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Have you ever imagined the characters from the Wizard of Oz movie as superheroes? A YouTuber known as Darren Wallace has created a mash-up parody video inspired by The Avengers: Age of Ultron and The Wizard of Oz.
The video embedded above features Ultron played by the heartless Tin Man, Thor played by the cowardly Lion, and Captain America played by the brainless Scarecrow. Thus far, it has drawn more than 1 million views on YouTube. (via Mashable.com)
What would The Avengers movies have looked like if they were made back in the 90’s? The team at Vulture.com has created a video to explore the idea of what would have happened “If Avengers: Age of Ultron Came Out In 1995.”
Marvel has hired Anthony and Joe Russo as the directors for the two-part conclusion of The Avengers movie series. The Russo Brothers collaborated together on Captain America: The Winter Soldier; they will return for the Captain America: Civil War adaptation.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, “they’ll film Infinity War in one long shoot beginning sometime in 2016, sources tell The Hollywood Reporter. No writers are attached, but the brothers will likely reunite with Winter Soldier’s Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely.” Part 1 will hit theaters on May 04, 2018. Part 2 will follow on May 03, 2019.
Some fans may feel sad that Joss Whedon won’t take the helm for this project. Whedon, the director and screenwriter behind the first film and Age of Ultron, has earned great praise for his work on the two Avengers films. Earlier this year, he sat for an interview with Empire Magazine. SlashFilm.com reports that Whedon felt “very doubtful” about “the two-part Infinity War movie that would eat up the next four years of my life. I obviously still want to be a part of the Marvel Universe – I love these guys – but it ain’t easy.” (via The Huffington Post)
How do you cope with waiting for the new Avengers movie to be released? One fan, a YouTuber who goes by the name JohnnyB2K, created a mash-up using all three Age of Ultron trailers.
The video embedded above features scenes from the movie woven together so that it tells a story in chronological order. Click on these links to watch a clip, a teaser trailer, trailer #1, and trailer #2. (via BuzzFeed)
Have you ever dealt with the issue of “no more bookshelf space grief“? The Homemade Game Guru YouTube channel offers instructions for how to put together an “Avengers Age of Ultron Emblem/Logo Bookcase.” If you want to make this craft project, watch the video tutorial embedded above. What do you think?
Boom! passed along the cover of STEED AND MRS PEEL #9 for your perusal. It's by Joe Corroney . Inside Caleb Monroe and Yasmin Liang pen a story that finds Steed and Peel in terrible danger from a bad guy named John Cartney—and there seems to be some kind of karate involved as well. The book goes on sale in May.
0 Comments on First look: Mr. Steed and Mrs Peel #9 as of 2/6/2013 6:50:00 PM
Via that very best of methods: the Dustin Weaver giganti-cover. The covers for issues 1-3 of Jonathan Hickman’s Avengers relaunch have been revealed by Marvel today, establishing that more X-Men have moved over to Cap’s Crew. While there are no surprises about which members of the Avengers movie cast made it into the series (all of them), the cover does still hold a few surprises. So! Who’re The Avengers?
Captain America, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Iron Man, Hulk and Thor are all members of the Avengers – unsurprisingly – and they’re joined be fellow non-surprises Spider-Man and Wolverine. But also in amongst the shiny heroes are Sunspot and Cannonball from the New Mutants, as well as Captain Marvel, Spider-Woman and Falcon. This represents perhaps the first time that two minority characters males have been on the main Avengers at the same time, I believe, although that still feels a bit of a low ratio for what’s meant to be a world-spanning team. No sign of Redwing yet either, which is a worry.
There’s also some whizzy technology in the background, suggesting that Hickman will be basing the team in Nick Fury’s helicarrier. The most intriguing part, however, looks to be the mystery character on the far left, silhouetted by the explosion Steve Rogers is manfully walking away from. For my money, this looks like it’s meant to be Shang Chi, but.. well, it could be anybody really. Anybody else got a better guess in mind?
Hickman, artist Jerome Opena and colourist Dean White will start the series off in December. There are still several more characters yet to be revealed as team-members, so don’t lose hope yet, Jarvis fans!
15 Comments on Marvel Reveal Jonathan Hickman’s Avengers Lineup, last added: 9/4/2012
Sixteen heroes and heroines is as far away from the classic, two-tiered, AVENGERS setup as one could envision.
SRS
Talmidge said, on 9/4/2012 11:56:00 AM
hey, cool cannonball is in the Avengers, he’s one of my favorites. Maybe now he won’t be portrayed as absolutely incompetent.
dan said, on 9/4/2012 11:59:00 AM
Pretty sure you’re incorrect about minorities on The Avengers previously. During Johns run The Falcon and Black Panther were both members. Triathlon and Firebird, Firebird and Living Lightning, etc. at various times.
Johnny Memeonic said, on 9/4/2012 12:07:00 PM
One of Hickman’s earliest Marvel works was a pretty cool Sunspot/Cannonball buddy story so their inclusion should be entertaining.
Really a shame though that we’re being denied the art skills of one of the industry’s most innovative modern artists due to the demands of being a Marvel architect.
Kurt Busiek said, on 9/4/2012 12:19:00 PM
>> This represents perhaps the first time that two minority characters have been on the main Avengers at the same time, I believe >>
Oh, sure. Make a claim like this a week after I packed away my AVENGERS reference volumes.
But I think the first time two minority characters were active on the Avengers roster was in the 1970s, when the Black Panther and Mantis were both on the team, though Mantis’s membership may not have been formalized until she left.
By my run, at least, there was a period that Triathlon, Photon, Silverclaw, Living Lightning and Firebird were all active at once.
Zach said, on 9/4/2012 12:20:00 PM
Steve, you are definitely wrong about the minority thing. Ben Grimm (Jewish) and Luke Cage (black) were on the same Avengers team for years. And that’s just off the top of my head. You’re posting this stuff for the whole internets to see, why not do a bit of checking before making a false statement like that?
Zach said, on 9/4/2012 12:21:00 PM
Also, Moon Knight (Jewish) and War Machine (Black) were on Brubaker/Ellis Secret Avengers at the same time.
Zach said, on 9/4/2012 12:22:00 PM
if we’re counting Young Avengers:
Wiccan (Jewish and gay)
Patriot (Black)
Hulkling (gay)
Snikt Snakt said, on 9/4/2012 1:24:00 PM
Sorry guys, Jews see themselves as WHITE first, religion second…
Nate said, on 9/4/2012 1:25:00 PM
Can we count Scarlet Witch as Roma?
As for this lineup … yawn. Same ol’ same ol’ at this point.
Steve Morris said, on 9/4/2012 1:37:00 PM
Whoa whoa, I said I thought it was the first time, not definitively that it was! And I meant to say minority males, not minority characters – sorry!
Zach said, on 9/4/2012 1:47:00 PM
Snikt Snikt – really? Glad to know you have the ability to speak for all Jews. Super helpful skill to have.
Niels van Eekelen said, on 9/4/2012 1:55:00 PM
When they mentioned several New Mutants would be headed to this book, I thought for sure that would include Cypher–his modern power set seems right up Hickman’s alley. (Of course, he could still pop up.)
I like Sam and Roberto, especially with a proper amount of bromance, but as New Mutants go, they’re not ones that will get me to pick up an Avengers book.
Kurt Busiek said, on 9/4/2012 3:04:00 PM
>> Sorry guys, Jews see themselves as WHITE first, religion second…>>
Aside from the fact that you’re mistaken on that score, the claim wasn’t “non-white,” but “minority.”
Dave said, on 9/4/2012 3:06:00 PM
Where is the Vision? Get him in the game, Hickman!!
Storyboard artist Jane Wu (Mulan II, Shane Acker’s 9) has posted two of her dynamic boards from Marvel’s The Avengers. Click on images below to see them in animatic form. It’s nice to know that strong work like this, from seasoned animation professionals like Wu, went into creating the blockbuster hit movie.
…I watched The Avengers and will report that I was bored out of my skull. I found it in English and in 2D, but after only 5 minutes I realized I had done a mistake in buying a ticket. Maybe it’s because I’m an… adult, a 46 years old man? I just felt no connection at all to the story and the characters. Granted, there are some very funny scenes, showing there is room for humour in a superhero film, but the story was just some slapped together old sci fi tropes about oh, some portal to another world, an invasion from outer space and zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Who’s in danger? A lot of people, apparently. Millions! Yawn… The Spider-Man films got repetitive with poor Mary Jane being rescued all the time, but at least there you cared a bit for a minute or so what would happen. No, I’m afraid the train is gone. The smoke puffs are getting smaller. The sound of the engine is getting weaker. Etc.
Oh, Jason, you’ll be back when GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY opens.
15 Comments on Review: Jason on THE AVENGERS, last added: 5/17/2012
He’s entitled to his opinion. I’m just excited to learn that Jason has a blog.
Ayo said, on 5/17/2012 6:25:00 AM
Jason makes some superbly funny comics. I like that guy.
Plus, since he liked the parts that I liked of the movie (the funny bits) we are still Spirit Bros.
<3 you, Jason!
Jesse Post said, on 5/17/2012 6:51:00 AM
Seriously, why didn’t anyone tell me Jason had a blog?!
DKompare said, on 5/17/2012 7:31:00 AM
I haven’t yet seen The Avengers, but I agree with Jason in principle. As enthusiastic and popcorn-giddy as the film no doubt is (and there’s nothing at all wrong with that), I can’t separate it from its primary function as cinematic fast food. After a decade-plus of this superhero cycle (if you go back to X-Men, at least), I think all their primary flavors have been exhausted. The train has left the station, as he says.
I’ll get around to seeing it eventually on DVD or Netflix, when I’m in the mood for fast food. But when did “Your Favorite Superhero(es): The Movie” become the aphrodisiac of comics and fandom? It’s like getting excited for another variety of shake or McSandwich, when there’s infinite culinary variety all around us.
Then again, I’m just about Jason’s age, and fully embrace my developing curmudgeonhood.
horatio weisfeld said, on 5/17/2012 7:42:00 AM
The movie had lots of good bits of business but the overall storyline was pretty poor and (Jason is right to a degree) often tiresome.
I don’t think it that I’ve lost my sense of wonder (or any of that crap) — I simply didn’t care so much about all the stuff w/ the Cosmic Cube, Fury talking to the Illuminati or watching the heroes argue about “if they should be a team” — all this played for me more as exposition than drama (never a good thing).
One of the best scenes for me was the little bit w/ Harry Dean Stanton talking to Bruce Banner in the damaged building, which featured no CG or costumes, and otherwise had little to do w/ the rest of the movie. What you had here was some really good/clever dialogue: “Are you an alien, like from outer space? No…well son, then you got a condition”
What the movie did deliver was a spectacular final 40 minutes of CG mayhem which presented one thing never seen before: a whole lot of Superheroes fighting side by side in a live action movie.
Problem was that we just saw Loki fight Thor last year so watching him battle all these guys (backed by an army of faceless, nameless whoevers) wasn’t so much. I AM ALSO BORED BY SEEING NY BLOWN UP YET AGAIN.
Wouldn’t it have been a lot better if Loki had convinced The Hulk to join him in attacking The Avengers during the earlier acts??
The Avengers wasn’t a terrible movie – but the best superhero movie so far this year is CHRONICLE.
B
Johnny Memeonic said, on 5/17/2012 7:53:00 AM
Lot of irony in saying the Avengers was nothing but boring sci-fi tropes and generic villains when you write a time travel story with Nazis as if they were still a relevant villain in 2012.
Nice to see self-awareness in the comics world is still at an all time low.
The Beat Herself said, on 5/17/2012 7:59:00 AM
It’s what you do with the tropes, Johnny. If you can’t tell the difference in storytelling between a Jason graphic novel and a superhero movie, I pity you.
BTW, in a part of the post I didn’t quote, Jason admits he will go see the next Batman movie. So there is hope for his immortal soul after all.
MBunge said, on 5/17/2012 7:59:00 AM
“The “I’m an adult” line is completely banal.”
Yeah, everyone’s entitled to their opinion but the worst sort of sophistication is faux sophistication.
Mike
MBunge said, on 5/17/2012 8:01:00 AM
“the best superhero movie so far this year is CHRONICLE.”
Except it’s a super-villain movie, which is really what’s so great about it.
Just saw The Avengers. Short review: $200 million that would have been better spent on negative political ads.
He writes a lot about ethical problems in society, though, so his outlook on most things might be negative.
SRS
abc said, on 5/17/2012 8:39:00 AM
@johnny memeonic: good point.
look, the only opinion that matters when seeing a movie (since you’re gonna be the one carrying the memory of it in your head for the rest of your days) is your own. it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks of it. if you enjoyed the movie, great. if not, better luck next time. that said, what does one expect when seeing a movie based on a super hero team comic book? shakespeare? it is what it is. nothing more and nothing less. if the movie makers captured the essence of the comic, then they did their job, and if by a certain age you’re jaded by certain plot devices in sci-fi, fantasy, etc., that are tried and true (especially in comics), then maybe it’s time to get out of consuming that type of material.
jonboy said, on 5/17/2012 10:35:00 AM
I’ve been more entertained by Jason’s work than I was entertained by The Avengers movie.
The Avengers wasn’t a BAD movie, per se, but it wasn’t anything that we hadn’t seen before. It’s fluff. Fun fluff, but still just fluff. And there’s nothing wrong with a popcorn-action-turn-off-my-brain-for-2-hours-and-watch-things-break movie, but let’s not pretend that The Avengers was some high point in cinema history.
Kudos to Jason for actually saying that out loud.
VichusSmith said, on 5/17/2012 11:03:00 AM
I would ask Jason a) WHY did he go see this movie? and b) If superheroes aren’t saving the world, what should they do? Visit children in hospitals for 2 hours? Sure, that would be a change of pace, but this guy acts like there aren’t certain things to expect from superhero films, especially a mainstream one?
I was not bored at all. I know the heroes are going to save the day, but how they get to that was what was interesting.
Chris Hero said, on 5/17/2012 11:53:00 AM
OMG! An adult male who draws comics for a living has an opinion on something pop culture that disagrees with my opinion! That means he’s a jerk and should never be allowed to type! Because I’m also an adult, I’m incapable of having an opinion at odds with another adult!
These comments are hysterical. Jason is one of the greatest comic storytellers to ever put pen to paper and he didn’t enjoy a movie I did. I can still enjoy his work and his opinions while having my own opinions that may or may not agree with his.
To echo others…why didn’t we know Jason has a blog???
MBunge said, on 5/17/2012 12:15:00 PM
“That means he’s a jerk and should never be allowed to type!”
Why do some people get so hysterical when people have the temerity to not simply slobber and agree with whatever is spewed out by a comic creator?
Fans have been crying out for this for too long, so it’s a relief to find that Marvel have finally come up with a way for people to smell just like Tony Stark, all dripping with sweat inside a tight metal suit all day, coated in oil and rust and leftover martini. But not just Stark! No, Marvel have decided to offer fans the chance to smell like any one of the Avengers (wait – nobody cares about Hawkeye, right?).
That’s right: Official Marvel fragrances are now available for you to buy, created by Jads International. Fans can pick up officially-licensed Hulk “Smash”, Loki “Mischief”, “Patriot Cologne”, Iron Man “Mark VII”, Thor “Worthy” and, uh, “Black Widow Perfume”. I guess they decided against calling it “Red Ledger Perfume”, in the end. Most excitingly of all, however, is the chance for us to finally experience the age-reducing joy of Nick Fury’s “Infinity Formula”.
If there’s one thing viewers took away from the Avengers film, it’s that they want to smell like Hulk and Thor. Can you even begin to imagine opening up a bottle of Captain America’s “Patriot” and whiffing in the scent of freedom, democracy, and AMERICA? I bet it’s got some good ol’ Apple Pie in it.
The only downside of this news is that there is still no way for fans to smell like Agent Phil Coulson, other than to rub themselves against Clark Gregg repeatedly. Well, if one must…
7 Comments on Smell like Hulk with Marvel’s Official Avengers Perfume, last added: 5/16/2012
Director Joss Whedon Admits He’s ‘Very Torn’ said, on 5/16/2012 2:16:00 AM
[...] Joss Whedon talks sequel, 'Buffy' and 'X-Men' parallelsLos Angeles TimesSmell like Hulk with Marvel's Official Avengers PerfumeComics BeatJoss Whedon Wants More Women AvengersScience FictionCrushable -We Got This [...]
‘The Avengers’ may become the biggest hit ever said, on 5/16/2012 3:45:00 AM
[...] Whedon Admits He's 'Very Torn' About Returning to 'Avengers' SequelAceShowbizSmell like Hulk with Marvel's Official Avengers PerfumeComics Beat'Avengers': Joss Whedon talks sequel, 'Buffy' and 'X-Men' [...]
likefunbutnot said, on 5/16/2012 5:57:00 AM
This must be for those of you who don’t already smell like Hulk already.
Kevin Williams said, on 5/16/2012 6:18:00 AM
Marvel continues to reek in the profits.
Torsten Adair said, on 5/16/2012 8:24:00 AM
Oh, you should have pulled some quotes from the site!
“The Black Widow’s bite – shot of citrus and fresh berries, giving way to sensual caramel and honey notes paired with dry sandalwood then drying down to bitter chocolate, clear patchouli, and praline”
Yup… with flavors like that, “bite” is correct!
“The Patriot scent – start with fresh notes of green lime and white pepper, finishing with dry oak wood, sandalwood, and tequila”
Do you spray it on, or garnish it with lemon and salt?
“The Mark VII Scent – a contemporary expression of mandarin, neroli, nasturtium, and jasmine layered with light patchouli”
Makes the perfect condiment for shawarma!
“The SMASH! scent – woody and aquatic with yuzu, bergamot and tarragon, with unexpected top notes of water lily and nutmeg finishing with enriched Indian sandalwood, vetiver, musk, and sharp cedar”
Sounds more like Wolverine…
“The Worthy scent – woody citrus with bergamot, frozen ginger, wheatgrass blended with a hint of grapefruit and layered deeply with aromatic cypress, plus basenotes of dark amber and cedarwood enhancing a deep musk ”
Sounds like a health spa smoothie…
Oh, I should have known… Jads also does the Star Trek cologne, as well as Star Wars!
“Slave Leia Perfume
More powerful than a thermal detonator yet more comfortable than a metal bikini!
Chains cannot restrain your smoldering sensuality even when the most despicable scum in the galaxy surround you. Whether you’re on a daring rescue mission or are being held captive by a nefarious slug/gangster, your regal bearing lets the world know that despite appearances, you’re no one’s servant. Fearless and inventive, Slave Leia Perfume includes floral top notes of white peach, lily, bergamot, heliotrope and raspberry that dry down to a warm sultry mix of cashmere woods, musk and night-blooming jasmine.”
Darn… limited edition for Celebration V.
And then there were the aromas Neil Gaiman licensed…
Jimmie Robinson said, on 5/16/2012 9:18:00 AM
Perfect for Father’s day.
So when are these products available? Is this an announcement or actual merchandise on the shelves at… at… hmm… where does one purchase this? A Disney store? Online? A comic retailer?
Jimmie Robinson said, on 5/16/2012 9:20:00 AM
Ah… never mind. I followed the link and I see it’s offered Online from Marvel’s site. Too bad. I’m sure retailers would like to sell this in their stores, too.
To the surprise of probably only people who also believe man walked with dinosaurs, Disney has announced there will be an AVENGERS sequel! In an earnings call, Disney pres Bob Iger was eager to put the $200 million writedown for JOHN CARTER behind him and look at happier things:
Repeating previous announcements made by Marvel Studios, Iger said a third Iron Man and a second Thor are scheduled for 2013 and a sequel to Captain America: The First Avenger is in the works for 2014. He gave no timeline for an Avengers sequel.
Iger boasted that Avengers “shattered domestic box-office records with a $207.1 million opening weekend for a global performance of more than $702 million to date.”
The CEO also said that there are Avengers-based attractions in the works for some of Disney’s theme parks.
Meanwhile Marvel’s genius plan for making million-dollar action movies as addictive and continuity driven as a comic book, proceeds apace, as summed up by Rick Marshall:
The next three films confirmed on the schedule for Marvel Studios are Iron Man 3 and Thor 2 in 2013, then Captain America 2 in 2014. Marvel has also booked another film for 2014 that hasn’t been identified yet, though speculation points to another Hulk movie (based on the character’s popularity in The Avengers), a solo spinoff from one of the other Avengers characters (like Hawkeye, Black Widow, or Nick Fury), or a completely new character or team, such as Dr. Strange, The Inhumans, or The Guardians of the Galaxy (which have all been mentioned by Marvel execs recently). A sequel to The Avengers would then hit after that. There’s also been enough talk of the long-gestating Ant-Man movie written by Edgar Wright and Joe Cornish, that we can probably expect to see that project in the next few years, too.
Adding to the mystery: Marvel has announced a film for May 30, 2014—but not what it is. Talk about teasers/plants/”There is another”/Harry, I should have told you this a long time ago.”
6 Comments on Avengers 2 is coming, someday…and maybe…Ant-Man?, last added: 5/9/2012
I’m not sure I understand the whole situation, but it seems like since Fox/Sony/Whomever won’t relinquish the film rights to other Marvel IPs (as demonstrated by what looks like a slick Spidey reboot and rumblings of future X-Men related projects/ FF and DD reboots) we’ll never REALLY see a film version of the Marvel Universe where all the different character families buffeting up against and interacting with eachother.
That’s a bummer.
Ron said, on 5/9/2012 10:18:00 AM
Guardians of the Galaxy? Oh hell yes!
Ian Boothby said, on 5/9/2012 10:40:00 AM
I wish they’d just write MEN and WOMEN on those washroom signs instead of those confusing images.
Brian Jacoby from Secret Headquarters Tallahassee, said, on 5/9/2012 10:53:00 AM
I’m quite certain that the rights to Fantastic Four reverted to Marvel last year. I wish I could remember where I read that…
“There was a script,” Whedon acknowledges. “There just wasn’t a script I was going to film a word of.” (Reached for comment, Penn says he was a little disappointed by Whedon’s decision to take over. “We could have collaborated more, but that was not his choice. He wanted to do it his way, and I respect that. I mean, it’s not like on the Hulk, where I got replaced by the lead actor,” he says, referring to Edward Norton’s infamous decision to install himself as lead screenwriter on that film.
Whedon might be an ideal writer for AVENGERS, since he describes himself as always writing team stories:
“Everything I write,” he says, “tends to turn into a superhero team, even if I didn’t mean for it to. I always start off wanting to be solitary, because a) it’s simpler, and b) that isolation is something that I relate to as a storyteller. And then no matter what, I always end up with a team.”
However, writing an origin story might be the easiest superhero story a writer can do. Writing a sequel will be harder, if only because there won’t be room for the subplots that are normally in comics stories. It would be much easier to write sequels, or to change from one writer to another on a given series, if the writer could jump ahead several years and make a bunch of changes, dramatic and minor, that he could refer to as space required. However, that would need editorial permission to have the heroes age and change.
Some rambling thoughts that have been rumbling around my head this week. Don’t expect it to make any sense.
TCJ has been running a roundtable this week focusing on Jack Kirby and Charles Hatfield’s new book on the same, with critics including
Jeet Heer, Jonathan Lethem (novelist and comic book writer), Glen Gold (novelist and comic art collector), Sarah Boxer (cartoonist and critic), Doug Harvey (art critic), Dan Nadel (co-editor of The Comics Journal website), and Robert Fiore (comics critic).
As you may have noticed, this is a 1998 home run derby level lineup of comics critics. But unlike other such critical conclaves, it’s not a total sausage fest by virtue of Boxer’s inclusion. But, it turns out….she’s not exactly in the Kirby cheering section:
I’ve been watching the Kirby lovefest from the sidelines — not with envy, but with a kind of fascination. Why I can’t I dive in? Why does my son want to? (I see a superhero comics fan in the making and I am horrified but interested too.) There must be a reason. Hatfield’s chapter “How Kirby Changed the Superhero” speaks to the point. And it also seems to explain my physical revulsion for almost all of the Kirby superheroes except, perhaps, the Silver Surfer, a giant phallus on a surfboard.
BURN. Yeah, why DON’T girls like Jack Kirby, huh?
Oh wait, they do.
Okay okay that’s the Power Rangers Voltron, but still…
Anyway, even if women aren’t writing their scholarly tomes on Devil Dinosaur, Moviefone got an incredible amount of heat for a dumb piece that was originally entitled GIRL’S GUIDE TO ‘THE AVENGERS that was so sexist and condescending that they had to post a disclaimer:
[Editor's Note: As you can see, we've gotten a lot of heat for this article. It was meant to be a satirical piece, and obviously, it did not come across that way. There are plenty of female superhero fans, and our intent was not to make them feel marginalized. We've changed the headline to reflect the focus as we originally intended it (but did not communicate as well): One woman's perspective on the Avengers]
This after, for instance, a 13-year-old girl (or someone purporting to be one) posted this:
I am only thirteen and I find this offensive. If you seriously believe you did something wrong, take it down. It doesn’t read as satire. And yes my dumb female mind knows what that is. It presents an unfair stereotyped view of the female sex. Now, I know some people might need a refresher. In that case I suggest the internet. It is an awesome resource for things like this. The Internet and sites like comicvine helped me understand comics when I started reading a year ago. It isn’t really all that hard to figure out what is going on.
The Discriminating Fangirl, aka Pamela, spoke out for the legion of empowered female genre entertaiment fans
15 Comments on Kirby, Girls, Avengers—one woman’s guide, last added: 5/3/2012
I don’t see why Whedon should get off the hook. Has he done anything to acknowledge his debt to Kirby?
WriterGirl said, on 5/3/2012 12:28:00 PM
Re: Sarah Boxer’s comment that the Silver Surfer was “a giant phallus on a surfboard”: I read the original issues as a young teenager and I never made that association! Had I done so I’d have stopped reading that comic (eeewwww!). I followed Silver Surfer for the stories of cosmic adventure and art.
Are people these days reading far more into the stuff than was ever there?
Karen said, on 5/3/2012 12:30:00 PM
I freely admit that I didn’t grow up reading superhero comics. But I didn’t grow up reading princess comics either. I don’t see this as a gendered thing–although I can see social pressures that might be exerted to make it a gendered thing.
Meanwhile, as an adult, I can look at Kirby’s work with admiration and appreciation, and recognize his enormous talent and accomplishments.
It’s pretty embarrassing, in this day and age, for anyone to make gendered assumptions about who reads what.
And I will also note that I wouldn’t touch those Twilight books (OR the movies) with an 11-foot pole.
WriterGirl said, on 5/3/2012 12:35:00 PM
@ Karen “It’s pretty embarrassing, in this day and age, for anyone to make gendered assumptions about who reads what.”
BRAVO!
Joseph said, on 5/3/2012 12:39:00 PM
1. Was the Moviefone thing really so offensive? I know plenty of women like superheroes, but I imagine plenty more don’t. I have several female friends who are (almost) as excited about Avengers as I am, but for every one of them there are at least 5 others who don’t know why Batman isn’t an Avenger. If you are one of those women who don’t need an Avengers primer, maybe that article isn’t meant for you.
2. I don’t feel conflicted in the least about seeing Avengers, but making a donation to Hero Initiative is a great idea any time, so I will be doing that.
3. That pic of the little girl in the Voltron/Power Ranger whatever outfit made my day.
Ryan Higgins said, on 5/3/2012 1:05:00 PM
Yeah, that Moviefone article is so clearly lighthearted/jokey/parody. Unclench, comics blogosphere.
RegularSyzedMike said, on 5/3/2012 1:08:00 PM
I stopped reading when you referred to a picture of a little girl dressed as Voltron as “Power Rangers”.
Credibility lost. ;)
Thad said, on 5/3/2012 1:09:00 PM
@Stuart: “I don’t see why Whedon should get off the hook. Has he done anything to acknowledge his debt to Kirby?”
I just read a Wired interview where he praises Claremont, Starlin, Morrison, Quitely, Millar, and Hitch, but…no mention of Kirby (or Lee, or Heck) by name, or indeed much acknowledgement of the ’60’s era at all.
On the one hand, it’s a bit of a galling oversight (assuming it’s Whedon’s and not the editor’s). On the other, at least he DID mention multiple creators by name and acknowledge his debt to them.
The Beat said, on 5/3/2012 1:19:00 PM
OKAY OKAY OKAY.
I saw the picture of the transforming girl somewhere on Twitter and loved it. And wanted it for this piece. And then googled for it and it said it ws the power rangers. And I thought, hm that doesn’t really look like the Power Rangers but…okay.
And In my defense…Voltron and the Transformers are the two blind spots in my nerd interests. So guilty as charged.
But I still love Jack Kirby!
Torsten Adair said, on 5/3/2012 1:46:00 PM
(Heidi, the Power Rangers have a doggie on their shield, while Voltron has the crusader’s cross. Titan Maximum has a giant “T”.)
I grew up on Spider-Man, started collecting in 1984, and didn’t really notice Kirby until many years later. I guess it’s kind of like reading “Catcher in the Rye” when you’re young… I just never got inoculated with the Kirby love bug.
(My superhero fixation as a young boy was Spider-Man, who is probably the most un-Kirby superhero in the Marvel Universe. Slim physique, no crazy cosmic machinery or backgrounds, more likely to suffer from Ditko dots of the flu than of Kirby Krackle.)
My opinion of Kirby is neutral… yeah, he created a lot of amazing stuff, showed a dynamic style of artwork. But his writing… oog.
Does he deserve better from Disney? Certainly. But it seems that Jack Kirby has now attained the level of adoration also held by Charles Schulz. Criticize either, and you run the risk of backlash.
As for girls and superheroes… well, my nieces created this awesome storyline where they mashed Barbie and the Charlie Angels movie into a delightful afternoon! (Hey… aside from the licensed recreations, why isn’t there a Barbie superhero line, like the Barbie Mermaid Tale?)
Joe S. Walker said, on 5/3/2012 2:17:00 PM
Sarah Boxer’s contribution to that TJC piece contained a considerable amount of sneering and offensive stereotypes (“thanks for letting me into the locker room”, that kind of thing).
Nate C. said, on 5/3/2012 2:42:00 PM
The Silver Surfer is a “phallus on a surf board?” I don’t get it … is any bald person a phallus? Are phalluses silver? Perhaps certain people are just prone to seeing phalluses everywhere?
The most interesting point (at least to me) in Hatfield’s book is that the Marvel superheroes are not only physically layered but semantically layered. They have layers of personal history & mythology, which they carry with them over time. They are encrusted with their own history.
As Hatfield writes, “the Marvel characters remembered — and so did their readers.” And this historical encrustation, which the Marvel-type superhero carries with him, makes for a certain kind of fan.The Marvel readers are “addicted, soap-opera like, to continuing storylines and unresolved problems.” Captain America is a superhero soap opera. This is why I can’t jump into the discussion. This is why I don’t want to. Those super-encrusted layers of narrative clothing are super-nauseating and super-repulsive.
By contrast, the DC characters (as Umberto Eco has noted) are “blessed” with forgetfulness. They exist in what Neil Gaiman has called “a state of grace.” Each new story is a fresh starting point, naked and free. The characters have personality but they are, narratively, blank slates. As with a comic strip like Peanuts, anyone can dive in. Even me.
Linus is my idea of a great super-hero.
One of the problems Marvel comics have had has been their accessibility. Those “layers of narrative clothing” might make the stories less accessible, but they also vastly increase the range of possible stories. As the number of significant details in a character’s life increases, the easier it is to base stories on them, and the easier it is to write for adults.
SRS
Brad said, on 5/3/2012 3:12:00 PM
Shakespeare, Olivier, Dickinson, Beethoven.
In comics, it is Kirby.
Sure, you can always argue from personal taste. But that’s all you can do. Historically, artistically, economically — the ship has sailed. There will always be re-interpretation, but it is in the rare air now. He is (to steal from Arlen Schumer) our auteur.
Brad said, on 5/3/2012 3:17:00 PM
p.s. the idea that Kirby was just about male power fantasies doesn’t jive either. Two words: BIG BARDA.
Damn, nearly forgot about that AVENGERS movie opening this weekend! Then we opened our email and an avalanche of AVENGERS tie-ins—some of which might be called stretching it—tumbled out. On the microscopic chance you are not Avengered out before the movie has even opened, here’s a sampling of what’s going on.
Whedon doesn't look as exhausted as you'd expect him to, but he does seem sort of battle-hardened. He's lost weight, either in advance of making The Avengers or because of it. The red hair that used to flop whimsically over his forehead is cropped as short as his beard. He's explaining why it took this long for somebody to wise up and let him make the big superhero movie. "It's an interesting question," he says, "because I always think of myself as, like, the most commercial guy. You look into my heart of darkness and, wow, it's Star Wars peeking back at you. Yet everything I've done has been a hard sell for somebody running a studio."
Just in time for the team’s big-screen debut, BACK ISSUE #56 (84-page FULL-COLOR magazine, $8.95 cover price) lets the “Avengers Assemble,” in an issue devoted to the history of Marvel Comics’ mightiest super-team! This issue features: Writer ROGER STERN’S acclaimed 1980s Avengers run, West Coast Avengers, early Avengers toys, and histories of Hawkeye, Mockingbird, and Wonder Man. Featuring art by and/or commentary from JOHN and SAL BUSCEMA, JOHN BYRNE, BRETT BREEDING, TOM DeFALCO, STEVE ENGLEHART, BOB HALL, AL MILGROM, TOM MORGAN, TOM PALMER, JOE SINNOTT, and more. With a GEORGE PÉREZ cover spotlighting the Avengers’ “Big Three.” Edited by MICHAEL EURY.
¶ The Marvel Lexicon! Wordnik has a dictionary of such vital lingo like mandroid and legacy virus. Use them both in a sentence and you might be the next Thunderbolts writer.
1 Comments on THE AVENGERS: videos, magazines and other activities to keep you busy until you see the actual movie, last added: 5/3/2012
Nickelodeon hosted the 25th annual Kids’ Choice Awards this weekend (where the top stars in the youth world went home with orange blimps and slime covered clothes. It’s no surprise that Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez were among the big... Read the rest of this post
Over at MTV News, sixteen upcoming movies were pitted against one another to determine the winner of the “MTV Movie Brawl 2012.” In the final round, almost four million votes were cast and Cosmopolis(a Don DeLillo adaptation starring Twilight actor Robert Pattinson) emerged victorious over The Hunger Games (starring Oscar-nominated actress Jennifer Lawrence).
In an interview with MTV, director David Cronenberg explained how he first learned about the brawl: “Cosmopolis, while I think in terms of what it is as cinema is pretty hefty, but in terms of budget and promotion, it’s an underdog compared to something like the Dark Knight franchise. I really didn’t think we would have much of a chance. That really got my attention.”
Hi once again all my fellow wanders in "The Land of Blog." Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving (lots of Turkey and the good stuff that goes along with it). Library Ninja Bill has been very busy lately but has just finished some really awesome reads. So let's get straight to it:
The Isle of Blood by Rick Yancy -Okay this is the third book in the Monstrumologist Series by Mr. Yancy and it just keeps getting better. If you have not read the prior books in this series, just click here. This books starts off with Dr. Warthrop and his young assistant Will Henry receiving a most mysterious package brought to them by one Mr. Kendall on behalf of the very complex, charismatic and certainly evil Jack Kearnes. The package is a nest made of human remains that infects anyone who comes into contact with it turning them into monsters so vicious that not only will they kill all those around them, but will eventually turn on themselves and literally devour the monster they have become. The master of these monsters is said to be a creature that swoops out of the sky and rips the victims to pieces, letting the remain fall like rain to the earth. This book is full of horrific finds and discoveries made by The Doctor and Will and many times their futures look very bleak indeed. This book is also great in that we see the relationship between Dr. Walthrop and Will Henry develop in deeper ways as they act as anchors of sanity for each other. We learn more of what drives Dr. Walthrop and we see the toll of being his assistant takes and changes Will Henry. Also we get a glimpse into the dark psyche that exist hidden away, in most cases, in all human souls to different degrees. This is a great book with, horror, plot twists and a mystery that is just too big to describe here (and if I did what fun would that be) and will keep you turning pages. Recommended for ages 14 and up.
The Avengers, Volume1 by Brian Michael Bendis and John Romita Jr. - Well the Avenger are back together in this Graphic Novel and kicking butt and taking names. This Graphic Novel which collects the most recent reboot of the Avenger (Issues 1 - 6) and features on the team: Iron Man, Thor, Captain America (Bucky Barnes), Wolverine, Spider-Man, Spider-Woman, Marvel Boy, Hawkeye and former S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Maria Hill. Kang the Conqueror has really messed up the timeline and things are going weird and bad not only in the present, but the future also. Well when things get bad on this scale, it's time to bring in The Avengers. This story is a wild ride and brings in cool guest appearances galore such as Ultron, Wonder Man (hero or villain?), Apocalypse and his Four Horsemen, the future children of The Avengers, Galactus, Dinosaurs and I could go on and on believe it or not. The Avengers have to deal with all this and fix the timeline or every things over. When things are at their worst you bring in the best. You bring in the Avengers!!!!! Recommended for ages 12 and up.
0 Comments on Isle of Blood, The Avengers and Sidekicks!!!!! as of 1/1/1900
‘American Idol’ winner Scotty McCreery made history this week (becoming the first country music star to ever have an album reach #1 on the Billboard 200 charts with his debut “Clear As Day.” Speaking of moments in music... Read the rest of this post
Comic-Con predictions (New York Magazine ranks the post-preview buzz around upcoming "tent-pole" releases with 'Scott Pilgrim' named biggest winner and a lukewarm reception to the "Green Hornet" trailer spelling trouble ahead. More on what went... Read the rest of this post
Sixteen heroes and heroines is as far away from the classic, two-tiered, AVENGERS setup as one could envision.
SRS
hey, cool cannonball is in the Avengers, he’s one of my favorites. Maybe now he won’t be portrayed as absolutely incompetent.
Pretty sure you’re incorrect about minorities on The Avengers previously. During Johns run The Falcon and Black Panther were both members. Triathlon and Firebird, Firebird and Living Lightning, etc. at various times.
One of Hickman’s earliest Marvel works was a pretty cool Sunspot/Cannonball buddy story so their inclusion should be entertaining.
Really a shame though that we’re being denied the art skills of one of the industry’s most innovative modern artists due to the demands of being a Marvel architect.
>> This represents perhaps the first time that two minority characters have been on the main Avengers at the same time, I believe >>
Oh, sure. Make a claim like this a week after I packed away my AVENGERS reference volumes.
But I think the first time two minority characters were active on the Avengers roster was in the 1970s, when the Black Panther and Mantis were both on the team, though Mantis’s membership may not have been formalized until she left.
By my run, at least, there was a period that Triathlon, Photon, Silverclaw, Living Lightning and Firebird were all active at once.
Steve, you are definitely wrong about the minority thing. Ben Grimm (Jewish) and Luke Cage (black) were on the same Avengers team for years. And that’s just off the top of my head. You’re posting this stuff for the whole internets to see, why not do a bit of checking before making a false statement like that?
Also, Moon Knight (Jewish) and War Machine (Black) were on Brubaker/Ellis Secret Avengers at the same time.
if we’re counting Young Avengers:
Wiccan (Jewish and gay)
Patriot (Black)
Hulkling (gay)
Sorry guys, Jews see themselves as WHITE first, religion second…
Can we count Scarlet Witch as Roma?
As for this lineup … yawn. Same ol’ same ol’ at this point.
Whoa whoa, I said I thought it was the first time, not definitively that it was! And I meant to say minority males, not minority characters – sorry!
Snikt Snikt – really? Glad to know you have the ability to speak for all Jews. Super helpful skill to have.
When they mentioned several New Mutants would be headed to this book, I thought for sure that would include Cypher–his modern power set seems right up Hickman’s alley. (Of course, he could still pop up.)
I like Sam and Roberto, especially with a proper amount of bromance, but as New Mutants go, they’re not ones that will get me to pick up an Avengers book.
>> Sorry guys, Jews see themselves as WHITE first, religion second…>>
Aside from the fact that you’re mistaken on that score, the claim wasn’t “non-white,” but “minority.”
Where is the Vision? Get him in the game, Hickman!!