dewline | Entries tagged with marvel universe

I got my debit card PIN problem fixed up at the bank. (Sadly, this is an issue that has to be fixed in person, one of the few banking issues that has to be fixed that way.)

I used some Christmas gift-money to buy a personal DVD copy of Black Widow.

There was reassurance that my local comics dealer is still operational, and was able to reassure the staff that I have not forgotten my obligations to them. More pointedly, that I anticipate starting to get caught up on my reading next weekend because payday timing.

The local custom-t-shirt printer can work with PNG files I bring for them, and that they can print on 3XL t-shirts.

The British mystery novels that inspired the CBC TV series Coroner are still in print as of two years ago, and available through local booksellers.

It may be possible for me to finally get a used Wacom Cintiq without breaking myself financially. More on this anon, I hope.

New battery for the cell-phone, finally. Been worrying about the battery I bought with it for a few weeks after four or five years. Didn't think the shop I bought the new battery from would have it in stock yet.

Current Mood: busy
Current Location: Home-for-now
Current Music: Tapestry on CBC Radio

I'm not sure what I think about the Inhuman angle yet. I would not be surprised, though, if Kamala Khan's power set were being modified for MCU purposes mainly because the management doesn't want Reed Richards' power set seen as a knock-off of hers.

https://screenrant.com/ms-marvel-show-art-kamala-khan-mcu-powers/

Current Mood: weird
Current Location: Home-for-now
Current Music: The Sunday Magazine on CBC Radio

First time I'd heard of Danielle Moonstar being seen as a Problematic comics character today, but maybe I shouldn't be surprised. She was cited as such by Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair at today's Canadian Comics Publishing Roundtable at Sequential's Canadian Comics Symposium. The character's been part of the Marvel roster for 40 years now, or close to that.

Current Mood: busy

...possibly Upsilon Andromeda?

https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Kor_and_Kaylo_(Star_System)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_star_systems_within_40%E2%80%9345_light-years

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upsilon_Andromedae

Did anyone ask Dan Slott?

Current Mood: curious

I went to see Black Widow at the cinema last night, finally, because reasons of mental health. I masked up, sanitized as best I could remember to do, and as preparation for that, finally set up a Cineplex account for myself.

The show was pretty much what I expected to see. Natasha still died on Vormir in an alternative universe to save the universe she originated in, and we're not getting any revivals here. The Johansson v. Disney lawsuit over the hybrid release via Disney+ has seen to that, if nothing else has. (Disney HQ just had to pick that particular fight, didn't they?)

So, I got my money and time's worth. I will recommend the movie to anyone interested. I still left the theatre on a sad note, because of the above-noted factors, but that's not the fault of the story told in the movie.

If you want a living Natasha working with Yelena on a continuing basis? Go read the comics series currently being published, written by Kelly Thompson, illustrated by Elena Casagrande most issues, with covers usually by Adam Hughes. Strongly recommended.

Current Mood: contemplative
Current Music: Spark on CBC Radio

Searching and researching resumed this morning.

Although, to be honest, the job alerts I've subscribed to via Indeed, Jobilico, Workopolis and the Canadian federal job bank never stop, not even on statutory holidays. So I find myself spending at least an hour a day on weekends and holidays looking at those alone, no matter if I click on any links or not.

I went down to the ByWard Market on Sunday. It's been over a month since my last visit, and I worried that Globe Mags and Cigars and Mags Plus were both finally defunct. I am pleased to report that the first of these is still in business selling newspapers, magazines, and (not so pleased to say the same about) assorted smokeables and related gear. Google Maps tells me Mags Plus on Rideau Street - about a block or so east of ByTowne Cinema - is still active, and I wasn't about to push my luck by personally confirming that as well.

I was amused by the displays currently active at the LEGO Store at the Rideau Centre: the Disney Castle, a replica of a classic Adidas running shoe(!), the apartments of Friends, and a four-story Marvel-authorized Daily Bugle playset, with twenty-five figures of assorted Marvel characters. Both Spider-Men, Parker and Morales. "Spider-Gwen" AKA Ghost-Spider from Earth-65. Daredevil. Firestar. Even Spider-Ham! Venom, Carnage, Doctor Octopus (Otto, not Carolyn), Sandman, "Green Goblin" Osborn, and a few others. Probably runs to C$500 to take that one home, and Marvel fan though I am, I am not that fanatic nor anywhere near that wealthy.

Still waiting for the advisory to go to the pharmacy to get dose # 2. I'm on their e-mail list for this, so that notice should be soon. Perhaps before the end of the week?

Have received word from Lloyd Penney that there will be physical and online components to "Third Monday" tonight, the latter for those of us unable/unwilling to visit Orwell's in Toronto in person. This is good news, I think.

Hoping to see Black Widow next week, finances and health/safety rules permitting. I do continue to read the current ongoing comics series that inspired the movie. Both Natasha and Yelena are core cast members in the comic book series, which is currently set in San Francisco. You should be able to just drop in on the story arc in progress without too much trouble.

More as it occurs to me.

Current Mood: busy
Current Location: Home-for-now

Sure, the previews - I'm sourcing Newsarama here for this - want us focused on Rogers and Doom...but that's not the real lead in my opinion...

https://t.co/66dzjudlQb?amp=1

Current Mood: worried
Current Location: Home-for-now

Inspired by this tweet:

twitter.com/andrewfarago/status/1381730705424613382

Wondering what the Jabari in particular thought of hockey when they first learned of it.

And if Kilimanjaro is drying out nowadays because of climate derangement, then what's happening to the Jabari lands?

Not a happy thought there.

Current Mood: distressed
Current Location: Home-for-now
Current Music: No music at the moment

"The mutant space program", they call it now.

A station that used to house six thousand people of assorted species, now repurposed to run with 300 or so Earthly mutants of the newborne Krakoan nation using it as a platform for exploration, research, diplomacy, defence.

A mixture of dreamers, pragmatists, working stiffs, grifters...and fanatics.

The first three issues read well together. Even with the intervention of the "King in Black" crossover, which I write off as the latest consequence of the original Secret Wars mini-series from the early 1980's. From there to Venom/Eddie Brock...eventually to this.

I'm having fun reading.

Current Mood: busy

The talks to start building that infrastructure HAD to have begun at Stark's funeral. Potts, Hogan, Fury, Hill, T'Challa, Okoye, Shuri, Danvers, Quill (okay, maybe not Quill), Strange, Secretary Ross...

Am I wrong?

We're not seeing much of that in WandaVision or Falcon/Winter Soldier but we do seem to be seeing it in Spider-Man: Far From Home...

Current Mood: nerdy
Current Location: Home-for-now
Current Music: Cross-Country Checkup on CBC Radio

It now occurs to me that Tony Stark is playing technological catchup with both Krakoa and the Eternals.

Current Mood: nerdy

Noting this because SHIELD nerd, me.

https://www.popularmechanics.com/culture/movies/a10317/creating-the-helicarrier-of-captain-america-the-winter-soldier-16674131/

Will try to discuss other things later, okay?

Current Mood: nerdy

Yeah.

So this happened, apparently to one of the characters connecting those two Marvel teams.

Or at least, their existence was a connection between the two branches of the Marvel Universe until now.

Looks like this particular creative choice backfired, perhaps not unlike "One More Day/Brand New Day" backfired on the Spider-Man comics titles. We'll see what happens in the months and years ahead, I suppose.

Current Mood: distressed
Current Location: Home-for-now

Okay, that's it. Show's over.

I cried. I'll probably tell you when in the comments at some point.

But I think I'm okay with the ending for this set of stories, in Agents of SHIELD.

Current Mood: satisfied
Current Location: Home

...at least, on ABC and CTV, anyway.

I have no idea what plans there might be for the characters that survive the end of this TV series, no idea what the comic book counterparts of the characters are in for either.

I am feeling somewhat sad. And worried.

Also, nostalgic.

When this series started, I helped my local SF club organize a party to celebrate the series' opening night at the Fox and Feather on Elgin Street. It was well-attended, we had fun, and we looked to the future.

Now? We can't meet again to mark the end of this era. Not in this Time of Pandemic. That hurts.

Current Mood: anxious
Current Location: Home

I suspect that we're not going to see much of our soldier-spy heroes for a while, given some of the antics going on across the real world of late. Despite the feeling that anti-fascist soldier-spies may be exactly what we want or need among our fictional and real heroes right now. It all just looks too shady.

This may also explain why DC's reorganizing Checkmate from its previous roles as first a US government intel shop and later a United Nations-attached organization into a loose band of four solo heroes (including Lois Lane).

Current Mood: busy
Current Location: Home

Gerry Conway co-created the Frank Castle version of the Punisher - the second but most important iteration of that name at Marvel to date - back in the 1970's with artist Ross Andru for a Spider-Man story. He had specific goals for the character in mind, back in the day...and things kept happening across the decades, as some of you have seen.

Anyway, here's what he wants to do with the symbol most closely tied to the character right now:

https://twitter.com/gerryconway/status/1270498120611229696

https://www.customink.com/fundraising/black-lives-matter-skulls-for-justice-presented-by-gerry-conway

As far as I know, it's not Officially Authorized by Marvel or their Disney bosses. But it's Gerry behind this. Take a look, see what you think, and do as you see fit.

Current Location: Home
Current Music: "No Line on the Horizon" - U2

...in fits and starts.

Click on the image to find out what I mean.

At least I managed to stay home all day.

Current Mood: productive

I've read the news about this one being delayed to November. If we're all careful and lucky.

I've been looking forward to this one with both hope and dread since Endgame. Dread, mainly because of Endgame. No use in threatening/bribing anyone involved over the quality or lack of it; the thing's in the can and if I live long enough and if I have the money by that point and if the cinema houses are open again, then I'm going to see it. Disney-Marvel can bank on it.

I'd like to get the dread out of this equation. But I'll have to do without that.