It's been four days since Marvel released Captain America #25 (http://search.ebay.com/captain-america-25_W0QQfkrZ1QQfnuZ1), the "death" issue of Steve Rogers, the Orginal Captain America (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17534644/site/newsweek/?from=rss). I haven't collected current comic releases in years (with the exception of this year wherein I solicited Marvel Comics New Universal line (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newuniversal) and IDW's five-issue comic book miniseries entitled Scarface: Scarred for Life (http://www.idwpublishing.com/titles/scarface.shtml) and initially I wasn't even sure if I should buy this issue--because in comics--no one ever truly stays dead (See: 1993's Death of Superman which included a long procession, mourning, etc.)

I haven't collected current comic releases in years (with the exception of this year wherein I solicited Marvel Comics New Universal line (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newuniversal) and IDW's five-issue comic book miniseries entitled Scarface: Scarred for Life (http://www.idwpublishing.com/titles/scarface.shtml) and initially I wasn't even sure if I should buy this issue--because in comics--no one ever truly stays dead (See: 1993's Death of Superman which included a long procession, mourning, etc.)

However, Captain America has been my hero since I was 12. The late Captain America writer Mark Gruenwald's (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Gruenwald) stories really brought life to the character and made me a fan for life despite having eventually moved on to other interests.

So, where was I when Captain America died? I'd love to say something more profound but I was just on the way to dinner and a movie (Frank Miller's 300) with my Dad and Brother.

Despite not having read the Captain America #25 issue, I've head so much about the details surrounding his death. He didn't die in a blaze of glory (like saving the world), instead he was handcuffed coming from an arraignment and shot in broad daylight. Cap has saved the world on countless occasions and dogged more bullets, swords, poisoned spikes, etc than I can count and he goes out like a lame duck. Nice.

Currently, there is a lot of hype over the now sold out Captain America #25. It's sold out in the States and even here in Manila. Believe me, I checked. I went everywhere from Glorietta in Makati to Festival Mall in Muntinlupa. I made calls to stores in Pasay, Ortigas, and Manila. On eBay, the issues and their variants are going for as much as $200.

However that could all change in the next couple of weeks as Marvel Comics has announced plans for a second printing of the issue. This move should stick it to all the horders trying to make a buck out of this dark day in comics history

Adios mi heroe, gracias por memoria!

To date, Spider-Man III has not only raked in more than its predecessor—Spider-Man II—in terms of gate receipts, it’s also been fairly consistent in another area—the concept of a secret identity. With respect to Sam Raimi’s cinematic vision, the definition of a secret identity is well, “a secret.” It’s an alter ego that allows you to have some semblance of a normal life away from the perils and tribulations of crime fighting and its equivalent (should you be a bad guy) crime.

In Spider-Man III, isn’t it funny that all of Spider-Man’s foes seem to know who he is? Let’s break them down: Harry Osborn discovered that Peter was Spider-Man when he unmasked the former with the assistance of Doctor Octopus in Spider-Man II (This set the stage for The New Goblin and his ultra-cool Sky Stick!); Eddie Brock, Jr., the humiliated plagiarizer witnessed Peter divest himself of the alien costume. And if he didn’t get the connection between Peter and Spider-Man then, bonding with the Alien costume brought that information to Brock’s attention as once the symbiote bonds with a host, they share their respective experiences with one another. Lastly, The Sandman, who happened to be at “the right place at the right time” when he saw an unmasked Spider-Man dealing with Venom at the construction site.

Spider-Man and Spider-Man II also followed similar patterns when Norman Osborn (The Green Goblin) surmised the identity of Spider-Man after he saw the cut on Parker’s arm. As for Dr. Octopus, Peter Parker volunteered his identity in Spider-Man II in order to elicit the help of Dr. Octopus in stopping his unstable mechanical creation. The rate this is going, the “Spidey Suit” would be more symbolic than a means of concealing his true identity in order to protect the lives of those he cares about the most (e.g., Aunt May, Mary Jane Watson).

However, this line of thinking has become a “reality” in current Marvel Comics continuity as Peter Parker no longer has a secret identity when he unmasked himself to the world (to CNN no less!) and shared this message, “My name is Peter Parker and I’ve been Spider-Man since I was 15 years old.” That of course, is another story.

Overall, I’d give Spider-Man III a 4-of-5 stars rating. It was a 2 hour and 20 minute film full of aerial confrontations, convenient storylines, friendship, love, and a whole lot of apologies. But it was FUN! I just wish they explored the character of Harry Osborn (James Franco) a bit more since the buildup of “Harry” in the first two Spider-Man films was epic. Oh well! A fan can’t get everything, but this film was worth the wait and price of admission.