Comic Years |
- Heroes Reborn Week Eight: The Return To Avengers Status Quo
- Tech Review: Audeze Mobius Gaming Headphones
- Doki Doki Literature Club Plus Review For Nintendo Switch
- New Titles Coming to Disney+ in July 2021 to Check Out
- Black Panther Sequel Wakanda Forever Has Started Production
- Boba Fett Ship Name Change: LEGO Sparks Outrage In Supposedly Adult Men
- Loki Episode 4 Review: A New Nexus Event Changes Everything For Our Trickster Gods
- David Duchovny Played A Trans Character In Twin Peaks But Was It ‘Good’ Or ‘Bad’ Representation?
- Amazon Confirms Wheel of Time Show Is Coming In 2021 With New Teaser
| Heroes Reborn Week Eight: The Return To Avengers Status Quo Posted: 01 Jul 2021 04:26 PM PDT Heroes Reborn has been a strange event. Firstly, it had nothing to do with the original event, really, and the title doesn't actually work for the story. Heroes Replaced or Heroes Rewritten would have been closer to the plot. Secondly, the structure of the main series, a string of character one-shots, was wonderfully different from the standard structure. However, none of the careful character development paid off in the end. That's because Heroes Return #1, the only issue of Heroes Reborn week eight, feels far too rushed and underdeveloped. It also doesn't escape the trappings of the "this is a trailer for the next event" problem so many events have. Though, to be fair, the ending is wild. Heroes Reborn Week Eight: Heroes Return #1 They're punching each other WITH THEIR EYES! (Image: Heroes Return #1, Marvel Comics) The Man Who Rebooted the WorldWriter: Jason Aaron |
| Tech Review: Audeze Mobius Gaming Headphones Posted: 01 Jul 2021 01:35 PM PDT I love getting to talk about games here at Comic Years. Something we’re hoping to do more of in the future is review tech hardware and accessories for the gaming world. We’re really happy to kick off this extension of our gaming coverage with a review of the Audeze Mobius gaming headphones. Rather than give a score or anything like that, here’s what we’ll cover. After going through the features of the headphones, I’ll talk about my personal experience. Lastly, I’ll give a final verdict on the headphones. Let’s get started with what features come with the Audeze Mobius and a few key promotions happening right now. Audeze Mobius Features and Highlights Image Credit: Audeze Right out of the box, the Audeze Mobius gaming headphones feel a cut above the competition in terms of sheer construction. The over-the-ear headset features a closed circumaural earpad design. Adjustable settings help get the headphones to the perfect size for your head and allow you to take advantage of a number of connection options. The set comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable as well as a USB-A to USB-C cable. The headphones also include an analog 3.5mm cable which fits standard headphone jacks. Gaming headphones of course need audio input as well, which is where the detachable microphone comes into play. Mobius also features a Bluetooth connection that works very quickly and efficiently. If you usually opt for wireless setups, then don’t shrug off the USB connections with these headphones. Over wired USB, the Mobius set is able to process up to 8 channels of Surround Sound audio via Waves NX Technology. That immersive experience is highlighted by some really incredible head-tracking capabilities. The 3D audio experience provides you with dynamic sound localization. As you change the position of your head, the audio adapts to your movements. In my Resident Evil Village review, I mention the immersive audio of the game. That experience is a perfect fit for the Mobius headphones. Funnily enough, Audius and Capcom currently partner to bring both Village and this superior audio experience to players in a package. In short, sound localization thrives with crisp anatomy calibration and room emulation. Every gaming environment is different, but Mobius responds to where you play. On PC, this experience is heightened with the Audeze HQ application. Through this app, you can customize your listening experience with personalized HRTF parameters and sound profile selection. On console, the built-in features offer an incredible experience even without this app. Let’s dive into my time with the headphones and what I think of the headphones in action. Audeze Mobius Gaming Headphones Performance Review Image Credit: Audeze Let’s start first with comfort and fit. That matters a lot to me, seeing as uncomfortable headphones can damper a good gaming session. The Audeze Mobius gaming headphones are heavily constructed with plastic and feature ear pads with memory foam. The lightweight nature and comfort fit over the ears make these a joy to wear for longer sessions. Since arriving at my door, I’ve played three or four 4+ hour sessions with these and they fit wonderfully. The plastic build might worry some audiophiles that the tech inside is cheap, but that’s simply not the case. Features listed above come through joyously in every type of game. During my time with Resident Evil Village, for example, every footstep, enemy encounter, and horrific jump-scare shot through the headphones into every inch of my body. Bass presence in the headphones during gameplay and with music testing is a little light. That doesn’t bother me so much as a lot of headphones overcompensate with bass for thinner highs and lackluster surround sound capabilities. If you end up using these headphones for music, then you won’t mind a little less bass than a pair of Beats. They also look a lot more attractive if you take them out of the house compared to other gaming headphones. All in all, gaming and music thrive with Mobius. Comfort and quality far surpass any headphones you might pick up on the cheap. The practical question is whether or not these headphones sound like they’re worth the $399 USD price tag. Final VerdictFor the fit, comfort, and sound of the Audeze Mobius gaming headphones, I think the experience justifies the price. I’d love it if the 10-hour battery life was a bit longer, but the 3D audio does take quite a bit of power. Plus, cable-connected audio sounds better and I prefer to game that way. If you’re in the market for gaming headphones, then the Audeze Mobius are of superior quality to things you’ll find at a lower price point. Furthermore, the other options in its price range don’t seem to offer the immersive experience that comes with Mobius. I highly recommend the Audeze Mobius for gamers looking to upgrade their PC or console experience. They pair well as music headphones as well and sound warm and rich across game experiences and music genres. Paired with enhancements on PC, these headphones are a great go-to for gaming sessions short and long. Featured Image Credit: Audeze Tech Review: Audeze Mobius Gaming Headphones  |
| Doki Doki Literature Club Plus Review For Nintendo Switch Posted: 01 Jul 2021 10:15 AM PDT Visual novels offer a really great experience to a fairly niche audience. Few visual novels break out of the fanbase dedicated to these gaming experiences. One such breakthrough was 2017’s Doki Doki Literature Club. The game was a meta-experience that pushed the boundary of visual novels. With the use of some fairly graphic content, Team Salvato released the game for free and it immediately spurred a cult audience. In this Doki Doki Literature Club Plus review, we’re taking a look at the game’s arrival to consoles with add-on content. Is this cult classic worth picking up for a price on Switch, PS5, or Xbox Series X? Here’s our take. A Visual Novel Experience Unlike Any Other Image Credit: Team Salvato Content warning moving forward: Doki Doki Literature Club Plus features explicit and disturbing content, including suicide, hanging, nooses, glitching, mild flashing, gore, jumpscares, blood, self-harm, cutting, abuse, and suggestive sexual themes. We won’t show images of this content or go into detail of these themes but they’re present and player should be advised. The joy of Doki Doki Literature Club Plus in my eyes is the sheer shock of it all. The seemingly straightforward visual novel immediately divulges into a horrific experience. The game does shock players who have no idea what they’re going into. Furthermore, the game’s glitch features make it tough to know what’s the game and what’s a real issue with the experience. It’s fascinating and playing the game again for this Doki Doki Literature Club Plus review was a treat. I loved the original novel, but some extras come with this version. As a boy who lives next to a long-time female friend, you aren’t very social. Your friend, Sayori, invites you to her after-school club, the Literature Club. Here, you meet Monika, Yuri, and Natsuki, the other members. Each day, you prepare poems to share with the club via choosing words in a word bank. You pick words based on which member you want to become closer with. It’s a dating sim until things start to go very wrong. The game then shifts into a horror experience with the graphic content listed at the top of this section. If these are not triggers for you, then the experience is intriguing beyond compare. The Plus part includes additional side stories unlock players can experience. You obtain these in-game by writing poems for and going down the character paths for various characters. A gallery of all art unlocks as you play through the game too. Likewise, in-game music unlocks similarly. The extra content is a nice bonus, but the game stands on its own as a unique gaming experience. Overall, the game’s original content and bonus add-ons make this a really wonderful package. Let’s get to the score. Doki Doki Literature Club Plus Review Score Image Credit: Team Salvato I review games on a scale of 1-10; Doki Doki Literature Club Plus is a 9 for me. The story is quite dark but well worth playing if you can handle it. The game and its bonus content takes around 8 hours to complete fully. That makes its $15 digital asking price fair in my opinion. The game’s gruesome content might not make it sound repayable, but many revisit the game over and over. Its characters are quite well done tropes of anime or visual novels. The sheer shock of it all isn’t replicated beyond a first playthrough, but I love the characters enough to head back to it from time to time. If you’re not someone who thinks they can handle the content listed at the top of the review, I’d sit this one out. The game is graphic in its depictions of the things above. Likewise, the written content reflects these serious themes and is tough to experience given some of our triggers. It’s masterfully done but that doesn’t mean it’s right for everyone. A much more fitting visual novel for those looking for a less terrifying epxeeince would be Coffee Talk, which we reviewed here. A great asking price, really unique gameplay experience, and wonderful “Game+” package make this a must-have for Doki Doki fans and newcomers curious about the experience. You can grab Doki Doki Literature Club Plus on Nintendo Switch as well as PC, Xbox One and Series X|S, and PS4|PS5. A digital review code was provided by the publisher for the purposes of this review. Featured Image Credit: Team Salvato Doki Doki Literature Club Plus Review For Nintendo Switch  |
| New Titles Coming to Disney+ in July 2021 to Check Out Posted: 01 Jul 2021 07:34 AM PDT If you’re a Disney+ subscriber, then there’s likely two things on your mind for July releases. Firstly, the long-awaited arrival of Black Widow to Premiere Access is going to be the real headliner. Coming at the beginning of the month on July 9, this release will also head to theaters on the same day. Towards the end of the month, another big release is coming to Premiere Access. Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt co-star in Jungle Cruise, reaching shore at Disney+ on July 30. In between, there’s a ton of great content coming to the platform during the upcoming month. Here are all the new titles coming to Disney+ in July 2021 that you should check out. What New Titles are Coming to Disney+ in July 2021?
July 2021 is full of great new titles coming to Disney+. The streaming service is plugging along strongly with The Bad Batch and Loki keeping fans happy. One of those shows will come to their conclusions this month. Loki wraps on July 14 and The Bad Batch follows on in early August. In terms of brand new series, there’s a ton to explore this month outside of Star Wars and the MCU. On July 7, we’ll see the series premiere of Monsters At Work: Pixar's First Disney+ Series. The show stars the main cast from the films as well as new characters and voice actors. The show will run for 10 episodes, each occurring on Wednesdays. Flash forward to July 21, and we’ll see the series premiere of Turner & Hooch. This spin-off series of the Tom Hanks film stars Josh Peck and continues the story of the movie. Hanks’ character dies and Peck is left to partner with Hooch to figure out what happened. The series will run for 12 episodes until October 1. Animation fans: I hear you. You’re not left out this month! Friday, July 23 will be the interestingly odd special episode premiere of Mickey Mouse Funhouse, a successor to Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures. That show was actually the successor to the much more popular Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. It’s like a little Disney Junior extended universe. The special, “Mickey the Brave!” will preview the show’s style and tone ahead of a full series debut on August 20. I get it though, that’s definitely a show for children. Fans of the more modern, all-ages Mickey Mouse series, The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse will get new content this month too. The premiere of Batch 2 of the current iteration of Mickey cartoons will debut on July 28. That same day, Chip ‘N’ Dale: Park Life will release the first three shorts in its first season. The entire season is expected to contain 39 vignette style episodes. Other Notable Arrivals
While they’re not “new” in terms of being fresh content, additional titles come to Disney+ in July 2021. Just in time for the 4th of July, the first two Sandlot movies arrive on July 2. We’ll also see a refresher special, Marvel Studios Legends – Black Widow, on July 7, just ahead of the film’s release. Marvel Studios: Legends provides a much needed character recap to heroes ahead of new shows and films. A ton of great National Geographic specials will arrive this month as well. Two huge film releases kick off and cap the month of July for Disney+. While some of us are still working our way through ongoing shows, the new content is certainly worth checking out. Overall, the animation fan in me is really excited for new Mickey cartoons. Let us know what you’re looking forward to watching in the comments. Likewise, keep an eye on Comic Years for our reviews of these shows, series, and more on Disney+ and around the world of streaming. Featured Image Credit: Disney+ New Titles Coming to Disney+ in July 2021 to Check Out  |
| Black Panther Sequel Wakanda Forever Has Started Production Posted: 01 Jul 2021 04:56 AM PDT The road to the highly anticipated Black Panther sequel has been long, winding, and a little bit heartbreaking. The original 2018 film was met with critical acclaim and more than a billion dollars. So, a sequel was more than an obvious next step. After the tragic and untimely passing of the actor behind the titular character, Chadwick Boseman, fans were unsure where a sequel would go. It would need to honor the late actor while also working within the constraints of the MCU. Finally, we have taken another step on the path, and the Black Panther sequel Wakanda Forever has officially started production. Anticipated Sequel Black Panther Wakanda Forever Has Started ProductionWakanda Forever has been in the works since the success of the first film. Though, we suspect it has been in the Marvel plan for quite some time beforehand, knowing just how well the franchise likes to look ahead. It was initially supposed to film in 2020, but the world had other plans. The film’s reimagining started shortly after Boseman’s death, and filming was pushed from a planned March 2021 production to a summer of 2021 one. The film is now in production, beginning at Pinewood Studios in Atlanta. This filming space is no surprise, as Marvel has leased the studio for ten years, starting in 2020. While confirming the beginning of production, Kevin Feige explained that the entire process continues to be emotional with the absence of Boseman. He added that their film would “make Chad proud,” and we would expect nothing less.  Wakanda Forever is right. Image via Marvel Studios. What A Sequel May Focus On After Shifts In FranchiseWe last left the character of Black Panther in Avengers: Endgame. Our hero returned from Thanos’ snap in time to fight against the infamous villain and assisted the Avengers along with some other important Wakandan heroes. While the character will have an animated role in the upcoming series What If…? this Endgame ending is the last we’ll see of him. Marvel has made the decision not to recast the character out of respect for Boseman. Whatever comes next for this series of films will have to focus on somebody else. Fortunately, Wakanda is filled with strong and fleshed-out characters who are more than worthy of some focus. There is Lupita Nyong’o’s Nakia, whose allegiance to her country and desire to fight for good make her a total badass. Then there is Danai Gurira’s Okoye, the head of Dora Milaje. We could watch her fight for hours. We also have Shuri, played by Letitia Wright, the younger sister of Boseman’s T’Challa. But where to land focus? Word has already come out that suggests a bigger role for Shuri. Will she be taking over the mantle, or will the film create a new hero for her? I guess we’ll find out. We’re thrilled to hear that the Black Panther sequel entitled Wakanda Forever has started production. If your heart is still aching about the history behind this film series, revisit our retro review of Black Panther and reflect on the beauty of Chadwick Boseman’s influence on Marvel. Readers, let us know what you hope to see from Wakanda Forever when it drops on July 8th, 2022. The countdown is on! Featured image via Marvel Studios. Black Panther Sequel Wakanda Forever Has Started Production  |
| Boba Fett Ship Name Change: LEGO Sparks Outrage In Supposedly Adult Men Posted: 01 Jul 2021 12:56 AM PDT Out of all the fandoms out there, Star Wars has some of the most toxic, and most immature. Ever since Disney took over, they've complained about Force Awakens being too similar to New Hope – while featuring a Black character holding a lightsaber! Gasp! Then they complained that Last Jedi wasn't the sequel Force Awakens deserved…even though they hated Force Awakens. Did Disney set things right with Rise of Skywalker? No, they complained that it "undid" Last Jedi, even though Rise of Skywalker and Last Jedi complement each other perfectly. At least, it works perfectly from a storytelling point-of-view and not, you know, a manchild's point-of-view. But now those toxic fans want to cancel Star Wars for maybe the dumbest reason yet: LEGO decided to change the name of the classic Boba Fett ship, Slave 1. However, though Jedi News confirmed that Disney is looking to change the name of the ship in all Boba Fett products and properties, there’s no real indication that this is happening. And here’s the real kick in the fanboys' toxic nuggets, the ship remains Slave 1 in their Star Wars Database. LEGO does this with many of its licensed products to make them more marketable. We also have “Luke Skywalker’s X-Wing Fighter” or “General Grievous’s Starfighter,” or, my personal favorite, “Knights of Ren Transport Ship.” In fact, despite finally having a name, Groku is still called “The Child” on their products. So why change Slave 1? Because with the popularity of the new shows and the upcoming Book of Boba Fett, new fans are instantly going to recognize “Boba Fett” and not the name of a ship that’s only been mentioned in a handful of books. No, Seriously, Star Wars "Fans" Are Mad At Disney Because of the Boba Fett Ship Name Change The LEGO Formerly Known As Slave-One. Or TLFKASO. (Image: LEGO Inc.) At the beginning of the pandemic, I developed an unhealthy and expensive addiction to LEGOs, especially the Star Wars sets. One of the most complicated and awesome sets? The 20th Anniversary edition of Slave 1. Holy Balls did that do a number on my carpel tunnel. Totally worth it. Especially when I dismantled it and sold it for double what I paid for it. Little did I know that it would be the last of that design to ever hold the name "Slave 1." The next time we see the beautifully impractical spacecraft, it will be as the changed name, "Boba Fett's Starship." As someone who completed the 1000+ piece version of Slave 1, this change makes me feel so…so…SO…nothing. Because, beyond the fact that it's a toy, it's entirely inconsequential to the Star Wars story, or to life in general. In fact, not a single character, including Fett, ever utters the name "Slave 1" in any of the films or TV shows. But because toxic fans are delicate little porgs, it's the worst thing that's happened to them, like, EVER! And this is, again, in spite of the fact that the name change hasn’t happened, and Boba Fett remains the same character they all loved way back when Luke threw him in the Sarlacc Pit. Here are some of the wonderful Tweets:
Yeah, how dare you offend me because of something that might be offensive to someone else! Why don’t these snowflakes understand that I’m a special fan afraid of the slightest thing that challenges my delicate worldview?
Like statues, the only way people will know the history of slavery is if LEGO doesn't change the ship name without the full consent of Boba Fett.
Like the cultural and literary significance of “Wakanda Forever”, except not like that in even a remote way.
Yes, it's always smart to compare a person to a non-living object. When Jabba enslaved Leia, it was one of the heroes' darkest hours. When Man-children saw the name change for their toy Boba Fett ship, it was their darkest 22 seconds on Twitter. The Best Worst Responses to Boba Fett's Ship Name Change Goes To…Boba Fett? #NotMyStarship (Image: LEGO Inc.) Legendary actor Mark Anthony Austin gave life to the character Boba Fett, winning our hearts and making us fall in love with him, ships named Slave 1, and everything Star Wars. Without him, there would be no franchise. Wait, that's not right. Visual effects supervisor Mark Anthony Austin who once played Boba Fett for fourteen seconds in an added scene to A New Hope Special Edition is outraged that LEGO would dare change the name of "his" ship.
If you're going through A New Hope Special Edition credits, don't bother. His role was so short that Lucasfilm didn't bother crediting him. But those fourteen seconds defined his career, apparently. His Twitter handle is "BobaFettANHSE." That would be like Jennifer Lawrence picking the name "MonkMascotS5E3." Only Lawrence had other roles afterward, and all Austin did was…am unlicensed, soon to be served with a cease and desist, Boba Fett fan-made show. Austin is a capable visual effects artist, having worked on X-Men: Days of Future Past, Avengers, Edge of Tomorrow, and the recently awesome Cruella. But as Yoda might say, "Boba Fett, he is not." And of course, he's calling for a boycott:
The Best Responses to the Worst Responses to Boba Fett Ship Name Change One of these things is basically the same as the other. (Image: LEGO Inc.) The backlash to the backlash is genuinely wonderful. Maybe it's because those who see the idiocy in being offended over a toy have higher-level brain functions. Or, that is, a functioning brain. Here' how they responded to the fans so hurt by a small change to Boba Fett the Bounty Hunter's ship name.
If The Change to the LEGO Version Bobba Fett’s Ship Hurts You, We’re Here For You!Do any of the following apply to you?
If so, we will be starting a support group in the comments below. We promise that we will regularly not check it or reply, and we wholeheartedly don’t care. (Featured Image: Disney/LEGO) Boba Fett Ship Name Change: LEGO Sparks Outrage In Supposedly Adult Men  |
| Loki Episode 4 Review: A New Nexus Event Changes Everything For Our Trickster Gods Posted: 30 Jun 2021 07:42 PM PDT Welcome to the end of the worlds in episode 4 of Loki in “The Nexus Event.” With only a few episodes left to go, the latest MCU show demonstrates again how these shows manage to encapsulate stories that are both epic and intimate in scale. As we return to Loki week after week, we find ourselves asking the question that Thor always asked his younger brother. “What is it that you want, Loki?” And we ask the question that Loki has been asking himself, and the rest of us have been asking weekly. “Who are you really, Loki?” These questions of identity, agendas, and motivations have always endured in the heart of this character. With each episode, Loki peels back the layers of everyone’s favorite trickster god to find out what lies beneath. And at the same time, we may be peeling back the veils of the multiverse to learn how many variants of Loki there truly are. Let’s dive into this new Nexus Event with Loki, Sylvie and the TVA in our episode 3 review. Finding Love At The End of the World Image via Marvel/Disney+ Spoilers ahead for episode 4 of Loki: “Nexus Event” We return to our intrepid anti-heroes of Loki and Sylvie in having a tender moment “The Nexus Event” as the world falls down around them. Loki and Sylvie sit holding hands, prepared to face yet another ending. Only this time, they are no longer alone. It is a terribly romantic moment, one that feels slightly alien to the MCU. As they lock eyes, the timeline splits off into the strongest branch yet in a brand new Nexus Event caused by Loki and Sylvie. This moment of emotional connection between two characters has the power to literally change the universe. This thread of emotional connection runs throughout the episode. There is interpersonal tension between every pair of characters in this episode. Each of the moments between these characters build with underlying emotional conflict. Essential truths are revealed, that will change these characters for all time. What Does It Mean To Be A Loki? Image via Disney+, Marvel. At one point in “The Nexus Event” Sylvie asks what it means to be a Loki. This is a question that we will absolutely see explored further as we approach the end of the series. Loki tells her that the answer is they never die (a statement he later contradicts by reminding us of how many times he has died). But it is true that Loki always endures, and this entire series is proof of that concept. However, one personality trait inherent within Loki’s character is that he has historically loved himself more than anyone else. This is reflected in his growing emotional attachment to Sylvie. She is after all, the female version of himself. But she is also so much more than that, she is an entirely independent character who exhibits so many of the traits that he wishes to have. As he tells her, she is the best version of a Loki. What Does It Mean To Love Another Version Of Yourself? Image via Disney+, Marvel Last week it was revealed that both Loki and Sylvie are bisexual. However, showrunners have confirmed that the series will not be exploring this angle beyond this brief inclusion. While this is disappointing from a queer representation angle, it makes a certain amount of sense given the direction the show is heading. It is clear that the Nexus Event that occured on Lamentis was the moment these two began to have real feelings for one another. Mobius himself picks up on this later, after the two are recaptured/saved from impending doom by the TVA. While interrogating Loki, Mobius can clearly see that his variant has feelings for the other. Subtext is made literally text, as Mobius spells out the insanity of the the very idea of two Lokis falling in love. And Loki himself cannot deny this truth. He is an excellent liar, but he doesn’t lie to himself nearly as much as Mobius does. From The God of Deception To The Goddess That Reveals The Truth Image via Disney+, Marvel. Hunter B-15 is also waking up, after being enchanted by Sylvie in the second episode. She is beginning to remember elements of her previous life, and it is clearly haunting her. She addresses the issue directly with Sylvie in a powerful scene between the two characters. This is the moment where we can clearly see that Sylvie is not the villain she has been set up to be. As she gives Hunter B-15 back her memories, Sylvie is giving this woman her freedom, the knowledge that she needs, and all of the conflict that comes with it. In this moment, we see a version of Loki in Sylvie who is not the Goddess of Mischief. Instead she is the one one that reveals the truth behind the lies. The fact that this makes Hunter B-15 into her secret weapon for the inevitable battle to come is certainly also calculated. Much like Loki, Sylvie is always thinking three steps ahead. Perhaps this all ties back to what makes Sylvie so different from Loki. We see that brief flashback in this episode, where a young Sylvie is playing with toys home on Asgard. She dreams of Valkyries fighting dragons to save her home, and is clearly inspired by the female warriors. When Sylvie asks Ravonna what her Nexus Event was – the moment that caused the TVA to come for her – Renslayer does not give an answer. She claims that she does not remember, but that feels like another lie built on top of the rest. There is nothing earth-shattering about that moment, except perhaps the fact that it reveals Sylvie always had dreams of being the heroine of the story. Not the villain. This ties into my larger theory that Sylvie is secretly the greatest hero in this entire show. And through his relationship with her, Loki can learn more about who he could be, and the redemption that he could see. What Is The Greatest Deception? Image via Disney Plus. The truth of the lies at the heart of the TVA alter the trajectory of nearly every character in this episode. Both Mobius and Hunter B-15 learn the same truth revealed at the end of the last episode. They are variants whose memories have been erased. They were not in fact created by the Time-Keepers as a weird race of bureaucratic office drones. Loki tries to convince Mobius of this fact, but the truth is dismissed as another lie. But it is enough to make Mobius doubt the truth of what Ravonna has been telling him. Ravonna and Mobius have an intimate moment upon closing the case on the two Lokis where she declares her undying… friendship for him. (Seriously, were these two lovers or bitter enemies in their previous lives?) But Mobius is clearly still thinking about what Loki said, about the lies the TVA has been feeding him. He swaps his phone for Ravonna’s and uncovers the truth about Hunter C-20, and how Sylvie’s enchantment woke her up. Loki Is Not Alone Anymore’ Image via Disney Plus. Mobius is ready to turn on the TVA, after he learns the truth. He busts into Loki’s time-cell where the god is amusingly being berated and punched by a memory of Sif over and over again. This was a nice bit of fan service, to see this character again after she was absent from the more recent MCU films. But more importantly, Sif keeps reiterating that Loki is alone and always be. Except, he is not alone anymore. He still has Sylvie, and he hasn’t quite lost Mobius yet. In the end, Mobius realizes that Loki was telling the truth and reaches out to him for an alliance. He frees Loki from his cell only to be confronted by Ravonna, who prunes his branch from the the timeline with barely a second thought. It was in this moment that I knew “pruning” does not mean death, and I wondered where Owen Wilson had gone and how quickly we would see him return. A Confrontation With The Time-Keepers Image via Marvel/Disney+ At last Ravonna reunites Loki and Sylvie, who get to share another longing glance that absolutely confirms their romantic tension. The two variants are dragged in front of the Time-Keepers, something we have been waiting for since episode one. The immortal space lizard (?) gods are not quite as imposing as we expected. But there is good reason for that. After an intense battle, Sylvie strikes the head from one of the Time-Keepers to reveal that they are nothing more than “mindless androids.” Loki throws his hands up in the air and asks another question that we have all been asking: who is really in charge here? Who founded the TVA? It is a question that is not yet to be answered however, as Loki and Sylvie turn to one another. It seems like they are about to have another romantic moment, with Loki struggling to express his feelings. But before he can, we see him vanish right before our eyes. But this is no illusion of the trickster god, it is Ravonna pruning him from the timeline. So Many Lokis, So Little Time Left Image via Marvel/Disney+ So we ask ourselves, is Loki dead? Again? But no, the answer lies within the all-important post-credits scene. We see him waking up once again in an unknown land asking “Am I dead? Is this Hel?” A mysterious voice answers him. The camera pans up to reveal multiple Loki variants standing over him against an apocalyptic cityscape. They spread across the screen in a super-heroesque tableau before the credits resume. It is clear that these characters are other Loki variants that have been pruned from the sacred timeline. And what an array we have. There is a black Loki, holding a hammer that doesn’t quite resemble Mjolnir. We’ve got classic Loki, played by Richard E. Grant. And we’ve got Child Loki. My personal favorite is what appears to be Loki as an alligator (?) So excited to explore Loki’s shapeshifting abilities further. Where exactly all of these Loki variants are is still undetermined. Is Mobius there too? Something tells me we haven’t seen the last of Owen Wilson. Setting Up A Multiverse of Madness Image via Marvel Studios. Fans of the Comic Years podcast might know that every week we dive into each episode of Loki and try to predict where the show is going. And in an earlier episode of the podcast, we discussed the possibility of more Lokis beyond the primary variant of Sylvie. And it looks like this is one wild theory that we got right. It it is clear that both Loki and WandaVision are setting up the next big MCU Phase 4 movie: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. These new Loki variants definitely open up a whole new multiverse to explore. Where we go from here is anyone’s guess. Although we are doing a pretty good job with our guessing game so far over on the Comic Years podcast weekly recap of Loki. For an even deeper dive into this week’s episode, and all of the episodes of Loki thus far be sure to tune in to hear our new wild theories. Let us know what you thought about the most recent episode of Loki and what Nexus Event we’ll see next by joining the conversation with Comic Years on Facebook and Twitter today. Loki Episode 4 Review: A New Nexus Event Changes Everything For Our Trickster Gods  |
| David Duchovny Played A Trans Character In Twin Peaks But Was It ‘Good’ Or ‘Bad’ Representation? Posted: 30 Jun 2021 03:36 PM PDT 30 years ago, David Lynch and Mark Frost gave us all a gift, a confusing, weirdly entrancing, gift. Twin Peaks ran for two seasons originally, the first being a masterwork of Lynchian weirdness, and the second being a pretty good follow-up and conclusion to the story. Then there was a prequel movie and a third season 25 years later. In that time, one thing Twin Peaks became known and loved for, other than its incredible advertising for cherry pie, is the cast of characters. Icons like Albert Rosenfield (the stone cold forensics specialist with a heart of gold), the giant (a friendly spirit that gives cryptic advice), and Log Lady (a lady with a log). And then there was the trans character David Duchovny played in Twin Peaks season 2. 30 years later as another Pride month ends, she merits some more attention. David Duchovny Played a Trans Character in Twin PeaksTwo years before he played the FBI's most unwanted, David Duchovny played Denise Bryson, a DEA agent tasked with investigating drug allegations against dear coffee-loving Dale Cooper. When first we meet Denise, she's immediately revealed to be trans. To explain the contrast between her appearance and the name Cooper knows her by, Denise offers up one of the better coming out lines of the 90s: "It's a long story, but I prefer Denise if you don't mind." In the episodes following that introduction, we get trans representation that is complicated, to say the least.  Image via CBS Denise appeared in 3 episodes of season 2 of Twin Peaks and 1 in Twin Peaks: The Revival. Those 4 episodes depict a representational rollercoaster so wild that it could be a minecart level in Donkey Kong Country. When first we meet Denise, it is following her introduction by her former name. As soon as she leaves the room, we get the line "that's a good color for him." In every interaction Denise and Cooper have, he is exactly as friendly as he is with every other character, and the interest he takes in Denise's story is innocent and accepting. Cooper treats Denise with the same earnest acceptance and curiosity that he treats every other character and every cup of coffee. The rollercoaster continues going upward when Audrey meets Denise and, shocked, says "They have women agents?" and, because this is the 90s, Denise responds "More or less." The last two highlights of Denise's season 2 appearances are the most interesting. In preparation for a potentially violent confrontation, Denise dresses as a man because it "felt more appropriate." In the same episode, she appears dressed as a waitress and smuggles a gun into a hostage situation using the power of garter-based distraction and David Duchovny's sultry thighs. What Kind of Representation Is This?Playing representation police never ends well because representation, like people and most solar systems other than Tatooine, does not have to be binary. Instead of asking if this is good representation, it's easier to just look at what's going on and what that says. If you do want to hear about good representation, check out the ComicYears podcast on Queer Representation! Denise is not a particularly deep character. For guest characters like Denise who only appear for a few episodes, they tend to have one major characteristic that develops or changes as their arc progresses. Rosenfield goes from a stone-cold workaholic to an understanding and empathetic workaholic. Gordon Cole is mostly deaf, but later he can perfectly hear one woman's voice and bonds with her immediately. Denise Bryson is trans and people kind of get used to that. Where other characters have internal development, Denise's is external. She starts and ends at the same point: having transitioned and become more happy with herself. The signifiers of development for her personal story are uniquely beyond her control because for a long time, if a character is trans, the story around them is either people dealing with it or making jokes about it. Usually both. However, the reactions of the characters around her don't necessarily mean the representation is negative, just accurate in ways they may not have intended when we look at it from a modern context. Jokes that were played for laughs become indications of in-character discomfort, ignorance, or prejudice. Cooper, who accepts without a second thought everything from spectral giants to ethereal serial killers, accepts Denise just as readily. Where it may have been intended to show that Cooper accepts all weird folk, now it may as well be Dale Cooper stopping the scene, looking into the camera, and saying "Trans rights" while sipping a cup of damn fine cup of coffee.  Image via CBS David Duchovny plays a trans woman, and as much as we love spooky Mulder, he's a cis guy. Many people have justifiably noted it as a red flag for the character as a whole. One could even call it a Scarlett flag, but there isn't a Scarlett Johanswer for everything, especially in this case because the character was cast 30 years ago. Somehow, it's still infrequent that a trans actor gets to play a trans character. When Denise Bryson returned to Twin Peaks in 2017, she was still David Duchovny, and David Duchovny was still, stubbornly, not trans. The showrunners were faced with recasting the character or just rolling with it. Considering an entire X-Files had come out in the time since, the choice probably wasn't the hardest they had to make. When we re-watch Twin Peaks and get to the episodes with Denise, what we can see is an imperfect representation that accidentally got better and worse as the years went by. Denise is a complicated character, not because the character herself is complicated, but because the execution of her character sends a lot of different messages. In the show, people react how they actually react: with quips, confusion, curiosity, support, and a bit too much interest. It's hard to even answer if Denise is an accurate portrayal of a trans person, but she does share one characteristic with virtually every single famous trans person. Her deadname is one of the first things in her wiki entry. How do you feel about trans and Queer representation in media then and now? Tell us about it over a slice of the best cherry pie you’ve ever had.Featured image via CBS David Duchovny Played A Trans Character In Twin Peaks But Was It ‘Good’ Or ‘Bad’ Representation?  |
| Amazon Confirms Wheel of Time Show Is Coming In 2021 With New Teaser Posted: 30 Jun 2021 12:14 PM PDT There are no beginnings or endings to The Wheel of Time. But this is a new beginning for the beloved epic fantasy series by Robert Jordan. For months (years?) we have been covering news of the series adaptation by Amazon Prime. We have seen teasers trickle out over the past several months, featuring Lan’s fighting skills; Moiraine using the One Power, Mat’s ruby dagger, and the making of a heron-marked blade. Now a new teaser has arrived, and while it doesn’t contain any new footage it does give us one valuable piece of information. Wheel of Time is coming to our screens this year, before the end of 2021. Wheel of Time Is Coming To Amazon Prime This YearThere was some concern that Wheel of Time would not make it onto the 2021 Amazon Prime release schedule. After production shutdowns due to the pandemic, the series resumed filming in Prague last summer. Fortunately, the production rolled right into filming a second season while overseas. This means that there should (hopefully) not be too much of a wait between seasons. An Endless Loop In The Ouroboros Image via Tor The teaser itself doesn’t contain any new footage from the show. Presumably Amazon will give us a real glimpse of the series whenever they decide to announce a premiere date. But what it does give us is some interesting key art for the series. The teaser shows off a familiar scaled figure, an ouroboros eating its own tail. This symbolism is significant to the Wheel of Time series in several ways. Notably, the rings that the Aes Sedai (the female magic users in the world) wear are an ouroboros as well. The teaser spirals out from the middle, showing the way the circles are unending and interconnected. There is no beginning or end to an ouroboros, just like the metaphoric wheel of life or wheel of time itself. The Wheel of Time series will stream on Prime Video sometime in (probably late) 2021. This brief teaser has us incredibly excited for what is to come. Obviously we will continue to update on premiere dates and a real trailer once Amazon releases that. To stay up to date, be sure to follow Comic Years on Facebook and Twitter for all of the latest news. (Featured image via Amazon Prime) Amazon Confirms Wheel of Time Show Is Coming In 2021 With New Teaser  |
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