2022 will be another great year to be a comic book geek as beloved heroes return and new characters jump from page to screen. This is the year of multiple Batmen, Wonder Women, a new Thor and Super-Pets! If you’re a devoted or casual fan here’s a timeline, my picks and guide to comic book content for the year ahead.

LET’S GO TO THE MOVIES:

Continue reading Comic Book Geek Guide to 2022

I’m still catching my breath from THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER. This new adventure in the Marvel Comics Universe continued the Captain America legacy, brought more of Marvel’s rich history to the screen and will blaze new trails in the MCU. Set after the events of AVENGERS: ENDGAME, Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes reunite when a new threat emerges and the symbol of their friend becomes a political pawn.

I waited until the full series is completed to dive in to who, what and what next but consider this a SPOILER ALERT if you have not watched yet. Time to debrief, dissect the comic book connections and giddily think about what could happen next for Sam, Bucky and the MCU.

Continue reading THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER Comic Connections & What’s Next

WANDAVISION is a cinematic love letter to Scarlet Witch and Vision fans. The complicated comic book relationship lit up the film and streaming screen while hinting at the future of the Marvel Comics Universe and one new hero ready to soar.

Captain Monica Rambeau was a breakout star of the series. Tyonnah Parris lit up the screen in every frame. We want to see her soaring in her own series or in a future film that assembles Earth’s Mightiest Heroes again. It some ways Monica was the real hero of WANDAVISION.

Continue reading Captain Monica Rambeau, WandaVision breakout

WandaVision may feature the most beautifully crafted and performed portrayal of a super hero character on screen. With great power comes great pain sometimes. If you have read the stories of Scarlet Witch, you have a special understanding of how the cast and crew portrayed this incredible heroine.

I wanted to wait until the entire series is over and deep dive into my thoughts. Even though the entire season is out there I still want to give you a SPOILER ALERT before you continue reading because I want you to enjoy the full impact of every episode right up until the final scene in the finale post-credits scene. There are two! I literally went on a web and social media fasting every Friday until I could watch the weekly episode.

The finale was incredibly satisfying filled with emotion and action while inspiring excitement and ideas for what could be next for this fan-favorite Avenger. The next stage of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is swirling in the magic aftermath.

Here’s a look at the differences between the screen and comic book versions of the iconic characters and suggestions of comic stories you should read to get even more on these characters.

Continue reading WANDAVISION Next?

2021 will hopefully mean the eventual return to cinemas and convention centers to celebrate the heroes and villains we love. Due to the pandemic some of my 2020 picks shifted to 2021 making it a year packed with superhero movies and shows. The new year will bring big films, streaming series and a new Batman?

Here’s my month-by-month geek guide to the new year in comics, sci-fi and cosplay starting with a prediction.

Continue reading Geek Guide 2021

During the pandemic I have been nostalgic. My once weekly new comic book day visit to the store is now a home delivery once a month. I am grateful I can still afford to enjoy the escape comics provides and that my shop is hanging in there with innovative ways to get the books to readers. I have been reflecting on my humble beginnings as an emerging comic book geek.

In the small town I grew up in there was no such thing as a comic book store. I would occasionally see random books in the grocery store, gas station convenience stores or we had this independent pharmacy with the old school soda fountain station. But there was no place you could go to get all the comics new and old your geek budget could afford. I did not even really understand the concept of comics being continuing stories. I just loved seeing the images and the more I read the more I started to understand what was in the world balloons. I would become a quick study.  

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Chris Claremont. The writer who took over the X-Men, launched New Mutants, created iconic characters and penned epic stories that have been the basis of hit films. Five decades of Claremont’s contributions to comics and pop culture will be celebrated with a milestone story written by the legend himself.

Marvel announced the CHRIS CLAREMONT ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL #1 The writer will joined by artists including Brett Booth, Bill Sienkiewicz with a cover by Salvador Larroca. X-fans will celebrate a brand new story starring one of Claremont’s greatest creations.

Claremont wrote my first comic book so this X-fan is nostalgic and excited.

Continue reading Chris Claremont Anniversary Special

Every so often our universe is thrown upside down, blown up and rebuilt. I’m talking comic book universes.

In life, we are now experiencing a Crisis of Finite Comic Book Shops, a Comic Industry Disassembling – to borrow inspiration from some of my favorite epics. An invisible enemy is infecting every aspect of our day to day universe. Even the escapism of new comics is on hold.

Lives are at stake as our health and safety must take highest priority. Our ordinary lives are being dramatically impacted by the extraordinary measures to protect against an unimaginable threat. The necessary changes are hitting small business owners especially hard including local comic book stores.

Continue reading Comics in a Time of Crisis