Is The Avengers…Really That Good?

Avengers movie poster

Depending on who you ask I guess, Superman: The Movie was the greatest superhero movie ever…at least until The Avengers hit theaters. Marvel Comics moved into movies instead of just movie licensing and brought with them the shared universe concept of comics, putting out numerous movies that were part of the same continuity. It was a gamble, and one that payed off in spades, with DC/Warner Brothers about to try the same thing…without realizing what makes the Marvel Live-Action Universe (you can’t call it “Cinematic” when TV and web shows are included in the shared continuity, can you?) so appealing to comic fans. While DC/WB shuns the comic origins by hiring people to make Batman and Superman stories who don’t want to make comic movies/TV (Arrow/Flash the exceptions depending on what Supergirl and Teen Titans ends up doing), Marvel embraces their comic roots and the result are superhero movies that do what superhero tales do best.

The Avengers may have been the end goal but they did a great job setting up this new universe with only the occasional hiccup because nothing is perfect. But what about the movie itself, apart from the shared universe? What makes the bright, colorful costumes and unconnected character team-up work so well. Are we just happy to see comic adaptations that look like they’re adapting a comic work so well? With the sequel, Age Of Ultron, now in theaters, Bob Chipman examines his movie as part of his Really That Good series, which I previously introduced you to. This isn’t a filler video. For one thing, it’s longer than what I use as filler postings. This is a very good examination of the movie that I want you guys to see. So tell us, Moviebob, is The Avengers…really that good?

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“Yesterday’s” Comic> Gigantor #8

Gigantor #8

Too bad this fight doesn’t happen in the comic. It looks amazing.

Gigantor #8

Antarctic Press (October, 2000)

“Katzmeow’s Deadly Plan!”
ADAPTATION/ARTIST: Ben Dunn
EDITOR: Doug Dlin

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Morning Video Link: Black Widow’s History

Black Widow (Natalia Romanova)

Black Widow (Natalia Romanova) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

With the Black Widow one of the few prominent women in superhero productions, even though she herself is not a superhero but a super spy, Comics Alliance takes a brief look at Natasha’s history, other Marvel characters to bear the name, and a certain singer’s wife who wanted to play the role back in the 70s.

“Yesterday’s” Comic> Gigantor #7

Gigantor #7

No, Gigantor, I don’t do fist bumps.

Gigantor #7

Antarctic Press (August, 2000)

“Struggle At The South Pole!”
ADAPTATION/ARTIST: Ben Dunn
EDITOR: Doug Dlin

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RocketJump Is Sending You To Film School

I know I said I was going to write about Divergence today but I’m feeling under the weather today so I want to talk about something that makes me happy. We’ll get to how they screwed up Batman & Superman tomorrow. (The whole “daughter of Darkseid” thing doesn’t ruin Wonder Woman so much as make me more confused about the Amazons in this continuity.) Instead, let us discuss RocketJump.

Rocket Jump Film School logo

RocketJump is YouTube sensation Freddie Wong gathering friends together to make action comedy videos using practical effects, visual effects, and stuntmen. They’ve also shown off how they do what they do. Now they want to help you do what they do, or just make what you do better. Introducing the RocketJump Film School.

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“Yesterday’s” Comic> Spidey Super Stories #7

Spidey Super Stories #7

Nobody likes playing Tag with Spider-Man.

Spidey Super Stories #7

Marvel Comics/The Electric Company (April, 1975)

WRITER: Jean Thomas
PENCILER: Winslow Mortimer
INKERS: Mike Esposito & Tony Mortellario
ART DIRECTOR: John Romita
EDITOR: A. J. Hays

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Morning Article Link: I Thought They Only Flipped Japanese Panels?

English: Sunday comic strip layout when arrang...

English: Sunday comic strip layout when arranged to fill half of a newspaper page, based on diagrams in Calvin and Hobbes Tenth Anniversary Book, page 14. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

While checking out the structure of panels, Bully the Little Stuffed Bull made an interesting observation in Wolverines #1 and a recent Captain America comic about how panels and artwork seemed at odds with each other. But about the article title: I thought Scott McCloud was still alive. Why does nobody tell me anything?