(Posting this here rather than the Agents of SHIELD thread as I'm so far behind in my viewing, I don't want to get spoiled by viewing the thread)
Okay, so I watched Agents of SHIELD when it first came on, but dropped it after a few episodes because I thought it sucked (hey, let's be honest ... it did). After hearing and reading how the show really turned around, I decided to pick it back up and recently finished Season 1. Was glad I did. The show really came around and I'm officially on board. Totally didn't see some of the plot twists coming.
I've just started Season 2 and have gone through the first 2 episodes and am loving it (the Absorbing Man was so awesome). Can somebody help me out though with who 2 of the new characters are? There's a black scientist type guy who is working with Fitz, as well as British field agent, but I don't know who they are. Afraid I haven't caught their names, but can you tell me if they're actual characters from Marvel Comics?
(Posting this here rather than the Agents of SHIELD thread as I'm so far behind in my viewing, I don't want to get spoiled by viewing the thread)
Okay, so I watched Agents of SHIELD when it first came on, but dropped it after a few episodes because I thought it sucked (hey, let's be honest ... it did). After hearing and reading how the show really turned around, I decided to pick it back up and recently finished Season 1. Was glad I did. The show really came around and I'm officially on board. Totally didn't see some of the plot twists coming.
I've just started Season 2 and have gone through the first 2 episodes and am loving it (the Absorbing Man was so awesome). Can somebody help me out though with who 2 of the new characters are? There's a black scientist type guy who is working with Fitz, as well as British field agent, but I don't know who they are. Afraid I haven't caught their names, but can you tell me if they're actual characters from Marvel Comics?
Neither as yet appear to be established comic characters.
Both are great additions to the show, though, and a well-established comic character joins the show later in the season and is freaking awesome.
Finally getting around to reading Marvel Comics: The Untold Story by Sean Howe. I'm trying to find an adequate metaphor to explain what I'm reading. It feels like hearing about your parents having sex. It can be beautiful and messy, but really, you probably don't need/want to know about it. You're fine with the fact that you're here. You don't necessarily need all the rest of the back story...
Finally getting around to reading Marvel Comics: The Untold Story by Sean Howe. I'm trying to find an adequate metaphor to explain what I'm reading. It feels like hearing about your parents having sex. It can be beautiful and messy, but really, you probably don't need/want to know about it. You're fine with the fact that you're here. You don't necessarily need all the rest of the back story...
I loved that book, and when you pair it with Doc V's "Secret History of Marvel Comics", which goes into Goodman's history and the pulps, you've got a hell of a lot of good information. The era from 1972 - 1978 seems like a time of pure chaos, and while it wasn't profitable, it was, to my mind, Marvel's 2nd most creative time. They were throwing EVERYTHING at the wall, pushing the boundaries and taking risks. It is a great time to read, but sounds like a nightmare to have been working there then.
Minnesota High School Hockey Tournament is going on..sort of a big deal here. I remember being in school and the teachers wheeling a TV out into the hallway and the 5th & 6th would spend the whole school day watching hockey. Anyways, seeing this reminded me of it:
Finally getting around to reading Marvel Comics: The Untold Story by Sean Howe. I'm trying to find an adequate metaphor to explain what I'm reading. It feels like hearing about your parents having sex. It can be beautiful and messy, but really, you probably don't need/want to know about it. You're fine with the fact that you're here. You don't necessarily need all the rest of the back story...
I loved that book, and when you pair it with Doc V's "Secret History of Marvel Comics", which goes into Goodman's history and the pulps, you've got a hell of a lot of good information. The era from 1972 - 1978 seems like a time of pure chaos, and while it wasn't profitable, it was, to my mind, Marvel's 2nd most creative time. They were throwing EVERYTHING at the wall, pushing the boundaries and taking risks. It is a great time to read, but sounds like a nightmare to have been working there then.
I just got to that era in Part 2 and I agree. Marvel seems directionless as a company, yet the creative talent definitely has a vision for what they want. It feels a lot like a Spotlight episode as every other page I think, "Oooo. Now I want to read that!"
While I'm sure much of what happened was the pitfalls of business and personality quirks, it's dissappointing to hear how jerky everyone could be to each other. Regardless, it's an enjoyable read.
Does anyone know if there is something similar to this, but covers DC? I'm a bit more of a Marvel boy, so much of DC's untold story is lost on me. About three pages in I was wanting a DC Comics: The Untold Story.
Finally getting around to reading Marvel Comics: The Untold Story by Sean Howe. I'm trying to find an adequate metaphor to explain what I'm reading. It feels like hearing about your parents having sex. It can be beautiful and messy, but really, you probably don't need/want to know about it. You're fine with the fact that you're here. You don't necessarily need all the rest of the back story...
I loved that book, and when you pair it with Doc V's "Secret History of Marvel Comics", which goes into Goodman's history and the pulps, you've got a hell of a lot of good information. The era from 1972 - 1978 seems like a time of pure chaos, and while it wasn't profitable, it was, to my mind, Marvel's 2nd most creative time. They were throwing EVERYTHING at the wall, pushing the boundaries and taking risks. It is a great time to read, but sounds like a nightmare to have been working there then.
I just got to that era in Part 2 and I agree. Marvel seems directionless as a company, yet the creative talent definitely has a vision for what they want. It feels a lot like a Spotlight episode as every other page I think, "Oooo. Now I want to read that!"
While I'm sure much of what happened was the pitfalls of business and personality quirks, it's dissappointing to hear how jerky everyone could be to each other. Regardless, it's an enjoyable read.
Does anyone know if there is something similar to this, but covers DC? I'm a bit more of a Marvel boy, so much of DC's untold story is lost on me. About three pages in I was wanting a DC Comics: The Untold Story.
The closest I've seen was Men Of Tomorrow by Gerard Jones -- which was not strictly about DC, but gave a lot of good dirt about the behind-the-scenes of the Golden Age. I'm sure that particular mine hasn't been fully exhausted yet.
Finally getting around to reading Marvel Comics: The Untold Story by Sean Howe. I'm trying to find an adequate metaphor to explain what I'm reading. It feels like hearing about your parents having sex. It can be beautiful and messy, but really, you probably don't need/want to know about it. You're fine with the fact that you're here. You don't necessarily need all the rest of the back story...
Funny, I was listening to the old episode interviewing Sean Howe about this a couple days ago.
Such an interesting read, I get what you're saying though.
The Saints just traded TE Jimmy Graham to the Seahawks.
For a center and some draft picks.
Obviously I'm in some parallel universe where nothing makes sense anymore. Next thing you know you're gonna tell me we got rid of Lofton and Thoma...oh hell...
So I picked up a Showcase of Shazam for half off at my LCS. It's definitely goofy
Keep in mind that the Showcase is reprinting the “new” stuff from the ’70s, which C.C. Beck hated, not the prime Fawcett material. The old stuff is much better.
Oh yeah they had some DC archives of the Fawcett material but I wasn't willing to pay even at half price
I was. I've got the first three, plus the Shazam Family Archive. Early stuff, not quite yet the prime stuff, but still pretty good and very interesting to read.
I also got the Showcase volume, because I rather liked those first issues by Denny O'Neil and C C Beck.
I dig that Showcase volume - mainly because some of those stories were my first exposure (as a wee bairn of a lad) to the Big Red Cheese and co. Gateway drug, to be sure, as you can go back and discover the earlier work for yourself, but I won't throw the baby out with the bathwater.
What exactly is the prime stuff? Is there a certain run of issues? I'd like to read some old CM but I'd like to focus on what's considered "must read."
What exactly is the prime stuff? Is there a certain run of issues? I'd like to read some old CM but I'd like to focus on what's considered "must read."
The creative teams stayed fairly consistent after the first year or two, and outside of the Monster Society of Evil serial and a “Bulletman” (in Master Comics) crossover with “Captain Marvel” (in Whiz Comics) which features the debuts of Captain Marvel Jr. and Captain Nazi, you rarely get a story longer than eight pages, so there aren't really any specific runs. Basically any single issue after the first year or two is going to be about as good as another.
We're not talking about a ton of comics here. Whiz Comics ran for 155 issues, but you only got one Cap story (usually 8–10 pages) per issue; Captain Marvel Adventures ran for 150 issues; Master Comics ran for 133 issues, but you only get one “Cap Jr.” story per issue, and only from issue #23 on; Captain Marvel Jr. ran for 119 issues (but stick with the early issues with Mac Raboy artwork); The Marvel Family, which sometimes had two- or three-part stories in an issue, only ran for 89; and Mary Marvel Comics only ran for 28 (most of which you can probably skip, as they tended to utilize the lesser Fawcett artists). It's only a little more than two long boxes worth of comics really.
Actually, I looked it up and there were a couple that won "lesser" awards (sound editing, vfx, etc.). Great film and up against some great competition: How to Train Your Dragon 2, Boxtrolls, Song of the Sea, and The Tale of the Princess Kaguya.
The Boxtrolls is the worst, most unwatchable movie I have ever seen. And I've seen Batman Returns.
Actually, I looked it up and there were a couple that won "lesser" awards (sound editing, vfx, etc.). Great film and up against some great competition: How to Train Your Dragon 2, Boxtrolls, Song of the Sea, and The Tale of the Princess Kaguya.
The Boxtrolls is the worst, most unwatchable movie I have ever seen. And I've seen Batman Returns.
From a story and character point of view, I completely agree. I thought the actual craft and animation in Boxtrolls was remarkable. Unfortunately it was in service of a really lame story.
This is probably all old news to those of you who are familiar with Magic the Gathering, but I found a recent episode of NPR's Planet Money really interesting. It is basically the story of how Wizards of the Coast studied the economic bubbles of fads, and tried to keep their product from becoming the next Beanie Babies or hologram covered comic book, to increase the lifespan of their game as a GAME.
Again, might not be interesting to those of you who already know this story, but I didn't and found it a great listen. (And Planet Money is a consistently excellent radio show/podcast. I find them to be even better storytellers than the more popular Freakonomics.) Link below--
Comments
Okay, so I watched Agents of SHIELD when it first came on, but dropped it after a few episodes because I thought it sucked (hey, let's be honest ... it did). After hearing and reading how the show really turned around, I decided to pick it back up and recently finished Season 1. Was glad I did. The show really came around and I'm officially on board. Totally didn't see some of the plot twists coming.
I've just started Season 2 and have gone through the first 2 episodes and am loving it (the Absorbing Man was so awesome). Can somebody help me out though with who 2 of the new characters are? There's a black scientist type guy who is working with Fitz, as well as British field agent, but I don't know who they are. Afraid I haven't caught their names, but can you tell me if they're actual characters from Marvel Comics?
Both are great additions to the show, though, and a well-established comic character joins the show later in the season and is freaking awesome.
While I'm sure much of what happened was the pitfalls of business and personality quirks, it's dissappointing to hear how jerky everyone could be to each other. Regardless, it's an enjoyable read.
Does anyone know if there is something similar to this, but covers DC? I'm a bit more of a Marvel boy, so much of DC's untold story is lost on me. About three pages in I was wanting a DC Comics: The Untold Story.
Such an interesting read, I get what you're saying though.
For a center and some draft picks.
Obviously I'm in some parallel universe where nothing makes sense anymore. Next thing you know you're gonna tell me we got rid of Lofton and Thoma...oh hell...
:)
I also got the Showcase volume, because I rather liked those first issues by Denny O'Neil and C C Beck.
http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/03/alligator-invades-golf-course-in-florida
What exactly is the prime stuff? Is there a certain run of issues? I'd like to read some old CM but I'd like to focus on what's considered "must read."
We're not talking about a ton of comics here. Whiz Comics ran for 155 issues, but you only got one Cap story (usually 8–10 pages) per issue; Captain Marvel Adventures ran for 150 issues; Master Comics ran for 133 issues, but you only get one “Cap Jr.” story per issue, and only from issue #23 on; Captain Marvel Jr. ran for 119 issues (but stick with the early issues with Mac Raboy artwork); The Marvel Family, which sometimes had two- or three-part stories in an issue, only ran for 89; and Mary Marvel Comics only ran for 28 (most of which you can probably skip, as they tended to utilize the lesser Fawcett artists). It's only a little more than two long boxes worth of comics really.
Again, might not be interesting to those of you who already know this story, but I didn't and found it a great listen. (And Planet Money is a consistently excellent radio show/podcast. I find them to be even better storytellers than the more popular Freakonomics.) Link below--
Planet Money Episode 609: The Curse of the Black Lotus