Review: Captain America Brave New World – A Safe Bet or a Missed Opportunity?

Picture this: you're at work, and you get a text from your partner, who’s home. They tell you not to worry about dinner tonight because they’re cooking and know exactly what you like—so get excited! The anticipation builds as the day goes on, especially since your partner is a skilled chef who’s prepared amazing meals for you before.

On your way home, though, you get another text, this time from a neighbor, asking if everything is okay because they saw smoke coming from your house. You assure them everything’s fine and arrive to find nothing out of the ordinary—except for the strong smell of something burnt. As you walk into the kitchen, you spot shrimp tails on the floor, a broken bottle of A1 sauce in the trash, and orange peels scattered on the counter. Your partner greets you with a sheepish smile and says, “Sorry, some of the cooking didn’t go as planned, but it’s ready!” They hand you a juicy cheeseburger and a side of fries.

You take a bite, and it’s good—no complaints there. But as you chew, you can’t help but wonder: what was the original meal supposed to be? All the signs point to something more elaborate—shrimp, A1 sauce, orange peels—but here you are with a burger instead. While the meal in front of you is fine, the thought of what you might have missed out on lingers. That’s exactly how it felt watching Captain America: Brave New World.

Minor Spoilers Ahead

I should start this review by saying that I genuinely enjoyed the film. Maybe it was the immersive Dolby Atmos, maybe it was the thrill of seeing some of my favorite characters brought to life, or maybe it was just the company I was with—but at no point did I find myself checking my phone out of boredom or sighing at ridiculous plot points. It kept me engaged, and in today's blockbuster landscape, that’s already a win.

Let’s start with what worked. First and foremost, Anthony Mackie delivers a solid performance. Taking on the mantle of Captain America is no small feat, and this film does its best to portray Sam Wilson as, above all else, a good man—something essential to the character of Captain America. He’s not trying to be Steve Rogers; he’s trying to be the best version of himself, and that struggle is at the heart of his arc.

Action-wise, the film delivers some well-executed dogfight sequences, and it does make an effort to acknowledge lingering MCU plot threads—though not necessarily resolve them. We get nods to the Celestial corpse in the Indian Ocean, the absence of an Avengers team post-Endgame, President Ross’ declining health (as hinted at back in Civil War), and the scattered presence of former Black Widows across the globe. The issue is that, while it’s nice to see these loose ends addressed, the film doesn’t really commit to tying them up. At this point, it almost feels like too little, too late.

Ultimately, this movie doesn’t reinvent the wheel—but after recent missteps, I was beginning to wonder if Marvel even remembered what a wheel looked like in the first place. This film feels like a return to the spirit of Phase One, a back-to-basics approach reminiscent of The First Avenger—a grounded, character-driven story about identity, duty, and the weight of expectations.

Carl Lumbly’s return as Isaiah Bradley, however, is what gives the film its emotional core. His presence adds weight to the story in a way few other elements do. Every time he’s on screen, the movie feels more grounded, more real. His storyline pulled at my heartstrings the most, and I found myself deeply invested in his journey. It’s through him that I figured out what the crux of this movie truly was.

At its core, the film is about men trying to do what they believe is being asked of them. Isaiah believes that disappearing is the best option because the last time he was a hero, he was imprisoned and erased. Sam keeps his head down, knowing he can never be Steve Rogers, and fearing that any statement he makes only worsens his situation. Joaquin Torres, eager to prove himself, goes above and beyond as Sam’s right-hand man, believing that’s the path to heroism. And then there’s President Ross, who leads with force and aggression because that’s what got him power in the first place.

These are misguided men trying to navigate a world that doesn’t always reward the right choices. It’s a theme that resonates, particularly when viewed through the lens of real-world struggles faced by veterans—who are statistically at a 72% higher risk of suicide due to untreated mental health issues and a lack of support. Watching these former servicemen try and, in many ways, fail to be the men they need to be adds an unexpected layer of realism that I appreciated.

But I do have two Major Issues (wink) with this film.

First, despite being titled Brave New World, the film itself doesn’t feel particularly brave. Marvel Studios was clearly aware of the backlash certain elements of the story would generate—a Black Captain America, an authoritarian leader turning into a red rage monster, an Israeli mercenary operating in a politically charged climate. Rather than embracing the controversy and making a bold statement, the film opts to play it frustratingly safe. There’s no denying that making a billion-dollar political film is impossible—politics are divisive, and neither Disney nor Marvel is willing to alienate half of their audience to make a point. But that reluctance waters down what could have been a more compelling and timely story.

The backlash against this film was loud before a single plot detail was even revealed, and I have a hard time believing any of it was in good faith. I remember the uproar when Sam first took up the shield in the comics, and the online vitriol surrounding this movie feels eerily similar. To be clear, disliking this film does not automatically align someone with those who weaponize terms like "DEI" as an insult. But it’s disappointing to see so many people rooting for this movie to fail for reasons that have little to do with the actual film itself.

By refusing to take a stand, Brave New World ends up feeling toothless—caught between wanting to say something meaningful and fearing the backlash of doing so. In its attempt to appease everyone, the film ultimately satisfies no one, resulting in an underwhelming experience that lacks the boldness its title suggests. Worse yet, this hesitation only serves to validate the worst corners of the fanbase—those who were already against the film simply because Sam Wilson is Captain America. Instead of challenging their preconceived notions or proving them wrong through strong storytelling, the movie’s reluctance to commit to its themes makes it easy for bad-faith critics to dismiss it as unnecessary or hollow. A film that could have been a powerful statement instead becomes just another entry in the MCU, easily brushed aside by those who wanted to see it fail from the start.

My second major issue is with Red Hulk and how Marvel handled his reveal. Imagine how much more impactful it would have been if we had gone into this movie without knowing that President Ross would transform. Instead, Marvel plastered Red Hulk across every poster, every trailer, making the eventual third-act showdown feel predictable and underwhelming. It robbed the film of tension—every prior scene with Ross felt less weighty because we already knew where it was heading.

Harrison Ford does a great job as Ross, but I never fully bought into this being the same character who hunted Bruce Banner in The Incredible Hulk. That sense of continuity was lacking, which hurt some of his emotional beats. As a metaphor, though, Red Hulk works—he represents unchecked ego, blind rage, and the corruption of power, forces that permeate both politics and public discourse today. His arc needed to end with self-realization rather than just brute-force defeat, and I think the film handled that aspect well.

But Marvel’s marketing department didn’t trust the movie enough to keep Rulk a secret. And they didn’t have enough confidence in Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson to carry the film without a headline-grabbing reveal. The result? They gave away their biggest twist in the very first trailer. Without a bigger surprise left in the chamber, what could have been a standout MCU entry ends up feeling merely serviceable.

Brave New World is an enjoyable but flawed film—one that had the potential to be something great but played it too safe. Anthony Mackie shines as Sam Wilson, and Carl Lumbly delivers the film’s strongest moments, but the unwillingness to take a stand leaves the story feeling hesitant and underwhelming. Worse, by sidestepping controversy, Marvel unintentionally validated those who wanted this movie to fail from the start. That said, there are glimpses of what the MCU could be again—character-driven, grounded, and meaningful. This isn’t the bold new era Marvel needs, but if they’re willing to take risks again, there’s still hope for the future.

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars and Stripes

DC Comics PREVIEW: Superman #23 "Enemy of My Enemy”

This ain’t your grandpa’s Doomday. Credit DC Comics

Superman’s latest adventure has him face to face-to-face with one of his most dangerous foes yet! Written by Joshua Williamson, with stunning artwork by Dan Mora, Alejandro Sánchez, and Ariana Maher, Enemy of My Enemy is a pivotal chapter in the ongoing Many Deaths of Doomsday arc. This issue not only deepens the stakes of the story but also lays the groundwork for major developments in Superman’s journey this summer. Check it out when Superman #23 hits shelves on February 26th!

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Official Preview for SUperman #23

Superman #23 Cover A by Dan Mora

Synopsis:

As the Man of Steel battles for the life of his deadliest adversary Doomsday, Superwoman travels across time and space to unlock the secrets of the Time Trapper!

What life-shattering secrets lurk at the end of time? What clues can Lois Lane find to save the future? And can these answers be uncovered in time to halt Time Trapper’s evolution into God-Mode?

Variant Covers by Dan Panosian, Guillem March, Nathan Szerdy, Dave Johnson, and Kaare Andrews (Batman: Hush variant)

Superman #23 Variant Cover by Dan Panosian

Superman #23 Variant Cover by Dave Johnson

Superman #23 Variant Cover by Guillem March

Superman #23 Variant Cover by Nathan Szerdy

Superman #23 Varant Cover HUSH Variant By Kaare Andrews

Interior Panel Preview

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Super/ Man: The Christopher Reeve Story (2024) Review: The Untold Tale of the Man Behind the Legend

When I heard Super/Man was being released, it immediately brought to mind my memories of watching Superman 1 and 2 on television as a kid many, many times. I loved Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor and Margot Kidder as Lois Lane. But Christopher Reeve had me in awe as a kid. He was Superman to me. So I knew I had to see this documentary to better learn about the man known as Christopher.

Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story explores the life of the legendary actor from his traumatic childhood all the way to his tragic death. It makes us privy to one of the most inspiring lives ever to be the subject of a documentary. He was not the obvious choice to be Superman in 1978, yet he went on to become the face of the superhero to this very day.

When he had his horse-riding accident, many people wrote him off for future obscurity. Those with less personal strength would have allowed the injuries he incurred to be the end of their stories, but for Reeve, it presented a challenge. It catapulted him to a new level of success. He became an icon again, but this time to an underserved population: the disabled. He brought attention to and fundraised for research that could advance spinal cord injury treatment. His work is still changing lives as I write this. This man proved that he was Superman in all he did.

The documentary was an emotional roller coaster, yet amazingly uplifting. The filmmakers showed the humanity and superhumanity of this modern titan. The only shortcoming was the glossing over of his time on Smallville at the end of career. As a fan, I was enthralled by those few appearances. I think addressing what he said to Tom Welling would have shown another level of humility that Reeve had. "I remember in the end he [said] to me, 'I'm really glad they chose you to be the next Superman,' I highly recommend that fans of cinema and of comics watch this movie. It is Kryptonite to ennui.

This film was a real eye-opener. It brought so many emotions to the surface and compelled me to write a review. This documentary made me, and I hope it does for you as well, realize that Christopher Reeve was and is Superman.

My Rating: 4.5/5

The Mandalorian Season 3 Review: Chapter 18: The Mines of Mandalore

Baby Yoda on Board

The Mandalorian’s quest for redemption leads him to test his faith.

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Crash Test Droid

With IG-11 still needing repairs, our episode starts with Din stopping by Peli Motto’s shop on Tatooine in search of the part needed to fix him. After being told by the Jawas that the piece is unavailable, Pelle offers an R5 droid instead. Mando’s distrust of droids is legendary, but he settles for R5D4 so long as it can scan the surface and air of Mandalore, for poisons or toxins as the planet is said to be uninhabitable. R5 has a bit of a personality and seems downright petrified to go on this mission to Mandalore with Din but a deal is a deal. This opener sets up the episode's big mystery. Is Mandalore truly uninhabitable as many have feared, or will Din be able to get the redemption he seeks by bathing in the waters of it’s mines?

En route to the abandoned planet, Mando teaches Grogu how to use a map, saying that navigation is an essential skill for the Mandalorians. He gives Grogu a bit of the backstory of his people before they land and R5 scans the area for poisons. The droid is reluctant but beeps and boops away until it disappears. Soon after Mando has a hard time communicating with the droid on comms so it’s decided that he and Grogu will investigate. If R5D4 looks familiar he was featured in the very first Star Wars film, A New Hope, where he is bought by Luke’s uncle Owen but malfunctions and is replaced by R2-D2. The callback is chef’s kiss, but this opener sets us up for a spooky series of events moving forward.

Grogu’s Day Out

Seeing the desolate planet of Mandalore is depressing enough knowing how it came to be, but following Din and Grogu into the planet’s depths was a sight to see. The former cityscape is now in complete ruin, yet it is not abandoned. We know this because Mando is assaulted by three Alamite warriors. Thank Vader he left Grogu in the Starfighter. After besting them, Mando hears the faint beeps of R5 and goes to investigate. He finds the droid turned over, and rights it They return back to the starfighter and Mando is shocked to find out that the air IS breathable, as Bo Katan had predicted. Taking Grogu with him, Mando almost gives a tour of what he has heard about his people. Suddenly, Din and Grogu come upon a pile of discarded Mandalorian helmets which distracts Din long enough to spring a trap.

He is captured by a weird mechanical being with an organic eye. (I apologize for not identifying the creature but it is out of the scope of my personal knowledge. Grogu does his best to try to free his Dad but barely escapes with his own life. Mando pleads with Grogu to find Bo Katan and as he runs as fast as his little legs can take him, he is confronted by an Alamite. Using The Force, he knocks the beast out of his way and does a sweet flip into the starfighter.

In a sweet moment, Grogu uses the map reading skills he learned from Mando earlier to successfully navigate to Bo Katan’s castle! He’s proven he can take orders and learn, which are probably lessons he experienced while he was training with Luke Skywalker. Either way, giving Grogu the spotlight was cool because he’s often portrayed as a MacGuffin to be fought over

The Queen’s Gambit

Bo-Katan Kryze is very surprised to see Grogu on her doorstep and knows something has gone wrong with Din’s trip to Mandalore. I was wondering to myself, why would Bo help anyone, especially someone she deems a zealot? Before she knows it’s Grogu she says “Let’s get rid of him once and for all”, seemingly proving.  If you ask me, Bo-Katan is playing 3D Chess. She truly believes Mandalore to be a lost cause but if this unpredictable loner can prove she’s wrong there might actually be a chance for her people to be reunited on their planet. My point is, I don’t think all of Bo’s motives are altruistic in this episode. 

We get to see her signature starship, the Gauntlet as she and Grogu traverse the galaxy to find, and save, Mando. Once they are close enough to view the wreckage of the planet, Kryze gives her side of the Mandalorian backstory, one Din only knew about but Bo experienced. It’s a reminder of how invested Bo has been in the liberation of her people and how shameful she feels over her perceived failure to save them. Heavy is the head, and this Queen has no people or army to command. All she has now is the sliver of a chance that Din could be right about the mines.

It’s Bo Time

Suddenly it’s “Bo Time” as we watch the former wielder of the Darksaber, make her way through the same perilous cave that Din did. Unlike our Mandalorian however, Katan is a seasoned vet and manages to take down some Alamites with the help of her vast array of weaponry. As someone who is just now getting into “Star Wars: Legends” this scene feels like the show is demanding we put some respect on the Kryze name. They want you to know that Bo is a force to be reckoned with. The question is, is she a force for good or evil? 

After impressively taking down the Alamites, she seems to take pleasure in Grogu’s reacting to her skillset. She reminds him that his “dad” isn’t the only Mandalorian, whilst wondering what else could have survived the purge. This is the beginning of Bo-Katan's willingness to believe Din Djarin might be correct. The embers of hope have been stoked but will it all go up in smoke? Kryze manages to save Mando from his robotic captures who seemed to have been draining Mando of his blood. Realizing his weakness Bo makes some soup and they speak about how their people have always been torn apart by civil war. If you recall, I believe this Civil War will be the final set piece of this season, if not the series as a whole, and this hint has all my Spider-Sense going nuts.  

The Lore of Mandalore

Luckily, there is no infighting just yet although Bo and Din differ over the ceremonies and traditions of Mandalore. Bo, as a member of royalty, saw these things as necessary but performative theater, meant to make her people feel safe. Mando was raised by these teachings, and after the death of his parents, “The Way” of the Mandalorians has been the only thing that can give him comfort. Despite their differences, they are able to locate the mines and the living water beneath them. Din disrobes in ceremonial fashion whilst Bo continues to make a mockery of the whole scenario. I love how Mando is unphased even when confronted by a non-believer who claims to serve the same side as he does.  
 
He doesn’t argue. He doesn’t try to convince her. He just goes about his business. Suddenly while walking in the living waters and reciting the creed Din drops from view. Terrified, Bo Katan dives into the waters without a second’s notice and uses her jet pack to search the murky depths for our hero. She finds Mando unconscious and while she is doing her best to bring him to the surface we see an incredible sight. First, we notice there is some gigantic figure looming in the ocean. When Kryze sets her helmet-mounted light upon it, we see the creature for what it truly is, a Mythosaur. That’s right! The lauded and fabled leviathan, which was thought to be extinct, lives comfortably underneath the mines of Mandalore. For Bo, this is like bumping into Santa Claus on the street. What do we do when we find out the bedtime stories we were told as a child are true?  

My Take

While it is only episode 2 of this season I am already extremely impressed with how they have been able to lead us through this crash course in Mandalorian history. Fans of Clone Wars and Rebels are being rewarded by seeing the effects of events details in those series. Seeing Sundari in ruin after it was the location for so many memorable moments was rough.

I also liked how this episode was a mix of both sci-fi and biblical horror. Those robots were incredibly creepy, and then we see a ghost of tradition in the depth of the lving waters. That ending was definitely a jaw dropper and I hope we get to see Mythy (that’s what I’m calling it) in all its glory soon. Similar to his loose allegiance to Bo, this Mythasuar serves as a unpredictable element that has to come into play. Imagine being Bo-Katan in that moment. It would be like an athiest witnessing a man walk on water. Whether or not she’s convinced that this is a sign, Mando looks to be in some rough shape so let’s see where this adventure takes us. I s

My Rating: 4/ 5 Dark Sabers

The Mandalorian Season 3 Review: Chapter 17: The Apostate

The Boys are back in town.

After being told he is no longer a Mandalorian for removing his helmet, Chapter 17 begins Din Djarin’s expedition to the mystical planet of Mandalore.  

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Thems The Rules  

The perfect gift for any child.

Our third season starts with some top-notch cinematography as we watch the Armorer craft a new Mandalorian helmet for a foundling they hope to indoctrinate to their cause. We witness all of this in a shore-side ceremony that is interrupted when a sea beast suddenly rises from the depths and attacks the tribe. This scene serves as our first action set piece as we see a whole legion of Mandalorian warriors try and fail to subdue this massive alligator-like creature. The foundling manages to step up to the monster, showing his own bravery but is almost killed for his efforts. Things seem dire until our boy Din Djarin, with Grogu in tow, flies in and saves the day. While I’m happy to see Mando and Grogu, the Armorer is not.

She repeats that Din is no longer Mandalorian, saying redemption is no longer possible because there are no mines of Mandalore for him to purify himself in. This is of course referencing how the Galactic Empire massacred the Mandalorian people on the planet Mandalore during the Great Purge. They sent a large contingent of bombers and destroyed cities on the surface, while KX droids and Viper probe droids terminated any survivors. By firebombing every inch of the entire planet, the surface of Mandalore became fused into a crystalline form. As it stands, it is impossible for anything to grow there again. The planet is said to be poisoned.

Desperate to get his status as a Mandalorian back, Din promises he can prove the mines, and the waters beneath them, still exist. The Armorer agrees that if he can purify himself in these waters beneath the mines, he will regain his status. Thems the rules after all. To be honest, I thought this entire scene was a flashback to show how Din was first brought in after being adopted. This bait-and-switch sets the episode in motion and gives us our 1st mission for the season. Get to Mandalore and get to those waters.

Good Greef  

Mando travels to Nevarro to meet Greef Karga, or should I say High Magistrate Karga? Boy, Carl Weathers looks good in that new gear, complete with two droids holding his cape’s train. When pirates show up and demand to be served, a standoff ensues between Karga and the pirates. Eventually, Karga beats the lead pirate to his blaster and fires a warning shot. When the rest try to retaliate, Karga and Mando kill all but the leader, so he can let people know Navarro is respectable now. He’s right! The whole town seems to have converted from a cesspool of scum and villainy, to a place where children can play freely without worry. What was once a "bounty hunter hive" as Mando called it, has transformed into a beacon of hope in a dark galaxy, all thanks to Greef Karga.

It’s then that we learn that Cara Dunne was enlisted into the special forces after turning in Moff Gideon, who was taken to a New Republic War Tribunal to answer for his crimes. I love Greef's trajectory as a character over the course of this series. He really believes Nevarro to be a place of change and earnestly wants to do good things. He asks Mando to be his sheriff and help him keep order under this new regime, but Mando respectfully declines the offer because our boy has places to go. 

The Droid He’s Looking For 

Knowing he must be there for business, Karga asks Mando what he wants and he says he wants IG11, the droid that saved him and Grogu’s life in season 1, to be resurrected. This proves to be a tall task, as IG11’s body was used for a statue commemorating his sacrifice, but they take it down and Mando tries to repair him. After a horrifying scene of IG11 powering back on and going full Terminator, Karga tells Mando to take 11’s body to some droid smiths.

After a stop at the smallest workshop in the galaxy, the smiths, who are Anzellans, tell Mando they need a rare part if they hope to repair IG11. Mando agrees to get the part. We met an anzellan before in Babu Frik. Frik aided in retrieving vital information in C-3PO's memory banks in The Rise of Skywalker. I love these scrappy little guys and Grogu seems to feel the same way. Chances are we will see them again and I cannot wait. By the way, hilarious was Carl Weathers serving as a translator for this whole interaction? He just gets better and better. 

Asteroid Ambush 

I don’t know if he needs a haircut or his weeds trimmed.

While flying to his next occasion, Mando is ambushed by pirates, led by the one Karga let go earlier. The pirates are outmatched, outgunned, and it's quite the spectacle watching Din take them down in his starship. To be honest, I don’t know what’s more impressive, Mando’s flying skills, or that he managed to do all that while holding Grogu safe in his lap. The situation turns sour when it's revealed that Mando was led right to the pirate mothership.

After some banter with Gorian Shard, the leader of these pirates, Mando narrowly escapes, but a new enemy is made. Gorian’s design looks to be a mix of Old Greg from Mighty Boosh and Swamp Thing, and I am not complaining. Speaking of which, all the creatures and aliens in the episode looked amazing and I suspect it is because of the use of more practical effects.  It’s been a while since we’ve seen a new antagonist, from an unknown species. The blank parts of the map are being filled in and it’s very exciting.

Do, or Do Not. There is No Try.

After his fight with the pirates, Mando heads to Kalevala, a planet in the Mandalorian system. There, we see a Mandalorian Castle, and sitting on the throne, all by herself, is Bo Katan. Mando requests to join Bo and her sect, but she reveals she is a queen with no kingdom. Without the Dark Saber, she lost her allies and had to drop her mission to retake Mandalore. I’ve never seen Bo-Katan so dejected before but she’s worked her whole life to liberate Mandalore and is seemingly now a Queen of Ash.

She sarcastically tells Mando to lead the wayward Mandalorians of the galaxy, seeing as he has the saber, before accusing him and his “cult” for fracturing the people of Mandalore in the first place. He explains why he's going to Mandalore to bathe in the living water and be redeemed but she scoffs and says it's all superstition but to be her guest. She tells them where he can find the waters and he promises to find out if the planet is actually poisonous. Will he make it to Mandalore and redeem himself once and for all? We will just have to tune into the next episode to find out! 

My Take

I really liked this episode and underestimated how much I missed the world of The Mandalorian since Season 2 ended. The sets are gorgeous, the action sequences are sleek and to the point, and Mando and Grogu seem more like partners now than Father and (green) son. What I like most about this season is it seems to be trying to delve into the zealotry of the Mandalorians. Star Wars is known for exploring the way of the Jedi, and the positives and negatives of being so devoted or strict in one's beliefs. Now we get to explore the customs, ceremonies, and pitfalls of the Mandalorian religion. The show is taking a stance on this very serious subject and isn't hiding it. Both Filoni and Favreau have been quoted saying this season we will explore what Mando’s faith means to him. Will his faith grow in the face of adversity, or is he fated to lose hope in his own beliefs?

This episode is even titled “The Apostate”, which is a person who renounces a religious or political belief. Mando is being outcasted for not being devout ENOUGH. Is he destined to have to prove his loyalty forever? I firmly believe this season will end one of two ways. Either Din will be able to unite both the hardcore zealots he was raised with and the outliers like Bo Katan and her ilk, or there will be a full-on Mandalorian Civil War. I think the latter is more likely, but who will come out on top? The fans will.

My Rating: 3.5/ 5 Dark Sabers

 

Oh Batman, My Batman. A Tribute to Kevin Conroy

Oh Batman, My Batman. 
They say you never forget your first. In this case, it's hard to forget the first superhero I saw on television. It was the Dark Knight, the World’s Greatest Detective himself, Batman. I had already seen Batman Returns (which is underrated in my opinion), but my fondest memories of the character centered around watching Batman The Animated Series which made its debut when I was too young to attend kindergarten. The series was full of colorful characters and entrancing music, but the star of the show undoubtedly was Kevin Conroy, the voice of Batman/ Bruce Wayne. His character commanded every scene he was in and was a force to be reckoned with. When you saw those white eyes peering at you through the shadows of Gotham City, you knew you were in some trouble. Sadly, today I lost my Batman. Today WE lost Kevin Conroy and the world will never be the same. As Batman, he managed to give his Bruce voice more bass, and at a lower register, the sound is authoritative, threatening, and dominant

No scene encapsulates the duality of Batman quite like one from the Justice League Unlimited show. After being informed by Amanda Waller that Ace, a dangerously powerful telepathic villain, will suffer an aneurysm that could create a psychic backlash that could kill millions, Batman volunteers to neutralize the child and take Ace out. He doesn’t do so out of anger or some righteous need to be the one to put the threat down. Ironically, he agrees to the assignment because he met Ace before, and thinks she will allow him to get close. Behind all her power, Ace turns out to be a lost child made into a weapon, and being one himself, Batman chooses to sit with her and hear her out instead of neutralizing her on the spot. Knowing she is about to die, Ace makes a request. She asks Batman to sit with her so she does not have to die alone, and that is exactly what he does, holding her hand the entire time. The scene is a tear-jerking reminder that Batman is a human, with a heart, and no one could have pulled off that performance quite like Conroy.

I owe a lot to Kevin Conroy, even if he doesn’t know who I am. Batman The Animated Series opened the Pandora’s Box that would become my comic book obsession. Fast forward to the release of shows like Justice League, Justice League Unlimited, and Batman Beyond and it felt like the DC Animated Universe’s Batman was growing up alongside me. When I signed up for the military and was shipped overseas, I drowned myself in Batman comics, and guess which person’s voice I heard delivering every line in every book? It was always Kevin Conroy.

When a state-of-the-art video game series, hoping to capture all aspects of BEING Batman complete with an open world is created, who do they choose to play the savior of Gotham? The Arkham series recruited Kevin Conroy. Injustice, Batman VR, heck even some of the Lego games snagged Conroy to play Batman, knowing how much his voice resonates with a generation. Selfishly, I loved that his Batman was seemingly always around, with a voice that’s constantly evolving but always felt like home. The sheer longevity of his version of the caped crusader is something a voice artist dreams of, and Kevin deserved every single bit of praise he’s received over the year for delighting Batman fans for 30 years.  

Kevin’s voice was a Swiss army knife, ready to deliver whatever emotion the scene needed to convey. Seriously, check out some of his most iconic lines from the show and you will see a level of variety that would make other Batmen jealous. We also can't forget how well he played off Mark Hamill, who voiced Joker in a litany of projects alongside Conroy. Hamill was leagues more famous than Conroy when the series began so it was amazing seeing Kevin become a superstar in his own right.  Their pairing was always one for the ages.

Today is a sad day, but I will choose to think of moments with Mr. Conroy that make me happy. When I think of that mischievous grin splashed across his face as he met adoring fans at comic conventions, I’m happy. When I see the video messages that he gleefully recorded for his fanbase, reenacting some of his famous lines, I’m happy. When I realize that because of his longevity as Batman, he has inspired countless other voice actors to reinvent themselves and perfect their craft, I can’t help but be happy. 

I’m happiest when I think of the projects Mr. Conroy was a part of, in the latter stages of his career. During the Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover event on the CW, Conroy finally got to play a version of Bruce Wayne/ Batman and his journey finally came full circle. For the first time, the voice of Batman was the FACE of Batman, and it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. Unbeknownst to most of the world, Kevin Conroy was a gay man who was happily married to Vaughn C Willaims. This year, as part of DC Comics' 2022 Pride anthology, Conroy wrote "Finding Batman". Not only did the tale serve as a story that recounted his life and experiences as a gay man, but his choice to let his truest self be known to the entire world, in a medium that far-reaching takes a level of courage I could not even fathom. 

There will never be another quite like you, Mr. Conroy. A star of both stage and screen, you brought happiness and a sense of belonging to a middle-class Puerto Rican from Brooklyn. You were so many things to so many people, and you will be dearly missed. You’ll see a lot of tributes in your honor in the coming weeks, as everyone around the world tries to give back to you what you gave to so many. I can only hope this tribute is a fitting one, dear friend. 
 
To Vengeance. To The Night. To Batman. Love The Don.  

Rest in Power Kevin Conroy

The One Change That Can Fix 'Multiverse of Madness'

As someone who is no stranger to comic books and comic book media, I am always excited when a comic book film makes its way onto the silver screen. I love seeing these adaptions of famous stories and compelling characters come to life in front of my eyes. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has done an incredible job bringing these stories to the forefront of popular culture, delighting those dedicated to the medium and those just looking for a good movie.

Recently the MCU dropped its 28th feature film, Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness, and unlike many of its predecessors, the film has divided audiences. A lot of digital ink has been spilled, trying to convey what people liked and didn't like about the film, but I think a simple change could have ultimately pleased both parties, and it isn't as big of an alteration as one might think.

Doctor Strange in The Multiverse of Madness is the 28th film in Marvel’s Cinematic Universe!

First, I'd like to discuss what I enjoyed about Multiverse of Madness. I love Sam Raimi's eye for direction, particularly in the horror genre. We have evolved past the cookie-cutter formula of the generic comic book movie, complete with tired tropes and uninspired dialogue, and that freedom allowed Raimi to leave his unique mark on this film. I thought Danny Elfman was a welcome addition, composing his first Marvel film since the first Spider-Man trilogy just like Raimi. Benedict Cumberbatch was a delight and seemed to enjoy embodying the more sinister versions of his beloved Doctor Strange character.

The Master of the Mystic Arts has evolved over the years through countless battles against evil, and we see the consequences of that responsibility here. Benedict Wong is used well here, although I think his comedic timing is still massively underrated. Newcomer Xochitl Gomez shines as America Chavez, the latest youngster to join the MCU ranks as it evolves from the core Avengers team established ten years ago. Rachel McAdams is a delight, and it's always great to see a Bruce Campbell cameo.

Check out our FULL REVIEW of Multiverse of Madness as part of the Major Issues Podcast!

This Witch ain’t playin’ around.

The star of the show is undoubtedly Elizabeth Olsen. While we knew we would be seeing Wanda Maximoff return and be featured in the Strange sequel, her role in the film was kept a secret. The Scarlet Witch is a sight to behold, and the movie itself dares to turn a sympathetic hero into a callous villain. Maximoff's pain is something we are well aware of, as we were shown just how hard of a life Wanda had in her series WandaVision.

Her entire existence is full of trauma, loss, and chaos. Fortunately, this film pulled no punches when trying to show how someone strays from the path of righteousness into the path of selfishness given the option. In her mind, not only had she lost everyone she loved but now the people who call themselves her friends are standing in the way of her getting any of it back. I relate to Wanda and in some instances, rooted for her to release her scorn across the multiverse. Even so, after the film ended, I found myself feeling a bit incomplete. I enjoyed the ride, but something felt off.

Marvel’s Multiverse as shown in the comics.

When I returned home, it seemed as if the internet was divided about how to feel about this movie. While most filmgoers liked the newest entry into the MCU, others also felt something was missing. Some blamed the lack of high-profile cameos as to what they felt was missing, while others chimed in that perhaps the viewers’ expectations got in the way of their enjoyment. As the dust settled after the events of Multiverse of Madness, I found myself questioning just how much of the Multiverse we actually saw.

As I pondered that thought, I began to worry if I had become the type of fan who is impossible to please. I went out of my way to rewatch the film, this time choosing to focus solely on the conflict between Doctor Strange and the Scarlet Witch and my second viewing was much more enjoyable. It felt like a complete film. Was I wrong all along? Of course not, dear reader!

After much introspection, I realized that one small change could not only change people's expectations of the film but in turn give one of its stars top billing, all while keeping the film's biggest secrets under wraps.

Needs a bit more Multiverse, don't ya think?

The truth is, I think the title “Multiverse of Madness” is a bit misleading. While the adventures of Doctor Strange, The Scarlet Witch, and America Chavez give us a glimpse of Marvel’s multiverse, the film fails at exploring the incredibly interesting implications of doing so. For the entirety of the film's runtime, we only spend considerable time in 3 Universes, which feels like a bit of a letdown. If this was the first piece of media in the last few decades to attempt to depict different universes and other versions of familiar heroes, Multiverse of Madness would get a pass. Unfortunately, TV shows like Rick and Morty and films like Everything Everywhere All At Once, do an expert job at showing how a single change in one universe could have massive implications on everything else.

We, as an audience, are no longer strangers to the concepts of String Theory and divergent timelines. The "Arrowverse" tackled the subject in its “Crisis on Infinite Earths” crossover, and Into The Spider-Verse was able to simplify the concept for the youngest of Marvel fans. This Doctor Strange film advertises a MULTIVERSE of Madness, doesn’t it? So why are fans upset with other fans who wanted to see Marvel’s multiverse explored more thoroughly? It is in the title, after all!  Seeing as the film is about the downward spiral of Wanda Maximoff, why not center the promotional material around that?

For some reason, most of what was shown in trailers leading up to the movie's release did its best to keep Wanda’s villainous turn a secret. The thing is, those who have watched "WandaVision" already saw the hero on a dangerous trajectory. We knew she was willing to break bad to save her children, and the film reveals this secret less than 20 minutes in. What I am suggesting is, instead of banking on the reveal that Wanda, now the Scarlet Witch, is the antagonist of the film, Marvel should have put that revelation front and center.

Advertise the movie as a Doctor Strange VS The Scarlet Witch matchup of the ages and hide the fact that their conflict will cause our heroes to traverse Marvel’s Multiverse. Call it Doctor Strange: The Wrath of The Scarlet Witch, and center all your promotional material around Wanda’s fall from grace and Strange’s reluctance to put a fellow hero down. Not only does this put Elizabeth Olsen on the marquee alongside Benedict Cumberbatch, but it also tempers expectations because the only thing Marvel Studios is promising with that title is a fight.  

Put my girl on the marquee!

Think about how much that would have changed the publicity of the film. You could have people “Pick a Side” just like the promotional campaign for Captain America: Civil War. You could implore those who never gave WandaVision a chance to try the series out simply by mentioning that the show’s events caused Wanda’s downward spiral. You could have everyone salivating over what The Scarlet Witch was truly capable of instead of trying to speculate what universes we might visit in the vast Multiverse.

Imagine showing promo videos depicting feats of magical strength between Dr. Strange and Wanda throughout their time in the MCU. All of this would create an atmosphere where the fans will be so distracted by the incoming conflict that they would not have time to predict that this film will not just take place on Earth 616.

Once THAT reveal is dropped on the unsuspecting moviegoer, people would have lost their minds. Without mentioning Multiverse in the title, fans wouldn’t have been given months to speculate who was going to make a cameo appearance. Suddenly every cameo is a blockbuster surprise, instead of something the fans predicted months in advance. We have already seen that it is not wise to give MCU fans time to speculate, as the most seasoned Marvel fans can craft theories you WISH were true. Instead of promising something both the budget and shooting schedules would have made impossible, you could have put Scarlet Witch on the map by simply changing the title.  

Now I know this doesn’t fix other people’s issues with the film. While not perfect, I did enjoy the Doctor Strange sequel for what it was worth. My expectations were high but as I stated before, they were set by the film’s title, and that one change could have eased expectations while getting us hype for an Avenger-on-Avenger fight for the ages. Odds are the Multiverse concept is here to stay as the film itself teases a potential Secret Wars adaption might be coming soon. With that being said, we could have used this film as a jumping-off point instead of suggesting it would be anything more than that. Lastly, just make sure if you didn’t dig the film, that you aren't ruining it for those who did. That, you see, would truly be madness.  

Thanks for reading! Never forget that you….(yes you)…are WORTHY!

8 Reason Why The Hawkeye Series Hits It's Mark

Merry Clint-Mas one and all! Seeing as how we are now fully wrapped up with the Disney+ series Hawkeye, I figured that it would be the talk of the town! A street-level series following an OG Avenger as he traverses threats from the MCU seems like an immediate slam dunk. After some research on the internet, it turns out it had a pretty low audience. It actually had the least amount of viewers of any MCU Disney+ show. Personally, I think people aren't giving this show the chance it deserves. There are so many nuggets of greatness in the Hawkeye series that I believe, if we took the time to highlight them, you might want to give the show a shot or a rewatch if you already have. Grab your bow and arrow, arm your quiver, and get margaritas in the blender as we go over 8 Reasons Why The Hawkeye Series Hit Its Mark!

Adapting A Modern Classic

Last January, I read Matt Fraction and David Aja’s Hawkeye run for the first time. I completely fell in love with the story, especially the character of Kate Bishop. Clint Barton is a character I have always loved, not only because of Jeremy Renner’s performance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but for the character's role in such comic book classics as "Avengers Disassembled", "Age of Ultron" and "Old Man Logan".

The issue was, I hadn't read anything that centered on the Avenging Archer that caught my eye. I can confidently tell you, I have never read a piece of literature that had me as excited as much as that Hawkeye run. I became downright giddy when promotional material seemed to hint that this run was the biggest influence on the show. Over the course of 4 weeks, I got to watch Matt Fraction’s writing and David Aja’s artwork come to life on my TV screen.

From Kate and Clint standing side-by-side with their bows, the introduction to Lucky the Pizza Dog, even right down to the comic book accurate costumes, this show pulled out all the stops. Watching David Aja’s panel artwork depicted in live-action made me cry in ways I did not think were possible. Seeing Kate holding a pizza box on her head might seem like a dumb throwaway scene, but images like that are ripped straight from the comic, and it is that level of attention to detail that makes me believe the studio cares about the product they are adapting.

Master of Foreshadowing

Chekov's Gun. For those of you who don't know, Chekov's Gun is the dramatic principle that suggests that the details within a story will contribute to the overall narrative. A very simple tool used in writing, but the method can be so effective. Hawkeye managed to excel at the technique in every way, from the subversive use of a simple butterscotch candy to a throwaway joke like Kate telling Clint he needs to label his arrows. These scenes seem like filler, but throughout the show many of these things are brought around and have satisfying conclusions.

Remember me mentioning Kate and the labels? When the duo eventually does make trick arrows together, she is the one labeling them. Every time the show has introduced something, whether major or minor, they bring it back around to give it meaning. Helping the LARPers comes full circle, Kate protected her mom with the bow and arrow she bought her, and Clint's coin trick helped save the day in the end.

When the watch the tracksuit mafia stole in Episode 1 came back around to confirm Laura Barton worked for S.H.I.E.L.D as Agent Mockingbird, I gasped. How could I not? This show wowed me purely because it rewards you for remembering every detail of its ever-expanding universe.

Mourning Black Widow

One of the biggest Christmas treats that the MCU managed to give me this year, besides the spectacle that was No Way Home, was seeing them pay tribute to Natasha Romanov, The Black Widow. I have always felt that Natasha was the heart of the Avengers, which is showcased in the entirety of the Infinity Saga. We first meet her in Iron Man 2, where she is tasked with keeping an eye on Tony Stark, and the two become acquaintances. She was the first real friend that Steve Rogers had after being thawed out of the ice, and she showed Steve a side of the world that he wasn't ready to see. Even then, she never judged him for his moral stances and helped him escape the airport in Germany during Civil War.

Natasha showed up at the funeral of Peggy Carter, just so that Cap didn't have to be alone. Natasha also managed to show Bruce Banner that he can love again and should want to love again, even if that meant accepting The Hulk version of himself. Finally, Natasha managed to save Clint from that deep and dark place he was in during the events of a Post-Infinity War/Pre-Endgame world. Throughout this series, you see what Nat’s death meant to Clint, from his inability to stomach her being portrayed in the Rogers musical, to his heartfelt confession to Kate about their first interaction.

Watching Clint eulogize his best friend at the Avenger's monument was a big moment as well. I'm so glad the show touched on what that friendship truly meant to Clint. Natasha Romanov touched a lot of hearts, not only in the MCU but ours as well. Rest in Power Widow. We'll always have Budapest.

The Characterization of Jack Duquesne

Casting is a hard job in Hollywood. Finding the right actor to play a particular role sounds a lot easier than it is. One of my favorite casting choices in this show was Tony Dalton as the role of Kate’s soon-to-be stepfather, Jack Duquesne. Tony Dalton, who I was first introduced to as Eduardo “Lalo” Salamanca in Better Call Saul, has become such a treat to watch, mainly because of the charm he can bring to any series. The character seemed to be written as the main villain (like his comic book counterpart) but ended up nothing more than a condescending, albeit somewhat clueless, master of swords.

What makes him so charming is the confidence he displays even while getting famous idioms wrong. Pay attention to when Jack is fencing with Kate. Initially, it seems as if he was letting her win so he could test her skills while hiding his own, perhaps in case of an actual showdown one day. Now we know that Jack was probably having genuine fun with Kate, even if it was at her expense. The show expertly frames Jack as suspicious, then when it is revealed that he isn't the villain you end up feeling bad for Jack, especially after four weeks of swearing he was the man in charge.

In all fairness, only Dalton can pull off showing up to a Christmas party brandishing a sword after being the suspect of murder via said sword. That kind of unabashed confidence makes him so much fun to watch. Even though I will bring up the characters of this show as a whole, I feel that Tony Dalton deserves a separate place on this list.

Character Chemistry

No show would be truly complete without the perfect chemistry between its cast of characters, and every member on this show went together like peanut butter and jelly. First, we have the amazing Barton clan, who are easy to buy as a believable and grounded family. You can tell Clint and Laura love one another, and not just because the writing tells you that they're married. I was heartbroken when Clint had to say goodbye to his kids in New York, or when Laura cried on the phone. I gasped when Clint couldn’t hear Nathaniel, and Kate had to help him because of how much I believed in their family unit. You not only want to see this poor man make it home for Christmas, but you also need him to make it home Christmas for your own sanity. Jeremy Renner and Hailee Steinfeld’s relationship is as magnificent on-screen as it is in the comics. It's another believable relationship that does an expert job at capturing how much both Hawkeyes meant to each other. From the moment they met, you can tell that these two were going to blend so well.

Of course, we can't forget about the beautiful May Queen herself Florence Pugh, and how she was able to jump right back into the Yelena shoes for the second time this year. Kate and Yelena’s shared screen time has made my cheeks hurt from how hard I smiled, and that is a testament to the acting chops that both women have. These two are the perfect successors to the Hawkeye and Black Widow mantle, right down to Kate not taking her own best shot on Yelena. I would love to see them back in the future. Even the villains played their roles perfectly, setting up interesting dynamics between Echo, The Tracksuits, Kazi, and Kingpin.

Lastly, I want to mention the Live Action Role Players and how they had the same vibe as the tenants from the comics. I knew we were getting Lucky the Pizza Dog in this show, but when they brought in Grills, there was a special tear that fell down my eye.

Validation for Marvel Netflix Fans

If there is one argument that I have found myself in more times than I care to count, it's whether or not the Marvel Netflix shows are cannon. I would like them to be, but there are certainly detractors who feel they shouldn’t. When I look back on shows like Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and Luke Cage, I can't help but think of all the times I've read these characters in the comics. Before Netflix, I had to put my own voice to the artwork and imagine the mannerisms these writers were trying to convey. When I think of all the talent that Charlie Cox, Kristen Ritter, and Mike Coulter possess, I get mad that anyone could think these characters don't deserve a place in the main MCU continuity.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, we have finally seen Marvel Studios give the Netflix spin-offs the recognition they deserve. Not only did we get a Charlie Cox appearance in Spider-Man: No Way Home but they also brought back Vincent D'Onofrio in the form of Wilson Fisk aka Kingpin in Hawkeye. Having Fisk as the puppet master pulling all the strings establishes that the Netflix shows, if not the characters themselves, exist in the same world that Tony Stark sacrificed himself for. I had no other choice but to release my emotions as tears of joy. It almost felt like a personal thank you from the studio, for holding out hope that they might see their Defenders again one day.

Cinematography and Chorography

Fans of the Major Issues podcast were probably waiting for me to talk about the cinematography and they've come to the right place. If there is one thing that I am a sucker for, it is the way that cameras move to invoke emotion. One of my favorite scenes in this show was during the car chase in Episode 3 because it had this Children of Men-style camera trick where the camera does a constant 360° following shot from inside the car, all in one take. When there are multiple close shots of the bow and arrows as they are used, you can't help but be in awe at how cool this show makes archery look. When Kate and Yelena are fighting in that office building, they frame it in a wide-angle following shot, and you can see every swing, every kick, every moment, of a criminally short scene.

Then we have the choreography, which I feel is some of the best work that we've seen in the MCU. It may sound like a bold claim, but when you look back on a lot of the hand-to-hand combat in the MCU, it is choppy and nondescript. Every swing of a fist, every kick that is thrown, has so many cuts in between that you never see anything land, and it makes for pretty disappointing action. While I'm not claiming that there are no cuts in the fight scenes of this show, there is a lot less than there has been in Winter Solider and Civil War. They showcased their expertise early on when Kate faces off against the tracksuits for the first time in spectacular fashion. They even added a few slow-motion moments in their fight scenes.

I've racked my brain to see if the MCU has used a ton of slow motion before, and I don't think they have. I challenge you to go back and watch the Highway scene from Winter Soldier and the rooftop fight from episode 4, so you can witness not just the differences, but the overall growth in the MCU’s action. That kind of cinematic maturity alone is why I feel that makes my list.

Redemption for the Hawkeye Brand

It took a lot of meditation on what message the writers had in mind when managing a show about an Avenger that the fans haven't shown enough love towards. It seems like this show's true motive was to show the world just how awesome Clint Barton, a.k.a Hawkeye, truly is. We have all seen the jokes and the comments about how Clint and Natasha are seen as jokes and have no reason to be on the Avengers. We’ve all heard the arguments before as well. "What can someone with a bow and arrow or a gun do up against an alien invasion?"

Certain fans of the Marvel Universe didn't wanna take these characters, especially Clint, seriously. Throughout this series, they showed us Barton's mindset first-hand. He doesn't believe himself to be a role model to anyone, as he tells Kate in episode 3. Whether that is because of his blood lust as Ronin, or his Survivor's Guilt over Natasha, Clint is uncomfortable with being put on a pedestal. Kate tells Clint that being a hero doesn't mean superpowers, but it means going out of your way to help, no matter the cost. We've seen Clint embody this hero mentality with how he saves people at the expense of his own body. We also get to see the consequences of being a hero with bumps, bruises, and overall use of a hearing aid due to damaged hearing.

Clint has gone out of his way to help civilians but has also helped recruit and rescue Natasha, Wanda, and now Kate. He is a hero for his ability to adapt to the role of father/big brother to those who need someone to stick up for them. All Kate, the Hawkeye fanatic, wanted was for Clint to have a better brand. This show got us there in the end with the David Aja suit to match! This show is a tribute to a single man making a difference, in a world he might not fit in anymore, and that is Hawkeye through and through.

Kate is also gonna do some great things for the Hawkeye brand in the future, just you watch!

But what did you think of the show? Was it everything you expected or did you expect more? If you would like to hear other members of the cliques thoughts on the show, be sure to check out our podcast review. My name is Dan “The Comic Book Man” and always remember….that you are worthy.

8 Sadistic Spider-Man Villains Who Should Debut in The MCU

With the dust barely settling on Tom Holland’s near-perfect Spider-Man trilogy, all signs are pointing to a sequel trilogy happening for the world-famous wall-crawler soon. While there have been 8 live-action films in the last 20 years, filled with some of the best and brightest that is the Spider-Man rogues' gallery, we decided to look to the future and predict which tricky troublemakers may have our Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man in their crosshairs.

Not on the list are seemingly confirmed villains like Morbius, Kraven, and The Scorpion, the latter two of which were hinted at in the final scenes of Spider-Man No Way Home. We also wanted to challenge ourselves by picking villains that have never been depicted in live-action before. With all that out of the way, join us as we discuss 8 sadistic Spider-Man villains who should debut in the MCU!

Black Cat

The first entry might not necessarily be the most sadistic, but Felicia Hardy aka The Black Cat is well overdue to make a live-action appearance. Over the past decades, all of Spider-Man’s cinematic threats have been male, so what better way to blaze a new trail than to slide this femme-fatal into a film as Spidey’s main antagonist? Making her comic book debut in Amazing Spiderman #194, way back in 1979, Black Cat was initially created as a Spider-Woman villain before editorial changes put her on Peter’s path.

The daughter of Walter Hardy, an accomplished burglar, Felicia found herself following in her father’s footsteps. Under the moniker of The Black Cat, Hardy would go on to be one of the deadliest thieves in Marvel, using her heightened strength, agility, and skills as a martial artist to get the job done. While she initially had no superpowers, the character was later given the psionic ability to affect probability fields, essentially giving her enemies “bad luck” (which was incredibly fitting given her codename). In her first foray as Black Cat, she crossed paths with Spider-Man. Since then, the two could be seen either fighting or kissing one another, depending on the comic. With Peter’s relationship on hiatus after the evens of No Way Home, Felicia could be a fun addition to the Parker Dating Pool.

The introduction of Black Cat can allow Marvel to explore the grey side of their universe, as Felicia finds herself more on the side of good these days than evil. Also, given the history of the character as a sexually abused woman, Hardy could potentially be seen as an inspiration to those who feel their story would never be told in a superhero epic. Felicity Jones played Felicia in Amazing Spider-Man 2 although the role was reduced to nothing short of a cameo.

Morlun (and the Inheritors)

Belonging to the Inheritors, a group of dimension-hopping hunters hoping to feast on anyone possessing a Spider-Totem, Morlun is well-known for his involvement in the Spider-Verse & Spider-Geddon crossover events. In those stories, he and his clan travel to different dimensions, draining the lives out of numerous versions of Spider-Man for their own sustenance. This outside threat causes some of the remaining Spider-Men (and Women) from across the multiverse to band together in hopes of stopping these energy vampires once and for all.

While Morlun is a fairly recent addition to Spider-Man lore, what he lacks in longevity, he more than makes up for in brutality. Using his superhuman strength, speed, and stamina, he was able to drain the life-forces out of many versions of Spider-Man, without even breaking a sweat. As a matter of fact, the Inheritor was only subdued once the otherworldly Spider-Men started to work together.

Considering Marvel’s newfound interest in exploring the multiverse and the financial success of Spiderman: Into The Spider-Verse, a live-action version of Spider-Verse has to be in the cards when thinking of the big picture. They say, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, and that sentiment rings true of the villains of the comic book version of the story. Not only would bringing in Morlun give you an excuse to bring in Spider-Gwen (Ghost-Spider), Spider-Man Noir, or Spider-Ham, but if you include his family in the mix, you may just have the right amount of destruction and devastation for an instant classic Spider-Man film! In the meantime, the Inheritors will be waiting until the Hunt… is on.

The Chameleon

Spider-Man is left with a bit of an identity crisis at the end of No Way Home, and what villain would be better to underline that theme than the master of disguise and skilled impressionist known as The Chameleon. Chameleon, also known as Dmitri Smerdyakov, has the distinction of being Spider-Man's first supervillain, debuting in the pages of Amazing Spiderman #1 in 1963.

The character has since appeared in different Spider-Man properties and gets his namesake because of his ability to mimic anyone's body language and speech patterns. That, plus his ability to make convincing masks, was his claim to fame in early years, and he managed all this without superpowers. Since then, Chameleon has used technology to achieve his means, often shown wearing a holographic belt that can help him appear to be anyone he wants. This ability has made him incredible at espionage and a dangerous threat in general.

The most sadistic version of the character could be seen murdering his victims via an acid bath, then examining their screams of pain so he could better train his voice to sound like them. He would kill a person, assume their identity, and try to live out their lives the way he felt THEY should have. As Peter Parker takes time to find out who he wants to be in this world, it would be apropos if he faced a villain who could be anyone he wants to be. Chameleon can also serve as a surrogate for those who don't feel comfortable in their own skin. Did we mention he also just so happens to be Kraven The Hunter’s half-brother?

Screwball

Another villain who could be a welcome addition to the MCU is Screwball, a social media influencer who used her massive platform to commit crimes for her adoring audience. As the world's first live-blogging super-villain, not much is known about Screwie other than the fact that she loves an audience and loves to exploit Spider-Man. Most know Screwball from her appearance in Marvel’s Spider-Man for PS4, where players had to complete her “Screwball Challenges” to beat the game.

The lack of female villains depicted in live-action Spiderman films is downright criminal, and the addition of Screwball would not only diversify his silver screen rogues’ gallery, but the film could make a point about the dangers of social media fame by pointing out the need to constantly up the ante to get more followers. Screwball has yet to be completely fleshed out as a character in the comics, only making sporadic appearances to stir up trouble, but the MCU could add additional layers to the villain that didn’t exist initially. In the era where TikTok and “challenges” are all the craze, why not try a live-streaming villain for a Spider-Man sequel?

Anyone who would harm innocent people purely for entertainment has sadistic tendencies, but when you factor in her constant need for an audience, Screwie is downright sociopathic. With her parkour skills, 18 million followers, and desire to be the talk-of-the-town, Screwball might be one challenge too many for the wall-crawler.

The Jackal

After High School, Peter will need to go to college, and odds are he would end up attending Empire State University just as he did in the comics. If that’s the case, it may be time to introduce one of Spidey’s oldest foes, Miles Warren also known as The Jackal, who was introduced to readers in Amazing Spider-Man #31 in 1965. A certified expert in biochemistry, Warren was a professor at ESU who became obsessed with cloning and the evolution of man. The professor developed an unhealthy obsession with one of his students, Gwen Stacey, who was dating his pupil Peter Parker. After Gwen’s death at the hands of the Green Goblin, Warren became heartbroken and blamed Spider-Man for her death.

Determined to reverse her fate, Miles made flawed genetic clones of Gwen Stacey and Peter Parker, creating a perversion of the couple themselves. Once the professor learned that Peter Parker was Spider-Man, he became hell-bent on ruining his life and would do so by creating exact clones of the wall-crawler and causing confusion over which version of Spider-Man was the real one. Ben Reilly and Kaine Parker, both of whom would take on the Scarlet Spider moniker, started as clones of Peter Parker created by Warren. The Clone Saga, the story in which most of these revelations come to light, has been marred by fans for being convoluted and confusing. Marvel Studios could potentially streamline the event for fans who are unfamiliar.

Miles Warren would eventually go full-on insane in the comics and develop a split personality which he blamed all of his malicious deeds on, calling him The Jackal. Jackal's grotesque visage and his advanced intellect combined with his unethical science experiments, make him a foe worthy of a live-action adaptation. Bringing him into the fold allows you to introduce characters like Ben Reilly and others involved in the Clone Saga storyline if you choose to.

Carrion

This next one might be dicey, as it plays on world events, but what about bringing in Carrion? This failed clone of Miles Warren created in 1978 also had Warren’s hatred for Spider-Man, blaming him for the death of Gwen Stacey. Retaining the professor's memories, he set his sights on destroying the web-head once and for all. Carrion's body resembles a human corpse, giving him a zombie-like appearance as Warren had created the clone but seemingly died before he could release him. The clone was left developing in the capsule for far too long, causing its body to age at an artificially accelerated rate. His ghoulish appearance aside, Carrion could disintegrate organic matter to ash with a simple touch and has the powers of telepathy, self-levitation, and telekinesis of organic matter. He also has unlimited access to Miles Warren’s scientific equipment used in his "cloning" experiments.

Later on in comics, we would see different versions of Carrion including a college classmate of Peter Parker, and a S.H.I.E.L.D Agent named William Adam. Both men were exposed to the dangerous virus by accident, becoming villains because of it. The final version of Carrion resembles a sentient and incredibly viral version of the virus itself, that can hop from body to body, controlling them at will. It can even create a physical form for itself that resembles the classic appearance of Carrion himself.

Marvel is known to “remix” some villains to best suit their needs, and I believe you could combine various versions of Carrion to make the ultimate villain. You can have a rival of Peter Parker find a substance that makes him the living Carrion, and his defeat could release the sentient Carrion Virus, which could ravage New York City until Spider-Man comes up with a cure. Having a fictitious virus run rampant for the sake of cinematic drama might be a bit much for those experiencing the horrors of the Covid-19 pandemic, but art is best when it imitates life, don’t you think?

Mister Negative

There will be an Aunt May-sized hole left in New York City when we pick back up with Spidey. She was such a giving person, even going so far as to work for FEAST, a non-profit organization that does its best to provide food, emergency aid, shelter & training to those in need. In the pages of Marvel Comics, May isn’t the only character associated with the organization as it was originally founded by Chinese immigrant and kind-hearted philanthropist Martin Li. If that name rings a bell, it's because Martin Li is one of the characters in Marvel’s Spiderman, the critically acclaimed PlayStation 4 game. In it, players got to deal with Li, or more importantly, Li’s sadistic crime lord alter ego Mister Negative.

That’s right! A mild-mannered community leader by day, and cutthroat criminal mastermind by night, Mister Negative masquerades as a man of the people while strengthening his chokehold on New York City. After exposure to the drug D-Lite, Li mastered control over both the Darkforce and the Lightforce. He has the power to heal, once healing Eddie Brock’s Cancer, and the ability to corrupt and brainwash his enemies with the same touch. Using the latter, Li managed to take control over Spider-Man, as the wallcrawler was not immune to the Darkforce’s ability to fully corrupt one’s morals and values.

Li can show up as a man who wishes to lead F.E.A.S.T. in May’s absence. Using his charm and outright generosity to disarm anyone on his trail, he could covertly build his personal army, the Inner Demons from the shadows. His duality makes him a perfect antithesis of everything Peter Parker is, and his perversion of May’s legacy may give Peter the motivation he needs to step up and take him down.

Hobgoblin (Ned Leeds)

What is a better superhero tale than best friends turning into bitter enemies? As soon as Ned Leeds was introduced to us Spider-Man fans in Spider-Man: Homecoming, a quick google search revealed one name; Hobgoblin. Many people have committed crimes under this moniker, the most well-known version being Roderick Kingsley, a fashioned designer turned criminal who happened upon Norman Osborn's Green Goblin gadgets and gear and altered it to distinguish himself from the original. His reflexes, speed, stamina, and intellect were all enhanced by taking the Goblin Formula, making him extremely dangerous.

In the comics, Ned is a reporter for the Daily Bugle and is tasked with investigating the Hobgoblin. Unfortunately, after tracking the villain down, Leeds ends up kidnapped and brainwashed by the Hobgoblin and used as a patsy for all of his crimes. That is one of the most tragic things of all. Leeds never wanted to become the villain, he was only brainwashed into thinking he was so he could take the fall if Hobgoblin was ever captured. As a matter of fact, when things got too dangerous for Kingsley, he "leaked" Ned's identity as the Hobgoblin, which ultimately gets Leeds killed in a case of mistaken identity.

Is this tragic story in the cards for OUR Ned Leeds? There is no straight answer to that question. His eventual turn to the Darkside was hinted at in a joking way in Spider-Man: No Way Home, and he's already shown to be incredibly skilled at technology. Now that he and Peter are no longer friends, all bets are off on whether or not Parker could keep his "guy in the chair" safe.

With no friend to steer him from his dark fate, we might see a completely brainwashed and unhinged Leeds don the yellow Goblin mask and unknowingly face off against his former best friend. While none of us may be ready for it, the MCU may have already laid the groundwork for the death of Ned Leeds, and we didn't even know it.

A "Low-Key" Loki Recap / Episode 5 : Journey Into Mystery

Even when you think things couldn’t get stranger for this Loki series, we get episodes like Episode 5: Journey into to Mystery! Join me as I talk about the things that stood out to me in the episode!

The Devil We Know

Last week’s episode ended with Sylvie holding Renslayer at PrunePoint demanding answers about the TVA. Call me gullible, but I thought we would get some major revelations in this episode to set up for an eventual showdown with whoever the puppet master truly is. Instead we got Renslayer stalling for time and giving vague answers whilst pretending to not know what’s going on behind the scenes. When given the chance to come clean, she uses Miss Minutes to distract Sylvie long enough to give her time to call for back up. Her duplicitous nature really makes it hard to decide how much Renslayer is IN on all this. Do we trust the Devil we know vs the one that we don’t?

Interestingly, when Renslayer is talking to the disobedient Hunter B-15, she insists that even though we just found out the Timekeepers we not real she believes “The TVA need stability.” And should continue operations. When B-15 tells Ramona that she believes Sylvie’s mission of revenge will lead her to whomever is in charge, Renslayer shows concern, and prompts Miss Minutes to give her all the information about the creation of the TVA. So, what’s actually going on here? Is Renslayer aware of the “man/woman behind the curtain” and is doing her best to protect them as we suspect? Does she truly not know who her master is, and is going to use Sylvie to lead her to them as B-15 predicts? IS MISS MINUTES A SENTIENT GOD SENT HER TO RULE OVER THE ENTIRETY OF TIME WITH AN IRON FIST OF BLOOD AND ASH?! Ok, maybe that last one isn’t true, but you catch my drift, right?

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Loki, This is Your Life!

Loki awakens in The Void, the place at the end of the time where all things pruned by the TVA end up. He meets several Variants of himself, including a Boastful Loki, a Kid Loki, a LokiGator and Classic Loki played by Richard E Grant. He debates with them, and in many ways his own nature, as he tries to get them to do more than just survive. Seeing Loki literally come face to face with different facets of his own personality was incredibly entertaining. For the first time, Loki got to see his selfish, lying and backstabbing nature from a different point of view and surprisingly he did not like it.

It’s crazy how much perspective THIS Loki has gotten from his short stint in the TVA. Something about seeing yourself die, and then being confronted with the worst parts of your personality really helped turn Loki into an antihero. We rarely get that kind of perspective in real life so it makes sense that he would change for the better. One of my favorite moments that shows this growth is when all the Lokis are fighting for the throne, constantly betraying and lying to one another. Instead of trying his best to come out on top, our Loki hides his face as if he’s watching a past memory of himself and is embarrassed.

He sees the lying nature of Boastful Loki, the ludicrous nature of LokiGator, the mercilessness of Kid Loki, and the cowardice of Classic Loki decides he is none of these things. Our Loki could have went down any one of these paths. The thing is, our Loki controls his path and he is on the path of being the greatest Loki of them all.

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Easter Egg Hunt

This episode was a bit of a treasure trove of easter eggs from both Marvel Comics and the MCU as a whole and we were HERE FOR IT! Some references were “blink or you’ll miss them” but thanks to our eagle-eyed fanbase we have a short list of the ridiculousness of this episode. Firstly, the episode’s title Journey into Mystery is a reference to the comic series both Loki and his brother Thor made their debut in. Classic Loki looks to be ripped straight from the Silver Age of Comics, while Kid Loki is a nod to . In the background of the void we see the Dark Aster, the war ship used by Ronan The Accuser in Guardians of The Galaxy.

We see a statue of the Living Tribunal, as well as the remnants of a version of Avengers Tower (although this one had Qeng written on the side, another hint towards Kang The Conqueror). We see a Variant Loki that looks to be the version from the “Vote Loki” miniseries we covered last week, and the big threat to the Void, Alioth, is an actually entity in Marvel Comics making his debut in Avengers: The Terminatrix Objective Issue #1. We can see the helmet of Ant Man villain Yellowjacket in background shots, and live-action debut of the THANOSCOPTER.  Last, but surely not least, we see Throg aka Frog Thor trapped in a jar labeled T365 aka Thor Issue #365 from 1966, which it featured Loki transforming Thor into a frog. There are probably many more, but it was very cool to see so many nod to the various forms of source material they used to make this series!

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The Power of Purpose

Purpose is something I think every individual struggle with because we all seek meaning in this existence. One of the messages of this series is the idea that your past does not dictate your purpose. First, we see Sylvie prune herself so she can be with the one person with whom she’s had a happy memory. This is something she wouldn’t have done previously, having spent her life alone hiding from the TVA. She goes to great length to communicate the fact that she doesn’t have many friends but actively fights her nature to befriend our Loki. Watching her sacrifice really showed how Sylvie has grown as person and as a character.

We hear how Classic Loki avoided death and detection by being a coward, but he does not let this be the end of his story. We hear how all he wanted to do was go back home, and in a triumphant scene, he becomes the hero of this episode by using his skills of enchantment to distract Alioth with an illusion of Asgard. The look of pure madness on his face as he faces imminent death was equal parts chilling and heartwarming. He sacrifices himself for the greater good even though his nature is to ensure his survival. Survival isn’t enough for Loki’s anymore. They seek purpose.

So what is our Loki’s Glorious Purpose? Is it in the Citadel that we see at the end of the film? Was it to become better at enchantment in an effort to be closer to is mother? Is it to “buck the system” and be the first selfless God of Mischief? Regardless, we all seek purpose. That might be what the entire thing has been all about. We choose our path. We pick our purpose. We choose our fate. I can dig that.

One Episode Left

One of the main reasons this article took so long to write was because I find myself growing more and more confused as to what this show is. Don’t get me wrong, I can watch Tom Hiddleston read a phone book and be entertained but as someone who went close to 2 years without MCU content, I have been anxious to get into the bigger threats to the Universe.

I can’t help but feel when this is all said and done this show will most likely resemble a one-shot, or miniseries, meaning it will introduce aspects that will be used later but will have no bearing on the MCU as a whole. The TVA being introduced (and I am assuming destroyed next episode), might start a chain of events that lead to bigger things but here we are 4 hours later, no closer to any of the answers to the questions we had in episode 1. I try not to be in a rush with these things, but with only 6 episodes in total spending all that time on Lametis feels like a mistake. With this being not even our Sacred Timeline Loki, so he could be killed and so long as he learned a lesson, this entire series can write itself off as a cautionary tale.

Then again, these Marvel series have a way of making me love them in the end. Maybe this last episode will give me everything I need and will help put some of the bigger mysteries to rest while laying the ground work for some big things to come ala WandaVision. I am trapped between thinking we have gone well past the need for purely individual stories given the immense worldbuilding of the MCU and simply enjoying what could ultimately just be an intimate look at a villain’s psyche. Let’s see how I feel about things next week!

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That’s all for this week! Get ready for my final thoughts on the series next week and then a FULL RECAP AND REVIEW on the Major Issues Podcast the following Wednesday!

Remember you (yes, you) are Worthy!
G.S.

A "Low-Key" Loki Recap / Episode 4 : The Nexus Event

Can you believe we are over the halfway mark for this series already? This week’s episode had heart, laughs and tears. Let’s get into Loki Episode 4: The Nexus Event!

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My Cosmic Mistake

If you read my prediction last week, you’d know I missed the mark by a country mile when I suggested that perhaps Sylvie had “enchanted” Loki early on in Episode 3, making most of the events of the episode an illusion. I made this theory on the basis that I felt that there wasn’t much to that episode as a whole, so it had to be a device to further the plot. I can admit to being wrong, and to be honest, my feelings about episode 3 remain the same. I felt they could have simultaneously kept up with the “A” plot while sprinkling some Mobius and the TVA in the background. The lack of antagonists in the previous episode made me think Sylvie was up to no good and I apologize.

This show truly has us doubting our prejudices when it comes to labeling all Lokis as irredeemable. Since first meeting Sylvie, I was waiting for her to betray our Loki, but as the series continues it seems less likely. Guys, I think I made a cosmic mistake in labeling Sylvie as a villain. It looks like her only crime was being born and deemed a “Cosmic Mistake". Watching her go through the standard VA protocol Loki did but as a scared child, was truly heart-wrenching.

After some more soul searching, I have realized that the Loki series is saying something extremely important about labels and how we choose to identify ourselves. The Lokis are judged, and deemed unworthy of existence but who gets to make that call? Who gets to rip away redemption from the hands of gods? Who gets to decide who is vital or not? We even deal with this in our real world, as people try to label and separate us based on race, creed, sexuality, and more. This leads me to my next takeaway…

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Love is Love

Last week the internet exploded after it was revealed that our very own Loki Laufeyson is genderfluid. Although it was something most fans of the comics (or Norse mythology) already knew, it was a celebratory moment for those who felt they never had representation in one of the biggest entertainment franchises of all time. Just when we thought they couldn’t surprise us more, it seems that our Loki is in love with Sylvie. This development is one Morbius scoffs at going so far as to say:

Two Variants of the same being, especially you, forming this kind of sick, twisted romantic relationship. That's pure chaos. That could break reality!

This had me thinking about the revelation from last week and the reaction it got from some of the MCU fans who were outraged to hear Loki was part of the LGBT community. It reminded me of how anything other than heterosexuality was deemed as sick and twisted for a very long time. Between the genderfluidity reveal, Loki’s being judged for who he loves, and Sylvie’s insistence to be on being referred to as Sylvie, not Loki, I am convinced that this series is showing its audience to disregard labels and embrace the chaos and unpredictability of love.

There was a lot of talk about whether Loki deserves love or not. We saw a version of Sif (a lovely surprise) in a hellish time loop nightmare remind The God of Mischief that he is destined to be alone, and some of us may feel the same but that isn’t true. We are all worthy of love and redemption. We pick our path and that’s what the show is trying to say. It’s a bold statement but let’s see if they can find a way to put an exclamation point on it as the show progresses. Don’t let anyone stop you from loving who you love, or being who you wanna be, regardless of the Sacred TImeline.

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The Price of Knowledge

I was just talking about how we needed more Mobius in this series and what does the show do? It kills him off! Now, I don’t believe that this is truly the fate of veteran actor Owen Wilson, but his “pruning” scene definitely left me speechless. Let’s dissect the events.

Mobius hears from his boss and admitted friend Ravonna Renslayer that the Timekeepers are not pleased that he let Loki go and they need both Lokis in custody ASAP. When they do happen to apprehend the Lokis, Mobius is barred from talking to Sylvie and our Loki warns him the TVA is lying to him. He tells Mobius that everyone who works for the TVA are Variants, plucked from the timeline. They have had their memories erased, and only remember what the TVA has told them. That’s why they think they were created by the TVA themselves. It’s all a cosmic joke.

He shrugs this off as another trick from a trickster and traps Loki in a time loop. After a vague conversation about the grim fate of Hunter C-20 with his boss, the doubtful Mobius steal Ravonnas TempPad and discovers something sinister. He sees that C-20 was perfectly lucid, not insane as Renslayer suggested. Even worse, Renslayer is shown in the footage, as C-20 declares that she remembers living another life Realizing Loki is telling the truth, he goes to save him and gives him an INCREDIBLE pep talk about possibly changing his ways. As they go through the Time Door, they are confronted by Renslayer and TVA Hunters, and when Mobius realizes he is caught red-handed, he starts to smart-talk Ravonna about being a variant. This act of defiance cost him his life as Renslayer orders his “pruning” and Mobius

I wonder if Loki blames himself for Mobius’ death. Had he not told the TVA employee that his company might be lying to him, maybe Mobius doesn’t go on the rabbit hole that leads to his death. Maybe that was the price he paid for his knowledge of the Variants. Then again, Renslayer did say that she was going to bring him to the Time Keepers and knowing what we know now there is no way that would have ended well. Here’s hoping our favorite jet-skiing time-hopping hero returns before the show is over.

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Behind The Curtain

Ravonna leads the Lokis to the Time Keepers, but did not expect that Hunter B-15 would defect after learning of her life as a variant. She distracts Renslayer and gives Sylvie her weapon and we are suddenly in a high-paced fight scene. Once all the TVA agents are neutralized, Sylvie tosses her blade and cuts off the head of one of the Time Keepers and that’s when we realize that the Keepers themselves are robots. There are no Time Keepers, but someone DID create the TVA to police the timeline for some nefarious purpose. There are two suspects in my book who could be pulling levers behind the curtain.

The first is Kang The Conqueror. He is the front runner in everyone's predictions given his affinity for time travel shenanigans. He has a history with Renslayer in the comics and is already confirmed to be in Ant Man and The Wasp. Everything adds up. If he’s revealed to be behind this whole thing I will be very pleased but I have another tin-foil hat theory!

The head writer for the Loki series is Michael Waldron, who has also written for the sci-fi animated comedy ‘Rick & Morty’. It is said that Rick & Morty gave Waldron some inspiration for some plots in Loki, so how far-fetched would it be that it’s a LOKI who is running the TVA? This could be a “Rickest Rick” situation where our Loki has to prove he is the greatest version of himself by taking down the worst. Again, Kang is much more likely but if Loki is the villain and the hero of this story, someone owes me a soda.

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Oh My GOD(S)!

Was I the only one thinking that maybe Sylvie would replace Loki in his own series? I started to wonder if maybe we had been tricked into believing it was Loki's story when this was actually Sylvie's tale (something she actually says when we first meet her) I was getting myself mentally prepared for a completely different show but then we got THAT POST CREDIT SCENE. Our pruned Loki awakens in an unknown wasteland of debris and collapsed buildings and is seemingly alive or as alive as he can be.

He is approached by a quartet of Loki Variants and BOY what a sight that was! We got Boastful Loki with what looks like his own version of the enchanted hammer Mjolnir. We see a Kid Loki, which was a comic book favorite, holding what can either be an alligator or crocodile Loki (Croki?) each with their own version of Loki's crown. Lastly, we have an MCU tradition as veteran thespian Richard E. Grant plays classic Loki complete with ill-fitting spandex and ridiculous horns. For years the MCU has found a way of paying homage to classic comic book costumes while also poking fun at the impracticality of it all.

Costumes aside, all these Lokis being together in one place has some interesting implications. Is this where all the "pruned" Lokis go? Do they know how to escape? DOES THE CROCODILE TALK?! This is probably where our "President Loki" makes his cameo as he joins our rag-tag bunch of Lokis on their mission to get revenge against the TVA? Someone tell me!!!!!!

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There are only 2 episodes left! I can’t wait to find out what’s in store for everyone! Join us next week as we recap Episode 5! Remember you are worthy!

G.S.

A "Low-Key" Loki Recap / Episode 3 : Lamentis

What is up everyone? This week’s episode may have hidden some cards up its sleeve, but that’s what I‘m here for! Let’s dive deep into Episode 3: Lamentis of the Loki series on Disney Plus! Sorry for the delay!

A Loki By Any Other Name

We spend a lot of time with the character most have been (mistakenly) calling “Lady Loki”. We find out in this episode that she rather be referred to by Sylvie, and eagle-eyed Loki fans have revealed that the character is listed as “Sylvie Laufeydottir” in the international credits last episode. There is already a character in Marvel Comics named Sylvie, a Thor villain named Sylvie Lushton to be exact, that goes by the name of The Enchantress. Many have speculated that our Sylvie could be Enchantress or an amalgamation of the Lady Loki and Enchantress herself.

Speaking of enchantments, the word “enchant” or “enchantment” was said over 6 times in this episode. Maybe Marvel is being a bit heavy-handed with the Enchantress references to distract us from something more. To be fair, we as viewers have been led down the rabbit hole of speculation multiple times, only to come up empty. (See Ralph Bohner) I have no doubt we will find out more about this mischievous variant and her motivations, as I suspect, like Loki himself, she is keeping her cards close to her chest. We know she has beef with the TVA, but it has not been revealed why they are the bendy thorn in her side. Can Sylvie be trusted?

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A Trickster Only A Monster Could Love

Tom Hiddleston is really getting the chance to flex his acting skills in this series. The role of Loki was originally conceived as a “mustache-twirling villain” with Shakespearean flair, and the actor turned the opportunity into an incredibly complex character filled with dreams, fears, and emotions. The more time we get to spend with our mischievous scamp of a protagonist, the more we understand his nature, and the motives behind his destructive behavior. Before this series, we only got glimpses of who Loki truly was when speaking to his parents, or Thor on occasion. In a rare quiet moment, on a moon set for utter destruction, we get a scene between Loki and Sylvie, where the two sit down for a drink and things get interesting.

After a few drinks and some probing Loki speaks fondly of his mother Frigga and how she would teach him magic and wow him with color firework displays. We’ve always known Loki was close to his mother, but this scene really hammers that home. It’s a reminder that there is nothing quite like a mother’s love, and in that love, Loki was able to flourish as a magic user.

Loki singing in Asgardian was truly heartbreaking. Not only does Hiddleston give a hauntingly beautiful performance singing in his character’s native tongue, but his willingness to do so shows he truly views himself as Asgardian, regardless of how often he voices his disdain over them. Even if he felt didn’t belong, he was embraced by his Asgardian people the moment Odin brought him home. His love for his people and his family is something I will never forget. Bravo.

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I Want Mo’ Mobius

I truly missed Owen Wilson’s character Mobius this episode, and I am not sure why. Last episode I spoke about how great of a comedic pairing Wilson and Hiddleston were, and I guess I was really getting into the groove of their schtick. As things continue to ravel for the TVA I wonder how dedicated, or more so, how loyal Mobius is to the TVA and their cause. He has already shown himself to be a bit of a maverick, choosing to use a Loki Variant to help catch one, but how rebellious is he? If he found out his overlords were not the most honest people, would he defect? Is he too close to the cause?

I ask these questions because we are halfway through this show and seemingly have more questions than answers. I am not complaining but I believe that the characterization of the TVA has been purposely vague, and their allegiance should be in question. Is Mobius as sneaky and untrustworthy as Renslayer? Possibly not, but hopefully he will have an opportunity to show his true colors when the time comes. I don’t think my heart can handle Owen Wilson as a villain, but stranger things have happened in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

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The TVA! They’re Just Like Us!

One of the big reveals this week is that Sylvie tells Loki that the TVA Agent she captured is a time variant, plucked from the timeline and enlisted to work for the Time Variance Authority. This reveal shocks the God of Mischief, as he was told that everyone who works for the TVA has been specifically created for that purpose, meaning they had no lives prior to their enrollment in the Authority. What does this revelation mean?

Well firstly, it’s proof of our long-running theory that the TVA is not being truthful about their intentions or motivations regarding the sacred timeline and their protection of it.  It also means characters that we have seen like Mobius and Renslayer lived lives as normal people before being dragged into this “timey whimey” nonsense. Who is recruiting these people? Do they remember their past lives at all? Are they all hostages in a Westview-esque bureaucracy?

When I think of time travel in the Marvel Universe and who could be pulling the strings in a nefarious manner all signs point to Kang The Conqueror, a longtime avengers foe whose ability to time travel has made him one of their most formidable. The character is already slated to make their MCU debut in Ant Man and The Wasp: QuantumMania and will be played by Jonathan Majors, but maybe this is his unofficial introduction. Think about it, Thanos was teased in Avengers and Guardians way before he showed up. Kang may just be the man behind this whole thing!

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Sylvie-Ception

Ok guys, its tinfoil hat time! If I can be honest, I felt this episode was a little bit UNDERWHELMING. With the entire MCU timeline at our disposal, and with the shocking ending to last weeks episode I guess I expected us to play around with some of the events of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Instead we go to a doomed moon with side character’s we never heard of. I was also hoping Sylvie would reveal more about her plan to take over the TVA or that we would get more of an idea who the actual villain is, but that didnt happen either.

I debated the purpose of this episode for a long time. A lot of people are saying this was a great character development story for Loki and Sylvie. I agree we got some vulnerability from Loki in this episode but Sylvie revealed almost nothing but her name and that she fancies a postman. After some research there is an interesting theory that I am on board with.

When the episode began Sylvie tried her best to “enchant” Loki and we are led to believe it DIDNT WORK, but what if IT DID? What if the majority of the events we are watching are Sylvie’s attempts to get Loki to tell her what he knows about the TVA, or to unwillingly help her in her mission. Their scene at the space bar might be our biggest hint yet as it mirrors her conversation about “brain freeze” with the TVA Agent at the end of the episode!

Call me crazy but I think Sylvie DID enchant Loki and we are inside HER illusion which is meant to trick Loki into giving her the information she wants. I could be completely wrong but Loki WAS giving up information like most notably his sexuality. (I am glad there is confirmation about his sexual fluidity, so long as others in his shoes feel seen and represented.) But yeah, it’s totally all fake. Or maybe not?

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This episode REALLY had me scratching my head. Join us next week as we tackle Episode 4, and remember…you (yes you) are worthy!

G.S.

A "Low-Key" Loki Recap / Episode 2 : The Variant

What is up everyone? Let’s break down the best parts of the second episode of the Loki series on Disney Plus!

The Puppet Master

One of the first things we are shown in this episode is how formidable this “Loki Variant” truly is. We had already overheard that the Variant was causing chaos to the ‘Sacred Timeline’ by taking out TVA agents in an impressive fashion, but we did not know how. In “The Variant” we are given a clue as to what makes this Loki more than just dangerous. It seems as if this Loki is a master of enchantment, and can use their powers to possess living beings, controlling their every movements. They have been puppeteering the demise of the TVA for quite some time and has been using other people’s bodies to do it. The careless nature this Loki displays as it discards the human bodies after they serve their purpose prove we are dealing with a new class of villain.

We also hear that the Variant, in a stroke of genius, has been hiding in plain sight in the sacred timeline but doing so by placing themselves in timelines ended by apocalyptic events. Why does the Variant already know how to outsmart the TVA? What is their end goal? Are characters truly as black and white as they are depicted in the show? Hopefully we find out more next week!

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There’s Something Up With The TVA

I don’t consider myself a very smart man, but something iffy is going on behind the scenes at the Time Variance Authority. When Loki tries to look up the creation of the Authority in question, he is told that that information is “Classified” as well as all information having to do with the dawn of, and end of, “time”. I understand that keeping this kind of sensitive information OUT of the hands of people like Loki, who are known for their duplicity is the name of the game, but what do they stand to gain by keeping Mobius in the dark?

To elaborate, Mobius who seems to be a trusted veteran agent of the TVA, only seems to know half of what is going on. All information in the TVA is on a ‘need to know basis’, and his boss Ms. Renslayer makes sure her answers are as vague as possible. Again this could just be a clandestine organization that puts the security of the timeline above all else but what if its more than that?

I think the TVA only cares about the timeline that results in the creation and existence of the TVA. Someone is pulling the strings at a higher level and is making sure the rest of the team knows as little as possible. This could make the Variant Loki and our Loki the heroes in all this, as their chaotic actions take down the shady group. Isn’t it weird that no one has seen the Time Keepers? Who gets to pick and choose what anomalies take place? I need answers y’all.

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Time for a Buddy

I’ve been a fan of Own Wilson for as long as I can remember. He has great comedic timing and works well in comedic pairs. Even knowing all of this, I had no idea how much joy the interactions between Mobius and Loki make me. I guess it’s because in most instances Loki gets his way or manages to find a way to escape, but in his current situation, he is powerless. Having that knowledge, Mobius is constantly busting the chops of The God of Mischief.

From the Pompeii scene of Loki giving a terrifying speech to a doomed audience, to Mobius confronting Laufeyson on the number of people he’s stabbed in the back (over 50), these two are the combination I never knew I wanted. I forgot to mention this last week but Hiddleston and Wilson having a blast playing off one another. I get a sense of confidence from both actors that is refreshing and highly entertaining. They are my new MCU Odd Couple!

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Ragnarok and Roll

I guess it’s time to confess that my favorite Thor film is Thor: Ragnarok. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but the absurd humor and garish colors make the film a standout in my eyes. It was the first time in the MCU that I thought Thor felt like a fully fleshed out character, with motivations that exceed his hammer, his brother, or his lineage. The story told was one of epic proportions and ultimately led to the destruction of Asgard as we know it.

Loki name dropping the event piqued my interest. I could see a world in which we return to those events, even for a second, and play around with the ideas of finality and fate. The show itself is rumored to have a bunch of cameos, something we hear when every new MCU Disney+ property, but one of the most rumored ones is that we might see Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk in the Loki series possibly during the events of Ragnarok. I am totally down, so long as we get a glimpse of the fate of the Grandmaster. I miss that guy.

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Tickin’ Time Bomb

Um WHAT?! The Variant is Lady Loki! In the comics, Lady Loki appeared after Asgard was destroyed by Ragnarok. The gods were reborn and Loki had been reborn into a body intended for Lady Sif. To ensure she wouldn’t interfere Loki trapped Sif in the form of an old woman rendering her powerless to stop him. I don’t think this will be our Lady Loki origin. This Loki seems even more hell-bent on destruction as she goes out of her way to reset charges she stole, sending them to various locations in spacetime, thus rupturing the sacred timeline causing it to branch out and create a new host of .variant timelines. What are the implications of this? What is her end goal? She seemed unimpressed at the thought of taking over the TVA, so her sights must be higher.

In a shocking turn of events, we see OUR Loki follow this Variant through a time door to parts unknown. Where will they end up? Is Loki trying to work with or against this Variant? Does Mobius truly believe Loki betrayed him? Will we all be forever forced to call her ‘Lady Loki’? Hopefully I’ll have the answers to those questions and more NEXT WEEK when we tackle episode 3!

A "Low-Key" Loki Recap / Episode 1 : Glorious Purpose

Hey Guys! It’s George Serrano aka The Don here, and I’ll be doing my best to give you my thoughts and insight on each episode of the Loki series as it drops! The show itself has just started but there is already so much to get into. Let’s get started!

A Sign of Things to Come? (Multiverse of Madness)

Our series starts off with the familiar events of Avengers Endgame in which Loki steals the tesseract and disappears. We see the God of Mischief accidentally teleported himself to Mongolia, and once there, he is stopped by agents of the TVA (Time Variance Authority), who arrest him for his crimes against the timeline.

The TVA is massive not only in scope but in concept. Charged with maintaining the purity of the timeline, no one in the TVA seems impressed by Loki’s stature as a god or his accomplishments. They have the ability to reset timelines and protect the Sacred Timeline, a vast stream of time overseen by the Time Keepers that holds the multiverse in its wake. They are operating on a completely different level than we have seen before, a point made more clear when we see that they have a drawer full of INFINITY STONES LAYING AROUND!

What’s most interesting about our intro into the TVA is there is an orientation video that plays explaining most of these concepts, but goes so far as to say “Stepping off your path (in reference to Loki) created a Nexus event which, left unchecked, could branch off into madness, leading to another MULTIVERSAL WAR!”

Last time we heard the word NEXUS was in those fake WandaVision commercials. Wanda Maximoff is already scheduled to appear in Dr. Strange in The Multiverse of Madness, so mentioning the “Multiverse” and how it can branch off into “Madness” seems to point at that happening in the MCU sooner than we thought. Could that Multiversal War be referencing 2015’s Secret Wars comic? I hope so.

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The Marvel Cinematic Universe: A TVA Production

We meet Mobius, played by Owen Wilson, who goes out of his way to recruit Loki for a TVA mission. In order to show him that the timeline is basically set in stone, Mobius uses TVA tech to project the events from Loki’s life in front of them. We not only see the events from THIS Loki’s life (like the time he became DB Cooper because of a bet with Thor, or when he took on the Avengers in New York) but we see the events of the OG Loki’s life as they played out in the MCU, including the death of his parents, and him reuniting with his brother Thor.

I personally like that this version of “Loki: This Is YOUR Life” shows the events of the MCU exactly as we have seen it in the movies. This means the TVA technology shows Loki’s life complete with the camera cuts and angles that we see when we watch those films. While some may view this as a cheap and trope-filled way of showing us things we’ve already seen, I actually want to take this a step forward.

My official headcanon is as follows. What we are watching every time we watch an MCU film is actually the events of the Sacred Timeline as recorded by the TVA for database purposes. We are watching the historical and chronological account of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as it unfurls, character by character. Luckily, the TVA broadcasts in HD amirite? But seriously, to know that all of the events to ever happen are already recorded and available for your viewing pleasure makes the MCU feel more like a documentary of a foreign land than a fictional franchise.

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A Grain Of Sand In The Hourglass

The single best moment of this episode, in my opinion, is after Loki escapes. Loki’s entire character is built around the rigid notions of purpose and fate, feeling his purpose was born to rule as a King, and has done everything in his power to fulfill that prophecy. Being the son of the King of Asgard, and the ruler of the 9 realms, greatness was always just an arms-length away from The God of Mischief, making his hunger for it more ravenous with each brush against it. In Loki’s mind once he ascends to the throne of power there is no bigger role or purpose to have but he quickly realizes that isn’t the case.

After breaking out and stealing the Tesseract, Loki finds the aforementioned drawer of Infinity Stones, and his jaw drops. The fact that the TVA is in possession of what he had perceived to be THE power in the known universe, and that they’re using them as paperweights, single-handedly put the entirety of his existence in perspective. For the first time in his life, Loki figures out that it isn’t all about him, and in reality, he is just a grain of sand in the hourglass of time. Loki, for the first time, is humbled.

It harkens back to moments before as he watches Thanos kill a version of himself he never became and breaks out in laughter. For eons, Loki had been committing atrocities all over the universe, under the presumption that he was destined for greatness, and these acts ensured his ascension. Surely if this results in him becoming King, all of it was worth it right? Except Loki never becomes King. Loki never rules. As Loki sees life leave his eyes in the projection, and tears pour down his very own, he realizes the only thing fate has in store for him, is for him to fail.

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Confessions of A God

The recruitment of Loki for this mysterious mission hinges on whether or not Mobius thinks he’s fit for the job. For the majority of the episode, Loki is being badgered with questions that aim to dissect his mentality and make sense of his actions. He is asked what is end goal is and at one point is mocked for thinking so small. When asked why he chooses to hurt people, he first claims to do so as a means to eliminate the pain of the freedom of choice. In HIS mind his is liberating those he subjugates. Mobius calls him a murder, saying he seems to enjoy hurting people and making people feel small. Regardless of the string of questions, Loki refuses to engage truthfully until he realizes how small he is in the grand scheme of things.

After realizing the futility of it all, Loki finally admits that he doesn’t actually enjoy hurting people, but feels that he has to, or HAS had to. In his opinion, he hurts people so as to inspire fear and loyalty, even though he knows this to be a cheap tactic. It’s a method of control that has made him a villain to most and he is finally realizing that now. This moment of clarity and transparency marks a distinct moment in this Loki’s development, because it is the moment he no longer chooses to be evil for evil’s sake. It also convinced Mobius he picked the right man for the job.

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If You Want Something Done Right…

So, the God of Mischief has a moment of clarity…so what? Why is Loki of all people, given his countless crimes against humanity, afforded this opportunity towards redemption? What does Mobius think he can get out of Loki that he can’t from anywhere else? Well my dear readers, this is when things get interesting. Throughout this episode we have been hearing and seeing evidence of a dangerous person killing people throughout time in brutal fashion. We have already been told that each deviation from the timeline causes branches that could send the multiverse spiraling into war, so the stakes are high, but they get even higher when Loki finds out that the person threatening the timeline is a variant of himself.

I love that hook as part of the show, even though it’s a bit Gemini Man. In a world where we’ve kind of adopted the character of Loki as an antihero due to his popularity, I do wonder what a more sinister and sadistic version Loki would look like when he lets loose. The presence of this increasingly dangerous variant will also create a juxtaposition against our main Loki, showing that by comparison, ours is just a mischievous scamp. This will allow us to cheer for one Loki, while rioting against the other, show the many facets of that complicated character.

As far as WHICH variant we could be seeing, I hope we get as many as we can.  I wanna see Kid Loki, Lady Loki, even President Loki as hinted at by the trailers! Until then we will have to wonder which Loki wants to watch the whole world burn.

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That’s all I got this week but what do YOU guys think? Comment below and let us know your thoughts, opinions and predictions before we get into Episode 2! Remember You Are Worthy!

On Your Left: A Falcon And Winter Soldier Review (Ep 5)

Hey Guys! GT is here to tackle the 5 BIGGEST takeaways from Falcon and The Winter Soldier Episode 5: Truth!

A Poisonous Sense of Purpose

John Walker paces and grieves over the loss of Battlestar, taking a moment to ruminates on his regrets & mistakes until he takes a knee & buries it deep inside because in his eyes its "Time to go to work". Faced down by Bucky and Falcon, he blames them for not being a team, just as he blames the man he killed for Hoskins' death despite not landing the blow, then blames Bucky and Sam for the conflict that ensues with him losing the Shield. One thing John Walker is NOT is accountable.

Wyatt Russel brings out the looming shadow hanging over the John Walker character since his private discussion with Hoskins about "the worst day of his life". He has a deep level of grief he's buried inside of him, but the worst day of his life also awarded him with "3 shiny medals" to remind him of it. The duplicitous nature in which John is then able to justify horrible acts so long as he gets the mission accomplished is a dangerous road that has lead Waker right here. His unhealthy coping mechanisms ramped up by an even more aggressive and insecure John Walker drive him further into his heart of darkness.

Walker dodges a court-martial for his actions, but is other than honorably discharged and stripped off all ranks and benefits of service. Walker's response in his hearing rings true in many ways. The idea that John Walker was simply the man the military made rings true to many veterans suffering from PTSD. THEY trained him to be ruthless and effective and rewarded him for being just that. Marvel has a strong reputation with discussing the government's shoddy history with veterans after and sometimes even during service. Walker's being thrown to the side without any real mental health-related assistance or care to ensure he has support after being the man they made him speaks to that. Just then he meets Valentina Allegra de Fontaine who extends her hand to help Walker. Valentina's mysterious lifeline offers Walker a 2nd chance in Julia Louis Dryfus' surprise MCU debut, having originally been slated to debut in Marvel's Black Widow. Through happenstance, she finds her first appearance here due to the delays caused by the pandemic. The character once held the title of “Madame Hydra”. Could this be a return of the fascistic organization, or something different? Either way she has dangled the bait in from of our Faux Captain America, let’s see if he takes it.

A Score Settled

Zemo faces Bucky Barnes at the Sokovia memorial, which marks the exact incident that set Zemo spiraling, and created his hatred of the Avengers. Zemo tries to persuade Bucky to kill Karli, as she is radicalized beyond repair. Bucky declines and turns him over to the Dora Milaje. But not before Bucky asks for one last favor...

In what appears to potentially be the final scene for the character of Baron Zemo, both Zemo and Barnes seem to have finally let go of one another. Zemo has let go of the idea of Bucky as a dangerous weapon that needs to be exterminated, and Bucky relinquishes the thoughts of Zemo as his tormentor. Even then, Zemo mentions to Bucky that he was designed as an efficient killer and should simply use that to take out Karli.

The change of heart for Bucky is the exact opposite of what Isaiah says to him in the earlier episode, Bucky DOES get to decide who he wants to be by choosing not to kill Baron Zemo. He instead chooses to turn him over to the Dora Milaje who will imprison him in the raft, though not without making him sweat a little by pointing an empty gun at his head. Will this truly be the end of Zemo? Hopefully not.

Red, White, Black, and Blue

Sam visits Isaiah Bradley to try and understand his situation and in doing so may get a better understanding of himself. Isaiah tells him the story of the Secret Super Soldiers and his eventual incarceration. This scene is powerful, as Isaiah recounts the familiar tale of exploitation, heroism, and betrayal that faced many a black man in this United States. It was extraordinary to recount Isiah's personal mission to save a captured band of fellow soldiers, his friends that the military had written off merely as evidence, not even considering them “people”. Tough to watch is an understatement, as even in a fantasy world such as the Marvel Universe, consisting of the noblest heroes and most gallant villains, this story of a black super soldier being cast aside and punished, and eventually exploited for his fortunate gifts, is almost TOO real. Bradley reveals that for the same personal and unsanctioned rescue mission into enemy territory that earned Steve Rogers the respect of his command and crew, he earned himself a 30-year incarceration.

When Isaiah comes around to telling Sam that not he, nor any self-respecting black man would ever want to be Captain America, not after what America has done to them, it comes from a place of experience. And man, fair, it’s hard to argue with. Sam has to make a choice when he wakes up in this world. Will it always been the world that threw away Isaiah Bradley, or could it be something better?

Light at the End of the Tunnel

Bucky unexpectedly shows up to assist Sam in repairing his family boat, prepared to leave now that the mission of “taking back the shield” is complete, Sam offers an alternative to Bucky heading out and instead they spend their first constructive time together, “righting the ship”. Once its over, Sam prepares for the crucial next step, gifted with the mysterious favor Bucky called in with Ayo

This is a fun and heartwarming segment, not only because Bucky and Sam finally grow a little closer as actual friends, but to watch Bucky allow himself to have some form of community in his life that accept him, no matter his faults or his past. After years of torment and brainwashing, we even see a glimmer of potential future in Sarah Wilson, much to Sam's chagrin.

Lastly, seeing Sam train with the shield was very much a lovely throwback to the classic “montage” of films like “Rocky”. It was also great to see the way Sam, a normal human, uses the shield, displaying much more acrobatic skill and agility than others who held it. This is combatively going to be a very different Captain America and I am here for it.

Young, Dumb, and Broke(r)?

Sharon Carter, who has been absolutely impossible to predict, speaks to Georges Batroc and tells him she has a job for him, which turns out to be working with the Flag Smashers. Head Smasher Kari is prepared to take down the GRC vote in NYC and promises Batroc his opportunity to kill Falcon will come to him when they enact said plan. What could be Sharon’s endgame in all this? Does she truly intend to betray Sam and Bucky after the events of Civil War?

Kari is steps ahead, especially of her own partners who are surprised to find they're working with career criminals now, but Kari is too far gone. It’s apparent that the show wants you to believe Sharon Carter has the possibility of being the shadowy “Power Broker” who we have only heard mention of but who runs the criminal underground. The “Broker” has already threatened to end Kari if she doesn't bring back the serum she stole. So is Sharon, not the Power Broker? Is Georges really there to take out Kari Morganthal? What surprises and conclusions await us in this series finale?

The penultimate episode was very good and I can't wait to see the new Captain America suit on my boy Sam Wilson. Get ready for the final On Your Left review before we review the ENTIRE SERIES on the Major Issues Podcast!

On Your Left: A Falcon And Winter Soldier Review (Ep 4)

Hey Guys! GT is here to tackle the 5 BIGGEST takeaways from Falcon and The Winter Soldier Episode 4: The Whole World Is Watching!

The White Wolf

We begin the episode with one of the more emotional scenes in this series so far. We see Ayo and Bucky in a Wakanda woodland by a fire, as Ayo administers the code words to test if the Winter Soldier programming has been sufficiently lifted. Bucky freaks out, quickly fearing the overtaking of the program as the memories play over, but as tears shed, he is proven to be freed of the programming once and for all. In the present, Ayo makes it clear that Zemo being freed cannot be tolerated, but affords Bucky 8 hours to rectify the situation. Ayo speaks strongly of guilt and shame felt at the loss of King T'Chaka to Zemo's machinations as T’Chaka chose them to be the anointed protectors of the throne. It’s amazing how those feelings that stay with the Dora Milaje to this day even nearly a decade later.

What's most interesting in this exchange is that it's the first hint of the relationships Bucky Barnes built during his Wakandan sabbatical. Most of what we know about Bucky in Wakanda is he was cryogenic frozen during the climax of Civil War and summoned for the impending with Thanos battle in Wakanda during Infinity War. I would personally love to get more on Bucky's time in Wakanda, preferably as the White Wolf moniker, but you get the impression that Ayo is just as personally disappointed in Bucky's hand in this action as she is the results of it.

A Good Man

It was fun to see Bucky, Sam & Zemo go searching for intelligence in Latvia. Zemo plays his angle more clever then Bucky and Sam did, opting to bribe children with candy to find out when & where Donya Midani's funeral will be. Hot on their trails is John Walker and Hoskins who are looking to stop Karlie and the Smashers once and for all. Walker is feeling aggressive and wants to go in and take them down, but Sam and Hoskins talk him into letting Wilson speak to her. Hoping to connect with her emotionally and maybe establish a trust that will allow him to get through to her..

The conversation is well crafted, as Sam uses his conversational experience to present angles on the situation to Karli that she hadn't considered. Suddenly he gives her a POV that make her sound as bad as the people she believes to be the enemy. Sam is such a good hearted man he expresses sympathy for her fight. Getting to see Wilson and Karli talk was a great scene and really drove the difference between how Sam and John they see this situation. Walker simply sees an enemy to take down, while Wilson sees a troubled person looking to make things better the wrong way. In Sam’s world…there is no lost cause.

An (Im)Perfect Soldier

Unfortunately John Walker barges in impatiently, ready to take Karli down. Karli believes this was part of the plan despite Sam's objections and flies the coup. While they end up losing her, Zemo doesn't. Firing off gun shots that wound her, she crashes over a table and spills the vials of the Super Soldier Serum which Zemo promptly destroys until Walker takes him down. Walker looks longingly at one remaining vial and pockets it.

Walker is all business as he again attempts to aggressively bring in Zemo, but is intercepted by the Dora Milaje who handily defeat him. Zemo escapes in the distracting conflict, and Walker dejectedly says "They weren't even Super Soldiers". He later asks Battlestar if he would ever taken the serum. He implores Walker to think of all the people they could've saved if they had. Walker's frustrations continue to mount with failure after failure. He just can't seem to get the hang of any situation and now, only inches away from him is the temptation to be something more. How could he resist?

Falling Star

Karli gets a message that the Power Broker is breathing down their necks and unless they can return the serum soon, he will end them. After this threat is realized, she chooses to escalate the situation by calling and threatening Sam Wilson's sister. Sam meets Karli at her request, but the meeting gets physical again very quickly with the return of John Walker and Hoskins. Hoskins is captured by the Flag Smashers leading all 3 to converge on where he's being held and it is discovered that John Walker has in fact made himself a Super Soldier.

The battle takes a tragic turn as Lemar Hoskins, right hand man of the new Captain America himself, is killed by one of the Flag Smashers. The death of Battlestar was definitely one hell of a surprise, as we “barely knew ye”. It was a stunning reminder of the reality of super soldiers facing off against regular soldiers, as Hoskins simply could not take that kind of fight. The loss of Battestar creates a deeper wound for Walker as even with the serum, he couldn't save his friend, which Wyatt Russell expresses expertly through his pained and desperate face as he tries to stir him to life.

A Line Crossed

With the Serum running through his blood, and full of rage over losing his partner, John Walker chases down Karli but loses her. He settles for chasing after her partner, the man who earlier said he looked up to Captain America, now running from that very shield in fear. Walker however catches up with him and brutally murders the man in the town square, to the horror of bystanders witnessing and recording this event. As John Walker stands among them, staring back, the camera pulls back to show Captain America's shield stained in blood.

The big differences between John Walker and Steve Rogers are staggering at this point. Steve Rogers can allow for a moment to breathe and let cooler heads prevail. He is willing to talk his way through an altercation. Walker, as we have seen so far, is impatient and insecure. Steve Rogers is often out to subdue his adversary, while Walker stalks his man like a predator because he is a man out to DESTROY his enemy.

When Walker finds himself in the very position Steve did in his battle with Tony Stark, Steve strikes once and knows he's won the fight. Walker punishes this man. He isn't out to deescalate, he wants to hurt him, and bludgeons him to death in front of a stunned and mortified crowd. That shot of the shield covered in blood, marks the ultimate corruption of a symbol of hope, as we now see it becoming a symbol of brutality and vengeance. Frankly, it disturbed me. I'm reminded of the "...Blood of Patriots..." quote, as Walker & Kari are seen as Patriots by their closest collaborators, both of which perish in this episode.

Conclusion

Episode 4 may be the best so far, and has me excited for the next 2 salvos in this series. What will Karli do next? Is Sam's sister in grave danger? Who is the Power Broker? With rumors of a recognizing cameo in Ep. 5, it's a wonder who the Power Broker will be revealed to be and if that Cameo announcement is just a mislead or something more.

Can't wait for Ep. 5!

On Your Left: A Falcon And Winter Soldier Review (Ep 3)

Hey Guys! GT is here to tackle the 5 BIGGEST takeaways from Falcon and The Winter Soldier Episode 3: Power Broker!

Under Pressure

It’s interesting that our Faux Cap John Walker, who we last saw nipping at the heels of Bucky and Falcon, is growing frustrated with his lack of success. Even when his right-hand man Lamar reminds him of futility of the situation, Walker shows he's willing to ask for forgiveness instead of permission to get the job done. Cap’s shoes are some big ones to fill and the pressure seems to be getting to ol’ Johnny. I guess not everyone is built like the legendary Steve Rogers.

We see Battlestar seems willing to go along for now, but is he willing to follow Walker everywhere? How strong is their bond? How far will Walker take them both to win? What's keeping him on Sam and Bucky's trail? Hopefully we flesh out their history but this Cap has definitely got an edge.

Agent Carter?

After months of her being promoted we finally get the return of Agent 13 and she's...kind of awful now. A significantly changed woman, her actions during the schism between Avengers made her a fugitive, and without the support of anyone up high, she escaped persecution by heading to Madripoor and living off the grid. The most heartbreaking part of her reunion with Sam and Bucky was the overwhelming indifference this Sharon seems to possess. Now a hardened Sharon Carter, her view of the Avengers has corrupted into hypocrisy.

Seeing as she was such a vital member of SHIELD in the past maybe she doesn’t realize her leverage in the situation. Surely in right place and time, she could extend her hand to ultimately make a deal that could get her back in America and the government’s good graces right? Then again maybe her shades of grey are permanent. Sharon Carter could very well be the infamous Power Broker.

The Ballin’ Baron

Zemo is free. "Assisted" in his escape by Bucky Barnes, he leads Bucky and Sam to the infamous criminal island nation Madripoor (a very famous location in the comics) under criminal aliases. This includes Bucky masquerading as The Winter Soldier once more and Falcon trying to do his best impression of “Smiling Tiger”. Daniel Brühl gets to have much more fun with the Zemo character in this. By putting the normally cerebral villain in this setting you end up exposing more of his personality and wit. He also displays a level culture and intelligence and it is revealed that Zemo is in fact, a Baron. His family was royalty when his country (Sokovia…ever heard of it?) was still a piece of the map.

Though he still has many contacts both above and below the criminal underground, Sam hates the idea of teaming with the sociopath, but he understands how far behind they are on the Flag Smashers and is willing to bend before he breaks to stop these Super Soldiers. What is Zemo’s Endgame? Guess we will find out.

The Power of A Message

That didn’t take long did it? Last week we sat and heard a big of the Flag Smasher manifesto; One World, One People. On the face of it, the message and loyalty shown by the FS is admirable, especially if they truly believe in their cause. I sympathized with those who had to adjust TWICE to life in the MCU, first when Thanos snapped away half of existence and again when The Hulk brought them back.

That all changed this week as Karli Morgenthau crosses a new line in her push to get results. The Ginger Haired Anarchist blows up a building with a bunch of innocent people inside, and doesn’t so much as blink. When asked about the casualties she mentions in a rather cavalier way that “This is the only language these people understand”. Seeing how many bodies Karli is willing to pile up for her cause has me doubting her actual motives. How much further will Karli go to make her point and spread her message, and how many more will die to do so?

A Sign of Things to Come?

Moving forward towards some more potential leads Bucky and Sam have another heart to heart. Sam still sees the Shield has a burden on anyone other than Steve Rogers, and that’s when something funny happens. Barnes confesses that he is willing to take the shield and uphold the mantle of Cap, his best friend. He already revealed his disappointment in Sam for surrendering it, and now Bucky is ready to risk everything to steal it back because of what it means to people, but especially to him. They end up in Latvia, and what they're there for isn't made clear quite yet. But what they find is.....Wakanda Never Forgets.

A member of the Dora Milaje makes herself present to Bucky after having found her bread crumbs. It's hard not to imagine this reveal was meant for T'Challa before the untimely death of Chadwick Boseman and that is a shame. Regardless it is great to see that the warriors of Wakanda live on and this one, in particular, is here to put King T'Chaka's killer back in his hole.

……but that all I got this week! Tune in Next Week, True Believers!

On Your Left: A Falcon And Winter Soldier Review (Ep 1/2)

Hey All! I am GT Rebirth frequent co-host of the Major Issues Podcast and proud member of Comicbook Clique! As a big fan of the MCU iteration of Captain America I thought it would be cool to break down some episodes of Falcon and the Winter Soldier!

Yes, I know there wasn't a double premiere for Falcon and the Winter Soldier like there was WandaVision. I'm just a little late because sometimes when given just a bit of responsibility, I crumble like Ryback under Mark Henry (look it up).

And sadly, that’s the very first thing we see when we get our first glimpse of Sam Wilson in episode one of Falcon and the Winter Soldier. That long shot of him looking at the shield for what he believes is the last time, haunted by the echo of his words when he first held it "... like it's someone else's". Join me as we follow his journey and I tackle FIVE TAKEAWAYS from each episode…starting with this double header.

Freelance Avenger?

Seems like Sam Wilson is doing freelance operations for the military I’m not sure how I feel about this after being on the outs with the government after Civil War, but maybe that's being a hero. You help where you can, and say “damn the grudges”. It couldn’t have been easy for Falcon as a fugitive and his heroics here might be the best foot forward.

We get an introduction to a new MCU character, Joaquin Torres, who works alongside Sam in his missions. This is interesting because Torres initially made his debut in the Sam Wilson: Captain America Series as the “new” Falcon in one of Marvel’s…more colorful iterations on the character. I doubt they will go this route on the show, as it would be hard to portray in the series, but I’m psyched to see him come for the ride. Finger crossed that he’s a huge wrestling fan like in the comics. This episode also reintroduces popular Captain America: The Winter Soldier villain Batroc (played by the incomparable George St Pierre) to the MCU. Seeing both of these characters immediately put a smile on my face.

We also hear through Torres about the ‘”Flag Smashers” an anarchist group, hoping for a world that resembles things before everyone returned from “the blip”. While their mantra sounds peaceful they are just a few steps away from being a terrorist organization, something our heroes should keep an eye on.

A (Winter) Soldier Without A War

Our boy Bucky Barnes is struggling with day-to-day living and seems to have no real direction without a fight to…well fight. He is very combative in his court mandated therapy, one of several terms of his pardon after years of operating as the mind-controlled “Winter Soldier”. As a way of making amends for his dealings in the past, he has kept himself busy doing keeping tabs on former hydra agents. It's a lonely place of living for SGT James Buchanan Barnes, and the reality is that Steve and Bucky seemingly never got to spend much time together after their heated reunion in Winter Soldier. After Civil War it became about both of them being on the run from their enemies and the government.

Knowing his one true friend is gone is likely heavily sobering, and while there are members of the Avengers that clearly care about him in some way or another, he is for the most part, a stranger to them. In his eyes he will always be "Steve's Friend". After his years of combat, Bucky is staring down a life of solitude, which is a terribly frightening place for anyone in recovery. I'm happy to hear Bucky got pardoned, because I'm happy to see anyone who has put in the work to change, being given a second chance.

No one who is working hard on changing for the best should be punished forever no matter what their, especially compromised, past was.

The World Moves On

Steve represented the best in all of us. Courageous, righteous, hopeful. And he mastered posing stoically. The world has been forever changed. A few months ago, billions of people reappeared after five years away, sending the world into turmoil. We need new heroes. Ones suited for the times we're in. Symbols... are nothing without the women and men that give them meaning, and this thing... I don't know if there's ever been a greater symbol, but it's more about the man who propped it up, and he's gone. So, today we honor Steve's legacy, but also, we look to the future. So, thank you, Captain America, but this belongs to you. - Sam Wilson

It was tough to see Sam dedicate Captain America’s shield to the Smithsonian museum, especially after Steve himself handed it to him. The world has changed in the last 5 years and it's here where we get our first real boots on the ground look at life after the blip was reversed. Rhodey, who attended the ceremony mentions to Sam privately that alliances between nations were severed. Trust is coming at a premium as nations that were allies are now at odds. The global disarray is significant, as are the resources for those returning after years away. While the government does it best to accommodate everyone they can, you can’t help but feel some will fall through the cracks of bureaucracy.

“Uncle Sam”

We meet Sam Wilson's sister and get their perspective on life after the blip, with how much small businesses have suffered from re-adjustment of everyone returning. Also that bank scene? Watching the bank teller so willing to bask in the company of a hero, but not lift a finger to actually help them is painful. There's a distressful moment where the bank teller is highly excited to entertain Sam Wilson as a popular celebrity and as a serviceman, but can't do anything to aid him despite knowing the situation. It’s no secret as to his lack of income being that he was gone for 5 years and he should have been able to bypass qualifications that he applies for.

It's also revealed here for the first time, that the Avengers operate on donations and good will, which is very interesting. The idea that the kindness of strangers is seen as a "dependable" source of supporting income is mind-boggling. While I'm sure Stark's money played some part in keeping people afloat in the past, he wasn't supplying them personal stipends like in the comics. This also absolves Stark of any particular liability when things with the Avengers went sour. I very much enjoyed seeing family man Sam though. It's a side of Avengers you so seldom see, that you'd be forgiven for believing they don't have any friends and live their lives fighting baddies 24/7. Maybe Sam's new dedication to his family situation played a part in rejecting the shield, but I believe it's much bigger then that.

#NotMyCap

We meet the “new” Captain America on the news along with Sam and Bucky as he enters the scene to a corrupted rendition of the Captain America theme. The theme works now as a painful melody, reminding us that the spot Steve held for so long is now filled. I was immediately reminded of the scene where "Government Official" (seriously, that's how his credit shows up as of this writing) tells Sam he did the right thing giving it up, only to immediately transition it to the new Captain America. This feels incredibly shifty and manipulative and as a black man myself, it's truly hurtful to see him get strung along like that which is absolutely the idea. They want you to feel bad about Sam. Way to get get heat "Government Official"!

One of the more interesting choices is the obstruction of John Walker's face, not just under the mask, but even in the ending credits, they cover his eyes when his face appears, somehow preserving the image of him more as an idea then a person. The idea of government sponsored heroics is a frightening one but
you know what's interesting..... there's a lot of people that would prefer that.

Prediction: I imagine John Walker will become a bit overcome by the pressure of the role, but also frustrated with the government interference with the job. Eventually, he will soon find that he's less a super soldier, and more a pro-government figurehead for political leverage. Before you know it, Walker will end up a radicalized independent soldier fighting brutal wars where he sees fit; a political monster of their own design.

Now on to Episode 2…..

Corporate Cap

The Star-Spangled Man with a plan is back! The government control of the “Captain America” brand is evident in making him a bigger public figure as a more manufactured celebrity. The show continues to lean into the Captain America music you recognize being used for John Walker which just forces you to hate it, and subsequently him, a little more. (At least me anyway.) This also introduced Lamar Hoskins as Battlestar, a character I only just now heard of. One could accuse the team up of Walker and Hoskins of being a manufactured copy and paste of Cap and Bucky, with the WOKE lever turned up to 100, but it does appear Walker and Hoskins have some history. They also seem to have a genuine friendship.

 So far John Walker isn't really the outright heel of the series, just a dude that made a decision that very few fans agree with, although the government seems ecstatic with the change. Walker will likely gain a level of underdog sympathy for the backlash, but I'm not sure it'll be enough to sell any "Walker Did Nothing Wrong" merch. None of that sympathy will be coming from Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes either. While Sam did his best to be flexible, he makes it clear he gets to do as he wants without that governmental license and this gets under Walker's skin. Bucky has no time for any of it, seeing Walker for the tool he is, even if Walker doesn't, and constantly ready to take the Shield back by force even though that would violate his rules. The jury is still out on Faux-Cap but he doesn’t seem to be going anywhere soon.

One World, One People

The Flag Smashers goal is revealed, as they seek to return life to as it was prior to the “vanished” people returning, where borders seemingly came down and there was a collective unity among all the remaining survivors of the snap. Nothing like shared trauma, am I right? That very shared trauma is what has bonded these Flag Smashers to not only to their cause, but to each other, as well as inspiring a ground swell of people as a support network. Their message is so effective, they have regular civilians who keep touch with their movements and manifesto on the internet, which to be fair is not too unlike the citizen support the Avengers receive. 

 These Flag Smashers are willing to trade lives to preserve the mission, but only their own? For how long is a plan like that sustainable?  In some ways it's hard not to sympathize with the Flag Smashers' message. Especially if there is something to a worldly unity during the Blip, and the return of the vanished put bad people back in their positions of power. Regardless I don’t thin the ends justify the means. The big mystery coming out of Ep 2 is that these Flag Smashers are also super soldiers. How can this be? What we do know is that Erskine's formula was lost with him, but the project continued for some time after. We're led to believe that Zemo murdered the other Winter Soldiers we saw in Captain America: Civil War, but even that isn't even what it seems...

“Maybe he was wrong..”

Bucky's deeper frustrations come to the surface this episode. He doesn't understand why Sam doesn't understand what Steve bestowed on him. And if Steve, the greatest man Buck has ever known was wrong about Sam, he has to have been wrong about the good he sees in Bucky too. Sam seems to have a hard time truly expressing what having the shield made him, and how he felt burdened by everyone's expectation of him. I genuinely believe he's mentally struggling with holding it up the mantle. It isn’t just all the pressure of not being the embodiment of Captain America, but also being a black man as Captain America, and the extra expectations that will come with that role.

 We should also remember that each of their lives have been closely knit to Steve Rogers. Sam Wilson is only in this lifestyle because of Steve, who essentially inspired him to re-enlist to a life of service. Bucky Barnes is a free man because Rogers was willing to make himself a fugitive to prove Bucky isn't who they thought he was. While the world saw a murderer, Steve stood by Barnes because to Steve it was simple; "he's my friend". Their attachment to what that man did for them has caused them both to be deeply entangled in properly honoring the memory of their fallen friend in different ways. Myself, I'd probably crumble under the weight of the Shield as well, but I'd wanna say I’d hold on to it. If he'd wanted it in a museum, it'd be there, but he gave it to me, right? 

The Secret Super Soldier

When they realize that they are facing off with Super Soldiers, Bucky reveals "Isiah" to Sam, a secret he seemingly kept from everyone. Isiah Bradley is black super soldier from decades ago that Bucky encountered as the Winter Soldier, something he never told Sam and Steve. Seems like they are going with the Isiah Bradley from the comics as one of a few other Captain Americas. Is Eli Bradley close behind? While the idea of a secret black super soldier is a new idea for Sam Wilson, the suppression of black war heroes is nothing new at all. Names like Bessie Coleman & Jessie Leroy Brown often go unsaid. The many forgotten black soldiers in WWII remain nameless to much of our youth, so this commentary is apt. 

Isiah asks Bucky, "You think you can just wake up, and choose who you wanna be?" 
For Sam this is a luxury only for for white people, knowing full well he doesn’t have that option. For Bucky, this means Hydra, and means he can’t simply be forgiven for his years under mind control. For me, it's an idea. The inability to change who you are is something Sam is fast reminded of and Bucky must learn as the Baltimore Police drive up to speak to Sam, even asking if he's bothering Bucky. It’s a bleak reminder that even when Barnes reminds the authorities that Sam is an Avenger, they only see a potentially dangerous and upset black man. Bucky stands up for his friend but shows his ignorance to the situation by suggesting he simply give the officer his ID. This was never about the ID Bucks. 

Finding Zemo

Sam and Bucky make the obvious choice to go after the only man who knew anything about the remaining super soldiers in the last few years; Zemo.  Helmut Zemo is something of a unique bird for Marvel Villians. When we last saw the villain, it didn't exactly end in a “punch ‘em up”, because Zemo isn’t a physical threat. He is a relatively normal person. He is however an incredibly intelligent strategist and a skilled manipulator.

He is a man that takes no joy in his work, but simply believes it is work that must be done. Is Zemo's revenge against the Avengers unfinished after Civil War? Are there any Avengers left with Stark and Natasha dead and Rogers off the table? Hawkeye retired back to his family, Rhodey seems to be working with the military, so maybe Zemo sets his eyes on a new target.

We will soon enough. 

In conclusion…

…this was a very good 2nd episode. The secrets of the super-soldier program have been thrown into disarray. Who gave it to them? What makes it work? So many questions I can't wait to have answered. The reveal of the Isiah secret super soldier was very enjoyable and leads to 2 harrowing instances of the treatment of black people.

Prediction: In time, John Walker will discover just how much of his role as Captain America is a pro-government publicity stunt and lose faith in them. Also Leah, Bucky’s date will turn out to also be a Super Soldier. Join me next week as we tackle episode 3! Also don’t forget to leave your comments and predictions below!