“Fox On The Run” – “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” Movie Review

The first Guardians of the Galaxy was a surprise that no one saw coming. A franchise built upon the shoulders of a talking raccoon, a giant tree alien, and other outer space ragamuffins wasn’t exactly the typical Marvel package at the time. But in the summer of 2014, the world was introduced to this crew, and audiences grew to love them, making the obvious sequel one of the most anticipated of Marvel’s quite action-packed release schedule. So does Vol. 2 of Star-Lord and company’s adventures hold up to Vol. 1? Well, if we’re talking mix tapes, this definitely seems like the kind made by a mature college student than a high schooler.

Marvel’s Mockingbird Writer Chelsea Cain Quits Twitter after Anti-Feminist Harassment

On Tuesday, Oct 25, Marvel author Chelsea Cain tweeted that she was facing online harassment, and deleted her Twitter account early the next day. Cain is an established novelist and writer of the Marvel series Mockingbird. Most of the harassment centered around a tweet she had made earlier last week about the comic’s cancellation, saying “We need to make sure @Marvel makes room for more titles by women about women kicking ass” and the cover for the 8th issue, which featured Mockingbird wearing a shirt that says, “Ask me about my feminist agenda.”

Long Live Luke Cage: A Review

It took me a week, but I finally got around to binge-watching Luke Cage. It takes me a while to sort out my feelings usually, but…I loved it. Mike Colter as Cage is one of many stars in this exceptional cast of color. The dialogue is occasionally corny, which the show itself acknowledges. If it has one big problem, it’s trying to fit the wide array of Harlem culture in a mere thirteen episodes.

New York Comic Con 2016 in a Nutshell

This was a year of major firsts for New York Comic Con. This year, the convention featured three offsite venues, including Madison Square Garden. While con attendance reached record numbers, the offsite spaces meant that the main show floor, hallways, and Artists Alley didn’t often feel overcrowded (the exception being a few peak times each day). 

AMERICA YES: America Chavez Slated for Solo Series

As someone who doesn’t get to read comics as often as I’d like, I learn about the coolest characters through my friends, and occasionally Tumblr. So while I’m not the go-to expert on Young Avenger America Chavez, I’m no less pumped today’s NYCC news.

This fan-favorite female superhero will be getting a solo title in 2017! Why is Miss America so beloved? She’s a Latin-American LGBTQ teenager saving the world one punch at a time. Her powers include super strength, invulnerability, flight, and tearing holes in reality.

The book is simply titled America and will feature cover work by Jamie McKelvie, who worked on Young Avengers. Details are still sparse, but DG will be sure to report more as it becomes available.

What do you hope to see in America’s solo series? Share in the comments!

Daily Geekette’s Guide to Getting Into Comics

The comic book world can be incredibly overwhelming.  Comic book stores are geared toward longtime readers, putting the most recent issue in front, and then everything else in bins.  Sometimes the bins are separated into DC, Marvel, and indie.  Sometimes they’re straight up alphabetical.  If you decide you’re going to go for trade, meaning several issues bound into a book that hopefully conveys a full storyline, you then have to hope that your comic series does not interact with any other comics, because then you’ve got to buy the crossovers to get the full story.  THEN, pray your story doesn’t jump into a parallel universe that already existed and has rules that have been explained in another series.

I want to tell you about some of the issues I faced when starting to get into comics. Luckily, I worked at Borders at the time, and had some really awesome co-workers who helped me get on the right track.  Here are some of the tips I’ve picked up over my years of getting into comics:

Who’s Who in the MCU: The Black Widow

When it comes to the Marvel films, most people have a good idea of who the characters are. However, as the MCU begins its next big phase, we as an audience are going to be introduced to a lot of new characters who are not going to get their own films to flesh them out. For viewers who have not read the comics, it can be confusing (and downright irritating when you meet those fans who have and are condescending about it). At the end of the day, you don’t have to read the comics to enjoy the films, or the Cinematic Universe as a whole. However, it can be helpful to know the comic origins of the characters who won’t be getting their own stand-alone films. Fortunately, I have read the comics and I have no qualms in helping my like-minded MCU fans fill in blanks and learn a little more about the characters they are seeing on the big screen.

This week, we’re taking a look at the under-appreciated, always amazing, and deadlier than her namesake….The Black Widow!

Natasha as she appeared in ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’

Who’s Who in the MCU: The Wasp

When it comes to the Marvel films, most people have a good idea of who the characters are. However, as the MCU begins its next big phase, we as an audience are going to be introduced to a lot of new characters who are not going to get their own films to flesh them out. For viewers who have not read the comics, it can be confusing (and downright irritating when you meet those fans who have and are condescending about it). At the end of the day, you don’t have to read the comics to enjoy the films, or the Cinematic Universe as a whole. However, it can be helpful to know the comic origins of the characters who won’t be getting their own stand-alone films. Fortunately, I have read the comics and I have no qualms in helping my like-minded MCU fans fill in blanks and learn a little more about the characters they are seeing on the big screen.

This week, we’re taking a look at the overlooked founding member of the Avengers, Janet Van Dyne AKA The Wasp!

Janet’s First Appearance in ‘Ant-Man’ (The Wasp)

Ben Grimm: Recommended Reads

*Spoiler Alert!*

Like in all great literature, comic books rely on two facets to deliver their stories: plot and character. Without a good plot, the audience will get bored, but without solid, interesting, well-developed characters, the story won’t stick with the audience after they’re finished reading. Balancing the two can be tricky. While I enjoy the fantastic escape that comics can provide the imagination, every now and then there are issues that master this trick and create something that truly tugs at the heartstrings and makes the audience think.

This week, I’ve pulled two issues that center around Ben Grimm, of the Fantastic Four. These two explore the importance of loving yourself and being surrounded by people who love you. While the themes of self-esteem and body confidence are not unusual for the ever lovin’ blue eyed Thing, these two issues in particular balance the character development with interesting, deeply personal, and well-told narratives rarely seen in the normally fast paced and action packed life led by the Fantastic Four. Let’s take a look at these two stories that should definitely be part of your reading lists.

(source left) (source right)

Fe Male: Riri Williams, the New Iron Man

Last week, our Comics Contributor Kat covered the first two issues of Marvel’s ongoing Civil War II arc. Although that particular story won’t wrap up until October of this year, Marvel Entertainment is already teasing viewers about what comes next. Today’s big announcement: Riri Williams will succeed Tony Stark as Iron Man.