Comic Years |
- Spoiler Review: Blood Calls Blood In An Emotional Fifth Episode of The Wheel of Time
- Paper Mario is the Latst N64 Game to Come to Nintendo Switch Online
- The Advent Calendar Review: Season’s Bleedings
- EA Plans Big Changes to the Battlefield Franchise
- Cobie Smulders Will Reprise Her Role As Maria Hill In Secret Invastion
- The New Release Date For Guillermo Del Toro ‘Pinocchio’ Revealed By Director
- Canceled Game of Thrones Show Cost HBO $30 Million
- Hawkeye Episode 3 Spoilers Review – That’s Some Sharp Shooting
- Who Is Electro? A Look at the Villains in the Spider-Verse
| Spoiler Review: Blood Calls Blood In An Emotional Fifth Episode of The Wheel of Time Posted: 04 Dec 2021 09:00 AM PST Welcome back to the world of The Wheel of Time, where blood calls blood and our heroes finally reach the white city of Tar Valon. This emotionally charged episode begins and ends with a funeral. We get to know some of our characters deeper, and explore what mysterious abilities they be hiding in episode 5 of The Wheel of Time – “Blood Calls Blood.” Converging On Tar Valon Tar Valon with The White Tower in the foreground and Dragonmount in the background | Image via Amazon Prime Everyone is converging on Tar Valon in this episode. Mat and Rand have seemingly joined a group of pilgrims on the road into the city. As they approach Tar Valon, Rand stops short and stares up at the volcano called Dragonmount. He says it seems familiar to him, like he has seen it before. At the inn, Mat asks Rand to reassure him again that he was not the one who killed the Grinwells – the family that took them last episode. Rand does so, reminding him that both he and Thom saw the Fade emerge from the shadows. Mat doesn’t seem convinced, and the darkness drags him down deeper. Loial, Son of Arent, Son of Halan – Your Name Sings In My Ears Image via Amazon Prime However, Rand is not going to let his friend’s anguish stop him from exploring the city. He finds a library, where he picks up a copy of the Karaethon Cycle. This book contains the prophecies of the Dragon, an important in-world text. Before he can dig into it, Rand hears a rumbling voice behind him. This is Loial, son of Arent, son of Halan. (His name sings in my ears.) Loial is an Ogier, a race of peaceful beings who are renowned as great scholars and Builders. It was the Ogier who built Tar Valon, and many other wondrous structures throughout the world. As an Ogier, Loial represents one of the few non-human races in the world. He is also a fan-favorite, and I’m here to tell you that this depiction of Loial is perfection. From the rumbling voice, the droopy eyebrows, to the larger than life stature. He brings some levity to the screen, with his good-hearted nature and earnest desire to help. Loial mistakes Rand for an Aielman, as red hair is a sure sign of Aiel lineage. Rand insists that he is just a simple boy from the Two Rivers, but Loial isn’t buying it. Rand is an oddity, and Loial likes oddities. The two discuss a book called The Travels of Jain Farstrider, a text that Rand strongly associates with Egwene. He tells Loial a bit about her, before being pulled away to witness a procession coming down the street. The Aes Sedai have returned home, with Logain in a cage. Rand And Mat See The False Dragon Image via Amazon Prime Rand joins Mat in watching the parade (where we catch a glimpse of Padan Fain in the crowd.) At that moment, Logain is suddenly stirred from his ennui. He looks up, meeting Rand’s eyes and begins to laugh hysterically. This unnerves the two young men, who vow never to let the other go mad that if one of them can channel. It is important to note that in the books, Logain has a Talent that allows him to identify Ta’veren. In the previous episode he used Moiraine’s own words to describe Nynaeve ‘like a blazing sun.’ In the text of the books, those who can identify Ta’veren often describe a similar golden halo around them. Egwene and Perrin Encounter The Whitecloaks Image via Amazon Prime As the Tinker caravan arrives at Tar Valon, they are halted by the same group of Whitecloaks we have seen twice before. Valda quickly spots Egwene and Perrin amongst the travelers. He remembers their faces, and demands they be turned over. The Tinkers refuse, and link arms to create a physical barrier in order to protect them. I’ve described the Whitecloaks to several new fans as kind of a “religious police force.” And as they brutally beat the Tuatha’an – literally the most peaceful group in the entire world – that real world parallel is driven home. Aram helps Egwene and Perrin escape, but their flight is short-lived as they are quickly scooped up by the Whitecloaks. The two youths are dragged before Valda. They treat Egwene like an object, to be cleansed and used as necessary. And they treat Perrin like an animal, tying him up and torturing him to get under her skin. Perrin Goldeneyes Arises Image via Amazon Prime Valda knows that Egwene can channel, even if she is not a full Aes Sedai yet. He gives her a choice: touch the One Power and be killed. Or to do nothing and let Perrin die instead. This is where Perrin finally confesses to Egwene that it was he who killed his wife Laila in the first episode. He thinks this is his punishment, that he deserves to die. As Valda continues to torture Perrin, Egwene finally achieves the calm necessary to channel and break his bonds. Wolves howl in the distance, and Perrin’s eyes suddenly gleam gold. This terrifies Valda, giving Egwene a chance to plunge a knife into his neck, and grabs the Aes Sedai rings he had taken as trophies. Outside the camp is in chaos, as wolves attack the Whitecloaks. They seem to be protecting Perrin and Egwene. As one wolf approaches them Perrin knows that it will not hurt them. It is almost as though he can understand them… Blood Calls Blood As Ta’veren Reunite Image via Amazon Prime In Tar Valon, Mat is getting worse. As Rand clearly struggles with how to help him, Loial arrives. The Ogier took it upon himself to journey onto the Tower grounds and find the woman Rand spoke of. However, it is not Egwene who emerges from behind him but Nynaeve. This is the first time the two have seen each other since well before Bel Tine. Rand still thought Nynaeve was dead, and they have an emotional reunion. I absolutely love Loial in the background of this moment explaining that he identified Nynaeve by her braid, since it is a common custom in the Two Rivers and of course he would know that. This is one of the many small moments in this episode that seem to indicate Ta’veren nature at work. The show has not fully explained this, but Ta’veren like Rand, Mat, Perrin, Egwene, and Nynaeve are pivotal threads in the pattern that can shift probability and affect the tapestry around them. The way that Loial immediately helped Rand may be indicative of the Ta’veren influence. Ta’veren can also sense one another, so it makes sense that Nynaeve found Rand and Mat before Moiraine could. Blood calls blood after all in The Wheel of Time. A Focus On The Warders Image via Amazon Prime Every character has a moment to shine in this episode, although much of the focus is on Stepin and the Warders. This is a great example of the ways the show improves upon the source material. In the books, the Warders didn’t get much examination or distinct personalities. But the showrunners have drawn upon details in the text to bring this community to life. Stepin has been broken by the death of his Aes Sedai, and the show uses this to illustrate just how deep the bond goes. Peter Franzén is incredible as Stepin in this episode. His raw grief imbues every scene, from his ritual dressing with the other Warders, to his drunken request from Nynaeve for more sleeping herbs, and his quiet moments with Lan. Positive Masculinity On Display Image via Amazon Prime One of the many things that I love about The Wheel of Time in “Blood Calls Blood” is how it shows a representation of positive masculinity. The Warders are the finest warriors in the world (outside of the Aiel). They can take down dangerous monsters with ease and skill. But in private, they are deeply emotional and complex individuals. The intimacy between the men in this episode is refreshing to see. Their comforting touches, and the ways they confide in one another deepens the characters and world. After a little gossip about his budding relationship with Nynaeve, Lan awakens to find that Stepin drugged him. In a heartbreaking scene, we learn that Stepin has killed himself. The episode ends like it began, with a funeral. Instead of the stoic Aes Sedai bidding farewell to their fallen companions, we see a raw outpouring of grief from the Warders over Stepin’s death. Most affected is Lan, who beats his chest and lets out a cry of pure agony. Moiraine watches with tears streaming down her face. She can literally feel Lan’s pain. However these tears also indicate something deeper, some fear Moiraine has concerning her bond with Lan. It is important to note that earlier in the episode, Moiraine discussed with Alanna how a Warder bond could be passed to another. Only time will tell what this means for their characters. Stay tuned for next week’s episode as we dig deeper into Tower politics. And be sure to follow Comic Years on Facebook and Twitter for all of the latest genre news.
Spoiler Review: Blood Calls Blood In An Emotional Fifth Episode of The Wheel of Time |
| Paper Mario is the Latst N64 Game to Come to Nintendo Switch Online Posted: 04 Dec 2021 03:07 AM PST The Nintendo Switch Online Nintendo 64 library is about to get a new title. Announced for a release later this month, Nintendo plans to bring one of my favorite N64-era titles to the service. Launched to some scrutiny from players and critics, the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pass promised to add more titles after launch. Like the past NES and SNES libraries, that means more games on top of an already sizable library. Unfortunately, it looks like Nintendo might add Nintendo 64 titles one at a time. Either way, the first addition is set to be a classic RPG that kickstarted one of the best Super Mario side series games. Coming later this December, you’ll be able to play Paper Mario with a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pass subscription. When Does Paper Mario Come to Nintendo Switch Online? Image Credit: Nintendo Nintendo announced the first addition to its Nintendo 64 library will be Paper Mario. The game is a welcome addition to the collection of retro titles provided to subscribers of the Switch Online Expansion Pass. While some lauded Nintendo for some questionable porting and emulating quality, I haven’t experienced too many issues so far. In fact, it’s been a lot of fun revisiting some of these titles. For people who only know Paper Mario for recent releases like Origami King, it’ll be a treat to play the original game that started this side series. Released in Japan in 2000 and the rest of the world in 2001, Paper Mario was a new way to experience the Mushroom Kingdom. Presented as an RPG, the side series quickly became known for its witty and silly writing. To this day, whether you like the gameplay of newer Paper Mario titles, this stands to be its largest appeal. While some Mario titles don’t feature all that much dialogue, the written text bubbles of Paper Mario games give all of the characters we know and love some personality. Plus, they’re really fun if you’re a fan of turn-based combat.
Many believe that the Nintendo GameCube entry in the Paper Mario series is the best of all side series titles. I’d probably agree with that. Overall, The Thousand-Year Door is a masterpiece in both writing and gameplay. The original coming to Nintendo Switch Online, however, is really great too. I think a lot of people who haven’t played this game yet will enjoy it. Unlike other Nintendo 64 titles, the art style of this game also helped it age exceptionally well. Play Paper Mario on Nintendo Switch Online Starting December 10You can play Paper Mario with the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pass starting December 10. If you’re looking forward to giving this game a try, then let us know in the comments! Thanks for reading Comic Years for all things gaming, comics, and pop culture. Featured Image Credit: Nintendo Paper Mario is the Latst N64 Game to Come to Nintendo Switch Online |
| The Advent Calendar Review: Season’s Bleedings Posted: 03 Dec 2021 06:28 PM PST The wish fulfillment trope is not a new one. These kinds of stories, whether written or filmed, usually involve the danger of a Faustian bargain mixed with the uncertain results of “The Monkey’s Paw.” The end result, of course, is a cautionary tale whose caution is to be careful what you wish for. Otherwise, you just might get it. In this review of The Advent Calendar, a Shudder Original, we’ll talk about someone who does. Despite the Title and Release Date, A Surprising Lack of Yule image via Shudder An Advent calendar is, of course, a device by which to count down the days until Christmas. The practice of marking the Advent began in the 19th century. By the 20th century, the first printed Advent calendars appeared. Then Gerhard Lang basically invented the modern Advent calendar, complete with doors and chocolate. That was in Germany, though, and things stalled when they had this whole little war. Wow, it was two wars? After that minor speed bump, with what the Deutsches Weihnachtsmuseum calls the “NS Regime,” the Advent calendar took off again and eventually spread overseas. Nowadays, companies and retailers around the world make all kinds, from children’s calendars with toys inside to calendars for pets to luxury choices like the annual one from Liberty. The Advent calendar Eva Roussel (Eugénie Derouand) receives in the movie, though, is a bit different. Her friend Sophie (Honorine Magnier) gives it to her as a birthday gift. It’s straight out of the Münchner Christkindlmarkt (the Munich Christmas market), and the fact that Sophie actually stole it should be the first clue that this won’t turn out well. That reminds me of Gremlins, actually. It too begins with a shaky transaction–Mr. Wing (Keye Luke) did not want to sell that mogwai. And the present at the center of both movies comes with three extremely firm rules. But unlike Gremlins, The Advent Calendar doesn’t really acknowledge the reason for the season. Yes, even though it revolves around an Advent calendar and some of the candy pieces are baby Jesus…es. A Case of the MondaysThen again, Eva is someone who would probably spit at holiday cheer. Once a promising dancer, she’s now a paraplegic who works a dead-end job at an insurance company. Her boss, John (Jérôme Paquatte), who has the general vibe of any given Les Lye (RIP) character on You Can’t Do That on Television, obviously hates her. I mean, he calls her a “half-chick.” Her personal life is no picnic, either. Her father (Jean-François Garreaud) has Alzheimer’s. Meanwhile, her stepmother Agnès (Isabelle Tanakil) wears her hair in a updo festooned with victory rolls. Visually, it has the effect of making her look like a kitty. And that is absolutely the one nice thing I can say about her.  image via Shudder Outside of her family, yes, Eva has Sophie and she has her dog Marvin. But that’s about it. Men approach her, but some of them go a little funny when they realize she’s in a wheelchair. Others just abuse her. Obviously then, you can see why a wish fulfillment device would appeal to someone like Eva. And of course, at first it seems like a bit of a joke–a kitschy present that’s very grim and very German. (That’s redundant.) Then, as they do in this kind of movie, things start happening. The first candy, for instance, is an After Eight, her papa’s favorite candy. After she eats it, her dad calls her. The fact that he’s calling her at all is shocking, given his mental decline. But he’s also calling her on her landline, which is disconnected. That’s a pleasant effect, of course. As such, it’s just the kind of event to get you hooked. And you don’t even feel it when the hook goes in. The Advent Calendar ReviewAs the calendar begins its work, it’s easy not to think about its victims. You (and Eva) might even think they deserve what they get. But as the month drags on, the choices get harder. The calendar starts offering up incredible rewards. How far will Eva go to get what she wants? What is she willing to sacrifice for it? That’s the central mystery behind this movie, which is essentially a mystery/thriller. Because despite its home on Shudder, it’s not much of a horror. Yes, it’s bloody, but it’s never really scary. Anyway, while this film is a little slow to start, it soon picks up the pace. You’ll think you’ll be able to predict what’s going to happen. After all, we know what a cursed object–or should I say “objet” since this movie’s French?–does. You wish for money and it gives it to you in the form of a life insurance payout on a loved one. Then another finger on the monkey’s paw curls.  image via Shudder But there are surprises to be found in this film, mainly because the calendar requires more active participation than these devices usually do. That makes everything a little more visceral, a little more real. If you want what your heart truly desires, then, the calendar says, you’re going to have to work for it. You’re going to have to get your hands bloody. Luckily, Derouand is up for the task. Playing a role that could come off variously as a mope or a maniac, she instead breathes enough life into Eva to make us know her. We don’t have to drown in exposition or flashback here. Even without the familiar soundtrack of carol singers, this is an effectively unsettling chiller for the holidays. The ending might be controversial for some viewers, but I like a movie with that kind of courage. It runs the risk of being cheap, but overall, it’s a lot better than the words “Advent calendar horror movie” would lead you to believe. The Advent Calendar is now streaming exclusively on Shudder.Talk about this movie, this Advent Calendar review, or your favorite Christmas horrors in these comments or on our social media. And if you don’t have one, then you should check out my Christmas horror movies guide. featured image via Shudder The Advent Calendar Review: Season’s Bleedings |
| EA Plans Big Changes to the Battlefield Franchise Posted: 03 Dec 2021 03:20 PM PST The Battlefield franchise always feels a few changes away from being a real force in gaming. From casual to competitive gamers, the series always boasted a sizable player base. That said, the latest release, Battlefield 2042, received criticism out of the gate from a lot of people. Matchmaking woes, some bugs, and other issues turned people off from the get-go. In short, I enjoyed working on a review for the game but I understand where people are coming from. With other multiplayer experiences offering a more fine-tuned, exciting experience, it’s tough to say Battlefield makes a strong case for itself over the likes of Halo Infinite multiplayer. Some major changes coming to the Battlefield franchise hope to expand what the series offers gamers and how it melds its many universes. Leadership Shifts and a New Connected Universe: Major Changes Coming to Battlefield Image Credit: EA EA announced a major adjustment to its strategy regarding Battlefield games, one of its most foundational IPs. DICE GM Oskar Gabrielson is leaving the EA family to pursue other projects. This comes just after the release of Battlefield 2042, a game that hoped to kickstart a rejuvenation of the series. Instead, many disliked what they saw. In my Battlefield 2042 review, I called the title “the most unique multiplayer experience” on the market in terms of shooters. I stand by that too. It’s just a matter of execution, which I also mentioned wasn’t exactly flawless in DICE and EA’s latest release. In a conversation with GameSpot, Respawn co-founder and now head of the Battlefield franchise Vince Zampella announced a new approach to the franchise. Rather than take the world of Battlefield 2042 and replace it moving forward, there will now be a connected universe across all of the games. This quote, in particular, is illuminating in terms of what Zampella sees as a path forward:
Part of the changes coming to the Battlefield franchise includes Halo designer Marcus Lehto. Lehto is responsible for the design of Master Chief. With a new Seattle-based studio, Lehto will lead a team centered on expanding and developing this connected universe. Overall, I think with the right leadership, Battlefield could really be a force in both casual and competitive gaming. We’ll just have to see if they pull things together with Zampella’s vision. Battlefield 2042 is Available Now for Consoles and PC Image Credit: EA You can pick up Battlefield 2042 on Xbox and PlayStation consoles as well as PC. Overall, I think the most pressing matter in whether or not the game succeeds moving forward is how DICE approaches updates. The most recent update is a step in the right direction. Additionally, things like weekly challenges and game mode expansions will help players find places within Battlefield 2042 that they enjoy. Much like Halo Infinite multiplayer boosting Battle Pass progression, these online games must correct mistakes in real time. If you’ve checked out Battlefield 2042, then let us know if you’re enjoying the game or not. Plus, tell us in the comments if the concept of a Battlefield connected universe appeals to you! Thanks for reading Comic Years for all things gaming, comics, and pop culture. Featured Image Credit: EA EA Plans Big Changes to the Battlefield Franchise |
| Cobie Smulders Will Reprise Her Role As Maria Hill In Secret Invastion Posted: 03 Dec 2021 11:20 AM PST Ever since the Skrull were introduced and changed pretty significantly in Captain Marvel, we've all been anticipating what MCU's take on the Secret Invasion was going to look like. Now information is finally trickling out about the series, with the most recent confirmation about Secret Invasion being Cobie Smulders will be reprising her role as Maria Hill. How Will Maria Hill Fit Into Secret Invasion?Hill has been Nick Fury's right hand for years, appearing in every Avengers movie along with Winter Soldier, Iron Man 3, and Far From Home (kind of). Hill's most recent appearance in Far From Home, however, was actually Soren the Skrull while Hill herself was out and about somewhere, and even Smulders didn't know where that was.  Image via Marvel Studios Captain Marvel got a bit of flak for portraying the Skrull as victims in contrast to their historical role as the lurking threat that is either hidden in plain sight or hidden in plain sight and stuffed with a bunch of different super powers. As much as it wasn't exactly adored, long term, that decision did add some new potential to the Secret Invasion storyline. Instead of just having it be a Us Vs. Them with the years-long Skrull invasion of Earth, now there's potential for even more chaos! With this setup, there's a non-zero chance that we could see a room full of Nick Fury trying to two truths and a lie each other into admitting who is a fake, and if there's any possibility of something like that happening, I'm in.  Image via Marvel Studios Where is Maria Hill?The Far From Home post-credit scene revealed that Fury was aboard a Skrull ship, seemingly leading them while also rocking the beach look he so desperately deserves. Hill, however, nobody knows where she is. She could be out somewhere working for Fury and the allied Skrull contingent. She could be super dead, having been replaced first by one of the clearly-forthcoming evil skrull who was then replaced by Soren in Far From Home. She could have died in the first Avengers and been replaced off screen. The first episode of Secret Invasion could just be an Agatha-all-along-style montage of Maria Skrull pushing anvils off buildings only to have Fury just barely walk out of the way 50 floors below. Either way, it's going to be cool to finally see Hill and Fury get more time in their own spotlight, and the Skrull definitely have some exciting potential in the rest of the expanding Marvel Multiverse saga. What are your Secret Invasion theories? Tell us about them in the comments! Featured image via Marvel Cobie Smulders Will Reprise Her Role As Maria Hill In Secret Invastion |
| The New Release Date For Guillermo Del Toro ‘Pinocchio’ Revealed By Director Posted: 03 Dec 2021 07:11 AM PST The Disney animated Pinocchio movie from 1940 always kind of creeped me out. The kidnapping of Pinocchio and that scary Puppet Master, Stromboli, and then getting eaten by a whale…Was this something appropriate for Disney audiences? Which is why I was pleased to hear that Guillermo del Toro, director of the horrifically surreal and fantastical, was taking the helm on a stop-motion musical version of the “real boy.” Del Toro’s retelling of Pinocchio for Netflix was first announced in 2018 and many thought it would come out this year (it didn’t thanks to this thing called a pandemic), but the new release date for Guillermo del Toro Pinocchio was revealed by the filmmaker himself in an interview: the end of 2022! I guess when you wish upon a star, film release dates can be revealed! Besides A New Release Date For Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio, What Else Do We Know? Image via Netflix Del Toro has been busy to say the least. His latest movie, Nightmare Alley, is coming out on Spider-Man Day (aka December 17, 2021), and he’s working with Netflix again on his new anthology series, Cabinet of Curiosities, so it’s impressive that he’s added Pinocchio to the mix. For Del Toro though, the project is very personal and he’s said that he hopes the movie subverts audience expectations. In an interview with Collider, Del Toro compared Pinocchio and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (a story he also almost adapted). He said:
The movie already has a stacked cast including Ewan McGregor as the voice of Jiminy Cricket and David Bradley (Argus Filch in the Harry Potter movies) as Geppetto. Other voice actors include Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton, Finn Wolfhard, Christoph Waltz, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson, and Ron Perlman. As mentioned before, Del Toro’s Pinocchio is going to be musical, so he co-wrote the song lyrics while Oscar winner Alexandre Desplat will write the score. Gris Grimly created the original design for the Pinocchio character, and the film's puppets will be built by Mackinnon and Saunders (Corpse Bride). The plot will revolve around Pinocchio’s extraordinary journey as he navigates Mussolini’s Italy while struggling to live up to his father’s expectation. Watch Del Toro talk about Pinocchio with Collider below: The new release date for Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio will be sometime at the end of 2022.Are you excited to finally have a new release date Guillermo del Toro Pinocchio to look forward to next year? Let us know in the comments below! Featured image via Netflix The New Release Date For Guillermo Del Toro ‘Pinocchio’ Revealed By Director |
| Canceled Game of Thrones Show Cost HBO $30 Million Posted: 03 Dec 2021 03:25 AM PST Despite the absolute torturous final season of HBO’s Game of Thrones, the people want more. Preferably, a series that doesn’t botch its ending and taint the entire series. We might have that coming soon in House of the Dragon. Set 200 years before the events of the original show, this series follows the Targaryan house. It’s a wild time if you know the events that take place in Fire & Blood, the fictional history book of the house. While that show is on the way, we learned something shocking about another Game of Thrones show that got canceled and cost HBO big time. $30 million is a lot of money, especially for a show that never came to be. Here’s what we learned in a recent interview with a former WarnerMedia chairman. Despite Getting Canceled, a Game of Thrones Prequel Cost HBO $30 Million Image Credit: HBO We’re getting so much information from the upcoming book, Tinderbox: HBO’s Ruthless Pursuit of New Frontiers. Author James Andrew Miller spoke with former WarnerMedia chairmen Bob Greenblatt for the book and we learned something pretty surprising. Despite never actually getting made, the cost of a pilot for a canceled Game of Thrones show reached upwards of $30 million. The pilot was in production and all signs pointed to a full series. That said, this does happen from time to time in Hollywood. The price tag is just not usually that high. The upcoming release of Tinderbox is revealing a lot of Game of Thrones news this week. Additionally, interviews in the book revealed that George RR Martin “begged” HBO to let the series based on his books go for 10 seasons. This, of course, didn’t happen. Instead, we got a rushed seventh and eighth season that disappointed literally everyone. I can’t even say I want to go back and watch Game of Thrones knowing how it ended. That’s a far shot away from the global phenomenon status of the show before it started falling apart. In Martin’s eyes, that shift in quality occurred in the fifth season. At least we’ll end up seeing if the original magic can be captured again in the upcoming Targarayan series. House of The Dragon Comes Out in 2022 Image Credit: HBO We’ll get a new Game of Thrones show in 2022 when House of the Dragon premieres on HBO. If you’re excited about the show, then let us know in the comments! Thanks for reading Comic Years for all things TV, comics, and pop culture. Featured Image Credit: HBO Canceled Game of Thrones Show Cost HBO $30 Million |
| Hawkeye Episode 3 Spoilers Review – That’s Some Sharp Shooting Posted: 02 Dec 2021 11:21 PM PST It would be easy to feel like we’ve been getting too much content from Marvel Studios these days. In the span of less than a year, we’ve been blessed with multiple series, films, and behind-the-scenes footage. And there’s still more to come before we change our calendars next month! Even with this overabundance, Hawkeye episode 3 reminds us of why we’re still so desperate for more. And that’s because despite fitting within the same superhero genre, each property manages to keep it innovative and unique in its excitement. And Hawkeye keeps proving why the titular character deserves his title as an Avenger, and how he’s been wasted up until now. In this spoilers review of episode 3 of Hawkeye, we’ll dig into all of the action and talk about what might be coming next. You’ve already read that all-important word: spoilers. So, make sure you’ve watched the episode before reading on! Hawkeye Episode 3 Spoilers Review – There Is A Lot Of Personality In All The ActionOur series premiere episodes left Clint Barton and Kate Bishop in a sticky situation. Tied up and surrounded by members of the Tracksuit Mafia, led by Maya Lopez, we knew that our heroes would need to come up with a clever way to escape. The new episode opens with one of the most touching scenes of the series up until now, rather than checking in with Clint and Kate. We get to learn Maya’s backstory immediately, giving some emotional force behind what’s to come. The Echo origin story shows us a young Maya. She is forced to grow up in a school for children who are not deaf like her. While it may seem like the odds are stacked against her, Maya immediately proves that she’s a force to be reckoned with when it comes to brains and brawn. As with many of our main characters, Maya has a tragic backstory that involves her beloved father getting killed by Ronin. This explains why she’s desperate to get back at Clint and Kate, the ones who obviously know something about the murderous character. In addition to seeing Maya’s deceased father, the world also gets a glimpse at her uncle. Or, at least a glimpse of her uncle’s hands. The internet is already going wild with theories that it’s Wilson Fisk, but we think it’s Mephisto. Just kidding, we’ll dig into why it’s probably Fisk in our predictions and theories section below.  Image via Disney+. Back In ActionWe aren’t ready to hate Maya after her origin story. She seems pretty badass, and we can’t be mad at that. But we do still need to keep rooting for Clint and Kate, a duo who could never go down without a fight. After an impressive escape plan organized by Barton, they end up on a highspeed chase throughout New York. The scene is one that was shown in previous before the series even dropped, but some hidden moments and important context were missing. Notably, Barton is now without his hearing aids. After it is squashed by Maya, who believes that he’d be better off without it, the entire action sequence is done without proper communication between our archers. While this provides challenges for them, it leaves the viewers with more than a few chuckles. Their exchange on the subway left me laughing out loud, which doesn’t happen very often during these Marvel Studios series on Disney+. WandaVision made us cry, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier made us reflect, Loki broke our hearts, but we’re finally laughing again.  Image via Disney+. The Action Is The Center Of This EpisodeAfter making sure that they take Pizza Dog for a walk, Clint and Kate head out to get the former’s hearing aid fixed. Eventually, they end up back in Eleanor Bishop’s penthouse due to it hosting a powerful criminal database. Not much is found before they’re locked out, and Duquesne threatens them with a familiar sword. While our shooting team is off getting stuff done, Maya is off talking secretively about her mysterious uncle. Her fellow mafia pal Kazi is especially nervous about what might happen if he joins in on the excitement. We’ll be honest: Not a whole lot happens in this episode. We learn about Maya, get a wicked chase scene, and have more reason to theorize about Kate’s family, but it all happens in a short period of in-universe time. But that’s alright because we have a feeling that the next few episodes are going to take us on one wild ride.  Image via Disney+. Where Do We Go From Hawkeye Episode 3?Hawkeye feels refreshing to our trained-for-easter-egg eyes. We aren’t spending as much time focusing on all of the little clues hidden in the background like we were with WandaVision or wondering how it relates to the multiverse with Loki. Instead, we get to sit back and enjoy the ride. But this episode does leave us wanting one major reveal: Kingpin. The man shown as Maya’s uncle is clearly a pretty large guy. One might use that same descriptor for Vincent D’Onofrio’s Wilson Fisk, as seen in Netflix’s Daredevil. The character was already iconic, but the on-screen portrayal was next level for Marvel villains. He captured terrifying humanity from within the darkest corners of the criminal underworld, and we’ve been begging to see more of him. Based on the secrecy and the later reveal of his importance by Kazi, it’s safe to assume that the character will play a huge role in the future of the series. We aren’t saying that it’s confirmed to be D’Onofrio, or another actor in the role, but we’re more confident about it than we have been with most of our Marvel predictions. These predictions are backed up by the comics. In them, Maya was taken in by Fisk at a young age after the passing of her father (who worked for the mob boss.)  Daredevil. Image via Netflix. A Series Ready For Kingpin And MoreWe’re also still anticipating the appearance of Florence Pugh’s Yelena. Black Widow is briefly mentioned in the episode, as it’s said that she is the one to kill Ronin, but all this does is make us itch for more. Considering her nature, we’re unlikely to see this one coming. Hopefully, the cool character just jumps out of nowhere in her late sister’s landing pose and shows us who is boss.  Image via Marvel Studios. We’re Just Happy To Be HereMarvel has made us feel a wide variety of emotions with its recent content. As mentioned, we’ve cried, smiled, and cheered. With episode 3 of Hawkeye and the promise of more excitement, this series leaves us feeling brought back to the reasons why we love comic book adaptations and superheroes in the first place. They give us something to root for, and it’s something that we can see in ourselves. Having human characters with sympathetic abilities and challenges helps us identify with them, and we love them more for it. We never expected Clint Barton to be the type to mentor somebody. Especially somebody who is just some kid to him. But the dynamic and chemistry between the partnership is humorous, sweet, and strategic. We can’t get enough of them, but we can also have faith that Kate will go on to become a worthy hero even when left to her own devices. You can stream episode 3 of Hawkeye on Disney+ today, with new episodes premiering every Wednesday.Readers, drop your thoughts about the third episode of Hawkeye in the comments. Do you think it’s Kingpin behind the mob drama? Let us know if you have a prediction that we haven’t even thought of yet! Featured image via Disney+. Hawkeye Episode 3 Spoilers Review – That's Some Sharp Shooting |
| Who Is Electro? A Look at the Villains in the Spider-Verse Posted: 02 Dec 2021 06:28 PM PST When Electro appeared in Amazing Spider-Man 2, audiences were mostly disappointed. Jamie Foxx was a fine choice for Maxwell Dillon, but the transformation via tank of electric eels and blue skin was a bit too silly, even for a comic book movie that also featured a dude in a giant armored Rhino costume. Yet when Foxx returned for the role in Spider-Man: No Way Home, fans were delighted – especially when they saw him in the trailers. No more blue skin. In fact, no more blue. Instead, he wore a more comic book accurate costume, all green (looking like an electrician's jumper, which makes sense). Even better? He has the same yellow electricity from the comics, and it looks fantastic. But even though we've seen a version of him in the movies, his comic book counterpart is much different. So, who is Electro? Real Name: Maxwell Dillon Who is Electro? The First Blue Collar Supervillain (Image: Marvel Comics) Supervillains, like many superheroes, rarely started with "normal" lives. Batman was rich. Superman was from another world. Lex Luther, also rich. Red Skull, a high-ranking general in the Third Reich. And so on. At the very least, they were extremely gifted in other ways, such as Captain America's determination or the Riddler's intellect. However, Max Dillon wasn't any of these guys. He was an electrician who worked on power lines. Educated in his trade but not super intelligent. Because of this, he's a lot more similar to Spider-Man than most of his other villains. Stan Lee and Steve Ditko's conceit for Peter Parker was that he was just some kid who got superpowers one day. Sure, Peter was more intelligent than the average teenager, but he would have never become a hero if it weren't for that spider. Instead, he'd just go on to become a science teacher or a tech mogul, but a regular non-spirderized guy. Likewise, Electro only gained his superpowers by a freak accident. While fixing powerlines, he was struck by lightning, which triggered a mutation. Was he a mutant? That's unclear, but Magneto did try to recruit him into the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. But who would Max Dillon be if that lightning never hit him? Most likely, he would have remained an electrician with the occasional petty crime. Like Peter, he'd be a regular non-electrified guy. Of course, where Peter began using his powers for good, Max immediately started a life of crime and never looked back. Besides Spider-Man, Who Else is Electro Trying to Zap?Like many Marvel villains, they fight multiple heroes. Aside from Spider-Man, Electro has battled several heroes. At one point, he was a member of the "Frightful Four," fighting, as you might have guessed, the Fantastic Four. He also fought the Falcon, thinking he would be an easy target. He was wrong. But the villain who Electro seems to hate almost as much as he does Spider-Man is Daredevil. In fact, Electro was the first supervillain that Daredevil faced. Electro even formed his own supervillain team with the sole intent of taking Daredevil down, called the Emissaries of Evil. What's surprising is who hasn't fought against Electro more often: Iron Man. When Max was first learning how to use his abilities, he stole Stark Industry technology to boost his powers. This might be why we see Electro with an Iron Man arc reactor in No Way Home. But he would make an interesting Iron Man nemesis. Six Sinister Stories That Shows Who Electro IsWhile Electro is one of Spider-Man fans' favorite villains, he isn't actually featured all that much. Mostly, he's just another member of the Sinister Six. Sadly for Electro, nearly every villain who has tangled with Spider-Man is a former Sinister Six member. Yet, there must be something about him that makes him unique. These six stories might tell us what that is. Recapture That Old Spark (Image: Marvel Comics) Amazing Spider-Man Vol 4 #1 In a way, we're starting towards the end of Electro's career as a supervillain. Instead of asking "who is Electro," Recapture That Old Spark asks, "who cares about Electro?" After fellow supervillains mock him at the Bar with No Name, Max goes to the scene of his greatest crime: Ryker's Island. He wants to set free all the prisoners as he did once before. But this time, it ends in tragedy. Max suffers from depression, and the ridicule triggers both rage and doubt. The result? He accidentally kills nearly everyone in the prison. The Sin Eater Returns (Image: Marvel Comics) The Spectacular Spider-Man #134-136 In the 1980s, Peter David pushed every boundary of the Comics Code Authority with this tragic three-issue sequel to The Death of Jean DeWolff. After Sin-Eater (Stan Carter) killed DeWolff, Spider-Man gave him a vicious beatdown, leaving Carter permanently crippled. A few years later, Carter is released from prison, and when Peter sees the result of his actions, it makes him afraid to attack anyone. And that's when Electro enters. He realizes that Spider-Man is afraid to hit back and starts to publicly humiliate him. He gets a bit – ahem – high on power. Finally, Carter convinces Spider-Man that he needs to accept that he will hurt people. But when Spider-Man goes off to finally defeat Electro, Stan takes a kid hostage, using a toy gun, so that he can kill himself by way of police. It's a deep dive into guilt and depression. But Electro was the best choice for the villain here too. He's literally power, something Peter lost for a few issues. The Story That Really Answers "Who is Electro": Gauntlet Origins (Image: Marvel Comics) Web of Spider-Man Vol 2 #2 This one-shot fleshed out Electro's origin, showing his ties to Stark and Magneto. It also gives us a better parallel to Spider-Man. When Peter realizes his powers can hurt people, he sees them as a responsibility. But when Max realizes the same, he just sees opportunity. Rebirth of Electro (Image: Marvel Comics) Amazing Spider-Man #422-425 Once again, we look at how Max Dillon's depression gets the best of him. When a group of supervillains offers him a boost in power, he jumps at it. Anything to make himself feel seen and relevant again. And that power-up is big. He even figures out how to disrupt the electrical pulses in Peter's brain, short-circuiting his powers. Spider-Man ends up enlisting X-Man (who was all the rage in the 1990s) to help him take Electro down. But when Spider-Man finally gets the upper hand, Electro throws himself into the Hudson, shorting out his own power, nearly dying, and worst of all – smelling like the Hudson River. The horror! Power to the People (Image: Marvel Comics) Amazing Spider-Man #612-615 One of the best story arcs for Spider-Man was The Gauntlet. It was actually a series of shorter arcs, each featuring a different villain. And the villain who kicked it off was, of course, Electro. Once again feeling dejected, he takes aim at the financial system. Yep – Electro not only joins Occupy Wall Street, but he also becomes a leading figure in the movement! Well, until he goes a bit too far and blows up the Daily Bugle. Breakout (Image: Marvel Comics) New Avengers #1-6 Finally, we have the story that gave Electro his most significant moment in comics. In Breakout, the Skrulls (unknown at the time) hire Electro to break Sauron out of Ryker's Island, and maybe a few others. Electro does just that, setting free a who's who of Marvel villains. It was such a big move that it forced the Avengers to reform. Max finally got to be the biggest badass out there… Until the New Avengers surrounded him, and Spider-Man webbed up Luke Cage's mighty fists. The sight of Luke's web-fists makes Max faint on the spot. Well, he at least got his moment for a little while. And that's who Electro is. He was an everyday guy who wanted to make a name for himself and just so happened to get superpowers. So, what are some of your favorite Electro moments? (Featured Image: Marvel Comics) Who Is Electro? A Look at the Villains in the Spider-Verse |
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