Category Archives: Featured
How the Casting of the 13th Doctor Made Me Cry
For those of you who don’t know, the BBC announced the casting of the 13th Doctor this afternoon. Because of work travel, I still haven’t seen the end of this season, but it’s been magnificent so far. Ever since the beginning of this Doctor’s run, I knew we were watching something special.
I’m still “relatively” new to Doctor Who, having only started watching 5 years ago. I’ve been trying to keep up with New Who while also watching Classic Who – to varying degrees of success. Because Jon Pertwee is my favorite Classic Doctor, it’s no surprise to me that I have loved every moment of Peter Capaldi’s turn at the helm of the Tardis.
(I also find it fascinating that Microsoft’s autocorrect shows me “Pertwee” and “Capaldi” as spelling errors, it has no problem with “Tardis”)
In any case, for those of you who do not know me well, I have three daughters – triplets actually – who just turned 13. They’ve been watching Doctor Who with me ever since I started. I’ve seen them grow up with Who in the background – ensuring that episodes that were “too scary” weren’t on while they were watching. One out of the three still doesn’t want to see any episodes with the Weeping Angels – she (rightly) thinks they’re too frightening.
I’ve got one daughter who dotes on the 10th and another who loves Matt Smith as 11. I even have one daughter who – due to a stubborn anti-conformity streak – still orders shirts with the 9th Doctor whenever we buy new gear.
Regardless of the fact that we haven’t finished the new season, we all knew that this was Capaldi’s last season and have been talking about his replacement. Because my daughters are huge Harry Potter fans, we’ve been mostly talking about what it would be like if the various actors from that series took on the mantle of the Doctor.
Tonight, it started to “get real” because we knew we were going to see the announcement. Each of my girls started to get her hopes up for what type of Doctor number 13 would be. Old or young? Funny or serious? And, it even came up – boy or girl?
Let me interrupt my own self to give my position on the casting of the 13th Doctor. I watched live for the casting of Capaldi as the 12th Doctor. There was a lot of online vitriol at that time about casting “another white male” as the Doctor.
To be candid, my position tonight when watching the casting news was the same as it was 3 years ago. I just wanted – and I still want – whatever is best for the story. I’ve been a firm believer that – no matter who is cast as The Doctor – all that matters is whether it’s an awesome space-time adventure.
Watching the reveal, I had goosebumps. Walking through the forest / meadow, obviously wearing the 12th Doctor’s clothes, we all knew we were on the verge of a tremendous reveal. Like everyone, we wanted to know who would inherit the key to the Tardis.
When the Doctor pulled back the hood and revealed Jodie Whittaker as the 13th Doctor, my youngest daughter (by 90 seconds, they are triplets after all) jumped out of her seat and shouted “Yes!”
“YES!” Her emotion hit me right in my heart. She was so overjoyed to see the new Doctor.
It was at that moment that I understood how much it meant to her that this character – one that she adored as much as I did – was going to be a strong, female lead for a show we both love. This is a show that has “hit me straight in the feels” multiple times through the Tennant / Smith eras. But this time, it wasn’t just about the show and how it affected me. I could see how much it made a difference for my own daughter and how much happiness she had that the Doctor was just like her.
And, at that moment, I pulled the classic dad move – I pretended I had something in my eye and then proceeded to the bedroom to cry my eyes out. Even typing this now and thinking back on the exact moment, I’m crying like a little baby.
So, while I was ambivalent before the casting, I am thankful that my three daughters are so excited that the Doctor – a character who can literally be any race or gender – is finally a woman.
Good luck to the new creative team. You have high expectations to live up to. Your stories have to be as good – or better than – the previous run. My girls have high expectations of the new Doctor. Please don’t let us down.
For now, I’m planning to watch the Christmas Special with my three girls – and a box of tissues nearby for all the tears of joy I’ll be crying.
Thank you once again Doctor Who, for opening my eyes to the wonders of the universe – and to the emotions in my own home.
– CCG
Casual Comics Preview – Week of March 15, 2017
I’m excited to announce (well, tease more than announce) that we’ve got some big things coming over at the Casual Comics Cast. In the meantime, here are some new comics this week for your consideration.
We’ve had some real bummer weeks in the recent past, so hopefully, by the time I get to the end of this, I’ll have a pick for the Casual Comics Hot Pick of the Week.
Cadmus #1
Nice. Right off the bat, we’ve got a terrific comic.
Cadmus #1 – Writer: Samantha Beck, Art: Samantha Beck, Publisher: Antarctic Press
“Antarctic Press presents a true tale for the ages, a gorgeous retelling of a classic Greek myth. When his sister Europa is kidnapped from his home of Phoenicia, Cadmus is sent by his father to retrieve her. Unable to find her yet forbidden to return without her, his fortunes seem to turn when an oracle reveals how he shall sow the first seeds of a mighty city of his own!”
This is the kind of comic I could really get on board with. I have not heard of Samantha Beck, but she’s really killing it with dynamic art and a can’t miss story. I haven’t read Ovid’s Metamorphoses since college, and I’m really looking forward to revisiting it in this comic.
Death Be Damned #2
Writer: Ben Acker, Art: Hannah Christenson, Publisher: Boom Studios!
This is another book with brilliant art. I wish that the solicit were a little more explicit about the story author Ben Acker is delivering. Read the rest of this entry
Casual Comics Preview – Week of 01/26/2017
While you’re awaiting the next episode of the Casual Comics Cast, here are some of this week’s comics that have me intrigued, interested, and a little bit scared (if I’m honest). So, for the week of January 26, 2017, let’s take a look at some of the new comics.
Hilbilly #5
To be candid, this is the one that has me a little scared.
“A cunning and malevolent creature prowls the night harassing the people of the hills, but Rondel lays in wait to turn the creature’s lust for revenge against him.”
This is the kind of book that intrigues me at the comics shop. It’s from a publisher I’m not familiar with, and it has an attention-grabbing title. And just who (or what) is a Tailypo. It’s also the kind of book that usually proves to be impenetrable to a casual reader, especially one that’s starting at issue #5.
Boundless Comics
Bonus points this week for finding a super-scary publisher. For the first time in my recollection, I’m seeing solicits from something called “Boundless Comics”. I’m just going to leave this list of their titles for the week here…
Belladonna #4 (Matt Martin Shield Maiden Cover), $5.99
Belladonna #4 (Nahuel Lopez Regular Cover), $5.99
Belladonna #4 (Nahuel Lopez Wraparound Cover), $5.99
Belladonna #4 (Raulo Caceres Blood Lust Cover), $5.99
Belladonna #4 (Renato Camilo Killer Body Cover), $5.99
Hellina #1 (Of 3)(Raulo Caceres Kickstarter Sacrilege Cover), $9.99
Hellina #1 (Of 3)(Ron Adrian Whipcracker Cover), $9.99
Hellina #2 And #3 Kickstarter Set, $12.99
Jungle Fantasy Ivory #1 (Raulo Caceres Kickstarter Natural Beauty Cover), $9.99
Jungle Fantasy Ivory #1 (Renato Camilo Kickstarter Reward Cover), $9.99
Jungle Fantasy Ivory #4 (Costume Change Set), $19.99
Jungle Fantasy Ivory #5 (Costume Change Set), $19.99
Lookers #0 (Century Bikini Set), $149.99
Lookers #0 (Kickstarter Costume Change Set), $39.99
Lookers #0 (Matt Martin Kickstarter Sultry Cover), $6.99
Ravening #1 (Of 4)(Christian Zanier Kickstarter Reward Cover), $9.99
Ravening #1 (Of 4)(Kickstarter Costume Change Set), $36.99
Ravening #1 (Of 4)(Raulo Caceres Kickstarter Temptation Cover), $9.99
Ravening #2 (Of 4)(Gabriel Andrade Kickstarter Goth Deco Cover), $9.99
Unholy #1 (Christian Zanier POV Cover), $5.99
Unholy #1 (Christian Zanier Wraparound Cover), $5.99
Unholy #1 (Ignacio Calero Regular Cover), $5.99
Unholy #1 (Jontas Stunning Cover), $5.99
Unholy #1 (Matt Martin Femme Fatales Cover)
These are the comics that give comics a bad name. Usually I post a cover, but my kids read this blog. I literally cannot take my daughters to shops that put these titles on the rack. Running down the list, I can only imagine what dark corridors of Kickstarter I have somehow managed to avoid.
Zombie Tramp #31
Based on the title? Pass…
Based on the cover? Pass…
(These are the tribulations of a casual comics fan… The amount of trash you have to wade through to get to any kind of quality comics. And if you don’t believe me, look at the “variant covers” of this comic.)
Kamandi Challenge #1
So far, so depressing. So what’s this?
I only know of Kamandi because of KenzerCo’s “The Knights of the Dinner Table”. Because of what I learned there, plus that this is the first issue of a new series, I may actually check this one out.
When they were writing about it, they were referring to comics like this blast from the past.
So what’s happening with Kamandi today?
Let’s see what the solicit says:
“Prepare to take part in one of the greatest adventures from the infinite future of the DC Universe, and join the industry’s top creative teams in a round-robin, no-holds-barred, storytelling extravaganza titled THE KAMANDI CHALLENGE! Born from the mind of Jack ‘King’ Kirby, the post apocalyptic Earth of Kamandi has been a fan favorite for decades, and now 14 intrepid teams of writers and artists build on this incredible foundation and take the title character on an epic quest to find his long-lost parents and travel to places seen and unseen in the DC Universe. Each issue will end with an unimaginable cliffhanger, and it’s up to the next creative team to resolve it before creating their own. It’s a challenge worthy of ‘The King’ himself! In this premiere issue, the Last Boy on Earth is dragged from his safe haven by a group of tigers, only to face the nightmarish threat of the ultimate weapon! RATED T”
So many words I love… “infinite future”, “round-robin”, “no-holds-barred”, “extravaganza”, “incredible foundation”, “epic quest”, “long-lost parents”, “unimaginable cliffhanger”, “nightmarish threat”, ultimate weapon”…
It’s like they fed 40 years of comic descriptions into a database and asked Watson to come up with a perfect comic book pitch. But, wait, there’s more…
Distracted by the fanciful description, I almost missed the fact that this is a serialized story that is passed from one team to the next – issue-to-issue…
This will either be a spectacular event or (more likely) a glorious trainwreck. Either way, I’m in. So, Kamandi Challenge #1 is the official Casual Comics “Hot Pick” of the week!
Boy – this week was a bit of a downer. After I slogged through the first batch, my soul was deadened and all I could see on my screen was “Micronauts”, blahblahblah, “My Little Pony”, blahblahblah, “Jem and the Holograms”, blahblahblah, “Thanos #3” – why is there a Thanos comic and how is it already on issue #3…?
So, it was a bit of a dark time…
The plan is for us to record a new podcast and have it in your ears in the next week (or so). I promise the mood will be lighter by then.
Cheers!
– CCG
Another Casual Comics Cast now Available
The new Casual Comics Cast is online. We’re getting more timely – these comics just came out this week!
On the new cast, we discuss:
Justice League #11
Deadpool and the Mercs for Money #6
Silver Surfer #8: ‘Microcosmic’
Klaus and the Witch of Winter – One Shot!
Enjoy the comics cast, and let us know what you think! We need someone to explain Galactus to us…
https://podomatic.com/embed/html5/episode/8298679?autoplay=false
Casual Comics Preview Podcast – Week of November 30, 2016
Now we’re cooking… This just in, Mo and I covered the four most interesting titles coming out for the week of November 30, 2016.
The titles we discuss are:
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #64
Batman Detective Comics Trade Paperback Vol. 08: Blood Of Heroes?
Doctor Strange Sorcerers Supreme #1 (Second Printing)
Mighty Thor Premium Hardcover volume 2: Lords of Midgard
Also, sadly, I try and recall which day of the week is New Comics Day.
https://podomatic.com/embed/html5/episode/8272106?autoplay=false
Enjoy!
– CCG
Casual Comics Cast Episode 1: Now Live!
Where did the time go? I thought that I’d take a “short break” to put up a podcast. Little did I know how long it would take to get one up and running. However, thanks to the best co-host (and announcer) in the business, Episode 1 of the Casual Comics Cast is now live.
https://podomatic.com/embed/html5/episode/8260448?autoplay=false
Check it out… and all comments are welcome in the webzone below!
Casual Comics Cast
You might ask yourself where I’ve been since the last update. I’ve been asking myself the same question.
Part of the answer is this – I’ve been working on a new podcast!
The other 90% is laughing at old DC comics panels out of context.
Here’s “episode zero” of the new “Casual Comics Cast”, created with my co-host Mo.
A little bit about the podcast:
As you know, I know a lot about a very little cross-section of comics culture – Marvel comics, especially from the 80s and 90s, comic book movies and TV, and whatever I luck across on the comics racks on the occasions when I do get to hit the local comic book shop.
Mo knows even less – but she really wants to learn. So here’s the question… can someone who is really new to comics – including the movies and TV shows – get “into” comics, or is it still too exclusive and difficult to navigate?
We’ll explore a multitude of topics, but we’d love your comments and feedback on our pilot, wherein we try and figure out how to make a podcast a thing while also talking about the trailer for “Suicide Squad”.
Click here to listen to Episode Zero!
Please post comments below. We’re looking for your help in shaping the future of the podcast.
Thanks!
- CCG
Marvel Fans! Nathan Fillion is… ?
Marvel movie fans, here’s some great news. We all just got some casting news that (if you’re not) you should be very excited for.
Even more excited than you were for Captain Hammer
Nathan Fillion is Simon Williams. (I’m listening for the resounding… “Who?”)
He’s this guy, right here…
Anyone following me knows that I am madly in love with the Vision and Scarlet Witch series from the 80s/90s.
Simon Williams was also known as “Wonder Man”. This is going to get complicated, but stay with me. In the comics:
- The original Human Torch (an android) “died
- His body was snatched up by Ultron (from Avengers: Age of Ultron fame)
- Ultron used the body of the Human Torch to create an offspring – for the mind, he used the recently deceased Power Man (aka Simon Williams)
Then they became total SRDB4L (Synethezoid resurrected dude bros for life)
So, it sounds like we’re going deeper into the history of the Vision and the Scarlet Witch. Hopefully, this all leads to the sitcom (on ABC) that this dysfunctional family deserves.
In the meantime, I’m hoping they find Nathan Fillion some sweet, ruby-colored shades like these.
Keep it frosty, folks!
- CCG
The Ultimate Guardians of the Galaxy Easter Egg Revealed
For months, James Gunn has been quotes as saying that there’s a Guardians of the Galaxy easter egg that no one has yet found. Check out the following headlines:
James Gunn: No One Found That ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Easter Egg |
And, when asked about if/when it would be revealed, Gunn said that he hopes no one ever uncovers it.
No. I don’t want people to find it. https://t.co/xTn4yGPFTX
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) November 12, 2015
But, those stories aren’t 100% accurate. The super-secret Guardians easter egg was revealed long ago – Gunn just hasn’t acknowledged it yet.
What is the easter egg in the Guardians of the Galaxy that no one is talking about? Check out this still right here.
Not too long after the still appeared online, there was speculation that this being trapped by The Collector (over there, on the right – the one in orange) was Beta Ray Bill. Gunn quickly debunked that theory, but he strangely didn’t divulge who this mysterious being was. Marvel fans who scoured every nook and cranny of scenes in The Collector’s trophy gallery never followed up on this lead. Read the rest of this entry
The Vision #1 – Best Comic of the Year (so far)
Between moving my family across the country and taking care of a few side projects, I’ve been neglecting this blog. But, in addition to all the personal business, there just hasn’t been that much for a casual comics fan to rave about. Until now, that is…
The first issue of “The Vision” is a revelation. This single issue is the epitome of what a superhero / sci-fi comic can be – twisting what we think we know about heroes to create a mind-bending, thought-provoking, and slightly creepy tale.
The Vision #1. Writer: Tom King; Artist: Gabriel Hernandez Walta. Marvel Comics.
I’m not sure what people who only know of the character from Avengers: Age of Ultron will make of this book. It’s tough to say what the title can become, but one issue in it’s definitely not a standard superhero adventure book. Read the rest of this entry
