Re-Visiting the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Guardians of the Galaxy

"Guardians of the Galaxy" (2014)

When Marvel decided to stop selling it's characters to outside movie studios and begin making their own movies, starting with Iron Man seemed like a bold choice at the time. Outside of comic fans he wasn't as well known as say Spider-Man or the X-Men. That choice paid off and audiences responded to their other films and soon the Avengers were household names. With all this goodwill they had banked, Marvel decided to see how far that really went by making a movie about the Guardians of the Galaxy.

Despite what a lot of people may think, the Guardians aren't new exactly. The first team was from an alternate future in the 31st century. The modern incarnation of the team (Star-Lord, Gamora, Rocket Raccoon, Drax the Destroyer and Groot) in 2008. The team came together following Marvel's first "Annihilation" cosmic event.

"Guardians of the Galaxy" stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Lee Pace, Benicio del Toro, John C. Reilly, Glenn Close and the voices of Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel. The screenplay was written by James Gunn and Nicole Perlman and directed by James Gunn. The film was released in theaters on August 1, 2014.

"I Am the Night" Rewatch: "Catwalk" & "Bane"

Batman: The Animated Series

I know I've probably said this a million times, but it's a testament to the strength of Batman's rogues gallery that this far into B: TAS there are still new villains to be introduced and major ones at that. When I was a kid, I was pretty obsessed with Bane. The Knightfall saga, where Bane breaks Batman's back, was the first big comic crossover that I tried to collect. I remember going to local gas stations, grocery stores, to try to get every issue. What I'm trying to say is, Bane's a big deal, even today. In the current run of "Batman," he's still making the Dark Knight's life hell behind the scenes.

"Super Zeroes" Doom Patrol Recap: "Donkey Patrol"

Doom Patrol

I thought I would take this moment to recommend some "Doom Patrol" comics to people. The most famous "Doom Patrol" run is Grant Morrison's. Grant Morrison is a renowned comic book writer and he is known for being weird. And as you probably gathered if you've watched both episodes, weird is the Doom Patrol's stock in trade. You can pick up Morrison's whole run in The Doom Patrol Omnibus. If that's too rich for your blood, it's divided into three smaller volumes: Doom Patrol Book One, Two and Three. If you're looking for a more modern take on the Doom Patrol, former My Chemical Romance frontman, Gerard Way, tackled the team back in 2017 when DC launched it's Young Animal imprint. If you've read Way's first venture into comic writing, "The Umbrella Academy" or watched the Netflix series it's based on, you know that he also has a penchant for weird. You can pick up Way's "Doom Patrol" run in the graphic novels, Doom Patrol, Vol 1: Brick by Brick & Doom Patrol, Vol 2: Nada.

Comics Corner: Astonishing X-Men by Charles Soule - Life of X

Astonishing X-Men

Ever since Joss Whedon wrote the first 24 issues of "Astonishing X-Men," the title has served as a way for well known writers to play in the X-Men sandbox without having to worry too much about the convoluted continuity the franchise is known for. After Whedon and artist John Cassady left, Warren Ellis, Simone Bianchi, Kaare Andrews, Greg Pak, Phil Jimenez and Marjorie Liu all tried their hands. 

For the most recent volume of "Astonishing X-Men," Charles Soule took the reins. Soule has been a rising star in the comics industry for the past few years. He started out at DC writing everything from "Swamp Thing" to "Superman." He moved to Marvel in 2014 and wrote an amazing run of "She-Hulk." He helped bring the Inhumans to the forefront and shepherded the death and return of Wolverine. It's not a huge shock that Marvel decided to have him take over and he had big plans.

Re-Visiting the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Captain America: The Winter Soldier

"Captain America: The Winter Soldier" (2014)

The third founding Avenger gets his second film with "Captain America: The Winter Soldier." While the movie continues Cap's story, it also introduces two people that have become an integral part of the Marvel Cinematic Russo: Anthony and Joe Russo. The Russo Brothers have become kind of architects when it comes to major developments in the MCU. And after seeing this movie, it makes a lot of sense why they were chosen.

This is also the first Marvel movie that takes an arc from the comics and really uses a lot of the beats. When Ed Brubaker took over "Captain America" he decided to break the cardinal rule of comics. There have always been two characters that have are untouchable: Uncle Ben and Bucky Barnes. Well, Brubaker threw that out the window. It turns out Bucky Barnes didn't die back in World War 2. His body was recovered by the Russians and he was brainwashed into becoming the assassin, the Winter Soldier. It's really the perfect premise for a film. So, Marvel decided to make it into one.

"Captain America: The Winter Soldier" brings Chris Evans back as Captain America and Scarlet Johansson's Black Widow. The film also stars Samuel L. Jackson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Colbie Smulders and Robert freaking Redford. The screenplay was written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely. The movie opened nationwide on April 4, 2014.

When the All-Stars Transform Into Super Queens, Drag Race Herstory Is Made... For Better or Worse

RuPaul's Drag Race All-Stars, Episode 10: "Super Queen Grand Finale"

Well... that happened. I know that we all want to talk about the ending to this finale and we will definitely get there. I'm not super pleased with what happened, but I have to keep reminding myself that the outcome of everything is not the reason that I watch the show. I watch the show because I really appreciate the art of drag. I love being exposed to these queens that I never would have seen otherwise and watching them grow and do things that they. have never done before. I watch to be entertained and outraged sometimes. I know that rarely does the queen that I love or the one I think is most deserving is going to win. So, with that at the forefront of our minds, let's take a look at the All-Stars 4 finale.

"Super Zeroes" Doom Patrol Recap: "Pilot"

Doom Patrol

DC Universe launched it's second original series this week. It's already got the grim and gritty "Titans," which as you know we've been recapping here on the blog. You may remember that the Doom Patrol was part of "Titans," but you don't have to have watched that episode to enjoy this. There's no mention of it at all. I really feel like "Doom Patrol" owes a debt to both "Guardians of the Galaxy" and "Deadpool." I really never thought that I'd see a live-action Doom Patrol and I'm really glad that I have.