daredeville

@FadeToBlackBolt said:

@The Dark Huntress said:

@ReVamp said:

@The Dark Huntress said:

@CapFanboy said:

@The Dark Huntress said:

I LOVE Black Bolt. King BAMF.

I used to and then he came back to life and started this whole 5 brides thing with "universal inhumans" and I just hate it.

Ooooooooooh. Yeah, I haven't read any of that.

Is this RoK?

(Cosmic Marvel noob here)

Nope, Future Foundation, if I'm not mistaken. I've read RoK and WoK and Emperor Vulcan and that never happened in any of those.

Black Bolt is amazing, and the only reason for the terribleness of his current FF stuff is because bloody DnA Bendis'd* the character into oblivion. *To Bendis; To completely destroy a character with PIS so immense that it actually causes miniature Universes to collapse in on themselves.

I thought DnA did a great job with Black Bolt and the Inhumans. I loved them leading the Kree, and the development of Crystal and Ronan's relationship. From their marriage being a necessity to them actually falling for each other has been quite lovely. Black Bolt "dying" was sad, but of course we knew you can't kill that guy..! If minor characters don't stay dead, there's no way you kill the King of the Inhumans, and such a big fan favorite...

I don't like the FF stuff as much because Black Bolt just comes back out of nowhere, and they abandon the Kree, and fly right back to the Moon... it was a little sudden and felt like Hickman just wanted to ignore DnA's stories and alter things to fit his plans. He's usually a pretty tight writer, but this bothered me. The multiple brides is just dumb to me personally. Totally doesn't seem like a Black Bolt kind of thing. He's a one-woman man. How can he have such a strong bond with Medusa to the point that she knows what his kingly orders are if he is dividing his loving up with all these other women.. and then for them all to have the tuning forks on their heads seems silly.. it's not a crown, just a Jack Kirby design choice. Medusa doesn't have one, but Lockjaw does... So does that make Lockjaw Black Bolt's wife...?

In the end, I trust Hickman will write a good story, but I don't like how he's pushed around my Inhumans thus far.

@chipsnopotatoes: Meh. Even if this did feature Batman, I don't think it would have sold that well. Dark Knight Strikes Again was really weak, as was All-Star.. I think a lot of people would have skipped out.

...Although, I would have loved to have seen Kate Beaton's Hark A Vagrant! still make number one selling graphic novel for September and beat a Frank Miller Batman story at the same time..! That would have been pretty cool.

@DefaultProphet said:

Making the terrorist hide-out a Mosque? That was pretty bold and more than a little bit offensive.

Uh....More like realistic within region. Not saying all Mosques or even Mosques in American/Europe/Etc but in the Middle East? It's definitely happened before

Perhaps. But who runs the mosque they are hiding in? Do you think a holy person living in a country that has trouble with the building of a mosque anywhere near Ground Zero would take the risk to harbor terrorists..? The actually devout Muslims believe in peace and to do no harm. Islamic extremists shouldn't even be called Islamic. They're simply hate-mongers and spreaders of violence.

I don't mean to jump on your point, because I am sure it is true that it has happened in the Middle East. But, I don't think the people who actually ran any mosque, who were actual devout Muslims would have allowed such violent people to stay in a place of worship unless they were being threatened.

I don't know the context in which the characters in this story are hiding in the mosque. Perhaps they threatened or killed those that run the place, but from Babs' impressions of the book not depicting any peaceful Muslims, I am assuming that this is not the case. So what could be transpiring in the book is that the Muslims who run the mosque are allowing these terrorists to squat there. And that's what is offensive, that Miller is painting a place of worship and peace as a breading ground for violence that represents their community in a bad light. Not to mention that mosques are probably the number one place that the NSA keeps an eye on, whether there would be any chance of terrorists being affiliated with the establishment or not.

So I believe Babs' point is that Miller is painting Muslims with a large brush. We only see Muslims portrayed in a negative light, and none who have views counter to what these terrorists are doing. In addition, what is also an issue is that these extremists exist and we as a country still worry about. To use them in the story only feeds the fear and hatred towards Muslims as a group because it does not offer any understanding of how diverse this group of people is. Miller labels it as piece of propaganda, and to do so only makes matters worse, because even if he wanted to tell a little piece of fiction and handle it how he likes, he is now identifying his book as something that is supposed to offer some amount of patriotism and a rallying point for people who may take out their anger on Islam as a whole. By taking this position Miller he is giving the story specific purpose, and at the same time eschewing responsibility for the lopsided representation. That is where the problem is.

@Babs: I'm tagging you in this post too because I'm curious about the situation that the terrorists came to use the mosque as their base of operations. I talk more about my impression above, if you feel like discussing this whole thing any further, as it looks like you are having to respond to enough already. :P

@n25philly: Yeah, I think that is the way to go. No only is it on level of scariness, I think it is also on the level of understanding what is happening and being able to "get" that and appreciate it in addition to not be (too) afraid.

Glad I could help!

Nice little write-up, Tom. I'll have to go back and check out your X-Men and Spider-Man articles too.

You are right that this show gets more love from our community, but I feel like it doesn't get as much from the entertainment community at large. It did win Emmys and various other awards, and really launch Paul Dini and Bruce Timm's careers, but when people list their favorite series, this doesn't often make it in the same breath as Seinfeld, Lost, etc. And among other cartoons, it is always the comedies, which is something you talk about. People will always say their favorites are the Matt Groening or Seth McFarland shows or South Park, sometimes Archer or Venture Bros., but BAS doesn't get listed the same way. It's too bad.

This just got me thinking – did you watch The New Adventures of Johnny Quest? My brother and I loved that one...

Also, I still hold strong to my believe that Kevin Conroy is the best Batman ever. He gets the character so well, and balances his Batman and Bruce Wayne voices expertly (he even has been quoted talking about how Bruce Wayne is the "mask" and Batman is who this man truly is). Mark Hamill is tied as my favorite Joker with Heath Ledger, as they are two different – but equally brilliant – interpretations.

@n25philly: Definitely Super Hero Squad for that age. They'll love it. I'd wait until the older one is 7 or 8 years old. They may get it now, but it could also scare them. The five year old might be able to watch it, but the two year old might not even sit through it because the pacing is a little slower in order to establish mood, and at that age his attention span would be better suited to Super Hero Squad. I'd say at 7 or 8, the older one will love it. And by then the younger one will be 4 or 5 and should be able to attend for longer on something like that. And if his big brother is loving it, he will too.

Parts could be a little scary, like I said, but around 7 or 8 it should be fine. Just don't show them the animated movies. I haven't seen Mask of the Phantasm or Sub-Zero in a long time, but I remember the Batman Beyond movie Return of the Joker was really dark, so avoid that until they are at least 10 or so.

Of course, check for yourself and with the family. I'd say in order of content maturity, it goes like this: Super Hero Squad -> Spider-Man (90's) -> X-Men (90's) -> Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes -> Batman Animated Series. Avengers you very likely show before at least X-Men, but you'd have to check watch it yourself. It's an excellent show, but right now I'm just blanking on the scariness/maturity of the content.

I think Jackman is also just trying to keep the next Wolverine movie alive. Which is fine, but little news stories like this make me think that.

As long as it has a good script and direction/editing, it could be G for all I care. The R-rating does open things up considerably, however. Most likely for gore and some language. Silver Samurai, Lady Deathstrike...? Yes please.

@danhimself: I dunno, this is a Joss Whedon production, and character-driven story is his thing, so we may have some. Hawkeye at least has to be introduced (I hope in a pre-credits sequence dealing with his and Black Widow's old team-ups).

As far as analyzing the trailer, those purple laser blasts look pretty Skrull-y to me! Or Thanos-y... both of them like their purple. And Loki's scepter in Thor blasted yellow I believe..? And in this trailer it blasts blue.. so methinks the purple = a third party.

Black Widow putting the moves on that thug: She appears to possibly be in a dress of some kind. She definitely has stockings on, so this could be some sort of covert infiltration gig..? Possibly related to an early sequence in the film introducing Hawkeye or bringing in Banner...? I don't think Loki will be holding any galas that need to be crashed for her to dress this way.

I love how Loki's eyebrows look in that first scene... creepy.

Most likely a Quinjet.

The Avengers will probably have to take down Hulk at some point... especially to even get Banner to the Helicarrier.

It's a good point about the whole Skrull shapeshifting thing that I completely didn't think of until you mentioned it. They could be among people the whole time and we wouldn't know it, so many of the humans could in fact be Skrulls, as could the Avengers themselves... ooh.. that'll make for fun surprises in the third act.

Also, remember we have the whole Cosmic Cube issue. It was last seen sucking the Red Skull into outer space or somewhere, and then in a briefcase being eyed by Loki... so we know it will factor in somehow. And the good doctor Skarsgard is also in the cast, so he has connection to the Cube, and from that post-credits Thor scene, he may be being influenced by Loki...

...and Loki is a manipulator, so he's got to be getting reinforcements from somewhere... calling in the Skrulls..? Bringing back Red Skull...? Calling in a certain Infinity Gauntlet harbinger of doom..?

@weaponmaster said:

@daredeville said:

Also, this trailer is looking good... Such a nice little tease. I love the Loki voiceover: "You were made... to be ruled."

Definitely has me excited for the Avengers panel at NYCC this Saturday...! I wanna give Chris Evans a high-five. And I'm stoked to see Renner as Hawkeye.

@weaponmaster: I'm really hoping that they get a Black Panther film up and running after the Avengers movie, and then we get him in the sequel. Along with Hank Pym and Wasp. And they fight Ultron.. and then in the third one we have Vision... oh the possibilities..

In the meantime, have you watched Avengers Earth's Mightiest Heroes..? The most recent Avengers cartoon..? Cuz, man is it good. Black Panther is awesome in it.

That would be awesome if they did all of that Especiall BP, Ultron and Vision. Wonder man would be cool too...It would be great seeing the Count Nefaria story where Nefaria gained powers also.

I have watched all of the episodes of Avenger EMH and youre right Black panther is awesome in them except for the episodes where he doesnt talk or do anything useful but other than that they are great. The new season hasn't started yet has it?

Nope, I don't believe it has. I'm pretty sure it starts either later this month or in November. I'll be at NYCC this weekend, so I can tell you more for sure after that. The DVD of the first season had a teaser for the second season, the best transfer of which I've found is here: http://youtu.be/KLtGS4qcc_A It's looking great. Ms. Marvel, Vision... Some sweet looking storylines.. plus, coolest of all: Guardians of the Galaxy will be showing up.

Yeah it would be pretty cool if they worked in Doctor Strange too... I could see Luke Cage coming in eventually, he'd be pretty easy to do (especially if played by Idris Elba). I just wouldn't want it to go too "New Avengers-y" or Ultimates. I want it to stick to Avengers proper. Like get the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver in there eventually... hoo boy. I think we can at least count on seeing BP, Wasp, Hank Pym (in some form or another), and Ms. Marvel in some sequel or another. Especially the ladies, we've only got one as it is. Crystal might have a chance down the road if they develop a Inhumans movie, that way there is a tie-in. Captain Marvel would also serve the same purpose to the integrate cosmic films... as of course, would Thanos... Okay, now I'm nerding out a bit.

I never read the Count Nefaria story, where is that one..? Oh and before Avengers EMH starts, you can always watch Super Hero Squad, which is pretty funny. Man-Thing and Werewolf-by-Night were in it last week!

Also, this trailer is looking good... Such a nice little tease. I love the Loki voiceover: "You were made... to be ruled."

Definitely has me excited for the Avengers panel at NYCC this Saturday...! I wanna give Chris Evans a high-five. And I'm stoked to see Renner as Hawkeye.

@weaponmaster: I'm really hoping that they get a Black Panther film up and running after the Avengers movie, and then we get him in the sequel. Along with Hank Pym and Wasp. And they fight Ultron.. and then in the third one we have Vision... oh the possibilities..

In the meantime, have you watched Avengers Earth's Mightiest Heroes..? The most recent Avengers cartoon..? Cuz, man is it good. Black Panther is awesome in it.