Blog Archives
Marvel’s Multiverse of Madness / House of M
With the premiere of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness rapidly approaching, we thought it was high-time to take a deep breath and reflect on the Marvel Multiverse – what is it, what’s led up to this point, and where might it be going?
On our latest podcast, we’re discussing –
Marvel’s What If… – A quick series overview, including which episodes are a great entry point into the series for those who have never seen it and which episodes are the absolute essentials if you’re going to see Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Most Important Variants in the Multiverse
By now, even Casual Marvel fans have heard of the main universe in Marvel continuity – Earth 616. But, what are the other variants that the MCU has explored already – both in television and film? And which are the ones that are key to the future of the MCU? Marvel Zombies – check!
House of M – An in-depth (grab a beverage and sit back to relax, it’s like 25 minutes) review and recap of the seminal comics event from Marvel. This Scarlet Witch centric mini-series takes place on Earth-58163 (see what we mean about the “most important variants in the multiverse”). The series from Brian Michael Bendis, originally published in 2005 introduces a multitude of storylines that will definitely influence not only the Doctor Strange film, but also Wanda’s overall arc and key role in the next Phase of the MCU. You’re going to want to know the basics of House of M and Earth-58163 to get the maximum / Maximoff from these movies!
So, settle in and join us as we dive into MARVEL’S MULTIVERSE!
Comic Books for Casual Readers: Death of Dr. Strange + One Star Squadron
If you are interested in comic book, but overwhelmed by the selection at your local comic book shop or online, you’re not alone. Starting out (or re-starting after some time away from the hobby) is intimidating. With most Marvel and DC titles having decades of continuity, it can be hard to know where to jump in.
Recently, we’ve been covering more titles that we hope are good starting points for casual comics readers. We’re reading new comics and offering reviews from comic book newcomers and novices to help you answer the question “What’s a good comic book for casual readers”?
On this episode, we are reviewing two titles:
Death of Dr. Strange #1 (Marvel Comics)
Written by: Jed Mackay
One Star Squadron #1 (DC Comics)
Written by: Mark Russell
We discuss not just how good and fun these comics are, but how much will new readers be able to enjoy the books. You can listen to the Casual Comics Cast on your favorite streaming platform, or at the link below.
https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/casualcomicsguy
We hope you’ll join us!
- CCG
Marvel’s SECRET WARS, Love and Capes, and more
Hey, friends –
If you’re wondering what comics to read during quarantine, we’re here for you. Until there are new comics, we’re going back through the Comixology library to find comics to read while you’ve got free time.
Listen to the podcast here –
https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/casualcomicsguy/episodes/2020-04-20T14_57_49-07_00
This week, we’re discussing two awesome titles:
Love and Capes – By Thomas Zahler, published by IDW.
The “Heroically Super Situation Comedy” that was nominated for two Harvey awards.
And, Marvel’s Secret Wars – the game-changing 1985 superhero/supervillain crossover that re-invigorated superhero comics in the 80’s. This is the first part of a four-part series where we will be covering the entire Marvel epic that includes Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America, Thor, She-Hulk, Captain Marvel (no, not that one), the X-men, the Fantastic 4, and pretty much every Marvel hero or villain worth discussing in the 80s.
(And in Casual Comics Theater, you will hear this panel through the magic of audio engineering from Jeff)
Sit back, relax, and enjoy.
Cheers!
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 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
The New (Netflix) Daredevil Costume
Are you kidding me?
At New York Comic Con, Marvel released the first official images of Charlie Cox from the upcoming Daredevil Series. You gotta be kidding me. I just have one question:
This is not a joke, by the way. Marvel claims the costume was inspired by the Frank Miller and John Romita, Jr. run Daredevil: The Man Without Fear.
I was so psyched for this series. Bad call, people. Fix it… please…
– CCG
The Official Casual Best Comic Book Duos of All Time
So, it’s not a comic book. It’s my blog and I’ll put up photos of Doctor Who if I feel like it.
I’ve showered a heap of love on one particular comic book couple since I started casually commenting on comics. In the week leading up to Valentine’s Day, I spent a bit of time (OK, way too much time) thinking about my favorite comic book duos. As always, additional comments or suggestions are welcome.
Here’s my frame of reference for defining the greatest twosomes to grace the pages of comic books:
- I’m looking almost exclusively at guy/girl duos in comic books. Like I said, Valentine’s Day got me thinking about the topic. Whichever way the wind blows for you, it’s all good. That’s just my frame of reference.
- I’m thinking mostly of duos that functioned as a self-contained team, or at least teamed up regularly enough that they’re linked in my mind.
- Romance not required, but the possibility of romance certainly helped some duos jump up in the rankings.
Let me start with some also-rans that fell off the list for various reasons:
Sue Storm / Reed Richards
In my youth, these two were the “first couple” of the Marvel Universe.
Way to dress up for the occasion, Reed.
They lost too many points for the following: Read the rest of this entry
Marvel’s Madness infects Hasbro with “Super Hero Mashers” Toys
Hey, comics fans. Ever wanted an action figure that looked just like Hulk, but with Hawkeye’s head and Spider Man’s hands?
Neither has anyone I’ve ever met (or want to meet). That hasn’t stopped Hasbro from releasing what is, literally, the most puzzling toy release of 2014 (so far) – Super Hero Mashups.
There’s a pretty good write up over at Comics Alliance with all the details, except one. Who would actually want these figures/toys?
I mean, just look at how awful the mashed up heroes in the Super Hero Mashers toy line look on the box art. Because they’re going to look even worse in your home.
Super Hero Mashers. To recreate that scene in the comic where The Hulk wears Spider Man’s mask and Captain America’s shirt, I guess?
I haven’t covered a lot of toys on this blog, so I can’t tell you where it ranks, weirdness-wise, against last year’s toys. But, this one really took me by surprise.
They’ve got photos of all the rest of the figures in the line over at Comics Alliance. I can’t tell from the review whether they were:
a. In a hurry
b. Being sarcastic
c. In receipt of a bunch of free toys
Because their write-up seems, well, nonplussed over the whole line of toys.
– CCG
Cast Photo from Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Looks Pretty Awesome
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy movie has had me skeptical since its announcement. I’ve never been a huge fan of the Marvel “Cosmic” heroes, even though I always wanted to like Nova really badly when I was in junior high. His uniform was just too cool.
It was totally boss as people (in movies) used to say back in the 80s.
Plus, I reviewed a recent issue of Guardians of the Galaxy back in August an was a bit underwhelmed.
But with this new, pretty awesome, photo of the Guardians of the Galaxy lineup, I’m starting to warm up to the concept.
Can you point out which one of these people you saw digging through your trashcans last night, Ma’am?
I really like Chris Pratt on “Parks and Rec” and think his casting as “Star-Lord”, is inspired. And, I’m in the middle of Doctor Who series 6, so I’m still a head over heels swooning fanboy for Karen Gillan, who has green skin this time out.
Here’s the official description of the movie.
“From Marvel, the studio that brought you the global blockbuster franchises of Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and The Avengers, comes a new team — the Guardians of the Galaxy. An action-packed, epic space adventure, Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the cosmos, where brash adventurer Peter Quill finds himself the object of an unrelenting bounty hunt after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the entire universe. To evade the ever-persistent Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with a quartet of disparate misfits — Rocket, a gun-toting raccoon, Groot, a tree-like humanoid, the deadly and enigmatic Gamora and the revenge-driven Drax the Destroyer. But when Peter discovers the true power of the orb and the menace it poses to the cosmos, he must do his best to rally his ragtag rivals for a last, desperate stand — with the galaxy’s fate in the blanace. Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” is presented by Marvel Studios. The film releases August 1, 2014, and is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.”
It still sounds pretty confusing, but I’ll reserve further judgement until the trailer hits.
– CCG
Digital Comics Deal – Marvel’s Age of Ultron 75% off
Hey, there casual comics fans. Need to catch up on the Age of Ultron series before Avengers 2: Age of Ultron hits the big screen next summer? For a limited time, Marvel is selling the entire Age of Ultron miniseries for 99 cents per issue.
That’s right all 11 issues in this 10-issue miniseries (drat you, Marvel, and your accursed numbering scheme) are $3 off – a savings of $33 if you buy the whole series. But the deal ends at 11 pm Eastern on January 2. Check out the details at:
http://comicstore.marvel.com/Age-of-Ultron-Sale/comics-collection/2262
Issue “10AI” throws off the whole numbering scheme…
– CCG
Casual Comics Guy 