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!

From The Desk of The Don: With a Little Help From My Friends

No man is an island. That is the phrase I used when I asked people for volunteers to help run this site. This is also a phrase I had to learn the hard way. I tried several times to place all of the responsibilities of this company on my shoulders, believing I was the only one who could. In my mind, the only way CBC could work is if I had my hands in everything, but I have since learned that is impossible. Thankfully, I have a strong team around me that helps alleviate the pressure I place on myself.

Every time I am down in the dumps over something I can't control, my team reminds me how lucky I am to have such a rewarding outlet for our thoughts. Every time envy tires to rear its ugly head in the form of me wishing we had numbers like other successful podcasts, my team will remind me how far we've come, and what wacky conversations we were only able to have because of Comic Book Clique. Those things continue to make me happy and help me press on when everything else seems to be falling apart. Long story short, no man is an island.

I get by with a little help from all my friends at CBC, the team behind the Major Issues Podcast, and various members of friends and family that have supported me over the years. I thought I could have, but I truly couldn't have done it without you.

Back at the Academy

Next Friday is the release of the anxiously anticipated Umbrella Academy Season 2! While I won't be doing a rewatch to prepare, I can't help but let memorable moments from the series play out in my mind. The first thing that comes to mind is the full sibling dance-off to "I Think We're Alone Now" by Tiffany. Watching these miserable siblings first mourn the patriarch of the family before locking themselves in their little worlds, is a sad reminder that we sometimes choose to fight our battles alone, even though we are often facing similar ones. To make matters more bittersweet, once big brother Luther plays the record and it can be heard throughout the Hargreeves Mansion, each member of the UA dances impromptu of any permission. That tells me that at that moment they all could have used an impromptu dance party to relieve the tension from their father's funeral.

Instead of seeking solace and support in one another, they become self-sustaining, and that self-preservation is what makes it so hard for them to come together as a family at first. As the season progresses, they get closer to the team we know and love, but then that catastrophic cliff hanger ending left us wanting more. Evidence points to at LEAST one more dance party (as pictured above), and maybe just maybe, they can finally find time to dance in the sun...together.

Comic Book Catch-Up

Did you know that there is a list of the greatest single-issue comic stories of all time? I couldn't decide what I wanted to read this week, so I decided to check out a classic that was on that list. Superman Annual #11, written by Alan Moore with art by Dave Gibbons (the duo behind Watchmen), is one of the greatest single issue stories of all time and is required reading for any Superman fan. The tale, titled “For The Man Who Has Everything”, sees Batman, Wonder Woman, and the new Robin (Jason Todd), visit Superman aka Clark Kent in the Fortress of Solitude. This is no normal visit, however, because these super friends are there to celebrate Clark's Birthday. Unbeknownst to them, they aren't the only people there wishing the Man of Steel a Happy Birthday.

The alien tyrant Mongul has managed to infiltrate the Fortress, and subdued Superman using an alien plant called "The Black Mercy". The plant is symbiotic in nature, and latches on to its host, leeching the lifeforce from them. To do this, the Black Mercy implants positive thoughts onto its host, so the host is discouraged from resisting the plants' magic. For Superman, that meant picturing a world where Krypton never exploded, a world where Kal-El continues to live with his family, and now has a wife and child. This delusion is so powerful, it renders Superman useless, until he can break its spell. Once he does, I have rarely seen Superman so upset. The idea that his deepest desires were used against him was enough to cause him to tear Mongul apart, and it was a sight to see. If you have never read “For The Man Who Has Everything”, I highly recommend it.

Coming Up Next

I am super stoked about the topic of the Major Issues Podcast this week. It is no secret I am a huge fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but if you twisted my arm and asked me what I thought was the most unique film in the franchise, I'd have to go with Guardians of The Galaxy. I was blown away by the James Gunn directed space epic the moment we got a peek at Star-Lord, breakdancing his way across the galaxy. The film has heart, humor, and heroics and made me a huge fan of characters like Drax, Gamora, Groot and Rocket Racoon. People forget Guardians was the first Marvel film to not take place on Earth, although the blue marble does make an appearance in flashbacks. That means this film launched an entirely new series of stories for characters like Ronan, the Nova Corp, and the Mad Titan Thanos himself.

Keeping us grounded is the incredibly charismatic Chris Pratt in his first leading role, although you couldn't tell. The ease in which this man can go from comedic to traumatic is a testament to how he's managed to grow as an actor, and its fun to see. Looking back at the film with fresh eyes is sure to bring a new level of appreciation for Gunn, Kevin Feige, and the Russian nesting doll that is the MCU. What makes it even better is I am set to be joined by Peter Melnick of The Marvelists podcast, who is a huge Star-Lord fan and even does a great cosplay of Peter Quill. Check out this awesome mix of an episode when it drops this Wednesday!

Et Cetera

For the first time since writing this blog, I have an apology to issue. Last week I was not in the right frame of mind, and everything just seemed to make me more pessimistic. If you watched the news recently, it seems like any truth you believe in is officially up for debate. With the pandemic still present, the country seems to be prioritizing profit over people, by forcing children to go back to dangerous disease-ridden environments. In times like these, I often feel as if I don't know which way is the right one. Second-guessing myself is one of the most detrimental things I can do, because all of a sudden everything that defines me is placed under a microscope. Too often do I pick myself apart, and discourage myself from seeking the happiness I truly need. I thought about deleting last week's blog because of how depressed I was about my product, but I knew that wouldn't be fair.

When I started this, the one thing I knew I was always going to be was honest, because I wished for the entire world to become more honest. The old saying goes, "Be the change you wish to see in the world", so my rant from last week stays. Being human is one of the most unique experiences you can have on this Earth, and I won't apologize for it. My friends are the ones who showed me the error of my ways. They are always there for me, encourage and support my path in life. And I do love my life, even with all of its imperfections. It is these imperfections that we should be grateful for, because without perception, how can we tell the difference between the mountain and the molehill? So, I will not remove what I said, but I will apologize. I'm sorry for allowing some of the dark thoughts that permeate my mind to infect this space I've created for us. I promise to always be vulnerable and truthful, but I will also work hard at being more optimistic and less discouraging. I truly thank anyone who has taken even a second to read this blog, because it has become incredibly therapeutic for me. I love you all because you are imperfect. I hope you love me for the same reasons. See ya next week…and Remember…

You, Yes You
Are Worthy!
G.S

From The Desk of The Don: Year of The Bat

In 2021, we will finally see director Zack Snyder's cut of the Justice League film. In it, Ben Affleck will reprise his role as Bruce Wayne/ Batman and continue the story they have set out to tell in Man of Steel. Ben seems stoked to return and look healthier than ever, which is a great sign. On the CW, a new character named Ryan Wilder will replace Kate Kane as the next Batwoman, starting a new legacy under the cape and cowl. On that same show, popular Batman foe Hush, through various cosmetic surgery procedures, has taken the appearance of Bruce Wayne and will serve as a foe to the new Batwoman. Robert Pattinson will be debuting a brand new Batman when director Matt Reeves' The Batman hits theaters. Pattison will be starring alongside Hollywood heavy-hitters like Andy Serkis, Colin Farrell, and Jeffrey Wright, and his tale is set to take cues from Batman: Year One, but is not expected to be an adaptation of the familiar story.

Rocksteady, the talented game studio behind the Batman: Arkham series, is set to be working on another game with the caped crusader in mind even though details are scarce at the moment. HBO Max is set to debut a new series based on the Gotham City Police Department that is set just before The Batman, giving us an insight at how the city became and a menagerie of malice and mischievousness in the first place. DC Comics is currently going through its Death Metal crossover, which will have implications on the entire DC Universe. The story sees Batman and his heroic friends do battle against an all-powerful cosmic being who has an army of evil Batmen at her disposal. Once the crossover ends we might be getting that 5G that has been teased, which will see a new person put on the cape and cowl, and introduce a brand new Batman.

What I'm saying is, if you miss Batman, just wait until 2021. The way things are looking it'll be the year of the Bat.

Society is already a Joke

Even though we have all that Batman stuff coming our way, I decided NOT to review Joker's 80th Anniversary 100-page Super-Spectacular as we originally planned to. To be honest, I think I am a bit Joker'ed out. I like the character, but the obsession with the clown prince of crime is sometimes so intense I have to take a step back and take a look at the character himself. When Joker was created, it wasn't to be the antithesis of the Dark Knight as he has so famously become. He was simply a one-note deviant, with a penchant for theatrics and firearms. Sure, he did make his debut in Batman #1 in 1940, but Batman had been having adventures for almost a full year in the pages of Detective Comics, meeting villains like Hugo Strange, and allowing Robin to join his crusade. I have no beef with the Ace of Knaves, I just think sometimes he can be a bit overplayed. I was a huge fan of Heath Ledger's portrayal, and I like the character in most interpretations.

My issue stems from how people idolize what could quite possibly be the most dangerous story of mental health ever told in comic book form. We spend way too much time in awe of the homicidal maniac and not enough time making his story a cautionary tale. The money is in making Joker, for all intents and purposes, cooler than most heroes and I understand that. Joker sells a lot of merchandise and that's what makes people pay attention. I just can't glorify him while our country is still in turmoil. On a better day when the world is not splitting at the seams, we will give Joker and his 80th anniversary his time in the sun, and applaud his various misdeeds and misadventures, but I don't trust a society that still can't figure out if they should wear masks or not. Three Jokers is coming soon, so maybe we will revisit Jack Napier then.

Comic Book Catch-Up

The latest issue of Dark Nights: Death Metal dropped this week, and with it comes more twisted designs by artist Greg Capullo and more twisted narrative by writer Scott Snyder. As it stands, the universe is set to be completely taken over by the all-powerful Perpetua who has enlisted The Batman Who Laughs to do her bidding. She continues to destroy various versions of Earth in the multiverse, hoping to complete her goal of creating a multiverse that only favors entropy. Serving as the army for the BWL is spellcaster BatMage, a sentient Batmobile and a literal Tyrannosaurus Rex called B-Rex who is a Batman as well. Although this is a Batman-heavy story, I am wondering where Superman is. The Son of Krypton has been absent for most of the tale, but we were shown glimpses of him in the first issue of this series.

In my opinion, we are nowhere close to ending the threat of Perpetua unless the Man of Steel is involved. I feel like one of the messages in Doomsday Clock was that in every conceivable universe, Superman is a constant. We probably have to wait until issue #3 to see what happens to the Big Blue Boyscout and how he factors into this story. Another very powerful (and blue) hero made his cameo this week as a Bruce Wayne, seemingly imbued with the powers of Dr. Manhattan, had his brain swapped with Lord Batman who laughs giving us the terrifying Darkest Knight. Snyder and Capullo sure are having fun coming up with cool designs and backstories for alternate universe Batmen! Speaking of which, I can't wait for the August release of the Legends of The Dark Universe tie in which is supposed to give us some of the horrific origin stories of these Bruce Waynes from the Dark Multiverse!

Coming Up Next

Next on The Major Issues Podcast: The Sentry 1-5, Sentry Vs The Void (2000)

As I stated earlier, and you'll hear me say it this week on the Major Issues Podcast, I was not in the mood to cover Joker so instead, we decided to celebrate someone's birthday a bit early. Robert Reynolds aka The Sentry made his debt for Marvel comics in September of 2000 under the now-infamous Marvel Knights line of comics. Marvel Knights was an imprint established after Marvel filed for bankruptcy and allowed Event Comics to write stories for some of Marvel's less successful solo titles. Through the Knights imprint, new life was given to properties like Daredevil, Punisher, and Black Panther. One half of the team at Event Comics was Joe Quesada who is currently executive vice president and creative director for Marvel Entertainment.

It was Joe who commissioned a 5-issue miniseries to be written by Paul Jenkins, with art by Jae Lee. The team, in Quesada's mind, was foolproof because Lee and Jenkins worked together on the successful Inhumans revamp for Marvel Knight as well. The story, pitched by Jenkins with input from Rick Veitch, would see us follow an out of shape superhero, who can't seem to remember his place in the world. What's worse is that even though he remembers being a hero, no one seems to know who he is. Playing with the familiarity of déjà vu and nostalgia, The Sentry is an important story for all Marvel comics readers even those not too familiar with its history. Facing off against the Sentry is The Void, the unstoppable living embodiment of malice and evil. Can Robert get the world to remember his days as The Sentry before The Void strikes again? Tune in to the Major Issues Podcast this week to find out!

Et Cetera

My failed foray on YouTube still haunts me

This week was a bit of a rough one when it comes to CBC. Ever since starting the brand in the Spring of 2016, I knew one of the things I wanted to be able to do was produce videos. As a matter of fact, the first pieces of content I was able to provide were Facebook Live reviews, because I was hoping to start a dialogue with other like-minded comic fans. While doing the reviews was fun, we weren't getting much in the way of participation, so I figured maybe it was time to start recording and editing videos instead of just going live. While attempting to do so, I found that to make a dent in the Youtube Algorithm I would have to write, record, and edit at least 3 videos a week, every week. I tried to run the rat race, but seeing as I was doing most of the work myself I started to fall painfully behind. I was going to school fulltime, making merchandise for the brand to pay for equipment, and making videos. All of these responsibilities made it hard to make "topical" content which was the only way to stay afloat.

The very few videos on our Youtube channel are the ones I was able to shoot and edit myself, and while I am proud of them, their scarcity is a reminder of one of my failures as a founder. I figured my issue was I had a problem asking for help because I know I did, so recently I reached out over social media asking if anyone would like to help grow the brand. It has only been a few days since that very vulnerable moment and while people have been supportive we have a grand total of 0 volunteers. It’s a reminder of how lonely the journey can be sometimes. Maybe we aren't meant for the YouTube game, at least not right now. We probably won't return until I can get a dedicated editor or just some overall help. Until next time...

Remember you (yes you)
Are Worthy
G.S.

From The Desk of The Don: Don't Get Left Behind

The most polarizing announcement in comic book media right now. Javicia Leslie is Batwoman

The biggest news this week has to be the announcement that Javicia Leslie (of God Friended Me) will be donning the cape and cowl of the Crimson Knight, and will play Batwoman when the series returns in 2021. Leslie will be replacing Ruby Rose, who stepped away as Batwoman but will not be playing Kate Kane as Rose once did. Instead of simply replacing the actor under the mask, Leslie will be playing a completely original character named Ryan Wilder, a bisexual with bad habits and a heart of gold. As the founder of CBC, I felt I needed to share the momentous news, but what I got in return was not what I bargained for.

The hate across our social media channels was almost instant, with most not realizing that Javicia is not playing Kate Kane, prompting insensitive questions like, "If Kate is black, wouldn't Bruce have to be black too?". Some have called the entire casting a result of an overly "woke" culture, stating the LGTB+ friendly show is trying to shove diversity and inclusion down our throats. Others took the "I never watched before. I am definitely not watching now." stance, which I find the weirdest stance of them all. Regardless, here is my message to those "bothered" by Javicia's inclusion into the Arrowverse.

Renee Montoya, openly gay member of the GCPD was created for Batman The Animated series and is now in a feature film.

If you never gave Batwoman a chance because it was a female lead, a lesbian protagonist, or a diverse cast, I kindly ask that you "keep that same energy". There are many shows centered around caucasian and heterosexual heroes from middle-class families that are great, and you will enjoy yourself more if you just watch those. For the ones who are die-hard Kate Kane fans who are upset she won't be returning, I'll remind you that by putting someone else under the cowl, Kate's legacy remains intact. It's a shame we didn't get to see a lot of trademark Kate Kane stories, but there is always time in the future for that. Finally, to those who are unenthused at the idea that a character that never existed does now, I say "Welcome to Comics". Characters like Livewire, Renee Montoya, and Harley Quinn were never in comics, and now are household names, all because someone decided to change the status quo.

Ryan Wilder, having no concrete backstory, allows for what could quite possibly be an incredibly grounded and modern take on the superhero origin story. We know she doesn't get bit by a spider, or come into contact with a magic hammer, so how does this beautiful woman of color end up in all that black leather? I, for one, am excited at the countless possibilities Ryan's inclusion represents, as we can create new villains, craft new stories, and change what people think of when they think of Batwoman. In my opinion, the "cousin of Bruce Wayne" stuff is a bit cliche. Let's see how others are inspired by Batman, and follow their not so common journey to becoming someone who fights for the greater good. As fans, we need to be open-minded and give these creators the space to make their art. I have never been bothered by challenging material, or subject matter that I can't relate to, I just see it like continued education on our ever-changing society. The world is changing. Don't get left behind.

Comic Book Catch-Up

Boy, I missed Cosmic Ghost Rider. Before COVID ruined our original schedule, we were set to review Cosmic Ghost Rider Destroys Marvel History. The first Cosmic Ghost Rider story was really fun, and I was ready to get back on that intergalactic motorcycle one more time. Seeing as I had some more free time this week, I decided to check out a few issues of CGRDMH and it is HILARIOUS. The story starts when Cosmic Ghost Rider, an alternate universe version of Frank Castle, shows up the day before his family is set to be murdered. The death of his family is ultimately the domino that knocks all the others down, so before the gruesome act takes place Frank decides he's going to spend some quality time with them. He has to disguise who he is, so he pretends to be Frank's uncle and begins to tell wild tales of where he has been.

Inserting himself in every major moment in Marvel Comics' history, Frank's retelling of the origins of the Fantastic Four and Spider-Man are hilarious. Instead of Jean, it's Frank at the center of the Dark Phoenix Saga causing mayhem across the cosmos, that's the kind of book we are dealing with. Each candid story is crafted to impress his son, who he knows will lose his life the following day. It's heartbreaking to see Castle so close to his version of a perfect life, telling war stories to his loving family, knowing he can never do so again. I can't wait to see how it ends!

Coming Up Next

Eric O’Grady is a human trash bag.

I'll keep this one short and sweet. This week on the Major Issues Podcast, we will be continuing our two-part review of Robert Kirkman's The Irredeemable Ant-Man. Last week Dan The Comic Man led the recap of our story that follows reluctant hero Eric O'Grady, as he tries his best to be a superhero while evading S.H.I.E.L.D. who want him arrested for stealing a super suit. This week I jump back into the cockpit as we see how Eric handles being a member of Damage Control, getting a new love interest, and a new best friend. Can he truly change? Is Eric turning over a new leaf? Make sure you read all twelve issues of The Irredeemable Ant-Man and join us on our spoiler-filled recap and review on Wednesday to find out!

Et Cetera (EXTENDED)

Just like every week, this is the portion of the blog in which I get to talk about something that means something to me. This week I want to speak about masks. Ever since this pandemic started, we have been advised to wear cloth coverings over our mouths to help stop the spread of this dangerous disease. When it was revealed mask could help prevent contamination, I can clearly remember not being able to find masks anywhere because they were sold out. People were panic-buying masks to ensure their personal safety and the safety of others. I have had to wear a mask too, as I continue to work part-time, and travel on public transportation to do so. This is how I thought everybody was responding to the pandemic. I truly believed that people were taking the extra precautions like maintaining a social distance, and wearing a mask over their mouths even if they're feeling asymptomatic. It wasn't until frequenting the intellectual wasteland that is Facebook that I realized how many Americans are downright against wearing a mask

I've seen people state that the mask is a symbol of obedience to the government. Others have called the entire virus a hoax while downplaying the number of deaths that have occurred in this country and around the world. I even managed to read a post from a gentleman who said that he will not be wearing a mask as retaliation for not being paid an extra $500 like people who lost their jobs during this pandemic. It's hard not to see those responses and think of us Americans as incredibly entitled, spoiled, and ignorant. I have fought for this country, and not so people can run around without masks, freely infecting one another.

This is also not a Democrat or Republican matter, and yet people still find ways to twist the narrative of public safety to one of governmental control. I know I may just be seeing the vocal minority, but if you've ever been a fan of us I need you to know that I need you to wear a mask. I also need you to know that I care about every single person on this planet, despite how they may feel towards me. I need you to know that we all have to live on this planet regardless of affiliations, loyalties, or allegiances, and the best way to do that is protected. This should not be a point of contention. This should not come down to debate. There is nothing inherently rebellious about choosing to infect other people.

I am not saying you need to wear a mask inside of your own home, although when guests visit you probably should. I am not saying you need to wear a mask inside of your vehicle, although it should always be near in case you need to interact with somebody. All of this is a case-by-case basis, but the tantrum thrown by full-grown adults in this country over having to wear something protective, preventive, and cheap has brought my mood down. The fuel I use to get through each week is the idea that we, as a society, are moving towards a better future regardless of how painful, arduous, or tedious it might be. It's issues like this that remind me that we still have a long way to go. Please be mindful of your fellow humans on Earth, and help us prevent another 2020 from happening. I may forgive those who purposely endangered my life by refusing to wear a mask, but odds are I will never forget. Be better…..and remember..

You…
Yes, You…Are Worthy

From The Desk of The Don: Sticks and (Victor) Stones

The Justice League tea was HOT this week when Ray Fisher, the actor who plays Cyborg/Victor Stone in the panned 2017 comic book film, had some not-so-great things to say about replacement director Joss Whedon. According to the actor, Whedon was abusive and downright unprofessional on set, in a way that affected the cast and crew. These are huge allegations for Ray to lay at the feet of Whedon, who was chosen and brought in to "fix" Justice League after its first director Zack Snyder was unceremoniously removed from the project. To many at the time, Joss was seen as a lifesaver. The man directed The Avengers, which broke box office records. Surely, he could make a pretty penny with the Justice League, right? Well, by the looks of it, there was definitely trouble in paradise, and we're not talking Themyscira.

I am fully prepared to believe the Justice League film was cursed. Between the reshoots, #MustacheGate, and the rush to beat Marvel to the punch, Justice League as a finished product feels like anything but that. These allegations of an unsavory work environment under Whedon act as the whipped cream on the #ReleaseTheSnyderCut sundae. Those who have been starkly against Joss' version of Justice League from the start, now have even more ammunition to harbor anger towards the director himself. Until more information comes out, we will not know to what extent Whedon's behavior affected the production. One thing is for certain, and that is that in the original cut of Justice League (The Snyder Cut if you will), Cyborg had way more of a focus placed on him and his father. Even in the first trailer, you can see Ray Fisher as Victor Stone playing football and walking with his letterman jacket, only for both scenes to be removed during reshoots. Is Fisher unearthing a startling truth about Joss Whedon and his work ethic, or was he simply upset the director's vision was so different from his own. Only time will tell.

Corona, Covid, & Cancelled Cons

Pssst I’m IN this shot. Guess who I am!

I know this comes off as extremely selfish, but I am very sad that we will not be getting New York Comic-Con this year. The cancellation of the event (as well as SDCC) doesn't come as a surprise considering the sheer number of fans that attend every year, but it still makes e frown. I guess it's because my journey into comics has been a weird one, only made easier by the friends I've made along the way and have ade at conventions like NYCC. I attended my first ever Comic-Con the same year that I decided to start a comic book media review company, and that was also the first time I ever cosplayed. As luck would have it, it was also the same year that I, while dressed as Captain America, got to meet Stan Lee. Riding the subway in NYC, in full costume was a fun experience and something that would become a staple of my NYCC trips.

It's crazy the kind of reactions you get from people walking down the street, once they recognize who you are dressed up as. Adults become giddy, kids' eyes light up, and other cosplayers will give you a nod of solidarity. Sure, I was nervous walking around dressed as Steve Rogers but the overwhelming amount of support I got made it all worth it. I think the work behind cosplay is both extremely rewarding, and incredibly intimidating. Cosplayers are serious about their craft, and end up replicating and sometimes even redesigning classic superhero costumes, oftentimes in intricate detail. The patience, creativity, originality, and artistry shown by cosplayers has always made THEM my favorite part of Comic-Con. I loved meeting my heroes, but I will miss the one time a year I get to see the FANS cut loose. Hopefully, we will meet again next year with more outlandishly daring costumes to look forward to.

Comic Book Catch Up

Free time is quite a commodity when you run a website, a podcast, and still work at a part-time job. When things get overwhelming, I like to remind myself that I am blessed to be stressed. In my eyes, the only reason I have these pressures in my life is because I am trying to achieve goals I never thought possible. Thankfully, one and a while the stars align and I get to sink my teeth into some new comic book content. This was one of those weeks, and the comic I chose to read was Black Hammer by Jeff Lemire with art by Dean Ormston. The series, published by Dark Horse Comic, has taken different forms over the years, similar to Hell Boy during his tenure with the publisher.

The comic itself seems to blend elements from Alan Moore's work like Miracle Man and Watchmen, with team dynamics like Doom Patrol and Umbrella Academy. Released in the summer that CBC started (2016), Black Hammer deals with a superhero team who, after fighting a universal threat, seemingly vanished without a trace. They are declared dead by the citizens of Earth, but the truth is much more strange. The group of heroes awaken in a sleepy town, with only a farmhouse for shelter, and when one tries to escape and find help, he is vaporized before their very eyes. After years of trying to return, most of the core team has given up, but that's when things get even weirder. I won't spoil it here, but I highly recommend you read Black Mirror, if only for the hilarious homages to classic superheroes made famous by Marvel and DC.

What’s Up Next

I am very excited for you guys to hear the next episode of the Major Issues Podcast. The only reason why I was able to read so much of Black Hammer recently was due to one of my co-hosts volunteering to take notes and "drive" the podcast for me. Dan The Comic Book Man, who has seen me burst blood vessels while trying to compile copious notes, will be the one behind the wheel of Episode 134. To celebrate, we will be covering one of his favorite stories titled Irredeemable Ant-Man, which was written by Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman with art by Phil Hester. Dan was very enthusiastic when choosing this story and I can see why. After months of covering pretty similar superhero material, Irredeemable Ant-Man follows low-level S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Eric O'Grady who isn't what I would call a hero. He's a liar, a manipulator, a womanizer, and a thief, and those are some of his better qualities.

While most main characters spend time in their first issue ingratiating themselves to the readers, Eric O'Grady does not give a damn what we think of him. His co-workers can't stand him, he can't get a date, and even his employers have little faith in him. He sounds like a real winner, right? Well, take that winner and give him an abandoned Ant-Man suit and watch how bad can become dangerous real quick. Writer Robert Kirkman has a real flair for writing dialogue and getting right to the heart of what makes his character tick. The short-lived series only ran for 12 issues, so we will be tackling the WHOLE story in two parts on the Major Issues Podcast.

Et Cetera

I love the Doom Patrol show. From the minute I saw the first episode on the DC Universe app, I knew that it was the show for me. Season 1 was a deep exploration into the psyches of the main characters. We dealt with Larry Trainor trying to compromise with his Negative Spirit. We saw Rita go from a shapeless mess to a woman who creates her own narrative. Robotman went from being paralyzed by depression, to actively helping the people who are closest to him. Cyborg's goody-two-shoes act got gritty after his father's secrets are revealed, while Crazy Jane learned to fight back against her inner demons. As the show concluded its first season I remember thinking that they would have a ridiculously hard time trying to top the outright insanity of season one. Fortunately, they have done it! In my opinion, after only seeing the first 4 episodes (which is about half of season two), they have found a way to expound upon the pure madness that was the previous season. Things get crazier quicker, the hijinx are at an all-time high, and I think Cliff drops more F-bombs in those four episodes than the entirety of Season 1.

One of the best parts about Season 2 thus far has to be the introduction of Dorothy Spinner, the immortal daughter of the chief. Spinner, played by Abigail Shapiro, brings splashes of child-like innocence to sometimes unbearably bleak Doom Patrol canvas. Her relationships with the members of the team and especially Timothy Dalton's Niles Caulder are bittersweet, as we deal with how a child's mind can be fractured due to trauma. I now can't wait until Thursday to catch a new DP episode! Jump on it, I promise you've never seen anything like it before! Until next time...

Remember You
Yes,You...Are Worthy

G.S.

From The Desk of The Don: PRIDE and Prejudice

Happy Pride Month! I want to send a huge shoutout to those who are brave enough to be the truest version of themselves, even in the face of the bigotry they often contend with. What shocks me is the enormous amount of homophobia that still permeates in the comic book community. I understand that some people's lifestyles may not be other's cup of tea, but comic books have always championed equality above all else. Characters like Superman, Captain America, and others may not be gay, but they would fight for anyone's right to love whoever they wanted. Comic books have some great LGBT+ characters who have blazed trails in the industry like Iceman, John Constantine, and the recently showcased Batwoman. Sadly, even though Batwoman is a celebrated lesbian, DC Comics opted not to have her same-sex marriage with longtime girlfriend Maggie Sawyer in her comic. This shows how some are still not ready for LGBT+ stories. One of the stories that deals with people's inability to tolerate homosexuality is Green Lantern Vol 3 #154.

The story, titled "Hate Crime", deals with what happens when a friend of Kyle Raynor is seriously assaulted for being gay. As he sees his injured friend fighting for his life in the hospital, Kyle becomes incensed. He finds the perpetrators and inflicts an intense vengeance upon them. After a discussion with Batman, who believed Kyle's actions portrayed revenge and not justice, Kyle opts to leave earth. He is sick of the bigotry, and the overall crappiness of humanity, and ventures to space, leaving Earth to fend for themselves. The story is a powerful reminder that there is a subsection of society that is still treated unfairly, and it's up to us as citizens to be better and stand up for those who are defenseless.

Anyone else miss Daredevil?

As a comic book fan, I can honestly say, I am spoiled by the sheer amount of quality comic book-themed content out at the moment. With Doom Patrol back, The Boys Season 2 set to release in a few months, and the hopes that movie theaters will start releasing films again, it will be a long time before I run out of things to watch. Still, I wish we could go back to a show that I feel was canceled way too soon; Daredevil. Daredevil was the first character Netflix chose to establish their own mini Marvel Universe and the care they took when crafting the first season, brought new eyes to the Devil of Hell's Kitchen and his story. Charlie Cox doesn't get enough credit as he plays a man who has lost his vision, but who "sees" the world as needing a hero.

Matt Murdock is portrayed as a devout Christian, who is battling his faith, as well as the villains of New York City, and New York City has some villains. Speaking of which, Vincent D'Onofrio is probably my favorite live-action Kingpin, although there aren't many to choose from. Season after the season, the show rose to new heights as it managed to inform new fans of Daredevil but still manage to surprise loyal fans as well. Unfortunately, the show was canceled after 3 seasons. Rumors have been running rampant that Marvel Studios may resurrect the series, or at the very least, the character, and I am all for it. It was a shame the show didn't get to finish the story it was trying to tell, so here's hoping we return to the offices of Nelson & Murdock one day.

Comic Book Catch Up

After many recommendations, I have finally read the first three issues of Wonder Woman: Dead Earth, which is written and drawn by the incredibly talented Daniel Warren Johnson. The story follows Diana as she wakes up in a Post-Apocalyptic world ravaged by atomic war. As she surveys the once green lands of old, all she can see is death and destruction for miles in every direction. Her old company of heroes in the Justice League are all deceased, their corpses ravaged by radiation, and left to rot in this new hellscape. What's worse is the world seems to be ravaged by mutants, created by the blasts of energy that robbed the world of life in the first place.

Diana was always meant to lead mankind into a brighter future, with her unique combination of courage and compassion, and this is no different. Her world, once orderly, has been turned upside down, and predictably, people are willing to take advantage of the chaos. Can Wonder Woman enlist order in this new and unpredictable world? I won't spoil it, but it is a must-read. Similar to Injustice, the story takes some very violent and surprising turns because it has the freedom to do so. It earns its place on the DC Black Label shelf as one of the most vicious Wonder Woman stories ever printed.

Coming Up Next

Next on the Major Issues Podcast, we tackle both seasons of the now-canceled Agent Carter TV series from ABC. We were looking for material to cover for the Fourth of July and thought that while people may think of Captain America when they think of Independence Day, it would be cool to talk about the woman behind the Sentinel of Liberty. No man is an island, and it is with the help and trust of Peggy Carter that Captain America became the hero we all know and love. What happened to Cap's Best Girl after he was frozen in the ice? This series answers those questions and a litany of more including how Agent Carter became an agent in the first place, her relationship with Howard Stark, and what became of Project Rebirth, the series of experiments used to create Steve Rogers. We also get an extraordinary amount of time with the previously unseen Edwin Jarvis, the butler of millionaire inventor Howard Stark and the namesake of his son Tony's artificial intelligence.

It's cool to see the groundwork of the Marvel Universe be laid out, as this series predates the majority of big events in the MCU, giving the writers some room to work in some classic storylines like the Mad Bomb. Hayley Atwell kills it at Peggy Carter both in the story they are trying to tell, and the backstory they give her where she was a much different woman. You feel her struggles, but Peggy doesn't want your pity. She is a no-nonsense field agent, who does her best to do what's right. There is no doubt she would have made Captain America proud.

Et Cetera

There is a question that has been keeping me up every night. As hard as I try, I can't escape the helplessness I feel. I will ask this question to you, the fans of Comic Book Clique hoping that maybe, you will be able to answer it and free me of this torture. Here it goes. Will we ever see The New Mutants? Is there ever going to come a time where that film's release date stays the same, and we all go in and enjoy the horror-filled take on the popular Marvel Comics team? I remember when the first New Mutants trailer dropped, thinking it was like nothing I've ever seen before from the X-Men franchise. The X-Men films, aside from Logan, were getting progressively worse, and New Mutants seemed to be the shot in the arm the film series needed. Instead of huge Hollywood names, the films chose young budding actors from popular series. Instead of a pop-culture fueled trailer, we got one that would be more fitting of a horror film, at the movie purports to have a spooky element to it.

Since then, the cursed film has had its release date changed more than 5 different times, limiting the excitement from fans each time it changes. Now that Disney owns the Fox film, word has gone around that the movie is contractually obligated to be released in theaters, squashing any hopes that the "little film that could" would be released on the Disney streaming service. As it stands, the current release date is August 28th. Here's hoping it sticks, and we get to see what these kids have to offer.

From The Desk of The Don: The Flashpoint's Outta The Bag

Will JDM play Flashpoint Batman????

Few storylines in comics history elicit a reaction at the mere mention of their names. I would argue that Flashpoint is one of those storylines that you either loved or hated, but will always remember. At the time, and as someone who was admittedly intimidated by modern comics lore, Flashpoint served as a Big Bang Event in my life, a moment where a single event's repercussions cause an explosion of creation, or in my case curiosity. Flashpoint is what revealed to a novice like me that The Flash was even capable of time travel, let alone changing the fabric of the universe by changing the past. It was also because of Flashpoint that DC Comics was able to reboot its continuity and allow new readers to join in their collective fandom. But what about old readers? To many who were reading long before Barry attempted to save his mother, Flashpoint was a band-aid to the ridiculously convoluted but cherished continuity in the DC Universe. Sure, things were imperfect, but it was still their universe that they have been fans of for years, causing a love-hate relationship with the reboot and Flashpoint as a whole.

The reason I bring this up is it seems like DC might be going to the Flashpoint well again in the new Flash movie. According to multiple sources (albeit unconfirmed), Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who played Thomas Wayne in Batman V Superman, is being looked at to reprise his role in the Flash film, leading many to believe he will don the cape and cowl like his Flashpoint counterpart. While this could all prove untrue, rumors of a Flashpoint film go so far back as when a Flash film was first announced, as Ben Affleck's future as Batman was in doubt. DC seems to need a quick fix, just like DC Comics did, and might use the same tool to do it. Will it work? I have no clue, but I honestly hope they try their best to fix the DCEU so we can go back to telling stories again.

Wondering About Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman 1984 has been delayed again.

I miss new comic book movies. I know it hasn't been that long since Birds of Prey and Bloodshot were released in theaters, but I can't help but miss the exciting moments leading up to a comic book movie release. The trailers, the marketing, the homework we do here as Comicbook Clique to research and predict what could happen, allow us to get hype for these releases. I miss making merchandise based off funny slogans from a film, or inspiring quotes from a character. Even as things seem to get a bit better in NYC, the release dates have been changed yet again to further dates. The June 2020 release of Wonder Woman 1984, for example, was moved to August, and now we will have to wait until October 2020 to see the Wonder Woman sequel. Black Widow, which was set to come out in May, was moved to November, which means we won't be seeing Natasha on the big screen until its time to turn our clock back again. Isn't that tragic?

I guess it really humbles me as someone who follows the flow of comic book media. We can't always predict what is to come and should be able to adjust on the fly and we will. We have a bunch of new ideas for content, one of which we have been filming in secret until we can dot our T's and cross our I's. Trust us content management is quite a challenge but being superfans allows us to meet those obstacles head-on and be more creative out of the gate.

Comic Book Catch Up

Who dares defy Lord Batman Who Laughs?

Boy, I knew DC's next big crossover Death Metal was going to be extreme, but that was an understatement. Picking up where Scott Snyder left off in his Justice League run, we see a multiverse transformed by doom and molded by Perpetua, where Lord Batman Who Laughs (try saying that five times fast) resides and reigns over humanity or what's left of it. The future looks bleak as the entire DCU is plunged into a hellscape that there seems to be no escape from. I'm also a bit astounded by how quickly readers have gotten behind The Batman Who Laughs or BWL for short. It's not hard to see why, though.

The design is cool, the backstory is ghastly, and he seems to be one step ahead of three people known for their meticulous planning; Batman, Joker, and Lex Luthor. His battle with Luthor is so massive that it was encapsulated in a limited series called Hell Arisen that I also suggest you read. It feels like just yesterday that we were reading about the Dark Multiverse, The BWL, and the breaking of the Source Wall. Snyder has used the effects of Dark Nights Metal to create a multi-year arc in hopes of transforming the DC Universe into one that challenges readers to look past the already established canon and onto new heights. The stories can be a bit heavy a times, with Snyder having to explain multiple multiverses, Hypertime, and hidden cosmic forces, but its only because he cares about the universe he is playing in and goes to great lengths not to mess anything up. I want to speak about more, but I can't without spoiling the story for you guys. Tune into our Justice League episodes to gear up for Death Metal, and we will see you on the other side!

Coming Up Next

The full picture is more breathtaking

I've done it! I have successfully read and taken notes on the totality (no pun intended) of Scott Snyder's Justice League! At a whopping 39 issues, with some tie-ins and side stories, this was no easy feat, but it was a fun look back at a story I may not have had time to enjoy the first time. What I wanted to share with you guys was the fact that I found my favorite issue in the entire run. #25 which takes place roughly 2/3rd from the ending of the story, sees our heroes in the 6th Dimension, as they hope to find a way to stop Lex from ruining the multiverse. Superman has been transported to a Dark Sector, far from sunlight. The Justice League thinks they have been betrayed by Batman and all seems lost.

Seeing both writer and artist combine their efforts to show a Superman slowly withering away into nothingness was effective. Seeing Batman pilot a cosmic suit of armor called the Sun Knight, was awe-inspiring, but hands down the best moment of the comic is when it is revealed that Batman was never on the side of evil. Instead, he was stalling so Superman could notice distant suns getting closure. Clark does, and he hears Batman's voice encourage him. He flies straight through multiple suns, gaining speed, power, and energy with each collision until he comes down crashing down on the foe who trapped him. The best part is Superman had just given up, the only things that kept hope alive were memories of his son and his father, and his trust in Bruce. It was cool to see the World's Finest have faith in each other. It was equally as cool to see Superman showcase how a loving family can inspire you to do great things. I'm not crying. You are.

Et Cetera

Great for mental health!

It's been over 90 days since I've casually seen friends and family and although everyone close to me is safe and healthy I can't help but miss them. In my spare time, I have picked up a new show and have already seen it twice from beginning to end. The show is called The Good Place and was created by Michael Shur, who also created Brooklyn 99 and Parks and Recreation, two other beloved NBC comedies. I had heard good things about The Good Place but honestly felt like the premise wasn't enough for me. That is for a very good reason. It turns out that creators kept details very scarce in the initial marketing material for the show, to not give away the big twists and turns that come at the end of every season. Initially its a show about a "bad person" who is sent to "The Good Place" after she died and the hilarity that follows watching her try desperately not to get caught.

What follows is a beautiful story of redemption, fighting fate, and being the best version of yourself. I don't know how far I would have made it in isolation if it weren't for Jason, Eleanor, Chidi, Tehani, Michael, and Janet. The lessons learned, the ethics argued, and the different perspectives expressed are valid reasons to get into this show, but don't get it twisted, the laughs are also there. This show is chock full laugh-out-loud funny moments, from silly puns to intricate joke construction, all with killer delivery from its cast of TV legends and newcomers. Ted Danson and Kristen Bell are amazing, but so is Jameela Jamil, Manny Jacinto, D'Arcy Carden, and William Jackson Harper. If you take one forking thing away from this piece of shirt blog, let it be to check out The Good Place as soon as possible. Take it Sleazy and...

Remember You...Yes, You...
Are Worthy
G.S.

8 Incredible Moments from Netflix's Umbrella Academy Season 1

Last year was quite an impressive time for original comic book television, from the debut of The Boys on Amazon Prime to the arrival of Doom Patrol on the DC Universe app, and even the emergence of the sleeper-hit Swamp Thing. My personal favorite of all of last year's smash-hits was Umbrella Academy on Netflix. It was a show that took the world by storm last February when it premiered and is based on the original Dark Horse graphic novel written by former My Chemical Romance front man Gerard Way featuring art by Gabriel Bá.

The duo gave us three outstanding volumes of the comic series, one of which even going so far as to win an Eisner Award. Netflix has since confirmed that we will be getting a Season 2 of the beloved series, and I, for one, am very excited. Within the 10 episodes that make up Season 1, we were given love, trauma, murder, and a huge cliffhanger ending. In preparation for the Season 2 release at the end of July, I decided to re-watch the first season of Umbrella Academy, so I can look back, reflect, and even do some soul-searching. It's time to rewind and find out which moments deserve to be considered the 8 most unbelievable moments of Umbrella Academy Season 1.

The Funeral of Reginald Hargreeves

What kind of show starts with a funeral? When we first meet the members of our team they have long since been removed from being the actual Umbrella Academy. Having been separated and divided, we see them finding their way in the world, sometimes by any means. Luther (aka #1) has the power of super-strength, the body of an ape, and is returning from the moon. Diego (aka #2) is great with knives, and spends his time as a vigilante, choosing to still wear his old mask. Alison (aka #3) has the powers of controlling people with "rumors", using them to become famous. Klaus (aka #4) is on heavy drugs in hopes of suppressing his powers, which include talking to the dead. #5, who has no name, has been missing for 20 years. Ben (# 6) is dead. Vanya, who goes by Number 7, seemingly has no powers.

Having not seen each other in years, the tension between siblings is at an all-time high. Luther is suspicious of his father's death, Klaus spends his time stealing his father's heirlooms, Diego's cognitive dissonance makes him unapproachable, and Vayna has released a book about the family, making her persona non grata. When it's time to spread the ashes, we get a fight with Luther and Diego, the two most authoritative members of the family. The incident destroys the statue depicting Number Six, their fallen brother Ben and the fight stands a sad reminder to the children that they probably will never get along. Even the sudden appearance of #5, out of space and time, does nothing to soothe old wounds in this time of tragedy. This scene was the perfect way to show how the family had fractured over the years and sets up our "Apocalypse" narrative that runs through the show.

A Boy and His Coffee

When we first see Number Five in the show, it is during a flashback to him and his siblings foiling a bank robbery. The scene manages to showcase the entire Umbrella Academy’s fighting skills. Even so, most of Five has remained a mystery to us, even though his disappearance is solved in episode one. When Number Five finally debuts on screen, after being gone for decades, his dialogue is mostly science jargon, making everything he says a bit nonsensical. One thing is for sure, he wants some damn coffee. One of the best parts of the pilot is 5 trying desperately to fill his caffeine kick while his family pays him no mind. That was until he finds Griddy’s Donuts, a local donut shop that also sells coffee! Daring to make the trip in the dead of night, we see 5 enjoying his java when a group of armed men burst into the diner, pleading with Five to go with them calmly. One thing they didn’t consider was how badly he wanted that coffee.

Suddenly, we see Number Five's powers on full display as he takes down the men after him, which was especially a treat in the first episode. With stabs to the faces and a hail of gunfire, we see Number Five take down an entire extraction team single-handedly. Fortunately, they do not shy away from the gore. Instead, the camera holds on every punch and puncture, no matter how graphic. Plus, Aiden Gallagher's charisma is on full display in this performance, from his usage of quips and profanity, right down to the sarcastic facial expressions. There is no doubt in my mind that this is one of the most unbelievable moments of The Umbrella Academy's first season.

Run Boy Run

Speaking of Number Five, the second episode of the Netflix Original "The Umbrella Academy" opens with a teenage household of crime fighters and their adoptive parents enjoying a breakfast meal. It seems like a normal morning until Number Five interrupts everyone to argue with his father over time travel. Sir Reginald Hardgreeves had put his foot down in the past and reiterates that he forbids Number Five from jumping into the future. Hargreeves has spent months explaining the dangers of time travel, but Number Five decides to run through time anyway, disappearing from the breakfast table. Set to a perfect song to capture the moment (Run Boy Run by Woodkid), we see that his first jump is a successful leap a couple of weeks into the future. Suddenly everything and everyone around him is lit by a bright orange sun showing that the world is experiencing summer. Impressed with himself, Number Five jumps a second time, and this time it is winter, as the lighting is now more saturated and grey. We also see that people are more bundled up, and it's snowing. Whoever says third time is the charm has never seen this show, as the third time Number Five jumps he ends up 20 years into the future.

As he looks around a destroyed world it occurs to him that he has ended up in the apocalypse, and everyone is dead. As the show progressed, we saw that this decision to jump led Number Five on a down a dark path. His inability to travel back to his family meant he was forced to walk the barren world alone, which puts him in the path of The Handler. This meeting turns into recruitment and starts a new chapter for Number Five as a time-traveling assassin. As a cold opening, we didn't know what we were in store for, but ultimately we got a somber look at what happens when we disregard parental advice. Number Five is changed forever for his actions and his past helps inform who he is today.

Hazel and Cha Cha Burn One

Two characters that have seen a giant revamp from their comic counterparts are Hazel and Cha Cha. Considered to be the top agents for Commission, they have been instructed to capture Number Five, and bring him back to The Handler. We see how dangerous the pair is when they initially hunt down Five in a department store. When they decide to go to attack The Umbrella Academy at their mansion, they managed to narrowly escape with their lives, but it is later revealed that they kidnapped Number Four aka Klaus. They begin to torture Klaus in a hotel room, looking for any information they can, hoping mostly for information on Number Five's plan. They start destroying his drugs as a means of interrogation, and even ate a pot-infused brownie in front of him, to provoke him. What follows is one of the funniest scenes this show has to offer.

Figuring out where Five was headed next, and set to Tom Swoon's Shingaling, we see an inebriated Hazel and Cha Cha, high as a kite, dancing while destroying a lab that Number Five needed information from. What's gets me about this moment is the setup, and the payoff. Episode after episode, we see that Hazel is stressed, tired of the bureaucracy, and their needless cutbacks, while Cha Cha is mostly uptight and going with the motions of the job. So when we get this scene with these two killers, who are completely stoned, mixed with fast-paced editing, and some hilarious dance moves, we feel almost rewarded. Getting to see Hazel and Cha Cha let loose, and enjoy a bit of the devil's lettuce, is one of the most incredible moments of Umbrella Academy Season 1.

Klaus Earns His Stripes

One of the scariest powers that I can think of, is the ability that haunts our very own Number 4, a.k.a Klaus (Codename: The Seance). This is a character who has spent most of his life wishing he was powerless, so as not to have to endure the torture of seeing the dead at every waking moment. He is always inebriated, high off some drug, suppressing his ability to see these spirits. This suppression has caused him to never take anything seriously. He's always stealing from others to pawn for drug money, and he's always making snide remarks and inappropriate jokes. This changes when Hazel and Cha-Cha break into the Hardgreeves' manor and manage to kidnap an unsuspecting Klaus who has just gotten out of the shower. While being held captive, Klaus begins to sober up and starts to see the dead again. When this starts to get too much for him, he begins to find solace and help within Ben's spirit.

Ben, being able to talk to Klaus, helps him become stronger. Being able to briefly become The Seance again, and using the help of Detective Patch, Klaus manages to escape, stealing Hazel and Cha-Cha's time-traveling briefcase in the process. When Klaus is on a bus going home, he attempts to open the briefcase, ready to pawn whatever is inside for more drugs. All he cares about is his ability to suppress the spirits he sees. However, when he opens it, he travels to 1968 and the Vietnam War. God only knows what he did and what he saw. Suddenly moments later, he appears back the same position as when he left, sitting on a bus going in the opposite direction. Robert Sheehan's facial expressions, played over Big Thief's Mary, is completely heartbreaking, as the look in his eyes speaks volumes. When Klaus gets off the bus, with a somber look, covered in blood, it makes you ask yourself, "What did he see?". In a fit of rage, Number 4 destroys the briefcase by smashing it over and over again, begging you to feel his pain. This is a pain that remains with Klaus, as for the rest of the series he experiences intense war flashbacks, reminding him of his time in Vietnam. It is a raw and unfiltered look at Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and its debilitating effects, and certainly makes for one of the most incredible moments of the season.

Love At First Bite

If there is one thing that I kind of expected out of Umbrella Academy, it was an established relationship between two characters. Call me a romantic, but the entire time I was watching, I was looking for which romance would take center stage. It wasn't going to be Number 5 and his mannequin wife, and while it's implied that Diego and Dt. Patch used to date, they killed her off before we even get a proper rekindling. We all knew if something was to spark between Luther and his adopted sister Alison, that it would feel incredibly weird. They were raised together as a family, making the pairing taboo. Who would have thought that the heartwarming relationship that I would be given would be between a hitman dealing with his existential fears, and a bird-watching, donut-selling waitress?

The relationship between Hazel and Agnus was so fleshed out and believable that as the series progressed, you ended up rooting for them to just get away. Hazel is a complicated man, who spent most of his time on the show hating his day-to-day life. We see him become increasingly frustrated with the corporate bureaucracy, longing instead for something ordinary and mundane. To a man whose life is unpredictable, seeing this waitress of a donut shop who spends her lunch break calmly bird watching, became a revelation. Maybe he could quit his job, and have a seemingly normal life, just like the donut lady. From their first encounter on screen together, something seemed to spark.

Their chemistry was engaging, and it felt wholesome seeing Hazel finding his reason to live for more than himself. Hazel double-crossing his long time partner Cha-Cha, while getting away from the life he regretted living, all with baby Agnus by his side, is a great ending for that character. Hazel's desire to be free is one of the most incredible moments of this incredible show.

Spaceboy Lets Loose

Each member of the Umbrella Academy has the distinction of being lost, estranged, and extremely broken. If there was one member who always managed to keep it together, not only for himself but for the good of the group, it was Luther. He is their leader and the last of the Umbrella Academy to leave their childhood home because he felt it was his responsibility to stay with the sinking ship. With everyone carving their path in life, someone had to stay watch over their father, making Luther bound by duty. Sadly, Luther ultimately pays for that decision. One day after a mission, he is injured so badly in combat, he needs to be spliced into a giant gorilla-like monster to survive. Hargreeves, ashamed of his monstrosity, sends Luther on a phony mission to the moon for 4 years, isolated from existence, all because of Hargreeves' failure.

One of the best moments of the series comes from when Luther finds out his mission on the Moon is a lie. He's supposed to be the group's conscious, so what happens when he can no longer hold them together? Well, he finally snaps and decides to let loose like never before. He finds a rave, gets both drunk and high, and turns into the life of the party, all while his brother Klaus looks on in horror. It's hard not to sympathize with Luther at that moment. Everything he knew was a lie, made worse by the fact that his father never intended to come clean about his deception. The way he throws himself into pure hedonism after years of self-sacrifice is equal parts cathartic and tragic. The worst of it all is that the events of that day were erased, leaving Spaceboy with no memories of his one night letting loose. We remember it though Luther, so make sure you keep your shirt on next time.

The Violent Symphony of The White Violin

Vanya Hardgreeves was always told she was just ordinary. She seemed to grow up without powers, proving there was nothing special about her. While her brothers and sisters fought crime, Vanya watched with her father, who constantly reminded her she wasn't like them. This was a Hardgreeves' lie, as Vanya was not only born with power, but she is the most powerful member of the family. Hargreeves, fearing her uncontrollable potential, simply decided to suppress her powers with pills. Never to know her full potential, Vanya puts all her passion into learning the violin. That's how she meets Leonard Peabody who stops by for a lesson. His motives are nefarious, as Leonard is dedicated to making the Hargreeves family pay for embarrassing him when he was younger. He gets a hold of Hardgreeves' journal, learns of Vanya's powers, and unlocks them in the hopes she would destroy her family. Discovering this information, Allison tries to calm Vanya down and confesses that their father also had Alison use her rumor abilities to convince Vanya she was powerless. Betrayed, Vanya snaps, and slices Allison's throat, rendering her rumor powers useless. Realizing she's being played, she kills Leonard too.

As her family tries to subdue her so they can figure out what to do, she escapes and begins to collapse the entire mansion. While destroying the Academy, she kills the family caretaker Pogo, impaling him on mounted antlers. The "White Violin" is now unleashed and will not be denied. The season ends with The White Violin playing a concert for no one, ready to destroy the entire world as we know it. She is finally stopped when Allison shoots a gun off next to her. Unfortunately, Vanya still manages to blow up the moon, and Number 5 has no choice but to grab his family members and travel to an earlier decade so they can all survive. No one knows where the family ended up, which makes the upcoming Season 2 so unpredictable! Go back and watch Umbrella Academy Season 1 and relive these moments in time to join the Academy on July 31st!

From The Desk of The Don: A Rose by Any Other Name

*This Blog will now come out on Sunday.*

RIP Denny O’Neil

Losing A Legend

On behalf of CBC, I would like to pay some respects to Dennis (also known as Denny) O'Neil, a prolific comic book writer whose work stood out, even during the most transformative era in comics. O'Neil, along with Neal Adams, redefined Batman and added some grit to the character who had lost some during the '60s. In a similar fashion, he took away Oliver Queen's wealth, in hopes of giving the character a fresh start and new motivations. It was during this run that we get the infamous storyline where it is revealed that Green Arrow's sidekick Speedy was addicted to heroin. That story got Dennis worldwide attention as it was proof that comics can handle adult subject material. As a minority, I would regret not talking about John Stewart, who was co-created by O'Neil is one of the most successful black superheroes in DC Comics history. Since his comic debut, John Stewart has been depicted in video games, cartoons, and even animated films.

If you like the first Iron Man film, it is important to note that the character of Obediah Stane, aka the Iron Monger, is an O'Neil innovation. O'Neil created the villain as a means to drag Tony Stark back into alcoholism, giving the superhero a human problem to overcome. As an editor for Marvel, O'Neil allowed Frank Miller to write and draw his legendary Daredevil run. He is also one of the men behind the creation of long-time Batman villain Ra's Al Ghul. Aside from comics Denny helped write the original concept for Transformers and is credited as the person who came up with the name Optimus Prime. With Denny no longer with us, it is important to look at his work as an extension of his life. Thank you Dennis. The comic world won't be the same without you.

Can The Real Batwoman Please Stand Up?

A message from the showrunners of Batwoman

We spoke a couple of weeks ago about Ruby Rose stepping down as Kate Kane, and the new rumor is the actress set to replace her won't be playing Kate Kane after all. Instead, the writers will create a character from scratch and let her continue Kate's legacy as it has been confirmed that Kate will not die in season 2. The choice to not cast a new Kate seems odd, but I understand that killing off gay characters is an offensive trope in all forms of media. It happens so often that there is an actual term for it called "burying your gays". Batwoman was set to serve as one of the first mainstream superheroes from the LGBT+ community. The writers are set to continue that narrative, just without Kate Kane or Ruby Rose.

I'm not sure how to feel about this. How do you move forward when your star decides they don't want to be on your show anymore? How do you continue to drum up interest, and attract new fans? This is relatively uncharted territory, and I don't envy any of the writing team for the hoops they're going to have to jump through to make Batwoman feel whole again. Who knows maybe this next LGBT heroine will find success on the CW and eventually make her debut in comics just like Harley did decades ago. Here's hoping for a new and inspiring take on Batwoman, and not a retread with a poor substitute.

Comic Book Catch-Up

Can punchline eclipse Mr. J?

Have you guys read The Joker 80th anniversary comic? Not only is it filled to the brim with artists and writers who have found a way to the clown Prince of Crime relevant after years, but it also features the origin of DC's current "it girl" Punchline. Joker is a force of nature in his own right, but man, people are digging Punchline. Her first appearance in comics is a highly sought after issue, with its value tripling over the course of a few weeks. Her origin story is a bit two-dimensional, but I think there is definite room for the character to grow and to differentiate herself from Harley Quinn. This is how I think they can do it.

On the surface, Punchline, whose real name is Alexis, seems like a fangirl of the Joker. She might be in a stand-in for the abundance of new fans Joker has gotten with his increased exposure in feature films. I say we turn this up a notch. She cannot simply be a partner or equal to the Joker, or she might fall into the Harley Quinn hole. Instead, Punchline should eclipse Joker, making the Clown Prince of Crime shudder. I think Joker is best used sparingly, so Punchline can have her time in the sun while we keep Mister J on ice. Maybe he can notice that she is getting more and more depraved, causing him to question her allegiance. We could also go the petty route, with him being jealous that Punchline is better at his humor than he is. Either way, I feel Joker is overexposed, and Punchline might be an initiative to put a new face on crime in Gotham. I am all in.

What’s Up Next

Doom comes knockin’

I joked this week, amongst friends, that after getting hype for all the films set to be released this year, we'd be lucky if we got to see any. COVID has greatly affected the release of feature films, and concurrently our schedule for the Major Issues Podcast, as we strive to comment on the latest and greatest in comic books and comic book media. The upside to this is the downtime has allowed me to get back into a certain comic series that I had neglected. One of those comic series is Scott Snyder's Justice League, and one of the reasons I wanted to cover it for the podcast was the Legion of Doom. For years, the only Legion of Doom I knew was from the old Superfriends cartoon. I thought the idea that there would be villains who would choose to be on the same page, just to show strength in numbers, was kind of badass.

In Snyder's Justice League, we have a brand new LOD with Lex Luthor, Joker, Grood, Cheetah, and one of my personal favorites Black Manta. The story shows how each one of these diabolical deviants ended up on the same team, and manages to not be contrived. I had an issue with Joker following ANYONE'S orders but they manage to explain why successfully. The Justice League is one of the most powerful teams of superheroes in all of comics, so you know the LOD has to be some heavy hitters to even stand a chance. Join us as we discuss Justice League on the podcast this week.

Et Cetera

We are officially two weeks away from the release of Doom Patrol season 2 on HBO Max. Unless you just recently started following us, you'll know that Doom Patrol was my favorite comic book show of last year, and it didn't even come close. The resurrection of Brendan Fraser's career, the emergence of Matt Bomer as a sympathetic hero, and powerhouse performances by April Bowlby, Diane Guerrero, and Jovian Wade, helps set this show apart from its peers. It is also, without a doubt, the most confident comic book television show there is. I say that because episode everything goes at a breakneck pace, and it doesn't look back to see if you were falling behind. The Doom Patrol has the moniker of being the world's strangest heroes, and the show, which originally started on the DC Universe app, goes to great lengths to test with our view of normalcy is.

What I love the most about Doom Patrol is that it asks very deep questions of its viewers, particularly when it comes to themes of redemption. A lot of our modern heroes are squeaky clean do-gooders, but what happens when you have a group of reluctant misfits who simply want to do what's right? You get our ragtag group of characters who is journeys of self-discovery and redemption are not only inspirational but incredibly human. I did not think I would sympathize with a robot as much as I have sympathized with Robot Man, but The Ballad of Cliff Steele tugs at the Heartstrings and manages to turn what could be a silly character into an incredibly tragic one. Please go watch season one if you haven't already, or click on this link for our season one review!

From The Desk of The Don #4: Throw Your Hands In The Ayer

One of the many messages shared by corporations this week. This one is Marvel’s.

Solidarity.

What a week it has been. Protests, looting, curfews, and shootings all have taken place in the last seven days. Social media gave a voice to the Black Lives Matter movement, as many posted a black square to show solidarity with those fighting for equal rights. Aside from the common man, many organizations posted messages showing that they agree with their customers. While I know we still have miles to go as far as police reform and racial re-education, it feels good to be heard. It felt good to see DC and Marvel Comics post how much they support the movement and black creators. It was cool to see big brands have to make a statement on which side of the fence they were on. Again, this may not feel like a huge development for most, but companies are famous for staying out of politics in fear of alienating any of their customers.

For example, if a company were to come out as pro-gay, they could risk losing some of their more homophobic customers. The safest thing would have been to just let this pass, but I am happy to see companies stand up and pick their side, whatever it may be. Hell, we have the Amish community on our side, and I heard there were even some witches at a recent protest. We have the power of the people, and it feels good. A lot of my anger last week stemmed from the fact that I felt our message wasn't being heard, but that wasn't the case. The message is spreading. We are here and we will not be silenced anymore.

Ayer Cut?

Do you think Jared Leto was stifled in his role as the Joker in Suicide Squad?

Now that fans have the Snyder Cut to look forward to, people have suddenly been inquiring about an Ayer Cut, or to put it bluntly, a cut of Suicide Squad with all of the director's initial ideas. Suicide Squad was famously ripped away from director David Ayer and manipulated to the point that he says the film we've seen is not the one he shot. The evidence makes sense, as many pointed to the original tone of the first trailer, and have noted how the film has a much different tone. Rumor has it, Warner Bros had a film trailer company come in to edit the film to better match the trailer. I may be a novice, but isn't that a bit backward?

The biggest tragedy in this, according to the multiple sources, is that we were robbed of Jared Leto's original performance. This means he might have been a great Joker, and we have been unfairly judging him ever since. The only way to know for sure is to see this "Ayer Cut" in its entirety and finally see what Leto's Joker is all about. Was it worth the used condoms and dead pigs? The world may never know.

Comic Book Catch Up

I am super excited. Before everything went topsy-turvy, I had asked fellow Cliquer Yogi if he could check his comic shop next time he went into work because I had the urge to reread something. The set I was looking for in particular was Batman and Robin written by the incredibly talented if not utter bonkers Grant Morrison. This run is special for many reasons, but the first thing people can remember is that his run takes place in a world where Bruce Wayne is dead. Instead, taking up the cape and cowl is Dick Grayson, the former Nightwing, and protégé of the Dark Knight himself. Dick’s inheritance of the mantle felt natural, but I loved seeing him start his trails as Batman while being completely self-conscious and vulnerable. It’s always been said that Dick is Bruce without the need for vengeance, and being in the head of a younger, less angry Batman actually had me clamoring for Grayson to be the Caped Crusader full-time.

The other big part of this run is watching Damien Wayne, son of Batman, attempt to follow in his footsteps and fight crime as Dick's Robin. This kid had been raised under the strict discipline and rhetoric of The League of Assassins, who believe in showing no mercy in this kill-or-be-killed society. Damian’s entire pathos is nature vs nurture in a microcosm, as he battles against his former self to try and become someone his father would be proud of. Did I mention Damian is my favorite Robin? I recommend anyone who likes Batman to read the series. It's great stuff, plus the chemistry between THIS Batman and Robin is both hilarious and touching at the same time. I cannot wait to reread those issues now that I have them!

Coming Up Next

A face (and a movie) only a mother could love.

Oh boy. So I just watched A History of Violence, and I was not a fan. I know that is sacrilege, but it’s my honest opinion. Unlike many, I had no history with the film other than the fact I knew it was based on a graphic novel. As we are one to do, I read the graphic novel the film was based on and enjoyed it. If you want to know the particulars of what my gripes were, make sure to check out the June 10th episode the Major Issues Podcast, where Dan The Comic Man and I will go into great detail about how we feel about it all.

Besides that, Yogi and I will be doing two episodes of the Major Issues Podcast back-to-back, covering the extensive yet incredibly rewarding Justice League run written by Scott Snyder. I became a fan of Snyder's when reading his run on Batman, and that run led me straight to Dark Knights Metal, a sprawling crossover event where the heroes of the DC Universe went to war against different evil versions of Batman. Yogi and I managed to tackle that story, as well as No Justice, the story that followed it. This leads us right to "Justice League", in which the repercussions of both "Metal" and "No Justice" are clear as day. Join us as we try our best to cover close to 30 issues of greatness in a few hours. It will definitely be worth

Et Cetera

Thankfully, I feel a lot better this week. My city is still in shambles, but we are still surviving. A huge "thank you" to everyone who has reached out to me personally over the past week. I found there were several tips I could give to those who might have felt as emotionally drained as I did. They say you are what you eat, and I would go so far as to say you are what you consume. Everyone should be watching what they are ingesting. This is not only a piece of dietary advice but also goes for what you choose to watch and listen to. There are 24-hour news cycles dedicated to making sure you stay riled up, so stay away from them.

It's important to remember that because of COVID, many have been indoors way too long without anyone to talk to. This is why my second tip would be to reach out. So many of us have been hunkered down in our quarantine zones for so long that we feel trapped and alone. Combine that with the hostility of current events, and add a country on the edge and suddenly, the world can feel too overwhelming. In those instances, contact a close friend or relative. You don’t have to talk about race, but you need to talk about something. You need to be able to get all of the junk that has been building up for months out of your system before you can move forward.

We have to move forward, both positively and definitively. I am not saying we have to go back to the way things were, and we forget all we have protested for. I am saying the time for emotions is over, and the time for planning is now, which is my third piece of advice. We need to plan. Let us do better to limit what we watch and not limit what we can do. Let's change the world so that situations like George Floyd's never happen again. I love you all. Stay safe and…

Remember…You (yes you) Are Worthy
G.S.

From The Desk of The Don #3: I Need To Speak

Discourage, disregarded, and disappointed.

I Need To Speak on This

Firstly, I have to start this as honestly as I can. That is what I want this space to be for me, and all my readers. I want this to be a place where we can speak on all matters, so allow me to start. I did not want to write today. My mind is filled with many different emotions. My heart hurts in a way that makes me question when I will feel whole again. Unless you have been living under a rock, another unarmed black male, George Floyd was killed while being apprehended by police. One of the police officers attempting to place him under arrest placed his knee in the neck area of Mr. Floyd and ultimately killed him. The death itself was caught on camera and stood as horrific a reminder that this country does not love us the same way we love it. That may sound a bit harsh, but let me explain.

I am an Army vet with two tours overseas under my belt. I have fought for the freedoms that this beautiful country represents, both in foreign lands and domestically. I was in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Spartan Shield, and Operation Enduring Freedom. While serving I met people of all creeds and colors. I love the people I served with, and I generally love all people! My life has been made exponentially better by having a diverse support system of friends and family. I love my fellow man, and to see that that sentiment might not be the same the other way around is heartbreaking. Growing up Latino, I have been egged on by police to get violent. I have been shoved on hoods of cop cars, and I have been pushed against walls and searched. I have been called names by police officers hoping to entice me to retaliate. The only reason I never have is that I didn’t want to die.

Sam Wilson’s Cap shows how quickly the narrative can change based on your color.

I Am Hurt

Imagine that. Imagine feeling bullied by a protector, and keeping silent only out of fear of never taking a breath again. If you can’t, God bless you, because you have gone through life without the experience most minorities have had to endure. George Floyd did not have to die, just like Mike Brown did not have to die. Sandra Bland did not have to die, just like Ahmaud Aubrey did not have to die. I have seen people make excuses for a lack of basic human decency, and it makes me question what excuse they would give the officer who killed me. Even with my years of service, am I susceptible to the same death? When I am shot, will they say I am resisting? Will my partners in arms shrug and assume I had a rap sheet? Would my fair-skinned neighbors lump me in with the “thugs” depicted on TV? After everything I’ve done in my life, would the world turn on me for my skin color?

Maybe I’m just being pessimistic. Dan The Comic Man says I’m a reformed optimist, but today I'm just not feeling it. As I type this, cities around the United States are burning as a result of civil unrest. The worst part is seeing the true colors of people you may have thought were allies in this fight. I have found that the majority do not want to be bothered with our plight. Some would even go so far as to say there is no plight at all. All of this makes me angry, sad and encased in a feeling of hopelessness. This isn’t an isolated case. This is the norm. This is the standard. Sadly, as talented artist Donald Glover put it; “This Is America”.

I also recently lost a fellow army buddy to suicide. Between Coronavirus, these riots, and now the news of my passing friend, I am exhausted. My fellow soldiers are losing battles outside of war, while my kinfolk are being gunned down and suffocated to death. My nieces and nephews are set to take over this world long after I'm gone, and what world will they inherit? Cliquers, I am in pain, so I apologize for rambling. Please just understand I am hurt. Now let’s get on with the rest of this.

Comic Book Catch-Up

Jordan, like others before him, embraces fear at a time of war.

I’ll keep the rest of this short. I am seriously loving the Injustice comics. Each volume deals with one year in that universe and is the perfect set up for the Injustice game. Seeing all the pieces slowly come together makes the events of that first game so much more enjoyable, as you realize all of the actions of the characters are the result of half a decade’s worth of events. Characters like Black Canary and Hal Jordan are completely fleshed out and are given arcs that suit their dynamics. Batman and Superman’s rivalry is placed center-stage and even manages to feel petty at times, as you unravel the pain these two friends have inflicted upon each other. What gets me is the body count in these issues. Probably the best part of telling an Elseworld story is you can do whatever you’d like to the world and its characters, and you don’t have to worry about decades of continuity.

Tom Taylor takes advantage of this and manages to deliver gut-punch after gut-punch, as some of the most popular characters in DC’s lore bite the dust, in sake of the narrative. It's brilliantly written, stylishly drawn, and everyone is portrayed as they should be. One of my favorite arcs has to be Hal Jordan’s. In it, he is constantly second-guessing if what he’s doing is right, while the evil Sinestro works behind his back, hoping to concoct the right situation so that Jordan sees Superman’s way as the only way. Watching Hal face doubts as the Regime grows not only feels right for that character, but that sort of opposition is needed in any power-struggle story. Hal’s turn to the dark side is pretty definite, but here’s hoping he finds a way back to the light side.

Coming Up Next

Superman Superfan Tasmin Humphries has invited me to a Superman Zoom Quiz! Wish me luck!

As far as the Major Issues Podcast is concerned, the next episode will be me and GT Rebirth tackling Iron Man: Extremis. He knows I love him because anything concerning Iron 3 sends me up the wall, but our conversation was still a fun one, as it always is when GT is around. As explained before, we have History of Violence coming up too, as we try to tackle more of the lesser-known comic book adaptations. What I’m most excited about is I have been invited by Superman Superfan Tasmin Humphries to partake in a Superman Quiz Show via Zoom. I get to test my knowledge on the Man of Steel, whilst also meeting a bunch of enthusiastic comic fans from around the globe. If you are unfamiliar with Tasmin, she had a BBC special done about her Superman Collection and goes by The Aspiring Kryptonian on Facebook. Check her out!

I’m also hoping to start designing merchandise again. As you know, I am the primary designer for our Teepublic store. Since the pandemic, I have been less and less motivated to produce art, and that needs to be fixed. I have some ideas for some Stargirl merchandise, and we can get all sorts of creative with the masks that Teepublic is selling at the moment. At first, I felt a bit cheap for designing masks, thinking that I would be viewed as an opportunist, looking to make a quick buck off the ill. Since then I have realized that all I am trying to do is normalize using a face mask by making people WANT to wear them because they have cool designs! If I can do that, then we can truly make a difference. Also, do you guys want to do a watch party soon? I might have something in the works…

Et Cetera

I love you all. This is the part where I say anything else that is on my mind, but I am SPENT. Please try to spread love and hope through your communities. Please protect those that cannot protect themselves. Lastly, please remember we are all brothers and sisters on this blue marble we call Earth. Treat each other with kindness, sincerity, and open-mindedness. Let’s be like the heroes we admire in comics. I think Stan “The Man” Lee said it best

Till next week True Believers. Stay safe and…

Remember…You (yes you) Are Worthy
G.S.

From The Desk of The Don #2: Ruby Rose Colored Glasses

Ruby Rose will not be returning as Batwoman for Season 2

What a week this past week was! First, hit a snag when recording the Major Issues Podcast, and had to switch gears at the last minute to cover the Stargirl pilot. I’m actually glad we did, but more on that later. Next, we had to deal with the massive news of Ruby Rose exiting the role of Batwoman, which was announced WHILE we were recording! I was floored by the news, but it turns out it was mutual? The show runners are optimistic that the juicy gossip of Ruby exiting might entice new viewers to catch a new Kate Kane in early 2021, which is when these shows are returning. It’s one hell of a promotional tactic, but I don’t blame them for trying to make the best of a crappy situation.

The hunt is on for a new Batwoman as it seems. It’s a shame because from what I heard, the show ended with a bit of a cliffhanger, and the introduction of the actor that would play Bruce Wayne. Hopefully, all of this is for the best. We need strong female characters on our television screens, and Kate Kane had the distinction of being openly gay, something not many heroes in fiction are. That representation is an immensely important reason why some of us flock to our favorite pieces of media. As a minority, I remember being floored by the representation of Latinos in Spider-Man: Into The SpiderVerse. It felt like someone understood me and where my life has taken me. Here’s hoping the LGBT community gets their mainstream hero back.

A Sweet Release

It’s finally happening, and not a moment too soon.

It seems like not too long ago, people were up in arms about 2017’s Justice League film, saying the movie was not director Zack Snyder’s original vision. They were right, with Snyder being taken off the film for a myriad of reasons, Joss Whedon was brought in to finish the film. Whedon tried his best, but what we got, as a result, was a Frankenstein of a feature and one that most critics and even some die-hard DC fans refuse to acknowledge when discussing comic book movies. #ReleaseTheSnyderCut ran wild on social media, and I even had someone hand me an informational pamphlet explaining why it would only be fair to show Snyder’s unfinished cut of the film. Not only was the hashtag popular, but stars of the film like Aquabro himself Jason Momoa were expressing their interest in seeing Snyder’s Cut as well, lending credibility to the idea of its existence.

Not everyone jumped on the bandwagon though. Some dismissed the idea that a secret, completed, better version of Justice League was out there, even when Zack was teasing the reality of it on Vero. It put fans in an awkward position. Should we try our best to love Justice League as it stands, or throw it in the garbage in favor of the original vision/cut? Those who held out hope spammed social media, often clashing with those who didn’t think the cut would ever see the light of day. Incredibly, a few days after talking about it on the podcast, it was announced that HBO Max would be premiering Justice League: The Snyder Cut in 2021! I asked DCEU fan Yogi what he thought about the release, but you’ll have to check the podcast this week to hear his thoughts. I hope people get what they want from the showing, whether it be closure or a new journey entirely.

Comic Book Catch-Up

Injustice: Gods Among Us

Guys, it’s been seven long years, but I have finally gotten into the Injustice comics! I have no clue what took me so long. I guess I thought the books were rough adaptations of the Story Mode of Injustice. Comics based on video games are usually pretty bad, but this one is different. This comic does some tremendous things to flesh out the story, and it was incredibly interesting to watch the slow descent of our Man of Steel rather than a flashback and a time jump to an already insatiable dictator. Tom Taylor (who wrote DCeased which we covered here) has fun with the Injustice universe and has compelled me to dust off my old copy of Injustice so I can join in on the fun. I’ve considered doing Twitch content for the site, and maybe this is the game to do it with.

The Harley Quinn comic is officially over after 75 issues. That’s as respectable a run as I would have imagined, but I have admittedly missed most of it. She is becoming ever more popular, and our review of Harleen is one of our most popular episodes of the Major Issues Podcast. What’s even more interesting is DC has added a new character to Joker’s menagerie, Punchline. Featured on the cover of Harley’s last issue will be the past and present of Joker’s love life, and serve as a reminder that Harley has come a long way since her creation. Hats off to Ms. Quinzell for finally stepping out of her pudding’s shadow once and for all.

Coming Up Next

Loved seeing the Mark I armor in Iron Man: Extremis

After some careful maneuvering, Yogi and I recorded a stellar episode covering Alan Moore’s failed Twilight of Superheroes pitch that will be out on the 27th. I’m also considering finding a way to explain the entire premise in short form because it needs to been seen to be believed. It was a blast to cover, and I hope you guys enjoy the discussion. After that, you will get to hear me ramble about Iron Man, weapons manufacturing, and the military when GT Rebirth and I cover Iron Man: Extremis. The book itself seems to raise a bunch of ethical questions regarding war, and those who profit off it the most and will serve as an interesting look at Tony Stark, the man who cheated and yet manufactures death.

As a former soldier, I am no stranger to the logic used in creating weapons for peace, and strengthening our military is a constant goal in American politics. What lessons can we learn from Tony Stark, who chose to leave his previous life of war profiteering for something better? Is this the classic case of "gun vs people" in the argument of who is to blame for the deaths across the globe? What blame does lay at the feet of Tony and Stark Industries, if any? Hopefully, we’ll be able to answer all that in less than 3 hours. The book also recounts Tony’s updated origin, and it looks exactly like it did in the first Iron Man film. I want to read Superior Iron Man, but if you need a recommendation, I say give Infamous Iron Man a shot. In it, Tony is missing and presumed dead, and it's up to the usually nefarious Dr. Doom to take up the mantle of Armoured Avenger. It’s a great read!

Et Cetera

Cool Cool Cool

As a massive Community fan, this past week has been a whirlwind. The cast reunited after over half a decade, and I got to see Joel McHale play Starman in the Stargirl pilot we spoke about earlier. Sure, he didn’t give one of his classic “Winger Speeches”, but I think Joel does have the gravitas to do more cape-stuff. I can see him heading a superhero project one day, as he joins his other Greendale Alumni that have acted in superhero media. Danny Pudi was in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, while Jim Rash was in its sequel Civil War. Yvette Nicole Brown and Ken Jeong were in Avengers: Endgame, having a cameo in the highest-grossing movie of all time. Did I mention those films were directed by The Russ Brothers, who played a huge role in the first couple seasons of Community? Last, but not least, Donald Glover played Aaron Davis in Spider-Man: Homecoming and wore Spidey PJs in an episode! It's great to see my two fandoms come together.

Sadly, not everything was sunshine and rainbows. This week saw the losses of popular pro wrestlers Shad Gaspard and Hana Kimura. I watched Shad in my teenage years as one half of Cryme Tyme, a team that represented my home borough of Brooklyn, New York. Last year, he was in my neck of the woods, hanging out with other wrestling fans and watching WrestleMania. It was so cool to see how much he enjoyed being around wrestling fans. Unfortunately, he died when he was pulled in by a riptide while going for a swim with his son. He used his last words to request that his son be saved instead of him, before ultimately disappearing into the deep. Kimura’s situation is just as sad, as she took her own life after months of cyber-bullying. Besides wrestling, Kimura was also a reality TV star, which brought her the contempt of ridiculous fans who would make fun of her Indonesian background. Both losses hurt as we try to imagine their last moments, but we need to remember to BE BETTER. Shad was a hero, and Hana an inspiration, and that’s how they will be remembered. I love you all (in case you didn’t know), and I’ll see you next week.
Stay safe and…

Remember…You (yes you) Are Worthy
G.S.

From The Desk of The Don #1: I Have No Idea What I'm Doing

Is This Thing On?

Hello, everybody out there in comic book land. My name is George Serrano aka The Don, and this is the very first edition of From The Desk of The Don, a new blog that allows me to connect with you guys when it comes to current events, news, and updates over here at ComicBookClique.com! This way you guys can get my opinions on things not on the Major Issues Podcast, and get a sneak peek at next week’s content. It’s been a while since I wrote a blog, so bear with me. Let’s get this show on the road and you will realize- I have no idea what I’m doing.

I started Comic Book Clique over 4 years ago, as a way of battling my anxiety when it came to talking to others about the things that interested me, comics included. Since then we’ve created merchandise at TeePublic (Shop CBC), our very own podcast that is 126 episodes in, and now we write articles! I’m so proud of hard far we’ve come, and I’m always looking for new ways to add to CBC’s legacy and build its audience. Then Coronavirus arrived. My heart goes out to everyone who’s been affected by this pandemic that has no bias, and seemingly no quick end. To the front line workers, you are the heroes of this generation, keeping us safe as you risk your lives in this uncertain time. Thank you all.

Planning During A Pandemic

Art by BossLogic

Planning content for CBC is always a fun but arduous task. We look at the calendar in hopes of providing hot topics to discuss on the podcast. If there is a new comic book movie out, we do our best to cover the comics it's based on and provide an in-depth review. If there’s a recent season of comic book television out, we do our best to binge as much as we can and do a full analysis of its character and themes. We had to set up schedules months in advance to give ourselves the time we need to tackle the subject matter at hand. This year we were prepared to cover the theatrical releases of Black Widow, New Mutants, and Wonder Woman 1984, the latter voted the most anticipated movie of 2020 by the Clique, but to prevent the spread of Covid-19 all those films had their releases postponed. 

So what did we do? Well, we took a second to look at the world that was changing in front of us. The first film release impacted by the virus was Bloodshot starring Vin Diesel, which was removed from theaters around the globe. To compensate, we covered Justice League: Amazo Virus, a story that dealt with the team dealing with a dangerous contagion. As more cancellations came down the pike, we scrambled for new topics to cover. Luckily, my co-hosts had a list of comics and films they always wanted to cover but never had the time. Hopefully, it provides some entertainment until everything gets back to normal.

Comic Book Catch-Up

Read Justice League by Scott Snyder ASAP

Just like millions of Americans, I was furloughed from my job at a sign shop, giving me more free time than I was used to. In the meantime, I’ve managed to catch up on a few comics. Thanks to a recommendation by fellow Cliquer Yogi, I finished Scott Snyder’s Justice League run! Snyder wrote the first run of Batman that I followed issue to issue, so his Justice League run was right up my alley. Scott managed to bring big stakes to the Justice League book while changing some of the lore for the better. Lex Luthor also takes things up a notch in a way I’ve never seen before. Snyder understands the mechanics of that team and their villains, and I cannot wait for DEATH METAL, the sequel to Dark Knights Metal, which we covered here.

Dan The Comic Man mentioned wanting to reread A History of Violence, a graphic written by John Wagner which was adapted into a motion picture of the same name starring Viggo Mortensen. I had never seen the film but managed to finish the entire story in one sitting! What a tense and action-packed story that uses flashbacks and reveals to increase the pressure surrounding the main character. The next step is to watch the film, which I’m sure I’m going to enjoy. What I am NOT going to enjoy is having to rewatch Iron Man 3 for our Iron Man: Extremis review, where GT Rebirth and I will get into the psyche of one Tony Stark. As a Captain America guy, it will be fun to jump into the mind of a billionaire, playboy, genius, philanthropist. Lastly, I am hoping to read some Wonder Woman comics soon. I have never read a full Wonder Woman run and I feel she deserves some time on my reading list. Please recommend some good Wonder Woman stories to choose from!

Coming Up Next

The topic of the next episode of the Major Issues Podcast: Twilight of Superheroes!

As stated above, we are getting ready to tackle the 2018 run of the Justice League, which ran for nearly forty issues. It seems to have a lot to do with where the DC Universe is going in the future. Those issues are pretty dense, but I love talking to Yogi about the DC Universe because he is incredibly invested as a fan and as someone who works with comic books as a whole. I sometimes fear we might be a bit DC Comics heavy, so after our next couple of episodes, we will be walking back into the Marvel territory. There are also some Indy titles I’d like to review, and ultimately we have to return to Doomsday Clock, Sex Criminals, and all the other stories that have continued since we last covered them.

The very next episode of the Major Issues Podcast is going to be a unique one. Instead of recapping a film or reviewing a comic, we’ve decided to try to decipher Alan Moore’s pitch for a storyline titled “Twilight of The Superheroes”, which he tried to get made at DC Comics in the late 1980s. Moore (writer of The Killing Joke, V for Vendetta, and Watchmen) is known for his unique take on the superhero genre. The pitch itself is gritty, violent, and shockingly conclusive. Moore envisioned a definitive end of the DC Universe, and we will go in great lengths to talk about the good and bad of his premise. While probably not to the most mainstream topic, longtime fans of DC Comics need to hear this episode and hear Moore’s take on the superhero mythos in general. Make sure you listen to the Major Issues Podcast every Wednesday to hear us babble about capes, cowls, and capers every week!

Et Cetera

Harley Quinn on the DC Universe app is a riot!

I figured this is where all of my other random thoughts will go, so let's get on with it. Have you been watching Harley Quinn on the DC Universe App? It is amazing! Admittedly it took me a while to get the humor, and Harley as a character can be problematic if you keep her as Joker’s perpetual love slave, but I felt the show had a better handle of the character than Birds of Prey did. Seeing as I haven’t been blown away with 2020 Comic Book films (to be fair, there’s only been two) this show fills that void for me. It knows its audience. Speaking of knowing its audience, DC's Doom Patrol returns next month! Doom Patrol was hands down my favorite comic book show of last year, and I can’t wait to see what DC has in store for Season 2! We are also very close to the series premiere of Star Girl, but I have yet to watch a single episode Batwoman, so maybe there might be too much content out there right now for one Don.

What I was most disappointed by was the finale of the Flash this season. I know that the coronavirus has had massive effects on the shooting and script, but I can't shake the feeling that the show will never reach the heights that it did in Season 1. With Arrow gone, it's important that Flash right the CW ship while new characters like Black Lightning, Batwoman, and Star Girl join the fray. On top of that, CW has gained the rights to Swamp Thing, so a lot of people who had never been introduced to that character might get that chance soon. By then we should have all seen New Mutants, right? It also should be noted that Comic Book Clique stopped planning the podcast schedule shortly before the Fourth of July, so we'll have to come up with some hard-hitting content soon for those dates in the future. Is there a comic book, TV show, or comic book movie you would like us to cover? Let me know in the comment section. This is all I got for this week, but I’ll be back next week for more things "FROM THE DESK"!

Remember…You (yes you) Are Worthy
G.S.

DC's Doomsday Clock Disappointed Me (and why that's ok)

There’s nothing like your first major comic book crossover. They say you can always remember your first time, and I sure do. I remember when the slighter older man typing out this piece was in his late 20s, living from major motion picture to major motion picture, enjoying his fantastical stories of superheroism. I really dug superhero films and couldn’t get enough. In between those long stretches of film releases, I begin to feed my desire for stories of costumes heroics through serial and episodic TV programming and was ultimately semi-satiated with shows like Supergirl and the Justice League animated TV show. While shows like The Flash or Daredevil served as a fine resource for my superhero addiction, it proved to be a finite one. If one was ambitious enough, watching all episodes of the current comic book TV shows of the Arrowverse, or Marvel on Netflix would take only a few weeks. I was ready for something bigger.

Connected universes like the “Arrowverse” sparked my interest in comic books.

When the well of TV and movies ran dry, my hunger for the capers I'd come to love was still not satisfied. At this point, I made the conscious decision to jump into the intimidating world of comic books, a vast well of tales that for some, will never end. I did not embark on this challenge lightly. The superhero comic book lexicon is America's craziest never-ending story (whose cast includes a massive dog that teleports). Despite the many soft comic book reboots throughout the years, you're essentially walking into a story that's already started without you, with some starting nearly a century ago! Huge events have already happened, and then happened again, and then happened thrice over. You can start a story only to learn some notable characters have already died, while other change mantles or retire. Your favorite villains may overstay their welcome with retreads of familiar stories, while some tried and true villains are nowhere to be found.

It's that “leap before you look” kind of risk that can yield scary results. Am I willing to get lost in years of history and continuity only to be overall disappointed in the story? It was a hell of a gamble. These issues get worse when you finally find a book you like, but that book gets a bit too referential and depends on you knowing the details of what happened decades before to understand what is to come. Navigation through this flowerbed of content can be challenging, especially if you don’t have a solid starting point.

DC announces DC Rebirth in 2016

On May 25th, 2016, DC Comics dropped its first issue of "Rebirth", a company-wide status quo in the form of a comic that would set the stage for its reboot. The emotional story of Wally West trying to escape the speed force was a powerful tale, with the effort rewarded by Barry Allen, when he finally embraces him asking "How could I ever forget you?". The character of Wally up to that point had only existed in the memories of long-time comic book fans. Wally had been missing since 2011, deemed unnecessary when it came to the New 52. His return as part of DC Rebirth was a love letter to long-time fans and an invitation for new fans to fall in love with Wally all over again. Wally West was the true representation of a bygone era that was lost with the company’s New 52 initiative. The New 52, for many, was an alienating project that got to pick and choose what characters mattered. I guess our red-headed Wally wasn’t one of them.

Although it did wonders for new readership, the New 52 was ultimately seen as a betrayal for some, as they considered the reboot a heartless cash grab, that erased decades of history. Some comic book fans can trace their commitment to these characters and stories for generations, their loyalty deeply entrenched in the extended history of some of their heroes. Wally West was one of the heroes comic fans didn’t want messed with. Not only did West stand out by being one of the few “sidekicks” to ultimately usurp his mentor Barry Allen as THE Flash, for many comic book fans he was THEIR FLASH. For years Wally’s Flash was being introduced to children through animation and comics as a declaration of the evolution of the genre by moving past the old guard. The New 52 may have ignored Wally, but with his Rebirth return, the dream of a new status quo that could please every reader seemed closer to fruition.

Wally’s return to DC Comics sparked hope in its fan base after the New 52

Even with all the heavy lifting of the Wally story, something even more ambitious was going on in DC "Rebirth". In a series of panels, we see the Dark Knight, Batman, investigating a mysterious item. Suddenly it is revealed to be the blood-stained smiley face button synonymous with the graphic novel Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. Not only did this reveal leave the reader with a reason to come back, but Watchmen as a story was almost untouched to that point. They wouldn’t honestly be planning a crossover, were they? Soon it was made official. In an announcement that would change everything, we were told the mainstay characters of DC were set to meet the characters of Watchmen, in an event book called Doomsday Clock. The news that the heralded Watchmen would crossover with the pantheons in the DC Universe was one of the biggest ever. I had just walked into a larger world of my favorite superheroes, and now I have seemingly walked into an event for the ages! I could not contain my excitement. That's when the Doomsday Clock started to tick down.

So fast forward three years later, and I am burdened by disappointment. I lost faith in Doomsday Clock after only issue #6, once it was clear the book wasn't what I'd hoped it would be. Walking away from this story hurt because, in a lot of ways, I thought this story was mine. It was going to be my first huge comic book event and the first big event in my living journey through comic book storytelling. Unfortunately, it wasn't and after weeks of serious contemplation, and that's okay. As it stood, Doomsday Clock became the personification of my initial fears once getting into superhero comics. I was always hesitant to start comics because I feared I would feel punished for being a new reader, without having years of comic book history at my disposal. I felt DC’s Rebirth was, in many ways, a bridge between die-hard fans and myself. From my initial perspective, I felt misled. An avid Superman Rebirth reader, I was stoked when the finale of “BATMAN/FLASH: The Button" showed the Watchmen button slowly change into the Superman crest. There was going to be a book where my favorite superhero is leading the way? A huge story set to change the maligned New 52 initiative into a DC Comics people recognized? Sign me up! On top of that, this immense crossover will be built up strongly throughout books like Superman, Batman, The Flash, and even TITANS? It was easy to look forward to the event I was told would change the world. Sadly I didn't feel as I thought I would at the end of this journey.

Unfortunately, what I ended up getting was a Watchman sequel that full of new and old characters from a continuity that I had no interest in. I didn’t embark on this journey into Doomsday Clock simply for the Rorschach cameos, and besides some surprises, it's almost like nothing happened for more than half the story. There’s a storyline for the JSA that I simply have no reverence for, a political message that was muddied at best, and as all evidence points to, a rushed ending. Very little of the stories I was told would be essential leading up to this event, felt like they had any place in Doomsday Clock...and that's okay, I guess. I will get to why in a little bit.

First, let's talk about what plagued this story. The editorial problems behind the book were well noted and the delays admittedly did not do any favors. The story was originally set to unfold over a year, with an issue coming out once a month. This went off the rails almost instantly, as rescheduling and delays removed the tension of the story. It also presented another issue. Doomsday Clock had been advertised, like many a line-wide crossover event before it, as an event set to change the slate of DC Comics immensely. Then you had all of the currently printed DC stories, all trying to haphazardly catch up to this event taking place one year later. You couldn't help but feel that all the other comics in DC's line were being affected, simply to line up with this story. Suddenly, certain books were being delayed or stalled, just so they could "tie-in" to the overall Doomsday Clock narrative.

Tie-in culture within the comic industry is prevalent and often means reading outside stories that line up with the overall plot of what your reading. Whether a direct tie-in to an event or as works that are leading to a central plot point over time, when things do not go according to plan, tie-ins can fall apart very fast. These ingredients lead to a stew of ambition but overall failure. Expectations and misinterpretation are the slow-acting coughs of enjoyment. They are the symptom of a greater illness. All they do is build up over time & when you're ready to enjoy the victory, you're stuck in bed with the flu of underwhelming payoffs. A stretch of metaphor I admit, all to reiterate the singular point that I built this story up as my first real event.

The image that started it all

It was a badge of honor to a comic reader, to be able to grasp the overarching narrative, and I felt a little duped by what I thought to be the culmination of all the stories I'd be reading, just to build to this moment, that in the end had little or nothing to do with those stories at all. What was supposed to be my “Flashpoint”, or “Crisis on Infinite Earths” simply became a vanity project for those who thought Watchmen needed a continuation. I had me "I was there" shirt printed and ready. I was the potential new reader they hoped to reach with DC Rebirth and I was proud of my time as an issue to issue fan. Alas, it was never really for me, and that's okay. For those of you that saw it as a beautiful story with a happy ending for Dr. Manhattan, the JSA and the Watchmen universe in general. I'm greatly pleased for you and salute your ability to find enjoyment in this tale. For me, it will always represent my first real stumble on my journey to the comic pages and beyond.

But what do YOU think? Did you like Doomsday Clock? Let us know below!

5 Things You Might Have Missed In The Birds of Prey Trailer

The film Birds of Prey is flying into theaters in a month, and Harley and her crew seem poised to make an impact when it does. The film, originally green-lit after fans enjoyed Margot Robbie’s portrayal of Harley Quinn in Suicide Squad, seems to be a female-centric action comedy with a bit of an edge to it. Set to the tunes of Björk’s It's Oh So Quiet, a new trailer has arrived, and it gives us more of a hint of what’s to come when Birds of Prey hits the big screen.

Although it's less than three minutes, the trailer shows more of the film than we have seen before, giving us motivations, teasing set pieces, and hinting at enough comic book related Easter eggs for us to get excited. DC’s latest entry into the comic book movie genre looks to be more adult than previous entries, but what will Birds of Prey be about? How close to the comics will this adaptation be?

All these questions and more will be answered as we do a deep dive into the latest Birds of Prey Trailer and point out five things you might have missed!

The Proof is in the (lack of) Puddin’

The last time we saw Harley Quinn, she was being broken out of prison by her enigmatic boyfriend The Joker at the end of Suicide Squad. While many believed the devilish duo would get away and live happily ever after, there seems to be trouble in paradise. Harley and “Mistah J” are on the outs at the beginning of BOP, as explained by Ms. Quinzel. Although Harley claims the split was amicable, odds are Joker tossed her aside as he has done many times in other incarnations of the couple. Free from that ever-toxic relationship, Harley doesn’t seem to take it well, opting to stuff her face on the couch before trying to venture out on her own (and killing her boo?).

Conspicuous by his absence is the man who brought Joker to life in Suicide Squad, Jared Leto. Leto’s take on the Clown Prince of Crime was mostly panned by critics, although the actor went to great lengths (supposedly) to bring something original to the character. When a Harley Quinn spinoff film was announced after Suicide Squad, it seemed like an easy guess that the former Oscar winner would be returning alongside Margot Robbie to reprise their roles of Joker and Harley respectively. For good or ill, it seems Leto is not going to be in this film. They even go so far as to hint at his death.

Birds of a Feather

So, why have the women in this film decided to team up? At first glance, the team of Cassie Cain, Huntress, Black Canary, Renee Montoya, and the ever-unpredictable Harley Quinn seems hobbled together, but the women are on the same side for a reason. From what we can gather all these women have drawn the ire of Roman Sionis the crime boss known as Black Mask. 

According to the narration, Cassie stole something from Sionis, Renee who is a cop, is trying to put him behind bars. Rumor has it Harley is protecting the young Cassie from harm and Huntress gets on Roman’s radar by killing an associate of his. Black Canary who is shown in the trailer singing in Black Mask’s nightclub, seemingly betrays him at some point in the film (for reasons that are unclear) making her a target as well.

Harley and her cohorts are seemingly the Birds of Prey in name only. The group who debuted in 1996 originally consisted of Barbara Gordon aka Batgirl/Oracle and Dinah Drake aka Black Canary. The two urban crime fighters were joined by Helena Bertinelli, The Huntress, when Gail Simone took over the series in 2003 and that’s the trio most associate with the Birds of Prey moniker, meaning Harley Quinn and her crew have some big shoes to fill.

(M)Ask and You Shall Receive

Roman Sionis, who goes by the supervillain name Black Mask, is set to make his live-action debut as the big baddie in Birds of Prey. The mobster and crime lord, played by Ewan McGregor in the film, has been a menace since his debut in 1985. Once it was announced that McGregor was bringing Sionis to life, speculation started to run rampant about whether McGregor would don his trademark black mask. Fans waited with bated breath, but sadly most Birds of Prey’s promotional material had Ewan sans-mask.

Fortunately for us die-hards, we finally see Black Mask in all his glory when Ewan McGregor dons the disguise for the first time in cinematic history, completing his classic comic book look in the trailer. What’s the story behind the mask you ask? In the comics, Roman was a wealthy and spoiled child who eventually falls in love with a woman his parents didn’t approve of.

When he realizes they will never approve of this woman, a young Sionis sets the family mansion on fire killing both his parents. Lacking the business acumen of his parents, Roman runs his parent’s company into the ground before he is removed from the board. Sionis, having nowhere else to go, chooses a life of crime. The mask he wears is sculpted from broken pieces of his father’s black casket and serves as a morbid reminder of the past he destroyed.

Sex, Drugs, and Rock and Roller Derby

After the success of Joker in the fall of 2019, Warner Bros was said to want to make more R rated comic book films in the future. Birds of Prey looks to earn its R rating with some adult material scattered throughout its 120-minute runtime. Having been described by the MPAA as having strong violence and language throughout, with some sexual and drug material, we wondered what form these more adult scenes would take.

These grittier elements are all apparent in the trailer as we explicitly see a scene where Harley inhales pure cocaine, causing the anti-heroine to plunge herself into a drug-fueled fight scene. Not only is this one of the first instances of a real-life drug existing in a DC film, but the idea that the protagonist of this film would be on cocaine while engaging in copious amounts of violence proves this isn’t your grandma’s superhero movie. As far as the sex is concerned, Black Mask is long-rumored to be homosexual in this movie, a first for Roman Sionis, and Renee Montoya is canonically a lesbian, both issues to be addressed in the film presumably.

The film also seems to be going for a bit of fun, as showcased by a scene in which Harley seems to be in some sort of Roller Derby. We sure were surprised when some merchandise was shown of Harley wearing the skates and helmet, but we’ve yet to see how the Roller Derby fits into the plot.

A Declaration of Emancipation

Harley Quinn, as a character, has always been someone tethered to her more popular beau Joker. Their poisonous connection is an integral part of Harley’s backstory, but Birds Of Prey proves it isn’t her defining one. The name of the game is emancipation (the act or process of being set free), which seems to be a motif that will be apparent throughout the movie. Not only does Harley wish to be “free” of her ties to the Clown Prince of Crime but hopes to be freed from the image she created for herself while dating the madman.

Ms. Quinzell, who since leaving her main profession as a psychiatrist, hasn’t experienced life without Mistah J, making this a huge deal. Fortunately, Harley will not be alone in her quest for freedom. Renee Montoya feels shackled by her limitations as a detective, while Huntress who grew up in a life of crime, is also looking for a way out. Black Canary and Cassie both seem to have ties to Black Mask, and hope to release themselves of his company.

The villain himself could be hiding his true self behind the Black Mask moniker for all we know. We also see a hyena being kept as a pet. What are the chances Harley felt the hyena deserved a new lease on life too? Here’s hoping for a Bruce Wayne the Hyena prequel in 2021.