New Spidey artist Sara Pichelli’s opened up her sketchbook to reveal her initial thoughts on the new man under the Ultimate Spider-Man mask, Miles Morales. Check them all out right here.
Stan Lee’s The Seekers Contest
Work with the legendary Stan Lee as a writer or artist and win $10, 000? Yes please!
What’s that? You must be a U.S resident. Oh.
Have you ever dreamed of writing or illustrating a comic under the tutelage of the legendary Stan Lee? Well, here’s your chance True Believer! MTV Comics and POW! Entertainment are offering you the chance to write or illustrate the digital graphic novel “The Seekers!”
Over the next 3 weeks we’ll be accepting submissions from artists and writers for an opportunity to earn approximately $10,000.00 to do just that. You read that right, that’s 10-Gs.
In order to enter you’ll need to read the complete set of official rules, but here are the highlights of the contest:
● Submissions will be open for three weeks, closing on August 26, 2011
● ARTISTS will submit five (5) black and white pages of sequential comic art based on a scene from “The Seekers”
● WRITERS will write ten (10) pages of comic script and a two (2) page treatment for the series based on Stan’s treatment
● Submissions will be narrowed down by the MTV Comics editorial staff to the top 20 semi-finalists in each category; that’s 20 writers, and 20 artists
● Semi-finalists will be voted on by the public beginning on September 5, 2011
● The top 5 vote-getters in each category will be forwarded on to Stan Lee, who will hand select the winners
● Winners will be presented the opportunity to write or illustrate MTV Comics’ The Seekers (and earn approximately 10k)
Grant Morrison Interview
Comics Alliance has a pretty revealing interview with writer Grant Morrison about his work on Batman Incorporated, films and his upcoming work on the rebooted Action Comics, in which we’ll see a new, inexperienced Superman.
With Action Comics, we’re certainly dealing with a Superman that doesn’t have his parents anymore. Both Ma and Pa Kent are dead in this version, and it’s kind of like the original Superman where you saw him standing over their graves in the same way that Batman did and vowing to always fight for the right. He’s kind of a lot more isolated in that sense, even though he’s not a brooding or inward-turning character like Batman is.
Catch the whole interview here.
X-Men and FF in November
Marvel released two teasers today. Here they are.
X-MEN: REGENESIS – UNCANNY X-MEN!
UNCANNY X-MEN #1
Written by KIERON GILLEN
Art & Cover by CARLOS PACHECO
ON SALE NOVEMBER 2011
FOUR
Coming November 2011.
Hmmm..it doesn’t say Fantastic Four, and Johnny Storm is dead, so who knows what this will be. I guess we’ll find out when the November solicitations are released next month.
Batman’s Best Quotes
Like every good action hero, the Dark Knight Detective is a man of few words. When he speaks, people listen, whether they be low-life crims, intergalactic madmen or super-powered team-mates. Batman’s words can be just as painful, and memorable as any of the broken bones he gives those who get in his way. Here’s a mere sampling of the DC hero’s best, from the comics page to the screen.
1987’s Justice League International #5 is host to a classic Batman scene. Throughout their run of the re-vamped League in the 1980s writers Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis, joined by the multitude of facial expressions from artist Kevin Maguire, established a new era, filled with bold humour and whacky adventures. The new Justice League (consisting of Captain Marvel, Dr. Fate, Mister Miracle and a few other heroes who were previously mere second-stringers) can barely tolerate each other at times, let alone save the world. Things come to a head when Batman and Green Lantern freshman Guy Gardner have a heated discussion about the leadership of the League. Actually, it’s the annoying Gardner who gets heated. Batman remains as cool as a cucumber while Guy points his finger and claims he’s the “top dog,” to which Batman replies, “This isn’t a kennel, Guy, so stop acting like a mongrel.” However when the ring-wielder’s rants continue, Batman stays with the canine theme, claiming Guy is, “all bark and no bite.” With eyes bulging and fists at the ready, Gardner charges at the Dark Knight. Batman is not amused and knows that actions speak louder than words – and hits him. One punch straight to Guy’s ugly mug. With boasting undone, Guy lands on his back unconscious, leaving Blue Beetle to break into hysterics and Black Canary to despair that she missed it.
Director Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman film may not adhere to the source material (Joker killed Bruce Wayne’s parents?! Huh?!), but it did one thing right. To a generation of kids, and quite a few adults, it made Batman cool. Considering the campy TV series two decades previous, that was no easy task. Outside of the comics the Caped Crusader had really only be seen as a vehicle for Adam West’s theatrics and as a cardboard character on the animated Super Friends series. Casting comedic actor Michael Keaton seemed like a huge leap in the wrong direction, but he brought a darkness that no-one saw coming. Descending upon the screen enveloped in steam and shadows The Dark Knight confronts two terrified thieves on a rooftop. Dispatching one with lightning quick moves, his remaining partner shouts with horror, “Who are you?!” The vigilante leans forward and whispers with menace, stamping his claim on the criminal and all like him with two simple words of raw power – “I’m Batman.” Two words so powerful infact that they were echoed in Batman Begins when crime boss Carmine Falcone wonders, “What the hell are you?” before being taken into the darkness and chained to a spotlight in a declaration to all of Gotham’s criminals.
The adult nature of 2004’s seven issue mini-series Identity Crisis by novelist Brad Meltzer and artist Rags Morales was a revelation to those unaware of the tragedy inherent in the modern DC Universe. With the rape of a superhero’s wife, bloody violence and the betrayal of Batman by mind wiping hero Zatanna, the tale is a superbly mature look at the complex lives of crime-fighters. The World’s Greatest Detective is on the case of the mysterious death of Sue Dibny (wife of former Leaguer, Elongated Man) while the other heroes scramble to protect themselves and their loved ones from the unknown killer. Batman is a force of nature as always, determined to solve the mystery while all around him unravels, leading him to ruminate on his very purpose as a ‘normal’ man surrounded by powerful beings he’s increasingly distrustful of. “People think it’s an obsession. A compulsion. As if there were an irresistible impulse to act. It’s never been like that. I chose this life. I know what I’m doing. And on any given day, I could stop doing it. Today, however, isn’t that day. And tomorrow won’t be either.” A reminder that Batman’s greatest asset is his undying determination.
The animated Justice League Unlimited TV show was a dream for comic book aficionados, with it’s huge cast of heroes from DC’s comics. In the first season’s final episode, Epilogue, we are given a look at the future, 65 years from now. Terry McGinnis, the hero from another DC ‘toon, Batman Beyond, is told by former government agent Amanda Waller that she manipulated Terry’s DNA so he could become the genetic son of Bruce Wayne, in order to continue his legacy. The elderly Bruce agrees. He knows that the earth needs someone like him, reminding the defiant Terry that Batman plans for every possibility, and while clutching his medication, exclaims, “The world does need a Batman. It always will.”
The 2005-06 mini-series Infinite Crisis, though bewildering to DC newbies, is the stuff that makes superhero comics great – worlds at stake, sacrificial deaths and multi-layered story telling. DC’s Trinity (Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman) gather at the wreckage of the moon based JLA HQ, the Watchtower, to discuss recent events, such as Wonder Woman’s murder of the traitorous Maxwell Lord, leading to tirades on the corruption of power and the nature of good and evil, and forcing Batman to examine his often antagonistic friendship with the Man of Steel, spouting forth, “Everyone looks up to you. They listen to you. If you tell them to fight, they’ll fight. But they need to be inspired. And let’s face it, “Superman” … the last time you really inspired anyone was when you were dead.” Ouch.
You can tell a lot about a person with their last words. In 2009’s Final Crisis #6 Batman met his Maker while saving the universe, but took out classic Superman villain Darkseid at the same time. Bruce broke his vow to never use a gun in his final appearance, as it was a gun that destroyed his parents all those years ago. It was also a gun that destroyed any potential for normalcy, and gave the world evil’s worst enemy. So, staring down the reborn god of evil with the instrument of his own creation in his hands and moments before he became a steaming corpse, what did he say? What else could he say, but “Gotcha.”
Extra Sequential Podcast #52-Cats
58 mins. Celebrating World Cat Day, we take a feline focus on some of our favourite cat-themed characters. Catwoman, Black Panther, Doraemon and oh, so many more. Also, DC’s controversial approach to female creators, and race within superhero comics.
LISTEN TO IT BELOW, DOWNLOAD IT HERE OR ON iTUNES
You can email us at kris (at)extrasequential(dot)com and befriend us on the NEW ES Facebook page.
1:50 NEWS
George Lucas loses the rights to the Stormtroopers design
Bane from The Dark Knight Rises
Batman: Arkham City game costumes
First pic of the new Superman
Laurence Fishburne is the new Perry White
Miles Morales, the new Ultimate Spider-Man
DC’s reaction to female creators
The Vault, and Nonplayer have been picked up for potential films
Our very own trailer!
21:58 THEME-CATS
Black Panther
Catwoman, and Catgirl
Catman
Hellcat, Tigra and Cheetah
Blacksad
Apocalypse Meow
Cat Eyed Boy
Doraemon
Hello Kitty
Marsupilami
Krazy Kat
Catbert (from Dilbert)
Garfield
Hobbes (from Calvin and Hobbes)
Horse (from Footrot Flats)
The X-Men’s Beast
Black Cat
2 in We3
Fritz the Cat
ThunderCats
Streaky the Super Cat
The Deep: Here Be Dragons Review
The Deep from Tom Taylor and James Brouwer is now out from Gestalt Publishing. Catch my review of this all-ages adventure here at Broken Frontier. In short – it’s awesome and you should get it.
You can catch my interview with Taylor here.
Behind the Scenes of Animal Man
Animal Man is one of the 52 new series DC is releasing in September, as part of their massive relaunch. Grant Morrison made the character his own when he wrote the series from 1988 to 1990 and now Jeff Lemire (Top Shelf’s excellent The Essex County Trilogy) is having a go at the adventures of Buddy Baker.
Here’s his original proposal as seen on DC’s blog, The Source.
ANIMAL MAN monthly series, September 2011
Talent:
Jeff Lemire, writer
TBD, artist
The high concept: Family man or superman? With the power to absorb the traits of any animal Buddy Baker has made a career as a part-time superhero. But when his young daughter begins to develop incredibly dangerous powers of her own, the Bakers will have to give up their quiet suburban life and go on the run across America.
The Cast:
BUDDY BAKER: Animal Man. Father, husband and part-time superhero.
ELLEN BAKER: Buddy’s supportive wife. Her strength keeps the family together.
CLIFF BAKER: 12-year old son, rebellious and jealous of his sister.
MAXINE BAKER: 8-year old daughter. Possibly the next avatar of The Red and the most dangerous living creature on Earth.
THE TOTEMS: CONFIDENTIAL
THE HUNTERS: CONFIDENTIAL
SOCKS: Avatar of The Red from the 1950’s.
Overview:
Buddy Baker’s superhero career is a part-time concern at best. And aside from flirting with an acting career in arthouse indie films, Buddy seems to be doing little to pull in a steady income, putting undo stress on his already tumultuous marriage. To make matters worse, Buddy and Ellen’s young daughter, 8-year old Maxine, is exhibiting incredible and dangerous powers, powers she’s too young to understand or control.
Outline:
For our purposes we’ll skim over all of his involvement in 52 and Countdown. That stuff happened, but let’s move on and get back to Buddy as a suburban family man, rather than cosmic globetrotter.
Basically we start with Buddy’s best days as a superhero behind him. But, Buddy has found a bit of a second life. His past exploits, his politics and his involvement in various animal rights groups have made him something of a hipster icon. The young, left wing college crowd has latched onto the image of Animal Man as if he were something of an indie/alt icon of the 90’s. Unfortunately, that really isn’t helping to pay the bills.
As our series opens Buddy is actually reading an interview he did in a “Believer-type” magazine at the kitchen table as Ellen makes diner (the first page of the first issue is actually an excerpt from this interview, complete with the little illustrated headshot of Buddy, which catches readers up on Buddy’s recent past and his lessening involvement in super heroics, and his re-emergence within youth culture). There is clearly stress in their marriage. Buddy is doing little to help make ends meet and Ellen’s career as an illustrator is drying up.
We establish their quiet suburban life and routine and reintroduce readers to their three kids: Cliff, is now fourteen, anti-social and rebellious. Maxine is an introverted and shy ten-year old, and four-year old Josie is clearly the apple of Buddy’s eye.
As our story begins, Maxine begins to develop powers of her own. Buddy tries his best to help Maxine, but instead he accidentally sets into motion an ancient evil that will send The Baker family on the run across the dark and dangerous underbelly of modern America and right into the hands of [CLASSIFIED]. And there may be only one being who can save them…Alec Holland.
You can find the script from pages 9-12 of Animal Man #1 right here. You can also see pencilled pages from artist Travel Foreman and inked pages of the same.
Fusillade Review
Released last month was this anthology from creator Howard Shum. His name might be familiar to some as an inker for various Marvel, DC and Dark Horse titles over the years as well as the writer of Image series such as Gun-Fu, and Gazillion. Here, he’s the writer of 8 short stories, all illustrated by different artists. That’s a good idea, especially as he’s chosen well (from all over the world), making sure every story is a visual delight.
Don’t be fooled by the kinetic, and charming art though, as it’s not an all-ages book, with its occasional blood letting and profanity.
My favourite tale is Water Lily with art by Antonella Dalena. It focuses on two young, attractive strangers on a plane. She, being the daughter of a wealthy man, gets kidnapped when they land, and he, being a former soldier, grabs his best buddy and sets out to rescue her, guns blazing. It’s a simple story, but the dialogue works well as does the intrigue in the closing pages. The twist from possible romance to tense actioner works well.
LoveQuest with art by Regis Donsimoni is the funnest, and funniest story within Fusillade. Set in a medieval world, bored Zaf wants to impress Sira by fighting village bully Raguur. He soon realises that reading a book on fighting just doesn’t cut it and undergoes training from Master To. He’s a slow learner, and To is most amused by his hapless efforts, but when three monsters tougher than Raguur show up, the real fight begins.
There’s also a gory Western tale, a tense action epic involving super powered cops and government experiments battling in L.A, opening and closing stories involving kid adventurers and more. All are easy to follow and are written well, with Shum showing great skill at creating life-like dialogue and likeable characters. Each story reveals a nice balance in humour and drama and with most of these, I’d like to see what happens next. That is one of the biggest problems though. There’s no “To Be Continued,” or intro from Shum stating that he’ll revisit these tales, and although some have more closure than others, hints from Shum about the future of Fusillade would’ve been nice, especially seeing that this could easily be someone’s first comic.
There is an obvious issue with the extra 25 non-story pages included too. Perhaps it made financial sense to bring the book up to 144 pages for printing purposes, but an explanation would’ve been nice, although I always enjoy seeing character sketches.
Half of the tales involve characters who are, or who dream of, having a career in Hollywood, and since Shum wrote and directed an indie film 5 years ago (The Secret World of Comic Book Artists), it makes sense that he’d have ties to the cinema world. It’d be nice to at least have an introduction as to why there’s 15 pages of interviews with actors Krysten Ritter, and T.J Miller and cinematographer Larry Fong though. They are very interesting reads, particularly the latter 2, but come from nowhere as the interviewees had nothing to do with the tales in the preceding pages, as far as I can tell. Unfortunately the issue of grammar/ spelling mistakes (I counted at least 6) that show up in some of the story’s text also continue in the chats. Yes, I’m being nitpicky, but it is noticeable.
Obviously this is a passion project for Shum, and it is something that could easily be given to anyone new or old to comics, who wants pretty pictures with engaging, stories with equal parts action and character, and the occasional laugh. Seeing as there’s a “1” printed on the spine, I’d only hope that the presentation issues could be resolved before volume 2.
You can check out 3 preview pages from each of the 8 stories within Fusillade right here.
The New Ultimate Spider-Man Is…
A new character, but he’s not white, as was suspected. Read more at USA Today which includes writer Brian Michael Bendis explaining the motivation behind the new man under the red mask.
Here’s Marvel’s press release plus a few pics from this week’s issue debuting the new Spidey, though I suspect Superman may object Spider-Man being described as, “the world’s greatest super hero icon.”
Marvel Reveals New Ultimate Comics Spider-Man
Meet Miles Morales, the all-new Spider-Man debuting in Ultimate Comics Fallout #4 in stores tomorrow
Pop culture history will be made tomorrow as Ultimate Comics Fallout #4 hits shelves and introduces readers to the all-new Ultimate Comics Spider-Man! That’s right, for the first time ever, someone other than Peter Parker will be Spider-Man! But, after the death of Peter Parker, who will rise up to defend the Ultimate Universe? Meet Miles Morales, a seemingly normal teenager from New York who will soon discover that with great power comes great responsibility…and even greater danger! But just what are the secrets behind Miles’ shocking abilities? What’s his connection to the original Spider-Man? And just why does he wear that costume? Courtesy of superstars Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli,Ultimate Comics Fallout #4 begins the story that’ll have everyone talking for years to come!
“When the opportunity arose to create a new Spider-Man, we knew it had to be a character that represents the diversity—in background and experience—of the twenty-first century,” said Axel Alonso, Marvel Editor in Chief. “Miles is a character who not only follows in the tradition of relatable characters like Peter Parker, but also shows why he’s a new, unique kind of Spider-Man—and worthy of that name.”
With its inception in 2000, the Ultimate Comics Universe reimagined the world’s most popular super heroes for a new generation and has been critically lauded for its bold, resonant stories. In particular, Ultimate Spider-Man #1 is widely considered one of the most important comics of the century, setting records for trade paperback sales and introducing one of the most popular versions of Spider-Man ever. With the death of Peter Parker in June 2011, all eyes were once again on the Ultimate Comics Universe, as mainstream media and fans alike speculated just who Marvel would put under the mask of this beloved hero. Now, the chart-topping team of Bendis and Pichelli begin the next major chapter of the Ultimate Comics Universe with September’s historic Ultimate Comics spider-Man #1, giving readers a chance to learn the origin of the most important new character of the century.
“The chance for the world to join a new Spider-Man as he discovers what that means in this modern world is one of the most challenging and crazy fun opportunities I’ve had as a writer,” explained Bendis. “The Ultimate Comics Universe according to Miles is completely unique. I can’t wait to write every issue and I can’t wait for people to start reading them.”
Pichelli added, “I promise, you will fall in love with Miles– I already did. ‘Nuff Said.”
The world’s greatest super hero icon is about to undergo the most groundbreaking reinvention in comic book history—where will you be when the mask is lifted? Pick up Ultimate Comics Fallout #4 tomorrow at your local comic shop or digitally on the Marvel Comics App for iOS devices.
ULTIMATE FALLOUT #4 (JUN110612)
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS, JONATHAN HICKMAN & NICK SPENCER
Art by SARA PICHELLI, SALVADOR LARROCA & CLAYTON CRAIN
Cover by MARK BAGLEY
ON SALE TOMORROW!
ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #1 (JUL110605)
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Penciled by SARA PICHELLI
Cover by KAARE ANDREWS (Cover will be POLYBAGGED)
Variant Cover by SARA PICHELLI
FOC—8/22/11, On-Sale—9/14/11
ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #2 (JUL110607)
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Penciled by SARA PICHELLI
Cover by KAARE ANDREWS
FOC—8/29/11, On-Sale—9/21/11
Digital Superman Sale
This weekend DC Comics are offering 99c classic Superman stories.
Everybody’s been talking about Superman over the past few weeks, and here’s one more reason. This weekend only we’re offering fans a chance to download their favorite issues for $.99 during the Superman 101 digital comics sale. We’ve got all those classic issues on sale in the digital collection, along with modern acclaimed stories including “Superman: Secret Origin” by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank, “All-Star Superman” by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely and “Superman: For Tomorrow” by Brian Azzarello and Jim Lee. Be sure to download your favorite issues soon, the $.99 prices are only good through Sunday.
The Superman 101 digital sale includes:
Classic Tales of the Man of Steel
- Action Comics #1 (first appearance of Superman and Lois Lane)
- Action Comics #6 (first appearance of Jimmy Olsen)
- Action Comics #23 (first appearance of Lex Luthor)
- Action Comics #252 (first appearance of Supergirl)
- Superman Annual #11
Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?
- Superman #423
- Action Comics #583
See the full list on offer right here and below is a handy infographic to keep track of who’s who in Superman’s world.
Extra Sequential Podcast #51-Eisners & Old City Blues
49 mins. We discuss this year’s Eisner Award winners, including some surprises and a few faves, plus examine the recent OGN from Archaia, Giannis Milonogiannis’ sci-fi mash-up Old City Blues. Also, Home Alone 2, Garfield, the exclusion of Jedis and more.
LISTEN TO IT BELOW, DOWNLOAD IT HERE OR ON iTUNES
You can email us at kris (at)extrasequential(dot)com and befriend us on the NEW ES Facebook page.
3:26 NEWS
The rather subtle DC Relaunch protest at Comic-Con
New Judge Dredd film images
Marvel gets the film rights back to Blade and Punisher
Nerdcore duo Kirby Krackle’s new album, Super Powered Love is now out
Brian K Vaughan and Fiona Staples’ Saga
New DC animated films
Jack Kirby’s estate loses court case to Marvel
Captain America: The First Avenger is awesome. Here’s my full review
19:07 EISNER AWARD WINNERS
See the full list here
27:03 FEATURE REVIEW – OLD CITY BLUES
Set in Greece after a devastating flood, this sci-fi tale wears it influences proudly on its sleeve.
More info here and behind the scene commentary from writer/artist Giannis Milonogiannis here.
Captain America: The First Avenger Film Review
I must admit that I’ve always been more of a DC Comics guy rather than a Marvel reader. As a huge comic book fan for the last two decades, Superman, Batman and co. have always filled my collection more so than the likes of Spider-Man, X-Men, etc. However, it’s pretty obvious that the last few years have seen Marvel hit paydirt with their characters on the silver screen, especially since 2008’s Iron Man, a successful release from their own studio. It was also the first film to build their so-called Cinematic Universe that has seen characters and plot elements shared between both Iron Man films, The Incredible Hulk, Thor and now, Captain America. Next year will see The Avengers, directed by Buffy and Firefly creator Joss Whedon in which those aforementioned heroes, and others, will join forces under the guidance of Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson).
Captain America: The First Avenger, to give the film its full title, is certainly a thoroughly enjoyable “see you later” from Marvel, until The Avengers lands, and if you haven’t got the idea by now, yes, there is an extra scene here after the credits, in which we see The Avengers assembled. It’s short, but certainly worth sitting through the credits for.
What precedes that however is two hours of rousing entertainment, and like all of Marvel’s other films, it works just as well for those unfamiliar with the character as it does for knowledgeable fanboys like me.
Directed by Joe Johnston (The Wolfman, The Rocketeer) it stays very close to the comics character as originally conceived by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby in 1941. Set mainly during WWII, it follows skinny, but noble, man Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) who desperately wants to join the army, but has been continually rejected due to his asthma and general lack of fitness. Seeing within him a courage greater than his strength, experimental scientist Dr. Erskine (Stanley Tucci) chooses Rogers to be the next candidate in his Super Soldier program.
The first candidate was Johann Schmidt, the man in charge of Hitler’s advanced science program, known as HYDRA. Growing impatient, Schmidt tried Erskine’s serum too early and although he became powerful, he was disfigured, taking the nickname Red Skull. He has grown increasingly ambitious in his evil plans, and with the recent power he has gained from the Tesseract (known as the Cosmic Cube in the comics) he arms his soldiers with its power, intent on claiming the world as his own.
Thankfully Erskine’s improved formula works much better, as a now beefy Rogers attests, especially when chasing a spy who kills Erskine and attempts to flee with the last of the serum. Rogers, now dubbed Captain America, becomes a national sensation and is sent on an international tour to rally the troops and get the public to buy war bonds. Rogers soon grows tired of this lack of military action and when he hears that his friend Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Shaw) has been kidnapped, he goes on a rescue mission, with the aid of British agent Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) and Howard (father of Tony) Stark (Dominic Cooper). Proving successful and discovering Hydra’s secret plans, Cap recruits a few soldiers and goes on a rampage to destroy all of HYDRA’s bases.
There is a superb mix of humour and drama, and romance and action here, and the sci-fi elements never seem too grandiose for the WWII setting. Initially proving skeptical to becoming Cap, after having played another Marvel hero (The Human Torch) in the two Fantastic Four films, Evans shows that he has the pathos and likeability to portray the patriotic hero here and most importantly, allows us to like the weakling Rogers even before he becomes the star spangled superhero. The supporting cast, which also includes Tommy Lee Jones, rounds things out nicely, but it is Evans’ show. The film moves at a brisk pace and even two montages can’t slow it down. The showdown between Cap and the Skull is somewhat disappointing, as are some of the CGI effects at times, but this is a much more solid film than Thor. It’s accessible, never dull and is quite charming with its straightforward action film approach. Fans of the comics will be taking mental notes here, as those behind the film know the origins of this tale and are not afraid to point them out. The transformation of Captain America’s costume makes sense here, and nods to Bucky’s comic costume, plus the inclusion of Cap’s allies the Howling Commandos are little things that will warm Marvel loyalist’s hearts.
This is another winner from Marvel, and will hopefully get audiences geared up for next year’s rather ambitious super team film.
See clips from this great film (including snippets of the post-credits scene) right here.
comicbookjesus 