I had impossibly high expectations for Guardians of the Galaxy. Honestly, I don’t remember ever expecting a movie from Marvel Studios to be so good. With Captain America, Thor, and Iron Man I generally just hope the movie is great, and then I’m thrilled when it exceeds expectations (see: Iron Man 3, Captain America 2: The Winter Soldier), and not altogether depressed when it flounders (see: Iron Man 2). With Guardians, though? I just knew it would be great. This is a surefire way to assure you leave a movie theater disappointed, but amazingly Guardians actually exceeded my high expectations. Even with surprising characterization changes, and a wasted Thanos appearance, Guardians of the Galaxy is the funniest Marvel movie of all, and in my top three favorites. [Read more…] about Guardians of the Galaxy Movie Review! The Best Marvel Movie Yet?
Cosmic Catch-Up: The Beginner’s Guide to Marvel Comics in Space
So you want to get to know Marvel Cosmic, the branch of Marvel comics that expands to the spaceways and includes characters like the Guardians of the Galaxy, Thanos, and Pip the Troll (primarily Pip the Troll). Marvel Studios has made a big deal of introducing the cosmic extension of their universe in this summer’s Guardians of the Galaxy, but there’s plenty of excellent reading you can do to familiarize yourself before the film. Yes, I have a comprehensive modern Marvel cosmic reading guide, and I’ve already covered the essential Guardians of the Galaxy reading, so this guide will focus on larger, more all-encompassing cosmic events. [Read more…] about Cosmic Catch-Up: The Beginner’s Guide to Marvel Comics in Space
2014’s 10 Best Ongoing Comic To Start Reading RIGHT NOW (Mid-Year Edition!)
I’m either more plugged into the new comic book landscape through my reviews over on Capeless Crusader, or 2014 is absurdly impressive in terms of new comic book output. Seems like every week there are a handful of “must-grab” number one issues. This is exciting (tons of good comics!), but also a bit intimidating. Let’s say you’re new to comic book pulllists, or simply on a budget. Where do you start? [Read more…] about 2014’s 10 Best Ongoing Comic To Start Reading RIGHT NOW (Mid-Year Edition!)
Questions of the Week: Super Deluxe Mega Version of Answering Reader Emails!
Normally I like to dive in depth into one question a week, but you guys have been bringing the heat to the point that it’s time for a “Questions of the Week” super post. If you’ve asked a question recently, there’s a pretty good chance it’s in here. And if not, it probably means you’re one of the legions of men and women who keep asking for my phone number. I told you all, this meat is off the market! (because it’s rotten…?) [Read more…] about Questions of the Week: Super Deluxe Mega Version of Answering Reader Emails!
Question of the Week: What Do I Read Between Civil War & Secret Invasion?
I’ve been getting a lot of questions lately about a proper reading order for the period in Marvel history between Civil War and Secret Invasion. It’s almost like you’re saying there’s a gap between January 2007 (when Civil War ends) and June 2008 (when Secret Invasion begins). Sometimes I just don’t understand you guys and gals.
Although World War Hulk falls in between the events, it’s a lot more self-contained of an event with fewer universe-wide implications. This entire time period can probably be best described as “The Initiative,” the period following Civil War with Iron Man’s Superhuman Registration Act in full effect.
So to paraphrase a Twitter question: [Read more…] about Question of the Week: What Do I Read Between Civil War & Secret Invasion?