to indicate that Captain America is still alive, and being held prisoner by the Pro-Registration forces may not have been exactly what they seemed on the surface, and events related to those comments will play out in upcoming issues of New Avengers.” I still think this leaves a nice wide opening to resurrect Steve Rogers whenever it is necessary, my prediction, right before the 2009 Captain America movie hits theaters.
But “Captain America” is not in fact dead, Steve Rogers is. With the clear foreshadowing they did in Civil War #7 by having Frank Castle (The Punisher) take Captain America’s mask, most definitely this will be the guy to wear the red, white, and blues real soon. Throughout Civil War, it was shown repeatedly how much Frank respects and admires Steve Rogers. This is a story line with a lot of potential and is destined to stir interesting controversy in the Marvel Universe.
On a final note, I love when comic book events are large enough to gain attention of traditional media reporting, but it is annoying to find out about events like this before you read them. Sadly I had this story spoiled for me less than a day after it happened and my copy of the book had not yet arrived…
Tags: america, angel, captain america, Captain Marvel, carol danvers, civil war, civil war the initiative, colossus, comics, death of captain america, elektra, frank castle, Green Goblin, hawkeye, human torch, initiative, iron man, Jean Grey, jessica drew, Magneto, marvel, ms marvel, Professor X, punisher, spider-man, spider-woman, steve rogers, thor, tony stark, Vision, Winter Soldier, wonder man
X-Men 3 Review: Astonishing, Uncanny…
May 26, 2006 | 8 Comments
I expected to like this movie, but instead, I loved it. Without Bryan Singer directing I feared this may be a disappointing conclusion to a great series. Instead the movies just got better with each installment.
I was initially doubtful about the casting of Kitty Pryde and Juggernaut, but both actors played their parts to perfection. Combined with reading Joss Whedon’s Astonishing X-Men, I’m now thinking Kitty may be my favorite X-man. Right when you think think “how can she be useful in a fight?” she calls Juggernaut a “dickhead” before leaving him unconscious. Yes I’m serious.
In general the movie throws a lot of unexpected events at you. From who the funeral is for through to the after credits clip which will leave you wondering if this is truly the Last Stand for the X-Men movies.
The only thing I was not entirely satisfied with was the surprisingly small role Angel played. Also, does anyone know what happened to Nightcrawler?
Tags: "astonishing x-men", angel, astonishing, bryan singer, comics, Juggernaut, Kitty Pryde, last stand, movie, Nightcrawler, review, uncanny, uncanny x-men, x-men, XMen
Blade Series
May 22, 2006 | 2 Comments
I love shows about vampires, both Buffy and Angel rank among my favorite shows ever on television. Additionally, I liked all three Blade movies. With this in mind I had been pretty excited about the upcoming Blade: The Series which will be running on SpikeTV.
However, my hopes for this show quickly went in the toilet after seeing this trailer. The dialog seems forced and any hope for good character development seems like a long shot. Hopefully I’m wrong. I’d really like Marvel to have some luck with TV adaptations of their characters.
Tags: angel, blade, blade the series, buffy, marvel, spike, spiketv, television, tv, vampire, vampires
X-Men 3: The Last Stand Full Trailer
March 7, 2006 | 35 Comments
Tonight the new full length X-Men 3: The Last Stand trailer was released. As with all full length trailers, a lot more of the overall plot was revealed. In the previous trailer, it was clear that a major battle was brewing. Magneto had developed an army and was shown destroying the Golden Gate Bridge. In the new trailer the catalyst for this was revealed.
Much like the premise of Joss Whedon’s run on Astonishing X-Men, a “cure” is found for the gene causing mutations. In reaction to this Magneto is fighting back. We see a lot of conflict even among the good guys. There is so much turmoil and chaos going on, I just can’t wait to see how it all plays out.
More of Angel, Beast, and Juggernaut are shown. For the first time Juggernaut actually looks strong as he goes plowing through walls after Kitty who passes through them cleanly. Additionally various shots of Jean/Phoenix are shown. Her loyalties are obviously in question as she stands against Professor X and in the climactic conclusion of the trailer, begs Wolverine to kill her.
Anyway, go watch the full trailer and hopefully you’ll be as jazzed as I am for May 26th! Come back and comment, I’d love to hear your reactions.
Tags: "astonishing x-men", "The Last Stand", angel, Beast, comic, comic books, Jean Grey, joss whedon, Juggernaut, Kitty Pryde, Magneto, marvel, marvel comics, movie, movies, Phoenix, Professor X, Storm, trailer, whedon, Wolverine, x-men, x-men 3 the last stand, XMen
X-Men 3: The Last Stand - Teaser Posters
February 18, 2006 | 5 Comments
X-Men 3 apparently has an official title now, X-Men 3: The Last Stand. I think these teaser posters speak for themselves. I especially like the tag line “Take A Stand”.
Tags: "Anna Paquin", "Ben Foster", "Famke Janssen", "Halle Berry", "Kelsey Grammer", "The Last Stand", angel, Beast, comic, comics, hugh jackman, Magneto, marvel, movie, Phoenix, poster, Rogue, Storm, Wolverine, x-men, X-Men 3
X-Men 3: Trailer and New Pics
December 5, 2005 | 13 Comments
The trailer is out! I just watched it. Twice. Then frame by frame. I think this is going to rule. Wolverine, Magneto, Professor X, Rogue, Iceman, Mystique, Storm, Cyclops, and Pyro are all back. Notably absent are Nightcrawler, Sabretooth, and Toad. New to the scene are Angel, Beast, Kitty Pryde, Juggernaut, Callisto, and the reborn Jean Grey as Pheonix!
The director has changed from Bryan Singer to Brett Ratner (Rush Hour 1 and 2, The Family Man, Red Dragon) which is of slight concern, but I still have great faith. I refuse to be a pessimist about this film.
Anyway, there were more pictures released at USA Today today as well.
In sadder news, Jackman has announced that he is unlikely to return for a fourth film, but the positive side of that is his intention to do a Wolverine spin-off movie due in 2007.
Tags: angel, Beast, brett ratner, bryan singer, Callisto, comic, comic books, comics, Cyclops, Fun Whatnot, Iceman, Jean Grey, Juggernaut, Kitty Pryde, Magneto, movie, movies, Mystique, Nightcrawler, Pheonix, Professor X, Pyro, Rogue, Sabretooth, Storm, Toad, Wolverine, x-men, X-Men 3, X3, XMen, XMen 3
Buffy Completed
November 17, 2005 | 5 Comments
After an entire summer of watching four or more episodes twice a week, we finally completed the entire seven season run of Buffy the Vampire Slayer tonight. This show has has it’s ups and downs, but overall was one of the most entertaining series I’ve ever watched.
For those just getting into it, the show does not truly hit its stride until midway through season 2. Granted, season 1 is only 13 episodes… Anyway, season 2 was when the core characters had all become interesting enough to me that I was drwan into the entire Buffy universe.
From my perspective, Sarah Michelle Geller is by far NOT the key character in this show. Instead it is those that surround her that make Buffy what it is. In no particular order: Alyson Hannigan as Willow, Nicholas Brendon as Xander, Emma Caulfield as Anya, David Boreanaz as Angel, Anthony Head as Giles, Seth Green as Oz, Charisma Carpenter as Cordelia, Elisha Dushku as Faith, and James Marsters as Spike. These are characters and experiences that will remain with me long into the future. Joss Whedon is truly the master of character development.
Now to move on to the fifth and final season of Angel. If only Firefly was still on TV…
Tags: angel, buffy, buffy the vampire slayer, David Boreanaz, firefly, joss whedon, Nicholas Brendon, serenity, willow