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  • The End of an Era: Our Spoiler-Free Avengers Endgame Review

    The End of an Era: Our Spoiler-Free Avengers Endgame Review

    When Robert Downey Jr. first took on the role of Iron Man back in the halcyon days of 2008, there were questions. Could this former addict really be the figurehead for a media franchise? Could Iron Man, a D-List hero at best, carry the weight of his own movie? And, importantly, could Marvel craft a compelling cinematic universe without access to the X-Men or Spider-Man, their A-List characters?

    The short answers to these questions are clear when you look at just how massive Avengers Endgame is. Scale, alone, should indicate that these movies have become a big deal. Just look at the hype surrounding this movie to see how much audiences have connected with Marvel’s ragtag bunch of superheroes.

    Super Characters

    At the end of the day, the Marvel films have always been about characters. The action setpieces are wonderful, but they aren’t what gets you in the door. Captain America’s super strength is awesome, but its his big heart and clear leadership that make him such an endearing character. Thor is mighty, but its his humor that makes him super. Iron Man is a genius, but his quick wit and big heart make him a star.

    Endgame has these character-driven moments that make the MCU tick in droves. Screenwriters Markus and McFeely know what makes these characters endearing, and the Russos direct the actors to some of the best performances of their careers.

    Poetry in Motion

    One of the most surprising things about Endgame is just how final it all feels. Of course, there will be more Marvel films. However, this film wraps up some of the major characters of the MCU in a way that is poetic and fitting. For fans that have been following these films for more than a decade, it’s quite moving to see things come to such a clean conclusion.

    In fact, the film is stuffed to the gills with subtle callbacks and in-jokes for long-time fans. The three-hour runtime moves by at a fast clip, easily earning its stay. Only a few scenes feel like they could have been trimmed off of the theatrical cut, and even then, it’s easy to see why the directors chose to keep them in.

    Bottom Line

    If you’ve got even a passing interest in the Avengers or the fate of the MCU post-Thanos Snap, you owe it to yourself to see this movie. It’s a truly baffling achievement, bigger than anything that’s come before it, and sure to blow everyone away. In short, this is a marvel of a film, and a touching capstone to a huge franchise.

  • Kevin Feige: There’s No Good Time to Pee During Avengers Endgame

    Kevin Feige: There’s No Good Time to Pee During Avengers Endgame

    Once fans found out that the highly-anticipated Avengers Endgame was going to be over three hours long, some began to worry. If the film is that long, will there be an intermission? Of course, this being a modern blockbuster, there will be no such downtime. So, when should the discerning fan go to pee?

    According to Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige, there is no good time to duck out and hit the head. Speaking during a press junket in advance of the film’s release, Feige elaborated on how Marvel makes its movies.

    Kevin Feige on Bathroom Breaks

    “What I’ve always said is a movie is as long as it should be,” Feige stated during the press junket. “And we are not fans of overindulging movies. We are not fans of laborious lengths for no reason. We are fans of movies that you wish didn’t end. Movies that you want to see again as soon as it’s over. And movies that you just don’t ever find a good time to run out to the bathroom.

    “That’s when a movie’s working. And if a movie doesn’t feel like that to us, we continue to trim, we continue to shape, we continue to bring that time down. That happened to a certain extent on this movie. But we got to a point where it feels very exciting and goes by very quickly and in the end is the perfect length. And everybody that saw the movie felt the same way.”

    Our Advice

    If you’re planning on going to see the end of the Infinity Saga of Marvel’s Cinematic Universe this weekend, we’ve got some advice. Firstly, you could choose to just not bring a drink into the theater with you. After all, there’s not going to be a good time to dip out to the bathroom.

    Another piece of advice we could offer is that you could bring a drink in but avoid sipping on it until around the two-hour mark. That way, by the time you’ve even got to pee, the film is already wrapping up.

    Or, if you’re really worried about your bladder, you could get one of those Stadium Buddies, or a “discreet public urinal.” Such a device would allow you to, ahem, relieve yourself, during the course of the film. But, if you plan on doing this, maybe keep it to yourself.

  • Top Ten Things We Want to See in Avengers 4

    Top Ten Things We Want to See in Avengers 4

    Avengers: Infinity War ended on a crazy cliffhanger. If you haven’t seen it yet, consider this a massive spoiler warning for every movie in the MCU! Alright, now that that’s out of the way, let’s get into it. Here are the ten things we want to see in Avengers 4. This is everything from returning heroes to new characters to plot points we think would be super fun. Alright, let’s dig in!

    Top Ten Things We Want to See in Avengers 4

    ironmanvthanosfeatured
    Disney

    Silver Surfer Cameo

    Photo Credit: Comic Vine

    Our first entry is a longshot, but we want it none the less! After Thanos is done and dusted and the smoke clears, the MCU will get to go back to normal. Well, sort of. How do you follow up Thanos? Galactus, obviously. We’re not saying that the MCU should just dive straight in to another larger-than-life crossover right away, but a hint of things to come would be awesome. Who better to herald the coming of Galactus than his very herald? We’d be okay with him showing up for a brief post-credit sequence, just to cash in on the recent Fox acquisition.

    Return of the Smash

    Photo Credit: Bustle
    Banner and the Hulk haven’t been getting along too well lately. After getting thoroughly thrashed by the Mad Titan, the Big Green Meanie has been avoiding conflict altogether. Instead, Banner’s picked up the torch and has been handling this situation himself. However, if the Avengers are to overcome Thanos, they’re going to need their Hulk. We’re excited to see Banner and Hulk resolve their issues and come together to save the world one more time.

    Hawkeye’s Revenge

    Photo Credit: Polygon

    Hawkeye was under house arrest during the events of Infinity War, which is ironic, given that he would much rather be at home anyway. However, given the way these stories work, there is a one hundred percent chance that Hawkeye’s wife and kids got Snapped out of existence. And Clint is going to be pissed. And we can’t wait to see him go full secret agent-mode on the Mad Titan.

    Carol Freaking Danvers

    Photo Credit: Hindustan Times

    When Nick Fury realized what was happening, he pulled the final trump card out of his sleeve. He activated his retro 90’s pager and called in Captain Marvel. Captain Marvel, AKA Carol Danvers, is one of the mightiest heroes in the Marvel Universe. She’s got super-strength, speed, flight, energy manipulation and more.

    We’ll get properly introduced to her when her movie comes out in March of next year. However, we’re most excited to see the super-powerful badass turn Thanos into a purple smudge and wipe that dumb look off his ridge-chinned face.

    Adam Warlock

    Photo Credit: Digital Spy
    Odds are good that there will at least be a cameo from Marvel’s literal golden boy. We’ve actually already seen Adam’s origins: The Sovereign, secondary antagonists of Guardians Vol. 2, had “Him” created as a last-ditch effort to get back at the goofball Guardians. In the comics, Adam Warlock is a huge part of the formation of the Infinity Watch. His role in stopping Thanos was rather pivotal in the comics, so he may well appear in the next film.

    The only thing giving us pause on this is statements from James Gunn that indicated Warlock would play a large role in Guardians 3. However, following Gunn’s controversial firing, those plans may or may not have changed.

    Ant-Man and Ghost

    Photo Credit: Joe.ie
    Following the excellent Ant-Man and the Wasp, we learned more about the Quantum Realm and the power set of Ghost. Also known as Ava Starr, Ghost is a superhuman with the power to phase in and out of various states of matter. As such, she might be one of the only superhumans capable of getting in close and handling Thanos without just being obliterated.

    Meanwhile, Scott has been stranded in the Quantum Realm thanks to the Snappening, which is a fascinating development. We’re excited to see what role Scott will play in opposing Thanos, given that the Quantum Realm is outside of time and space is meaningless there. That means two of the six infinity stones have no power there.

    Time Stone Reversal

    Photo Credit: quirkybyte.com

    Thanos and Doctor Strange have both already shown that the Time Stone is capable of some serious temporal trickery. In Doctor Strange’s solo outing, he fought Dormamu to a standstill with the stone’s power. In Infinity War, Thanos undid Vision’s death, only to slay him again in far more brutal fashion. These incidents give us hope that the many deaths in Infinity War can be undone by the heroes. We want to see more from Doctor Strange, Spider-Man and Black Panther, after all!

    The Original Avengers

    Photo Credit: Variety

    We’re very excited to see the original Avengers assemble one last time. While many of the heroes of the MCU have been dusted by Thanos, the main Avengers squad is still standing. And that, friends, is bad news for the Mad Titan. They underestimated him once, which means that they won’t be pulling their punches this time. However, we’re more than a little worried, as it’s unlikely all of our favorite heroes make it out unscathed this time.

    Passing the Torch

    Photo Credit: Architectural Digest

    It seems quite likely that Iron Man, Captain America and maybe even Hulk or Thor might bite it in the next film. They’ve all lost a lot, and they’re likely all determined to stop Thanos however they can. Even if they are capable of undoing the damage he’s done, it seems most likely that it will come at a heavy price. After all, if the team just undoes the damage and everyone is okay, what was the point?

    This will likely lead to the torch being passed to new Avengers. Bucky might take up Cap’s shield. Peter could become the new “tech guy,” inheriting Tony’s gadgets. Doctor Strange could fill in for Thor, as he’s the mystical member of the team.

    Iron Man Needs to Drop Thanos

    Photo Credit: MCU Wiki

    The climatic scene of Avengers 4 needs to be Tony Stark killing Thanos. The MCU has all led up to this final battle, and Tony’s been haunted by Thanos for six years. It would only make sense to have Tony bring the final blow to Thanos. We fully expect it to be a massive team effort, with Captain Marvel, Thor, Hulk and Captain America paving the way. However, the very last hit, the killing blow, needs to go to Tony. Even if it results in Tony himself dying to make it happen, he deserves to land that last shot.

    And then… another ten years of awesome super hero adventures!

  • Flop Ten: Worst Marvel Video Games of all Time

    Flop Ten: Worst Marvel Video Games of all Time

    When it comes to superheroes and awesome stories, no one beats Marvel. However, their characters don’t always translate beautifully to video games. While some of their video games have been awesome (Spider-Man 2 comes to mind) others have been downright awful. Today, we’re taking a look at the worst Marvel video games of all time!

    Worst Marvel Video Games of all Time

    Uncanny X-Men 1989

    Photo Credit: Defunct Games
    NES games weren’t well-known for their stellar graphics, but usually you could at least tell where you were able to walk. This ill-conceived X-Men title barely functions as a game, let alone an X-Men game. A generic, top-down shooter, the worst part of this game is how bland it is. Even selecting different X-Men characters barely changes the gameplay and functions more like a palette swap.

    Iron Man 2008

    Photo Credit: The Astute Gamer

    Tie-in games with Marvel films rarely fare too well with critics. This 2008 Iron Man tie-in is no exception. Featuring odd voice work and weird character models, this game is entirely awkward. Gameplay is stiff and far too easy, resulting in fights with no tension or drama. For how awesome the movie was, this game is a disappointing adaptation!

    Spider-Man 1982

    Photo Credit: YouTube

    Spider-Man has been the start of countless video games throughout the years. This early-80’s game, released for the Atari, was one of his earliest appearances on a home system. Unfortunately, it’s also a buggy, frustrating mess. The gameplay is repetitive, featuring Spidey trying to land pixel-perfect web shots to climb buildings. Instead of, you know, just climbing up them with his superpower. The best thing about this awful game is its hilarious cheesy commercial.

    Punisher No Mercy

    Photo Credit: YouTube

    The term “uninspired” is overused in video game criticism, but it’s so often exactly what a game is. This bland shooter has all the charm of a Call of Duty title without the polished mechanics or engaging gunplay. Without a solid narrative to pin down the single player campaign, you’re left with just the multiplayer. Sadly, even anything more interesting than a CTF mode or King of the Hill is missing in this boring 2009 shooter. Oh well, maybe Frank’s next game will be a winner!

    Incredible Hulk 2008

    Photo Credit: Gamepressure

    For how awesome the MCU is, it had its fair share of terrible game tie-ins early on. The Hulk, for his part, controls like a slab of green meat on ice skates. Punching enemies is dull and makes nearly no impact. Destroying environments in repetitive missions isn’t fun or satisfying the way it should be. You feel less like an unstoppable force of nature than like a kid in a fake cardboard town. Everything is just so… flat.

    Thor, God of Thunder

    Photo Credit: NY Daily News

    Thor is awesome, and so was his first movie outing in the MCU. Unfortunately, as was the case for all MCU game tie-ins, it’s middling at best. Combat is stiff, and the camera actively fights the player. Missions are rarely explained well, and the player is often left lost or stumbling. The narrative, which vaguely follows the film’s plot, is convoluted and hard to keep up with. Really, this one isn’t so much bad as it is overly mediocre. This one’s better off left with the blown-up remains of Old Asgard.

    Fantastic Four 1997

    Photo Credit: Forces of Geek

    For being as awesome as they are, the FF sure do get crapped on a lot outside of comics. The four awful films they’ve been crammed into and this stinker of a game haven’t done the team any favors. In this side-scrolling beat-em-up, you control one of the four members of the team. It doesn’t really matter which one, as they’re all identical in game, despite their vastly different powers. The enemies have far too much health, the levels go on forever and boredom comes standard. If you can make it through this slug-fest you’ve got the patience of a saint.

    Silver Surfer 1990

    Photo Credit: YouTube
    Speaking of games that try your patience, here’s one that does so for a very different reason. Silver Surfer, much like the Fantastic Four, has not gotten a fair shake outside of comics. He’s a cool character: tragically flawed, tormented and endearing. His video game adaptation, however, is an overly-difficult, cluttered mess. Each level is rife with obstacles that only become apparent after they kill you. The core gameplay isn’t awful, but it’s hardly worth slogging through the absurd difficulty curve.

    Amazing Spider-Man 2

    Photo Credit: YouTube

    ASM2 was effectively the emblem of superhero film mediocrity. Sony dropped the ball in numerous ways with the film, one of which was the equally middling video game tie-in. This game wouldn’t exactly be described as bad, per se. Instead, it’s disappointing for how close it comes to being good. The end product, however, feels like a stitched-together series of half-finished gameplay concepts. Thankfully, the 2018 Insomniac take on the wall-crawler has come to wash the bad taste of this one out of our mouths!

    X-Men Destiny

    Photo Credit: IGN

    The most disappointing Marvel game of them all, however, is the abysmal X-Men Destiny. Hailed as revolutionary before release, the game promised a lot. One such promise was a custom player character. Another promise held that the narrative would change based on player decisions.

    However, upon release, these claims were found to be greatly exaggerated. The game’s story is boring and player choice is near meaningless. What’s worse, player characters are selected from pre-generated templates instead of being original creations. That’s really the opposite of what fans were excited for with this one. Since its release, X-Men fans are cautious when it comes to any video game rumors or speculation.

  • Best Iron Fist Comics Arcs

    Best Iron Fist Comics Arcs

    Iron Fist Season 2 is upon us, and, if you’re like us you’ve likely already binged the whole thing. Hey, that’s cool! Nothing wrong with watching your favorite shows at a fast pace! If you’re still dying for more Iron Fist, though, we’ve got the article for you. Today we’re counting down the best Iron Fist Comics Arcs! This is essential reading for the Defender of K’un Lun, so dig in and enjoy the ride!

    Best Iron Fist Comics Arcs

    Marvel

    10. The Origin

    Photo Credit: Marvel Database

    When Roy Thomas and Gil Kane introduced Iron Fist it was in the pages of Marvel Premiere. The issues in question: #15-#16. This tale sets down the original take on K’un Lun, Danny’s tragic backstory and his return to New York to take vengeance on Harold Meachum. While many aspects of this first tale have been retconned now, it remains a hilariously awesome, campy romp from the Silver Age of comics. If you want to see how it all started, start here!

    9. Power Man and Iron Fist #79

    Photo Credit: Marvel Database

    This one is just plain weird. Danny and Luke fight some Daleks. But they’re not called Daleks, they’re called Dredlox. No, seriously! The Bronze age was really, really weird. But we got some hilariously awesome comics out of it, so that’s a win, right!

    8. Power Man and Iron Fist #74-#75

    Photo Credit: Marvel Database

    In what may be the most enduring PM&IF story, the Heroes for Hire go to a strange new world. The heroes are tricked by the vicious Master Khan into jumping into a portal and end up fighting one of the toughest battles of their lives. We don’t want to spoil too much: you should check this tale out!

    7. 7 Capital Cities of Heaven

    Photo Credit: David Aja

    When it comes to martial arts stories, none are more iconic than the tournament. In this sweeping, awesome tale from the Brubaker and Fraction run, the 7 capitals of the heavens each send their mightiest warriors to K’un Lun. Danny, of course, represents K’un Lun himself, and faces off against superpowered badasses from across the cosmos. It’s epic, it’s awesome and it’s Iron Fist. This one played out in the pages of Immortal Iron Fist #8-#14.

    6. Iron Fist #1-#7

    Photo Credit: Marvel Database

    Before Chris Claremont went on to blow the doors off of the X-Men franchise, he helmed some of the most defining stories in the early days of Iron Fist. When he first got his ongoing series, Danny kicked things off with a splashy battle against none other than Tony Stark! This tale also heavily features Misty Knight and Colleen Wing, names that will surely be familiar to fans of Marvel’s Netflix shows.

    5. Iron First/Wolverine: The Return of K’un Lun’

    Photo Credit: Marvel

    Believe it or not, Wolverine and Iron Fist have a lot more in common than you’d think. For instance, Sabretooth, Logan’s most enduring nemesis, first debuted way back in Iron Fist #14. Another connecting issue for the Immortal Iron Fist and the angry Canadian comes by way of the excellent Iron Fist/Wolverine crossover. In this awesome story, K’un Lun’s reappearance coincides with Danny losing his powers and fighting the Hand. It’s really all you can ask for from an Iron Fist story!

    4. Power Man and Iron Fist #50

    Photo Credit: Marvel Database

    The fiftieth issue of Power Man got a name change to headline the new team-up, and what a team-up it was. This major crossover would go on to define both characters for years after. While the two have gone on to crazy adventures apart, their team-ups are always reminiscent of these awesome glory days. I mean, come on, who has a better catchphrase than “Sweet Christmas”?

    3. Iron Fist: The Living Weapon #1-#12

    Photo Credit: Marvel Database

    The darkest and most vulnerable Iron Fist story ever penned, the Living Weapon gives a new edge to the mythos of K’un Lun. Here, we see sides of Danny we never thought we would, and the tale takes some crazy twists. In many ways, this run, as well as the Immortal Iron Fist, helped define who Danny is for modern audiences.

    Power Man and Iron Fist 2016

    Photo Credit: Marvel

    This short-lived but awesome series is a revival of the old name and team-up that defined the characters throughout the Bronze age. If you’re looking for a fun, light read that highlights just how likable Danny and Luke are, here it is. This breezy, butt-kicking comic is a blast from start to finish. Seeing these two old friends getting back to business is as cool as it gets.

    “The Last Iron First Story”

    Photo Credit:  Amazon

    The first arc of the exceptional Brubaker/Fraction run lasted from Immortal Iron Fist #1-6. This one introduced the previous Iron Fist, Orson Randall, a name that should be familiar to those who have watched Season 2. Introducing a legacy of Iron Fists and expanding the mythos, this story helped to define who Iron Fist is in the modern age.

  • Iron Fist Season 2 is Here: Does it Redeem Danny Rand?

    Iron Fist Season 2 is Here: Does it Redeem Danny Rand?

    Iron Fist’s first season was rocky, to say the least. Uneven pacing and strange narrative choices melded with poorly-choreographed fights to make a mess of a season. Glimmers of hope, such as Finn Jones’ occasionally likable but often whiny Danny Rand, got buried under half-hearted fights and boring board room meetings. Iron Fist Season 2, however, seems poised to change that. After we saw the trailer, we were cautiously optimistic. Now that the season is here, we’re happy to inform you: it’s awesome.

    ironfistseason2
    Netflix

    The Immortal Iron Fist

    Iron Fist is a tricky character to get right. For one thing, there’s the issue of casting. Many Marvel fans were adamant that a martial arts-focused, Asian-esque character should be portrayed by an Asian actor. The casting of Finn Jones was disappointing to these fans, and the first season’s lackluster narrative hardly helped matters. Danny often came off as preachy at best and an embodiment of the “white savior” trope at worst.

    Thankfully, the often tone-deaf story has given way to a more thoughtful, respectful and likable Danny. In Defenders, we saw a somewhat more responsible, less hot-headed version of the character. By the time he cameo’d in Luke Cage Season 2 he much more closely resembled his comic book counterpart. Now, back in the spotlight of his own show, Danny is at peace with himself and ready to be the Defender of New York.

    Old Faces, New Enemies

    Davos, known in the comics as the Steel Serpent, makes his return this season. He feels as though Danny’s power, that of the Iron Fist, is his birthright, and Danny stole it from him. This story arc largely tracks from criticism of Danny as a “white savior,” both from within the narrative and from our own world. Davos is joined by Joy Meachum, daughter of Harold Meachum and a supporting character from the first season. The two seek to bring Danny low and take the Iron Fist from him so that Davos may wield it.

    New this season is Mary Walker, known in the comics as villain Typhoid Mary. This unnerving villain has multiple personalities at war within her mind, and an unhealthy fixation on Danny Rand. She joins the main cast and brings an air of uneasy tension to the otherwise slam-bang martial arts proceedings.

    Is Iron Fist Season 2 the Redemption we Hoped For?

    In a word, Iron Fist Season 2 is excellent. The main cast is on point, with every dramatic beat and character moment feeling heartfelt and meaningful. Martial arts scenes are fast and intense, but readable and well-choreographed. Danny is a likable character you can root for, and the central conflict is truly gripping. While the show is far from perfect, it’s a much better representation of the character we love from the comics. We’d highly recommend this season to any fans of Marvel or martial arts!

  • Top Ten Greatest Spider-Man Villains

    Top Ten Greatest Spider-Man Villains

    Spider-Man, who is starring in his own video game on PS4 now, has a massive rogues gallery. As one of Marvel’s most popular characters, it’s only natural that he would have so many villains oppose him. In fact, there are so many that we wonder how the wall-crawler manages to keep track of them all! Today, we’re looking at the ten greatest Spider-Man Villains! We’re considering both their popularity and “coolness,” but if your favorite didn’t make the list, that’s only because there are so many great choices!

    Ten Greatest Spider-Man Villains

    Sinister Six

    Featured Image Credit: Villains Wiki

    10. Carnage

    Photo Credit: Marvel Database

    First Appearance: 1992, Amazing Spider Man 361. Real Name: Cletus Cassidy

    This edgy and unhinged villain is an offshoot of the symbiote that resulted in another Spidey villain, Venom. Carnage, for his part, is a symbiote bonded to the criminally deranged Cletus Cassidy. With none of Eddie Brock’s underlying morality, Carnage earns his name whenever he strikes, making him one of Spidey’s most unsettling foes.

    9. The Lizard

    Photo Credit: ThoughtCo

    First Appearance: 1963, Amazing Spider Man 6. Real Name: Kurt Connors

    First appearing way back in 1963, Dr. Connors has gone through several redesigns over the years. He is a dark reflection of Peter, a man twisted into an animal-like form due to science gone wrong. The Lizard is fast, super-strong and possesses enhanced healing capabilities, making him as much a physical match for Peter as a mental one.

    8. Sandman

    Photo Credit: Marvel Database

    First Appearance: 1963, Amazing Spider Man 4. Realm Name: William Baker

    The shape-shifting criminal known as Sandman is often characterized as a petty thief who happens upon his shape-shifting powers. In some stories, he even fights alongside Peter. What makes him so memorable, though, is the genuine pathos that goes into his often-tragic backstory. It’s hard to hate a guy who just wants to make a mark on the world!

    7. The Rhino

    Photo Credit: Reddit

    First Appearance: 1966, Amazing Spider Man 41. Real Name: ‎Aleksei Sytsevich

    The big, bumbling oaf Aleksei Sytsevich is much more terrifying when he’s in his trademark Rhino armor. The lumbering behemoth is a match for even superheroes like the Hulk and the Thing, making him downright terrifying for Spidey to match up against. However, Peter often triumphs over the Rhino thanks to his quick wits and fast fighting style.

    6. Electro

    Photo Credit: Spider-Man Wiki

    First Appearance: 1964, Amazing Spider Man 9. Real Name: Maxwell Dillon

    Maxwell Dillon was once a powerline repair man, but a freak accident resulted in him becoming a human electrical capacitor. His electric powers make him lethal to any normal human, and he uses them to steal and terrorize the people of New York. Thankfully for them, Spider-Man handles villains like Electro whenever they rear their heads! Whenever Peter and Electro cross paths, sparks fly and the fight is awesome!

    5. The Vulture

    Photo Credit: Marvel Movies Wikia

    First Appearance: 1963, Amazing Spider Man 2. Real Name: Adrian Toomes.

    Popularized by the excellent Spider-Man: Homecoming, Adrian Toomes is a tragic figure. Toomes uses his wingsuit to pursue personal wealth, but only because of his mistreatment by massive corporations. In the comics he is much less sympathetic than his film counterpart, but his motivations are similar. It certainly helps that the version seen in Homecoming has a significantly cooler suit and design.

    4. Kingpin

    Photo Credit: Marvel

    First Appearance: 1967, Amazing Spider Man 50. Real Name: Wilson Fisk.

    While you might be more familiar with him as an enemy of Daredevil, Fisk first made his mark as an enemy of the Web-Slinger! Kingpin is a nigh-unstoppable force, both in the world of business and in a fight. His dual nature makes him a tough customer for any superhero, so it’s no surprise he’s harried Spidey for years!

    3. Dr. Octopus

    Photo Credit: Marvel Database

    First Appearance: 1963, Amazing Spider Man 3. Real Name: Otto Octavius.

    Dr. Otto Octavius is on a mission to prove that he’s better than anyone else. After all, he’s a genius and a supervillain! Shouldn’t everyone love him? Otto’s deranged attempts to take down Spider-Man and make a name for himself as one of the greatest minds in the world have come to a head occasionally. Recently, he even spent some time in the body of Peter Parker! He made a mess of things for Spidey, proclaiming himself the “Superior Spider-Man” and ruining Peter’s reputation.

    2. Venom

    Photo Credit: Alternative Press

    First Appearance: 1988, Amazing Spider Man 299. Real Name: Eddie Brock

    One of the most iconic Marvel characters, Venom is another direct foil to the Wall-Crawler. Venom started life as a symbiote attached to Peter, but eventually found a more permanent home bonded to Pete’s nemesis Eddie Brock. As Venom, the two entities have forged a path as a villain and occasional anti-hero. They occasionally team up with Peter to fight bigger threats (usually Carnage) but that doesn’t make Venom less of an essential Spidey antagonist.

    The Greatest Spider-Man Villain: The Green Goblin

    Photo Credit: Villains Wiki

    First Appearance: 1964, Amazing Spider Man 14. Real Name: Norman Osborn.

    Who else could have possibly snagged the number one spot? Norman Osborn, father of one of Pete’s closest friends and CEO of Oscorp is Pete’s most enduring nemesis. As the man who killed Gwen Stacey and the center of the Clone Conspiracy saga, Norman has had a huge impact on Spidey. The ongoing battle between the two has been the center of Spider-Man comics for half a century, and it’s likely to continue for 50 years more.

  • Top Ten Villains We Want to See in the MCU

    Top Ten Villains We Want to See in the MCU

    Thanos is a tough act to follow, to be quite honest. However, he’s hardly the most iconic or awesome villain to appear in Marvel Comics. After the Avengers handle Thanos and his big purple chin, we’re excited to see who they tackle next. Here are the top ten villains we want to see in the MCU, in order of least to most likely to appear. Let’s talk villainy!

    Top Ten Villains We Want to See in the MCU

    Mephisto

    Photo Credit: Comic Book
    The Marvel Universe’s analogue to Satan, Mephisto is the supreme demon lord of a Hell-like realm. In the comics he’s responsible for granting Ghost Rider his supernatural powers. As it turns out, Ghost Rider, in the form of Robbie Reyes, has already made an appearance in the MCU. He was the main focus of a season of Agents of SHIELD, complete with his signature hellfire and chain whip weapon. As such, it’s not impossible that we could see Mephisto in a future film, maybe as an antagonist for Dr. Strange!

    The Mandarin

    Photo Credit: Marvel Database
    Tony Stark’s most persistent archenemy, the Mandarin is a supernaturally powerful criminal mastermind. He was invoked in Iron Man 3 but turned out to be a bait-and-switch. However, in the All Hail the King one-shot we find out that the real Mandarin is still out there. We’d love to see the mastermind in action, but he will likely not be opposing Tony, considering RDJ seems to be hanging up the armor after Avengers 4.

    The Elders of the Universe

    Photo Credit: Hobby Lark
    A fantastic choice of antagonist for the combined forces of the Guardians and Avengers, the Elders of the Universe have already been teased. The Collector is actually one of the Elders, ancient beings of cosmic power and significance. They are often pitted against the combined might of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Particularly, the super-strong Champion of the Universe would be an excellent villain to face off with the Hulk or Thor in a later film.

    Molecule Man

    Photo Credit: Comic Vine

    Molecule Man is a super-powerful villain with an unhinged mind and limitless control of atoms. He is godlike in power and is often critical in world-ending crossovers in the comics. Notably, he appears in all Secret Wars events, whenever the world is critically threatened. In the 2015 event, he was responsible for the creation of the patchwork planet Battleworld that served as home to the surviving Marvel characters. If the MCU ever does a take on Secret Wars, Molecule Man will certainly appear as a villain.

    Kang the Conqueror

    Photo Credit: Death Battle
    A classic Avengers foe, Kang the Conqueror is a time-traveling warlord from far in the future. He is seeking to subjugate the modern era by overpowering the Avengers. He often attempts to use his knowledge of future events to his benefit. However, he is consistently bested by the Avengers. If only he could see that coming!

    Dr. Doom

    Photo Credit: Hollywood Reporter
    Now that the Fantastic Four have been reacquired by Marvel Studios, we’ll certainly be seeing Dr. Doom. The archenemy of the FF, Victor von Doom is a force to be reckoned with. He’s not only an accomplished mystic and gifted scientist, he also has body armor like Tony Stark’s. Doctor Doom is every bit the antagonist to pull together the Fantastic Four in an MCU revival. We look forward to seeing what Marvel Studios will do with this iconic villain!

    The Magus

    Photo Credit: Marvel Database

    Adam Warlock has been teased to be appearing in the next Guardians film. If this is the case, it seems likely that the Magus won’t be far behind. A dark doppleganger of the heroic Warlock, the Magus is a consistent cosmic foe in Marvel Comics. He would make an excellent villain to challenge the Guardians, and perhaps even rope in the Nova Corps. Depending on Captain Marvel’s role in the MCU, we could even see Alpha Flight. A Guardians of the Galaxy and Alpha Flight team-up to oppose the Magus is quintessential Cosmic Marvel.

    The Beyonder

    Photo Credit: writeups
    As his name suggests, the Beyonder is a mega-powerful entity from beyond the known universe. Sporting stylish curls and unchecked egomania, he seeks to see the heroes fight for his amusement. He later takes on a human form and is defeated by the heroes. Jut like Molecule Man, if the MCU seeks to do a Secret Wars retelling, we’re sure to see the Beyonder. After all, who doesn’t want to see the various heroes of the MCU duke it out?

    Annihilus

    Photo Credit: writeups

    Annihilus is an odd-looking bug monster from a negative dimension who wants to destroy our world. Do you need to know more? He’s as quintessential a villain as you can get for the heroes of Earth to fight. Maybe he’s not quite as nuanced or emotionally deep as Thanos, but damn if he isn’t cool. Although, if the writers could rework Thanos into a calculated megalomaniac, they could certainly give Annihilus some pathos. He’s a shoe-in to appear as the MCU does more cosmic stories. After all, the best cosmic Marvel story is Annihilation. As the name suggests, Annihilus is the main bad guy in that one!

    Galactus

    Photo Credit: Fandom

    The supermassive devourer of worlds was originally a Fantastic Four villain, but he’s a threat to Earth as a whole. If you’ve never heard of him, here’s the rundown. He’s a titanic, cosmic being who must devour planets for sustenance. He sends his herald, the Silver Surfer, ahead of him to warn of his coming. Galactus is fascinating as he’s not explicitly evil, per se, he’s just hungry. He must devour planets in order to sustain himself, and he’s coming to Earth. He would make a fantastic follow-up to Thanos, and a great way to bring together the Fantastic Four, Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy.

  • Disney Close to Finishing Deal to Acquire Fox

    Disney Close to Finishing Deal to Acquire Fox

    We’re so close to having the X-Men and Avengers meet on the big screen. On Friday, Fox shareholders agreed to Disney’s bid of $71.3 billion. This followed a bit of a bidding war between Disney and Comcast, who had previously bid $65 billion in cash. Most of Disney’s bid amounted to shares, instead of actual cash. However, Comcast moved on to pursue UK-based broadcaster Sky after their initial bid failed. As such, Disney is quite close to its goal to acquire Fox.

    What this Means for Disney

    Disney, which has been on a roll acquiring film studios and entertainment rights, is ascendant at the moment. In 2009, they acquired Marvel Studios, and have released countless blockbuster hits starring Marvel characters. Lucasfilm was acquired in 2012 as well, bringing Star Wars to the House of Mouse. Disney is now on track to be one of the largest entertainment companies in the world. The Fox acquisition will require that all of Fox’s sports networks be spun off into distinct entities so that the merger doesn’t violate anti-competition laws.

    What this Means for the MCU

    Most importantly to fans of Marvel movies, this now means that the X-Men and the Avengers are back under the same roof. Additionally, the Fantastic Four have now been brought back into the fold. This means that one of the most successful superhero franchises of all time can now use its biggest names. Marvel fans around the world are ecstatic to see where this might lead.

    Fans are particularly eager to see a potential Avengers Vs X-Men adaptation. A new series of X-Men films re-establishing the characters in the MCU may be in order, as well. Additionally, a series of films focusing on the Fantastic Four and introducing audiences to the comics-accurate version of the team could also be in the works if this deal goes through.

    What’s Next for Disney to Acquire Fox?

    The merger must now pass the FCC. Yes, this means that the internet’s least favorite person, professional jerk Ajit Pai is the final arbiter on whether or not your favorite comic book characters can appear on-screen together. If that’s not enough to make you a little antsy, I don’t know what is. However, odds are good this merger will pass the FCC. In as little as two years we could see Iron Man onscreen alongside Wolverine! How awesome is that?

  • Movie Roundup: The Coolest Moment from Ant-Man and the Wasp

    Movie Roundup: The Coolest Moment from Ant-Man and the Wasp

    If you haven’t seen Ant-Man and the Wasp yet, consider this your spoiler warning! Major spoilers for the plot of the newest entry in the MCU are ahead! If you haven’t seen it, bookmark this page, go see it, and come back. We’ll wait here for you! For those of you who have already seen it, let’s get down to business. Today we’re going to walk it back and discuss the coolest moments from the movie, from the funny to the touching to the downright awesome!

    Hope’s Fight with Sonny’s Men

    A defining moment early in Ant-Man and the Wasp introduces audience to how badass the Wasp is. One of the best uses for Pym Particles, other than shrinking and growing, is whooping ass. Shrinking down to dodge bullets and thrown knives, Hope evades Sonny’s thugs easily. She then grows back to full size and lays the hurt on them, landing punches just as she finishes returning to full-size. This scene culminates in the appearance of Ghost, and Scott’s attempts to help Hope defeat the newcomer. Ghost’s powers are contrasted with Scott and Hope’s in visually stunning ways, as they phase through each other and shrink to dodge attacks.

    Luis and the “Truth Serum”

    The Drunk History-style storytelling gag from the film’s hilarious sidekick, Luis, returns in the sequel. And to great effect! When bad guy Sonny Burch ambushes Luis and co. at Ex-Conn, he shoots Luis full of something that totally isn’t truth serum. Then, Sonny asks Luis where Scott is, resulting in a free-wheeling, hilarious segment. Luis explains, in detail, how Scott got to where he is, emotionally at least. The scene helps flesh out Scott and Hope’s relationship as much as it makes the audience laugh and break an otherwise tense sequence.

    Scott Goes Big

    The massive chase scene in the third act culminates with Scott going bigger than he ever has. Growing well beyond 60 feet tall, Scott easily dispatches Sonny and takes the micro-sized lab back from him.  However, the strain of being so massive rapidly drains Scott of his energy, and he passes out and falls into the water of the San Francisco Bay. The resulting chaos and Ghost’s sudden appearance push the film into a fast-paced climax as the heroes race to save Hank and Janet from the Quantum Realm.

    Coolest Ant-Man and the Wasp Moment: Scott’s Uncertain Fate in the Quantum Realm

    After the main conflict has been resolved, Scott’s house arrest is lifted and his relationship with the Pym family is restored. What’s more, Team Ant-Man seems to be on good terms with Ghost, going so far as to help her healing process. Scott is sent to the Quantum Realm by the Pym family to harvest healing particles for Ghost in the post-credits scene. After gathering the particles, Scott radios back to the team, signaling them to pull him back to full-size. However, he’s greeted by static.

    The camera then pans to show us what remains of the Pym family: ashes on the wind. Thanos’ victory in Infinity War has occurred, trapping Scott in the Quantum Realm and leaving us with questions. How will Scott return to the real world? What roll will Ant-Man and Ghost play in Avengers 4? And will the Quantum Realm be the key to undoing the damage Thanos has done? We’ll find out next year, when Avengers 4 comes out!